Conference News

New Coordinator of Clergy/Lay Excellence Named: The Rev. Chenda Innis Lee, who currently serves on Conference staff as a Regional Coordinator for Spiritual Formation in the Pittsburgh/Butler area, will begin serving as the new Coordinator of Clergy and Lay Excellence on July 1.  Read news story Postings for other Conference staff positions, as well as some local church positions, were added to the Conference website this week at wpaumc.org/classifieds   Are You Registered for Annual Conference? ... read more

The Ruth M. Smith Center in Sheffield, PA is a National Mission Institution of the United Methodist Women (now United Women in Faith) and is operated by a Board of Directors that includes United Methodists and residents of the northwestern PA area from other denominations.  In 2022, its Centennial year, we're celebrating the mission and ministry of the Smith Center by sharing stories.  --By Mark Lindberg, Board Member, The Ruth M. Smith Center-- From time to time in our lives, we meet a person ... read more

The Rev. Chenda Innis Lee, a lifelong United Methodist and ordained elder in the Virginia Conference, has been selected by the WPA Conference Personnel Committee to serve as the new Coordinator of Clergy and Lay Excellence.  Rev. Lee has been serving as the Regional Coordinator of Spiritual Formation in the Pittsburgh/Butler area since December 1, 2021. She will begin her new position on the Conference Program Staff on July 1, 2022.   “Rev. Lee has a quiet confidence and a deep spiritual ... read more

Annual Conference 2022: The Pre-Conference Booklet is now available through a link on the Annual Conference webpage wpaumc.org/AC   Order of Elder Meeting: The Order of Elder will hold a reorganizational meeting, with election of officers, on Thursday, May 12, following the adjournment of the Clergy Session at Dutilh U.M. Church. All members of the order are encouraged to attend and are eligible to vote. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi will convene the meeting and preside over the election of new ... read more

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is collaborating with a Texas-based humanitarian organization focused on Ukraine and Ohio Health to send 47,895 pounds of medical supplies and equipment worth $935,000.00 to two hospitals in Kyiv, Ukraine. AEC Parcel Services is handling transport of the supplies, which are being sent in three shipments.    The first shipment arrived at the State Ukrainian Health Ministry Heart Institute in Kyiv on Thursday, April 14, 2022. The second shipment was... read more

As we continue through Holy Week, we invite continued prayers for all those affected by the war in Ukraine and unrest elsewhere in our world, as well as for our Bishop and her family. Her mother, Joan Lee Simms Moore, was laid to rest today. See Mrs. Moore’s obituary SPARK Update: The youth had a great time at SPARK in Erie last weekend. In addition to worship, Gaga-ball and other activities, they put together Blessing Bags for those in need in the Erie area. See photos at facebook.com/wpaumc ... read more

Annual Conference 2022: The pre-Conference Journal, containing legislation submitted the 2022 Annual Conference, the proposed 2023 Connectional Apportionment Budget, and reports has been posted on the Conference website at www.wpaumc.org/AC  Intentional Missional Alignment Process: One piece of AC2022 legislation, RS 701, was submitted by the Actively Waiting Task Force, a diverse group of laity and clergy that spent time over the past year looking for ways to proactively respond to the ... read more

Support UMCOR! Last Sunday, March 27, many local churches observed UMCOR Sunday. But it’s not too late to celebrate or contribute to the special offering, which supports the administrative costs of the United Methodist Committee on Relief. This offering ensures that all funds given for a specific UMCOR project go to that project. Get details for observing UMCOR Sunday Annual Conference Childcare: Registration is open for childcare and the Recess program during the Annual Conference, but space ... read more

Confirmation Journey Events Wrap Up: Last Friday, the Bishop and Conference staff hosted groups of students to the last of our three 2022 Confirmation Journey events held at Dutilh UMC. See photo album Thoughts from Our Bishops: The first two Same Mission, New Hope gatherings in Western PA where Bishops Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Sandra Steiner Ball will share their vision and plans for leading into the future will be this Saturday, March 26. One will be at 10 a.m. at St. Marys UMC and the other ... read more

Same Mission, New Hope: Bishops Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Sandra Steiner Ball have scheduled a series of regional gatherings for clergy and laity in the Western PA, West Virginia and Susquehanna Conferences to hear their thoughts and plans for leading the three areas in ministry and mission. See schedule and get details  NEJ Bishops Offer Hope, Re-Commit to Church’s Mission: In a video statement issued today, the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops committed themselves to leading the ... read more

Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi have scheduled regional gatherings for clergy and laity of the Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Susquehanna Conferences to worship together, learn more about the Bishops' shared leadership of the three areas, and hear their vision and hope for the future of mission and ministry in the United Methodist Church. Entitled Same Mission, New Hope: Thoughts from Your Bishops, the gatherings in Western PA are scheduled for:  Saturday, ... read more

Choi Named Kane District Superintendent: The Rev. Dr. Sang Kong Choi will be appointed Superintendent of the Kane District, effective July 1. “Rev Choi will bring a number of gifts to the Kane District, including effective leadership experience in rural and suburban churches and in starting a new congregation, said Bishop Cynthia moore-Koikoi. Read more Confirmation Journey: The first group of Confirmation Classes gathered at Dutilh UMC last week to meet our Bishop and Conference staff, have ... read more

By Liz Lennox, WPAUMC Communications Staff Nearly 80 people gathered at Dutilh UMC in Cranberry Twp. on Feb. 28 for I Go On Singing: Paul Robeson’s Life in His Words and Songs, a multimedia musical presentation written by Andrew Flack and performed by Anthony Brown. Brown’s rich baritone voice combined with piano accompaniment, narration, and photo/video archival footage made for an entertaining yet profoundly moving look at the life of singer, actor, and activist Paul Robeson. Anthony Brown ... read more

After the March 3 announcement that the postponed 2020 General Conference of The United Methodist Church cannot be held until 2024, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi recorded this video message for the laity and clergy of the Western PA Conference. Acknowledging the need to address question raised by the postponement, the Bishop urged United Methodists in the meantime to "stay focused on our ministry and mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." On Tuesday, ... read more

As Lent begins, pause to reflect, repent and believe… We’ve revived our Cross Sections video series of meditations by Conference leaders to use on your Lenten Journey. Learn more. Find other Lent and Easter Resources at wpaumc.org/lentandeasterresources Bishop Urges Prayer, Action for Ukraine: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi called on United Methodists to pray for peace in Ukraine, which acting to aid the Ukrainian people impacted by the war. She suggested three ways to help. Read her statement. ... read more