New & Updated Items in This Issue of Newsnotes

Franklin District NewsNotes 3-30-2017

Many links are included in this publication. If you have trouble with the blue link….hold the Ctrl key down and click on the link.

New & Updated items in this issue of NewsNotes:

· Multi-media Technology Workshop – Pg 2

· Oil City Cross Walk – Pg 3

· Blessed Earth Event – Pg 4

· Camp Allegheny Booster Dinner – Pg 4

· Suicide Awareness Training – Pg 6

· Inclusion Helpshop– Pg 6

· Preparing for an Active Shooter – Pg 7

· Leadership of Black Methodists Event – Pg 7

· Board of Evangelism School – Pg 8

· Orientation to Ministry – Pg 8

· Annual Conference Registration – Pg 8

· UMW Dinner at Annual Conference – Pg 8

· Erie SeaWolves Baseball – Pg 9

· Generosity & Stewardship – Pg 10

· Conference UMW – Pg 11

· UMW Assembly 2018 - Pg 11

· Cokesbury Spring Catalog – Pg 13

· Conf. Communications Coordinator – Pg 14

March Birthdays this week:

30 Mrs. Sandy Scheer

31 Mrs. Carol Davis

April Birthdays this week:

6 Rev. Bob Scheer

March Anniversaries this week:

No Anniversaries this week

April Anniversaries this week:

3 Rev. & Mrs. Craig Peterson

4 Rev. Fay & Dean Barca

4 Pastor Gina & Wade DeLair

Prayer Concerns:

-Melanie Myers, health issues. Doctors determining next treatment step

-Tammy Hay, Connellsville District Administrative Assistant, health issues

-Rev. Tim and Eileen Storms (retired) and their son

-Nancy Funka (Rev. Tom Funka, retired), health issues

-Our Cabinet in the appointment season, pastors and churches receiving new appointments

-Our Country, new Administration and our leadership

-The Commission on a Way Forward

UM Center Entrance Changes - The existing driveway to the United Methodist Center on Freedom Road in Cranberry Twp. is closed, requiring the use of a temporary gravel entrance. Car-pooling is encouraged. Alternative parking info: Michael Schaeffer, facilities manager, or Greg Cox, director of connectional ministries.

United in Prayer – Lenten Journey 2017: Services every Thursday at 7 pm. Sponsored by the Venango County Christian Ministerium. www.VenCoMinisterium.org

March 30th: Seneca United Methodist Church – Prayer for our Schools and Educators

April 6th: Grace United Methodist Church of Rocky Grove – Prayer for Churches/Para-church Ministries

April 9th-Palm Sunday: Cranberry High School – Celebration of Praise and Worship featuring guest speaker,

Rev. Roy Gearhart of Galloway United Methodist Church

Blessed Dress Prom Dress Ministry: Thursday, March 30th from 7 pm – 9 pm and Saturday, April 1st from 2 pm – 4 pm at Grace UMC of Rocky Grove, 350 Front Street, Franklin has over 600 beautiful dresses in all sizes and styles in pristine condition. Talented seamstresses on hand for alterations. No costs or obligations.

Wesley Woods Man Camp: Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2. Men Ages 18 and up. Spend a weekend in the woods sharing in fellowship, teaching, worship, and other MANLY activities. Starts at 7pm Friday, and wraps up at 11am Sunday. $83 per Man. Meals and snacks provided. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Register

Family Friendly Easter Egg Hunt at First UM Church, 1102 Liberty Street, Franklin on April 1 at 2 pm. Egg Hunt, Crafts, Games and More! Open to the community. Bring a basket and a friend!

Youth Ministry Info:

Timothy Award application (Due April 1): The purpose of the Timothy Award is to highlight students who model the characteristics of Timothy 4:11-12 to their peers and those around them. Details & Form

Youth Worker Award application (Due April 1): Must have worked with youth of Western PA for at least one year in the same setting. A church, conference, agency, camp or organization may nominate a person who is no longer working with their youth. Must be 19 years old or older. Details & Form

Youth Page application for 2017 Annual Conference: Download the details and form. (Due April 1)

June 6-11, 2017. Youth Ministry Team: Spiritually Equipping & Empowering Youth to See and Follow Jesus

Christ United Methodist Church & Friends present

“Through the Torn Curtain-

A story of One Man, One Hope, One Cross”

by Randy Vader, Jay Rouse and Rose Aspinall

Sunday April 2 at 2:30 pm and 7 pm at Christ UM Church, 1135 Buffalo Street, Franklin. Handicap accessible. Parking in the rear off of Chestnut Street.

Free will offering. Reception following performances.

www.christchurchfranklin.com

814-432-3019

New- Multimedia Technology Workshop:Rev. John Zimmerman will lead thisonline Lay Servant workshop from BeADisciple.com that begins Monday, April 3. It's for church volunteers or pastors who consider themselves as “beginners” in multimedia. Thecourse has been approved by Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries. $75.Details

VIM Team Leader Training: This is for certification as UM Volunteer in Mission Team Leader and is to equip participants to plan and lead VIM teams locally, nationally, or internationally. For those who have previous experience as part of a VIM team or local mission service and for those who need to be re-certified. It is also helpful for those who have thought about joining a VIM team and want to know what to expect.

Spring 2017VIM Team Leader Training Schedule:

Sat. April 8 from 10am to 4pm at First UMC: Washington

Tues. April 25 from 10am to 4pm at UM Center, Cranberry Twp

Sat. May 6 from 10 am to 4pm at Edinboro UMC

Wed. May 17 from 10am to 4pm at Good Shepherd UMC (Kane Dist.) Change of Date

New- Oil City Good Friday Cross Walk on Friday, April 14th at 10:30 am will begin in the parking lot at the corner of Main and Petroleum Streets. It takes about one hour. The Cross Walk offers participants opportunities for reflection, witness and fellowship. Phil Thompson: 814-758-6208

Good Friday Laymen’s Breakfast & Service: Good Friday, April 14th. Breakfast at 6 am at K of C Hall, 111 Petroleum St, Oil City with Worship at 7 am at Grace UM Church, 100 Central Avenue, Oil City. Speaker: JJ Jasper. Tickets available at:

· Freidhaber’s Appliance, Oil City

· Somers Family Dentistry, Seneca

· Victorian City Art & Frame, Franklin

· Scott Walters, Franklin

· Gill Consulting, Reno

· At the Door

Good Friday Crosswalk in Downtown Franklin on Friday, April 14 at 10:30 am. The Cross Walk will begin at St. Patrick’s Church at Tenth and Liberty Street, ending atChrist U M Church, 1135 Buffalo Street. It usually takes slightly less than one hour for walking and prayer.

Any questions regarding the Cross Walk may be directed to:

Pastor Jeff Little Pastor Roy Gearhart

First U M Church Galloway U M Church

1102 Liberty Street 196 Seysler Road

Franklin, PA 16323 Franklin, PA 16323

(814) 432-8161 (814) 437-5425

The following ecumenical services are also available on Good Friday:

Youth & Family Community Rally: Good Friday, April 14th from 3:30 – 5 pm at First UM Church, 1102 Liberty Street, Franklin (Downtown Franklin across from Sheetz). All area residents are invited at no charge to hear featured speaker, JJ Jasper’s encouragement to the youth, families and residents of our area. The church is handicap accessible. Contact Phil Thompson - /814-758-6208.

Ecumenical Good Friday Tenebrae Service

Grace United Methodist Church, 350 Front Street, Rocky Grove in Franklin at 7 pm

Easter Sunday – April 16, 2017

Changing Churches: Michigan Area UMC & Griffith Coaching present "Saying Goodbye & Saying Hello" on Tuesday-Wednesday, April 18-19, 2017 at Cornerstone UMC, 1675 84th St. SE, Caledonia, MI 49316. It will help pastors & church leaders manage the “pastoral transition.” The workshop is divided into parts:

1) How the departing pastor says “goodbye” to his/her existing congregation

2) How the incoming pastor says “hello” to his/her new congregation

FEE: $149.00 for out of state residents. Food & Lodging are not provided. Register

Session Schedule:

- April 18, 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

-April 19, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

WPA Conference Minister’s Chorus on April 20th, 2017 at Carmichaels (WA), 104 W South Street, Carmichaels, PA 15320. Contact Don & Shirley Bloomster (814-927-8692), Pat Cleary (254-241-0680, ) or Lola Turnbull (814-787-5891, ) with any questions. To be added to the Chorus’ e-mail distribution list, send an e-mail to Deb Rogosky ().

Future Concerts:

May 25th, 2017 at Westside in Clearfield (Susq. Conf)

September 21, 2017 at Linesville/Harmonsburg UMC

October 19, 2017 at Mount Hope UMC

November 16, 2017 at Brookville First UMC

New- Blessed Earth Continuing Education Event on Friday, April 21, 2017, at Olmsted Manor, Rt. 6, Ludlow from 9 am to noon followed by lunch. For Pastors and interested lay leaders. Space is limited to first 60 reservations. Sign up by April 15th by calling or emailing the Kane District Office at 814-945-6975 or . Note: While there is no fee for the event, to reduce waste, we will bill anyone who signed up for lunch and doesn’t come or stay for lunch $10.

The Kane District in partnership with the Warren Area Ministerium is hosting an event with Heather Bennett from Blessed Earth. Their mission statement is: “Inspiring faithful stewardship of all creation.” They present a biblically based approach.

Heather Bennett and her husband Ryan, a United Methodist elder, lead the Blessed Earth Tennessee chapter. Heather always had a love for creation, but there was a disconnect between what she heard in church about creation and how she observed people treating creation.

Confirmation Class Visits to the United Methodist Center. The students will spend time with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and learn about ministries and mission from staff members. Details.

Remaining 2017 Confirmation Class Tour Schedule

· April 21, Friday–Morning

· May 12, Friday–MorningandAfternoon

· May 13, Saturday–Morning

Use the links above to register for the session you choose. Have aconfirmednumber ofstudents and adults in your groupwhen you register. If you are unable to attend after you register your group, contactRev. Greg Cox.

Wesley Woods Christian Ashram: On Friday, April 21- Saturday April 22. Christian Ashram spiritual retreat on Saturday, with informal meet and greet fellowship on Friday evening at 7 pm. Overnight accommodations through Wesley Woods. Snacks provided. Saturday- Ashram begins at 8 am and ends at 7:30 pm. Continental Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Contact Amy Bunnell at 814-676-1765 or .

New- Camp Allegheny Annual Booster Dinner on April 23, 2017 at 5 pm at the Heartwood Center at Camp Allegheny, 100 Camp Allegheny Drive, Stoystown, PA 15563. Guest Speaker: Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, Superintendent, Johnstown District. Music by: Illuminate the Way (praise band from Ebensburg UMC). Come fill the Heartwood Center with clergy and laity to celebrate the wonderful ministry of Camp Allegheny and be a part of the monumental moment as the final payment on the debt of the Heartwood Center is paid off! You will also be able to hear what God has in store for the next sacred space at Camp Allegheny. If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation to be counted with the event's total. To view the invitation letter and see Camp Allegheny's future events flier, please click here

Spring Women’s Retreat – April 23-25, 2017 at Olmsted Manor: Speaker Sue Duffield is a singer, songwriter, humorist, speaker, author, and advocate who loves to make people laugh. Brochure

Location Change: Clergy Retirement Seminar for Clergy Retiring in 2017 on Wednesday, April 26 from 9 am to 4 pm will now be at Salem United Methodist Church, 350 Manor Road, Wexford, PA 15090; Phone: 724-935-1627. Approximately 5 miles from the Conference Center. Lunch provided. Contact Alexis Soohy.

Youth Spring Thing at Wesley Woods Friday, April 28-Sunday, April 30. Identity: Who are you? For more information, contact Wesley Woods at 814.436.7802. REGISTER NOW

Wesley Woods Work Week, Friday, April 28 – Saturday, May 6. Help us prepare for the summer camping season. Call 814-436-7802 or email with the number attending, days you will be able to work and any skills you have so they can plan projects accordingly.

Family Systems Workshop (Bowen Theory): “Integrated Leadership: Spirit, Emotions, Intellect, Behavior”

on Friday, April 28 & Saturday, April 29

A workshop for anyone whose lives or livelihood puts them in relationship with others.

New Castle First United Methodist Church

135 Decker Drive, New Castle, PA 16105

or 724-658-5577

Children’s Ministry Conference: “Together We Can. . . Build to Last” on Saturday, April 29 from 8:30am-3:30pm, doors open at 8; First UM Church, 1102 Liberty St., Franklin. Child Evangelism Fellowship will be hosting this event featuring a guest speaker and break-out sessions geared to equipping attendees with valuable tools for reaching children with the Gospel message. Contact CEF director Kelly O’Hara at 814-676-6319. Brochure. To view Conference overview or download documents CLICK HERE

Fly Fishing Retreat – April 29 – May 1, 2017: Everyone is welcome to come for a weekend of learning, spiritual exploration, and fishing! Gary is a well-known fly fishing instructor and welcomes participants of all skill levels.

CHANGE OF DATE: Franklin District Conference: April 30, 2017 from 2:30 – 4 pm.

(Previously scheduled for May 7, 2017) Location and details to be announced.

Thrive – Ministry on the Edge: April 30 – May 2, 2017 at the Double Tree by Hilton, (Greentree), Pittsburgh, PA. “Thrive2017 is a conference hosted by the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry in partnership with MTSO. We are designed for pastors and church leaders who are doing ministry in the ever changing landscape of the 21st century. Featuring Sara Miles and Peter Rollins we will gather together and learn what it looks like to do ministry on the leading edge of the new millennium. We offer over 30 different breakouts, 7 keynotes, and 2 CEU credits. For more details, see our website atwww.thrive2017.us”