Butler District

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E-news June 22,2017 Volume VI Issue54

calendar

July12Pre-charge Conference Briefing – Faith on 68 10 AM-noon (Clergy)

July 26Pre-charge Conference Briefing (make up day) Slippery Rock UMC 10 AM-noon

September 30 UMW Butler District UMC Fall Meeting @ New Brighton UMC

Fall – Retiree/Widows Luncheon – watch for details

October 28 Annual Conference UMW meeting @ Delmont: Faith UMC

September 16, 23 & 30 – Fall Lay Servant Ministry School – more details to follow.

November 4“Clear Day” – Helpshop – mark your calendar for this district-wide event.

February 18, 25, March 4, 11 & 18,2018– Spring Lay Servant Ministry School

March 2018 – Clergy Family Spring Party

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A Note From Joel

Hello Everyone,

As I recover and catch up after Annual Conference I was informed this morning (June 20) of the recent sale of the Youth Development Center in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, to an Islamic group. There is not much known about who has purchased the facility and for what it will be used. Since nature abhors a vacuum and human nature being what it is rumors are already circulating in the direction of negativity and hate. As I read the article I was reminded of when that facility was built in the 1960’s.

I grew up about 2-3 miles from the place. When it was being built there was all kinds of nasty rhetoric going around how the future residents would break into our homes, murder our sons, and rape our sisters and daughters… It was horrible. I also remembered a track meet in high school that we ran against the residents/students of the YDC. They seemed nice enough and just like us except for the fact that they had made some mistakes and were trying to correct them.

At this point in time I would encourage all to be in prayer about this issue and that God’s love and peace will reign in this situation. As people of faith we are called to live in the name of God, a name explained to Moses in these words:

“The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name, "The Lord."The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” Exodus 34:5-7a

These are words that describe something of what it means to live in God’s Name. Let us continue to hold this situation in our prayers as we daily seek to live in the name of “The Lord.”

Joel

Annual Conference

AC Wrap-Up: We’ve added more info to the Annual Conference wrap-up posted last week. See it.

Additional presentations from AC2017 have been added to the page wpaumc.org/ACPresentations

Links to the text of the Bishop’s State of the Church address, news stories, photo albums, videos and minutes are at wpaumc.org/dailyproceedings.

AC Videos and more: The text and video of the State of the Church Address, the Cabinet Report, and other video segments, as well as a video wrap-up of AC2017 will be posted within a week. Recordings of the Livestream are online now. Find the links at wpaumc.org/AC.

SuperBishop? Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi made a grand entrance to the Saturday morning session of the annual conference. She announced an initiative to raise $5 million to support camping and retreat ministries. Read more.

Thank you Franklin district Administrative Assistant, Julie Lake, for this Annual Conference summary.

Camping & Retreat Ministry Initiative

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi announced at the 2017 Annual Conference that the conference is being called to raise $5 million in four years for our Western PA Camps and Olmsted Retreat Center. (That is double what we raised for Imagine No Malaria!) In a spontaneous offering, $9,251.52 was collected after she made the announcement preceded by her rappelling from the balcony to the conference floor-in high heels! The Youth added $1,985. Making a total of $11,236.52 to kick off the initiative. Watch for more details as this initiative unfolds.

(Photo from

Save the dates!Spark 2018 – January 19-21, 2018 at Sheraton Station Square, Pittsburgh.A retreat for youth grades 6-12 and their leaders.

Parenting Teens Seminar with Duffy Robbins on Saturday, September 23, 2017 from 1:30 – 4:30 pm in the Ingomar UMC Fellowship Hall, 1501 W Ingomar Rd, Pittsburgh. Join us for this brand new event! Duffy will be sharing with us about how to be intentional about parenting our teens. He will help us understand teenage development in 2017 as well as how we can pass on our legacy of faith to them. For more information, contact Amanda Gilligan at or 724-776-2300 ext 224.

Youth Leader?Like us on Facebook for updates and info: Western Pa UMC Youth Leaders.

15th Annual Kidz2Kamp Golf Fundraiser on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Cedarbrook Golf Course, intersection of Route 51 & Interstate 70. Cost: $110 per golfer includes dinner + lunch on the turn. Register and pay by July 15th and save $10 per golfer. More info online at Jumonville.org/event/golf.

Deaf Ministry Workshop on Friday, September 15 – Saturday, September 16 at First UMC, 504 Jackson Street, Reynoldsville, PA 15851. Presented by Rev. Leo Yates Jr. of The United Methodist Committee on deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministries and Author of “Deaf Ministry: Ministry Models for Expanding the Kingdom of God”. With its various models, Deaf ministry offers faith communities ways to grow and make disciples. Join us as we learn more about how to start or expand the Deaf Ministries in our churches and communities.

Session 1- Friday, September 15: from 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Session 2- Saturday, September 16: from 9 – 11:30 am

Session 3- Saturday, September 16: from 12:30 – 3 pm

(Lunch provided on Saturday for registrants of both sessions)

$10 per session or $25 for all three sessions. Contact Rev. Tom Carr at 814-653-8593 (voice) or or Jenny Gordon at 814-590-6097 (voice or text) or .

WPAUMC Volunteers in Mission – United Methodists voluntarily

servingpeople outside the church – locally, regionally, nationally or internationally.

How to Connect:

  1. What teams can I join? wpaumc.org/opportunities
  1. How do I learn about leading a team? wpaumc.org/VIMtraining
  1. Once we have a team planned, what do we do?
  2. Register your team►►wpaumc.org/RegisterVIMteams
  3. Get VIM Insurance►►
  1. Once our team returns, what do I do? wpaumc.org/MissionReport
  1. Where can I find local church resources?
  2. wpaumc.org/localchurchmissions
  3. Contact Stephanie Gottschalk at or 724-776-2300 ext 241
  1. How do I get involved in Disaster Response?
  2. Take UMCOR training►►wpaumc.org/DisasterResponse
  3. Make sure your local church has a local disaster plan
  4. Volunteer at Eastbrook Mission Bar or one of its satellites
  1. What if there is a disaster in my church’s community?
  2. Local pastor reports damage to church and with their community to their District Superintendent
  3. Local pastor reports damage to church and with their community to Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, Rev. Calvin Cook at 814-442-5899

Laity Sunday 2017:“Therefore, Go! with HOPE Through Hospitality”on Sunday, October 15, 2017.Often when we think of hospitality, we think of it through the lens of how we receive guests in our midst. But the reality is, we practice hospitality wherever we are, even when we are outside our home or church.Resources

Keystone United Methodist Federal Credit Union – We are your credit union. People helping people! Many services offered. Phone: 888-972-0797

Christian Fiction Sale:Choose your adventure and save 40% off select Christian Fiction books!Fill your summer with Adventure, Discovery and Mystery. Whether you are planning your summer beach reads or adding to the stack on your nightstand, for a limited time only, score some choice Christian fiction titles from Cokesbury. FREE SHIPPING everyday with purchases of $35 or more of eligible items!

Visitors from the Past:Returning to ministry September 1, 2017. Available for church services, revivals, Christian schools, Christian Women’s Clubs, spiritual renewal services and much more. For bookings, contact Luella Krieger at 814-590-1937 or .

Online donations for special 2017 Annual Conference Offerings will be available through Friday, June 30, 2017. Click on the “Make a Special Offering Donation” button at to give online to the Camping Ministries or the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund.

Eastbrook Mission Barn Magnet and T-shirt Sale: Show your support by purchasing a magnet for the suggested donation of $5 each or $15 each for a T-shirt. All profits will support the mission projects with the Eastbrook Mission Barn. For more information or to place an order, call the Mission Barn at 724-856-8241. Make checks payable to: Eastbrook Mission Barn, 226 Church Lane, New Castle, PA 16101.

Katie Peterson, Deaconess, Church & Community Worker. Katie coordinates the donations and distribution of UMCOR relief supply kits. She assists New Castle UM Churches to enhance ministries in poverty alleviation. This includes building handicap ramps. How to support Katie:

  1. Pray – Our prayers are welcome and strengthen her ministry
  2. Stay in contact – Ask to receive her newsletter and follow her website or Facebook site
  3. Seek to participate in the ministry Katie serves. Ask about ways to help with missionary support
  4. Donate to Katie’s Advance #98242 – 100% of your gifts are used to support missionaries and they powerfully contribute to the continued health and vitality of United Methodist missionary outreach

Contribute through your local church, online at or by calling 888-252-6174.

Thanks from Mission Barn! Katie Peterson, director of the Eastbrook Mission Barn, offers thanks for your generous donations of UMCOR kits and supplies during annual conference.Donations can be taken anytimeto any of the four satellites, the Conference Center, or the Barn.Your gifts help people in need all around the world. Visit Barn webpage

Missed Annual Conference? Watch 2017 Annual Conference videos to see Ordination, Commissioning, Bible study, State of the Church, Minister’s Chorus and more. View the Daily Proceedings for the Daily Journals.

June Birthdays

6/22-Karen (Kenneth) Jacobs

6/23-Rodney Smith

6/26-David Wilson, Jr.

Appointment Changes

Several pastoral appointment changes were announced in churches last Sunday. See wpaumc.org/appointments.

.prayer concerns and joys

  • Please remember to keep in prayer:
  • 2017 WPA Annual Conference at Grove City College.
  • Pastors and churches in transition
  • Rev James Young (Baden UMC), as he and his family mourn the passing of his mother, Elizabeth Hughes. Mrs. Hughes had recently celebrated her 100th birthday.
  • Rev Dawn L Check’s father is having tests.
  • Rev Jerry Pawloski (Bairdford UMC Please continue to pray for Jerry as he continues his recovery from injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident.
  • Continued prayer from Tammy Hay, Connellsville District Administrative Assistant as she continues to recover from a stroke.
  • Continued prayer for Rev Chance & Chelsea Kelosky and their infant daughter.
  • Pastor Janice Davis continues her recovery after an auto accident where suffered injuries to bothlegin November.

The 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.

Employment Opportunities.
Pianist/Accompanist needed- Concord U.M. Church, Beaver Falls, PA. Salary $10,078/yr.To provide accompaniment for 2 Sunday morning traditional worship services and a Wednesday evening choir practice. Contact Margaret Gillingham at 724-846-4739 or email or a complete job description.
New Staff Member: Elizabeth Lennox, a young adult who has been serving as administrative assistant/communications coordinator at College Hill UMC, has joined the Conference staff as a Visual Communications/Social Media specialist. She was offered the position after two rounds of interviews of selected applicants by members of the Personnel Team and the Director of Communications.

district news…..

Tips for Preserving Church History: Doris Wills, who has training in preservation of church documents and photos, offers these pointers to help local churches start saving pieces of the past. See video
Stream Your Church Events! Use Facebook Live to easily stream your church events live! Learn more.
Pet Peeves of a Church Visitor
Churches need their most positive, smiling, warmest personalities on their front lines. Your parking lot team, greeters, ushers, and welcome desk volunteers need to be friendly and welcoming. And most of all, they need to know how vital their role is to the mission of the church.Read more.
Chippewa UMC upcoming events and activities schedule for June/July
Looking for a way to stay healthy and fit, try "pickleball" at the Chippewa United Methodist Church, Community Life Center, 118 McMillen Ave, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Our court is available for singles and doubles players of all ages on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and Wednesdays from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. The cost is $5.00. Please contact our Community Life Center at 724-843-4032 ext 3 for scheduling, others times, and more information.
Our Church is interested in starting a co-ed volleyball league at our Community Life Center located at 118 McMillen Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. If you are interested in joining or helping out, please contact our Community Life Center Director, Scott Ensworth @ 724-843-4032, ext 3 or send an email to him @ .
A new session of Financial Peace University began on Tuesday, May 16 and will continue through Tuesday, August 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Chippewa United Methodist Church, Wells Room, 2545 Darlington Road, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.The benefits of taking this class are: it will help you turn your life around by helping you save more, decrease your debts, become better Stewards of God's gifts and help you to develop the spirit of giving. All participants must register online @ contact the Church office @ 724-843-4828 or visit our website at
Girls’ Open Gym for basketball, grades 4th – 8th, starts on Saturday, June 17th from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. The cost is $5/player and will be held in the CUMC’s Community Life Center @ 118 McMillen Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010. Girls – bring a friend and come and have fun in an air-conditioned setting. Please contact the Community Life Center @ 724-843-4032, ext 3 or visit our website @
Chippewa UMC pre-school registrations for a 5 day class for 4-5 year olds are being accepted for the 2017-2018 school year. Registration forms are available in the Welcome Centers, on our website or by contacting the Church office @ 724-843-4828.
“Victory”, our Vacation Bible School for ages 3 to 6th grade begins on June 19-23, 2017 from 9 a.m. to noon. Come to the ultimate pep rally and have fun with children from the local community. The Bible is filled with examples of God’s people shouting and cheering in response to His mighty acts of power. Victory invites children to do the same by remembering who God is, what He has done, and what He promises to do! Registration forms are available on line, in our Welcome Centers or by visiting our website. Please contact the Church office @ 724-843-4828 or visit our website at
An “Ice Cream Social” event for women sponsored by our United Methodist Women is being held on July 7 @ 7:30 p.m. @ the Church Fellowship Hall @ 2545 Darlington Road. Come and enjoy ice cream with all the fixings with women from the local community as we give thanks to our many blessings and enjoy fellowship with other women believers. Registrations must be made by July 2nd. Please contact the Church office @ 724-843-8527 or by stopping in @ one of our Welcome Centers.
A 4 week volleyball skills clinic for boys & girls in 1st through 9th grade is coming to our Community Life Center beginning on Thursday July 6th and continuing every Thursday until July 27th. The 1st – 4th grade clinic is from 6 pm. - 7:15 p.m. and the 5th -9th grade clinic is from 7:30 pm – 8:45 p.m. The covered skills include: passing, setting, hitting and serving. Registrations are necessary and are based on a first come, first served basis. Early registration is before June 28th and will be $45. Anything after is $50. All children will receive a t-shirt. Please call Scott Ensworth for more information @ 724-843-4032, ext. 3.
The Family Life and Youth Group “Outside Movie Night” is coming to the Community Life Center @ 118 McMillen Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.on July 20th starting at 6:30 p.m. All welcome to participate. For additional information contact the Church office @ 724-843-4828 or visit our website @
A Christian concert with local band “Seek” is coming to the Community Life Center @ 118 McMillen Avenue, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.on July 20th. The group starts playing/singing at 7 p.m. The concert will end @ 9 p.m. This event is meant to bring believers together, no matter the denomination to praise God. The band is hoping to encourage unity and empower those that attend to reach the world with the gospel message that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. There will be music, a message and a love offering taken. All welcome to participate. For additional information contact the Church office @ 724-843-4828 or visit our website @
Basketball for boys and girls in kindergarten – 6thgrade will begin on August 2nd and continues every Wednesday through August 23rd at our Community Life Center. K through 2nd grade begins on Wednesdays, August 2nd from 6pm - 7:00pm and 3rd through 6th grade begins on Wednesdays, August 2nd from 7pm - 8:00pm. Registrations are based on a first come, first serve basis. The early registration cost is $40 and must be made by July 26 and the late registration cost, after July 26 is $50. Please call Scott Ensworth for more information @ 724-843-4032, ext. 3.
Concord UMC
Scheduled Summer Movie Nights
All movies will be at the pavilion (unless rain, then in Bethany Hall) at dusk