Bells of Peace: This Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, is the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. Churches throughout the nation are invited to mark the event at 11 a.m. local time by ringing their bells in remembrance of those who served and sacrificed. Learn more about Bells of Peace.
Reach Out to Veterans: UMC.org offers 20 Ways to Reach Out on Veterans Day. See what they are.
Stand Together at the Point! Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto has arranged for a city-wide rally at noon Friday, Nov. 9 at Point State Park to honor victims of the Tree of Life shooting, and to call for peace and unity among all. It will begin with a one-minute moment of silence for peace and for the 11 victims. Clergy are invited to stand together as a group; if possible, plan to arrive by 10:45 and check in at the gate to be shown to the waiting area.
Woven Together: On Thursday evening, Nov. 15, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will host an interfaith panel sharing thoughts on the shootings at Tree of Life synagogue and how to speak about the tragedy to people in our faith communities. The discussion begins at 7 p.m. Get details.
Connections: The United Methodist connectional system was evident last Sunday at Trinity UMC in Indiana when Richard Roberts officially received the 2018 Friend of United Methodist Women Award from outgoing Conference UMW President Diane Miller and the Rev. Susan Moudry, representing the Conference staff. Read more about the connection in a UMW blog post.
Beware of Spoofers! Spoofing is when the sender’s name on an email is altered to hide its true origin. It’s a practice used by virus and spam authors to make their emails look legitimate and lure people into clicking on links or downloading attachments. For example: The email looks as it is from one address but hovering over it reveals a different address.? Be sure of the exact email address an email comes from before clicking on anything in it.
New Classified ads are on our website. See them at wpaumc.org/classifieds.
GC2019 DCA Now Online: The Advance Edition of the Daily Christian Advocate (ADCA), the official journal of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church, will be available in a bound and printed format by November 26, but a PDF of the 2019 ADCA is accessible online now.
WPAUMC Listening Posts: Just three opportunities remain to join in discussions at Way Forward Listening posts--Nov. 11 at Calvary UMC in Pittsburgh; Nov. 18 at Central Highlands UMC; and Dec. 2 at New Castle First UMC. All are on Sunday afternoons. Get details and register
Way Forward Impact on UMC Mission: A panel of UMC leaders offered an overview of the what impact of a decision on A Way Forward might be on the denomination’s mission. Learn more.
WCA Assembly: The Wesleyan Covenant Association held its first global legislative assembly Nov. 2 and passed four resolutions, including one that said adoption of the One Church Plan would be “untenable and would force us to leave.” The group began working on plans for a new Methodist movement either within or outside the UMC. Read more
Leaders Move Toward New U.S. Structure: The Connectional Table in a Nov. 2 voted unanimously approved a move toward forming a church decision-making body that deals exclusively with U.S. matters. Learn more.
World Aids Day is Dec. 1: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and The Council of Bishops urge United Methodists to observe World Aids Day on December 1. It provides an opportunity to unite with people around the world in the fight against HIV and AIDS and to show compassion and support to those living with the disease. Learn more and find resources.
Resurgence of Racism in U.S.: The Council of Bishops has expressed alarm at the resurgence of racism and pledged to continue the work of exposing and dismantling racism in whatever forms and wherever it presents itself. Affirming a statement prepared by the Ebony Bishops group, they added: “We recognize that until our Anglo brothers and sisters are free of their racism and acknowledge their White privilege none of us will be free.” Read news story
Read Bishops’ statement.
Connecting Faith and Justice: The General Board of Church and Society offers a free downloadable curriculum connected to the Lectionary year C for junior high youth to explore why our faith compels us toward justice. Learn more
Villainizing Migrants: The UMC Council of Bishops, the College of Bishops of the Methodist Church of Mexico, the Presidents of the Methodist churches in Guatemala and El Salvador, and the supervising Bishop of the UMC Mission in Honduras have issued a joint statement “demanding that the governments of our countries treat these migrants (moving through Mexico) in ways that recognize and respect their God-given humanity, and with compassion and dignity. As the bishops of the Methodist Church of Mexico put it: Consider each migrant who crosses your path as if they are Jesus Christ.” Read joint statement.
Read more about bishops’ response in Mexico
The Pittsburgh Creche, an exact replica of the nativity scene at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, is a beloved part of Pittsburgh's holiday traditions. The creche, which is set up each year at Steel Plaza on Grant St. in downtown Pittsburgh, will be rededicated for the 2018 season by members of Christian Associates' Council of Bishops & Judicatory Executives on Friday, November 16 at noon. Donations to help support the creche will be accepted by the Pittsburgh Foundation by clicking here.
Greensburg Creche Show: First UMC in Greensburg will welcome the visitors to its annual creche show Dec. 6, 7, 8. For details, download a flyer