Conference News

Clergywomen Share Hopes and Prayers for 2022: You may recognize two of the United Methodist clergywomen from across the U.S. who shared their hopes and prayers in this video.  Meet in the Middle: In this week’s Meet in the Middle podcast Rev. Drew Gordon talks with Rev. Leo Yates, Jr., an ordained deacon in the Baltimore-Washington Conference who has written several books and articles on Deaf ministry and services. Drew and Leo discuss personal experiences in the Deaf community and how churches... read more

Martin Luther King Jr. weekend -- Jan. 15-17, 2022 -- has been a time to celebrate Dr. King’s life and remember how his work in the Civil Rights Movement prepared the foundation for dismantling racism. This year, due to the resurgence of the coronavirus, observances have been moved online or scheduled for later this winter.  In Western Pennsylvania, the Greensburg District Antiracism Team prepared the virtual service virtual service shown above. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi offered the message. ... read more

Pending court approval of a settlement agreement in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) bankruptcy case, United Methodists have agreed to contribute $30 million to a $3 billion Survivor Trust Fund that will receive contributions from the Boy Scouts of America (BSA), insurance companies and charter organizations.  Every annual conference in America is asked to contribute toward the $30 million. The Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference has been asked to contribute $ 650,300 to the Survivor Trust ... read more

Prayer for the New Year: The 2022 Prayer for the New Year from the East German -Western PA Partnership Committee is featured on the homepage of the Conference website. See the prayer   SPARK 2022! The first of two Spark events for Conference youth and their leaders will be held this weekend at the Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh. Please pray for our Youth Ministry Team, as well as the youth and their leaders. Registration is open now for the April 9-10 SPARK event in Erie at the Bayfront ... read more

Connellsville Area Community Ministries held a special luncheon and Christmas celebration at its downtown store location on December 22 to honor its many volunteers for the thousands of hours given in support of the ministry. During the event a surprise announcement was made.  Barry Craig, the chair of the board of directors, told board members, staff and volunteers that the mortgage on the store location mortgage had been paid off five years early. He attributed the early payoff to the ... read more

As 2022 began, COVID-19 transmission remained high and the guidance issued by the WPAUMC Abundant Health Team on Nov. 22 before Thanksgiving and the start of Advent remains valid.  COVID-19 transmission remains high in much of the United States, including in Pennsylvania.  To keep yourselves, your loved ones, your communities, and your congregations safe and healthy, please take the following precautions:    1. Get vaccinated!   COVID-19 vaccines are available for those 5 years of age and ... read more

Each year, the East German Conference and the Western Pennsylvania Conference partnership committee shares a joint New Year's prayer, which can be offered during New Year's services in both areas, as well used in individual devotions. This year the East German Partnership committee has formulated the prayer.   Eternal God! You are the source of all life. We look back at the past year and remember so many things we were grateful to take from Your hand - how many times you surprised us ... read more

As we prepare to light the candles of the Advent wreath and declare that unto us a Savior is born who is Christ the Lord, we send wishes for a healthy Christmas filled with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. May you experience anew the power of Christ’s birth. Reflecting on God's Timing: Like many who experienced loss in this season, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi began wondering about God's timing. But during a celebration of life service for her aunt this week, and on the drive home, she realized again ... read more

United Methodist leaders have reached a settlement as part of the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) pending bankruptcy proceedings. It calls for the denomination to pay $30 million over three years into a trust to compensate survivors of Scouting-related sexual abuse and also provides United Methodist churches protection from future abuse-related lawsuits. The settlement, announced Dec. 21 after months of negotiations, is part of a BSA reorganization plan which still must be approved by a federal ... read more

Be An Instrument of God’s Miracles: In a statement after tornadoes carved a path through communities in the Midwest and Tennessee Valley, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi urged United Methodists in Western PA to make themselves available as instruments of God’s miracles.  Read her statement Responding to Deadly Tornadoes: United Methodists in Kentucky, Tennessee and neighboring states are coming to terms with the death and property devastation caused by the tornadoes, while also mobilizing quickly ... read more

Celebration of Life Services will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11 at Avery UMC for the Rev. George Dran, on Sunday, Dec. 12 at Karns City UMC for Kenneth Foster, and on Saturday, Dec. 18 at Somerset First UMC for Rev. Donald Krestar. Find details at wpaumc.org/obituaries.  A Message of Hope Today: Rev. Chuck Hildbold, pastor of Jennerstown UMC, appeared in a segment of Cornerstone TV Network’s Hope Today show on Tuesday. He talked with host  Tom McGough, a leader at Holiday Park UMC, about his ... read more

New Regional Coordinator Named: The Rev. Chenda Innis Lee began serving as the Regional Coordinator for Spiritual Formation for the Pittsburgh/Butler region, effective today. The part-time position is part of an experimental leadership model designed to get back to the basics of Christian faith -- Loving God and Loving Neighbor. Learn more.  Hope Today: Rev. Chuck Hildbold was interviewed this week for Cornerstone TV network program to air next Tuesday at 9 a.m. as part of the Hope Today ... read more

The Rev. Chenda Innis Lee, a lifelong United Methodist and ordained elder in the Virginia Conference, has been selected as the new Regional Coordinator of Spiritual Formation for the Butler/Pittsburgh region. She moved to Pittsburgh when her husband, the Rev. Dr. Asa Lee, began serving as President of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in June, 2021.  The part-time regional staff positions were created earlier this year as part of an experimental leadership model designed to get back to the basics... read more

Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart! As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, many of us have much to be thankful for, despite the upsurge in COVID-19 cases in most of Western PA. As we gather around a table, let’s remember and be grateful for many blessings experienced throughout the year. See Celebrating with Gratitude at home Be Thankful Like Job: Perhaps this year more than most, Thanksgiving falls in a season of suffering for many believers here and around the world. How can we celebrate in ... read more

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Nov. 18 at College Ave. UMC in Beaver Falls for former Conference Treasurer Patricia Morris, and on Friday, Nov. 19 for Pastor Jan Reynolds at East Kane UMC, where she served as pastor. Services were held Monday for longtime Conference Historian Helen Clear, who passed away on Nov. 11. For details, visit www.wpaumc.org/obituaries. Advent Devotional: United Methodists in Eastern Germany and Western Pennsylvania have released their 2021 Advent Devotional in... read more