minister's chorus -...
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Weekly Email News
EMAIL ADDRESSES:To reach Alyce – [email protected]
To reach Stacey – [email protected] Office Phone Number: 814.361.2464
District Office Fax Number: 814.361.2465
JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT OFFICE HOURSMonday – Thursday 7:30 am to 1 pm
DISTRICT OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED ON MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2017
Wednesday June 7, 2017
510 Locust StreetJohnstown, PA 15901
Johnstown District ofthe United Methodist Church
ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS: The appointment time slot for the Johnstown district has be made for Saturday, June 10 during the 9-11:30 am Plenary Session.
If you are retiring or have had a change in size, please consider donating your robes, clerical shirts/blouses, and stoles to the pastors in Zimbabwe. They greatly appreciate receiving these items. Also, check your library of books and ask your congregations for the following material: choir robes and paraments (in good shape), Commentaries, Biblical Studies, Church History, World Religions, Philosophy, Devotionals, Bibles
Please bring to the TNC (The Nyadire Connection) Zimbabwe tables at Annual Conference and give to Diane Welty or April Plants.
Please do not send books that are really old and worn, yellowed, and no copyright dates before 1980’s (This still makes the books almost 40 years old—doesn’t take long for those years to fly by!)
Tatenda! Thank you!
From John Wilson, for Pastors: Please login to the Church dashboard immediately to make sure the contact information is correct for both the clergy and laity going from the church to annual conference. Especially make sure the 2017 Lay Member to Annual Conference start dates are current in the church dashboard. While online, the readers might as well correct the data on the local church’s entire leadership. If someone is unaware of the login information for the church dashboard, then contact the District Office.
NICARAGUAN UM PRESIDENT VISITING
Pastor Reuben Zeledon, the President of the Methodist Churches in Nicaragua, will be visiting in our district just after Annual Conference. On Monday evening, June 12, 7:00, he will be at Mt. Hope UMC for a district-wide visit. All clergy and laity from our area are urged to meet him and learn of the blossoming work in the Lord that is being done there, largely with our support. Please protect your calendar and pass the word!Pastor Reuben also will be the guest speaker at Beulah UMC on Sunday morning, June 11.
UTH FOR MISSION IN JOHNSTOWNJuly 10-14 Uth for mission will be in the Johnstown area. On the 11-13th approx. 12 youth with adult mentors will be looking to do hands on mission work. Examples: small construction projects, painting,etc. If you have someone in your church who is in genuine need of a little help, you can contact me at 814 255-3963 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Blessings, Pastor Tom MooreUth for Mission is July 10-14th at the University of Pitt Johnstown. Registration is open online! New this year is a commuter rate! Join us as we serve the Johnstown community through work and outreach projects. Contact Amanda Gilligan at the conference center with questions
September 24, 1:30 PM at Arbutus Park Manor Chapel will be a day of History and Memories of Arbutus Park Camp Ground. The public is welcome. If anyone has pictures, memorabilia, or memories they would like to share, please bring them to the Main Office. Thank you.
Chaplain John Hollis
PARK AVENUE UMC IN SEARCH OF MUSICIANSPark Avenue UMC is in search of a keyboard player and/or guitarist for 1 Sunday per month. If you or any of your friends are interested in this, please contact Pastor Len Findley at 814-659-9141 or Linda at 814-288-0108.
SEVERAL CHURCHES IN SEARCH OF MUSICAL GROUPSA few of our local churches are in search of musical groups who could perform at a Sunday morning service during summer months. If you happen to know of any, please contact Stacey at the District office and give her the proper contact information. Thanks!
The following pastors need to make arrangements to stop at the District office to pick up your Apportionment Certificate and letter from Bishop Moore Koi-Koi:
- Kurt Knobel- Greg Stiver- Paul Fields- Stephen Moore- Len Findley- Joy Blackburn- Les Hutchins- Preston Hutchins- Jon Gulnac- Phyllis Gramling
Volunteers NeededRISE – a light dinner followed by a contemporary Worship and Praise Service every Thursday night at the Garfield Street UMC at 6 pm. RISE is a shared ministry of the United for God Cooperative and the Ebensburg UMC. This ministry is growing, already we are adding more partners, most recently Homestead Ave. UMC.
You are invited to be part of this new ministry! There are opportunities for everyone to share the love of Christ and to use their gifts. Help is needed in cooking, serving, clean up, welcoming, singing, playing a musical instrument and just worshiping with others. Please let Pastor Carol know if you are willing to help. You do not have to commit to any particular number of times, just as your schedule allows. The Spirit is rising in Johnstown!
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT IS SET UP ONLINE FOR THE FOLLOWING EVENT! DON’T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR THIS AWESOME EVENT!!
Johnstown DistrictImplicit Bias Workshop
One of the 5 areas of focus of our Annual Conference is Dismantling Racism.We are committed to creating a culture of inclusiveness. We are richer with diversity and we will continue to
find ways to witness with full inclusion and the embracing of all our sisters and brothers of color.In order to dismantle racism we need to be aware of those areas where implicit bias might be a part of who we are even when we are not aware of that bias. This workshop will help us become more aware of areas we may
not be aware of where our implicit bias makes us less inclusive and thus less able to embrace all people regardless of race.
When: Thursday, June 22 at 10am – 3pmRegistration begins at 9:30am
Where: Oakland United Methodist Church1504 Bedford St
Johnstown, PA 15902-3496Cost: $7 per person
(.5 CEU for those who attend)
Rev. Dr. Dianne Glave is currently a staff member of the Western Pennsylvania United Methodist Conference Center as the Coordinator of Diversity Development.
She completed her M.Div. at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. After completing her degree, she served as a local pastor at Crafton United Methodist Church and Ingomar Church in Pittsburgh.Dr. Glave's background, an M.A. and Ph.D. in History with an emphasis on African American and
environmental history and experience as a professor in African American Studies and Ethnic Studies, serves as a foundation for her current position.
Her publications include Rooted in the Earth: Reclaiming the African American Environmental Heritage and To Love the Wind and the Rain: African American Environmental History, a co‐edited volume.
SOUTH FORK FIRST HOSTING FREE EVENTSouth Fork First UM Church will be hosting a live simulcast of the Harvest America Event from Arizona on Sunday, June 11 at 8 pm. The event includes a gospel message from Greg Laurie and music from Mercy Me, Tripp Lee, Need to Breathe, and Phil Wickham. Please join us at 500 Maple Street, South Fork, PA 15956. For more information, please contact the church office at 814-495-9633.
CAMP ALLEGHENY NEWSWork Teams needed - We are doing some tree removal around our lodges. This will make the area safer, increase sunlight and air to the lodges and will allow us to do some significant landscaping in the future. However right now we need some help cutting up treetops. The firewood is FREE but assistance is needed in removing the tops, chipping them (we are blessed with a large chipper to use) and general cleanup. Help us get ready for summer camp. Any number of persons on any day is greatly appreciated. Please call the camp 814 754 5122 or email the [email protected].
Bethany UMC of Johnstown has 150 plain white dinner plates and soup bowls free to anyone that would like them. Interested parties can call the office at (814) 266-9588, Monday through Friday 8:30-12:30pm to arrange to pick them up.
Hello Sisters and Brothers,Oakland will again host the Global Leadership Summit, and I have worked out special discount pricing for all UM pastors.
United Methodist discount code 17TGLSCRFT $139 Here is the code. 17TGLSCRFT
If you work with youth, are in school, or are in financial need, I can work some even better deals.
Please call or email me at (814-269-3678, [email protected]) if you have any questions.
Pastor Randy BainLead Pastor Oakland UMCMaking Passionate and Compassionate followers of Jesus Christ.
"For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7
It’s that time of year again! Are you in need of a renewal in your spirit and leadership? Can’t afford to go away and pay for hotels, meals, travel?
Come to the Global Leadership Summit at Oakland UMC in Johnstown!
The Global Leadership Summit is a leadership conference that is simulcast from Willow Creek Church in Chicago to sites all over the world. Top leaders from both the business world, and local church take part in the top level teaching over these two powerful days of training and transformation.
(Please click the link for more details on the event.) http://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/?utm_source=Willow+Creek+Association&utm_campaign=9415708327-Speaker_Leak_1_01_24_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_663a229389-9415708327-208559045#faculty
We can get you an unbelievable rate for this two day training, snacks, and lunches included.
Contact Oakland (814.269.3678) or Pastor Jeremy Barkley at (814.525.4464) for a special rate that is around $89-$99 for the entire conference. (Normal pricing is around $250 for this conference) Contact Oakland for the promotional code that fits best for you. Oakland UMC in Johnstown is site #237.
(Billy Hybels and Andy Stanley are just two of the speakers in this years faculty.)
Pick up your information regarding the Global Leadership Summit at the District office which includes a free app to download!
PIRATES vs. CARDINALS – AUGUST 17, 2017
Announcement for the District churches! Faith Night August 17th Bus trip!
Hey everyone! We are trying to fill up the bus to the Pirate game on August 17th which is Faith Night. As of 5/26 we only have about 25 seats taken of the 50 we need to go ahead with the plans we have made. The total cost of the evening (besides your personal spending) is $50 (bus ride and game day ticket) and we have a great section of seats reserved in section 128 at PNC Park. Share with your friends and family and get your $20 deposit per ticket into the Bethany UMC of Johnstown office ASAP. We have extended the deadline until June 12th. If we don't fill up the bus by then we will have to cancel the bus trip. Give us a call at Bethany UMC of Johnstown at 814-266-9588 to make your reservation.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!JUMP is looking for retired men and women who are seeking a rewarding experience.
PAY: NONE
BENEFITS: Investment in your community; serve God by doing ministry to help the less fortunate
Current JUMP leaders are aging and dealing with health limitations. They will help with permits, design, materials transport, and paperwork.Priority for jobs goes to handicap needs, followed by home repairs addressing safety issues. Teams are generally 3 to 5 people and most jobs are completed in 2 to 3 days. We need team leaders and team workers, hopefully with some fix-it experience, but we will train any interested individual.This is a part-time volunteer effort. JUMP has tools but bringing your own is encouraged. Access to a small truck or van is also helpful but not necessary.For more information, call Franklin Street UMC at 535-8288.
“MESSY CHURCH”Park Ave UMC will sponsor "Messy Church" the last Saturday of every month from 3-5 pm. This is an event that highlights the family. There is a time of welcoming, a craft or game time, a time for celebration and each month we will be serving a meal and the best part is it is absolutely free. Call the church for more details at 814-288-4725. We'll see you at "Messy Church".
CLERGY REMINDERS:UPCOMING DEADLINES:All clergy - please give this your immediate attention. Please check "Required Annual Forms" on the WPAUMC website for more information. Of course, all of these deadlines can be met BEFORE the deadline!
May 15 -2017 Clergy Evaluation – Submit to District Office
May 15 –Continuing Education Report Form – Submit to District Office
May 15 –Annual Parsonage Inspection – Submit to District Office
District Prayer Chain- All people involved in the latest terrorist attacks- Family of retired Rev. John Dallape- Pastor Tom Moore- Cheryl Adams- Tammy Hay, Admin. Assistant for Connellsville District- Arch Moore, brother of Pastor Tom Moore- Kathy McKee- Dan Dembinsky- Our Country and our Leaders- All Pastors and Laity in the Johnstown District
Alyce’s Schedule: June 12 – District Office ClosedJune 13 – Alyce in office am June 14 – Alyce in office am – Take in Homestead Ave.June 15 - Alyce in office amJune 16 – Alyce June 17 – Alyce June 18 – Alyce
Conference News and Events
Continuing Education Events
2017 DISABILITY RETREAT AT OLMSTED MANORSeptember 10-12, 2017
The 2017 Disability Retreat “We Belong” will be at Olmsted Manor on September 10-12, 2017. This retreat is for anyone who lives with a disability and their caregivers. Cost is $141.50 per person. *Financial assistance is available. Please contact Olmsted Manor for more information.
LIFE-CHANGING MEN’S GATHERING About 1,000 men are expected to come together for worship, workshops, service and fellowship at the National Gathering of United Methodist Men on July 7- 8. Held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, the event will inspire attendees to embrace new possibilities for ministry and discipleship. To learn more, go to UMM event website.
Family Autism Retreat at Jumonville Camp - September 22-24, 2017. This weekend retreat allows families of children living with autism to enjoy a mountaintop experience that will combine coveted parental free time with an opportunity for quality family time. Hope is provided through time for worship, rest and relaxation in a safe Christian setting capable of caring for children with Autism. All ages are welcome! Registration deadline September 15, 2017. Brochure/registration form or Register online
OLDER ADULT RETREAT Olmsted ManorJuly 17-21, 2017 (Mon. dinner – Friday lunch)
Theme: “Stained Glass Windows: Letting God’s Holy Spirit Shine!”Deans: Mrs. Lois Hiles and Mrs. Glenda MerrittBible Teacher: Rev. Bruce K. MerrittMusic Director: Robin SwankCost: Tuition: $16.00 + Room and Board: $264 = $280
Price includes class, 4 nights stay, 12 meals, and evening entertainmentCamperships available for first time attendees!
For more information: Olmsted ManorP.O. Box 8, Ludlow, Pa. [email protected] www.olmstedmanor.org
Glenda and Bruce Merritt1268 Fells Church Rd, Belle Vernon, Pa. [email protected]
Thank you for any publicity that you can give this retreat. It is a week of Bible teaching, worship, fun, good food, and fellowship. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!Abundant Blessings…Pastor Bruce K. Merritt
SHORT-TERM MISSION PROJECT OPPORTUNITY AT CHERRY RUN CAMP The Franklin District camp is always in need of adult volunteers to help with the work of the camp. Working and helping at Cherry Run is a great short-term local mission project for church groups or for individuals. Work one day or as many as you are able. Cherry Run Camp especially needs volunteers to help the week prior to camp to clean and prepare the grounds and buildings for camp. They are also looking for volunteers to serve in the kitchen during camp. They have a camp cook who plans and buys for the camp, but he needs extra hands to prepare and to serve the meals. Individual volunteers or a team of four individuals are needed each day to assist the cook. Your help is greatly sought-after and appreciated. For more information or to volunteer, contact Judy McQueen, Cherry Run Camp Meeting Board Member, at 724-846-7565 or [email protected].
5TH ANNUAL FAITH NIGHT AT PNC PARKThursday, August 17, 2017. Enjoy discounted tickets for the Pirates-Cardinals game at 7:05 pm and stay after the game to hear from Manager Clint Hurdle and many more Pirates Players and Coaches discuss how faith has impacted their lives, both on and off the field. The Faith Night presentation will last approximately 45 minutes. Early bird pricing for groups of 15 or more. Contact Chad Glover at (412) 325-4756 or [email protected] or Ryan Vizzini at (412) 325-4777 or [email protected]
Minister's Chorus (Rev. Steve Morse)Rev. Steve Morse is the director of this chorus and would love for you to join him at one of his upcoming concerts.
Upcoming Concerts
Sept. 21, 2017 Linesville/Harmansburg UMC Oct. 19, 2017 Mount Hope UMC Nov. 16, 2017 Brookville First UMC
New Newsletter Available Now!! Prison Outreach MinistryKeep up with WPA Prison Outreach Ministry volunteers in their latest newsletter. Learn more about the ministry and how you or your church can get involved at: wpapom.org.
GIVE TO WEST VIRGINIA FLOOD RELIEFGive to WV Flood Relief - The Western Pennsylvania UM Conference, is gathering funds under the designation #WV2016 and encouraging local churches to take up an offering or give online.
Keep Up With Upcoming Events - WPAUMC ConferenceThe website for upcoming events is: http://www.wpaumc.org/events. The Conference Calendar can now be found on the website under “Calendar” instead of “Events”, to save any confusion.
Follow the Western Pennsylvania Conference on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wpaumcCONFERENCE MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
You can now check our running list of WPA VIM Trip Opportunities online anytime at www.wpaumc.org/opportunities
Spring, Summer Volunteers Needed in Connellsville: The Connellsville Flood Recovery Center still has 109 active cases in the aftermath of flooding last August. Volunteer assistance is needed for repair and rebuilding at many of those homes. UM volunteers from several districts, including Erie, Butler, Connellsville, Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and Johnstown have helped. Housing and hospitality for teams serving multiple days is available, but one-day teams are common. One team from Latrobe UMC serves once a month! Volunteers can register online at: connellsvillevolunteers.org/2016/09/08/how-to-volunteer/ or email [email protected].
UMCOR Needs Health, Bedding Kits: Katie Peterson, new executive director of the Eastbrook Mission Barn, notes that UMCOR has put out a call for health and bedding kits. Get kit details at wpaumc.org/MissionBarn. UMCOR Kits Needed: Cleaning buckets, health kit, and bedding kit ingredients can be gathered by local communities and congregations. UMCOR kits can be received at Eastbrook Mission Barn, at the Conference Center or at one of the official Mission Barn sub-depots. Eastbrook Mission Barn is on call to deploy their kits through the UMCOR Relief Supply Network through their national system. Kits collected in UMCOR's name are UMCOR property and unverified kits cannot be given out in UMCOR's name by local groups. Mission U – July 2017: Service and learning for Kids, Teens & Adults at Cal U. www.wpaumc.org/missionu. Registration’s Open for Mission u 2017! Learn about the July 27-30 event for adults, youth and children and download a flyer to share at wpaumc.org/missionu.
UM A.R.M.Y. – Your church can be a youth work camp as Youth and chaperones partner with UM A.R.M.Y. to love your neighbors. www.ne.umarmy.org.
Eastbrook Mission Barn – Ramps, relief supplies and Outreach. ALL ages can serve for one day in the New Castle area. www.wpaumc.org/missionbarn For Mission opportunities, please go to www.wpaumc.org/opportunities. This is the best place to see what is open.
House of the Carpenter Team – June 18-24, 2017 in Wheeling, West Virginia. Join House of the Carpenter in holistic approach to mission and community development. Volunteers engage the community for mercy, justice and spiritual formation. This team will focus on home repair and other tasks. Ages 14 to Adult. Cost $375. Red Bird Family Team – July 9-15, 2017: Volunteers enable Red Bird Mission to builds up the community and witness to Christ. Kids ages 7-12 with adult, Youth (age 13+) and Adults. Estimated cost: $600 for Youth and Adults. Kids: $450.
UMCOR Sager Brown Team – July 30-August 5, 2017: Join the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in the work of disaster response and fighting poverty at Sager Brown, their main warehouse and shopping depot. Volunteers engage in local outreach and in preparing relief supply kits as signs of comfort and hop to a community in distress. Age 16+. Estimated cost $2,500. Individual Volunteers in Mission: Change your life by becoming an individual volunteer. Learn more at umcmission.org/Get-Involved
Keep up with UMCOR, Mission News: Effective today, the UMCOR Hotline, which provides updates about the United Methodist Committee on Relief will become a bi-weekly publication. On alternate weeks, UMC Global Ministries’ Connect ‘n Mission will be published. You can subscribe to both publications.
CLERGY DEVELOPMENTVital ministry requires a plan. Let this be a tool to create your continuing education plan. Opportunities are listed here by areas of focus to allow you to target an area where you need to grow. Our Conference focus for 2016 is Leadership. There are some great leadership development events coming up! Which ones could help strengthen your ministry?
Youth Zim CampApplications are now available for the 2017 Youth Zim Camp. The dates are June 20- July 5, 2017. Get details and application. House of the Carpenter Team – June 18-24, 2017 in Wheeling, West Virginia. Join House of the Carpenter in holistic approach to mission and community development. Volunteers engage the community for mercy, justice and spiritual formation. This team will focus on home repair and other tasks. Ages 14 - Adult. Cost $375.
Red Bird Family Team – July 9-15, 2017: In Eastern Kentucky, chronic poverty makes life a struggle for people in this mountainous area of Appalachia. Volunteers enable Red Bird Mission to builds up the community and witness to Christ. Kids ages 7-12 with adult, Youth (age 13+) and Adults. Estimated cost: $600 for Youth and Adults. Kids: $450.
UMCOR Sager Brown Team – July 30-August 5, 2017: Join the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) in the work of disaster response and fighting poverty at Sager Brown, their main warehouse and shopping depot. Volunteers engage in local outreach and in preparing relief supply kits as signs of comfort and hop to a community in distress. Age 16+. Estimated cost $2,500.
ZIM Camp – July-August 2017: Despite widespread challenges, the UMC in Zimbabwe has grown and continues in vital ministry and dynamic worship. ZIM Camp offers youth two weeks a chance to build relationships through District partnership projects, all in the spirit of Chabadza. Ages 15-18. Cost $2500.
Fiji Team – fall 2017 (Dates to be determined): Cyclone Winston devastated parts of the Fijian Islands in February 2016. We are working with our brothers and sisters in the Methodist Church in Fiji and the UMC to meet their ongoing needs with solidarity and encouragement. Cost to be determined.