DISTRICT DATES (Subject to Change)
Jan 8 / Trustee, Location and Building / District Office / 6:30
Jan 10 / Bishop’s Day on the District
Jan 23 / Regional Clergy Breakfast - Indiana / Eat-N-Park / 8:00
Jan 23 / Regional Clergy Lunch - Kittanning / Thee Log Cabin / 12:00
Jan 24 / Regional Clergy Lunch - Punxsy / Anchor Inn / 12:00
Jan 25 / Regional Clergy Breakfast - DuBois / Eat-N-Park / 8:00
Jan 25 / Regional Clergy Lunch - Brookville / Denny’s / 12:00
Feb 8 / Ramps / District Office / 4:00
Feb 11–
Mar 18 / Lay Ministry School / Homer City / 2:30 –
5:30
Feb 12 / Finance / District Office / 10:00
Feb 12 / Superintendency / District Office / 1:00
Feb 17 / dCOM / Punxsy First / 8:30
Feb 19 / District Clergy Dialog North / Punxsy First / 12:00
Feb 27 / District Clergy Dialog South / Indiana Trinity / 8:00
Mar 3 / dCOM / Punxsy First / 8:30
Mar 18 / Council / Homer City / 5:30
Mar 19 / District Clergy Dialog North / Punxsy First / 12:00
Mar 27 / District Clergy Dialog South / Indiana Trinity / 8:00
Apr 3 / Superintendency / District Office / 1:00
Apr 24 / Regional Clergy Breakfast - Indiana / Eat-N-Park / 8:00
Apr 24 / Regional Clergy Lunch - Kittanning / Thee Log Cabin / 12:00
Apr 25 / Regional Clergy Lunch - Punxsy / Anchor Inn / 12:00
Apr 26 / Regional Clergy Breakfast - DuBois / Eat-N-Park / 8:00
Apr 26 / Regional Clergy Lunch - Brookville / Denny’s / 12:00
Apr 29 / District Conference / Marion Center / 2:30
New news
Peace for KoreaThe World Council of Churches invites people across the globe to extend “A Light of Peace” for the Korean Peninsula and for a world free from nuclear weapons. Churches are being asked to light candles during special prayer and worship services for two Sundays, December 3 and 10. The WCC will issue special prayers, social media photos and news and video releases.Read more about WCC event
The 2018 NEJ UMVIM Academy
Brings together mission leaders and instructors from UMCOR, Global Ministries, and more will held April 18-21, 2018 in northeast Maryland. Many courses provide lessons you can use immediately and may be submitted for CEUs. Save the date and contact Stephanie Gottschalk or Calvin Cook if interested.
Poverty Summit
Several Conference teams are collaborating with the Poverty Team to plan the blockbuster anti-poverty event planned for Saturday,April 21, 2018.
The 6th Annual Faith Night
Friday, July 27, 2018 following the Pirates-Mets game at 7:05 p.m. Enjoy discounted tickets for the Pirates-Mets game and stay after the game to hear Manager Clint Hurdle and your favorite Pirate players and coaches share their personal experiences with how their faith has impacted their lives and their careers in baseball specifically.
SinceFaith Night is being held on a Friday for the first time, we expect the event to be even more popular than ever! Therefore, it is highly recommended securing seats with a deposit. Groups of 15 or more can secure a block of seats with a deposit, and then will have until June 11 to give your final ticket count and pay the balance.Contact Chad Glover at or 412-325-4756.
Fellowship of Associate Members and Local Pastors
The National Association has a new website with membership forms, proposed legislation, disciplinary changes affecting local pastors, and upcoming events.
Funding Education
United Methodist students don’t have to worry as much about rising federal student loan interest rates. Through its Office of Loans and Scholarships, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) offers them the lowest interest for student loans in the U.S. Learn more.
Elder Abuse
One in 20 seniors report being the victim of elder financial abuse, according to the National Association of Adult Protective Services. Recently an organization of accountants addressed the issue, offered common examples and ways to guard against it. Learn more.
Cyber Liability Insurance
United Methodist Insurance has announced that it added Cyber Liability Protection to its policies on October 1, 2017. This shields the insured from liability associated with data and privacy breaches of their systems.The enhanced coverage was added automatically to all UM churches insured through the denominational insurer. Learn more about UM Insurance at uminsure.org.
The Indiana District Conference
Sunday, April 29 at 2:30 pm at Marion Center First UMC.
Birthdays THIS wEEK
5 Pastor Bob Trask
Anniversaries THIS wEEK
6 Pastor Corben & Brenda Russell
december
DuBois Cluster Christmas Festival
Dec. 6th at 7pm
Lakeside UMC
Donations taken for the DuBois Food Pantry
Non-perishable food
Or
Monetary donations
At the door
No admission fee
Journey to Bethlehem
Dec. 10th 3-7pm
Join us for a 20 min. guided tour of the story of Christ’s birth ending at a live Nativity
All are welcome
Marion Center First UMC
W2 Webinar
The UM Foundation will offer the Top Ten Tips for “Completing your Pastor’s W2” during a free webinar designed for local church treasurers and others responsible for completing their pastor’s Internal Revenue Service Form W-2.
10:00am, Wednesday, December 13th. Getdetails and register.
At Last Noel
Presented by
The Community Choir & Orchestra
Directed by Doug Temchulla
December 15 & 16 7:00 p.m.
December 17 10:45 a.m.
First United Methodist Church
301 West Mahoning St., Punxsutawney, PA
Mission of Peace
Each year a group of youth and young adults from the Northeastern Jurisdiction travel shortly after Christmas on a Mission of Peace to another area of the globe. Applications are available now for the 2018 MOP to Cuba. It’s scheduled from about December 28, 2017- January 12, 2018. Applications are due to Greg Cox by Feb. 1, 2017.Get application.
Calling All Youth!
Mission of Peace applications are available now. Mission of Peace is a yearly trip sponsored by the Northeast Jurisdiction of the UMC. It is on or about Dec. 28, 2018-Jan. 15, 2019 to the Philippines. Up to 4 youth can be accepted from each conference. On this trip, youth will get an immersion experience in another culture. Youth will meet other youth in churches and other civic organizations as well as worship with others in that country. Applications are due March 1 to the conference coordinator of young people’s ministry, Amanda Gilligan. For the application and more info, check out:
january
Orientation to Ministry
The next Orientation to Ministry, sponsored by the Conference Board of Ministry will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Christ UMC in Franklin from 9:30 – noon.
The Orientation is a requirement for anyone pursuing licensed or ordained ministry. However, this initial gathering is open to anyone who would like to learn more about the various types of set-apart ministry that exist within the United Methodist Church. Information will be presented about the broad range of opportunities including CLM, professional certification, local pastor, and ordained ministry.
Registration is required and is available at the conference website ( under “Events”. There is no registration fee. Any questions should be sent to Rev. Janet Lord, Coordinator of Ministerial Services ().
Bahamas Mission Team
Anyone over age 18 is invited to join a team that will travel January 7-13, 2018 and serve in home repair, community ministry and/or disaster response. Bahamas Methodist Habitat staff have just returned to Eleuthera and are evaluating projects in Bahamas and other parts of the Caribbean. Cost is $1400. Young adults under 35 are eligible for a $500 discount. Apply by October 10th by sending the WPA VIM Team application to Missions Coordinator Stephanie Gottschalk. Get application here.
Vital Worship Grants Program
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship seeks to foster vital worship in congregations, parishes and other worshiping communities in North America. This grants program is especially focused on projects that connect public worship to intergenerational faith formation and Christian discipleship. The deadline is January 10, 2018. Learn more
Final Day to Submit 2017 Connectional Apportionment
Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Any money received after this date will be applied to your 2018 Connectional Apportionment, even if you mail it prior to January 16th. Money received that is not clearly marked for 2018 will be applied to your 2017 Connectional Apportionment if it has not been paid in full. Do not combine 2017 and 2018 money in one check.
Go here to check the most current 2017 apportionment report. 2017Remittance forms can be found here.
What to Expect at Creativity: Orlando?
Download our Brochure
for the schedule, hotel information and more
Scholarships available. Email:
SPARK 2018
Jan. 19-21, 2018
Sheraton Station Square
Registration is open now!
SPARK is our annual retreat for youth in grades 6-12 and 2018 is our tenth year!
For more information and to register, check out
Save the Date for Clergy Ethics Training
Save one of these dates to attend clergy ethics training that will be held around the Conference. The training is valuable and required by the Book of Discipline. Get details.
•Saturday, January 27- 9:00-4:00, Avery (Washington)
•Monday, January 29- 9:00-4:00, Dutilh
•Friday, February 9- 9:00-4:00, TBA (Erie vicinity)
•Saturday, February 10- 9:00-4:00, Warren: First
•Saturday, February 24- 9:00-4:00, TBA (Indiana area)
Summer Internships
Seminary students, undergrads, parents... It's time to think about summer internships! Applications are due January 31, 2018. For more information and to apply for College Ministry Discernment or Seminary Ministry internships, visitwpaumc.org/internships.
February
Leading Public Prayer for Lay Leaders
February 5-16, 2018. Led by Rev. John Zimmerman. The primary objective for this course is to enable the Lay Speaker to effectively prepare and lead various prayer forms, primarily in worship settings. This course follows the required text, Let the Whole Church Say Amen!by Laurence Hull Stookey (Abingdon Press, 2001). Each participant will need a copy of this workbook and should obtain it well before class begins. The book is not included in the course fee. You will be expected to access the online workshop daily and stay current with the assignments. Therefore, obtain, read, and complete the workbook prior to the start of the course for better time management when the course begins. You will also need access to a United Methodist hymnal during the course.
This class has been approved by Discipleship Ministries (formerly the General Board of Discipleship) as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries, and is the “prayer” class required for Lay Speaker certification. One (1) CEU for clergy and staff is also available. This course is eligible for 1.0 CEU. Price: $70.00 Enroll now
2018 Love & Respect Marriage Enrichment Retreat
Jumonville February 9-11, 2018. It starts on Friday at 7pm and ends on Sunday at 11am. It is open to all husbands and wives of any Christian faith. The cost is $375 per couple. This includes a two-night stay in either the Inn or Washington Lodge, four meals, snacks, time in the adventure center, and your workbook. We will be using the study by Dr. Emerson and Sarah Eggerichs from their Love & Respect Marriage Conference. Jumonville office: 724-439-4912. Register
Mission Trip to Guatemala
All God’s Children Ministries, which fits and distributes wheelchairs to those living with disabilities in developing areas, seeks team members for its international mission trip to Guatemala from Thursday, February 15 to Thursday, February 22, 2018. Contact Debbie Hills at . Learn more aboutAll God’s Children’s International Missions
may
UMW Gears Up for Assembly
The Power of Boldis the theme for the 19th quadrennial Assembly of United Methodist Women, set for May 18-20, 2018, in Columbus. A promotional video and other resources are already available. The early registration fee is $295 with aNovember 30 deadline. Regular registration is $330. Includes two healthy lunches.Registrationcloses April 9, 2018.Learn more Watch video.
July
YOUTH 2019
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 2019media kit!
The next national gathering of UMyouth
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.
OFFICE INFORMATIOND.S. Rev. James N. Pond ell # (724) 322-1718
Admin. Sherry Meterko Office Closed Fridays
Office # (814) 938-1742 Fax # (814) 938-6457
Calendar:
Lay Leader: Corona McKee
Lay Servant Ministries: Jennifer Gordon or check out this link:
Treasurer: Don Shaffer Please send all monies to him at:
4765 Ramsaytown Rd. Brookville, Pa. 15825