Wednesday Bulletin
3/10/10
Spring Ahead ~ ~ ~ ~
Turn Your Clocks Ahead---March 13th
(NOTE: First time insertions and next
week items will be highlighted in YELLOW)
PRAYER CONCERNS:
Margie Baker
will have knee surgery tomorrow.
Sally Cole (Erie: Cascade) is in Hamot Medical Center.
Rev. Robert Lewis’s, Erie: Lakewood, father passed away recently
in Baltimore.
Remember Michael Rogan (Husband of Rev. Christine Rogan) after
heart attack last month.
Chile after recent devastating earthquake
Haitian people and the severe needs in the aftermath of the
devastating earthquake.
Cheryl Goodnough, wife of Robert pastor at Meadville: Grace is
home. Still having health issues.
Jeff Bobin’s mother is having heart problems and undergoing test.
Mother & Father (of Mumford Chapel member) both diagnosed
with cancer.
All youth in our communities and churches and those who work
with youth
PRAYER OF
THANKSGIVING!!!
Amy (Ziegler) Wagner and her husband
Rob along with joy-filled grandparents celebrate the birth of their 2nd
child, Grace Ellen on Mar 4. Amy is an elder from our district
currently serving in Chicago.
IMPORTANT DATES!!!
Mar 1st 2009 Audit
Reports PAST DUE!!!—See revised list below!!!!
Mar 10th NDC Training---Corry:
First---10-3---814-558-4973
Mar 10th Lenten Lunch---Fairview UMC---Noon
-1PM—814-474-3612
Mar 10th ‘Taize’ Worship---Erie:
First----6PM—814-452-3300
Mar 10th Sue Givens (missionary)---Erie:
Asbury---6:15PM—814-833-9053
Mar 13th UMM Breakfast---Fairview
UMC---8:00AM—814-474-3612
Mar 13th Turn your clocks ahead before going to
bed!!!
Mar 14th Fourth Sunday in Lent
Mar 14th GREAT HOUR OF SHARING---UMCOR
Mar 15th Erie Clergy Book Club—Erie:
First---9:30AM---814-452-3300
DISTRICT NEWS!!!
SPRING LAY SPEAKING CLASSES----CANCELLED
DUE TO LACK OF REGISTRATIONS.
Just a reminder since the classes are
cancelled: There are a few seats available in the "Multi-Media
Technology in Worship" Online workshop offered through
www.beadisciple.com The online workshop begins Mon, Mar 15th.
This workshop will satisfy the requirements of recertification for
Advanced Lay Speakers. If there were any advanced lay speakers who are
missing out on recertification due to the classes being cancelled, this
is an option. Also watch for our ‘Fall Lay Speaking Classes’.
2009 AUDIT REPORTS--- due March 1st—(PAST
DUE)
The following have
NOT got their 2009 audit report in
yet!!!! Please do your best to get these in by the end of this week.
Thank you for your cooperation!!!
Albion: Grace Blooming
Valley Brown Hill Cambridge Springs Conn:
Valley
Corry: Evang. Corry:
First Cranesville
Deckards Edinboro
Elgin
Erie:
Asbury Erie: Cascade Erie:
Christ Erie: First
Erie: Glenwood Erie:
Kingsley Erie: Simpson Erie:
Summit Erie: Tenth Street
Erie: Trinity
Espyville Fairview
Girard Hamlin Chapel
Hickernell Lake
City Lake Pleasant
Lowville McCray
Mead: Stone Mill
Village Mumford Chapel New Richmond NE:
Park
North Richmond
Palmer Spartansburg Sugar
Lake Teepleville
Titusville; First
Townville Troy Center
Venango Wattsburg
Wayne Valley W. Springfield
SPECIAL ‘HEALTHY CHURCH FINANCE’ SEMINAR COMING!!!
Healthy Church Finance Seminar for pastors and laity led
by conference center financial staff on April 6th
at 6:15PM at Edinboro UMC. If serving your local church as a
treasurer, trustee, stewardship coordinator, finance team member,
statistician, member of Pastor/Staff Parish, or ANY leadership role, you
should attend the Healthy Church Finance/Administration events. ALL
CHURCH MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND ANY SESSION.
6:15 PM Registration - Discover Why People Give Treasurer's Manual
6:30 PM Opening Worship and a word from District Superintendent
7:00 PM Breakout Classes--- check attachment for detail
8:15 PM Dismissal
RESERVE THIS DATE---SUNDAY,
APRIL 25th !!!!----DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Mark your calendars- church and personal - now so as not to create a
spring scheduling conflict. District Conference will be held on
Sunday afternoon, April 25th at the Rotary Pavilion at
Presque Isle.
CLERGY RETREAT WITH BISHOP
BICKERTON---May 10th-11th –W.W.
(Note: Change in date!!)
Erie-Meadville and Franklin Districts clergy are expected to spend an
overnight retreat with Bishop Bickerton at Wesley Woods on Mon., May
10th & Tues. May 11th. Please remember to get
you reservations into Wanda at the District Office, 5304 US Hwy 19,
Cochranton, Pa 16314 ASAP.

Don’t see your day on here?
Mar 11th Howard
Wright
Our databases are incomplete.
Mar 12th Andrew Spore
If we’ve
missed your birthday
Mar 14th Jordon
Blair
or anniversary let us know so that
Mar 15th Patti Fuller
we can remember you in the future.
Mar 15th
Russ Hixson
ALLIANCE!!!
OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE MINISTRIES OF THE EUMA
Project Hope Outreach needs - men’s winter coats (L-2XL), hats,
gloves, new socks, small hand sanitizers, small packs tissues,
deodorant, sample size shampoo & soaps
The Refuge and Liberty House need – paper towels, bath tissue,
cleaning supplies
Children’s needs – volunteers to care for children during
parent’s Life Skill classes (Tues, Wed, & Thurs from 9 AM to 10:30 AM)
Items may be dropped off at any of our ministries. Thank you for your
help!
WESLEY WOODS!!!
Wesley Woods is now accepting
applications for summer jobs. They are seeking Christian youth who
desire to represent Christ as they work with children and youth.
Opportunities are available for groundskeepers, lifeguards,
videographers, and food service. Contact:
www.wesleywoods.com for application, print out or call the office
for a mail out application 814-436-7802
BULLETIN BOARD!!!
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING (MARCH
14th)
Every year, but this year more than
ever, I hope you’ll give your people the opportunity to join with the
faithful across the church to support the One Great Hour of Sharing.
Call (888) 346-3862 today to order envelopes and other resources so your
congregation can participate in this church-wide offering. They will be
sent at no cost to your church! Find more at
umcgiving.org/specialsundays.
ERIE-MEADVILLE DISTRICT WEBSITE
Effective Immediately--- The former
Erie-Meadville District Website (www.emdistrict.umc)
is no longer in use. For more convenience go to our conference website,
www.wpaumc.org, click on Districts on the left side, and then choose
Erie-Meadville from the map. This will take you to our new website that
is all part of the W. Pa conference. For on-going events, click on
calendar, click for District, Choose Erie-Meadville and what month you
want to see.
PULPIT SUPPLY SPEAKER AVAILABLE
If you are looking for a good speaker
for Pulpit Supply a good suggestion is recently Retired Pastor Cherrie
Andres who can be reached at 724-346-3991 or E-Mail at
revc@verizon.net.
MARK THIS DATE
National Walk @ Lunch Day----April 28th
NEWS ITEMS OF SPECIAL
INTEREST!!!
DISTRICT NEWS
LENTEN LUNCHES---FAIRVIEW UMC
The Fairview UM Church, 4601 Avonia
Road, will be hosting Lenten Lunches every Wed. during lent. These
lunches will be Mar 10th through Apr 24th
at noon to 1PM. Lunch will be provided, singing and a short devotional.
For more information, call 814-474-3612.
EACH WEDNESDAY-- TAIZE WORSHIP
---DINNER FOLLOWING FOR ALL
Do you need a mid-week time of prayer
and contemplation? A Time to open to the Holy Spirit? Come be a part of
TAIZE worship and community fellowship at 6PM. You are encouraged to
share in this mid-week meditative service at Erie: First UMC, 707
Sassafras St ----- 814- 452-3300----www.taize.fr/en
2010 UMM’S COMMUNION BREAKFASTS
The following churches have agreed to
host the breakfasts for our district at 8AM. The host church will
provide the program, followed by communion and then serving a breakfast
for those who have come. A freewill offering will received during the
breakfast.
Reservations should be called into
the host church the Wednesday before each breakfast!!!
Mar 13th
Fairview UMC Dennis Miller, Pastor Phone
814-474-3612
P.O. Box 23
Fairview, Pa. 16415
Mar 20th NE: Park UMC Mark Hecht,
Pastor Phone 814-725-4105
30 N. Lake Street North East, Pa.
16428
Mar 27th San Juan UMC * Mary Stewart,
Pastor Phone 814-455-6326
1430 Buffalo Road Erie, Pa. 16503
(*Guest Speaker -- Reverend
Rick Crocker, Executive Director of the Erie City Mission)
SUE GIVENS-missionary to
Paraguay---ERIE: ASBURY—Mar. 10th
Sue Givens, Director of the New
Horizons Methodist School in Paraguay, will be at Asbury UMC, 4703 W.
Ridge Road, on Wed, Mar 10th, dinner at 5:30PM,
speaking at 6:15PM. Everyone WELCOME!!! For more information, call
814-833-9053.
ERIE CLERGY BOOK CLUB
The Erie clergy book club will hold
their meeting on Mon., Mar. 15th at the Erie: First
UMC Library, 707 Sassafras St. at 9:30AM. The book being discussed is
“The Last Week ” by Marcus Borg. For more information, contact Rev.
Howard Wright at 814-452-3300.
LENTEN ALL NIGHT PRAYER - SOUTH
HARBORCREEK UMC – MAR 19TH
"Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night."
Luke 6:12
You're invited to attend a special Lenten all night prayer service
Fri., Mar 19th, 7PM-7AM. Join us for this once in a
lifetime experience as we spend the night in God's presence. There will
be inspirational music, prayers, & scripture readings. Lent is the
season of prayer. Come expecting to hear God speak in the night. Bring
your pillows, blankets & sleeping bags as we rest in God's presence at
7929 McGill Road, Harborcreek. For more information, call 814-899-5962.
All invited.
UMW Green Cleaning Party-- Sat., Mar. 20, Erie: First UMC ---
10:00 to Noon
You do not have to clean this day, but the UM Women are inviting you to
hear a special presentation on how to make environmentally safe cleaning
products. The guest presenters are: Joan Lucarelli and Karen Lucarelli.
Come and learn how to have a clean, but safe home for your family, your
pets and yourself. To register, call Donna at 814-866-2781
‘WELCOME TO MY CHURCH’ WORKSHOP—CS; First UMC
Jeff Bobin will be leading a workshop at the Cambridge Springs: First
UMC, 326 S. Main St., for all area churches called “Welcome to My
Church: Being a Church of Radical Hospitality”. The workshop will run
from 9 AM to noon on Mar. 20th.
The next session will be rescheduled for after Easter. You can
call (814-398-8831) or email (jeff.bobin@verizon.net) to register for
this workshop.
FISH DINNER – SAEGERTOWN UMC—Mar 26th
Fish dinner (Bake or Fried) Fri, Mar. 26th
-4-6:30PM—at Saegertown UMC, 620 Euclid Ave. Cost: Adults--$7; 10yrs
and under-$4; 4yrs and under-Free. Menu: Baked or Fried Fish; Macaroni
& Cheese; Dinner salad; mixed veggies, dessert and beverage. All
proceeds benefit the 2010 Youth Mission Trip to Pitt-Johnstown. For more
information, call 814-763-6685
SPAGHETTI DINNER - HAMLIN CHAPEL UMC - MAR 27th
A spaghetti dinner will be held on Sat., Mar. 27th,
from 4 to 7PM at Hayfield Vol. Fire Hall which is located at Littles
Corners off of Rt. 198. All proceeds will benefit the church parsonage
fund. Cost: Adults-- $6; Ages 7-12--$4; Ages 6 and under- Free.
Takeouts are available. For more information, call 814-763-3920
CARDINAL SINGERS---ERIE:
ASBURY----Apr 9th
Erie Asbury UMC, 4703 W. Ridge Road,
will be hosting the CARDINAL SINGERS from Redbird Mission in Ky., for a
special concert on Fri, Apr 9th at 7:00PM. Redbird
Mission is a diverse Mission with many programs, including a K-12 school
with over 220 students. The concert will include vocal music, drama, and
a 17-member dulcimer ensemble. In addition to the musical program, a
display of traditional Appalachian crafts produced in the area of the
Mission will be available to purchase. Everyone is invited to this free
concert of contemporary and traditional Christian music. For more
information contact: Asbury UM Church 814-833-9053
MEN'S RETREAT --- WESLEY WOODS – APRIL 9-11
A Men's Retreat has been scheduled for Apr 9-11 at Wesley Woods
led by Rev. Jeff Bobin. The theme is "Becoming an Uncommon Man."
Arrival time Fri, Apr. 9th is 7:00PM and stay through Sun,
Apr 11th at 2:00PM. Cost of the retreat is $76 which
includes a dormitory style room and meals. Motel units are also
available at an additional cost. Registration forms will be available
soon.
‘KNOW THE 10 SIGNS’ BY ALZHEIMERS
ASS’N ---WESBURY
There is a program, ‘Know the Signs:
Early Detection Matters’, that the Alzheimer's Association will be
giving at Wesbury Community Center, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, on
Tues, Apr. 13th at 7PM. It is open to the public and free of
charge. RSVP by calling Melissa Porter at 814-332-9707
ENVIRONMENTAL WORKSHOP---Mead:
Stone—Apr. 17th
There will be an environmental workshop
on Sat., Apr 17th from 9:30AM-2:30PM at Meadville:
Stone UMC. Continuing Education for Pastors: Clergy may receive 5
contact hours (1/2 CEU) for attending the workshop, and a full CEU if
they also complete a reading assignment. Contact Rev. Dr. Jane Ellen
Nickell (814-332-2800 or
jnickell@allegheny.edu). Registration is $10, and is free for
students and youth groups, although registration is required. See the
attached flyer for details and registration information.
STEPHEN MINISTRY WORKSHOP---NE:
PARK—SAT., Apr. 24th
A Stephen Ministry Workshop will be
held at Park UMC, 30 N Lake St. on Sat., Apr 24th
from 9AM-1PM. Stephen Ministries will be sending Mike
Russo, a member of their professional staff, to be the presenter.
Stephen Ministry is one to one Christian caregiving by trained
laypeople. To Register: Visit www.stephenministry.org/workshop or
call Stephen Ministries at (314) 428-2600. See attached flyer for
details.
CONFERENCE NEWS
OLMSTED EVENTS UPCOMING
Two upcoming Olmsted events, all good sources for CEUs! The events are:
“The Rhyme of Time, A Study in the Liturgical Year”-- Apr 12-15---2
CEUs
“Scripture and Theology in Charles Wesley’s Hymns”-- May 16-18--1 CEU
For more information, call 814-945-6512, Fax 814-945-6390, Email
info@olmstedmanor.org, or Website: www.olmstedmanor.org.
MISSION
OPPORTUNITIES!!
Take advantage of the mission opportunities that are listed here.
CHILE EARTHQUAKE OUTREACH
CHILE: UMCOR RESPONDS TO 8.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE
After the strongest earthquake in the region in half a century struck
central Chile early Sat, Feb 27, UMCOR responded with an initial
emergency grant to its partners in Chile to help them bring relief to
survivors. Please send your contribution and mark Chile Emergency, UMCOR
Advance #3021178 on the memo line. Give your offering through your local
church and your church treasurer will send it to the Conference Center -
or mail your check to the Conference Center (1204 Freedom Road, PO Box
5002, Cranberry Township PA 16066-0002).
UMCOR has notified us that not only Health Kits are needed in Haiti, but
Birthing Kits and Layette Kits are needed. In addition, the Mission
Barn is in need of hand towels and finger nail clippers (or metal finger
nail files) to complete incomplete kits.
FLOOD/CLEANING BUCKETS NEEDED
Flood/Cleaning Buckets needed for possible Pittsburgh region flooding.
From Fred Watts, Pittsburgh District VIM Coordinator: While our
attention is justifiably focused on the disasters in Haiti and Chile, a
little attention to the local weather news suggests that we should be
planning ahead for the distinct potential for flooding. Allegheny
County Emergency Services Chief, Bob Full said recently "The rivers are
going to flood. It's
just a question of where." The Eastbrook Mission Barn, the Western PA
Conference UMCOR distribution center, reports only 377 verified Cleaning
Buckets. These will be disappearing quickly when flooding occurs. So
think about adding Cleaning Buckets to your church's goals in addition
to the relief for Haiti and Chile.
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING---March 14th
Question: What very important event happens this Sunday (March 14)? If
you answered, “Change Our Clocks.” You are absolutely right. Don’t
forget to move your clocks ahead one hour. If you answered, “Make a
donation to One Great Hour of Sharing.” You are even more right.
Designated gifts for UMCOR’s Haiti Emergency Fund from WPA churches
tallied $480,377.21 a week ago. What an incredibly generous outpouring
of financial assistance in second mile giving. Most of you realize that
every cent of that money will go to help Haiti recover.
But where do the funds come from that allow this to happen? From
donations given this Sunday during One Great Hour of Sharing. Read on …
‘NEW YORK (UMNS) — Eight days after the January earthquake in
Haiti, Melissa Crutchfield led a small team to the island to start
assessing emergency needs for the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
The ability of her team to get to Haiti quickly was due in part to One
Great Hour of Sharing, an annual church-wide offering for UMCOR taken on
the fourth Sunday in Lent. This year’s offering is on March 14. To
Crutchfield, who coordinates international emergency response for the
relief agency, One Great Hour of Sharing “is the backbone of what makes
everything possible.”
And by supporting UMCOR’s headquarter operations, One Great Hour of
Sharing allows for both emergency and long-term responses to a wide
range of domestic and international disasters and ongoing projects
related to hunger and development issues.
The high-profile disasters that receive extensive media coverage—the
Haiti earthquake, Hurricane Katrina, the Asian tsunami—generally draw
enough donations to finance UMCOR’s long-term recovery projects in those
places. But other small-scale disasters do not. In 2009, for example,
localized flooding in New York, Illinois, Hawaii and North Dakota drew
requests for assistance but little attention. However, UMCOR can still
help with money from One Great Hour of Sharing or other undesignated
funds, said the Rev. Tom Hazelwood, who oversees U.S. disaster response.
“Those are disasters for which no money, or very little money, may come
in from donors,” he added.
Keeping the promise -------
In a March 4 message to the denomination’s bishops, the interim top
executive of the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries, UMCOR’s
parent agency, noted that gifts for Haiti relief are expected to top $25
million and reminded them of the 100-percent pledge. “As you know, UMCOR
is able to make this promise because administrative expenses are covered
through the One Great Hour of Sharing,” wrote Bishop Joel Martinez.
“Because UMCOR does not receive World Service funds or any other
apportionments, the costs of doing business are underwritten by The One
Great Hour of Sharing. I encourage you to please highlight March 14th
with your annual conference as a day to lay the foundation for UMCOR to
seek justice and mercy for suffering people everywhere.”
BISHOP BICKERTON’S MESSAGE-----
HAITIAN RELIEF
Today, I am calling on us as United Methodist Christians to mobilize our
congregations and communities for action. Below are four suggestions:
-
GATHER
for Prayer.
-
GIVE
an Offering.
This Sunday is not too early to receive a special offering for the
Haiti Emergency, Advance #418325. Churches are asked to send checks
made payable to WPAUMC and marked for the Haiti Emergency through
our Conference Treasurer’s office, Box 5002, Cranberry Twp., PA
16066-5002.
-
GET
Volunteers.
Currently, it’s not safe or desirable for recovery teams to go to
Haiti, although specialized emergency efforts are underway. Our
Volunteers in Mission coordinators will let us know when teams can
go
Let us not be afraid to lead in the midst of perilous times. It is our
calling, our mandate, and our opportunity. May it be so!
Looking to get out of Pennsylvania and do something useful? The
following VIM trips in the U.S. are quickly approaching
-
St. Paul’s (Allison Park) Volunteers in Mission team has scheduled
its 2010 work camp for the Red Bird Mission, May 2 – 8. Red Bird
Mission provides essential services to the residents of that area,
including an accredited school (K – 12), a medical clinic, a senior
citizens center and housing for elderly citizens. In addition,
participants at work camps repair and remodel homes of the citizens.
This VIM team needs volunteers, skilled and unskilled. The cost of
the trip will be approximately $200, with $100 due by March 4. Team
size is limited to 20 persons. Persons interested in participating
should complete the “I Am Interested in the 2010 VIM Work Camp” form
(attached to this e-mail) or contact Dave Mitchell (412-512-7188 or
88mitchell@comcast.net), or Dick Rishel (724-316-9187 or
rishel219@aol.com).
Conference VIM Trips for 2010 …
Trips:
-
Mar 27-Apr 9 – Ethiopia Habitat – Leader, Drew Harvey (drewharvey@verizon.net)
– $1500 covers room, board, transportation in country, and material
donation; airfare and visa are not included (total trip should cost
slightly less than $3000) – FULL
-
July 21-31 – Project Chacocente, Nicaragua – Leaders, Frank and
Cyndi Bloise (revbloise@gmail.com)
– youth welcome – Cost est. $1400
-
April 15-May 2 – Nyadire, Zimbabwe – Leader, Sara Dickey
(sarich@aol.com)
– approx cost (dependent on airfare) $2500
-
July 15-Aug 1 – Nyadire, Zimbabwe – Leader, Kimberly Greway
(kgreway@mlumc.org)
– approx cost (dependent on airfare) $2500
-
July 29-Aug 15 – Nyadire, Zimbabwe – Leaders, Diane Miller
(diane.miller@wpaumc.org)
and Mary Beth Zollars (mbzollars@aol.com)
– approx cost (dependent on airfare) $2500
-
Late Aug (about 10 days) – Paraguay – Leader, David Stains
(clementof@hotmail.com)
– $1500-$1800
-
Sept 23-Oct 9 – Nyadire, Zimbabwe – Leader, Drew Harvey
(drewharvey@verizon.net)
– approx cost (dependent on airfare) $2500
-
October 10-23 – Israel/Palestine, pilgrimage and olive picking –
Leader, Tina Whitehead
(tinawhitehead2@hotmail.com)
– Cost, $2900
VIM Leader Training Events:
-
March VIM Leader Training – date/location to be determined –
Trainer, Diane Miller
-
April 23, 9:30-3:30 – Building ramps by modules – Eastbrook Mission
Barn – Trainer, Greg Forrester
-
April 24, 9:30-3:30 – VIM Leader Training – Conference Center,
Cranberry Township – Trainer, Greg Forrester
HURRICANE HELP NEEDED –Make plans now for 2010!!
The following invitation is for youth groups and focuses on rebuilding
in southern Louisiana in June and July 2010. Operative words: Spend
a week. Change the world.
Terrebonne Area Restoration Project
TARP begins the week of June 6 and ends the week of July 25. Teams
arrive Sunday evening and depart the following Saturday morning. The
cost is $225 per participant, which includes lodging, meals,
construction materials, and evening activities. The registration
deadline is March 15, 2010. Registrations are taken on a first come,
first served basis. For more information, visit www.thebluetarp.com or
contact Laurie Byland at 225-383-4777 x 235 or Email: laurie.byland@firstmethodist.org.
ONLINE TRAINING FOR DISASTER RECOVER
Church World Service provides free, online training to people who care
about their communities & want to see everyone recover from disaster.
The following details an upcoming series of 7 free webinars to address
training needs for many aspects of long term recovery. Sessions will
occur from 2:00-3:30 the first Tuesday of every month.
To learn more or to register online, go to:
www.cwserp.org.
Apr
6 May
4 Jun 1
Construction
Management Children & Youth in Disaster
Cultural Sensibility