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What are you reading this advent? In a Facebook post, Amanda Mitchell talks about what keeps her focused on this season. Watch.
Orientation to Ministry will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. - noon at First United Methodist Church, 251 Main Street, Leechburg, PA 15656. The Orientation is a requirement for anyone pursuing licensed or ordained ministry. However, this initial gathering is open to anyone who would like to learn more about the various types of set-apart ministry that exist within the United Methodist Church. Information will be presented about the broad range of opportunities including CLM, professional certification, local pastor, and ordained ministry. Register.
Reflections from the Western PA Conference Anti-Racism Summit: Carlen Blackstone, a member of Dutilh UMC in Cranberry Township, reflects on her experience at the Western PA Conference Anti-Racism Summit. This summit was organized by the Conference Anti-Racism team and focused on the intersection of faith and race. Read more.
Church court: No new elections needed for GC2024: The United Methodist Church’s highest court ruled that new delegate elections “are not required” for the long-delayed and potentially pivotal General Conference, now set for 2024. That means the same lay and clergy delegates can vote at what many United Methodists expect to be a momentous gathering. Read UM News Story.
Handel’s Messiah Sing Along Concert: Calvary United Methodist Church, located in historic Allegheny West on Pittsburgh’s Northside will present it’s 10th annual Handel’s Messiah Sing Along Concert On December 17th and 18th at 4:00. The Church’s 10th annual concert was delayed two years due to the Covid pandemic and they are looking to come back strong! See more information or purchase tickets.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Service: The Greensburg District of the WPAUMC invites you to the annual Martin Luther King Jr Service on January 15, 2023, at 4:00 pm at Monroeville United Methodist Church. The featured speaker is the gifted and dynamic Dr. Cynthia A. Bond Hopson. Dr. Bond Hopson is Chief Equity Officer and Assistant General Secretary of the Black College Fund (BCF) at the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, TN where she lives. See flyer.
Holding a Martin Luther King, Jr. Service? Please send service information to liz.lennox@wpaumc.org to be published on the conference website.
Human Relations Day Special Sunday: This year, the official date for Human Relations day is January 15, 2023. This 2023 Special Sunday kit provides a full package of ready to use resources to help your church celebrate Human Relations Day and define how we give, why we give and the impact we make through connectional efforts. Download resource kit.
Stories behind the songs of Charles Wesley: World-renowned Wesley scholar Paul Chilcote shares fun and interesting insights about a selection of Wesley hymns and explains how all of the 9,000 hymns written by The United Methodist Church’s most enduring and prolific hymn writer centers on one theme: love. Listen.
Worshiping on New Year’s Day: It’s not every year that New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, but 2023 happens to be special. Laying low and reducing the effort that you’re putting into planning a New Year’s Day service might seem like the easiest option. However, instead of seeing it as an obstacle, take time to view it as an opportunity. ResourceUMC has some read-worthy tips to help you build the most meaningful worship service that celebrates new beginnings. See tips.