How To Set Your Pastor’s Salary for 2022: This memo from the Cabinet and Commission on Equitable Compensation was emailed to pastors and local church leaders last Friday. It’s also available on the Conference website at wpaumc.org/formsandinformation or you can download it directly here.
WPA-Zimbabwe Partnership: A story featured in Monday’s UM News Daily Digest highlighted the ministries of WPAUMC’s Zimbabwe Partnership. Mission Engagement Coordinator Sandra Matoushaya is quoted in the story by Zimbabwe East Communicator Eveline Chikwanah. Read story
Help EUMA Work to End Homelessness: Donations will go further through Erie Gives on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Every gift will be matched on a prorated basis by the Erie County Community Foundation and sponsors. Get details
Donations may also be made through Erie Gives to All God’s Children Ministries, as well as several United Methodist churches. See the full list.
In the News: A former school has been transformed into a non-profit Arts and Technology Center designed to fill a need in Erie. It is a place where at-risk middle and high school students can get involved in the visual and digital arts, allowing them to appreciate and explore the arts as a career. It’s also a place where adults can get trained in sustainable jobs, particularly in the medical fields, to get out of poverty. Learn more
What’s Critical Race Theory? Our denomination’s Religion and Race resource library has a page that defines the construct and offers some information that Christians should know about it. There’s a video and some helpful infographics to download. Check it out
Discussing Christian Nationalism-Carefully: The Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol spurred a new Courageous Conversations resource from Discipleship Ministries. It is designed to help United Methodists talk about Christian nationalism while maintaining civility. Read more
The Caring Congregation offers guidance on the best Christian practices to help people move through life’s challenges. The method of care is based on a team approach that empowers both pastors and laity (serving as Congregational Care Ministers or CCMs) working together to support the congregation and community. Learn more and listen to podcasts at thecaringcongregation.com
Want to Connect with New People? Focus on the people God has already put in your path, says Ann MIchel of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. Learn more
Want to Use Zoom to connect with church members and the community? If you don’t already have an account, you can be a part of United Methodist Communications’ Enterprise-level account. Features include up to 500 participants, no time limits, webinar functionality and much more; licenses are valid through April 19, 2022. Get details
Facilitating Hybrid Worship: The global pandemic has changed the way we think about and do worship. The new reality is there are congregants who are as comfortable at home in their pajamas as others are sitting in the pews. If you’re trying to figure out a hybrid worship model, Jeremy Steele has some tips.
Reimagining Property Stewardship: It may be time to flip the narrative from churches funding a building to the building generating funds for ministry. A Leading Ideas article provides some examples of churches that have discovered innovative ways to leverage their property to fund their church and ministry. Read more
The #IGiveUMC campaign makes it possible for individuals to celebrate those who have inspired, nurtured and supported them along their life journeys. They can recognize these everyday heroes by donating to their local church in their honor/memory and posting about it on social media so that others will be encouraged to do the same! Learn more
Last Chance for Empowering Women Leaders Webinar! If you haven’t registered yet for Saturday’s Leadership Development webinar, you only have about 24 more hours. The August 7 virtual workshop with Dawn Wiggins Hare of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women is from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Register now.
Families and Politics Workshop: Are your family gatherings marred by arguments over current events? For help in navigating serious political differences among people we love, try this free workshop on Monday, August 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. via Zoom. "Families and Politics" is offered by Braver Angels and co-sponsored by area faith-based groups including Christian Associates of SWPA. Advance registration is needed to allow time to review materials prior to the workshop. Register now
Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in School, this year’s Mission u issue study, raises awareness of a crisis in the lives of Black girls and provide an opportunity for missional engagement and social justice advocacy by people of faith. The study will be offered via Zoom on four Wednesday evenings beginning August 25. Get details and register
Youth Ministry Training: Duffy Robbins will be the leader for the 2021 Youth Ministry Training, scheduled for Sept. 10-12 at Olmsted Manor Retreat Center. The event is designed for everyone who works with youth in the church. Get details and register
Poverty Simulation: To increase understanding of what it’s really like to survive on poverty-level income, the Conference Poverty Team invites clergy, laity and community leaders to a Poverty Simulation on Saturday, October 9th at Clarks Mills UMC. Get details and register