calendar
October 14, 21 & 28 (brochures ATTACHED) Fall Lay Servant Ministry Course – Aliquippa UMC
October 28 Annual Conference UMW meeting @ Delmont: Faith UMC
November 4“Clear Day” – Helpshop – mark your calendar for this district-wide event.
Crossfire Campus of Butler: First UMC 9:00 AM - Noon
November 9 DCOM – Conference Center – Bitner Room beginning at 8:30 AM
2018 Dates
February 15 DCOM – Conference Center – Bitner Room beginning at 8:30 AM
February 18, 25, March 4, 11 & 18,2018– Spring Lay Servant Ministry School
March 2018 – Clergy Family Spring Party
April 22 – 2018 – District Conference
April 26 DCOM – Conference Center – Bitner Room beginning at 8:30 AM
June 14 DCOM – Reorganizational Meeting – Conference Center – Bitner Room beginning at 10 AM
.August – December – Charge Conferences and One on One Conversations
Butler District Helpshop – “Clear Day” Job Descriptions and Leadership Training in the UM Church
November 4, 2017
9 AM - Noon
Crossfire Campus of Butler: First UMC
Many have asked for a help shop for church leadership. Here it is!
Come! Get a clear picture of church committee structure and duties.
Mark your calendar now, and spread the word!
All pastors and church leaders are encouraged to attend.ALL churches should be represented.
Schedule:
9:00 AM Gatheringwith light refreshments
9:45 - 11:30 AM – Proceed to Individual classes
11:30 - Noon – Gather as a group for questions, comments. Prayer/dismissal
Classes being offered:
- Church Council – Rev Sharon Schwab
- PPRC – Rev Tom Parkinson
- Trustees - Tom Hallman (Chairman of the WPA Conference Trustees)
- Finance –Larry Bridge (Conference Treasurer)
- Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development –District Superintendent, Rev Joel Garrett
- Lay Leader/Lay Member to Annual Conference – Jerry Rectenwald, Butler District Lay Leader
REGISTER HERE
October
15Doran Check
15Loren McQueen
16Nancy (Bertram) Domineck
16Larry Wilson
18Mary Jane (William) Wilson
19Cheryl Brooks
22Robert (Bob) Richards
25Kathryn (William) White
30Nancy (Robert) Richards
Appointment Changes
See wpaumc.org/appointments.
.prayer concerns and joys
- Please remember to keep in prayer:
- Students and Teachers starting the school year
- All affected by hurricanes Harvey/Irma.
- Rev. Bruce (& Glenda) Merritt Bruce is now recovering at Harmorville.
- Tammy Hay, Connellsville District Administrative Assistant
- Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and the WPA Cabinet
- For all affected by hurricanes and fires.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month:
-5 Gifts for Your Pastors for Pastor Appreciation Month (and all the time)
-Five ideas for Pastor Appreciation Month
-What NOT to Get Your Pastor for Pastor Appreciation Month
district news…..
Cabot United Methodist Church, 707 Winfield Road, Cabot, PA, is seeking a part-time Music Minister. Primary responsibilities include programing music, and leading worship with our praise band, programing and directing a traditional choir, and developing music and worship leadership. Proficiency in keyboards required. To apply, send cover letter and resume to.Slippery Rock UMC
Employment Opportunities
- Slippery Rock United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time Youth Director. Primary responsibilities include developing, coordinating and implementing youth ministry programs that will include settings where youth (grades 7-12) can explore their core beliefs, share their faith, and learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in a United Methodist context. To apply, send cover letter and resume to .
- Slippery Rock United Methodist Church is seeking a part-time Worship Arts Director. Primary responsibilities include programming contemporary music and leading worship with our praise band, programming and directing our traditional choir, and developing music and worship leadership. Proficiency in guitar and/or keyboards preferred. To apply, send cover letter and resume to .
Chippewa United Methodist Church - Activities/Events for October
Looking for fellowship while staying healthy and fit, please consider joining our co-ed volleyball league to be held @ our Community Life Center located at 118 McMillen Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. If you are interested in joining or helping out, please contact our Community Life Center Director, Scott Ensworth @ 724-843-4032, ext 3 or send an email to him @ .
Looking for a way to stay healthy and fit, try "pickleball" at the Chippewa United Methodist Church, Community Life Center, 118 McMillen Ave, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Our court is available for singles and doubles players of all ages.Our October schedule is Monday mornings from 9:30 am to 11 am and Thursday nights from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Other court times are available for rental, just call the Community Life Center to schedule. The cost is $5 per player. Please remember you don’t have to be an expert, beginners are welcome. Come and experience fellowship with others by playing Pickleball. Please contact our Community Life Center at 724-843-4032 ext 3 for scheduling, others times, and more information.
Griefshare, a Recovery Support Group, for people grieving the death of someone close returns to Chippewa United Methodist Church in the Wesley Room began on September 7th from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m and continues through December 7th. No meeting is scheduled for November 23rd. Griefshare is a place where you can be around people who understand how you feel and the pain of your loss. It is a class where you will learn valuable information that will help you through this difficult time in your life. To register, please contact the Church office @ 724-843-4828.
A Men’s Bible Study led by Pastor Gary Hilton will begin on Thursdays, October 12, 19, 26, and November 2 & 9 @ @ 7 p.m. All men are invited to participate and join in fellowship as they grow closer to God. Please register in our Welcome Centers or by calling the Church office @ 724-843-4828. To learn more, please visit our website @
A new Financial Peace University Class began on September 14 from 7 to 9 pm and continues through November 30th. The classes are held @ the Church in rooms 202-204. If you would like to learn how to increase your cash flow, decrease your expenses, and work towards being debt free to become a better steward of God’s gift, this class is for you. The first night is free. Brochures are available by contacting the Church office @ 724-843-4828. To register, please sign up online @
Our All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner led by our youth group will be held on October 19 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The dinners take place in the Church Fellowship Hall and include spaghetti, bread, salad, dessert and a drink. Love donations are welcome and appreciated and help support our youth ministry. To learn more, please visit our website @ or contact the Church office at 724-843-4828.
Our Friday Night Kids event is “Just Glow With It!” which will be held on Friday, October 20 from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. This is the ultimate GLOWTASTIC party for kids! Activities include glow games, glow craft, glow giveaways, glow face paint and glow snacks. All participants are to wear a white shirt. Our Friday Night Kids events are for 1st - 5th grades and held @ our Community Life Center, 118 McMillen Avenue, Beaver Falls. The cost is $10 per child. Complete registration forms found online, in the Church Welcome Centers or by contacting the Church office @ 724-843-4828
Our Trunk or Treat, a free Halloween event will be held on Saturday, October 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Festivities will also include a Bible-themed pumpkin carving contest: bring your Bible-themed pre-carved pumpkins to the Community Life Center, 118 McMillen Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA for display during the event. The pumpkins will be judged and a prize will be awarded at the end of the evening. Free cider & doughnuts for all participants If you would like to enter your trunk, you must register your vehicle by October 25th. Complete the registration form with your last name along with the make/model of your car at the Church welcome centers or by calling in your information to the Church office @ 724-843-4828.
Our United Methodist Men are having a Community Breakfast in Fellowship Hall @ 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA on Sunday, October 29 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (after each service). The breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, fruit cup, coffee, tea and orange juice. All are invited to services and to fellowship with others. Donations to benefit the UM Men’s Group ministries.
Clergy Corner
Elders Gatherings: The Order of Elders will convene in regional meetings this fall. Each elder is expected to attend one of the following sessions. The first is in the Greensburg area at Charter Oak UMC on Oct. 30. See other locations/date and register at wpaumc.org.
One to One Schedule
October 16, 2017(Butler: First)
9:00AMBruce Gascoine
10:30AMNancy Shute
1:00PMMichael Coats
2:30PMMary Jo Gould
October 23, 2017(Unionville)
10:30AMBay Allen
1:00PMSusan Pickering
2:30PMChad Bogdewic
October 30, 2017(Brackenridge: Trinity)
9:00AMChance Kelosky
10:30AM Barb Stoehr
1:00PM Katie Peterson
2:30PMMegan Berkebile
UPMC Healthcare Update:Conference Benefits Coordinator Kathleen Lasky reports that, in response to concerns expressed by local churches, the Board of Pensions Executive Committee determined today that the 2018 blended rate charged to the local church for clergy enrolled in the UPMC plan will be $1511 a month, including medical, vision and dental coverage. This is a reduction of $45 a month from the current 2017 rate. Clergy will share costs in 2018 by contributing $70/month for a family; $35 for two people and $20 for a single person. Complete details will be sent to churches and those covered by the plan later this week.
Below you will findtwo links you may find beneficial as we move into charge conference season.
The first link it how to set your pastors salary. This was sent as a mailing all churches, committees and clergy in 7/2017.
The second link is how to calculate the pension obligation for 2018.
to set your pastors salary.pdf
obligation calculator.pdf
Housing Allowance Challenged: A federal judge in Wisconsin has struck down as unconstitutional a 1954 law that gives clergy tax-free housing allowances. An appeal to the Circuit Court is likely. The same judge struck down the law in 2013, but that ruling was overturned on appeal. The General Council on Finance and Administration has a webpage with information on the ruling and their legal department’s review. Visit webpage
LOCAL PASTOR MENTORING GROUP SCHUEDLE
LEADERS: Rev Glenn Kohlhepp, Rev Dean Ziegler
MENTOR MEETINGS FOR THIS CONFERENCE YEAR: November 14, December 12, February 13 and April 10.[Easter is April 1] – 7 p.m. at Harmony-Zelienople Church
CHARGE CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Charge conference clusters will be held on Sundays in October. 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
If your church has not signed up for a charge conference location, please call the district office
This annual business meeting of the local church, will be joined by a member of our WPA Conference staff
who will lead discussion on our Five Areas of Focus.
Individual Charge Conferences
- October Bennett’s Run
- November 8Faith Community/Faith on 68/Riverview
- November 9 Butler: First
- December 5Monaca
- December 6Harmony-Zelienople
- December 11Ellwood City/Homewood
- December 12Nixon
Exploration 2017! Young adults who may sense God calling them to ordained ministry in the UMC are invited to attend Exploration, a three-day event held every two years to help those age 18-26 explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder. This year’s event will be held November 3-5in Portland, Oregon. Learn more.
Clergy Excellence: There's an updated list of continuing education opportunities at wpaumc.org/leadershipdevelopment.
Keep up with the UMC!
Stay informed about important news and events in The United Methodist Church by subscribing free to the Daily or Weekly Digests. Subscribe now.
Clergy Excellence: There's an updated list of continuing education opportunities at wpaumc.org/leadershipdevelopment.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities: Download the new flyer of continuing ed opportunities, open to laity and clergy, here.
Online Lay Servant Ministries advanced courses offered by BeADisciple.com —Schedule of classes
For Clergy Continuing Education & Formation events click here: CCEF EVENTS
See full list of upcoming webinars atgbod.org/webinars
Continuing Educators e-News for Clergy: Keep up with news in clergy continuing education. Sign up for a new e-newsletter from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Learn more.
The Turner Center for Church Leadership at Martin Methodist College offers online training for church leaders in Christian Education, Youth Ministry, Older Adult Ministry and Children’s Ministry. Learn more.
YOUTH
Youth Leader? Like us on Facebook for updates and info: Western Pa UMC Youth Leaders.
DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE ATTENDING CAL U?
Spark 2018 – January 19-21,2018at Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh. A retreat for youth grades 6-12 and their leaders.
UMW Gears Up for Assembly:The Power of Boldis the theme for the 19th quadrennial Assembly of United Methodist Women, set for May 18-20, 2018, in Columbus. A promotional video and other resources are already available.Learn more Watch video
YOUTH 2019
SPARK Registration’s Open: SPARK, the annual weekend gathering at Pittsburgh’s Sheraton Station Square, is set for January 19-21. 2018. See the line-up of leaders, breakout sessions and the guide for newcomers at wpaumc.org/SPARK.
The next national gathering of United Methodist youth will be July 10-14, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. Young People’s Ministries, a division of Discipleship Ministries, is announcing details of the event to give churches time to plan for their youth to attend. The national gathering for United Methodist youth takes place every four years. Read press release
The YOUTH 2019 Media Kit is Here!We are less than two years away from YOUTH 2019 and there is no better time to start getting your youth excited for all
the fun we are going to have in Kansas City. And what better way to do that than with our YOUTH 2019 Media Kit!The next national gathering of UMYouth will be July 10-14, 2019,in Kansas City, Missouri. Plan now for your youth to attend. The national gathering for UM Youth takes place every four years.
Youth Worker Collective is a new initiative to offer free resources from a community of professionals to help both paid and unpaid United Methodist youth workers get what they need to make teenage disciples for the transformation of the world. Check out youthworkercollective.com/
conference news
Upcoming Events – click title for more informatoin
Clergy College
October 15-17
Jumonville
Technology in Ministry
October 19
505 Galleria Dr., Johnstown
WPA UMW Annual Mtg
October 28
Faith UMC, Delmont
Early Response Training
Nov. 4or 11
Two Locations
Implicit Bias Workshop
Nov. 11
Trinity UMC, McMurray
SPARK
Jan. 19-21
Sheraton Station Square
Online Payments
The Conference now offers a greatly expanded online payment capability! This service will allow churches and individuals to submit payments electronically, instead of mailing checks to the Conference Center. Separate webpages have been set-up as indicated by the sections below.
Camping & Retreat Ministries - Bishop's Initiative
As witnessed at the 2017 Annual Conference, Bishop Moore-Koikoi’s initiative to raise $5 million, over the next 4 years, for conference camping and retreat ministries was received with overwhelming acceptance and generosity. This site has been established as one avenue to financially support this strategic undertaking.
Individuals and organizations external to WPAUMC can make an online contribution using their bank account or credit cardby clicking thebrownbutton below; Individuals affiliated with WPAUMC should give through their local church.Churches can also contribute online; however, they should continue to use the Local Church Remittances page.
Click here….Camping & Retreat Ministries – Bishop’s Initiative
Conference Special Appeal – At The Lake Ministries
At The Lake Ministries is faithfully dedicated to offering our brothers and sisters in Christ who live with a disability a space in which to foster relationships and build community through faith-based, specialized fishing experiences on Lake Erie. This site has been established to financially support the development of this new fishing ministry and refurbish our vessel, JoAnn M. We can’t do this without the support of the WPAUMC Congregations.
Individuals and organizations external to WPAUMC can make an online contribution using their bank account or credit cardby clicking thepurplebutton below; Individuals affiliated with WPAUMC are encouraged to give through their local church. Churches can also contribute online; however, they should continue to use the Local Church Remittances page.
Click here At The Lake Ministries
STRANGELY WARMED
Dr. Luther Oconer, an assistant professor at United Theological Seminary, will lead a Friday seminar, John Wesley, The Holy Spirit and You, designed to equip pastors to explore our Wesleyan heritage and bring it to life in today's churches. It’s Friday,Oct. 6at Jumonville. Dr. Oconer will also lead a weekend retreat, open to all, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday evening. Get details on both atjumonville.org/renewal-retreat.
Laity Sunday 2017:“Therefore, Go! with HOPE Through Hospitality”on Sunday, October 15, 2017.Often when we think of hospitality, we think of it through the lens of how we receive guests in our midst. But the reality is, we practice hospitality wherever we are, even when we are outside our home or church.Resources
Join the Celebration!Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and President David Esterline of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary invite you to a reception celebrating the relationship between PTS and the UMC. It’s Thursday, October 19from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Calvary UMC on Pittsburgh’s North Side. RSVP by October 12. Download invitation with details.