Foundation Honors Millers: The Rev. Dr. John Miller and Diane Miller received the United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania’s 2019 Founders Day Award during a luncheon on Friday, Nov. 9 in Pittsburgh. Learn more.
Welcoming Children: The Conference Connectional Leadership Table’s meeting this coming Saturday will be the first for which childcare will be provided. It’s an effort to welcome and support parents of young children who share their gifts by providing leadership for Conference ministries.
Prayer Initiative: All laity and clergy who feel called to prayer are invited to be part of a special Conference-wide prayer initiative which begins in January and leads up to the 2019 annual conference session. Gatherings for prayer will be held in five different locations around Western PA each month from January through May. An initial training session will be held at the Conference Center at 10 a.m., Jan. 5. Watch for specific details to follow.
Poverty Ministry Grants: The next deadline to apply for grants from the Conference Poverty Team is Dec. 7. Get details and link to application at wpaumc.org/povertyteam
YSF Grants are available! Local UM youth groups can apply for Youth Service Fund grants from our Conference. The grants must be used for a youth-led event or ministry. You can find the application here: https://www.wpaumc.org/Youth
#PrayFoward: UMC Young People’s Ministries staff and conference leaders have gathered resources to help young people understand General Conference 2019 and the plans proposed for the future of the church, as well as encourage them to pray and make their voices heard. Learn more.
Bickerton on Seeing a Way Forward: Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton of the New York Area said he understands the anxiety leading up to the called 2019 Special General Conference and the implications it has for the future of the church. He encourages leaders to approach their work in the right frame of mind, spiritually and physically to make the best decisions possible. See video
Coping with Wildfires: Members of Paradise UMC were still unsure about the state of their homes or their church building as firefighters continued to battle widespread California wildfires. Nine families of Malibu UMC, near Los Angeles, have lost their homes to fire. Read story
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Millenials and Methodism: Church consultant Andrew Ponder Williams says "millennials desire and are actively seeking intergenerational and welcoming communities of faith." He gives five reasons why United Methodist faith communities may have just what they are looking for. Read commentary
Listening Out of Both Ears? Not many people quote Chuck Colson and William Sloane Coffin in the same breath, writes David Hull of the Center for Healthy Churches. “That is one of the problems in the church today. We draw lines in the sand between liberal and conservative…” Read more
How to Talk About Racism: Pastor and seminary professor Carolyn Helsel wanted to find a way to help herself and other white people talk about racism without automatically triggering feelings of inadequacy, shame and guilt. The result is a new book Anxious to Talk About It: Helping White Christians Talk Faithfully About Racism. She discusses it on this week’s Leading Ideas podcast.
Native American Heritage Month is observed in November, so it’s a perfect time for a report from the newly revitalized Conference Committee on Native American Ministries. See what’s happening.
Prepare the Way! Discipleship Ministries’ worship series “Prepare the Way” pairs the Old Testament and Gospel readings to help you “prepare the way of the Lord” (Luke. 3:4). Resources include sermon starters, music suggestions and Advent candle liturgy, as well as weekly graphics and faith formation resources for adults, youth and children. See series resources
Circuit Rider Quiz: Do you know who the first female circuit rider was? Find the answer in the latest quiz from United Methodist Communications.
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