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Franklin District NewsNotes 4-3-2014 Many links are included in this publication. If you have trouble with the link….hold the Ctrl key down and click on the link.

New & Updated items in this issue of NewsNotes:

† Chicken & Biscuit Dinner at Nicklin UMC- Pg 3

† Van Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner– Pg 3

† Hosanna! Easter Musical Celebration– Pg 3

† Palm Sunday community Prayer Service - Pg 4

† Easter Sunrise Service – Pg 4

† Communicating for a Change– Pg 5

† District Conference update – Pg 5

† Lay Servant Training Weekend Retreat– Pg 5

† Emergency Response Team Training – Pg 7

† Annual Conference-New Information – Pg 7

† Faith Night at PNC Park – Pg 8

† Pastoral Change resources - Pg 11

† Kairos Prison Ministry – Pg 12

Happy Birthday!

April: 7 Leonard Serrins 9 Rev. Lee Weber 10 Kathy Peterson

Happy Anniversary!

April: 3 Rev. & Mrs. Craig Peterson 4 Rev. Fay & Mr. Dean Barca 8 Rev. Clara & Mr. Dennis Kohlmeyer

Prayer Concerns-Rev. Jim Kimmel’s mother, Dorothy, had a heart attack on Wednesday. She is doing OK at Shadyside. -Walt Hehman-health concerns -Kenneth Mains (Rev. Denise Mains)-health concerns -Pray for the families of the missing Malaysian plane & those searching for it -Pray for Peace in Ukraine - (click for more information) -Dee Henley recovering from knee replacement surgery -Rev. David Parker- health concerns -Ruth Higginbotham– health concerns -Harry Applegate, husband of Rev. Julie Applegate. He is now on home hospice care. -Cabinet during the appointment season & -Churches and pastors receiving new appointments this year

Volunteer In Mission Team Leader Trainings - You are invited to a training 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. Read more about the handbook.. Space is limited. Register at wpaumc.org/missions

Zion UMC, Sarver Sat., Apr 05 9:30 - 3PM Christ UMC, Bethel Park Sun., Apr 06 2:00-7:30PM

UM Center, Cranberry Sat., Apr 12 9:30 - 3PM Lakeside UMC, Dubois Wed., Apr 30 9:30 - 3PM

The cost for a training session, including a hard copy of the handbook, is $18. Participants can opt to pay $6 for the training only and use an e-book version of the handbook, available from amazon.com or bn.com for $9.99.

Register for a training session | Learn more about UMVIM. | Download a VIM Training Bulletin Insert

Stephanie Gottschalk, WPA UMC Missions/VIM Coordinator Email me! or call 724.776.23000 ext. 241

2014 Confirmation Class Tours with Bishop Bickerton at the WPA UMC Conference Center available April 4

and May 1. Information and registration: http://www.wpaumc.org/confirmationtours

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Proactive Ministries Evangelism Seminar

When: Friday, April 4th or Saturday, April 5th- It is the same seminar each day. Friday is more catered to clergy and Saturday to laity, but we can attest that the material is beneficial no matter what day you can attend.

Time: 8:30am - 3pm Place: Good Shepherd UMC, 9870 Route 36, Tionesta (1/2 mi east of North Clarion schools) Cost: None (lunch provided) CEUs: Available

Proactive Ministries Seminars Brochure Proactive Ministries is a UM-based group that works with churches on engaging and training congregations for more effective evangelism. They are currently working within our Conference at a cluster of churches in the Somerset area. www.proactive-ministries.org

Register: gsumc.office@gmail.com, place in Subject line: Proactive Seminar, then please include this info: day attending, # attending, any special needs or leave message at Good Shepherd Office 814.744.8142

Questions? contact Seth McPherson, pastor/cultivator, Good Shepherd UMC mcpherson.seth@gmail.com

CLERGY SUB-DISTRICT BREAKFASTS

Venango Sub-District Breakfast: Wednesday, April 9th at 8:30 am at Eat-N-Park, 553 Allegheny Blvd, (Route 8 & Route 62), Franklin.

Mercer Sub-District Breakfast: Monday, April 14th at 8:30 am at Corner Kitchen, 201 W Venango Street, Mercer. Located on Route 19 right in the middle of Mercer (same side as Sheetz and by Family Dollar).

2014 Lenten Luncheons at 12 Noon

Grace United Methodist Church, 210 Broad Street, Grove City, PA 16127 Phone: 724-458-8660

Cost $5.00

Wednesday, April 9 – Speaker: Geoffrey Wild, Vicar, Church of the Epiphany

Sponsored by the Grove City Ministerial Association. Lenten Lunches provided by The Hearts of Grace

Rummage Sale, April 9-11, 2014 - First United Methodist Church, 600 Wood Street Clarion, PA,

Wednesday, April 9th from 12-7 PM Thursday, April 10th from 8:30 AM – 4 PM

Friday, April 11th from 8:30 AM – 12 PM ~~~ $1 a bag

Empowering Young People to Answer God's Call-2014 Culture of the Call Church Award

The Foundation for Evangelism is seeking nominations for this annual award, which recognizes one local United Methodist congregation that encourages the next generation of leaders with a passion for evangelism to enter full-time Christian service. The Foundation for Evangelism awards this honor to highlight the outstanding work being done in the local church where young persons, age 35 and under, are encouraged, supported, and nurtured as part of the culture of that congregation.

The deadline is April 10, 2014. For more information and to download nomination form visit our website.

Mail or email the completed nomination form to: Mary Burgin, The Foundation for Evangelism, P O Box 985, Lake Junaluska, NC 28745 MBurgin@FoundationforEvangelism.org

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Applications for 2014 UM Foundation grants - If your church or agency is interested in support for new ministries, all the necessary information and application forms are on the Foundation website. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Foundation by Friday, April 11. Visit umfoundation.org

Hearing Aids Needed: Jan Ogden, who will lead a Holy Land Volunteers in Mission trip that begins April 27, has issued a call for hearing aids in any condition. She’ll take them to Atfaluna, a place for the deaf and hearing impaired in Gaza. They can refurbish old hearing aids or use them for parts. Jackie Campbell will collect them for Jan at the UM Center in Cranberry Twp. until April 11. Questions? Email jco23@hotmail.com

New- Saturday, April 12 – Chicken & Biscuits Dinner to benefit Missions Fund from 4 pm until 6 pm at Nicklin United Methodist Church just one mile West of Route 62 on the corner of Georgetown Road and Waterworks Road. The dinner includes Chicken & Biscuits, mashed potatoes, veggie, beverage of choice (coffee, water, fruit drink, milk) and delicious desserts. Suggested donations are $8 for adults, $7 for senior citizens, $6 students and children 5 and under are free, take-outs available. Come Hungry and leave Blessed...

New- Saturday, April 12 -Van UMC Youth Group Spaghetti Dinner Mission Trip Fundraiser, 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The Van UM Church Youth Group, US HWY 322, Cranberry, PA is having a spaghetti and meatball dinner including salad, bread, dessert, and drink. Donations will be accepted. All proceeds will go towards the youth group’s 2014 mission trip to help others in need. Take-outs are available.

Bunny Hop 5K to Benefit Knox UMC Mission Trip: Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 9 am at Keystone High School, 700 Beatty Avenue, Knox, PA 16232. 5K Awards: Top overall male and female and top 3 in each male/female age group (ranging from 12 & under to 70+). Entry Fees: $20 pre-registered by March 29, 2014 includes t-shirt. $35 race day. Complete information and registration form Bunny Hop 5K 2014.pdf

Wesley Woods Work WEEKENDS April 12-13 & April 19-20 & Work WEEK April 26th—May 3rd, 2014 Help Wesley Woods get ready for another great summer of camping. Come for the week or come for a day. This is a family friendly event. Free lodging and food. Download Work Week Poster

Help clean cabins, the kitchen, trim trees, mow grounds, get ropes course ready, etc. These will get ready for the camping season and for several upcoming events: 2nd annual 5K race being held on May 10 and The Foundation For Sustainable Forests training and special events at Rustic May 16-17. This event is open to everyone with a lunch meal available for a $5.00 donation to the foundation.

Watch the Wesley Woods website for more information. Fill out the Skills Bank Form and return it to us so that we can use your God given talents in the best locations on camp.

Register by contacting: Doug Woodcook, Maintenance Director maintenance@wesleywoods.coom (814)-758-2148 cell or (814)-436-7802 office

April 13 - Palm Sunday

New- Hosanna!

Sunday, April 13 –Hosanna! An Easter Musical Celebration presented by First UMC and Christ UMC at 3 pm at First UMC 1102 Liberty Street, Franklin. Come enjoy a Palm Sunday afternoon of music celebrating Holy Week.

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New- Palm Sunday Community Prayer Service in Venango County

Palm Sunday, April 13: The Cranberry, Franklin and Oil City Ministerial Associations are sponsoring a county-wide worship and prayer service. It will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Oil City High School auditorium, 8 Lynch Boulevard, Oil City, PA 16301. It is the final prayer meeting in the “Seek God for the City” Lent prayer emphasis. The prayer theme for the night is: The Coming Generation. It is intended as a time of thanksgiving for God’s grace in hearing the prayers offered over the previous 40 days, and a tribute to our Lord in commemoration of the Triumphal Entry. Please join Christians from throughout the county and from many church backgrounds for this night of prayer and praise.

Rev. Byron Myers pastor@graceoilcity.org 814-677-3013 Palm Sunday Poster

2014 Youth Opportunity: Epworth Center in SE Ohio-Announcing three scholarships for camper fees for SOWER Work Mission, summer 2014. Theme: “Rebuild. Restore. Renew.” Two are available for youth ages 12-17. One is for a full week SOWER participant ages 12-24, on his/her first mission trip. More information: www.epworthcenter.org or 740.484.4705. Deadline for application is April 15, 2014.

THE FRANKLIN GOOD FRIDAY CROSS WALK: Friday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. begins at St. Patrick’s Church at Tenth and Liberty Streets, Franklin, PA. We will proceed up Liberty crossing at Eleventh Street and then continue up Liberty to The Commons. We will then cross Liberty Street again and proceed down to and going up 12th Street, turning onto Buffalo Street and ending at Christ United Methodist Church, 1135 Buffalo Street. It usually takes slightly less than one hour for walking and prayer.

Good Friday services: * 8:00 a.m. Service of Solemn Collects at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1145 Buffalo Street *12:30 p.m. Service of Solemn Collects at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1145 Buffalo Street *12:30 p.m. Veneration of the Cross at St. Patrick’s Church, 949 Liberty Street * 7:00 p.m. Ecumenical Good Friday Service at Franklin Alliance Church, 1200 Otter Street

Pastor Jeff Little Pastor Roy Gearhart First United Methodist Church Galloway United Methodist Church 1102 Liberty Street 196 Seysler Road Franklin, PA 16323 Franklin, PA 16323 (814) 432-8161 (814) 437-5425

Good Friday Fast April 18- Resource Booklet: Guidelines and devotional materials for a 1 or 3-day fast, with devotions prepared for Society of St Andrew by The Rev. Youtha C. Hardman-Cromwell of Wesley Theological Seminary. The booklet is available for free from our website. Download the booklet for your own use.

NEW- Sunday, April 20 - SUNRISE SERVICE at Grace United Methodist Church of Rocky Grove 350 Front Street, Franklin, PA would like to invite the community to our Easter Sonrise Service to be held in our church parking lot on Sunday, April 20th at 7 am with breakfast to follow. Please call 814-432-8664 for more information.

April 24, 2014- WPA Conference United Methodist Ministers’ Chorus at 7 pm at Conneaut Lake: Trinity UMC, Erie-Meadville District. Admission is FREE! A free-will offering will be received. To schedule a concert, contact Rev. John V. King, Ministers’ Chorus Secretary at 724-475-2660

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Make it Happen at UMW Assembly 2014 - 19th quadrennial Assembly of United Methodist Women, set for April 25 -27, 2014 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY. Registration and Details

Want to improve your preaching skills? Come to a three hour event sponsored by the Washington District

NEW- “COMMUNICATING FOR A CHANGE” Saturday, April 26, 2014

9:00 – 12:00

Crossroads United Methodist Church 1000 Crossroads Drive

Oakdale, PA 15071

This event is open to all Laity and Pastors who are interested in new and exciting approaches to preaching God’s Word. Teaching will be based on the book “Communicating For a Change” by Andy Stanley. Purchasing and reading this book ahead of time may be beneficial but not required. Facilitator will be Rev. Steve Cordle. No fee will be charged. Registrations will be taken by Mary and Dale Dalesio at mary.dalesio@comcast.net or Louise Patterson at lappet@verizon.net. Please register by April 19th.

SAVE THE DATE! FRANKLIN DISTRICT CONFERENCE Sunday, April 27, 2014 at 3:00 pm

Grace UMC, 350 Front Street, (Rocky Grove) Franklin, PA 16323

Shoe collection supplies (bags and rubber bands) will be available for a used shoe drive to benefit the Erie United Methodist Alliance. Shoes will then be collected at Annual Conference June 5-8, 2014 with a goal of raising $20,000! Shoes need not be in good shape for this project as materials will be recycled.

Collection deadline is July 31, 2014. See Annual Conference announcement on page 7 for more details!

How can you serve beyond your local church? After prayerful consideration, if you or someone in your

congregation would like to serve on the district level, please contact the district office. We need some new

faces…..please consider serving in ministry on your district. Our targeted areas of District ministry are:

Committee on Church Location and Building

Committee on Superintendency

Lay Servant Ministry School

Leadership Team (Nominations)

Missions and Ministry Team

Committee on Ordained Ministry

Trustees

Youth

United Methodist Men

Contact the District Office at 814-437-5857 or franklin.district@wpaumc.org.

NEW- Spring Lay Servant Training Weekend Retreat

New for this year is the weekend retreat. Complete one of three courses for the Lay Servant Ministry Training in just two days! Friday, May 2 from 6-9 pm and Saturday, May 3 from 9 am-noon and 1-5 pm. Lunch will be provided. Clarks Mills UM Church, 3813 Hadley Road, Clarks Mills, PA 16114. Cost is $20. Brochure

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Staying in a Hotel for AC2014? Conference Sessions Chair Barb Moore has arranged for discounted rates during annual conference at several hotels within an easy drive of Grove City College. The discount rate expires May 2,2014 Find the list at wpaumc.org/annualconference2014.

The Commission on the Status and Rold of women presents:

Building Communities of Hope: Human Trafficking & You: Saturday, May 3 (Registration 8:30 am) 9 am–4 pm Keynote Speaker: Yvonne c. Zimmerman, Ph.D., Author and Associate Professor of Christian Ethics, Methodist Theological School, OH. Speaker: Elizabeth Echavarria: Liberty House, a rescue house in Pittsburgh.Worship Leader: Debra Mason. Spiritual Leader: Cathy Newport-Poff. Sign Chi Do with Joy Conti. We will be collecting household cleaning supplies & personal hygiene items for Liberty House.

Greenstone UMC, 939 California Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15202. Cost is $20 which includes lunch. Scholarships available. Register at wpaumc.org/events.

Safe Sanctuaries Training: Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at Grace UMC, 420 California Drive, Coal Center, PA 15423. Safe Sanctuaries Training for those working with children, youth and vulnerable adults. Rev.

Chris Kindle, WPAUMC director of discipleship, and a representative of Washington County Children and Youth Services will present the program. Register by email children@come-to-grace.org or calling 724-330-5350.

UM Clergywomen Leadership Seminar: “Where Grace Meets Power – Standing for Each Other’s Greatness”. Monday, May 5, 2014 to Wednesday, May 7, 2014 AT Double Tree by Hilton, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is sponsoring a UMC Clergywomen Leadership Seminar. Register here for an opportunity for networking among clergywomen and women leaders of the church throughout the connection.

Thursday, May 8, 2014–Franklin District Local Pastors Gathering. Lunch at 12 pm. Details to come.

United Methodist Communications: Receive the latest ministry tips, tools and news UMCOM Subscribe Form

Run for the Woods – 5K Run and Fun Walk

Saturday, May 10, 2014 -The Run for the Woods, a 5K run, 5K fun walk, and youth and toddler runs, will take place at and benefit the ministry of scenic Wesley Woods Camp, Grand Valley, PA.

All children and youth of camp age who participate in a 5k event or the toddler/youth fun run will have their name put into a drawing for a full camp scholarship to the Wesley Woods summer camp of their choice

Details for Run for the Woods 2014 & Registration Form Online registration is available at RunSignUp.com

Many volunteers are needed to arrive by 9 am and stay until about 3 pm. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt to identify them. Questions or to volunteer, contact Chris Grubbs at cegrubbs6@gmail.com or 814-337-5455.

Clergy Evaluation Form deadline: May 15, 2014

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Health Care Credit for Churches (small employers) - Filing deadline is May 15, 2014 – See conference website for instructions and the required forms. This is a credit the churches may be eligible to receive for premiums paid towards healthcare costs in 2013. Go to: http://www.wpaumc.org/formsandinformation Kathleen Lasky, WPAUMC Conference Benefits Officer 724-776-2300, EXT# 274

NEW - Emergency Response Team Training - Rev. Jeff Bobin will be holding an Early Response Team training on May 17th at Venango UMC. Cost is $25 for materials, T-shirt, and lunch. Registration opens at 7:30am and training is 8am to 5pm - you must attend the whole day to be certified. Attendees should be willing to join an ER Team that is already. Contact Jeff Bobin or register online.

Saturday, May 17-A new seminar, Estate Planning for Parents and Grandparents of Special Needs Children, presented by the UM Foundation of Western PA in partnership with Autism Initiative: A Ministry of Oakland UMC for those who could benefit from thinking strategically about the care of a special needs child. Special emphasis: “Special Needs Trusts”. Dutilh UMC, 1270 Dutilh Road, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066. Check-in is at 9:30 am. Seminar is from 10 am - 2 pm. The cost is $20 per family and includes lunch and childcare. Deadline to register is May 12, 2014 at www.umfoundation.org. Bulletin insert - Special needs estate planning 2014

Change the World Weekend is coming May 17-18! Outreach to take church into your community. Resources can be found online or contact me, Stephanie Gottschalk, if you'd like some assistance in planning.

Know a Young Adult Hearing a Call to Ministry? Youth and young adults who may be discerning a call to ministry are invited to the United Methodist Center in Cranberry Twp. on Saturday, May 22 to talk with Bishop Bickerton and hear a panel of those in ministry discuss their call. Learn more and register.

The Foundation for Evangelism is seeking nominations for the 2014 Distinguished Evangelist of the United Methodist Church Award. With this honor, the Foundation celebrates a United Methodist clergy or lay person whose personal ministry in evangelism is recognized throughout the denomination. The deadline for nominations is June 4, 2014. To submit your nomination, download this form. To learn more visit www.FoundationForEvangelism.org or call (800) 737-8333.

The Foundation for Evangelism

Distinguished Evangelist of The United Methodist Church Award

Download Nomination Form (PDF)

NEW Information- 2014 ANNUAL CONFERENCE – JUNE 5-8, 2014

Registration is Open for Annual Conference! Information about the 2014 session, scheduled for June 5-8, is being added regularly to the AC2014 webpages wpaumc.org/ac2014. Registration just opened and it is online only. To go directly to the registration form, use the friendly URL wpaumc.org/ac2014register

Got Shoes You Don’t Want? Collect them from your closet or under the bed and bring or send them in bags to annual conference. The condition doesn’t matter. All God’s Children Ministry, serving the disabled, and the Erie UM Alliance, which ministers to the homeless, are conducting their second annual Shoe Drive and they’ll have a tractor-trailer at annual conference to collect your donations. Ask your friends to help. The goal of raising $20,000! They need not be in good condition. Collection deadline is July 31, 2014 Learn more. Download Shoe Drive bulletin insert

*Collection supplies (bags & rubber bands) will be available at the Franklin District Conference on April 27th.*

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GC2016 Nominations: Western PA delegates to the 2016 General Conference will not be elected until our

2015 annual conference, BUT clergy and lay members may nominate candidates from the floor at the 2014

session. Nominations may also be made by petition through the end of the year or by write-in at AC2015. See

Guidelines for serving as a delegate.

WALK TO HELP THE HOMELESS –Join Erie United Methodist Alliance (EUMA) for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community on Sat, June 7 at Presque Isle State Park. This 5K walk (and optional one mile fun walk) is presented by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield to benefit area non-profits. Walk for EUMA (or support a walker) – and 100% of your pledges/donations goes directly to fund our programs to the homeless community. Visit our website at www.euma-erie.org for a link to the Highmark Walk registration site.

What Difference Does it Make? Christian Identity in a Complex World - Sunday, June 8, 2014 from 7 pm to Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 4:30 pm at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Join us in learning, sharing and worshipping as we explore who we are as Christians in the context of theology, poverty and peace-making. Speaker: Tony Campolo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology, Eastern University & Founder, Evangelical Assoc for the Promotion of Education (EAPE). Details: www.pts.edu/CE Questions? ConEd@pts.edu or 412-924-1345 Limited lodging available on campus. Register early! $225/Full Conference ~ $90/Day CEUs: 1.8

NEW- Faith Night at PNC Park: Thursday, June 26th-Pirates vs. New York Mets-7:05PM-Zambelli Fireworks Night. Buy tickets at www.pirates.com/faithnight For more information or questions, please contact Chad Glover at 412-325-4756 or chad.glover@pirates.com

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 online.

Register Now for Uth4Missions: Online registration is open for the Monday-Friday, July 7-11 youth group service event in the Johnstown area. Youth and leaders stay at the Pitt Johnstown campus, spend time doing hands-on mission work, and gather for Bible study, worship and games. The cost is $275 per student, with leaders attending free. Register at wpaumc.org/youthministry. Download Uth 4 Mission flier.

Unstoppable 2014: Young women from 9th grade through age 25 are invited to a weekend of worship, service, music, learning, and fellowship from Thursday-Saturday, July 10-13 at Grove City College. They will learn about issues they can do something about, find out how, and change the world. Download a brochure.

Mission u-July 11-13, 2014-Weekend Event Mission u-July 13-17, 2014-Weekday School

Children’s Mission u and Youth Mission u Discovery-July 13-17

UM Night at PNC Park: Order your tickets now to see Pittsburgh Pirates tickets play the LA Dodgers on United Methodist Night at PNC Park. It’s Monday, July 21, but Pirate tickets are selling fast! Get details.

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Cherry Run Camp Meeting - beginning on July 26 and ending August 3, 2014. Details to be announced.

Algonquin Canoe Trip: July 28-August 6, 2014 Information/registration at www.wpaumc.org/camping.

Used shoe collection deadline: July 31, 2014. Used shoes will be collected to benefit the Erie United Methodist Alliance (EUMA) with a goal of raising $20,000! It also provides raw material for an overseas mission post that provides safe and comfortable shoes for those who cannot provide them for themselves. Collection supplies will be available at the Franklin District Conference on April 27th and shoes will be collected at Annual Conference June 5-8, 2014. Watch for more details! Coordinator: Rev. Debbie Hills deacon.dhills@gmail.com

The Race: Strategies for Relevant, Authentic, Christ-centered Engagement with the World

A School of Congregational Development Event

Thursday, August 14 – Sunday, August 17, 2014 Matthews United Methodist Church, Charlotte, NC28105

Registration and Details at www.scdumc.com

Franklin Graham to hold Pittsburgh revival August 15th-17th, 2014

The Rev. Franklin Graham, the son, namesake and ministry heir to legendary evangelist Billy Graham, gathered with several hundred Pittsburgh-area pastors and others recently to formally launch the countdown to a three-day revival here in August. Details to be announced.

Rev. Graham is scheduled to preach Aug. 15-17 at what's being called the Three Rivers Festival of Hope, organized by an array of Protestant and Catholic churches, at the Consol Energy Center. "I'm going to present the Gospel as plainly and simply as I know how and give people an opportunity to respond," Rev. Graham said. The center has a capacity of more than 19,000, depending on seating and staging configuration.

Developing Healthy Clergy & Congregations Conference- August 19-21, 2014 - Discovery UMC, Richmond, VA - Training on how to handle conflict and become a more healthy church. Healthy Clergy & Congregations

Friday – Sunday, August 22-24, 2014 – Autism Family Retreat at Jumonville Camp and Conference Center. Read about the 2013 retreat at http://www.wpaumc.org/news/detail/964.

The Retreat for Those Affected by Disability will be at Olmsted Manor, 17 E. Main St, Ludlow, PA 16333 from Sunday afternoon, September 7, 2014, to Tuesday afternoon, September 9, 2014. Details to come.

Leadership Conference October 19-21, 2014 at FUMC Arlington, TX. This conference will provide information in all areas of leadership from planning, finances, management, staffing, evangelism and effective leadership.

CLERGY SPOUSE RETREAT --- SAVE THE DATE! - October 24-25 --- East Ohio – W PA clergy spouse retreat- Returns to Twinsburg, OH Hilton Garden Inn & Conference Center 2014 Clergy Spouse Save the Date.doc

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2014 Lands of the Bible, Then and Now! with Bishop Bickerton-Nov. 12-21, 2014 www.eo.travelwithus.com Brochures available from the Franklin District Office.

Save the dates for next year's SPARK: January 9-11, 2015.

CLERGY: CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

The Cabinet and the Board Of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) are underwriting a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program for interested clergy. Congregation-Based Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) teaches pastoral leadership and pastoral care for clergy and lay ministers in the church from a Bowen Family Systems Theory perspective. The 2014 summer/fall unit for Western New York/Pennsylvania is still in the planning stage but will run August through December of 2014 in either Cabot (PA) or Meadville (PA). Contact Bob Spilman at (716) 479-7933.

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR WESLEY WOODS SUMMER CAMP - 2014 Summer Camp brochure, schedule at a glance, printable registration and scholarship forms, and Online Registration are available on our website: http://www.wesleywoods.com/index.php/summer-camp or you may download a .pdf copy of the brochure. 2014_final_output.pdf Questions? Contact us at info@wesleywoods.com or 814-436-7802. Register Online

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH AT WESLEY WOODS: 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 full job description.

Camp Allegheny: Summer 2014… Get Real, Finding your True Self in Jesus

Important Dates April 26 – Spring Work Day

April 27 – Annual Booster Dinner May 18 – Open House/Community Days

Summer 2013 brought numerous NEW activities including, gaga ball, laser tag, blacklights, velcro wall, nine square in the air, hamster ball and renewed energy to our time of worship to name a few.

Well it is now SUMMER 2014 and we have even more NEW activities planned. Do you like swinging in the air? Well give our new Giant Swing a go. Your group will assist pulling you

up to 30+ feet into the air. You choose how high you will go before you drop! I promise it is a blast! Did you enjoy laser tag last year? Well this year we will have a special new course right here on camp

for you to play Laser Tag. How about Climbing Trees? Camp Allegheny now has some special equipment that will allow you to

safely climb any tree we have. Do you enjoy Crafts? Well come on in to our totally remodeled Craft Center where we will focus on

Leather craft and Pottery! Get your hands dirty with our new pottery wheels and try out some new leather craft to take home.

REGISTER NOW AT CAMPALLEGHENY.ORG. Remember… We have financial assistance. We WILL find the funds to get any child to Camp Allegheny that wants to go!

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

WPAUMC

Keep up with Upcoming Events: http://www.wpaumc.org/events

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

Smith Center Seeks Executive Director: The Ruth M. Smith Center in Sheffield, a national mission of the United Methodist Women, seeks a new executive director. See ad and other classifieds at

wpaumc.org/classifieds. Ruth M. Smith Center information: http://www.ruthmsmithcenter.org/

Financing Your Education in a Tough Economy: financial aid advisors from UM-related colleges offer tips to enable students to graduate without drowning in debt. Some involve starting well before high school graduation. Read more.

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 - See more

Option 2: Abundance Orchard Complete VBS Curriculum - Year 1: Old Testament - See more

Clergy Evaluation Training Video – A new evaluation process begins this year and a training video is available on the Conference website at http://www.wpaumc.org/trainingvideo OR by contacting the District Office.

Mar/Apr is the time for the SPR Committee to complete section lll of the new evaluation form (8 questions), dealing with the “annual focus area”. Theology will be the focus area in 2014. May 15th – Deadline for submitting the completed evaluation form to your district office

Spring is a time for walking! Check out the Health as Wholeness team’s information on the conference Golden Sneaker Walk Challenge.

Health as Wholeness - web page http://www.wpaumc.org/healthaswholeness

o Golden Sneaker Participation Programs / Walk Challenge o Golden Sneaker Walk Challenge Submission

NEW- Getting a New Pastor? Check out 50 Ways to Welcome a New Pastor, one of several “50 Ways” resources from the Lewis Center for Church Leadership. See the list.

NEW- Heading for a New Ministry Setting? Among several resources dealing with pastoral transition, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership offers a video resource called The Right Start. It offers ways to end your current ministry well, develop a personal transition plan, and make the most of your first days, weeks, and months in your new congregation. The Right Start has been updated for 2014. Learn more.

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NEW- KAIROS

A distinguishing characteristic of the Methodist Church is its long standing tradition, started by Wesley, of caring for those in prison. Perhaps no better example of this is seen in a non-denominational lay ministry called KAIROS where Methodist members are often disproportionally represented as volunteers.

KAIROS’ main activity is to conduct 3 day retreats similar to UMC’s ”Walk to Emmaus”. It’s 35,000 volunteers operate programs in 450 prisons in eight countries and last year 25,000 inmates attended a KAIROS Weekend. On a typical event 24 to 42 inmates receive a short course in Christianity presented by a combined Lay/Clergy team of 15 to 25 outside volunteers. Many men and women have come to Christ because of a KAIROS Weekend.

The ”Good News” is KAIROS plans to soon start its 11th PA program in nearby FOREST CI in Marionville. A tentative date in late September has been set and the initial team is expected to form sometime in late May.

As Methodists Ministers how we can help is to bring up this FOREST CI KAROS ministry to our Church Councils. If each church request one of its most faithful congregation members join this initial KAIROS then the Gospel as Christ commanded will be spread. The initial team will likely need 20 lay persons and 6 clergy so also consider if Christ is calling you to attend.

For more info contact Lou McKibben 412-400-2234 (lmckibben@frankwinne.com)

Need a Break? All of our WPAUMC camps offer free stays for clergy for a personal retreat. Since 2005, Jumonville has offered Pastime to encourage personal renewal for Christian leaders. Get details at jumonville.org/pastime

Wesley Woods invites clergy to stay in one of its 10 motel units and use any of the facilities. Camp Allegheny also offers a free stay. Meals are not provided. Call or email Wesley Woods or Camp Allegheny.

Mission u-July 11-13, 2014-Weekend Event Mission u-July 13-17, 2014-Weekday School

More information on Mission U can be found at:

http://www.wpaumc.org/missionu http://www.wpaumc.org/newsdetail/49405 http://www.wpaumc.org/eventdetail/51512

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