New & Updated Items in This Issue of Newsnotes

Franklin District NewsNotes 3-2-2017

Many links are included in this publication. If you have trouble with the blue link….hold the Ctrl key down and click on the link.

New & Updated items in this issue of NewsNotes:

· UM Center Entrance Information – Pg 2

· Cultivating God’s Compassion – Pg 2

· Daylight Savings Time – Pg 3

· Immigration & Refugee Forum – Pg 3

· Implicit Bias Workshop – Pg 3

· Part-time Church Secretary Needed – Pg 9

· Our Beliefs-Their Words– Pg 12

· Clear Clutter for Lent – Pg 12

· Spartan Challenge – Pg 12

· Brother’s Brother Foundation – Pg 12

· Blessing Boxes – Pg 12

· What is Lent – Pg 12

March Birthdays:

2 Mrs. Dorothy Bailey

2 Rev. Bob Getschman

3 Mrs. Susan Elliott Myers

8 Rev. David Roddy Sr.

March Anniversaries:

2 Rev. & Mrs. Gale Boocks

5 Rev. & Mrs. Nelson Thayer

Prayer Concerns:

-Rev. David Holste (retired), at the passing of his wife, Laura

-Rev. Tim and Eileen Storms (retired) and their son

-Nancy Funka (Rev. Tom Funka, retired), health issues

-Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and our WPA Cabinet in the appointment season

-Our Country, new Administration and our leadership

-The Commission on a Way Forward

VIM Team Leader Training: This training is for certification as United Methodist Volunteer in Mission Team Leader and is designed to equip participants to plan and lead VIM teams locally, nationally, or internationally. It is designed for those who have previous experience as part of a VIM team or local mission service and for those who have led VIM teams and need to be re-certified with the new UMVIM Handbook.

It is also helpful for those who have thought about joining a VIM team and want to know what to expect. You will learn more about UMC missions and Volunteers In Mission opportunities for local churches & individuals.

Spring 2017VIM Team Leader Training Schedule

Sat. March 4 from 10am to 4pm at Trinity UMC, Indiana

Wed. March 22 from 10am to 4pm at Ebensburg UMC

Sat. April 8 from 10am to 4pm at First UMC: Washington

Tues. April 25 from 10am to 4pm at UM Center, Cranberry Twp

Sat. April 29 from 10am to 4pm at Good Shepherd UMC (Kane Dist.)

Sat. May 6 from 10 am to 4pm at Edinboro UMC

Doors open and registration begins 30 minutes prior to start time. Registration is $8 and a copy of "A Mission Journey: A Handbook for Volunteers" is required. Paper copies can be purchased through the WPA UM Center for $12 or online through Barnes Noble. E-book versions are available through BN.com or Amazon.com.

Chicken ‘n Biscuit Dinner on Saturday, March 4 from 4-6 pm at Grace UMC of Rocky Grove, 350 Front St., Franklin. Price is by donation. Take-outs available. Benefits our annual work mission trip.

Franklin District School of Lay Servant Ministries

Five Sundays in Lent: March 5 – April 2, 2017

At 2:30 – 5:30 pm at East Grove United Methodist Church, 1167 Belmar Road, Franklin, PA 16323

Registration is closed. LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Paula Grucza, Franklin District Director of Lay Servant Ministries

(724) 974-9137 or

Updated- UM Center Entrance Changes March 6 - The existing driveway entrance to the United Methodist Center on Freedom Road in Cranberry Township will be closed beginning March 6, requiring those entering the property to use a temporary gravel entrance about 150 feet west of the current entrance. Site work is aimed at improving traffic flow, changing location of the entrance to improve safety and adding parking spaces. The work has temporarily decreased the number of available parking spaces, so car-pooling to weekday or evening meetings is encouraged. Groups may also want to consider a change in meeting location. Leaders bringing buses should contact Michael Schaeffer, facilities manager, or Greg Cox, director of connectional ministries, for information on possible alternative parking.

The Franklin District Potato Distribution will be on Monday, March 6 at 8:00 a.m. at the Franklin Industrial Development Complex, 191 Howard Street, Franklin (Entrance beside The Caring Place). Those receiving potatoes will be contacted in early February to schedule pick-up. If you will be able to help load/unload 50 lb. bags of potatoes into the vehicles for about 2 hours, contact Rev. Stephanie Thompson at 814.657.1960 or .

Funds raised by churches to pay for packaging and shipping in support of the Potato Project should be submitted to the Conference Treasurer and marked “Franklin District Potato Project” as soon as possible.

United in Prayer – Lenten Journey 2017: Services every Thursday at 7 pm. Sponsored by the Venango County Christian Ministerium. www.VenCoMinisterium.org

March 9th: Victory Heights United Brethren – Prayer for Jobs and Health Care

March 16th: First Baptist of Franklin – Prayer for Local Government

March 23rd: Free Methodist Church of Oil City – Prayer for those suffering from addictions

March 30th: Seneca United Methodist Church – Prayer for our Schools and Educators

April 6th: Grace United Methodist Church of Rocky Grove – Prayer for Churches/Para-church Ministries

April 9th-Palm Sunday: Cranberry High School – Celebration of Praise and Worship featuring guest speaker,

Rev. Roy Gearhart of Galloway United Methodist Church

New- Cultivating God’s Compassion: Janet K. Ruffing, professorat Yale Divinity School, will lead an event at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary that explores the desire to experience and express God’s compassion in our daily walk. There’s a public lecture Friday evening, March 10 and a workshop on March 11. CEUs available.

New- Daylight Savings Time Begins March 12th

New- Immigration and Refugee Forum:Christ UMC in Bethel Park will host a forum on Immigration and Refugees on Wednesday, March 15, from 7-8 p.m.to answer basic questions about the processrefugees and immigrants must go through before coming to the U.S. Professor Sheila I Vélez Martínez of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law will share her expertise and experience with immigration law.Register

WPA Conference Minister’s Chorus on March 16th, 2017 at Shippenville UMC, 123 Main Street at 7:00 pm

Contact Don & Shirley Bloomster (814-927-8692), Pat Cleary (254-241-0680, ) or Lola Turnbull (814-787-5891, ) with any questions. To be added to the Chorus’ e-mail distribution list, send an e-mail to Deb Rogosky ().

Future Concerts:

April 20th, 2017 at Carmichaels (WA)

May 25th, 2017 at Westside in Clearfield (Susq. Conf)

September 21, 2017 at Linesville/Harmonsburg UMC

October 19, 2017 at Mount Hope UMC

November 16, 2017 at Brookville First UMC

Confirmation Class Visits to the United Methodist Center. The students will spend time with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and learn about ministries and mission from staff members. Details.

Remaining 2017 Confirmation Class Tour Schedule

· March 16, Thursday–Morning

· March 17, Friday–MorningandAfternoon

· March 18, Saturday–Morning

· April 21, Friday–Morning

· May 12, Friday–MorningandAfternoon

· May 13, Saturday–Morning

Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Use the links above to register for the session you choose. Have aconfirmednumber ofstudents and adults in your groupwhen you register. Confirmation tour sessions fill up quickly.If you are unable to attend after you register your group, contactRev. Greg Cox.

Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. for mornings and 1:00 p.m. for afternoons.Sessions run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. respectively.

The Silver Ring Thing March 18, 2017 at 7 pm at Punxsutawney Area High School, 500 N Findley Street,
Punxsutawney, PA. Through community-wide outreach events and resources, we defy the meet-up, hook-up, break-up culture of today and inspire teens to a pure life centered in a relationship with Jesus Christ. (www.silverringthing.com) Tickets are $6 online or $8 at the door and $5 in advance with groups of 25+. Presented by Cross Town Ministries in Punxsutawney. More information and ticket ordering.

Immersed in Grace Workshop March 23rd in conjunction with the Albright-Deering Lecture at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Speaker: Dr. Paul W. Chilcote, Professor at Ashland Theological Seminary.

New- Implicit Bias Workshop: Implicit bias affects the behavior of all people, yet it's so deep-seated, we’re unaware of its presence. Learn how it affects you at Ellwood City First UMC on Saturday morning, March 25.

UMCOR Sunday: Formerly One Great Hour of Sharing, UMCOR Sunday will be March 26. Resources available.

2017 UMVIM/UMCOR Training Academy will be March 26-29 at Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center in Cresco, PA. The 2017 theme is "Confronting Race and Privilege in Mission. Get details

Blessed Dress Prom Dress Ministry: Need a dress for the Prom? Grace UMC of Rocky Grove, 350 Front Street, Franklin has over 600 beautiful dresses in all sizes and styles in pristine condition. They have been donated by dress shops, bridal shops and individuals. They even have talented seamstresses on hand for alterations. No costs or obligations. This event will take place on Thursday, March 30th from 7 pm – 9 pm and Saturday, April 1st from 2 pm – 4 pm.

Wesley Woods Man Camp: Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2. Men Ages 18 and up. Spend a weekend in the woods sharing in fellowship, teaching, worship, and other MANLY activities. Starts at 7pm Friday, and wraps up at 11am Sunday. $83 per Man. Meals and snacks provided. Bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Register

Youth Ministry Info: Forms are online to nominate youth for the Timothy Award and adult leaders for Youth Worker of the Yearawards.

Timothy Award application (Due April 1): The purpose of the Timothy Award is to highlight students who model the characteristics of Timothy 4:11-12 to their peers and those around them. Details & Form

Youth Worker Award application (Due April 1): Must have worked with youth of Western PA for at least one year in the same setting. A church, conference, agency, camp or organization may nominate a person who is no longer working with their youth. Must be 19 years old or older. Details & Form

Youth Page application for 2017 Annual Conference: Download the details and form. (Due April 1)

June 6-11, 2017. Youth Ministry Team: Spiritually Equipping & Empowering Youth to See and Follow Jesus

Christ United Methodist Church & Friends present

“Through the Torn Curtain-

A story of One Man, One Hope, One Cross”

by Randy Vader, Jay Rouse and Rose Aspinall

Sunday April 2 at 2:30 pm and 7 pm at Christ UM Church, 1135 Buffalo Street, Franklin. Handicap accessible. Parking in the rear off of Chestnut Street.

Free will offering. Reception following performances.

www.christchurchfranklin.com

814-432-3019

Youth & Family Community Rally: A Good Friday Laymen’s Breakfast Committee sponsored event – Good Friday, April 14, 2017 at First UM Church, 1102 Liberty Street, Franklin (Downtown Franklin across from Sheetz). The church is handicap accessible. Featured speaker: JJ Jasper. Veteran American Family Radio on-air personality, best-selling author, comedian, dedicated Christian and family man. He will be here to offer Christian words of hope and encouragement to the people and families of our area. Contact Phil Thompson - /814-758-6208.

Easter Sunday – April 16, 2017

Wesley Woods Christian Ashram: On Friday, April 21- Saturday April 22. Christian Ashram spiritual retreat on Saturday, with informal meet and greet fellowship on Friday evening at 7 pm. Overnight accommodations through Wesley Woods. Snacks provided. Saturday- Ashram begins at 8 am and ends at 7:30 pm. Continental Breakfast, lunch and dinner included. Contact Amy Bunnell at 814-676-1765 or .

Spring Women’s Retreat – April 23-25, 2017 at Olmsted Manor: Speaker Sue Duffield is a singer, songwriter, humorist, speaker, author, and advocate who loves to make people laugh. Brochure

Clergy Retirement Seminar for Clergy Retiring in 2017 on Wednesday, April 26 from 9 am to 4 pm in the Hickman Room at the United Methodist Conference Center in Cranberry Twp. This is a gathering and information session for clergy who are retiring in 2017. Lunch in the Bittner Room. Contact Alexis Soohy.

Youth Spring Thing at Wesley Woods Friday, April 28-Sunday, April 30. Identity: Who are you? For more information, contact Wesley Woods at 814.436.7802. REGISTER NOW

Wesley Woods Work Week, Friday, April 28 – Saturday, May 6. Spend all week or just a day in the woods helping us prepare for the summer camping season. If you have any specific skills, please let us know so we can plan projects accordingly. Call (814)436-7802 or email with the number attending, days you will be here, and any skills you have.

Family Systems Workshop (Bowen Theory): “Integrated Leadership: Spirit, Emotions, Intellect, Behavior”

Friday, April 28 & Saturday, April 29

A workshop for families, professionals, clergy, co-workers, teachers, medical personnel, human resource and social service persons, anyone whose lives or livelihood puts them in relationship with others.

New Castle First United Methodist Church

135 Decker Drive, New Castle, PA 16105

or 724-658-5577

Cost $25.00 // 1 CEU credit for full 2-day participation

Children’s Ministry Conference: “Together We Can. . . Build to Last” on Saturday, April 29 from 8:30am-3:30pm, doors open at 8; First UM Church, 1102 Liberty St., Franklin. Child Evangelism Fellowship will be hosting this event featuring a guest speaker and break-out sessions geared to equipping attendees with valuable tools for reaching children with the Gospel message. If you would like more info, contact CEF director Kelly O’Hara at 814-676-6319. Brochure. To view Conference overview or download documents CLICK HERE

Fly Fishing Retreat – April 29 – May 1, 2017: It’s finally here – the fly fishing retreat you’ve been waiting for. Everyone is welcome to come for a weekend of learning, spiritual exploration, and fishing! Gary is a well-known fly fishing instructor and welcomes participants of all skill levels.

Thrive – Ministry on the Edge: April 30 – May 2, 2017