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Park to Serve Christ Church, NYC: On September 18, 2022, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi announced a new appointment for current Butler District superintendent Rev. Dr. Eric Park. Effective February 1, 2023 he will serve Christ Church, United Methodist in New York City. Read more.
IMAP Household Description Survey: Since accurate and helpful descriptions of the three Households will be crucial as congregations, laity, and clergy discern their futures, the IMAP Task Force has decided to invite various groups and individuals from across the Annual Conference to assist in developing the Household descriptions. If you are so inclined, please take some time to prayerfully discern which Household you are most likely to join and provide input to the IMAP TF as they do the work to describe each Household. Take survey.
CORR Anti-racism Summit Toolkit: Don't forget to register for the Conference CORR Anti-racism Summit scheduled for October 20-22. Help advertise the summit with communication tools including a bulletin insert, announcement slide and social media graphic. Download the toolkit.
Camping Campaign Update: The Deeply Rooted, Upward Reaching Campaign sent out a fall update sharing progress and encouraging congregations to launch a three-week appeal. Read more.
Praying for Peace: The WPA Board of Global Ministries offered a prayer for the International Day of Peace. See prayer.
Is a World of Peace Possible? Join Rev. Caleb Pitkin - a pastor in Chattanooga, Tennessee, who also for the past 4 years he has been a hobby blacksmith, in discovering what peace means and how we can craft tools of destruction into tools of creation. Watch video.
World Mission Initiative Conference and W. Don McClure Lecture: Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will host this workshop October 7-8 online and at PTS. This conference will examine the what it means to engage in God’s mission of love, peace, and justice through the major disruptions of our day and how can we lead in mission in new ways amidst the disruption we’ve experienced in the past two years. Learn more and register.
Sacred Conversations to End Racism: October 9-11, 2022. Leaders from CCW Transforming Ministries will guide participants in a spiritual and practical retreat about the difficult conversations surrounding racism in our society and the church. This retreat is for clergy and laity who want to become informed agents of reconciliation in their communities. Learn more.
Photography for Everyone: October 17-19, 2022. Rev. Dr. Jeff Sterling will lead this retreat focused on learning to enjoy the opportunity of photography. Rev. Sterling invites anyone with any camera – even a cell phone – to come enjoy time to focus on the beauty of Creation and participate in a collective time of learning and sharing with other photographers. (Both pros and hobbyists welcome!) Learn more.
Fall Women’s Retreat: October 23-25, 2022. Olmsted is excited to welcome Rev. Dawn Hand – formerly the Pittsburgh DS – back to WPA as the leader for our annual Fall Women’s Retreat. Olmsted's women's retreats offer inspirational speaking, encouraging group discussions, quiet time with God, opportunities to enjoy stillness and nature, and Christian hospitality that will make you feel welcome and cared for. Learn more.
CORR Action Fund (CAF) Grant Program: The General Commission on Religion and Race announced a new cycle of the CORR Action Fund (CAF) grant program that will support creative initiatives that will transform the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the world. The 2022-2023 grant program will provide up to $10,000 to fund projects that increase intercultural competency and support vital conversations about race, cultural diversity, and systemic equity leading to action. Apply.
2023 Mission Support Grant Application: Guidelines and the application for 2023 Mission Support Grants are now available. The Mission Support Team and the Conference Board of Global Ministries will work together to distribute the Mission Share Funds that have been allocated to promote life-impacting ministries. Download the 2023 application.