'No Words' After Synagogue Killings: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi issued a powerful lament and called United Methodists to 17 minutes of silent, reflective prayer for seven days as a way of expressing our profound grief and listening for God’s guidance in how to support the Jewish community in the Pittsburgh area. Read more.
Near Miss for Holocaust Survivor: Judah Samet drove into a parking space at Tree of Life Synagogue about four minutes late for services, but in time to see shots being fired from the building and police returning fire. He told the story at Faith UMC in Delmont the next day during a previously scheduled talk. Read more
WPA Churches Respond After Massacre: Churches in the Pittsburgh area and beyond responded with prayer, presence and support for the Jewish community after 11 people were murdered during services at their synagogue in Pittsburgh. Learn more
Read UM News Service story on response
Moving Beyond Tolerance: Rabbi Abie Inger suggests that choosing love over hate is the way to achieve peace in our communities and the world. The son of Holocaust survivors, he’s devoted his life to promoting interfaith understanding and spoke at Christ UMC in Bethel Park the day after 11 were killed at Tree of Life Synagogue. Read more.
See photo album
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Butler DS Eric Park reflected on a world where many people are nurtured in “the rhythms of hatred” and a story that Jesus told. Read more
Responding to Violence: Our denomination offers a variety of resources to help people cope with violent events and learn how churches can respond. See Resources.
Church Security: In the wake of what’s been described as the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history, the murder of 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue Oct. 27, congregations across the nation are expressing concern about security. Church Mutual insurance company offers a variety of free safety resources at churchmutual.com/armedintruder.
Stewardship: Consultant Cliff Christopher says relationship building is the key factor in encouraging donors to give. And while pastors often shy away from talking about money, Christopher says people of faith want guidance on how a disciple uses money. Read more in Leading Ideas.
Facing Up to Racism: Clergy and laity of the Erie-Meadville District will gather at Edinboro UMC at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 to talk about how they can address racism. Rev. Sara Roncolator of the Conference Anti-Racism Team will lead the discussion.
Ethnic Clergy Retreat: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi led a session on Spiritual Formation during the Oct. 22- ethnic clergy retreat. She focused on meditation in times of hurt, struggle and injustice due to racism. The Bishop introduced several forms of meditation and encouraged daily practice. After a session about Thomas Merton and racism, the clergy designated Oct. 26 as a day of fasting and prayer to focus on dismantling racism and raise awareness of racial injustice.
Camping Campaign Update: The Deeply Rooted, Upward Reaching campaign to support Camping and Retreat ministries has raised gifts and pledges totally about $800,000! The campaign is now in the local church fundraising phase. If your church has not yet named a coordinator to receive training, a manual to guide your process and other information, call Jessica Gamache at the Conference Center or email jessica.gamache@wpaumc.org.
Learn more about the campaign.
UMW Leaders: Linda Thayer was installed as the new president of the Conference United Methodist Women last Saturday at the the group’s annual meeting at Oakland UMC in Oil City. See the photo album
Youth Service Fund Weekend: It is Nov. 3-4. Download a bulletin insert for Youth Service Fund weekend,
Only Two Days Left to get the early bird discount for SPARK, the January 2019 youth weekend. For details, go to wpaumc.org/spark.
UM Student Day: As you prepare to celebrate United Methodist Student Day on Nov. 25, UMC Giving offers a seven-day devotional to help your congregation reflect on investing in student’s future. Download devotional.
Get updated videos, bulletin inserts, slides and social media graphics for Student Day at UMC Giving.
District Office Moves: The Connellsville District Office has moved to 30 East Main Street, Suite 202, Uniontown, PA 15401. (To avoid steps, use the entrance located at 30 East South Street.) The new phone number is 724-550-4058.
Fall Back! Daylight Savings Time ends at 2 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 4. Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour!
Judicial Council Ruling: The United Methodist Judicial Council has ruled that the One Church Plan is largely constitutional, while the Traditional Plan had more problems that must be addressed to pass a constitutional test. Because the Connectional Conference Plan would require constitutional changes, the Judicial Council said it lacked authority to review it. Learn more.
GC2019 Registration: Guests and observers to the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference, The United Methodist Church’s top legislative assembly, may now pre-register online. General Conference will meet in St. Louis, Missouri at the America’s Center February 23-26, 2019. Learn more
Exponential 2019: Discipleship Ministries’ Path 1 has 100 tickets available at the discounted price of $99 for Exponential, an event for church planters that will be held March 4-7, 2019 in Orlando, FL. The theme is Made for More: Mobilizing God’s People, God’s Way. The $99 price will be available until Dec.15, but the 100 Path 1 tickets are on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more about Exponential
Register here