Conference News

Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, Conference Director of Connectional Ministries, has announced the names of the clergy and laity who will serve as regional Conference staff in an experimental leadership model designed to get back to the basics of Christian faith -- Loving God and Loving Neighbor--through local church ministries. "As the Director of Connectional Ministries who will be supervising our Regional Staff Pilot Project, and as a member of the Sustainability Task Force which developed this new ... read more

Joyce M. Davis, a respected journalist and non-profit CEO who serves as the Lay Leader of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church, has been selected as coordinator of United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania.    As the coordinator, she will work with advocacy leaders from the Eastern Pennsylvania, Susquehanna and Western Pennsylvania conferences to increase awareness of legislative activity related to the denomination’s Social Principles and encourage local church members to ... read more

Annual Conference Update: Clergy Session was held Monday afternoon via Zoom webinar, with members confirming the Board of Ordained Ministry’s approval of 2020 and 2021 candidates for ministry. The 2020 class includes five Elders and three Deacons approved for full membership and two Provisional Deacons.  The 2021 Class includes 14 Elders and two Deacons approved for Full Membership, four Provisional Elders and three Provisional Deacons. Ordination and commissioning services will be held on ... read more

On May 3, with COVID-19 cases and deaths declining in most U.S. states, and more people are being vaccinated against the virus, the Conference Abundant Health Team issued updated COVID-19 guidelines for Western PA churches.  While the news is good news, the team said in an email to clergy and church leaders, "it is important to remember that the pandemic is not yet over. We must continue to take precautions to keep our congregations, our communities, and ourselves safe and healthy and to help ... read more

COVID Safety Guidelines: This week, the Center for Disease Control updated safety guidelines for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and modified recommendations on wearing masks outdoors. The WPAUMC guidelines are being updated by leaders of our Abundant Health Team. They will be emailed to pastors and local church leaders and posted on the Conference website as soon as possible, most likely Friday afternoon. See CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated people  In the News: Rev. ... read more

Earth Day is April 22! Read why it matters and find resources here. Join Earth Day Live at noon Thursday at .earthday.org/earth-day-2021/ Funeral services will be held Friday, April 23 at Bradenville UMC for the Rev. Paul E. Wilson, who was serving in retirement as pastor of the church. He passed away Monday at his home in Derry with his family at his side. Visitation will be Thursday, April 22. Read more Developing Christian Leaders Congregational Development/Revitalization Director Named: ... read more

Following the return of three guilty verdicts in the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi shared her personal response as a black woman. She then called on all Christians to "work to bring an end to the racism, bias, abuse of power, and lack of empathy and compassion that continue to lead to the murder of black and brown people across our beloved nation. It is our Christian duty to work for justice," she said. Here ... read more

In an effort to get back to the basics of Christian faith -- Loving God and Loving Neighbor--through local church ministries, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi on April 16  announced an experimental regional leadership model that pairs lay and clergy staff assigned to work part-time in a specific region to better equip congregations for disciple-making.  In the Regional Staff Leadership Model, one staff member will serve as a Regional Coordinator of Spiritual Formation (Love God) and the other as ... read more

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi today announced that the Rev. Robert H. Wilson will be appointed to serve as Director of Congregational Development and Revitalization for the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, effective on July 1, 2021. Wilson, currently the pastor of Zion United Methodist Church in Sarver, was offered the position after the Conference Personnel Committee conducted a search and made a recommendation.  "Rob brings to this position a spirit of humility, wisdom, charisma, and ... read more

Prayers of the People: Please join in prayer for the families and friends of the Rev. Roger Rulong and Cindy Raptosh, who passed away in the last week. Visit wpaumc.org/obituaries Maximizing Hybrid Worship: If you’re offering both online and in-person worship, or planning to, you won’t want to miss our May 15 webinar with Jason Moore of Midnight Oil Productions. Watch video intro with Rev. Doug Dyson and get details. How Much ___Do You Have? In a reflection posted on the Conference blog, Rev. ... read more

It's Time for SPARK! Pray for our youth and their leaders on Saturday, April 17, during SPARK, the Conference youth gathering. It will be held in-person at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center and live-streamed to churches around the Conference. Learn more and check out the Swag Store Eastertide Worship Service: Several churches will be using the Eastertide Worship Service prepared by Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and her Cabinet this coming Sunday. Links to download the service --or the Bishop's ... read more

As we continue through Holy Week, join in our daily Lenten video devotionals called Cross Sections.  Find them at wpaumc.org/lenten-video-series. Jumonville Easter Sunrise Service: The UM churches of Greater Uniontown invite you to join them at Jumonville for their annual Easter Sunrise Service. Take a chair (and warm coat, if needed) and meet on the lawn in front of the dining hall at 7 a.m. Offerings will go to the Kidz2Kamp scholarship fund.  Easter Blessing Over Pittsburgh: Bishop Cynthia ... read more

The Bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction have announced the voluntary retirements of two bishops and plans for coverage of their episcopal areas for the 16 months from the Sept.1, 2021 effective date through the end of 2022.  Bishops Peggy Johnson of the Philadelphia Area and Jeremiah Park of the Harrisburg Area have been granted voluntary retirement and will move to new roles starting Sept. 1 under paragraph 408.2 (b) of The Book of Discipline.  Pittsburgh Area Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi,... read more

Throughout the pandemic, United Methodist Human Services of Johnstown has continued its ministry and stepped up to help people navigate getting the services they need for housing and utility security, as well as offering direct financial assistance through their Bridges to Success and Emergency Financial Assistance programs. In 2020, meeting needs during the pandemic required a significant shift for UMHS.  In recent years, UMHS had scaled back its emergency financial assistance program, ... read more

Call to Prayer and Action: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi issued a pastoral letter this week calling United Methodists to prayer and action to address gun violence and the increasing number of assaults on Asian Americans in the United States. Read her letter A day earlier, the Conference Anti-Racism Team issued a statement urging all Christians to speak up against hate. Learn more General Conference Update: The UM Council of Bishops on Monday canceled its call for a special virtual session of ... read more