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OFFICE INFORMATION

Indiana D.S. Rev. James N. Pond indiana.district@wpaumc.org

Cell # (724) 322-1718

Admin. Sherry Meterko indiana.office@wpaumc.org

Office # (814) 938-1742

DATES (subject to change)

Feb 25 Finance District Office 10:00

Feb 21 Deadline to register for Over Night w/Bishop @ Antiochian Village 1:30

Feb 22 CE “One Church, Four Generations” Grampian 9:00

Feb 22 Lay Ministry Committee Homer City 10:00

Mar 1 Audit Report Due

Mar 1 Trustee & Program Grant Applications Due in the District Office

Mar 1 dCOM Punxsy: First 8:30

Mar 1 – Apr 27 Licensing School Manorville

Mar 2 Council Homer City UMC 5:30

Mar 2-Apr 6 Spring Lay Ministry School Homer City

Mar 6-7 Over Night w/Bishop Indiana/Kane District Antiochian Village Clergy only

Mar 10 Provisional/Student Mentoring group Indiana: Trinity 10:00

Indiana District Weekly Newsletter 2/18/14

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Mar 10 Building, Location & Trustee Stanton UMC 6:30

Mar 14 CE “Youth Ministry in a Smaller Church” Clymer 9:00

Mar 14-16 Youth Retreat Cherry Run Camp

Mar 20 The Ministers' Chorus Summerville UMC 7:00

Mar 27 Superintendency District Office 1:00

Apr 3 LP South Mentoring Group Elderton Office 10:00

Apr 4 LP North Mentoring Group Stanton 7:00

Apr 5 Lay Ministry Committee 10:00

Apr 8 Superintendency District Office 1:00

Apr 28 Indiana District Secretary Luncheon District Office 11:30

NEW NEWS

The Cabinet Worksheets will be run for the DS’s next week. Please make sure you have

logged in and completed the clergy and church information.

These reports will be used during the next appointment season.

Please make sure you have logged in to the WPA conference site – accessed the

dashboard and have completed these important forms.

Cabinet Worksheet for Clergy (completed online –clergy login required)

Cabinet Worksheet for Church (completed online –church login required)

Read the Bishop's Advent Message

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http://wpa-www.brtsite.com/newsdetail/77792

Cokesbury VBS Resources

Due to cold temperatures

Cokesbury has extended their up to 15% off VBS resources until Feb. 16th. Check out

their website: www.cokesbury.com or call Cheryl at 412-918-0427

2014 Youth Page to Annual Conference application

Now available at http://www.wpaumc.org/youthministry.

Contact Renaye Hoffman with questions: Renaye.Hoffman@wpaumc.org.

www.umc.org Gets a Makeover!

The people of The United Methodist Church have a newly redesigned digital home,

UMC.org. The denomination’s website not only has a fresh look, it’s also more

functional.

United Methodist Communications invites you to visit the site with a virtual web

warming party to celebrate the launch and to pass the invitation along to other. A

virtual media kit provides resources that make it easy for you to share, including articles

for the church bulletin and social media posts to help spread the news. For more

information and a virtual tour, go to new UMC.org.

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Keep up with upcoming events: http://www.wpaumc.org/events

Western Pennsylvania Conference on FaceBook - https://www.facebook.com/wpaumc

2014 United Methodist Program Calendars

Stock up and score great savings of up to 60% on

Act quickly! This offer ends February 28.

Order now! shop.umc.org/calendars Phone: (888) 346-3862

Feed the Hungry with Society of St. Andrew - Support SoSA through Your

VBS Mission Offerings

New for 2014! Two Options

Option 1: Vacation Bible School Mission Supplement

15-20 minutes daily, up to 5 days (expandable to 45 minutes, w/optional mission

activities)

Connect with the Society of St. Andrew through:

Daily Mission Stories

Optional Mission Activities

Daily Mission Offering Emphasis

- See more

Option 2: Abundance Orchard Complete VBS Curriculum

Year 1: Old Testament

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2-3 hours daily, up to 5 days

A stand-alone, all-in-one COMPLETE hunger-action themed Vacation Bible School

See more

For more information, call 800-333-4597 or email: church@endhunger.org

Volunteer In Mission Team Leader Trainings You are invited to 1 of 13 trainings to learn more about UMC Missions, UMVIM, and

to receive certification (re-certification) as a VIM Team Leader. We will cover materials

from "A Mission Journey" the newly published VIM Handbook from the General Board

of Global Ministries based on VIM experiences and current mission practices. Bulletin

inserts are attached to this email for use in inviting congregation members. Space is

limited so register soon at www.wpaumc.org/missions for one of the following trainings:

West Freedom UMC Fri., March 07 9:30 - 3pm

Garden City UMC Sun., March 09 2:00-7:30

Grace UMC, Somerset Wed., March 12 9:30 - 3pm

Stone UMC, Meadville Fri., March 14 9:30 - 3pm

First UMC, Kane Wed., March 19 9:30 - 3pm

First UMC, Greensburg Sat., March 22 9:30 - 3pm

Ebensburg UMC Mon., March 24 9:30 - 3pm

Grace UMC, Grove City Sun. March 30 2:00-7:30

First UMC, Waynesburg Mon., March 31 9:30 - 3pm

Zion UMC, Sarver Sat., April 05 9:30 - 3pm

Christ UMC, Bethel Park Sun., April 06 2:00-7:30

UM Center, Cranberry Sat., April 12 9:30 - 3pm

Lakeside UMC, Dubois Wed., April 30 9:30-3pm

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MTSO hosts Brodbeck Organ Concert March 2

Methodist Theological School in Ohio Organist in Residence Joshua Brodbeck will

present an organ concert at 7 p.m. March 2 in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO

campus, 3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware. The concert is open to the public. A freewill

offering will benefit music education at the seminary.

A concert organist since the age of 12, Brodbeck has performed live throughout the

United States and for television and public radio. He won the Indianapolis American

Guild of Organists’ Young Artists competition in 2007 and has received numerous other

awards. Brodbeck holds certificates from the American Guild of Organists and is a

member of the Royal College of Organists. He has studied at the Capital University

Conservatory of Music and Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. In addition to

his position at MTSO, he is minister of music and artist in residence at Holy Trinity

Lutheran Church in Upper Arlington. The concert will feature works by J.S. Bach, Craig

Phillips and William Albright, among others, played on the Alford Centrum pipe organ.

www.mtso.edu.

Scholarships

Apply by March 5 for UMC Scholarships, Loans: Applications for low-interest

student loans and scholarships are being accepted through March 5 by the General

Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Get details.

WPAUMC Scholarships: Scholarship descriptions and application forms are

available at WPAUMC.org/scholarshipforms

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Algonquin Canoe Trip

July 28-August 6, 2014 It’s more than just a challenge, more than just an adventure. For

more information or to register, go to www.wpaumc.org/camping.

Get Three Bonus Months of Live Streaming Free Through TechShop and

myUMClive.com

Does hectic living make it difficult for people to attend worship services regularly?

Live streaming is one of the fastest-growing services offered by congregations wanting to

reach out to members and seekers. It allows people to watch live video broadcasts of

your church worship service or special event through their computer, tablet or mobile

device. Equally important, live-streaming is one of the most cost-effective ways to keep

members involved.

Be ready to stream during Lent and Easter! Through this special offer, your church

can enjoy a bonus three months at no additional cost when you sign up for 12 months of

live-streaming service.

Sign up today at myUMClive.com. Use discount code, Lent, on the Contact Us form.

But hurry; this offer ends March 15, 2014.

MTSO workshop offers toolkit for nonprofit leaders

Methodist Theological School in Ohio presents “Developing Community: A Toolkit

for Doing Nonprofit Work,” a one-day event providing current and aspiring nonprofit

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leaders with the basics of community development.

The workshop will be held 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. March 14 on the campus of MTSO,

3081 Columbus Pike in Delaware. Tuition is $40, with one CEU credit available for an

additional $35. Student tuition is $30. Complimentary lunch and continental breakfast

are included. Advance registration is required and can be completed at

www.mtso.edu/toolkit. Information on scholarships for the event is also available on the

web page.

“Developing Community” includes keynote addresses by the Rev. John Edgar, the

founding executive director of Community Development for All People, and Stephanie

Frank Scribner, coordinator of the Delaware County Family and Children First Council.

Breakout workshops will cover topics including multi-cultural community organizing,

nonprofit tax law, grants and development, and working with volunteers.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio prepares leaders of many faith traditions for

lives of significance in service to the church and the world. The school offers master’s

degrees in divinity, counseling ministries, theological studies and practical theology, as

well as a Doctor of Ministry degree. For more information, visit www.mtso.edu.

Talmudic culture scholar Daniel Boyarin lectures at MTSO

Author and talmudic culture scholar Daniel Boyarin will present a Jewish perspective

of the New Testament in two Williams Institute lectures March 12 at Methodist

Theological School in Ohio. He will present “Two Notes on the ‘Jewishness’ of the New

Testament: Hebrews and Revelation” at 11:30 a.m. and “Mark, Matthew and Keeping

Kosher” at 7 p.m.

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Both lectures will be in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO campus, 3081 Columbus

Pike in Delaware, Ohio. They are free and open to the public. A campus lunch

conversation with Boyarin following the 11:30 lecture also is open to the public. No

registration is necessary for these events.

Boyarin is the Hermann P. and Sophia Taubman Professor of Talmudic Culture at

the University of California at Berkeley. He earned his doctorate and Masters of

Hebrew Literature from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, a Masters of

Semitic Languages at Columbia University, and a bachelor’s degree from Goddard

College.

Boyarin’s books include “A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity,” “Border

Lines: The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity,” and his most recent, “The Jewish Gospels:

The Story of the Jewish Christ.”

MTSO’s Williams Institute was begun in 1981 to honor the late Dr. Ronald L.

Williams, professor of theology from 1971 until his death in 1981. The institute has

featured speakers from many backgrounds, including theologians, ethicists, poets,

biblical scholars, historians, pastoral psychologists and Christian educators.

Methodist Theological School in Ohio prepares leaders of many faith traditions for lives

of significance in service to the church and the world. The school offers master’s degrees

in divinity, counseling ministries, theological studies and practical theology, as well as a

Doctor of Ministry degree. For more information, visit www.mtso.edu.

MTSO faculty author delves into the ‘spiritual but not religious’

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Methodist Theological School in Ohio Professor Linda Mercadante will present a

faculty lecture, “The Fleeing Nones: Food for Thought from the Spiritual but not

Religious,” at 7 p.m. March 27 in the Alford Centrum on the MTSO campus, 3081

Columbus Pike in Delaware. The event is free and open to the public.

Mercadante, who holds the Straker Chair of Historical Theology at MTSO, has spent

five years researching her new book, “Belief Without Borders: Inside the Minds of the

Spiritual but not Religious,” which is being published in March by Oxford University

Press. “Publishers Weekly” says the book “paints a group that applies typically American

values of personal responsibility, freedom, and self-determination to the realm of

belief.”

Mercadante was named a 2010-11 Henry Luce III Fellow in Theology for her work on

the topic. Among Mercadante’s other books is “Bloomfield Avenue: A Jewish-Catholic

Jersey Girl’s Spiritual Journey.”

In her faculty lecture, sponsored by the Theological Commons at MTSO, Mercadante

will share insights gleaned from her academic work as well as interviews with hundreds

of so-called “nones” or “SBNRs.” Among the questions she will address are these:

Why do some SBNRs exempt themselves from organized religion – and why do

some within the church see themselves as SBNR?

What do SBNRs believe? Are they "salad bar spiritualists" or is there a coherent

narrative that cuts across class, race, geography and economics?

What will their effect on society be?

What can organized religion learn from SBNRs, and what might it offer them?

Mercadante discussed her book and research in a Jan. 10 interview with the

“Columbus Dispatch.”

Methodist Theological School in Ohio prepares transformational leaders of many

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faith traditions for service to the church and the world. MTSO offers master’s degrees in

divinity, counseling ministries, theological studies and practical theology, as well as a

Doctor of Ministry degree. For more information, visit www.mtso.edu.

Safe Sanctuaries Training

Brockport United Methodist Church will be sponsoring Safe Sanctuaries Training on

March 23, 2014 at 3:30pm in the fellowship hall. 5543 Rte. 219 Brockport, Pa 15824

814-265-5622 (office) 814-807-2071 (pastors cell)

FEBRUARY

2014 Webinar Series

The cost of each webinar individually is $25. The cost of registering for all 5 webinars is

discounted to $100.

To receive a discount by registering for all 5 webinars at once, please click here to

receive the discounted price. After payment, you will receive confirmation of your

registrations with more information.

Register for Individual Webinars

Each of the following webinars will start at 10:00 AM ET (9:00 AM CT, 8:00 AM MT,

7:00 AM PT) and will last approximately 1.5 hours.

By clicking on the dates below, you will be directed to the individual registration pages at

GoToWebinar.

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February 19th, 2014 - Homiletical Hot Potatoes: Preaching on Difficult Topics -

Led by Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie

March 20th, 2014 - Narrative, Trauma Transformation and Faith Communities -

Led by David Anderson Hooker

April 30th, 2014 - Appreciative Inquiry, Conflict Transformation and Faith

Communities - Led by Dr. Joy Samuels

May 21st, 2014 - Emotional Systems, Conflict Transformation and Faith

Communities - Led by Dr. W. Craig Gilliam

Webinar descriptions: http://justpeaceumc.org/

Moodle 300: Course Facilitation

Registration will be open through Monday, February 24

This course is not recommended for beginners. Previous attendance in Moodle Basic,

Moodle Advanced training, or a working knowledge of online learning is highly

recommended.

Start Moodle Course Facilitation when it best fits your schedule and move at your

own pace. This course includes eight weeks of instruction. A course facilitator will

respond to your work and answer questions via forums.

A limited number of virtual seats are available and are first come, first

serve. Registration closes at the end of the day on Monday, February 24. Moodle 300

2014 Confirmation Class Tours WPA UMC Conference Center

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February 27, 2014-Thursday at 1 pm Register

Registration can also be done by going to www.wpaumc.org, click on Events, find the

desired tour on the Calendar and click on the Confirmation Class Tour link.

Continuing Education: New UMC Cyber Campus Website Launches!

Welcome to our new UMC Cyber Campus website. UMC Cyber Campus features short

video training sessions and lectures to build your Christian leadership skills and a catalog

of accredited online theological education courses & degree programs. UMC Cyber

Campus aims to enhance global access to free and affordable high-quality theological

educational resources throughout the world. We strive to develop confident and

knowledgeable Christian leaders on an ongoing basis.

Please visit our new website by clicking here.

“Living into Scripture as an Inclusive Church"

Western Pennsylvania Reconciling Ministries is very pleased to announce that Bishop

Grant Hagiya and Dr. Steve Tuell will be partnering to lead a seminar "Living into

Scripture as an Inclusive Church" on February 28, 2014 at St Paul's United Methodist

Church in Allison Park, PA!

Clergy who participate will receive a .5 CEU credit. Please mark your calendars now

for this amazing seminar!

This is the second event hosted by Western Pennsylvania Reconciling Ministries. In

the spring of 2013 we offered an extremely successful session on Pastoral Care for LGBT

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people led by Dr Joretta Marshall, Dean of the Brite Divinity School.

If you have any questions regarding this gathering, please feel free to contact Tracy

Merrick TRACYRM@aol.com

From This Day Forward

Author and speaker Dan Seaborn, founder of the Winning at Home ministry, will lead a

Marriage Enrichment Weekend from February 28-March 2 at the Sheraton Station

Square in Pittsburgh. It’s sponsored by Christian Counseling Associates, which has

offices in several Western PA churches. Get details.

Marriage Enrichment Weekend

SHERATON STATION SQUARE - PITTSBURGH

FEB. 28 - MARCH 2, 2014

FEATURING - DAN SEABORN, Nationally Known Marriage Expert

Cost: $199 per couple (Lodging is Additional - Special Event Rate is $99 per night!!)

Main Presenter: National speaker, pastor, author, and founder of Winning at Home,

Dan Seaborn.

SIGN UP SOON!!! This event will sell out! Plan now to attend this event with your

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loved one. This is a great gift idea. This will be the weekend that will keep you talking all

year. Come and Refuel, Re-Connect, and Re-Commit to an excellent marriage, "From

This Day Forward"!

Click Here to Sign Up on Our Website!

For More Information or to Sign Up- Call us 724-396-1510. Our dedicated staff will be

glad to help you!

Website: Christiancounselingwpa.com

MARCH

2013 Audit Report Due March 1, 2014

An Excel auto-calculation Fund Balance Report form is downloadable from

http://www.gcfa.org/forms under Charge Conference forms. Audits are due in the

District office by Mar. 1st. This allows adequate time for Audit Committees to complete

their work.

Tricky Business

Saturday, March 1 from 9 am – 4 pm - Tricky Business: Making Change for a Diverse

World. Rev. Michael Russell and Mr. James Addington from Crossroads Antiracism

Organizing and Training will lead the daylong event at Anne Ashley UMC, 334 E 22nd

St, Munhall, PA 15120. Food, beverages, and child care provided. Please RSVP by

February 21st to ewr54@comcast.net Details

Wanted: Conference Treasurer/Director of Administrative Services

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The Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church seeks

a results-oriented leader to serve as treasurer. The treasurer must be able to instill trust

and earn the respect of the Bishop, clergy, laity, and the Council on Finance and

Administration (CFA) by demonstrating competence in financial management,

stewardship and commitment to serving the church’s mission of making disciples of Jesus

Christ for the transformation of the world. The Conference Treasurer serves as the

Director of Administrative Services and in this capacity supervises seven employees.

The Treasurer is elected by the Annual Conference and oversees an annual operating

budget of $43 million, in addition to more than $20 million in investment funds. The

Conference Treasurer is accountable to the Conference CFA and works closely with the

Bishop. The Conference seeks a Treasurer who will encourage good stewardship and

align resources to support ministries. The offices are located in Cranberry Township,

Pennsylvania.

Minimum requirements include active membership in a United Methodist church, a

bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field and five to 10 years’ experience in

finance. A CPA is desirable. For more information, download the profile at

http://thenovakconsultinggroup.com/western-pennsylvania-umc-treasurer.

Apply online only at http://thenovakconsultinggroup.com/apply-online-treasurer-

western-pennsylvania-umc with a cover letter, resume, and list of 3-5 professional

references. Contact Catherine Tuck Parrish, Executive Search Practice Leader, The

Novak Consulting Group, at apply@thenovakconsultinggroup.com for more

information. Application deadline: March 6, 2014.

The Bishop’s Overnight Schedule:

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March 6 & 7 @ Antiochian Village for the Indiana/Kane Districts Antiochian Village,

Bolivar, PA. All Indiana District clergy are encouraged to plan to attend our event with

the Kane District on March 6-7th, 2014. Pastors are asked to “save the dates” for this

event. Attendance will be required of all full-time clergy. If an individual absolutely

cannot attend the Indiana/Kane overnight, then they should be encouraged to attend

one of the other district events.

Faith Sharing Seminar - Faith Sharing Made Simple

Join us on March 8, 2014 at Cranberry United Methodist Church for an exciting

learning experience on FAITH SHARING.

A time to collect ideas and encouragement on sharing our faith with the world around

us!

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wanted to share your faith and

didn't know what to do or say? Do you feel at times great compassion for others in their

despair and would like to be able to share the good news of Jesus with them and just

couldn't find the words?

If you can answer YES to these questions - then this FAITH SHARING SEMINAR

is for you!

To Register or for questions!

Rev. Calvin Cook

Call 814-354-2305

E-mail FertigsUM@venustel.com

Sponsored by the CHRISTAR Cluster of the United Methodist Church

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Spring Women’s Spirituality Retreat

Think Spring! If you qualify, consider attending the Spring Women’s Spirituality

Retreat, led by the Rev. Stephanie Gottschalk, at Olmsted Manor Retreat Center from

Sunday evening, March 16 through lunch on Tuesday, March 18. Get details.

The 2014 Youth Retreat at Cherry Run Camp

March 14th-16th.

The weekend speaker will be Jeff Smith, a Blairsville native who founded Salt and Light

Ministries, which uses creative arts to proclaim God's Word. www.saltandlightmin.org

Music will be provided by "Reach the Masses," a local band from Punxsutawney.

An official brochure is available upon request at the district office.

Any questions? Please contact Brett Dinger at 814-715-0008 or at

brettdinger@yahoo.com

We are Able

Creating an inclusive atmosphere for campers with special needs

March 14-15, 2014 from 8 am – 5 pm at the Conference Center, 1204 Freedom Rd,

Cranberry Twp., PA 16066.

Contact Jessica Gamache at 724-776-2300 Ext 231 or Jessica Gamache@wpaumc.org

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2014 Confirmation Class Tours WPA UMC Conference Center

March 21, 2014-Friday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register

March 28, 2014-Friday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register

March 29, 2014-Saturday at 9 am Register

Registration can also be done by going to www.wpaumc.org, click on Events, find the

desired tour on the Calendar and click on the Confirmation Class Tour link.

Save the Date!!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

10 AM - 3 PM

"C 2 C"

"Children to Christ - Christ to Children"

Children's Ministry Workshop with special guest speaker, "Ricardo Miller"

For Directors of Children's Ministries and Volunteers in Children's Ministries.

Lakeside UMC

420 1st Street

DuBois, Pa. 15801

Snack and Lunch provided.

For more information please contact;

Michelle M. Polohonki

District Children's Ministry Coordinator

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814-371-3615

lakeside_mdo@yahoo.com

CE Mar. 24th @ Clymer – “Youth Ministry in the Smaller Church”

by Rev. Brian Keller

E-mail the District Office as soon as you decide to attend.

Events start at 9am and end at 3pm and the cost is $10 which includes lunch.

Bishop's Academy on the Wesleyan Way, featuring Bishop Scott Jones

Calling all Western PA Clergy: Put Wednesday, March 26, 2014 on your calendar for

our first “Bishop’s Academy” continuing education event at the Crossroads UMC, 1000

Crossroads Drive, Oakdale, PA, from 9:00AM to 3:00PM, lunch provided. The cost is

only $10 for a .5 C.E.U. event!

The presenter will be Bishop Scott J. Jones, resident bishop of the Great Plains Area

of The United Methodist Church, and author of the popular The Wesleyan Way study

used by many local churches across the connection. Check out his website:

extremecenter.com.

Jones’ books include: The Future of the United Methodist Church, Staying at the

Table: A Gift of Unity For United Methodists, and The Extreme Center, all from

Abingdon. Jones holds an M.Div. from the Perkins School of Theology and a Ph.D. in

Religious Studies from Southern Methodist University.

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More details to follow. The topic—Theology—is the special focus of the 2014 clergy

evaluation cycle.

One Great Hour of Sharing is March 30th

This offering helps underwrite UMCOR’s cost of doing business every day. It ensures

that 100% of all other contributions go directly to the projects specified, instead of

covering administrative or fundraising costs. Contributions to this offering can be made

all year around. UMCOR Hotline for February. Watch this promotional video to learn

more, and click here for additional resources such as sermon starters, bulletin inserts,

and posters.

Executive Director Search At Wesley Woods

On March 31st, Rick Frederick our current Executive Director will be leaving to take a

new call in Kentucky. Rick has served faithfully for the past 3 years as our director and

we have seen many improvements in facilities and in new ideas for programming. We

wish him well and now seek a new leader to continue the progress. The Board and

Personnel Committee are beginning the process of seeking out the next leader for

Wesley Woods. If you are interested or know of someone who may feel a call to this

ministry, please contact either Becky Costello at rrcostello2@msn.com or Bruce Davis at

bkdjed@verizon.net for a fuller job description.

APRIL

2014 Confirmation Class Tours WPA UMC Conference Center

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April 4, 2014-Friday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register

Registration can also be done by going to www.wpaumc.org, click on Events, find the

desired tour on the Calendar and click on the Confirmation Class Tour link.

Youth Opportunity: SOWER Mission Camp at Epworth Center in SE Ohio

The Epworth Center is excited to announce three scholarships for camper fees for

SOWER Work Mission, summer 2014. The theme for SOWER 2014 is “Rebuild.

Restore. Renew." Because of a grant received through the Youth Service Fund of the

General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, other funding can be

designated to help first time work mission participants. Two scholarships are available

for youth, ages 12-17, on their first mission trip through the First-Steps program. One

scholarship is available for a full week SOWER participant, ages 12-24, on his/her first

mission trip. Visit www.epworthcenter.org or call 740.484.4705 for more information. It

is our prayer that these scholarships will allow youth / young adults who may not be able

to afford the mission trip to be able to have the experience of helping others and faith

building. Deadline for application is April 15, 2014.

MAY

2014 Confirmation Class Tours WPA UMC Conference Center

May 1, 2014-Thursday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register

Registration can also be done by going to www.wpaumc.org, click on Events, find the

desired tour on the Calendar and click on the Confirmation Class Tour link.

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Run for the Woods – 5K Run and Fun Walk

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Last year’s event raised nearly $2,700.00 for Wesley Woods! Those who run a lot

loved this course because it was challenging and not monotonous as a city course can be.

Our feedback from participants from last year was great! Details for Run for the Woods

2014 & Registration Form Online registration is available at RunSignUp.com

Please print some posters and distribute them in your own communities. Think

particularly of not only your church, but also local YMCAs, school cross country teams,

runners that you know and health providers.

Don’t forget the kids too! Our youngest paid participant last year was 8 years old!

And if a youth of camp age (4 to 18) participates in either the paid event or one of the

fun runs their name is placed in a drawing for a free camp registration of their choice!

All of the 2013 expenses were covered by donor contributions. Help obtain 2014

sponsors with the Donor letter.pdf Ask your Sunday School class or small group to be a

sponsor. We will need donations of food too – fruit for runners, hot dogs for sale, etc.

Many, many volunteers are needed to man water stations, do event registration, time

kids, childcare (a big one!), be lookouts on the course, clean up, etc. Let me know if you

will commit to being there on Saturday, May 10th. Volunteers need to arrive by 9 or 9:30

am and stay until about 3 pm. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt to identify them.

Let me know if you have any questions either by email cegrubbs6@gmail.com or call me

at 814-337-5455.

Thank you so much for your commitment to helping Wesley Woods!!!!

Chris Grubbs

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Change the World Sunday

May 17-18! If you haven't started planning an outreach to take church into your

community, start now before the Lent-Easter season gets underway. Resources can be

found online or contact me, Stephanie Gottschalk, if you'd like some assistance in

planning.

JULY

UM Youth in Mission Event at Bakerstown UMC July 6-12

Youth Groups (grades 7-12) of all sizes are invited to participate in a week of local

mission work, spiritual growth, and community building. This event is sponsored by U.M.

A.R.M.Y. (United Methodist Action & Reach-out Mission by Youth) - read more about

their 35 years of developing youth as mission leaders online. Register now for great

group rates!

PAUMCS 2014 Certification Institute

July 13-18, 2014

We are pleased that the Professional Association of United Methodist Church

Secretaries (PAUMCS) certification classes are to be held at the GCFA Ministry Center

in Nashville, Tennessee. Click here for registration information and the brochure for the

2014 Certification Institute. (The attached brochure is formatted to print on legal size

paper.)

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If someone needs financial help to attend, we do have a limited amount of scholarships

that cover the cost of the registration fee. A written request explaining the need for the

scholarship is required when applying.

AUGUST

Developing Healthy Clergy & Congregations Conference

August 19-21, 2014

Discovery UMC, Richmond, VA - This conference will provide training on how to

handle conflict and become a more healthy church. Healthy Clergy & Congregations

OCTOBER

Leadership Conference

October 19-21, 2014

FUMC Arlington, TX

This conference will provide information in all areas of leadership from planning,

Finances, management, staffing, evangelism and effective leadership.

More details coming soon!

Clergy Spouse Retreat

October 24-25 East Ohio Western Pennsylvania clergy spouse retreat… Returns to

Twinsburg, OH Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center – Final details to come. 2014

Clergy Spouse Save the Date.doc

NOVEMBER

REV. PAUL MORRIS TO LEAD GROUP TO THE HOLY LAND

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On November 10, the group will depart on a ten day trip to the Holy Land. Dr.

Morris is a retired pastor living in Homer City. The journey will include touring of

Galilee, Nazareth, the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb and much more.

The travel/study program has been arranged by Educational Opportunities, a Christian

tour company whose main objective is to provide pastors and laity affordable, first class

learning experiences in the Lands of the Bible. The tour will provide sightseeing, daily

devotions and informative lectures. The cost of the pilgrimage is an all-inclusive price of

$3,346.00 from Pittsburgh, Pa. For more information contact Dr. Morris at 814-241-

1323.

If you would like a brochure or more information about the trip contact Rev. Morris

by phone or e mail him at georgiadar@comcast.net

LINKS

For Clergy Continuing Education & Formation events click here: CCEF EVENTS

More Webinars: See full list of upcoming webinars for church leaders at GBOD.org.

Summer Camp Registration

Registration Open for 2014 Summer Camp registration is now open through the

websites of two of our WPAUMC camps – Jumonville and Camp Allegheny. Wesley

Woods’ will open soon.

To check the schedules and register, go to:

CampAllegheny.org

Jumonville.org

WesleyWoods.com

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Mission opportunities that are listed on the website: www.wpaumc.org/ministries

Visit the UMCOR site for Kit “recipes”

http://www.umcor.org/UMCOR/Relief-Supplies

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK

22 Amy Tucker

24 Barbara Kimmel

ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK