How to Set Pastor’s Salary: The guidelines for 2019 are being mailed this week. To see the information now, click here.
Albright Church Ruling Stands: July 8 was the deadline to file appeals to the PA Supreme Court challenging a Commonwealth Court ruling that a historic designation for Albright UMC in Pittsburgh was not legal. The City said it would not appeal and no other actions were filed in the case. Read Post-Gazette story
AC Lost and Found: Some items left behind during Annual Conference at Grove City College have been retrieved and are at the Conference Center. Call 724-776-2300 to see if your missing item is there. Also, Jaye Beatty has found a medical-related item in a small black zippered bag that was left in the Prayer Room. The owner can email jaye@jumonville.org.
Early Response Team Training: A training session for ERT members will be offered in the Ebensburg area at Nanty Glo UMC, 998 Lloyd Street, Nanty Glo on Aug. 11, 2018. Learn more and Register
It’s not too late to register for the Saturday, June 21 training in the Pittsburgh area at Roots of Faith, 800 Main Street, Sharpsburg, PA. Register
Weigh in on Revised Social Principles! United Methodists from across the connection have been invited to weigh in on a revision of the Social Principles. You’re invited to attend one of two sessions scheduled at the Conference Center: Saturday, July 28 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. or Thursday, Aug. 2 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Learn more and see revised Social Principles
DCOM Training: Training for new members of District Committees on Ministry (DCOM), new DCOM chairs, and new DCOM registrars will be held on Saturday, August 18 from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. at the Conference Center in Cranberry Twp. It is open to all. If you have questions, contact Rev. Janet Lord, Coordinator of Ministerial Services, at jflrd425@aol.com.
Older Adult Ministries: Explore ways to be in ministry by, with, and for older adults during a Sept. 23-25 retreat at Olmsted Manor. Rev. Dr. William Randolph, who was Director of Aging & Older Adult Ministries for UMC Discipleship Ministries, will lead along with Greensburg DS Pat Nelson, who is certified in Older Adult Ministry. Learn more.
Bishops Seek Judicial Council Ruling: The Council of Bishops has asked for a ruling on the constitutionality of three legislative plans heading to the 2019 special General Conference. The request will be on the docket items of the Judicial Council this fall. Learn more.
Read more about what’s on docket
Delegates Discuss Way Forward: Dozens of General Conference delegates recently gathered in Nashville to build relationships and discuss plans for The United Methodist Church’s future. Read story
Uniting Methodists Gather: The Uniting Methodists group, meeting July 16-18 in Dallas, went beyond talking up the One Church Plan to discussing strategy and tactics for getting it passed at the special General Conference set for February 2019. Read more
UM Student Loan Limit Doubled: The UMC Office of Loans and Scholarships has doubled the maximum amount United Methodist students can borrow to pursue their education. They can now borrow up to $10,000 per calendar year (January through December) with a lifetime maximum of $40,000 from the UM Student Loan Fund. Learn more.
YOUTH 2019: Discounted early-bird registration is underway for YOUTH 2019, the national gathering for United Methodist youth and their leaders next year in Kansas City that promises four days of discipleship, worship, Bible study, service opportunities and life-changing fun. Get details and register.
UMW Cutting Staff: United Methodist Women has announced plans to reduce the size of its national staff through a voluntary severance offering. Read press release
Worship Songs and Wesleyan Theology: A small team of United Methodist experts gives advice on which contemporary worship songs are compatible with Wesleyan theology and evaluates their sing-ability for congregations. Read more
Can You Identify Implicit Bias? The United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race has developed an “Implicit Bias Workbook” as a resource for preachers and teachers who want to learn and teach congregations about implicit bias. Download
Avoid Digital Communication Disasters! Serious congregational conflicts can be caused by poor use of electronic communication, says consultant Joel Snider. He offers seven key principles for forging a digital communication covenant that can help. See what they are.
Responding to #Me Too: The #MeToo movement has been a wakeup call regarding the pervasiveness of sexual harassment and misconduct in almost every sector of society, including the church. The UMC Commission on the Status and Role of Women has outlined ways that a congregation can respond to victims and help prevent further abuse. Read more.
See COSROW’s #Me Too Toolkit