Weekly Email News
EMAIL ADDRESSES:
To reach Alyce –
To reach Stacey –
District Office Phone Number: 814.361.2464
District Office Fax Number: 814.361.2465
JOHNSTOWN DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS
Monday – Thursday 7:30 am to 1 pm
From John Wilson, for Pastors: Please login to the Church dashboard immediately to make sure the contact information is correct for both the clergy and laity going from the church to annual conference. Especially make sure the 2017 Lay Member to Annual Conference start dates are current in the church dashboard. While online, the readers might as well correct the data on the local church’s entire leadership. If someone is unaware of the login information for the church dashboard, then contact the District Office.
SAVE THE DATE!
Johnstown District Conference will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2017 at the Windber: Calvary United Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Avenue, Windber, PA. The conference will begin at 3 pm on that day. Pastors, please mark this on your calendar so you are able to attend and please encourage your laity to attend also. If your church has information to share at District Conference, please be advised that we will have tables set up in the back of the church for such information to be distributed.
RETIREMENT DINNER
Monday, May 22, 2017 at Red Lobster in Johnstown at 6 pm. Invitations will be going out next week regarding the dinner. Please join us as we celebrate the retirement of Rev. John Snyder and Rev. Emily Byrd and the re-retirement of Rev. Jon Gulnac.
ATTENTION ALL LADIES
Sue Duffield will be at Seward UMC on Friday, May 12 for a Ladies' Night Out. A light supper will be served at 6 PM for those who wish to come. It is free (donations welcome). Sue will be on at 7 PM with a humorous and encouraging message for all women. A free-will offering will be received during the program.
UNITED YOUTH MINISTRY NETWORK
YES & AMEN “But in Him it has always been ‘YES!’ for all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘YES!’ and through Christ, our ‘AMEN’ ascends to God for his glory.” 2 Cor. 1:19-20. Worship experiences are open to all youth! Time for all events is 6:30 pm to 8:20 pm.
-April 19: Windber High School led by Andrew Taylor from Faith Chapel Church
-April 26: Forest Hills High School led by Jim Gay from Greater Johnstown Christian Fellowship Church
CAMP ALLEGHENY WORK DAY
Our official work day is Sat. April 29th with work week officially being 4/24-4/30. We have several big projects planned including;
Tree top removal, chipping, hauling, stump grinding and general cleanup from some tree thinning we are doing
Amphitheater construction – building a 24’x32’ stage and bench seating for 200
Roof repair on the Camp Center
Wall repair in the pump house at the pool
Numerous other summer preparation projects
So basically I am saying come on out anytime that you can. Please call ( 814 754 5122 ) or email me to let me know anytime you can come out.
My thanks to each of you for all you do for the Kingdom!
LAY SERVANT CLASS INFORMATION
Greetings Pastors and Laity of the Johnstown District!
The Lay Servant classes this year will be a little different than in previous years.
Rather than have one location with several classes offered at the same time, we have
opted to offer classes several times during the year. This will enable those of you that
wish to take more than one class per year to do so. There will still be classes available
in the Johnstown area as well as in the Northern sub-district area. The first two will
be starting on May 7. One is “Basic” ~ taught by Pastor Paul Demi at the Spangler UMC
from 2:30-5:00 pm. The other one that has been scheduled is “Preaching” ~ taught by Pastor
Darlene Weiwora at St. Johns UMC from 2:30-5:00 pm. I will keep you informed as other
classes become available. Please share this information with your churches.
Please email me with the name, address, phone number and class choice. The payment
of $30 should be made payable to the Johnstown District UMC and mailed to Stacey at the
District office. Pre-registration is necessary so that the books and materials can be
purchased and be available for the first class. I understand that this is a big change from
the way things have been. I do feel, however, that this will be beneficial for the laity as
well as the Clergy teaching. Please bear with us as the change takes place.
I will be stopping in to observe the classes and will be available to answer any questions
you may have concerning this change. Remember that there also is the option to take
online classes at beadisciple.com. Prices for these classes vary. Scholarships are available
through the Johnstown District. Please let me know if anyone needs any more information
on this. I am available to come to the churches and speak to the congregations concerning
Lay Servant Ministries, or to fill in as needed.
You can contact me through my or my cell phone (814) 215-7909.
Blessings
Nancy Demi
UMW WOMEN
The spring UMW Meeting will be on April 20, 2017 at Arbutus Park Manor. The guest speaker of the meeting will be Dahlia Sterling, from Mission U. Reservations are required and may be obtained by calling Phyllis at 288-3018. Cost for lunch is $6. The meeting will begin at 9 am with registration with a 9:30 am start. We will be collecting paper products and items for Mom’s House at this meeting.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND BAKE SALE
The Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 Grove Avenue, will hold a Pancake Breakfast and Bake Sale on Saturday, April 29, 7:30 am-12:30 pm.
Tickets are available from any Grove Avenue Church Member, at the church office, or at the door. Cost is: Adults -$5, Children (under 12)-$2.50.
The Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 Grove Avenue, will hold its Semi-Annual Flea Market on Saturday, May 13, from 8 am to 1 pm. ½ Price Sale is Saturday, May 20, from 8 am to Noon.
PARK AVENUE UMC IN SEARCH OF MUSICIANS
Park Avenue UMC is in search of a keyboard player and/or guitarist for 1 Sunday per month. If you or any of your friends are interested in this, please contact Pastor Len Findley at 814-659-9141 or Linda at 814-288-0108.
SEVERAL CHURCHES IN SEARCH OF MUSICAL GROUPS
A few of our local churches are in search of musical groups who could perform at a Sunday morning service during summer months. If you happen to know of any, please contact Stacey at the District office and give her the proper contact information. Thanks!
Volunteers Needed
RISE – a light dinner followed by a contemporary Worship and Praise Service every Thursday night at the Garfield Street UMC at 6 pm. RISE is a shared ministry of the United for God Cooperative and the Ebensburg UMC. This ministry is growing, already we are adding more partners, most recently Homestead Ave. UMC.
You are invited to be part of this new ministry! There are opportunities for everyone to share the love of Christ and to use their gifts. Help is needed in cooking, serving, clean up, welcoming, singing, playing a musical instrument and just worshiping with others. Please let Pastor Carol know if you are willing to help. You do not have to commit to any particular number of times, just as your schedule allows. The Spirit is rising in Johnstown!
W.A.C.K. MENU
A free community dinner, served at the Windber Area Community Kitchen, will be held from 4 pm-6 pm Saturday, April 22, 2017, at Calvary United Methodist Church, 1800 Stockholm Ave in Windber PA. The meal will be sponsored and served by Windber Church of the Brethren.
The menu will feature Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Corn, Fruit Cocktail, Assorted Desserts and Coffee/Punch. All are welcome!
The Windber Area Community Kitchen (W.A.C.K.) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.
PIRATES vs. CARDINALS – AUGUST 17, 2017
Join Johnstown: Bethany UMC on Thursday, August 17, 2017 for Faith Night at PNC Park for a baseball game featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. Bethany will be taking a motor coach to PNC Park to watch the Pirates take on our division rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals. Please call the church office at 814-266-9588 as soon as possible to make your reservation(s). Cost is $50 for the ticket and the bus ride! A $20 non-refundable deposit will reserve your seat on the bus and get your ticket for the game (Section 128). Deadline for deposit is May 15 and balance of $30 is due July 10. Price includes $10 for concessions!
VOLUNTEERS WANTED!
JUMP is looking for retired men and women who are seeking a rewarding experience.
PAY: NONE
BENEFITS: Investment in your community; serve God by doing ministry to help the less fortunate
Current JUMP leaders are aging and dealing with health limitations. They will help with permits, design, materials transport, and paperwork.
Priority for jobs goes to handicap needs, followed by home repairs addressing safety issues. Teams are generally 3 to 5 people and most jobs are completed in 2 to 3 days. We need team leaders and team workers, hopefully with some fix-it experience, but we will train any interested individual.
This is a part-time volunteer effort. JUMP has tools but bringing your own is encouraged. Access to a small truck or van is also helpful but not necessary.
For more information, call Franklin Street UMC at 535-8288.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR SPRING HELPSHOP!
Johnstown District HelpShop
Saturday, May 6, 2017
"Including Everyone in God's Love"--handicapped accessibility, inclusion, and the local church
Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 Grove Avenue, Johnstown, PA 15902
$10 per person--Continuing education credits available.
Registrar: Karen Kinkade, 814.266.2514
340 Hostetler Road, Johnstown, PA 15904
“MESSY CHURCH”
Park Ave UMC will sponsor "Messy Church" the last Saturday of every month from 3-5 pm. This is an event that highlights the family. There is a time of welcoming, a craft or game time, a time for celebration and each month we will be serving a meal and the best part is it is absolutely free. Call the church for more details at 814-288-4725. We'll see you at "Messy Church".
A note from Gary Hale…
Greetings to all,
I would like to invite you to a meeting of the Greater Johnstown Covenant Ministry. We are a group of pastors and leaders dedicated to bringing together pastors and leaders from Johnstown and surrounding communities to bring a new level of unity in Johnstown so we may see revival break out in our churches and community.
A friend of mine, Pastor Gary Mosorjak , told a very important story at Bethany UMC prayer breakfast. Back in 1977 Pastor Burns of Oakland United Methodist Church was planning to bring in David Wilkerson for a Holy Spirit revival on July 20, 1977. David would only come if there was unity among the pastors and they would all support his coming. Pastor Burns was not successful in bringing the pastors together so David said he would not come. As most of you know instead of getting a flood of the Spirit on July 20th we got a flood of rain and dams bursting that changed our city negatively. Around 80 people lost their lives, millions of dollars of destruction, and it was instrumental in the mills closing.
Years ago going down 56 by-pass into the city the Lord showed me His Spirit coming upon the city like a great flood. I know to see that happen we need to work together and as God sees us in harmony and humbling ourselves before Him He will send His Spirit and bring revival to the churches and to the entire community.
Gary Hale
President of Greater Johnstown Covenant Ministry.
Encounter with Christ UMVIM
Mission to Colombia August 15-23
In August of 2017, the Conference Committee on Encounter with Christ in Latin America has set it focus on Brisas del Mar, Colombia, as the location for a VIM Mission. As always, we have the cooperation of the Conference of the Evangelical Methodist church of Columbia, acting as our guides and hosts.
Brisas del Mar has been a significant center of ministry and mission for some time. Not many years ago, the drug cartels controlled this part of Colombia, and the local population suffered extremely at their hands. The Methodist Church reached out to these people, and even to their oppressors. When this area became pacified, the Church had gained wide respect for its involvement, and used its good name to foster ministries in health, education, and church work.
The purpose of our proposed mission in Colombia is to do construction and improve the facilities in Brisasdel Mar. Details of the actual building plans will develop with the ongoing correspondence with the Colombian Church leaders.
Those who are interested in participating in this mission should complete the attached from and mail it to the Mission Team Leader, Dr. David Stains, at 518 Fronheiser Street, Johnstown, PA 15902. If you have questions, you are welcome or call at 814-539-0044 or 539-0532. Email at . Realistically, you can probably expect total expenses to be about $2,000.00.
I hope the Lord opens doors for us to work together. Pastor David Stains
HOPE IS RISING CONFERENCE
Join the Oakland United Methodist Church Family on Saturday, April 29, from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, as we learn how to build a culture of prayer through prayer teams. Our speaker, Dr. Luther Oconer, an ordained elder in the Pampanga Philippines Conference of the United Methodist Church, is currently serving as a professor of United Methodist studies at United Theological Seminary. He has a research background in the Holiness Movement, Pentecostalism, and mission history. Following a teaching on how to build a culture of prayer, Dr. Oconer will lead an altar call.
-$10 Registration fee includes a light continental breakfast
-Clergy may receive ½ CEU for attending this event.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, April 25, 2017. Please phone Oakland UMC at 814.266.3678.
CLERGY REMINDERS:
UPCOMING DEADLINES:
All clergy - please give this your immediate attention. Please check "Required Annual Forms" on the WPAUMC website for more information. Of course, all of these deadlines can be met BEFORE the deadline!
March 1 –
Fund Balance Report – Submit to District Office
The following churches have not submitted their 2016 Fund Balance Report to the district office:
Coalport Charge: Irvona
Conemaugh: First
Dunlo/Sidman/Beaverdale Charge: Sidman & Beaverdale
Glasgow Larger Parish: Utahville
Hollsopple: Bethel/Centennial Charge: Hollsopple
Johnstown Ferndale/Faith/Park Avenue Charge: Ferndale & Faith
Johnstown: Franklin Street
Point
Seward
Spangler
Uniontown
March 31 –
2016 Worker’s Compensation – Send to Conference Center – Attn: Holly Sawyer
May 1 –
Spring Equitable Compensation Applications – Submit, if applicable, to DistrictSuperintendent
May 15 -
2017 Clergy Evaluation – Submit to District Office
May 15 –
Continuing Education Report Form – Submit to District Office
May 15 –
Annual Parsonage Inspection – Submit to District Office
District Prayer Chain
- Tammy Hay, Admin. Assistant for Connellsville District
- Pastor Penny Adams
- Arch Moore, brother of Pastor Tom Moore
- Dorothy Weaver
- Kathy McKee
- Shawn Crum
- Dan Dembinsky
- Rev. John Mize’s Father
- Rev. Doreen Griffith
- Stan & Gene Mickolick
-Laura Williams
- Our Country and our Leaders
-All Pastorsand Laity in the Johnstown District
Alyce’sSchedule:
April 24 – Alyce in office
April 25- Alycein office
April 26– Alycein office
April 27 –Alycein office – Superintendency Committee Meeting at 10:30 am
April 28 –
April29–
April 30 –District Conference at Windber: Calvary at 3 pm
Save the date! Annual Conference 2017 is June 8-11, 2017
Conference News and Events
Continuing Education Event
New Castle: First United Methodist Church
Please join us for a Family Systems Workshop on “Integrated Leadership: Spirit, Emotions, Intellect, Behavior” on Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29, 2017. This is 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. Cost is $25 and includes 1 CEU for full 2-day participation. Please contact New Castle First UMC at for more information and/or to register.
LIFE-CHANGING MEN’S GATHERING
About 1,000 men are expected to come together for worship, workshops, service and fellowship at the National Gathering of United Methodist Men on July 7- 8. Held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, the event will inspire attendees to embrace new possibilities for ministry and discipleship. To learn more, go to UMM event website.
March 27, 2017
Dear Members of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference,
Greetings of Grace, Peace and Love in the Matchless Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As our Denomination continues to move forward to reflect a welcoming and inclusive global face, faithful to the mission, vision, core values, and upholding our Five Areas of Focus, as the clergy and lay members of WPA we must continue to celebrate our diversity, build strong relationships with one another which is an important thread in the making of disciples for the transformation of the world.
If we are to celebrate diversity and build relationships with one another, it is important that we begin by hearing the rich history of our agencies, boards and caucuses in the United Methodist Church who have worked and continue to be advocates ensuring that there is a place FOR ALL at the table.
We invite you to join us at Monroeville United Methodist Church, 219 Center Rd., Monroeville, Pa. 15146 on May 20-21 2017. Our National and Jurisdictional Executive Leadership of the historic organization Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) will be with us to share historic and valuable information about BMCR and other caucus’ in our denomination.