Sign Up Now for Campership Bike-a-Thon! The annual bike ride to raise funds to send children and youth to one of our Conference camps is taking a different route this year. Rather than a Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C. ride, it will be a “Tour de Camp” in Western PA, beginning Sept. 26. Ride the full route or join the group for a day. Learn more and register.
Pandemic and Federal Policy: U. S. Sen. Bob Casey will hold a Zoom webinar for the faith-based community focused on pandemic-related federal policy, programming and legislation on Friday, August 28, from 3 to 3:45 p.m. Participants may submit questions to be asked by a moderator. To participate, email your name, email address and any questions for Sen. Casey to Rev. Dai Morgan, director of UM Advocacy in PA, at daimorgan@comcast.net. Questions must be received no later than Sunday, Aug. 24. Registrations can be accepted until Wednesday, Aug. 26.
Know an Allegheny College Student? As the only United Methodist-affiliated school in the Western PA Conference, Allegheny College happily welcomes UMC students. If you know of students who will be entering Allegheny this fall, let Chaplain Jane Ellen Nickell know. Because gatherings and in-person contact will be limited as part of COVID-19 precautions, she'll connect with students virtually to provide support during this stressful time. For information on religious life, visit the Spiritual and Religious Life website.
Learn more about scholarships available to UMC students here.
Ramp Ministry In the News - Again! A week after a Kane District Ramp ministry project in Emporium was the subject of a WJAC-TV report, WTAM-TV in Altoona recognized the ministry in its Civic Service Report. Watch
Connect in Mission: This week’s Mission News features descriptions of WPAUMC’s global partnerships as well as ways for you to connect in mission. Read it.
Methodists and Voting Rights: This week marks the centennial of the historic vote on Aug. 18, 1920 that ratified the 19th Amendment, ensuring women’s right to vote in the U.S. Heather Hahn of UM News details the crucial role United Methodists played in the movement to secure voting rights for women. One of her sources for the story was an article written by WPAUMC’s Rev. Dr. Susan Moudry for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women. Read UM News story
Read Susan Moudry’s COSROW blog post.
Voters Guides/Voter Suppression: As we mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, women are again mobilizing to make their voices heard through the franchise. United Methodist Women’s #Faith Talks podcast, which will be recorded live at 2 p.m., Thursday, August 27, will feature a discussion with women of faith working to ensure that every eligible voter can vote. They include: Sabrina White of the Baltimore Washington Conference UMW; the Rev. Traci Blackmon of the United Church of Christ; Liz OuYang, a civil rights attorney and voting rights expert; and the Rev. Dr. Brianna K. Parker, the founder and curator of the Black Millennial Café. Register
What’s the Role of the Church in Fighting Racism? "We can either stand on the sidewalk as bystanders ... or we can get off the sidewalk and march into justice history," said Bishop Joel Martinez, one of four veteran activists in a virtual Town Hall discussion this week. The four likened today’s Black Lives Matter movement to the 1960’s civil rights effort. Learn more.
Anti-Racism Town Hall: A panel of young United Methodist leaders on Wednesday, August 26. They will discuss strategies for changing the world and encouragement for partners in this work. Learn more.
Is Passing the Plate a Thing of the Past? Fewer people use checks or carry cash these days, and many use digital means to meet financial commitments. Especially with protocols to stop the spread of COVID-19, is passing the plate still a relevant part of worship? On Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Discipleship Ministries offers a webinar on the question. Get details and register.
Dementia Webinar Reminder: There’s just a day left to register for the Aug. 21 Discipleship Ministries webinar on ways to connect with people living with dementia. The goal of the webinar is to help facilitate positive, supportive communication between the caregiver and the person being cared for. Get details and register
UMC Mourns Visionary Bishop: Sierra Leone Area Bishop John K. Yambasu, who died August 16 of injuries suffered in a car crash while on his way to a funeral, is remembered in The United Methodist Church for his leadership in seeking unity and compromise. In his country, he was recognized for his response to Ebola, a deadly landslide and COVID-19. Yambasu, 63, also was chancellor of Africa University and president of the Africa College of Bishops. Read story
Read Council of Bishops press release
Nhiwatiwa to Lead Africa Bishops: Zimbabwe Area Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa was elected Aug. 17 by active United Methodist bishops in Africa to serve as interim president of the Africa College of Bishops, following the death of Bishop John K. Yambasu. Africa University has also announced that it has established an endowment for scholarships in memory of Yambasu. Read more.