PRAYERREQUESTS

Jerome Alsdorf,who has health concerns.

Wanda Jewell’s husband, Dave, who will be receiving medical treatments.

Andrea Wolf and family. Her grandmother passed away on Thursday, January 4th.

IMPORTANTDATES

(Check sections for more information.)

Wednesday, January 24th – Clergy Tax Seminar (Conference Website Links & Conference Events)

Thursday, January 25th – Ecumenical Eucharist (Conference Events)

Friday, January 26th to Saturday, January 27th – Volunteers Needed for Single Point-In-Time (SPIT) Count (Bulletin Board – EUMA)

Saturday, January 27th – Clergy Ethics Training (Conference Website Links & Conference Events)

Sunday, January 28th – Speaker on Dementia (District Events), United Methodist Night at the Erie Bayhawks (District Events)

Monday, January 29th – Clergy Ethics Training (Conference Website Links & Conference Events)

Wednesday, January 31st – EZRA Statistical Reports Due (District Notables), Financial Peace University Begins (District Events), Internship Application Deadline (Conference Events)

BIRTHDAYS

Wednesday, January 24th – Shirley Deemer & Betty Hollabaugh

Thursday, January 25th – Brenda Wade

ANNIVERSARIES

NOTE: 2018 DISTRICT CONFERENCE IS SUNDAY, MAY 20TH AT 2:30PM

(LOCATION TBD)

CHURCH CONFERENCE FORMS

If your church has yet to submit any of the church conference forms, including church conference minutes and/or 2018 church budgets, please send them to the district office as soon as possible.

EZRA STATISTICAL REPORTS

The EZRA Statistical Reports webpage ( is now open. Please complete it by Wednesday, January 31st. Also, please note that some questions have been changed. You will not be able to use previously saved blank tables so print out a new set of tables for committees to complete.

  • Username: church number (remember the leading zero)
  • Password: umchurch

SPEAKER ON DEMENTIA

Sunday, January 28th, 12:30pm, Lakewood UMC (3856 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16505)

Join us for a light lunch and hear Janice Mullen of Manchester Commons to learn more about this common health condition. For more information, call the church at 814-833-4131 or email at

UNITED METHODIST NIGHT AT THE ERIE BAYHAWKS

Sunday, January 28th, 4pm, Erie Insurance Arena (809 French Street, Erie, PA 16501)

A great night out for families, youth groups, or your entire church. Tickets are $10 per person. You will receive ticket vouchers for the game that you will redeem at the Erie Insurance Arena box office. Contact Pastor Matt Judd at or 724-316-2631 with questions or to get your vouchers. Sponsored by Bonnell’s Auto Group.

FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY

Wednesday, January 31st to Wednesday, March 28th, 5:30pm, Union City First UMC (42 East High Street, Union City, PA 16438)

Get out (and stay out) of debt and save for the future by taking this nine-week course created by Dave Ramsey. Join us each Wednesday at 5:30pm for dinner and fellowship, followed by the class around 6:15pm.Each class lasts approximately one hour, depending on group discussion. All ages are welcome and childcare is available. Contact the church office at 814-438-2113or visit more information.Registration is appreciated, but not required. REGISTER

STONE UMC BOWL-A-THON

Friday, February 2nd, 5pm to 8pm, Stone UMC (956 South Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335)

Come for an evening of bowling at Stone UMC. This event is an opportunity to have fun with your friends while supporting the work of the Souper Bowl of Caring. The suggested donation for each person is $1 or one non-perishable food item. All of the donations received will benefit the following charities: Women’s Services; the WiNS Project, Inc.; Compassion International; and EUMA’s The Refuge. For more information or to sign up, contact Jen Ashbaugh at or 814-573-3403.

STONE UMC SOUP LUNCHEON

Sunday, February 4th, 11:45am, Stone UMC (956 South Main Street, Meadville, PA 16335)

Donations will benefit the following charities: Women’s Services; the WiNS Project, Inc.; Compassion International; and EUMA’s The Refuge. For more information or to sign up, contact Jen Ashbaugh at or 814-573-3403.

MESSY CHURCH

Thursday, February 8th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, Summit UMC (1510 Townhall Road, Erie, PA 16509)

Messy Church creates the opportunity for parents, grandparents, caregivers, and children to enjoy expressing their creativity, sit down together to eat a meal, experience worship, and have fun within a church context. Join this once-a-month worship experience! For more information, contact Pastor Connie Hoeke at 814-864-3271 or 412-400-6898.

FAT TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER

Tuesday, February 13th, 5:30pm to 7pm, Summit UMC (1510 Townhall Road, Erie, PA 16509)

Pancake dinner sponsored by the Won by One to Jamaica mission team. For more information, call 814-864-3271.

UPDATED – WORK AS WORSHIP

Friday, February 23rd, Erie: Asbury(4703 West Ridge Road, Erie, PA 16506) & Saegertown (620 Euclid Avenue, Saegertown, PA 16433)

Join Erie: Asbury or Saegertown for a one-day retreat simulcast with Christian business owners, CEOs, and leaders who want their faith to impact their work. Imagine spending a day at church, interacting with, praying with, and encouraging fellow business leaders. This is your chance to interact with other Christian men and women who lead businesses in our community. Visit for information on guest speakers and a schedule for the day. Lunch is included in the $25 registration fee.REGISTER FOR ERIE: ASBURYREGISTER FOR SAEGERTOWN

180TH ANNIVESARY OF SUMMIT UMC

Sunday, March 11th, 10am, Summit UMC (1510 Townhall Road, Erie, PA 16509)

Join Summit UMC as it welcomes Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi to celebrate 180 years of fellowship. There will be a 10am worship service followed by a luncheon.

5TH ANNUAL PRAYER JOURNEY

Tuesday, March 27th to Sunday, April 1st, 8am to 6pm, Hydetown UMC (12887 Main Street, Hydetown, PA 16328)

Do you feel like a lost lamb in a world of hungry wolves? Have the cares and worries of this world left you feeling overwhelmed and afraid? Come spend some time in quiet rest with the Shepherd. Take a self-guided journey through a variety of devotional stations based on Psalm 23: the Lord as the Good Shepherd. For more information, call 814-758-5550 or 814-657-3132.

CHURCH SEEKING CD ACCOMPANIMENT

The choir director at Union City First UMC is seeking the CD accompaniment for “Alleluia: A Praise Gathering for Believers” by Bill and Gloria Gaither. If your church has access to this accompaniment and would be willing to loan it to her, please contact the church office at 814-438-2113.

FISH FRY DINNERS

This year, the Conference Center is hoping to create some sort of master list with all the fish fry dinners happening in the conference. If your church is hosting a fish fry dinner or you know of one, please send the following information to Liz Lennox .

  • Church Name
  • Date & Time of Dinner
  • Cost of Dinner
  • Items Being Served
  • Other Additional Information

#WPACLERGYWOMENPOWER

The first run of the Clergy Women Power t-shirts sold out quickly, raising more than $250 for the Bishop’s Camping Initiative. Now there’s another chance to order, if you act quickly. DETAILS

NEW YEAR’S LETTER FROM UMC BISHOPS

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, writing on behalf of the Council of Bishops, thanks United Methodists for their continued prayers for the Commission on a Way Forward and encourages renewal of covenant. READ LETTER

COMMISSION ON A WAY FORWARD RESOURCES

Some of the conversation during the Bishop’s days on the district is about seeking a way forward for the UMC. The Council of Bishops made available an 88-page booklet that contains some of the resources the Commission on a Way Forward has used in its work, as well as information on three proposals for addressing the impasse around homosexuality. SEE BOOKLETSEE PROPOSALS

PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR 2018

Members of the East German-Western PA Partnership Committee have prepared a New Year’s prayer for 2018. Congregations and individuals in both conferences are encouraged to use it on the first Sunday of the New Year or another Sunday in January. SEE PRAYER

SEASON AFTER EPIPHANY 2018 WORSHIP PLANNING SERIES

The historic and ecumenical purpose of the Season after Epiphany is to help your congregation “rise up” and get ready for its work of accompanying people on their journey to baptism or restoration in the life of the church during the Season of Lent. READ MORE

BISHOP’S MLK DAY MESSAGE

The work of creating a community where diverse people can live in harmony is difficult and messy, but God gave us the ability to do it, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi told those gathered for a Martin Luther King Day unity breakfast at LaRoche College in Pittsburgh’s North Hills. READ MORE

2018 REVISED COMMON LECTIONARY

Discipleship Ministries offers a two-page listing of Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) readings and liturgical colors for 2018 Sundays and special days. DOWNLOAD

UPDATED – SPRING LAY SERVANT MINISTRY SCHOOLS

The Spring Lay Servant Ministry Schools are as follows:

  • Sunday, February 18th to Sunday, March 18th, 2pm to 4:30pm, Washington First UMC (Washington District)
  • Sunday, February 18th to Sunday, March 18th, 2pm to 5pm, Harmony-Zelienople UMC (Butler District)
  • Tuesday, March 6th to Tuesday, March 27th, 6pm to 8:30pm, Waterford: Asbury UMC (Erie-Meadville District)
  • Saturday, April 7th to Saturday, May 5th, 9am to 11:30am, McKeesport First UMC(Greensburg District)
  • Sunday, April 8th to Sunday, May 20th (Franklin District)
  • Saturday, April 14th & Saturday, April 21st, multiple locations (Kane District)

Contact district offices for more details and registration.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Union City First UMC is seeking a quarter-time Director of Children’s Ministries. This position provides vision and leadership for the entire children’s ministries program (pre-school through fifth grade), including Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and the children’s Christmas program. Additionally, the individual in this position recruits and trains adult volunteers; selects and procures curriculum and other materials, as needed; and promotes camping at Wesley Woods to the church and the community. The Director must be a Christian with strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills and the ability to pass all required clearances. Training and/or experience with children’s ministries or Christian ministries is preferred. Interested individuals should contact Lisa Gross at 814-438-7978 or for more information.

PART-TIME RESPITE CARE COORDINATOR

All God’s Children Ministries is seeking a part-time respite care coordinator. Please see the AGCM section below for more details.

CHAPLAINS IN THE PARKS

The PA Council of Churches’ Chaplains in the Parks program is seeking individuals to fill paid part-time and full-time chaplain slots for the summer of 2018. Chaplains need only be Christians with hearts for serving God and who want to bring worship services, provide a listening ear, and visit with people from different religious traditions. Students, retired, laity, and clergy are all welcome to apply. MORE INFORMATION

LAKE JUNALUSKA SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Western NC seeks an executive director. Jack Ewing, who had served seven years, retired Sunday, December 31st. Applications are being accepted through January. DETAILS

CLASSIFIEDS SECTION OF WPAUMC WEBSITE

GO HERE

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Church of the Resurrection and Saint Paul School of Theology offer an innovative three-year Fellows Program to educate future church leaders. Resurrection Fellows receive full tuition, books, and fees; a ministry mentor; and a paid fellowship for up to 20 hours a week of hands-on, practical experience. Every Resurrection Fellow works closely with Church of the Resurrections staff to learn about multiple ministry skills in areas such as evangelism, worship, pastoral care, and discipleship. Applications are being accepted now. Get details at

NEW UMC HANDBOOK

The new United Methodist Church Handbook, which covers the next four years, is available, providing a detailed overview of the denomination’s beliefs, mission, structure, and history. The handbook is a free, go-to resource for anyone in search of information about the church and is helpful for leaders and new members. GET HANDBOOK

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Both lay and clergy will find information about events, ongoing programs, and continuing education opportunities, as well as scholarship applications, on our newly updated WEBPAGE. If you have an event that you’d like to see listed, contact Rev. Susan Moudry at .

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

GBHEM LOANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Spring loan applications are open from Wednesday, December 13th to Wednesday, May 2nd. Scholarship applications for the 2018-2019 academic year are open from Wednesday, January 3rdto Wednesday, March 7th. READ MORE

SMALL-MEMBERSHIP CHURCH CAMPING GRANTS

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi has invited churches with an average worship attendance of 50 or less to apply for grants to fund a new, creative program related to camping and retreat ministries. The Keystone UM Federal Credit Union, the UM Foundation of Western PA, and the Bishop provided funding for the grants. The deadline to apply is Thursday, February 15th. DETAILS

ECUMENICAL TRAINING SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

The Council of Bishops is offering scholarships of $300 for young adults (age 21 to 25) to attend the 2018 United Methodist Ecumenical and Interreligious Training and the National Workshop on Christian Unity (NWCU) in Silver Spring, MD from Monday, April 16th to Thursday, April 19th. Applications are due Wednesday, February 28th. LEARN MORE AND DOWNLOAD APPLICATION

UMC SCHOLARSHIPS

The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has opened scholarship applications for college, university, and seminary studies in fall 2018. You need only to submit one application per year. That application will be screened for all possible eligible programs. The applications are due by Wednesday, March 7th. LEARN MORE

50 CAREER IN MINISTRY SCHOLARSHIPS

CM CARES, the Church Mutual Insurance Company Foundation, has announced that it is now accepting applications for its second annual Religious Scholarship Program, offering up to $250,000 in scholarships to graduate and doctoral students who are committed to a career in ministry. Scholars who wish to apply must be enrolled full-time in an advanced degree program in theology, ministry, or other field of religious study at an accredited theological seminary, college, or university during the 2018-2019 academic year. Deadline to apply is Saturday, April 14th. DETAILS

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. It honors Rubie Butterworth, who dedicated her life to serving through the church. LEARN MORE

SCHOLARSHIPS

There are a variety of scholarships at and at

SEMINARY FINANCIAL AID

Applications are available at

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS FOR SINGLE POINT-IN-TIME (SPIT) COUNT

Friday, January 26th to Saturday, January 27th

EUMA is recruiting volunteers to help conduct the 2018 Single Point-In-Time (SPIT) Count in an effort to identify the number of unsheltered homeless persons in Erie County. This annual survey (taking place this upcoming weekend) provides crucial information in helping local agencies understand the scope of the homeless situation in Erie County and assist in securing federal funds for programming. From 9:30pm on Friday until 4am on Saturday about two dozen representatives from local agencies and other volunteers will canvas the city and county seeking unsheltered homeless individuals and families. For more information or to sign up, please visit

PLEASE JOIN US

Friday, February 23rd, 6pm, Ambassador Banquet and Conference Center (7792 Peach Street, Erie, PA 16509)

EUMA will host its annual One Way Home Gala in February. They hope that you can join them for this very special evening as they share how you are helping to end homelessness in NW PA and celebrate EUMA and its predecessor organizations’ 130 years of ministry. Information and registration is now available at Churches, please help them share this invitation by using the attached bulletin insert (see email). For more information, contact the office at 814-456-8073.

UPDATED – MINISTRY NEEDS

Current ministry needs at EUMA include:

  • The Refuge: non-perishable food (macaroni and cheese, canned goods, cereal, etc.), paper towels, and pillows for incoming clients. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter (1027 East 26th Street).
  • Liberty House: dish soap and coffee. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter (550 West 7th Street).
  • Healthcare for the Homeless Partnerships: long underwear and heavy sweatpants (preferably with pockets) for men (all sizes) and women (L and XL). These items will be distributed to those in need at local clinics and the Overflow Shelter. Donations can be dropped off to the EUMA office (1033 East 26th Street).

PART-TIME RESPITE CARE COORDINATOR

All God’s Children Ministries is seeking a part-time respite care coordinator. Key qualities include: understanding the needs of families of children affected by disability; basic knowledge and experience in planning and implementing children’s Christian education; and a willingness to make needed adaptations in programming to address individual needs. Key competencies include: organizational skills; volunteer recruitment and management; and a love of children. Interested applicants should contact Rev. Debbie Hills at or 440-812-4624.

SEEKING TEAM MEMBERS

All God’s Children Ministries is still seeking team members for an international mission trip to Guatemala from Thursday, February 15th to Thursday, February 22nd. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Rev. Debbie Hills at .

RAMPS OF HOPE

T-SHIRTS FOR SALE

There have been several requests for new Ramps of Hope t-shirts. Email Rev. Debbie Hills at with how many you would like and the size(s) you need. T-shirts are $12 each. If you pay by check, please make it payable to AGCM (cash is fine, too!).