Give Thanks with with a grateful heart; Give thanks to the Holy One; Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son. Give Thanks!
Truck Slams Wellersburg Truck: Wellersburg UMC on hilly PA Route 160 was knocked off its foundation early Monday when a tractor-trailer descending Savage Mountain slammed into it. The congregation has been meeting elsewhere and was awaiting a demolition permit since a similar incident in 2017. Learn more
Church Safety: Rev. Larry Homitsky of Calvary UMC in Pittsburgh is quoted in a UM News Service story about how churches balance welcoming and piety with safety. See story
Advent Devotional: The 2018 Advent devotional produced by the East German-Western PA Partnership is posted on the Conference website. Learn more.
Appointments: Julie Kolacz has been appointed to serve as pastor of Oil City Trinity and Bethel UMCs, which have been without a pastor since the death of Rev. Donald Rudge in early August. See appointment announcement
Deaths: A memorial service will be held at Mt. Lebanon UMC on Saturday, Nov. 24 for Jane Rulong, wife of the Rev. Roger Rulong. See obituary
A celebration of the life of Rev. Maurice Moore, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi’s father, will be held next Wednesday, Nov. 28 in Baltimore. Learn more
Lay Scholarship Grants: A new form is available on the Conference website for lay people to apply for grants for educational events. See grant form
Congress Honors Activist: As a civil rights activist, the Rev. James Lawson has endured racial epithets, accusations of anarchy, threats of physical violence, expulsion from a leading university, overnight lock-ups and months in prison. Now, at age 90, he’s receiving The Congressional Gold Medal. A resolution, co-sponsored by a group of representatives including fellow Civil Rights icon John Lewis, was introduced in the House of Representatives Nov. 14. Learn more
Giving Tuesday: Many organizations and groups are promoting #GivingTuesday on Nov. 27. #GiveUMC is the hashtag used by Global Ministries seeking support for mission and missionaries.
WPAUMC Giving Tuesday: Our Conference has videos promoting gifts to our six regional mission agencies on our Facebook page. Watch at facebook.com/wpaumc/videos
Learn more about these agencies at wpaumc.org/MissionAgencies
Ruth M. Smith Center Needs Your Help: This United Methodist-related center in the community of Sheffield provides benevolent care for elderly or mentally/physically challenged residents who require help with daily living. Its board is pondering ways to keep it going. Read UMW blog post to learn more.
Fair Food Agreement: A delegation of United Methodist Women joined forces with the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and farm workers organizations to urge Wendy's to sign the Fair Food Agreement with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. Wendy's is the only one of the five major fast-food companies that has not signed the agreement. Read story
Migrant Caravan: Thousands of migrants from Central America have been labeled criminals or opportunists by some, but United Methodist leaders say many people of faith see the members of the migrant caravan as children of God escaping desperate situations in their home countries. Read story
Budget Cuts Coming: Despite a request to reconsider, the board of The United Methodist Church's finance agency is moving full speed ahead with planned cuts to the denominational budget. Nevertheless, the board spent some time discussing a letter raising concerns about those cuts.
Read story
Prayer of Thanksgiving: Start your Thanksgiving with this photo prayer video.