Conference News

We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf has entered, having become a high priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 6:19-20 Siblings in Christ,   I pray that all our souls are anchored in Christ, who is our hope.    This past summer I had the opportunity to rest and relax with my husband and fur baby, be educated around leadership and my African American ... read more

tGun Violence Awareness: WPXI reported on the display outside of Sewickley United Methodist Church that remembers those lost to gun violence and encourages people to do something about it. Sixty-five T-shirts sit on 65 poles, each representing someone lost to gun violence in Allegheny County. Read story.  Photo courtesy of Sewickley UMC PA Governor Visits Roots of Faith: Governor Tom Wolf delivered remarks at Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg to outline a proposed program to assist Pennsylvanians ... read more

After an extensive job search, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, episcopal leaders of the Susquehanna and Western Pennsylvania Annual Conferences of the United Methodist Church, are “ecstatic to announce that Liz Lennox will serve in the shared position of Director of Communications for the Susquehanna and Western Pennsylvania Annual Conferences.” The new position will create and oversee communications strategies for both Conferences and will collaborate with the ... read more

We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the friends and family of District Superintendent Autura Eason-Williams. Rev. Dr. Eason-Williams was shot and killed outside of her home in Memphis, TN as her car was being stolen. We grieve her senseless death alongside the members of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Annual Conference and the Metro District.   Please keep all involved lifted in prayer. Read the statement from the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference. Read the UM News story. read more

Revs. Beth L. Nelson and Terry Shaffer, longtime pastors who have been involved in mission and community outreach throughout their ministries, will lead participants at the 2022 Mission u in exploring Who Can We Be Together? The focus will be on Building Communities of Hope and Joy, becoming the communities God wants us to be.  Mission u will be held from Friday evening, August 19 through lunch on Sunday, August 21 at Jumonville.  Beth Nelson has much experience in building communities of hope ... read more

The 2021-2022 Committee on Episcopacy today released a statement thanking Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi for her continued care and leadership of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, while she also served with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball of West Virginia as Interim Bishops of the Harrisburg Area, which includes the Susquehanna Conference. The shared leadership model was announced shortly before Harrisburg Area Bishop Jeremiah Park retired in 2021. The 2021-2022 Committee on Episcopacy of The ... read more

Mapletown UMC Rises from Ashes: The Observer-Reporter published a story about Mapletown UMC breaking ground on their new church building after a devastating fire in 2020. Read more.  The Northeast Jurisdictional Conference: After the UMC Judicial Council ruled that Jurisdictional Conferences can elect new bishops this year, the Council of Bishops scheduled the elections for Nov. 2-5. Newly elected bishops take office on Jan. 1. The Baltimore-Washington Conference will host the NEJ Conference. ... read more

Summer Solstice Event at Calvary UMC: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published a story about the summer solstice event held at Calvary UMC that showcased the church’s iconic windows. Read the story.  Grant recipients The Foundation for Evangelism announced 31 recipients awarded grants in its inaugural Equipping the Local Church Grants 2022 cycle. Three Western Pennsylvania ministries were selected: Lakeside UMC, Girard UMC, and About Face Church Outreach Consultants. Read more. Youth Canoe Journey:... read more

Let Us Remember in Prayer all the high school and college graduates beginning a new phase of life, those beginning retirement, pastors moving to new appointments, and the churches experiencing a pastoral change.  Mission u 2022 will be held at Jumonville the weekend of Aug. 19-21, with programs for adults, youth and children. All will be focused on Building Community. The adult study will be led by Revs. Beth Nelson and Terry Shaffer, while Rev. Bev Roscoe will be dean for Youth Mission u and ... read more

2022 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference June 2-4, Erie Bayfront Convention Center, Erie, PA By Liz Lennox, Conference Communicator Anchored in Christ, based on Hebrews 6:19, was the theme for the 2022 Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference. The annual conference met June 2-4 at the Erie Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA. The session included ordination, Bible studies and plenary sessions, concluding on Saturday with a memorial service. Masks were required at all times due to an upswing... read more

Peace with Justice Sunday is June 12!  Each year, on the first Sunday after Pentecost, United Methodists celebrate efforts across the connection that are building peace and receive a special offering to support them. Learn more and find resources. BSA Update: New relationship agreements, formerly known as charters, for churches sponsoring Boy Scout troops will be ready by the end of June, according to a letter being distributed to congregational Scouting leaders. To help orient these leaders to ... read more

In Times Like These: In a statement after the murder of 19 school children in Uvalde, Texas, Bishop Moore-Koikoi shared a prayer and words from a hymn by Ruth Caye Jones. Read her statement Take Action to Stop Mass Shootings: Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, president of the UMC Council of Bishops, today urged clergy and laity to “go on offense to stop mass shootings like the one that killed 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Texas.” Writing on behalf of the COB, he suggested ... read more

Need prayer? The Annual Conference Prayer Team will offer in-person opportunities on Thursday and Friday of the upcoming Annual Conference, June 2-3. On Thursday at 11 a.m., teams will form for orientation, then walk and pray over each room where legislation will be decided. An interactive prayer room with self-guided prayer stations and teams to pray with you upon request, will be open on Thursday, June 2 from 1 p.m.-11p.m. and Friday from 7 a.m. -11 p.m. It will be in room 130C. Private ... read more

U. S. Conferences Can’t Vote to Leave UMC: The United Methodist Church's Judicial Council ruled this week that current church law does not allow annual conferences in the U.S. to withdraw from the denomination. The ruling answers questions from the United Methodist bishops, who are dealing with the ramifications of a splintering denomination. Read UM News story See Council of Bishops press release: Council of Bishops welcomes decision WCA Remaining in UMC:  Although the Global Methodist Church ... read more

Mothers Day: As you prepare to observe Mother’s Day, consider inviting church members and friends to celebrate a mother, grandmother or mother figure by donating to your local church, posting about it on social media and encouraging others to do the same! They can share why the person they’re celebrating is special. Resources designed to appreciate mothers and their gifts are available here.  Give Mom a Chance to Get Away! Olmsted Manor’s Spring Women’s Retreat is May 20-22. Rev. Ginger Thomas ... read more