Franklin District NewsNotes 10-26-2017
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.
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New & Updated items in this issue of NewsNotes:
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· Notice to Pastors – Pg 1
· All Saints Day: Nov. 1 - Pg 2
· Youth Service Fund Weekend – Pg 4
· Advent Paint Party Fundraiser– Pg 4
· Broadway Methodist Style – Pg 5
· 2018 Mission of Peace – Pg 9
· Why People Don’t Volunteer at Church – Pg 10
· Using Technology for Ministry – Pg 10
· #SeeAllThePeople – Pg 10
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October Birthdays this week:
28 Rev. David Lewis
29 Rev. Brian Keller
30 Gloria Shick
November Birthdays this week:
2 Rev. Betsy Cooper
2 Mrs. Marjorie Daugherty
2 Mrs. Pamela Larsen
October Anniversaries this week:
27 Rev. Cindy & Rev. Ken Duffee
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Joy:
-Rev. Denise Mains' son, Mitchell is in rehab after an amazing recovery from a very serious infection
Prayer Concerns:
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-Rev. Doug Dyson’s family at the passing on Saturday of his brother, David. Arrangements to be announced
-Rev. Keith Diehl-health issues
-Rev. Dan Grimes-health issues
-Bob Snyder, Julie Lake’s father, heart valve replacement on November 9th
-All those affected by hurricanes, flooding, wildfires and Las Vegas shooting
-Rev. Walt and Barb Hehman – Walt’s declining health
-Rev. Bruce Merritt (retired) recuperating from a serious fall
-Rev. Fay Barca - hospice care
-Nathan Storms, son of Rev. Tim & Eileen Storms (retired) has pancreatic cancer
-Tammy Hay, former Connellsville District Administrative Assistant, recovering from a stroke
-Collette Charnik, Washington District Administrative Assistant – knee replacement
New- Pastors: please remember that following your charge conference,your officers and committees must be updated on the dashboard. If you do not, your church leaders will not receive conference and district information. Thanks!
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Addressing Opioid Addiction: Faith community leaders are invited to breakfast and a workshop on Friday, October 27 at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary to learn how to address addiction in the church and community.
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Conference United Methodist Women (UMW) Annual Fall Meeting on Saturday, October 28 at Faith Delmont UMC, 305 Freeport Street, Delmont, PA 15626 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Speaker: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi. Men and women are welcome! Contact Diane Miller at
Disaster Spiritual Care: The American Red Cross is offering a Disaster Spiritual Care Fundamentals course forclergy on Saturday, October 28 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at their office at 2801 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.The course will equip clergy with the knowledge and skills required to offer support to families in the case of adisaster. The Red Cross hopes to assemble local spiritual care teams who can be deployed to disasters as needed. To register, .
One in Christ: a Reformation Commemoration on Sunday, October 29th at 7 pm at First UM Church, 1102 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA. Presented by the Franklin Ministerium.
“The God Diagnosis”-By Dr. Greg Viehman on Sunday, October 29th 3 pm & 7 pm at Hickory High School, 640 N. Hermitage Rd. Hermitage, PA. Tickets are free but we need a count of people. R.S.V.P. by October 14th via phone at 724-981-9450 or email at . Sponsoredby the Shenango Valley Cluster
Dr. Viehman was an atheist doctor, who set out to disprove God. While doing so he found so much evidence to something greater and knew something was missing in his life. This is a tale of his journey. He has written 2 books and the one he will speak about is "The God Diagnosis." Please join us.
Regional Order of the Elder meetings are scheduled over the next several weeks.All Elders, under appointment or retiredare invited to attend the meeting of their choice based on convenient date and location. Registration is necessary. Times for the meeting are 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. The dates are as follows:
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· October 30th at Charter Oak
· November 2nd at Oakland UMC Johnstown
· November 10th at Dutilh Cranberry Twp.
· November 17th at Allegheny College Meadville
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New- Why November 1st is important: The day after Halloween was a time when John Wesley urged Methodists to remember and give thanks for saints gone to glory and those still living. Read more
2018 Equitable Compensation Forms are due - Wednesday, November 1 (where applicable)
Braddock Road Preservation Association's French & Indian War History Seminar from November 3-4, 2017. Passion, Spies, Murder and Intrigue: How Western PA Events Ignited a World War.
Highlights of the seminar include an optional Friday bus tour of the Forbes Road and a visit and dinner at Fort Ligonier. Saturday speaker sessions feature numerous national and international pre-Colonial experts and scholars. The seminar is designed to examine the critical role our region played in French and Indian War history through hands-on engagement and discussion. Click here for more details.
Exploration 2017: Adults age 18-26 are invited to Exploration, a three-day event November 3-5 in Portland, Oregon. It is held every two years to help young adults explore their gifts for service as a deacon or elder in The United Methodist Church. This year’s event will be held Young adults who have a sense that God might be calling them to ordained ministry, who have wondered what ministry in The United Methodist Church is all about, who would like help sifting through issues involved in an ordained vocation, or who want to learn more about The United Methodist seminaries and theological schools should attend this event. ExploreCalling.org.
Help Wanted: The Upper New York Conference is seeking a Director of Missional Engagement. Details.
Mission Bazaar: The Sugarcreek United Methodist Women will hold their 46th Annual Mission Bazaar at the Church, 443 Sugarcreek Drive, Franklin on Saturday, November 4th from 10 AM to 4 PM. There will be Home Made Soups, Pies, Crafts, Baked Goods and Grab Bags available.
ERT Trainings: In response to the need and requests, three more Early Response Team (ERT) trainings have been scheduled in Western PA in the next month. This is an UMCOR certified training for Disaster Response ministries of Volunteers in Mission. They will be on Saturday, November 4 at First UMC in Kane; and Saturday, November 11 at Garden City UMC in Monroeville. Get details and register at wpaumc.org/disasterresponse.
“More Church Leaders/Stronger Church Leaders” Conference & Live Stream on Saturday, November 4 from 10 am – 1 pm Eastern. Churches with vital growing ministries learn to leverage leadership potential within their congregations. Learn strategies to identify and support new leaders and build and maintain effective ministry teams. Discover a more synergistic and fruitful way of being in ministry together. Presenters: Rev. Dr. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., Dr. Ann A. Michel & Rev. Stephanie Remington
Attendees may participate in person at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC or via live stream from their own computer or mobile device. Learn more and register
Sessions:
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• Finding the Leaders Your Church Needs to Thrive
• Simple Strategies for Raising Up New Leaders
• Benefits of the Team Approach to Ministry Leadership
• How to Lead a Team Effectively
• Harnessing the Power of Synergy
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Folks must register for this event. REGISTER HERE
This event is now open to other Districts.
Butler District Helpshop – “Clear Day”
Job Descriptions and Leadership Training in the UM Church
November 4, 2017 from 9 AM - Noon
Crossfire Campus of Butler: First UMC
Come! Get a clear picture of church committee structure and duties.
Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to attend.
Childcare provided!
Clear Day Schedule:
9:00 AM Gathering with light refreshments
9:45 - 11:30 AM – Proceed to Individual classes
11:30 - Noon – Gather as a group for questions, comments. Prayer/dismissal
Classes being offered:
· Church Council – Rev Sharon Schwab
· PPRC – Rev Tom Parkinson
· Trustees - Tom Hallman (Chairman of the WPA Conference Trustees)
· Finance –Larry Bridge (Conference Treasurer)
· Committee on Nominations and Leadership Development –District Superintendent, Rev Joel Garrett
· Lay Leader/Lay Member to Annual Conference – Jerry Rectenwald, Butler District Lay Leader
New- Youth Service Fund Weekend Sunday, on November 5, 2017. The Youth Service Fund of the Western PA Conference has financially assisted many youth programs in our Conference, our nation, and our world. Members of the annual conference voted to designate November 4-5, 2017 as Youth Service Fund weekend and to encourage local congregations to receive a special offering to support youth mission projects. The special Sunday is a good time to highlight youth ministries in the congregation.
November 5 is International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: People around the world will pray for those among us who are suffering persecution for their faith. Read more
Engaging & Serving Your Community with Rev. Jeff Campbell of Discipleship Ministries.
Sunday, November 5 and Monday, November 6, 2017
Clergy and Laity both are invited to Jeff’s presentation at Olmsted Manor Retreat Center beginning Sunday at 3:00 pm and ending Monday afternoon. Hosted by the Kane District. Download Flyer
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For reservations contact or 814-945-6512
Online Lay Servant Workshop: Your Ministry of Leading Worship 101 Course Dates:November 6 – December 8, 2017. This online course will focus on basic understandings of worship, gaining skills for lay servants planning and leading worship and fulfilling requirements for Lay Speaker Certification. This class is approved by United Methodist Discipleship Ministries as an advanced course in Lay Servant Ministries, and is the “worship” class required for Lay Speaker Certification. This course is eligible for 1.0 CEU. Details Details
Christian Unity Gathering: “Resilience, Resistance, and Persistence” is the theme for the Christian Unity Gathering of the National Council of Churches in Silver Spring, MD on November 8 - 10. The event also includes a tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. To register
Abundant Health
Tools for Better Wellbeing: Wespath’s Center for Health will host several webinars as part of its “Tools for Better Well-Being” webinar series. Register for the webinars using these links.
· Understanding Anxiety and Depression—Thursday, November 9, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Central time
· What You Need to Know about Prediabetes—Tuesday, November 28, 2:00-3:00 p.m., Central time
Learn more and see past webinars here.
Personal Wellness Info: The Center for Health Newsletter from the denomination’s Pensions and Benefits agency offers useful personal wellness information. This month’s edition focuses on happiness. Read it.
Bulletin Inserts: The Center also offers printable wellness bulletins for you to share with your congregation or other group. See what’s available.
Franklin District School of Lay Servant Ministries from 6-9 pm on Friday, November 10 and 8 am – 5 pm on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at Emlenton UMC, 1303 Kerr Avenue, Emlenton, PA 16373. Registration is closed. Questions: Paula Grucza, Director 724-974-9137 or .
New- Broadway Methodist Style on Saturday, November 11 at First UM Church, 600 Wood St, Clarion.
Light Refreshments at 6:30 pm with the Concert at 7:30 pm. Featuring: Randy Bowser, Zachary Covington, Mary Jo Ford, Reverend Kevin Haley, Erin Lewis, Sarah Matson, Janie Reynolds, Lauren Skelley and The Chancel Choir. Accompanist: Mary Brooks. Free Will Offering benefits Living Stones Fund and The Chancel Choir. Information: 814-226-6660
Braised Steak Dinner on Saturday, November 11 from 4 – 6 pm at Grace UM Church of Rocky Grove, 350 Front Street, Franklin. Menu: braised steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, applesauce, drink and dessert. Price by donation. Take outs available. Benefits the annual mission trip to Oak Hill, WV. 814-758-3343
Examine Implicit Bias: Learn what implicit bias is, how it affects our behavior, and what we mean by the terms race and racism during a workshop facilitated by members of the Conference Anti-Racism Team on Saturday morning, November 11 at Trinity UMC in McMurray. Get details and register.
Diverse Churches to Celebrate Milestone Together:Warren United Methodist Church, a historically black congregation in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, will celebrate its 137thAnniversary from November 12-19 with a weeklong series of events held jointly withFirst UMC in Shadyside, a predominately white congregation.The ideafor the joint celebration grew out of friendships built in a Wrestling with Racism group. Learn more.
Sports Gear for Nicaragua Church: Rich Schall, leader of the Conference’s Nicaragua partnership is collecting gently used youth-size baseball gloves and soccer balls for the youth sports program at the Roberto Clemente Methodist Church. Rich and his wife Mary will be visiting the church on November 13, so he needs the donations by November 11. Contact him at 814-755-4908 or email .
Rev It Upwill be held November 13-15, 2017 at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front Hotel, Pensacola, Florida. This is a wonderful event Wespath holds for young clergy ages 25-39 throughout the United Methodist Denomination. This year, the Western PA Conference Board of Pensions is pleased to announce we will be offering 10 scholarships for clergy in our conference wishing to attend this event. These scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. The scholarships are for those attending for the first time.
Contact Kathleen Lasky at or Alexis Soohy at .
The Conference Board of Pensions will reimburse up to $600.00 for your attendance; this cost is towards registration, hotel (2 nights) and airfare.You would be responsible for meals not included in registration, airport parking and other incidental expenses incurred. If you would like to attend, contact Kathleen Lasky for a reimbursement form. Complete the form and return it with your receipts after the event has concluded.
EUMA Fall Tour on Tuesday, November 14th, from 9am to noon. You are invited to join Erie United Methodist Alliance for their annual tour. Enjoy a morning of fellowship, refreshments, and a guided tour of EUMA’s The Refuge, Liberty House, Rainbow Connection Thrift Store, and more. Starts at Glenwood UMC and concludes there for lunch. RSVP by calling 814-456-8073 by Thursday, November 9th. There is no charge. Space is limited.
Community Dinner, on November 15 at First UM Church, 1102 Liberty Street, Franklin, PA 16323. The Community Dinner is held every third Wednesday of the month. All are welcome. 814-432-8161