There will be no eNews during Thanksgiving Week. We will pause to give thanks for many blessings and pray for those struggling during this season.
Foundation Honors Beattys: The United Methodist Foundation of Western PA honored longtime Jumonville President Larry Beatty and his wife Jaye Beatty with its Founders' Day Award. It was presented during a luncheon on Friday, Nov. 15. Read more
Pittsburgh Creche: The Christian Leaders Fellowship, an ecumenical group of bishops and denominational executives, will lead a prayer service at the annual dedication of the Pittsburgh Crèche, at noon on Friday, November 22 on the plaza in front of the U.S. Steel Tower, on Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh. Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, Director of Connectional Ministries, will represent Bishop Moore-Koikoi at the dedication service. Learn more
Advent Devotional: The 2019 Advent Devotional prepared by the Eastern German/Western PA Partnership Committee is available on the Conference website. Learn more.
Last-Minute Ideas for Advent: Advent begins Dec. 1. United Methodists around the connection offer free and low-cost resources to deepen this season of anticipating Christ’s coming. Here’s a list of resources.
Ministers’ Chorus Making a Change: On Thursday, Dec. 5, the WPAUMC Ministers’ Chorus will do something it has never done before -- offer a worship service filled with songs for Advent and Christmas. Clergy and spouses are invited to be a part of it. The 7 p.m. service at Slippery Rock UMC will include classics like the Hallelujah Chorus and Silent Night, and some newer pieces. Rehearsal will be at 1:45 p.m. All are welcome at the service. An offering to support camperships will be received. Rev. Stephen Morse, pastor of Central Highlands UMC, directs the chorus.
Dec(orating) the Olmsted Halls: Volunteers from several Kane District churches are pitching in to decorate rooms and hallways at Olmsted Manor for the Christmas season and Open House events scheduled for 3-8 p.m. on Sundays, Dec. 1 and 8. Learn more
Download flyer/bulletin insert
Erie Ministry in the News: Our Neighbor’s Place seasonal shelter for Erie’s homeless population, a ministry of the Erie UM Alliance and several churches, opens this week. The story of one former shelter guest who is now housed and volunteering with the program was featured today in an Erie Times-News story.
WPAUMC Church Featured: The United Methodist Development Fund (UMDF) is featuring Fox Chapel: Faith UMC and the Roots of Faith ministry on its website and social media this week. See story.
Smith Center Offers Thanks: The Ruth M Smith Center Board of Directors and staff are thankful for WPA United Methodists whose prayers, gifts of money and needed items, and volunteer efforts enabled the ministry to continue in 2019. Help is still needed in the coming year. See donation letter.
Hygiene Kits Needed: The Eastbrook Mission Barn, our UMCOR depot, needs hygiene kits. Continuing fires in California and other crises have depleted the supply. Ingredients for the kit are listed with instructions and video are on the UMCOR website
Take completed kits to the Mission Barn or one of its satellites, listed here.
Abundant Health for the Holidays: Abundant Health is one of our denomination’s Five Areas of Focus and a good one to keep in mind during the holiday season. To help you avoid physical inactivity, fight the urge to overindulge, and make healthier holiday choices, consider these 10 tips.
Internship Opportunity: The Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry is seeking an intern help get the word out about scholarships WPAUMC offers for undergraduate education. Intern must be a high school graduate. Applications are due Dec. 15, 2019. More information and the application are at wpaumc.org/internships
Scholarships Available for Ecumenical Training: The Council of Bishops is offering scholarships for first-time attendees to participate in the National Workshop on Christian Unity and accompanying UM Ecumenical and Interreligious Training from March 23-26 in Houston, TX. Get details.
Churches Reach Out After School Shooting: Two UM churches near Saugus High School held vigils and reached out to the community after a shooting at the California school. The youth director at one of the churches is a teacher at the school. Read story
Budgeting for an Uncertain Future: United Methodist agencies are tightening their belts and budgeting for a potential plunge in giving in 2020. This is in addition to planning for deep cuts contained in the 2021-24 general church budget — the smallest in more than 20 years. Read story
Read GCFA press release
Federal Rule Change: A U.S. Department of Labor rule, which goes into effect in January addresses overtime pay for employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. It could affect some employees of local churches or church-related organizations. Read more at wpaumc.org/financeannouncements.