Greensburg District Office Hours: 9AM-3PM*(*Hours/days vary, please call before stopping by)

GREENSBURG DISTRICT CONNECTOR e-NEWSSept. 12, 2018 Next issue: Wed., Sept. 26th (Please submit articles for the next newsletter by Thurs., Sept. 20)

Note: To make viewing the newsletter easier to locate new/updated information, please look for *NEW* next to the title or search for “*NEW*” in the search bar.

DISTRICT CONTACT INFORMATION:307 Freeport Street, Delmont, PA 15626 Phone: 724-461-7178 Fax: 724-461-7428Pat Nelson, DS: Greensburg.DS@wpaumc.org Lori Begg: Greensburg.Office@wpaumc.orgGreensburg District Website: http://www.wpaumc.org/districtsClick here to view previous editions of the Greensburg District e-news Click here To view the online Greensburg District Calendar

UNITED METHODIST CONFERENCE CENTER CONTACT INFORMATION:1204 Freedom Road, PO Box 5002, Cranberry Township, PA 16066-0002 Phone: 724-776-2300 Website: www.wpaumc.org Email: info@wpaumc.org Click here to subscribe to the Conference and/or other District e-newslettersClick Here to view the Western PA UMC Conference e-News weekly publication for Conference wide news

In Microsoft Word, you can click on the words below to easily navigate (“jump”) to the following sections of the newsletter:

Calendar Help Wanted

Birthdays/Anniversaries/Joys/Concerns Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Articles pertaining to 5 Areas of Focus Camping Information

Save the Dates:

Greensburg District Conference: May 4, 2019 (9AM-1 PM At Delmont Faith UMC)

Annual Conference June 6-8, 2019(Grove City College)

Clergy Corner This and That

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION ALIGNED WITH THE FIVE AREAS OF FOCUS**

1. Developing Principled Christian Leaders2. Creating New and Renewed Congregations3. Engaging in Ministry with the Poor4. Promoting Abundant Health5. Dismantling Racism

To read more on the Five Areas of Focus, click here. Send us your information regarding these areas to be shared in the newsletter. *** Newsletter also includes: “Clergy Corner”, “Youth & Young Adult Ministry”, “Camping Information”, “Help Wanted” and “This’ n That” sections at the end of the newsletter.

Greensburg District Calendar of Events

Date EventSEPTEMBER 2018Sept. 14 Leadership Development for Clergy and Laity begins. See below for list of classes & dates.Sept. 14 *NEW* Meatloaf Dinner- Waterford UMC, 4-6:30 PM, Cost: $10 (suggested donation)Sept. 15 Pittsburgh DS Installation Ceremony: Rev. Dawn Hand-1 PM- location: St. Paul’s (Allison Park) 1965

Ferguson Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101Sept. 16 District Youth Meeting- 1 PM- Youngwood: Christ UMC( 100 Lincoln St, Youngwood, PA 15697Sept. 22-Oct. 1 Honduras Mission Trip- see below for details & application.Sept. 23 Christian Concert: Jonathan White- 7 PM, Circleville UMC (11600 Parkway Dr, Irwin, PA 15642)Sept. 24-25 PREACH! Workshop – Dutilh UMC –see below for more detailsSept. 23-25 Developing Older Adult Ministries at Your Church Training/Retreat- Olmsted ManorSept. 28 *NEW* Deadline to register for District Helpshops @ New Stanton UMC on Oct. 13Sept. 28-30 Autism Family Retreat- Jumonville. Click here for details Sept. 30 Erie-Meadville DS Installation Ceremony: Rev. Dennis Swineford- 3 PM location: Edinboro UMC 113 High

St, Edinboro, PA 16412OCTOBER 2018Oct. 5-7 WPA Renewal Fellowship: Overcoming Obstacles Retreat at Jumonville- see details below Oct 6 Greensburg District UMW Fall Meeting- Leechburg First- speaker: Cindy Carasia, District UMW PresidentOct. 6 9th Annual Women’s Prayer Breakfast, Garden City UMC, 9 AM-12 PM. Guest Speaker: Bishop Cynthia

Moore-Koikoi, Ticket Donation: $30Oct. 7 Johnstown DS Installation Ceremony: Rev. Sung Chung- 3 PM, Oakland UMC 1504 Bedford St,

Johnstown, PA 15902Oct. 13 Greensburg District Helpshop- New Stanton UMC 9AM-3:30 PM. Cost: $15/pp; Oct. 20 *NEW* Roast Beef Dinner- Christ UMC (N.Huntingdon) 4-6:30 PM. See below for details and to get tickets

Date EventOct. 20 Healthy Village Learning Institute Work Day- Volunteers Needed 9AM-3PMOct. 27 Healthy Village Learning Institute Work Day- Volunteers Needed 9AM-3PMOct. 27 *NEW* Pancake Breakfast & Bake Sale- Garden City UMC (Monroeville) 9AM-12 PMOct 27 WPA Conference UMW Annual Fall Meeting in the Franklin DistrictNOV 2018Nov. 4 Listening Posts on A Way Forward-Garden City UMC- Monroeville 2:30-4:30 PM. Click here to register.Nov. 4 Healthy Village Learning Institute Open House 3-5 PMNov. 10 Healthy Village Learning Institute Work Day- Volunteers Needed 9AM-3PMNov. 10 *NEW* Safe Sanctuary Training/Certification- Delmont Faith UMC, 9AM-12 PM, register online by Nov. 1st.2019 SAVE THE DATEMar 1-3 District Youth Retreat- Camp Allegheny- contact Shannon Moore for details May 4 Greensburg District Conference- Delmont Faith UMC, 9 AM-1 PMMay 19 Healthy Village Learning Institute Open House 3-5 PMJun 6-8 Annual Conference- Grove City

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIESHappy Birthday and Anniversary to those clergy families celebrating this month! If your information is mistaken or not included, please contact Lori at greensburg.office@wpaumc.org to update your information! Thanks!

JOYS & CONCERNS Please pray for those affected by the recent flooding and upcoming potential for more flooding. Please pray for the District Office as they search for a new Administrative Assistant Please pray for Lori Begg & her family as she transitions to a new job. Please pray for Julie Lake, Franklin District Administrative Assistant, as she recovers from laparoscopic

surgery. Please pray for Rev. Bill Weppelman as he undergoes a number of tests Pray for Rev. Tom Dougal who is being treated for cancer Prayer for Rev. Linda Harrison who is being treated for new health concerns. Prayer for Lisa Bane who is living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and facing hand surgery in September.

BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES16- Elisha Schoeneck18-Ardyth Hill19-Emma Peterman25-Robert Gabler26-Jayne Sweet

28-Hyung-Suk Joe29-David Coul29-Scott Gallagher30-Donna Gabler

20- Scott & Sharon Gallagher27-John & Elise Jefferis

Praying Our Way Forward- The Council of Bishop and The Upper Room are launching Phase 3 of Praying Our Way Forward. United Methodists are asked to pray daily and fast weekly with the bishops from June 3 through the Special Session of General Conference in February, 2019. Learn more.

****************************************DEVELOPING PRINCIPLED CHRISTIAN LEADERSDISTRICT HELPSHOP Oct. 13th: New Stanton UMC (612 Center Ave., New Stanton, PA 15672)- Rev. Steve BaneCost: $15/per person*NEW* Click here to register (DEADLINE TO REGISTER: SEPT. 28TH)9:00 AM-3:30 PM (Note: participants may register for morning or afternoon or both. Only 1 course may be taken in the morning and 1 session in the afternoon).

Tentative Schedule:9 AM Gathering/Snacks9:30 AM- Welcome (Sanctuary)9:45-11:45AM Morning Session12-12:45 PM Lunch1-3 PM Afternoon Session3:15 PM Closing Prayer/Dismissal (Sanctuary)

There will be opportunity for the lay people in your congregation to participate in a number of training workshops to assist in the leadership ministry of your church. All laity are encouraged to come; clergy are welcome, too. The possible options offered at the October 13th event may include:

1. Church Finances, Connectional Apportionments, Payroll/Clergy Taxes

2. Church Revitalization Overview

3. Mission and Ministry of the Conference

4. Mission Insight 5. Safe Sanctuaries 6. Discipleship7. Certified Lay Minister 8. Laity in Church

(Roles/Opportunities)9. United Methodist Women

10. Fiji Community of Faith (culture, dance, worship style)

11. Camping Initiative 12. UMCOR Relief Kits

13. Conference Youth Ministry Teams

14. Greensburg District Youth

*NEW* SAFE SANCTUARY CERTIFICATION/TRAINING Saturday, Nov. 10th RSVP: Nov. 1st

9AM-12 PMDelmont Faith UMC (305 Freeport Street, Delmont, PA 15626)A light continental breakfast will be servedClick here to register online

Rev. Chris Kindle, WPA Discipleship & Spiritual Formation, will lead a Safe Sanctuary certification/training course for anyone who would like to become certified. For questions, contact the Delmont Faith UMC at 724-468-0040 between 9 AM and 3 PM.

FALL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES: Clergy and laity have a lot of options in the coming months to learn and enrich their ministry. Make a commitment today to register for one of them. See the list at wpaumc.org/LeadershipDevelopment

MTSO AND OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCE NEW PROGRAM M.DIV. PATH SAVES TIME AND MONEYOhio Northern University and MTSO announce 3+3 program  Ohio Northern University and MTSO have teamed up to offer incoming college students a unique 3+3 program leading to a master’s degree in divinity. The program is the only one of its kind in Ohio and one of only a few in the country. The typical path to a Master of Divinity degree requires seven years of study. Through the 3+3 program, students will save time and money by completing the degree in six years. Starting the program at ONU in Ada, they may choose one of three majors: religion, youth ministry, or religion and ecology. The religion and ecology major is available only through the 3+3 program and incorporates interdisciplinary courses in environmental studies from the perspectives of science, law and spirituality. The next step is three years of study at MTSO. After their first year at MTSO, 3+3 students will complete a Bachelor of Arts from ONU. After completion of seminary coursework, they will earn an MTSO M.Div. degree. Learn more about the 3+3 program here.

****************************************CREATING NEW & REVITALIZED MINISTRIESCOLLEGE MINISTRY FOR IUP STUDENTSIf you have students from your church attending college, you may be aware that this is the most likely time that people lose connection with the church. Grace UMC is located in the midst of IUP campus in Indiana, PA and we would like to help students remain connected to the church during their time here at IUP. Please email the church with names and any contact information you have for your IUP students. We promise to reach out to them with the love and support. Please email us at cabel@indianagrace.org

DEVELOPING OLDER ADULT MINISTRIES AT YOUR CHURCH TRAINING/RETREATSept. 23-25, 2018Olmsted ManorCost: $186 (includes tuition, room & board)Speakers: Rev. Will Randolph and DS Pat Nelson

A seminar for church leaders who want to start Older Adult Ministries or to do more for the Older Adults they serve.

Clergy and laity are invited to explore ways to be in ministry "by, with, and for" older adults. Join us at Olmsted as we learn to minister more effectively to older adults in the local church from Rev. Dr. William Randolph, who worked as the Director of Aging & Older Adult Ministries for the national UMC Discipleship Ministries*NEW* Click here for more information and to register.

****************************************ENGAGING IN MINISTRY WITH THE POOR*NEW* PROJECT HAPPY FEET UPDATES

As volunteers greeted families, the gifting of shoes was only part of the benefit of this event.

Project Happy Feet provided shoes to kids in need from Hutchinson Elementary in Greensburg, PA. Charter Oak’s after school program, “Club Crossroads”, took their ministry to Payless shoe stores and 13 of their 50 students accepted their invitation to receive free shoes. The Club Crossroads volunteers got to meet the children’s parents and help the students pick out new shoes. Many of these kids had received duct tape

from their teacher to help hold their shoes together! Click here to read the full story!

Calvary United Methodist church of McKeesport as part of the Happy Feet project was blessed to distribute new shoes from Payless Shoes (McKeesport) in collaboration with our Free Children’s Feeding Ministry where they provide lunch for children within the surrounding area the first Saturday of each month. Click here to read the full story!

The goal of Project Happy Feet is still the same- to provide shoes for kids in need. But, the structure of how we minister to people has changed. This restructuring allows people to be the hands and feet of God in a child’s eyes and show them that people do care for them. Many of the schools that we previously helped have called asking for their vouchers and I have contacted a local church near them to see if they could physically help provide the shoes for the kids. A shoe ministry is needed within each church and with each local school. Wouldn’t it be great to have an opportunity to meet kids and their parents in your local vicinity and help meet their need? Since we don’t have the Payless vouchers anymore, there is flexibility to go other places to obtain shoes for children that might be more convenient for them. If you are interested in learning more about a shoe ministry at your church, please contact the District office at 724-461-7178 or Greensburg.office@wpaumc.org.

MISSION TRIP TO HONDURAS

The Conference Committee for Encounter With Christ in Latin America and the Caribbean is organizing a mission trip to Honduras from September 22 through October 1. The team will help to complete construction of a church in rural Honduras. Although people with construction skills would be especially helpful on this team, ANYONE who is interested is encouraged to apply. For more info, email Encounter liaison Jodale Barnhart at jodalebarnhart@gmail.com. See attachment to email to download an application.

****************************************PROMOTING ABUNDANT HEALTH

DISASTER RESPONSE- UMCOR CLEANING BUCKETS NEEDED!UMCOR Kits Needed: With flooding in southwestern PA and other areas, the Mission Barn needs cleaning buckets and hygiene kits. Some of the ingredients in UMCOR kits have changed. Click the link to See the new kit recipes. Or view the attachment at the bottom of the e-news email. *NEW UPDATE*: A “Call for Help” has been issued from the Annual Conference Disaster Coordinator, Calvin Cook. Beginning next week, groups coordinated by Calvin Cook and Rich Ziegenfus will be permitted to help with clean-up efforts. Please call or email Rich Ziegenfus, District Disaster Response Coordinator, with days you are able to help next week. Rich’s email is: rpz2@outlook.com and his cell is 724-238-3158. Please do NOT form your own groups to help provide assistance as this is a major clean-up effort with many agencies involved and it is imperative that groups are coordinated through Rich and Calvin.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 11, the cleaning buckets are being distributed to Meyersdale (Somerset County), Fayette County-Washington Twp & Brownsville for distribution through the EMS and Local VFD. We will be staging buckets for distribution when needed by the community in Turtle Creek/Pitcairn - Allegheny County, Mahaffey-Clearfield County, and replenishing supplies in some other locations. We also are working with Salvation Army Disaster Services in Pittsburgh to keep supplied with cleaning buckets. Derry and Derry Township are a concern as well due to the potential dam breach. To help or obtain assistance, please contact Rev. Calvin Cook, WPA UMC Disaster Response Coordinator at 814-442-5899 – call or text.

ROOTS OF FAITH ASSISTS FLOOD VICTIMS IN SHARPSBURGROOTS OF FAITH (ROF) is working to help those affected by the floods in Sharpsburg and is led by Rev. Ben Phipps and Outreach Coordinator Kathleen Lipinski. If you are able to assist them, please contact ROF directly at: (412) 799-0111. They are located at 800 Main Street, Sharpsburg, PA 15215. Click here to be directed to their website.

****************************************DISMANTLING RACISMHEALTY VILLAGE LEARNING INSTITUTE OPEN HOUSE, WORK DAYS, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Healthy Village Learning Institute (1102 Freemont ST. McKeesport, PA 15132) is looking for volunteers to help prepare their space. There are District Wide Open Houses and Work Days planned (listed below). Please save the

dates and promote the events. It would be great if we had many hands to be present in support and service to the Healthy Village Learning Institute.

Open House: November 4 from 3-5 PM and May 19 from 12-6 PM

Work Days: October 20, 27 and November 10 from 9 AM-3PM

Click here or see the attached volunteer application form to help with the ministry of the Healthy Village Learning Institute. They are looking for volunteers to help with:

Tutoring Arts Early Childhood Education Grant Writing/FundraisingTechnology (Mac-based) Communication/Marketing Manhood/Womanhood

Development (ages 8-21)Health and Wellness Instruction and Development

STREAM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, Math)

Collaborate educational efforts with the McKeesport School District

Poverty Forums Leadership Preparation Instruction

Entrepreneurial Development

Mon Valley/County-wide Collaborative Efforts

Race-Racism-Radical Justice Forums

African Drumming

Photography Video Editing Please make it available to persons you know who have the skills and passion to share with young people. Thanks.

ANTI-RACISM GRANTSThe General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) is eager to provide grants to engage UMC teams with strong, diverse community partners who together will change racist and xenophobic systems, policies or practices in their communities. The application for 2018-2020 grants is online now. Learn more.

TOOLKIT TO ADDRESS HATE & VIOLENCEAfter “Unite the Right” rallies in Charlottesville and other cities, white supremacy, nationalism, violent extremism, and hate in America have been laid bare. Church leaders have spoken out against it and the General Commission on Religion and Race has compiled a toolkit of resources that may be useful for individuals, a small group, or congregation on the themes of white supremacy, hate, and violence post-Charlottesville. Click here for more information.

WPAUMC ANTI-RACISM RESOURCESIn response to a request from Bishop Moore-Koikoi, the Conference Anti-Racism Team (ART) compiled a list of suggestions for Western PA churches to address racism. Click here to download the list from the Conference website Discussing Racism page.

LIVING TOGETHER WELL IN A DIVERSE WORLDHow can United Methodists can lead in living together well in an increasingly diverse world. Five leaders offer some way to do it. Click here to read more.

RACISM RESPONSE: EMBRACE LOVE – THEY ARE PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHTUnited Methodists seek racial justice: We recognize racism as a sin and seek to eliminate it.As followers of Christ, we embrace love and affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God and therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened.

Click here to find stories, resources and tools to learn more about the issue of racism and the ways you can advocate for the fair treatment of all people. Topics include:

• Ways United Methodists can take a stand against racism• Five tips to help address racism with children• At Sunday worship, pastors decry racism• Rights of Racial and Ethnic Groups• White Privilege in the United States• Global Racism and Xenophobia

************* CLERGY CORNER *************CLERGY HEALTH INSURANCE RATES FOR 2019

The CBOP approved the 2019 monthly health insurance rate to the local churches. The blended rate for full time clergy for 2019 will be $1536.00 a month.  Included in this cost are medical, vision and dental. This represents a 1.7% or $25.00 a month increase for 2019.  The 2019 member monthly cost

share will remain the same at: $20.00 single / $35.00 two persons / $70.00 family. Churches are billed for the health insurance rate plus the participant cost-share tier selected by the member on their enrollment application. The participant cost-share is a pre-tax payroll deduction. See details at wpaumc.org/benefits.

CLERGY PICNICOn Sunday, August 26th, about 30 Greensburg District pastors (active and retired) and their families enjoyed a beautiful day and picnic together at Pastor Chris Livermore’s home & farm. Attendees enjoyed corn on the cobb from Schramms Farm, s’mores, giant jenga and socializing with one another around the campfire. It was a wonderful night of reconnecting. They are planning to make the event an annual event, so please plan to come next year! The date for next year will be posted soon! A special thanks to Chris and Carla Livermore for hosting the picnic!

CHURCH CONFERENCES INFO & UPDATE YOUR CHURCH DASHBOARDChurches will be preparing their packets differently this year. A full packet of required forms must be submitted to the District Office 10 days prior to your church conference. A smaller subset of the packets are to be prepared for each church conference. Click here for a helpful checklist of what to prepare and links to the documents. Also, don’t forget to update your church dashboard with your leadership information. Please include names, current email addresses and phone numbers for your leaders. Please also update your worship service times in the Church Dashboard. The dashboard has been revised. Click here to view this helpful guide of how to update your Church Dashboard. The list of Church Conferences can be found here.

PREACH! (SAVE THE DATE)SEPTEMBER 24-25DUTILH UMCThis 2-day preaching seminar is being offered this Fall. A few preachers from across our North and Southeast Methodist connection were invited and have agreed to join us for a time of proclamation, inspiration and fellowship. They will preach and teach based upon the following topics:

Preach: for Vision Preach: for Millennials Preach: for Ethnic & Cultural Social Justice Preach: for Transformation Preach: for Revival

To view the postcard being mailed out at the end of June, click here (to view the front of the post card) and click here (to view the back of the postcard) or view the attachments at the bottom of the email.

APPLY FOR A VITAL WORSHIP GRANTThe Vital Worship Grants program at the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship focuses on projects that connect public worship to intergenerational faith formation and Christian discipleship. Grant proposals can be submitted by emerging and established churches; seminaries, colleges, and schools; hospitals, nursing homes and other organizations. The grants are funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. Click here for more information.

ATTENTION LOCAL PASTORS!Please use the following address for correspondence to Sara Wrona regarding Local Pastor Issues such as mentor reports and Course of Study registrations: Rev. Sara Wrona, First UMC, 134 Custer Avenue, Vandergrift, PA 15690.

CLERGY EXCELLENCEThere's an updated list of continuing education opportunities at wpaumc.org/leadershipdevelopment

UMC SCHOLARSHIPS There are a variety of scholarships at http://scholarship.umc.org/

SCHOLARSHIP FUND FOR DEACONS A new scholarship for those pursuing deacon ordination has been set up with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry added for those pursuing deacon ordination. It honors Rubie Butterworth, who dedicated her life to serving through the church. Lean more.

CLERGY SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS

The Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry on Wednesday awarded more than $1.66 million to 206 recipients of the Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship was created to help United Methodist clergy avoid excessive educational loan debt, minimize financial stress and build financial acumen. Learn more.

******YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY*****TIMOTHY CIRCLE MENTOR TRAINING (ONLINE) We all know the benefits of youth having strong Christian role models in their lives, but some adults don’t know how to start or maintain that kind of relationship. The Timothy Circle online mentor training is a great place for them to start – it gives them the tools they need and they can do all of the coursework in their own time over a 3-week period online. Imagine if every youth sponsor on a mission trip this summer had conversations about faith and calling with young people on those hours-long bus rides? It would be amazing, wouldn’t it?? This training is meant to give laypeople the skills to better mentor young people in your churches. The Timothy Circle mentor training is designed by the United Methodist-based Institute for Discipleship and the Denman Award-granting Foundation for Evangelism. Training is available online (summer classes are full; *NEW* Sept. & Oct classes are available) at www.beadisciple.com/timothy. YOUTH EVENTSCheck out all the Youth Events from the Conference: https://www.wpaumc.org/youthevents

The next national gathering of United Methodist youth will be July 10-14, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. Young People’s Ministries, a division of Discipleship Ministries, is announcing details of the event to give churches time to plan for their youth to attend. The national gathering for United Methodist youth takes place every four years. Read press release

THE YOUTH 2019 MEDIA KIT IS HERE! We are less than two years away from YOUTH 2019 and there is no better time to start getting your youth excited for all the fun we are going to have in Kansas City. And what better way to do that than with our YOUTH 2019 Media Kit! The next national gathering of UM Youth will be July 10-14, 2019, in Kansas City, Missouri. Plan now for your youth to attend. The national gathering for UM Youth takes place every four years.

For questions, check out the Youth Events Page on the Conference website or contact Amanda Gilligan, Coordinator of Young People’s Ministries, at Amanda.gilligan@wpaumc.org or (724) 776-2300 ext. 224

*********CAMPING INFORMATION**********NEW* CLEAN CLOSETS FOR CAMPERS PROJECTWhether you church family has many school aged children or your youth ministry is the outreach to the kids in your community, we all are surrounded by young people that could be spiritually impacted by a week at church camp. Unfortunately, many families are not able to afford the financial costs of this life-changing ministry. Clean Closets for Campers is a church and community partnership that can close the gap between our youth and the experience of church camp by building up your church’s campership fund. Click the link to learn more. https://www.wpaumc.org/cleanclosetsforcampers

CAMPING & RETREAT MINISTRIES

Camping & Retreat Ministries are an important part of our life together. See what opportunities are available!

CAMP ALLEGHENY o 2018 Calendar of Events Click here . o Website: https://www.campallegheny.org/

JUMONVILLE o 2018 Calendar of Events: https://jumonville.org/coming-events/ o Website: https://jumonville.org/o *NEW* Fall 2018 Newslettero WPA Renewal Fellowship: Overcoming Obstacles Retreat- Oct. 5-7, click here for brochure, click here

for details on website WESLEY WOODS

o 2018 Calendar of Events: http://www.wesleywoods.com/ o Website: http://www.wesleywoods.com/

OLMSTED MANORo 2018 Calendar of Events: http://www.olmstedmanor.org/events.htmlo Website: http://www.olmstedmanor.org/

CHERRY RUN CAMP o Website: http://www.cherryruncamp.org/

AT THE LAKE MINISTRIESo Click here to view the Facebook page for At The Lake Ministries.

************** HELP WANTED ***************NEW* GREENSBURG DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT POSITIONLori Begg, our current District Administrative Assistant, will be leaving mid-September. We are currently accepting applications for qualified candidates. Click here to apply on the conference website.

************** THIS 'N THAT ***************NEW* HOSPITALITY AT THE WESTMORELAND COUNTY FAIR 2018

Thanks to the many volunteers who helped out at the Hospitality Center this year! Without all of you, none of these acts of kindness could have happened, so thanks to all of you! This year, hospitality was provided to fair goers, fair volunteers and workers, and the carnival staff in the following ways:

Served over 1940 cups of clean, refreshing, cold water. Gave out 232 Scriptures, including 100 Cowboy Editions of the New Testament and Psalms, 67 NIV Bibles, 24

NIV Holy Bibles for Kids, 21 CEB New Testaments, and 20 Large Print NIV Bibles. Gave away over 30 pounds of candy!!! Provided a Prayer Box and prayed for the 39 prayer requests placed in the Prayer Box, plus offered prayer for

a number of people right at the Hospitality Center. Provided a cool, clean, safe place to rest, cool off, or eat.

Provided two private sanitary baby changing stations which were cleaned and sanitized after every use. Provided two private nursing stations with rocking chairs. While parents or guardians relaxed, we provided over 100 coloring pages for the children, or in some cases

teenagers. Contacted the Fair Office when the ATM ran out of funds or malfunctioned. Answered many questions, of which the most frequent were, “Where can we find a restroom?” and “Is there

an ATM here?”

The Hospitality Center was staffed with generally two volunteers per two hour shifts from Friday, August 17 th through Saturday, August 25, 2018. We had over 80 volunteers from over 20 United Methodist Churches for the 44 shifts during fair week, without whom this wonderful opportunity to provide hospitality at the Westmoreland County Fair would not have been possible. I am especially grateful to Rev. Pat Nelson, our Greensburg District Superintendent for providing District funds for the purchase of Bibles and help with some of the costs for water, The Westmoreland County Fair Board and Representative Eric Nelson for providing the bulk of the funding for the water, Lori Begg at the Greensburg District Office for all of her help in ordering the water and Bibles, to Rev. Bev Gross for her help in setting up and cleaning prior to the fair and for providing some of the candy, to Michelle Long at the Fair Board for her cooperation in securing the Free Fair Gate Passes for our volunteers and cheerfully offering other helpful advice, and to all you who helped out in so very many ways. It was a great honor and privilege to work with all of you!

Pastor John Gerber

*NEW* CHRISTIAN CONCERT: JONATHAN WHITE (Rev. Ray Lyon) Sunday, September 23, 20187 PMCost: Free (a free-will offering will be collected)Circleville UMC (11600 Parkway Dr, Irwin, PA 15642)Contact the church for more information: 724-864-1581. Click here to print out a poster to help advertise the event!

9th ANNUAL WOMEN’S PRAYER BREAKFAST w/ FEATURED SPEAKER: BISHOP CYNTHIA MOORE-KOIKOI (Rev. Scott Gallagher)Saturday, Oct. 69 AM-12PM, $30 per person donationGarden City UMC (500 Laurel Drive, Monroeville, PA 15146)Click here to see flyer and additional details.

*NEW* GREENSBURG DISTRICT UMW FALL MEETING (Rev. Bev Spore)Saturday, Oct. 6Leechburg First UMC 251 Main St., Leechburg PA 15656; Phone #: 724-845-87619AM- registration begins, 9:45 AM- Singing, 10:00 AM- Meeting beginsTopic: “Understanding Addiction & Its Impact on Women, Children, Families and Communities”Kindly RSVP to Diane Helms by September 30, 2018, phone #724-454-1883; Email: geebeeof4@gmail.com) so that we may be prepared with an adequate supply of bulletins, etc. Click here to view the flyer and see more details about the meeting.

*NEW* ROAST BEEF DINNER (Rev. Sang Choi)Saturday, Oct. 20Christ UMC (N. Huntingdon)- 2800 Coulterville Road, McKeesport, PA 15131 4-6:30 PMCost: $10/adult, $5/child (age 12 and under)Call the church at 412-751-8219 for tickets. Click here to view a flyer to share the word!

*NEW* PANCAKE BREAKFAST & BAKE SALE (Rev. Scott Gallagher)Saturday, Oct. 279am-12 pmGarden City UMC – 500 Laurel Drive Monroeville, PA 15146Adults: $7, Children 4-12 yrs: $3, 3 yrs old & under- FREEClick here to view the flyer and help spread the word!

THE WAY FORWARD TASK FORCE LISTENING POST (Rev. Scott Gallagher)Next Greensburg District Date: Sunday, Nov. 4 2:30-4:30 PM Garden City UMC- 500 Laurel Dr, Monroeville, 15146 (other dates in other districts available)To Register Click: https://www.wpaumc.org/A-Way-Forward

KEYSTONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION- Packets Mailed to all churches!Churches- Be sure to check out your packet from Keystone Federal Credit Union and make sure you have updated your Corporate Resolution and Account Authorization Forms. Click here for forms. Members- All United Methodist Members can join and take advantage of these great deals:

Back to School Loan, Visa Balance Transfer, Term Share Certificate Rates, Term Share Certificate FormAdditional forms and information for churches and for members available on web site: www.keystoneumfcu.org

Many great services to offer:Savings

Fee Free checkingPicture Deposit

Mobile Banking & Online BankingREWARDS Visa Credit Card

MANY types of loansAnd much, much more!!!!!

To raise awareness in your congregations, please use this flier. To become a member, complete the Membership Form. If your church did not receive the packet, please contact Keystone Federal Credit Union at 724-252-3200 or email: info@keystoneumfcu.org

UNITED METHODIST NOW- A NEW BI-WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTERThe United Methodist Church invites you to check out our new biweekly e-newsletter specially created for all church members. United Methodist Now will highlight examples of Christian living, share inspirational messages and focus on what it means to be part of our connection. Subscribe for free.

ONLINE PAYMENTS CAN BE ACCEPTED FOR THE WPA UMC CONFERENCE CENTERThe Conference now offers a greatly expanded online payment capability! This service will allow churches and individuals to submit payments electronically, instead of mailing checks to the Conference Center. Separate webpages with online payment instructions have been set-up for Camping & Retreat Ministries, At the Lake Ministries, Pension & Healthcare, and Local Church Remittance. More information can be found at the conference website at http://www.wpaumc.org/onlinepayments

HELPFUL LINKS Western PA UM Conference - www.wpaumc.org Clergy Appointments- https://www.wpaumc.org/appointments In Focus Publication - http://www.wpaumc.org/infocus Joyful Noise - http://www.wpaumc.org/joyfulnoise Subscribe to Publications - http://www.wpaumc.org/subscribe Conference Resources - http://www.wpaumc.org/resources Conference Events Registration Page: https://www.wpaumc.org/register Reflections! wpaumc.org/blogs Imagine No Malaria -https://www.facebook.com/ImagineNoMalaria Discipleship Ministries https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/ People are looking for a church to visit. Help them find you! update-your-find-a-church Special Sundays for 2018: Conference and General Church Special Sundays/Weekends for 2018 are listed on

the Conference website. See the dates at https://www.wpaumc.org/specialsundays Official Journal Online: https://www.wpaumc.org/2017journal

WPA CONFERENCE CENTERwww.wpaumc.org1-800-886-33821204 Freedom RoadP.O. Box 5002 Cranberry Twp, PA 16066-0002