Weekly Email News

EMAIL ADDRESSES:To reach Alyce – johnstown.ds@wpaumc.org

To reach Stacey – johnstown.office@wpaumc.orgDistrict Office Phone Number: 814.361.2464

District Office Fax Number: 814.361.2465

JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT OFFICE HOURSMonday – Thursday 7:30 am to 1 pm

Wednesday October 4, 2017

510 Locust StreetJohnstown, PA 15901

Johnstown District ofthe United Methodist Church

THIS SUNDAY:SUPPORT/HOST THE EAST GERMAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR TOUR OCT. 7-10, 2017

The Conference Children’s Choir from East Germany will tour Western Pa September 30 through October 12, with full concerts in the Pittsburgh, Erie, and Johnstown regions. The local concert will be at Oakland UMC in Johnstown on Sunday, October 8 at 7 pm. The concert is free with a love offering requested.

MOXHAM CO-OPERATIVE MINISTRYThe Moxham Co-Operative Ministry will be having a Pizza Party and Children’s Movie at Park Avenue UM Church, 700 Park Avenue, in Moxham, on Saturday, November 4 from 1-3 pm. This event is sponsored by the Moxham Co-Op Ministry and all children and parents are welcome!

Fall work teams needed – Camp Allegheny could use your help with many different projects this fall.  We have completed some timbering and have some cleanup to do. This also means free firewood.  We also are trying complete the installation of an outdoor amphitheater, a small roofing project, wiring of some new smoke detectors and more.  We can use work teams of 1 to 21 for any number of days, 1-101 days.  Please call the office 814-754-5122 and ask for Rob or email him at, Rob@campallegheny.org.  Thank you.

PASTORS – WE NEED YOUR HELP!We are asking our Pastors to encourage your Lay Leaders to keep a look out in their mail for information regarding September Lay Leader Classes coming from Nancy Demi, Johnstown District Lay Leader. The classes will begin in September, so we need them to open the mail when they receive it and respond accordingly. Thanks for all of your help!

TECHNOLOGY IN MINISTRY WORKSHOP – OCTOBER 19, 2017We would like to invite anyone from the Johnstown, Connellsville, or Indiana Districts to join us as Ben Harsch, Bill Jacka, and John Wilson come to present a workshop on the use of the Conference Website, EZRA data entry, MissionInsite our Conference provided demographic tool and other Technology tools that can be used in ministry in the local church.  There will be Q&A for any questions these three can address related to use of the internet based tools provided by the Annual Conference.  This workshop will be held at the Perkins Restaurant at 505 Galleria Drive in Johnstown on Thursday, October 19th. Registration will be at 8:30 am. Online registration is now available. Cost for lunch provided for all attendees will be $10. Please see the attached brochure that includes full details about the Workshop. https://wpa-reg.brtapp.com/TechnologyinMinistryWorkshop

WINTER ITEMS NEEDEDUnited Methodist Human Services is collecting new winter hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves of all sizes. Each year these items are distributed to under-resourced children and adults throughout the District. Through partnerships with schools and agencies, we have been able to help many children in need throughout our cold winter months. This year we have a special opportunity to take part in a local outreach event, part of a national initiative of the United Methodist Church. The event will bring exposure to the UM Church and invite people without a church home to attend for Christmas. It will be open to the public, so we are working to collect as many winter items as possible to prepare for the additional items needed for this great opportunity! Please consider joining with us as we get ready for the upcoming winter season by holding a collection at your work, school, or church! To find out more, contact our office at 814-539-2633, or by email- joy@umhumanservices.org. Thank you!

Grove Avenue UMW's Annual Pancake Breakfast

A Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale will be held on Saturday, October 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Grove Avenue UM Church.  Cost is $6.00 for Adults and $2.50 for children 12 and under.  Tickets are available at the church office and at the door.

BRIGHT HOPE CHARGE PORK & SAUERKRAUT DINNERYou are invited to attend our Annual Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner Fundraiser on October 12 from 4-6:30 pm at the Nanty Glo UMC. Cost is $9 per person. Please spread the word and come on out to enjoy this delicious meal on October 12!!!

WINDBER AREA COMMUNITY KITCHEN (W.A.C.K.)A free community dinner, served at the Windber Area Community Kitchen, will be held from 4 pm-6 pm Saturday, October 7, 2017, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Ave in Windber PA.

The meal will be sponsored & served by the United Churches of Windber.

The menu will feature Country Fried Steak, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Peas, Assorted Desserts and Coffee/Punch. All are welcome!

The Windber Area Community Kitchen (W.A.C.K.) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

Patton United Methodist Church will be having their Christmas Cantata on December 10, 2017 at 6 pm. The title is “Breath of Heaven” and will be directed by Sue Yeager, Choir Director. Everyone is invited and refreshments will be served afterwards.

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!

Pastors & LaityWould you like to have a picture drawn of your church(es), home, barn, business, etc? Many of us are not aware that we have a professional artist among our Johnstown district! Gregory Stiver, Pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Moxham, is an artist and specializes in pencil drawing churches & buildings! If you are interested in having something drawn, please contact Greg at 814-410-2064 or 724-970-4444 or email: gregorystiver21@gmail.com. Greg has done many, many drawings in the last few years and has a portfolio to show for it. These drawings are great for churches celebrating Anniversaries also. Prices are very reasonable!

Grove Avenue United Methodist Church's Flea MarketThe Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 Grove Avenue, will hold its Semi-Annual Flea Market on Saturday, October 14th, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.   ½ Price Sale is Saturday, October 21st, from 8:00 a.m. to Noon.

“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".

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.

ARBUTUS PARK MANOR – GOSPEL SOUNDS DUET, Steve & Apryl Caldwell, has been re-scheduled for Sunday, October 8 at 2 pm at the Arbutus Park Manor Chapel.

SUMMIT CHAPEL GATEWAY CLIPPER TRIPThe Summit Chapel United Methodist Church is taking a bus trip to Pittsburgh, Pa on October 14, 2017 to go on the Gateway Clipper! The cost is $65 per person and includes bus transportation and a lunch buffet on the Clipper. The cruise is about 2 hours long. Bus will leave from Summit Chapel parking lot at 9:30 am and return at approximately 6-7 pm. Please call Linda Pattison at 241-0076 to make reservations by September 24, 2017.

MIRACLE OF CHRISTMAS BUS TRIP Bethany UMC has put together a bus trip for December. I was asked if it would be possible for you to post this. Any questions either contact Barb Malcolm at 814-266-4523 or myself at 814-266 9588.Thanks so much,KarenMiracle of Christmas - Sight and Sound Theatre      Bus is filling fast.Date:           December 12, 2017   Cost: $120.00 - Deposit $60.00                    (Final payment by Nov. 6th)                     Checks Only payable to Bethany UMCDepart:        6:00 am from Bethany UMC parking lot                   Turnpike breakfast & comfort stop (on your own)10:15 am    Arrival at Sight & Sound Theatre11:00 am    Show - “Miracle of Christmas”                    Depart Theatre for Hershey Farms2:00 pm      Lunch included at Hershey Farms with time to shop4:00 pm      Depart for home - Comfort stop at Sidling Hill8:00 pm      Approximate arrival back to church.

FERNDALE UMC STARTING SATURDAY EVENING SERVICESThe Ferndale United Methodist Church will be starting a Saturday evening worship service beginning on September 23, 2017 at 4:30 pm and will continue every other Saturday evening. For more information, please contact Ferndale UMC.

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!

Clergy Profile for Cabinet – Updated online before your one to one with Alyce. Hard copy must be sent to District office one week prior to your one to one interview.

Church Profile for Cabinet – Must be updated online prior to Charge Conference.

Church Parsonage Form – Must be updated prior to charge Conference.

District Prayer Chain- Victims and Families who were involved in shooting in Las Vegas- Brandy Hillberry-Gene Mickolick- 5 year old boy who was mauled by a dog from Indiana, Pa-Jodi who is the sister of Robin Hutchins, wife of Pastor Preston Hutchins and Jodi’s friend Brad who was also in a motorcycle accident- Dottie Walker- Cheryl Adams- Our Country and our Leaders- All Pastors and Laity in the Johnstown District

District Joys-Rich and Darlene Wiewiora celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on September 21. They were married September 21, 1957

Alyce’s Schedule: Oct 09 – One to Ones in District office – am & CC @ Cresson Charge - pmOct 10 - One to Ones in District office – am & CC @ Salix: Bethel - pmOct 11 – Alyce at CabinetOct 12 – Alyce at CabinetOct 13 – Oct 14 – One to Ones at Belmont UMC - amOct 15 – 125th Anniversary Celebration @ J: Christ – am & CC @ Portage Charge - pm

Conference News and EventsCamping & Retreat Ministry Initiative

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi announced at the 2017 Annual Conference that the conference is being called to raise $5 million in four years for our Western PA Camps and Olmsted Retreat Center. (That is double what we raised for Imagine No Malaria!) In a spontaneous offering, $9,251.52 was collected after she made the announcement preceded by her rappelling from the balcony to the conference floor – in high heels! The Youth added $1,985. Making a total of $11,236.52 to kick off the initiative. Watch for more details as this initiative unfolds.

NEW UMC HANDBOOK The new United Methodist Church Handbook for the next four years is available, providing a detailed overview of the denomination’s beliefs, mission, structure and history. The handbook is a free, go-to resource for anyone in search of information about the church and is helpful for leaders and new members. To View New Information

Continuing Education Events

Join us for the first annual Clergy College at Jumonville!It will begin on Sunday, October 15th with registration at 4:30pm and end on Tuesday, October 17th with closing communion at 11am.  The total cost of the event is $200 per person for double occupancy and $260 per person for single occupancy.  This includes your lodging either in Washington Lodge or The Inn and it includes Sunday dinner, three meals on Monday, and Tuesday breakfast. To register please visit us online at https://jumonville.org/clergy-college-registration or call us at the Jumonville office at 724-439-4912.

For our first Clergy College we will welcome as our instructor Dr. Steve Martyn who is the Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.  Dr. Martyn will join us for five teaching sessions, which he has entitled, “Focused Ministry: Fulfilling God’s Purposes for the Church”.  This will be a retreat that seeks to assist clergy to step into their deepest callings as leaders of our Lord’s Body.  The retreat will center on the leadership role of clergy (in our Wesleyan tradition) in the worship, discipleship, and missional life of the church.

Clergy College is open to all clergy and CEU’s will be offered according to our Annual Conference’s policies.  There will be 3/4 of 1 CEU offered based on 7.5 hours of instruction. We look forward to seeing you in just a few weeks on the mountaintop at Jumonville for the 2017 Clergy College!

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

Oct. 19, 2017 Mount Hope UMC Nov. 16, 2017 Brookville First UMC

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 card by clicking the brown button 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. 

    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 card by clicking the purple button 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. 

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE ATTENDING CAL U?California University of PA (CalU) bound students are important to the California United Methodist Church. We would like to do all we can to welcome your student to the California community. Please let us know if you are aware of someone coming to school here so that we may offer at the least a free home cooked meal and more so, a family away from family. Contact info for your student does help us out tremendously. Peace and grace,Pastor Dawn on behalf of California United Methodist Church Outreach Care and Share United Methodist Women724.986.7508 Dawn_hargraves@yahoo.com

CONFERENCE EVANGELISM EVENTThis year's Conference Evangelism Event will be Saturday October 7th at 9:30am (registration begins 8:30am) at Butler First's Crossfire Campus. Please see the attached brochure.

Also please note there will be .5 CEU's available for clergy from this event.  Cost is only $25.

We have also received funds to offer the first 25 churches that send someone (clergy or laity) Ron Hutcraft's DVD small group study on evangelism.  This would be great for Bible Study groups, Sunday school classes, or other small group ministry.  (Value $20).

Please go to the conference website to register from the calendar page.  You can pay online if desired. Thanks! "Offer Them Christ"

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.

EASTBROOK MISSION BARN – Magnet and T-shirt SaleShow your support by purchasing a magnet for the suggested donation of $5 each or $15 each for a t-shirt. All profits will support the mission projects with the Eastbrook Mission Barn. For more information or to place an order, call the Mission Barn at 724-856-8241. Make checks payable to: Eastbrook Mission Barn, 226 Church Lane, New Castle, PA 16101.

Katie Peterson, Deaconess, Church & Community Worker. Katie coordinates the donations and distribution of UMCOR relief supply kits. She assists New Castle UM Churches to enhance ministries in poverty alleviation. This includes building handicap ramps. How to support Katie:

1. Pray – Our prayers are welcome and strengthen her ministry2. Stay in contact – Ask to receive her newsletter and follow her website and Facebook Page3. Seek to participate in the ministry Katie serves. Ask about ways to help with missionary

support.4. Donate to Katies Advance #98242 – 100% of your gifts are used to support missionaries and

they powerfully contribute to the continued health and vitality of United Methodist missionary outreach.

Contribute through your local church, online at www.umcmission.org or by calling 888-252-6174.

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

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. 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.

Individual Volunteers in Mission: Change your life by becoming an individual volunteer. Learn more at umcmission.org/Get-Involved

WPAUMC Volunteers in Mission – United Methodists voluntarily serving people outside the church – locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.

1. What teams can I join? www.wpaumc.org/opportunities

2. How do I learn about leading a team? www.wpaumc.org/VIMtraining

3. Once we have a team planned, what do we do?a. Register your team at www.wpaumc.org/RegisterVIMteamsb. Get VIM Insurance at www.umvimnej.org

4. Once our team returns, what do I do? www.wpaumc.org/MissionReport

5. Where can I find local church resources?

a. www.wpaumc.org/localchurchmissions b. Contact Stephanie Gottschalk at Stephanie.Gottschalk@wpaumc.org or 724-776-2300, ext.

241

6. How do I get involved in Disaster Response?

a. Take UMCOR training at www.wpaumc.org/DisasterResponseb. Make sure your local church has a local disaster planc. Volunteer at Eastbrook Mission Barn or one of its satellites

7. What if there is a disaster in my church’s community?

a. Local pastor reports damage to church and with their community to their District Superintendent

b. Local pastor reports damage to church and with their community to Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Rev. Calvin Cook at 814-442-5899

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?

Spark 2018 – January 19-21, 2018 at Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh. A retreat for youth grades 6-12 and their leaders.

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.

Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union – We are your credit union. People helping people! Many services offered. www.keystoneumfcu.org or phone 888-972-0797