WPAUMC

Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference

The United Methodist Church

Erie-Meadville District

The Rev. Patricia. S. Harbison, Superintendent

5304 U.S. Highway 19

Cochranton, PA 16314-4440

Phone/Fax:  814-425-3568

Special Attachments

North Pulpit Supply List

South Pulpit Supply List

 

5 Day Academy for Spiritual Formation - Brochure & Registration Form

 

Erie-Meadville District

         Wednesday Bulletin

7/23/08

 

(NOTE: First time insertions and next week items will be highlighted in YELLOW)

PRAYER CONCERNS:

Rev. Howard Wright, Retired minister, is to have surgery at Hamot Hospital today

Jesus Jimenez, Lay Leader of San Juan UMC, is improving at St. Vincent hospital

Pastor Lila Bachelier, Geneva: Faith/Mumford Chapel, is suffering severe neck and back pain.

Howard Roxberry, pastor at N. Richmond, had back surgery last week at Hamot.

Rev. Tom Blackburn, is progressing but is very weak and having trouble with swelling.

Pastor Jacob Judy, had an accident with the lawn mower. Pray for healing.

Lee Baker’s sister, Diana Hanson, recovery and healing from surgery.

Mabel Miller, wife of retired Rev. Jerry Miller, had double knee replacement surgery recently.

Randy Roda, recovery from heart problems.

Rev. La Mar Carlson, Washington District D.S., has gotten home. Continue to pray for healing.                      

                                    La Mar’s updates at:  www.washingtondistrictumc.org. 

Steve & Julie McGuigan needs prayer

Rev. John Spahr, Sr has finished with treatment, but pray for healing and strength.

Rev. Bob Fuller, recuperating from recent surgery.

 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Howard Roxberry, North Richmond, back surgery went well. He would like to thank everyone for prayers, concerns, and cards. Continue to pray for the healing process.

 

IMPORTANT DATES !!!!

            July 23^rd         Pre-Charge Church Conference Briefings--Titusville: First--9-10:30AM

            July 26-Aug 3           Cherry Run Camp Meeting---Rimersburg---814-473-3470

            July 28-Aug 1           VBS--Lawrence Park----6-8:30PM--814-899-9851

            July 29^th         Preaching Seminar---Saegertown UMC---9AM--814-425-3568

            Aug 1^st           SeaWolves vs. Phillies---FREE Tickets to Youth groups-jeff.bobin@verizon.net

 

DISTRICT NEWS!!!!  

PRE-CHARGE CHURCH CONFERENCE BRIEFINGS

All pastors and lay leaders need to attend one of the briefings. Reminder for final briefing. If you can not attend this session, please call or email the District Office.      

            Thurs, Aug. 14^th ----Erie: Glenwood--- 1-2:30PM

 

2008 SUMMER PREACHING SEMINARS      (Please RSVP to District Office)

3 week day mornings (9AM-Noon) this summer Erie-Meadville District will be sponsoring preaching seminars led by Gifted Preachers from our WPA Annual Conference at Saegertown UMC.

            Tues, July 29                                    Rev. Duane Thompson      I Love to Tell the Story

            Thurs, Aug 7                         Rev. Beth Nelson                Informational/Formational Preaching     

            Tues, Aug 19                                    Rev. Paul Taylor                  Re-languaging Biblical Images

All preachers, pastors, and lay speakers are welcome and urged to attend!!!

 

ALLIANCE NEWS!!!!!

Project Hope Outreach is in desperate need of toothbrushes and men's deodorant.  If you can help, please bring your donations to the EUMA office at 1033 East 26th St., Erie.

 

 

JOB OPENINGS AT ALLIANCE

Two job openings at the EUMA - part-time Business Manager and part-time Chaplain.  For more information, check our website at euma-erie.org or contact Cheryl Davis at 814-456-8073 or cheryld@euma-erie.org.

 

TWO VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: 

Life Skills classes for all parents at The Refuge and Hope House begin on Aug. 4^th.  They are held Mon - Fri from 9 - 11:30 AM for twelve weeks.  We need caring individuals to help with childcare during those times.  You could volunteer for one day, one week, or a specific day each week - (whatever your schedule would allow). On Aug. 14^th around lunch time into early afternoon we're planning a back-to-school bash for the children living in Hope House and The Refuge.  We need help with lunch and activities, as well as donations to purchase school uniforms in needed sizes and colors.  Thank you for your willingness to help us with these excellent programs for our families!

 

ENERGETIC, KID-LOVING GROUPS NEEDED---EUMA

Energetic, kid-loving groups needed for two upcoming events at The Refuge and Hope House. 1. On Aug. 7^th we will be having our drive-in movie night again.  We need people to help our kids build cars out of cardboard boxes to sit in to watch our outdoor movie.  We will have the supplies, but need help on Aug. 7^th from 7 - 9PM for car building and other fun activities until movie starts at dusk.  An interested group is welcome to stay for the movie as well. Please contact Vicky at 814-456-8073 or vickyh@euma-erie.org for more information or to volunteer.

 

WESLEY WOODS !!!

CAMP TIME

Check out our Web Site, www.wesleywoods.com  and review all the camps Wesley Woods has to offer.

 

TRAINING OPPORTUNTIES FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH !!!

EQUIPPING PASTOR SEMINAR AND RETREAT

If you are a pastor in WPA, and interested in knowing more about the CLM process for your own information, or are hoping to assist a Certified Lay Minister candidate through the CLM process, then take note of the following equipping pastor seminar:  Thurs, Nov 6^th, at Camp Allegheny. For more information and registration, contact: Rev. Pat Nelson, 238 Meadowbrook Drive, New Wilmington, PA 16142 OR Call 724-946-8486 (leave message) or email: pastorpat@nwboronet.com 

CERTIFIED LAY MINISTRY UPCOMING EVENT

Fall 2008 Retreat to be held at Camp Allegheny in Stoystown (near Johnstown). Tentative dates are Sept 26-27 and Nov 7-8. For more information, contact: Rev. Pat Nelson at 125 S. Mercer Street, New Wilmington, Pa 1642 OR call:  724-946-2811 OR email: pastorpat@nwboronet.com.

 

BULLETIN BOARD !!!

2008-2009 ERIE-MEADVILLE DIRECTORIES ARE AVAILABLE

We have two formats available: 1. By pastors last name with church and phone numbers and email addresses --- this is in Excel format. (5 pages)  2. By church name alphabetically with pastor and church addresses and phone numbers with email addresses --- this is a Word document (A-H 21 pages; L-W 23 pages). If you would like a copy as attachments of these, please email Wanda at (harbison3@zoominternet.net) and let her know which format would work best for you.  

 

CUSTODIAN NEEDED

Union City:  First. 30 hours per week. For application and job requirement/responsibilities please call 814-438-2113 or e-mail: ucfirstum@verizon.net.

 

 

PEWS FOR SALE

Cascade UMC has 4 eleven foot pews for sale.  They are solid wood, straight and in good condition.  Please call Pastor Patricia at 814-452-3364 or 814-464-3083. 

 

COMFORT STATION AT CC FAIR--AUG 16-23---HELPERS NEEDED

The UMC is again sponsoring a Mother & Baby Comfort Station at the Crawford County fair during the week of Aug. 16^th - 23^rd We need volunteers to staff the tent each day from 11 am to 9 pm.  There needs to be someone in the tent at all times, and two people are required for each shift. Each church is asked to take a day and then coordinate their own volunteers for that day as needed.  Chris will keep track of the church schedule, but not the volunteers themselves.  If your church has slots open, let Chris know and he will have other interested people contact them. Please contact Chris Grubbs at 814-337-5455 or email at rdg6ceg@alltel.net 

 

AROUND THE DISTRICT !!!

CHERRY RUN CAMP MEETING --JULY 26-AUG 3

2855 Cherry Run Road, Rimersburg, PA 16248---Phone: 814-473-3470

 

‘POWER LAB’  VBS --LAWRENCE PARK

Vacation Bible School at Lawrence Park UMC is going to be Jul. 28^th - Aug. 1^st from 6:00 - 8:30 PM. Children 3 years old to 6 graders are invited to come.  For more information or to sign up, please call the church office at 814-899-9851.

 

UPCOMING INTERIM MINISTRY TRAINING SEMINARS

Jul 29 - Aug 1, ‘08 @ Lake Junaluska, NC --- Sept 30 - Oct 3, ‘08 @ Mt. Sequoyah, AR ---- Nov 4 - 7, ‘08 @ Houston, TX. For more information and to obtain registration materials, please contact Jan Hill toll-free at 1-800-482-1442 extension 723 or via e-mail to janhill@IntentionalGrowthCenter.org

 

FREE TICKETS AVAILABLE TO SEAWOLVES GAME

The Erie SeaWolves are offering free tickets to any youth groups that want to attend the game on Fri., Aug. 1 at 7:05 PM against the Reading Phillies. Tickets are free for all youth and their leaders. Final day to order tickets will be Wed., July 30. Tickets can be ordered by e-mailing jeff.bobin@verizon.net with the total number of tickets needed. All tickets will be left at the will call window to be picked up the day of the game.

 

CHURCH SECRETARIES WORKSHOP --- OLMSTED MANOR--AUG  10-12

"To thine ownself be true"--with Thelma Castor, leader at Olmsted Manor.  Dates:  Aug 10-12.  To reserve your place for this popular workshop, call (814)945-6512 or email:  info@olmstedmanor.org   This workshop is for all church secretaries/administrative assistants of all denominations.  It is sponsored by our United Methodist Church, but open to all!  Call now for further info and please pass it on to your community churches.

 

PIRATES BASEBALL GAME---AUG 27

The Pittsburgh Pirates verse The Chicago Cubs on Aug. 27^th afternoon game time is 12:35 PM. We have great seats along the first base line (the shady side), section 108. Seats are regularly $24 but we get them for only $12 a seat! Bishop Bickerton will be throwing the opening pitch….so get there early!

Order Information:

• Make check payable to WPAUMC; send to 1204 Freedom Rd. Cranberry Township PA 16066.                                                 Attention Rev. Beth L. Nelson.  (The tickets will be sent out to you).

• Stop by the Conference Center to purchase and pick up tickets.

• Call the Conference Center at 1-800-886-3382

 

BREAKFAST FOR ERIE AREA CLERGY AT SMITH CHAPEL - Brehend, Penn State

You are invited to connect with other clergy in the area and to learn more about Protestant Campus Ministry by the following:     BREAKFAST FOR AREA CLERGY ----Wed, Aug. 20^th -- 9:00 -10:30AM
Interested in more connections with area college students?  Join in seeing colleagues, meeting new clergy, and learning more about our ministry at Behrend.  (RSVP's appreciated (ram43@psu.edu) or 898-7139)

 

UM DAY WITH ERIE: SEAWOLVES AND BISHOP BICKERTON

Sun., Aug 31^st --- 1-3PM Community Days --- 3PM Worship with the Bishop---4:30-6 Picnic ---- 6 game

For more information, contact, Jeff at jeff.bobin@verizon.net OR for tickets, call 800-456-1304 asks for UM day seats. Attached is a bulletin insert that may be printed and placed in your bulletin.

 

’FUNDING MINISTRY TOOLBOX’--SEPT 6^th --CHRIST: BETHEL PARK
Last year, many came together to begin building a ‘Funding Ministry Toolbox’. At this year's session, outstanding leaders will help you add even more "tools." Join us from 10:00AM to 3:30PM on Sept. 6^th at Christ UMC, 44 Highland Road, in Bethel Park. Registration deadline is Aug. 22^nd.  Cost this year is just $75 per church for up to four people, with $10 extra for each additional person. All materials, morning refreshments, and lunch are included. To register, http://www.umfoundation.org/html/event%20registration.html#toolbox  or event pages of  www.umfoundation.org.

 

WPA UNITED METHODIST MEN ANNUAL GATHERING

“Building Anew”---- Sat. Oct 25th ---- Faith UMC, 305 Freeport Street, Delmont, Pa. 15626. Begins with registration at 9:15AM and dismissal at 3:00PM.  Please send a check for $15.00 payable to WPA UM Men, to Harold Yannayon, 2926 Homer Avenue, Erie, PA 16506-2632. For more information and registration form, see attached flyer.

 

CRUISE INTO HISTORY WITH BISHOP BICKERTON

The Life and Ministry of Paul

Athens, Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Malta, Sicily, Corinth

11 days – Nov 12-22^nd, 2008 -----New York Price starts at $2,298

Price includes International Airfare and Guided Shore Excursions---Travel from Pittsburgh for $198 or from Cleveland for $248 additional. You can register with Educational Opportunities (or get information) by phoning EO at 863-648-0383 or by e-mail at eo@travelwithus.com.

 

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES!!

Take advantage of the mission opportunities that are listed here

 

HELP WITH FLOOD RECOVERY IN THE MIDWEST

We are sending a team of 10 people to Cedar Rapids, Aug. 16 to 23 to help do flood clean up. We will be receiving early response training on Sat, July 26. Steve Moore is going to train us. Others are welcome to join us.

Pastor Sam Dull,  First United Methodist Church,  3916 Old William Penn Highway, Murrysville, PA 15668. Phone:

724-327-5049        www.murrysvilleumc.org           Email: sam@murrysvilleumc.org

 

US: FLOOD BUCKETS NEED IS URGENT !!!!!!!

Flood buckets are desperately needed for all the areas that have been flooded. Sager Brown has shipped more than 5,000 flood buckets to affected areas and is now down to 200 buckets. We are going to be collecting Flood Buckets at the Conference Center any day. Please follow carefully the recipe for the Flood Buckets. If you desire to send a monetary gift, please give to the Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670 with a designation for Midwest Flooding Relief. For more information, contact, Rev. Stephen Moore, WPAUMC Disaster Response Co-Coordinator, Phone: 724-887-5045 (Home)   814-730-8287 (Cell)  Email: disaster.response@wpaumc.org

Flood Bucket

If the requested sized item is not available, go down to the next available size. If nothing is available in the requested or smaller size, put masking tape on the outside of the bucket saying, "This bucket contains no _________."

• 5-gallon bucket with resealable lid

• Bleach (two 1-quart or one 82 oz. bottle. Do not include bleach if you are shipping the bucket through the US Postal Service, UPS or FedEx)

• 5 scouring pads

• 7 Sponges

• 1 scrub brush

• 18 cleaning towels (reusable wipes)

• Liquid laundry detergent (two 25 oz. or one 50 oz. bottle)

• 1 household cleaner, (12-16 oz. bottle)

• Disinfectant dish soap, (16-28 oz. bottle)

• 50 clothes pins

• Clothes line (two 50 ft. or one 100 ft.)

• 5 dust masks

• 2 pair latex gloves

• 1 pair work gloves

• 24-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon (remove roll from box before placing in bucket)

• 1 Insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps. See special requirements below.*)

• 1 Air freshener, 8 or 9 oz. can (If aerosol, cans must have protective caps. See special requirements below.*)

*Special requirements: Put all items in the plastic bucket and seal lid. Please ensure that all cleansing agents are liquids (not powder) and in plastic bottles. All aerosols or flammables: If aerosols are included, do not send the bucket by US mail or DHL/Airborne freight. Ship by UPS ground, FedEx ground, or truck. Pack inside the bucket or strong outer boxes. Put the ORM-D mark on the outside of any buckets or boxes containing these items. Get it at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/print/kits/orm-d.cfm. Copy and tape on each bucket or box. Boxes cannot exceed 66 lbs. each.

Value: $45 per bucket.
In a separate envelope, please send a check written to UMCOR Sager Brown for at least $1.50 for each flood bucket to help with the costs of processing and shipping. 

VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED---IOWA FLOODING

Greg Forrester has just returned from a week in Iowa.  There is a tremendous need as there is in other parts of our nation.   The recovery from this 2008 flooding will take 3-5 years.  In Cedar Rapids alone there were over 4000 homes severely affected and very few insured.

To volunteer for the region contact:    Marion First UMC / East Central District Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, Rev. Melisa Bracht-Wagner       ph. 319-480-4469   melisa@fumcmarion.org

You can also check the calendar and signup info at www.fumcmarion.org/flood  before calling.

There is a form to register for info on the website. Pastor Melisa can help with placements in Cedar Rapids, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Parkersburg, Coralville, and Wapello/Oakville.

 

INFORMATION FOR CHURCHES/INDIVIDUALS IN THE NCJ:

                        North Central Jurisdiction Flooding Information

For updated news on how you can help during this flooding disaster in the North Central Jurisdiction

            1. please go to the affected conference web pages,

            2  sign up for the email news lists that come out at least 1X per week or

            3. contact your conference Disaster Response or UMVIM Coordinator

            4 Collect flood buckets (use Midwest Mission Distribution Center list - http://www.midwestmissiondc.org/  click on kits and supplies – scroll down…

            5. Donations for relief efforts may be sent to UMCOR’s relief efforts in the Midwest, by the Domestic Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #901670, with a designation for Midwest Flooding Relief. UMCOR support checks can be dropped in church offering plates or mailed directly to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Write the Advance number and name on the memo line of the check. Credit card donations can be made by calling 800-554-8583 or online at www.givetomission.org. – UMNS

Currently Affected Conferences (alphabetically)

IOWA

Webpage : www.iaumc.org

Listserv :  iowa-news-bounce@iaumc.org

Volunteer site hosting teams : http://www.fumcmarion.org/Flood/floodhome.html  contains a calendar for teams signing up and contact information. Rev. Melisa Bracht-Wagner / Marion First United Methodist Church / East Central District Volunteers in Mission Coordinator, Iowa / 319-480-4469 / melisa@fumcmarion.org

Flood Blog :  www.iowastorms2008.blogspot.com

Disaster Response Coordinator : Marcia Young, msy49@aol.com / cell phone # is 563-580-9650. Marcia is working with other agencies on depot sites and long term recovery

UMVIM Coordinator : Susan Ryon Olive, IAUMVIM@gmail.com / 641-418-0026 / PO Box 241 / Corning, IA  50841-0241.  Susan is working with volunteer coordination.

Financial support for the recovery effort around the State can be sent to the Conference via your local church treasurer and should be designated “Conference Disaster Response #223”

 

ILLINOIS GREAT RIVERS

Webpage :- http://www.igrc.org/

Listserv :  http://www.igrc.org/Ministries.aspx  to sign up!

Disaster Response Coordinator  : Judy Doyle / First UMC, 1315 Court Street /  Pekin, IL 61554-5034 / O: 309-347-3155 / Cell: 309-241-5382 / pekin1st@yahoo.com

UMVIM Coordinator  : Rev. Ed Hoke / First UMC / 301 S. 16th St. / Herrin, IL 62948-2228 / O:  618-942-3219 / edpathoke@yahoo.com

Note from Ed Hoke :  We are up to our ears in water all over the counties bordering the Mississippi.  It is headed my way (Herrin) this weekend.  We do not expect a levee between the towns of Gorham and Grand Tower to hold.  It is badly damaged from all the big rain events and is "sloughed off" real bad.  We have created a LTRC down here to deal with the March 18 flood we had and now may have more.  Will keep in touch. 

 

SOUTH INDIANA

Webpage :  http://www.sicumc.org/

Listserv :  Dan Gangler for information on how to receive this dgangler@inareaumc.org

Volunteer :  If you have flood relief needs or wish to volunteer for flood relief, contact Jenni Walker, South Indiana Conference Resource Administrator at jenniwalker@mac.com  /  812-893-1760.

Disaster Response Coordinator(s) : Rev. David Powell / 820 W Mill Street / Danville, IN 46122 / 317-745-4330 / info@danvilleumc.org & Bob Babcock / 661 Peachtree Ln / Danville, IN  46122 / bobbabvim@aol.com  / 317 745 7513

UMVIM Coordinator : Jenni Walker – jenniwalker@mac.com  / 812-893-1760.

Financial support : Congregations and individuals in the South Indiana Conference can make contributions payable to The South Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church with a memo: “Flood Relief Indiana” and send to: Jennifer Gallagher, Conference Treasurer / 1520 S. Liberty Dr. / Bloomington, IN 47403-5167

 

WISCONSIN

Webpage :  http://www.wisconsinumc.org/

Listserv :  check with mediacontact@wisconsinumc.org

Disaster Response Coordinator : Dave Sharpe / 316 Amundson Parkway / Stoughton WI 53589 / desharpe@sbcglobal.com / 608-877-8724

UMVIM Coordinator : Bruce Koch / 1560 Meadowlark Ln / Prairie du Sac, WI 53578 / lbkoch@verizon.net

 

 

 

VIM TRIP WITH BISHOP TO PARAGUAY

There is a unique International VIM experience in the works for Aug 12-24 to Paraguay. We have two open slots to fill to complete this team of 35 people.  Please contact Diane Miller, 724-652-9182 OR email MissionsVIM@wpaumc.org with your questions or if you intend to join this VIM team. 

 

CUBA UMVIM TRIP

Trip is scheduled for Aug 21^st   -31^st. Team of 12 will visit Havana Cuba and work to finish the Methodist Seminary.  Cost is approximately $2000 plus cost of trip to Miami.   For additional information contact Linda Archer (813-891-4219) or e-mail lenglish7@verizon.net.

 

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S  SCHEDULE