Are You a Clergy Family Celebrating a High School Graduation?

Clergy Evaluations and Audits are now overdue. Please check your files to makes sure you have sent yours in. We have heard from a couple of you and have made an alternate date to submit, but all others are due now.

ARE YOU A CLERGY FAMILY CELEBRATING A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION?

If you are a Clergy Family and are celebrating the high school graduation of your son or daughter please e-mail LuAnn with their name and their plans after graduation so she can prepare their gift from her and Joe.

LuAnn's e-mail is

WATER JUSTICE CONFERENCE

Inter-Church Ministries of Erie will sponsor a “Water Justice Theological Conference” on Thursday, June 8, from 9 am – 2:30 pm at The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, 134 W. 7th Street, Erie, PA. To share with someone who’s not going to Annual Conference, download this flyer.

HARMONSBURG UMC TO HOST ANNUAL STEAK AND EGG BREAKFAST

On behalf of the Harmonsburg United Methodist Church we would like to officially invite all men – Grandfathers, Fathers, Sons and Son-in-laws – to the Annual Steak and Egg Breakfast on Saturday June 17, 2017, 7:00 AM. The Breakfast will be held at Gibson Park located on Gibson Road, east of Harmonsburg. Special guest speaker will be Associate Pastor Robert Corey, of Salt Church, Corry.

Join us in celebrating good food and fellowship. To make a reservation or obtain additional details, please call Mark Evans (814) 382-0612 or email by June 13.

21ST ANNUAL REFUGE GOLF TOURNAMENT

Registration for this year’s 21st Annual Refuge Golf Tournament is open! This annual tournament to benefit The Refuge is slated for Monday, June 19 at Riverside Golf Course and will again feature the chance to win a car (donated by Bonnell’s Auto Sales) with our featured hole-in-one contest on a selected par three hole! Over the last 20 years, this event and its participants have raised $144,000 to end homelessness for families with children. For MORE INFORMATION

2017 CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

June 28, 2017, Culbertson Hills Golf Resort, Edinboro, PA. 4-person scramble. Benefits EUMA, Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA, and Autism Society. Donations of Gift Baskets for a silent auction would also be appreciated MORE INFORMATION

WORSHIP FUN BASEBALL AND FIREWORKS

Sunday, July 2, 2017, Join Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi for a community worship experience at UPMC Park in Erie, home of the Erie SeaWolves. We will begin our day with a worship service inside the ballpark at 4:30 p.m. and Bishop Cynthia will bring us her message from atop the 3rd base dugout. We have arranged to have the Kid’s Fun Zone open until the first pitch of the game free of charge. Bishop Cynthia has been invited to throw out a ceremonial first pitch. MORE INFORMATION or contact Jeff Bobin:

Erie-Meadville District Office

341 Main Street, Suite 3

P.O. Box 488

Saegertown PA 16433

Phone: 814-783-0105

Fax: 814-783-0107

Email:

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2017 IS JUNE 8-11

· If you need an information packet, you can find it at this LINK

· Pre-Conference Packet: If you received the Pre-Conference Journal by mail and are not going to Annual Conference, pass it on to the person who is going in your place as your church or district's voting member. The Journal, containing legislation, reports and other documents for annual conference is online. wpaumc.org/AC

· AC2017 Leadership Day Teachers Named: The Rev. Dr. Dawn Chesser and the Rev. Dr. L. Roger Owens will be the teachers for the 2017 Leadership Day on Wednesday, June 7 at Grove City College. The sessions are open to clergy and laity. Workshops will be offered on worship and spiritual formation; clergy and laity will be able to choose the one that will most strengthen their leadership development. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend! Watch for more details later! Teacher information.

· Clergy Spouse Brunch

“Essential Pieces in the Puzzle of Life” Thursday, June 8, 2017. Registration 9:00 a.m. $15 per person

Brunch Program: 9:30 a.m. – noon in Rathburn Hall, Grove City College.

RSVP to Lina Ziegler by May 18th. Make checks payable to: “Clergy Spouse Association WPA,” and send to: Linda Ziegler, 8554 Peters Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066.

A Christian Illusion show will be provided by Gary Weimer from Somerset: Wesley Chapel UMC.

The mission project will be collecting money donations for the Eastbrook Mission Barn.

Childcare is provided in the Hall of Arts and Leaning Center. Please indicate if you need childcare on your reservation.

MORE INFORMATION

· AC Info: To keep up with announcements and information about Annual Conference 2017, visit wpaumc.org/AC.

· Pre-Conference Journal: The 2017 Pre-Conference Journal, containing legislation, reports and other official documents for the June 8-11 annual conference session is online. To see it, use the linksat wpaumc.org/AC .

· Collection for Zim Clergy: During annual conference, The Nyadire Connection will collect commentaries, theology books, clergy clothing, and Sunday School materials for the churches and pastors in Zimbabwe. Take donated items to The Nyadire Connection table in the display area.

· Annual Conference 2017: Some things will be different, particularly for laity, at AC2017, scheduled for June 8-11 at Grove City College. On Thursday morning, a single interactive laity session led by District and Conference lay leaders and lay servants will be offered. Keep up with new information and registration info on our Annual Conference 2017 webpage wpaumc.org/AC.

· Paragraph 4, Article 4: Annual Conference members will be asked to vote on ratification of a proposed amendment to the denomination’s Constitution that was approved by the 2016 General Conference. Learn more about it.

· WPA Minister’s Chorus Concert & Anthems on Saturday, June 10: The Chorus will present a concert. They will also present 2 anthems at the Memorial Service at the 2017 Annual Conference.

GROVE CITY DETOUR!

PA Route 208, the main road from the I-79 Grove City exit to the college, is due to be closed for construction work beginning June 5 -- just in time for AC2017. There will be separate car and truck detours in place until mid-July. The car detour will use Irishtown Road (Route 2005), PA Route 58 and George Junior Road. Get details.
AC2017 APP

Download the new mobile app for Annual Conference. You can post keep up with announcements, post pictures, tweet, and more. To install the app on your mobile device, visit https://my.yapp.us/AC2017
BE WPA CHIC!

Don’t forget to wear a T-shirt representing a ministry or mission or charity you are passionate about on Friday at Annual Conference. See other announcements at wpaumc.org/AC.

CONFERENCE SPECIAL OFFERING

Regardless of whether you attend 2017 Annual Conference, you have the ability to donate to the following Special Offerings:

-Bishop's Discretionary Fund- Thursday, June 8th - Opening Worship

-Camping Ministries- Sunday, June 11th - Ordination Service

In addition to contributing directly at Annual Conference, you now have the ability to make an on-line donation prior to, during, or after Annual Conference (through June 30, 2017). Please contact Holly Sawyer (724-776-2300 x261) at the Conference Center for assistance in completing your payment.

ECUMENICAL AWARD

Congratulations toSomerset: Calvary UMC, which received the 2017 Ecumenical Achievement Award from the Conference Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns! The award was presented at the church by Dai Morgan, representing the commission, on May 21. This and other Annual Conference awards are being presented in local churches and will be acknowledged during the session at Grove City.

THE FIRST 12 WITH PAUL NIXON

Church planters or leaders who are launching something new are invited to a two-day learning event focusing on vision and team-building. It leadsto a year of group coaching. Led by Discipleship Ministries’ Path 1, it’s scheduled for June 27-28 at Crossroad’s UMC’s North Fayette campus. Get details.

INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP

A new resource to help congregations develop an intentional discipleship system includes WPAUMC’s Road to Discipleship map and an article by Rev. Chris Kindle, our director of discipleship. Get free Intentional Discipleship guide. See WPAUMC Discipleship Map at wpaumc.org/discipleship.

BEYOND THE BAKE SALE!

For congregations grown weary of the same old events, United Methodist Communications offers some variations on familiar ideas. Read story

WEDDING WINE?

Was the wine atthe Last Supper andthe wedding at Cananon-alcoholic?Is there evidence in the biblical text to support that argument? InfoServ, a ministry of UMCommunications, has the answer. Read more

THE WAY FORWARD

The moderators of the Commission on a Way Forward are using a three-part commentary to help United Methodistsunderstand the work of the Commission. Learn more.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Vinings UMC in Atlanta became actively involved in ministry to local crime victims after the murder of nine people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. When Vinings hosted a memorial and healing service last year, more than 250 people affected by homicide attended. The church applied for and received a grant funded through the Peace with Justice Sunday offering. Read story Get resources

ONLINE TRAINING

Here are online trainings to help your congregation enhance its story and reach itscommunity.Communicating faith in the 21st century is designed to teach you how to engage with your church and community digitally. You’ll learn how to craft powerful, personal faith stories that resonate with your followers andbeyond. MORE INFORMATION

WELCOMING MINISTRY 100

Will help you become a more hospitable congregation. Learn how to encourage members to participate in visitorministry. more information

RUCK THE BAY - SAVE THE DATE

Ruck the Bay isa 15K Military-StyleRuck March/Walk in honor of our local fallen heroes and to end Veteran homelessness. It will take place on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017 with Registration at 1 pm with the Ruck starting at 2 pm at Presque Isle State Park, Beach 11, Erie. Online registration will begin July 1.

Proceeds from the event will benefitErie United Methodist Alliance’s (EUMA) Liberty House,the only transitional housing programin Erie County specifically for homeless Veterans. The houseis a safe haven for the men who protected our freedomand are now in need of a new beginning.

Ruck the Bay participants will complete the 15K (or optional 5K) carryinga loaded rucksack/backpack, and will observe memorials at every kilometer honoring those who have lost their lives in service to ourcountry. Participantsare encouraged to fill their rucksackwith items to donate to Liberty House (such asmen's hygiene products, paper products, laundry and cleaningsupplies, linens and blankets, towels, etc.) Drop-off boxes to unload your donations will be locatedat the finish line.

Pre-registration until Sept. 15: Individual: $30; Team of 4+: $25; * includes Ruck the Bay official t-shirt

Registration Sept. 15 through day of event: Individual: $35; Team of 4+: $30

For more information,contact the EUMA office at (814) 456-8073 orSGT Kelly Whitney at 814-602-3602.

WATER JUSTICE CONFERENCE

Even if you’re at annual conference, an e-book and other resources from UMCgiving.org will help your congregation celebrate. OR you could choose another weekend to observe this churchwide Special Sunday. Get resources.

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Registration is now open for the Sept. 27-29 Leadership Institute for clergy, church staff and volunteers. It’s at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS and is one of the largest mainline training events in the country. Get details.

MISSIONSHIELD VIM INSURANCE OFFERED

As health care laws change and deductibles grow, it is important to have coverage for volunteer teams serving in the U.S. as well as abroad. The Northeastern Jurisdiction UMVIM board has worked with Seven Corners to make policies available for all VIM teams. Get forms and details at umvimnej.org/mission-insurance/

Space is available on VIM teams to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky (July 9-15) and UMCOR Sager Brown in Louisiana (July 29-Aug 5) for servants of all ages! See details and apply online atwpaumc.org/opportunities

HELP FLOAT THE BOAT!

Help launch our new At the LakeMinistriesfor persons with disabilities. As donations come in, equivalent amounts of water will be added to a large tank with a replica vessel in the Conference display area. Download a Float the Boat brochure with details.

NOTICE TO PASTORS: COLLECTION FOR ZIM CLERGY

If you are retiring or have had a change in size, please consider donating your robes, clerical shirts/blouses, and stoles to the pastors in Zimbabwe. They greatly appreciate receiving these items. Also, check your library and ask your congregations for the following materials: choir robes and paraments (in good shape), Commentaries, Biblical Studies, Church History, World Religions, Philosophy, Devotionals, Bibles. Please do not send books that are really old and worn, yellowed, and no copyright dates before 1980’s.

Please bring to the TNC (The Nyadire Connection) Zimbabwe tables at Annual Conference and give to Diane Welty or April Plants.

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

State Line UMC, 263 West State Road, Jamestown, PA 16134. For directions, call 724-932-3561.

· July 9...... Tom and Ruth Herrick (Husband & Wife Inspirational singers)

· July 30....Penn-Ohio Singers

· August 13....The Devine Inspirations

CLERGY EXCELLENCE

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

YOUTH ZIM CAMP

Applications are now available for the 2017 Youth Zim Camp. The dates are June 20- July 5. Get details and application.
UPCOMING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

Download the new flyer of continuing education opportunities, open to laity and clergy, here.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES