Eyeglass Clinics Improve Vision, Lives: More than 4,000 people in rural Zimbabwe now can see a little better with new glasses provided through a Nyadire Connection program coordinated by Don Ziegler in Pittsburgh and Dr. Larry Tanyaniwa at the Nyadire UM Mission in Zimbabwe. Read UM News story Zimbabwe Hit by Cyclone, Flooding: United Methodists in Zimbabwe were mobilizing to assist those affected by Tropical Cyclone Idai and the accompanying rain, mudslides and flooding that continues to cause...

From UM News Service and U.N. Humanitarian Relief Agency Reports March 22 UPDATE: United Methodists are starting to respond to those affected by Cyclone Idai, which left devastation in parts of three African countries and killed 500 people, with hundreds more still missing. The United Methodist Committee on Relief has allocated three $10,000 grants for immediate, emergency short-term funding to meet basic human needs in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Those needs include water transportation ...

  The Western PA Conference Evangelism Team is seeking nominations of clergy or laypersons to receive a Denman Award for Evangelism. The awards honor those who consistently reach others with the good news of God's love.  Three nominees will be selected for an award in 2019 -- one clergy person, one lay person and one youth.  The WPAUMC Evangelism Team encourages pastors, congregations or individuals to submit nominations. An award winner's ministry should be innovative or exceptional for the ...

In Our Prayers: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 14 at Hill Memorial UMC for the Rev. Ron Lindahl, husband of the Rev. Marjorie Lindahl and father of the Rev. Craig Lindahl. See obituary Services also will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Monroeville UMC for Edward Gascoine, a church leader and father of the Revs. James and Bruce Gascoine. See obituary Plenty (Good) Room for you to join Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn for a Lenten study Plenty Good ...

After GC2019: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, General Conference delegates and A Way Forward Task Force members have held three of 10 scheduled debriefing sessions after GC2019. Space has been extremely limited at some. The next two are Saturday,, March 9. See schedule GC2019 Video: United Methodist Communications put together a five-minute summary video with footage from the Feb. 23-26 special called General Conference. Watch video Bishops Seek Decision on Disaffiliation Action: The Council of ...

Bishop's Letter: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi emailed a letter to clergy and church lay leaders Wednesday night outlining what happened at the Special Called Session of the General Conference. The letter is designed to be shared with congregations this weekend. Read letter. After GC2019: Most Western PA delegates and volunteers returned home from the special called session of General Conference in St. Louis tonight. In the coming weeks, some will join Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and A Way Forward...

Prayer for General Conference: A prayer has been written as part of the Praying Our Way Forward process and will be part of the worship liturgy at the opening of the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference. The Council of Bishops invites you to use it in your churches during worship services on Sunday, February 24. Download prayer in PDF Download prayer in Word Denominational Divorces: As United Methodists prepare for the special General Conference they might learn from the experiences of...

Training in leadership, team building, parliamentary procedure and facilitating discussion is available to clergy and laity on two Saturday this Spring.  It's offered by the team that recruits, trains and coordinates leaders for annual conference legislative sections, but is open to anyone who wants to develop their skills. The trainings are scheduled for Saturday, April 6 and Saturday, May 4 at the UM Conference Center in Cranberry Twp. The schedule will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with ...

Fire at Vandergrift Church: Fire damaged the bell tower at First UMC in Vandergrift on Monday.  Activities in the building have been suspended until repairs can be made. No one was injured. Pastor Sara Wrona was interviewed by KDKA’s Ralph Iannotti. See video InFocus: The February issue of InFocus, our Conference magazine, is out. It’s mailed to clergy and local church leaders serving in positions such as lay leader, but it’s also available online at wpaumc.org/InFocus. Confirmation Events and...

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and representatives of the Western PA General Conference delegation, the WPAUMC A Way Forward Task Force, Cabinet members will conduct debriefing sessions in each of our ten districts following the special called session of General Conference.      The purpose is for lay and clergy members of local United Methodist churches to hear accurate information about the decisions made at the Special Called Session, as well as the process the annual conference will undertake ...

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things;...Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;  make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing...with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn— shout for joy before the LORD, the King.                           --From Psalm 98: 1-6 The ministry of Tim Coles has enabled the people of First United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh to sing new songs, shout for joy, burst ...

As The United Methodist Church prepares for a Special Session of the General Conference on Feb. 23-26, President Kent Millard, president of United Theological Seminary, offers an encouraging message for United Methodists and colleagues in ministry.  The Dr. Millard and the Seminary community invite you to join them in prayer for the 864 delegates who will be attending and voting on possible changes for the denomination.  Many Western Pennsylvania United Methodists began a concentrated prayer...

Developing an Outward Mindset: Time is running out to register for the February 19 Developing an Outward Mindset training at Crossroads’ UMC’s Oakdale campus. The one-day workshop is for anyone who wants to improve leadership skills and make a positive difference by operating from an outward mindset. The training will also be offered at other locations in Western PA. Learn more and register. Pray for General Conference: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi yesterday forwarded a request from the ...

Rev. Junius Dotson, the leader of Discipleship Ministries for the United Methodist Church, will preach and teach in Western Pennsylvania on March 20 and 21. Dotson's focus is on helping local church leaders develop a system for reaching new people and growing disciples. It starts with congregations getting to know and engage with those liviving in their communities. “We’re not talking about new ways of inviting new people to your church,” said Dotson. “It requires building relationships with ...

New Jumonville President: Heather Withrow, a West Virginia native with more than 20 years experience in camping and retreat ministry, has been selected as the new President of Jumonville. Get details Plenty Good Room: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and the Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, director of connectional ministries, will lead a four-week Lenten study Plenty Good Room, based on African-American spirituals. Sessions will be held each Thursday in March from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bakerstown UMC. Learn more ...