-Ruth Higginbotham testing and treatments -Cabinet during the appointment season

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1 If you wish to have your upcoming church events posted here, please submit to the District Office before Wednesday. -Churches and pastors receiving new appointments this year -Ruth Higginbotham testing and treatments -Cabinet during the appointment season New Appointments; Rev. Kevin Haley - Clarion First UMC Rev. Thomas Strandburg - Mt Lebanon UMC Upcoming Dates February is Black History Month February 12: Clergy Gathering Hickman Hall Olmsted Manor 10 1 RSVP required February 15: Spaghetti Dinner Sheffield UMC 5-7p donations accepted February 21: Deadline to register for Bishop s Overnight w/ Kane & Indiana District March 1: Tricky Business Anne Ashley UMC Munhall March 2: Lay Ministry School March 6: Clergy Tax Seminar Grace UMC Grove City March 6,7: Bishop s Overnight Kane/Indiana Antiochian Village 0.5 CEU March 8: Faith Sharing Seminar Cranberry UMC 9:30-2 March 9: Lay Ministry School March 16: Lay Ministry School March 23: Lay Ministry School March 30: Lay Ministry School April 5-6: Youth Retreat Wesley Woods April 25-27:UMW Assembly Louisville,KY April 29,30: Clergy Benefits Training May 4: Kane District Conference Kane:First 3p May 9: Grace Leadership 9-4 May 20: Clergy Gathering Hickman Hall 10-1 June 5-8 Annual Conference June 21: District Youth Picnic July 16: Active, Retired and Spouse Gathering Hickman Hall 10-1 August 1:Clergy Family Picnic Waldameer August 4-13:Resident Licensing School Olmsted Retreat Center September 7-9: Disability Retreat Olmsted Retreat Center October 18: Duke Center 50 th Anniversary Celebration October: 28: Clergy Gathering Hickman Hall 10-1

2 NEW CONTINUING EDUCATION: NEW UMC CYBER CAMPUS WEBSITE LAUNCHES! Welcome to our new UMC Cyber Campus website. UMC Cyber Campus features short video training sessions and lectures to build your Christian leadership skills and a catalog of accredited online theological education courses & degree programs. UMC Cyber Campus aims to enhance global access to free and affordable highquality theological educational resources throughout the world. We strive to develop confident and knowledgeable Christian leaders on an ongoing basis. Please visit our new website by clicking here NEW-New Bulletin Inserts on Social Principles The General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) has added four bulletin inserts to its available resources on the United Methodist Social Principles. The new inserts address Information Technology, Media Violence, Sexual Orientation and Tobacco. All can be downloaded for free. Learn more. NEW-Health Care Credit for Churches Filing deadline May 15, 2014 The information regarding the credit for small employers is now available on our conference website along with instructions and the required forms. This is a credit the churches may be eligible to receive for premiums paid towards healthcare costs in Go to: Kathleen Lasky Conference Benefits Officer WPAUMC , EXT# 274 Workers Compensation The Workers Compensation rate for 2014 is 1.3% or.013. The 2014 Workers Compensation Worksheet is available online as a fillable form, which calculates the total. The premium is due March 31, Online Registration For Wesley Woods Summer Camp We hope you will check out all that Wesley Woods Summer Camp has to offer. If you have any questions or need assistance with registration, please contact us at info@wesleywoods.com or Unusual Scholarships: Know someone looking for scholarships to pay college tuition? The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry has prepared a list of more than 60 scholarships that may not be on students radar screens. Some are awarded based on contest entries; others have unusual restrictions that can make it hard to find students who fit the criteria. It s worth checking. Learn more. Sheffield United Methodist Church Spaghetti Dinner Bring your sweetheart to a spaghetti dinner at the Sheffield United Methodist on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. For a donation you can enjoy some great food and fellowship

3 NEW-This Old Church: The Care and Maintenance of Church Facilities Saturday, February 15, 2014 from 9 am 4 pm in the Knox Room at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 616 North Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA Jesus may have been a carpenter, but there are no shop classes in seminary! This is the first installment in Things I Didn t Learn in Seminary series. As a church leader, how do you acquire the skills to take care of your facility? Join us for practical insights on why, when and how to address issues with your worship site s physical plant. Registration is strictly limited to teams of delegates from 20 churches. Contact ConEd@pts.edu or Audit Report--Due March 1, 2014 It s that time of year to do the Audit Report. The Fund Balance Report form is downloadable from the Conference web page, under FORMS. Audits are due in the District office by Mar. 1 st. This allows adequate time for Audit Committees to complete their work. HARRY DENMAN AWARD NOMINATIONS If you know of a clergy, lay-person, or youth who are excelling in the work of increasing the Kingdom of God and who share the love of Jesus and deserves this award, please nominate them on the Correct form by April 1 WPA Conference United Methodist Ministers Chorus-Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 7 pm Sugarcreek UMC Franklin District. Admission is FREE! A free-will offering will be received. To schedule a concert, contact Rev. John V. King, Ministers Chorus Secretary at or johnbonnieking@verizon.net Marriage Enrichment Weekend SHERATON STATION SQUARE - PITTSBURGH PA FEB MARCH 2, 2014 FEATURING - DAN SEABORN, Nationally Known Marriage Expert Cost: $199 per couple (Lodging is Additional - Special Event Rate is $99 per night!!) Main Presenter: National speaker, pastor, author, and founder of Winning at Home, Dan Seaborn. SIGN UP SOON!!! This event will sell out! Plan now to attend this event with your loved one. This is a great gift idea. This will be the weekend that will keep you talking all year. Come and Refuel, Re-Connect, and Re- Commit to an excellent marriage, "From This Day Forward"! Click Here to Sign Up on Our Website! For More Information or to Sign Up- Call us Our dedicated staff will be glad to help you! Website: Christiancounselingwpa.com Youth Invited to Apply for Zimbabwe Trip-Deadline to apply is February 15 th. Senior high school-age students are invited to apply to be part of a youth team traveling to Zimbabwe from August 5-21 to participate in a revival known as the Ebenezer Convention. Info and application: Youth Zimbabwe Trip New Information Lay Ministry School Advanced & Beginners March 2 nd -30 th, :30 5:00p.m. Cost $20 includes material

4 Beginners Course: Lay Speaking Ministries by Sandy Zeigler Jackson & Brian Jackson Advanced Course: Leading Worship, by Taylor Burton Edwards Locations; Evans Memorial: Larry Corner, Johnsonburg: Jay Tennies & Tim Hoover, Warren Covenant: Marty & Jan Reynolds Seth McClymonds, Good Shepherd : Seth McPherson 2014 Licensing School-The commuter school begins on March 1st and runs through the end of April (no classes will be held Easter weekend). Location: Manorville UMC (near Kittanning), 800 Water Street, Manorville, PA The summer residential school will be held August 3-13th at Olmsted. The registration form should be ready soon. Anti-Racism Workshop March 1, 2014 The Conference Anti-Racism Team has invited Rev. Michael Russell and James Addington from Crossroads Anti-racism Organizing and Training to lead Tricky Business, a daylong event at Anne Ashley UMC in Munhall. Be prepared to laugh, share, and dig into the serious business of eliminating racism! Food, beverages, and child care provided. Sign-in, with refreshments, begins at 9 a.m. The first session begins at 9:30 a.m. Anne Ashley UMC is at 334 E. 22nd Street in Munhall, PA. To register, use this form. You can fill it out online, then print and mail. Clergy Tax Seminar The annual Clergy Tax seminar will be held at Grace UMC Grove City. It has been designed to help clergy better understand the filing of their income-tax returns for Get details and register by visiting the Events section of March 6, 2014 Grace UMC 210 South Broad St Grove City, PA Below are the districts/dates for the Bishop s overnights: Indiana/Kane Districts March 6 & 7 (Thursday/Friday) Antiochian Village, Bolivar, PA Registration forms have been sent to active clergy ALL ACTIVE Kane District clergy are encouraged to attend our event with the Indiana District on March 6-7 th, 2014 Attendance will be required of all full-time clergy. If an individual absolutely cannot attend the Kane/Indiana overnight, then they should be encouraged to attend one of the other district events. 0.5 CEU Butler/Pittsburgh February 25 & 26 (Tues/Wed) Four Points Sheraton, Cran. Twp. Indiana/Kane March 6 & 7 (Thurs/Fri) Antiochian Village, Bolivar, PA.

5 Connellsville/Johnstown March 24 & 25 (Mon/Tues) Tentatively at Camp Allegheny Greensburg/Washington April 7 th & 8 th (Mon/Tues) Laurelville in Greensburg The 2014 Youth Retreat at Cherry Run Camp March 14th-16th. The weekend speaker will be Jeff Smith, a Blairsville native who founded Salt and Light Ministries, which uses creative arts to proclaim God's Word. 6 th Beth & Seth McClymonds, 10 th Allie Hernan, 20 th Jan Reynolds, 21 st Marty & Jan Reynolds, 24 th Amy Haley, 26 th Bob Howles 2014 Confirmation Class Tours WPA UMC Conference Center February 27, 2014-Thursday at 1 pm Register March 21, 2014-Friday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register March 28, 2014-Friday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register March 29, 2014-Saturday at 9 am Register April 4, 2014-Friday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register May 1, 2014-Thursday at 9 am Register and 1 pm Register Registration can also be done by going to click on Events, find the desired tour on the Calendar and click on the Confirmation Class Tour link. NEW We are Able Creating an inclusive atmosphere for campers with special needs March 14-15, 2014 from 8 am 5 pm at the Conference Center, 1204 Freedom Rd, Cranberry Twp., PA Contact Jessica Gamache at Ext 231 or Jessica Gamache@wpaumc.org FAITH SHARING SEMINAR-Faith Sharing Made Simple A time to collect ideas and encouragement on sharing our faith with the world around us! Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you wanted to share your faith - and didn't know what to do or say? Do you feel at times great compassion for others in their despair and would like to be able to share the good news of Jesus with them and just couldn't find the words? If you can answer YES to these questions - then this FAITH SHARING SEMINAR is for you! Join us on March 8, 2014 at Cranberry United Methodist Church for an exciting learning experience on FAITH SHARING. SPEAKERS Rev. Seth McPherson "Sharing Faith with the Lost Generations"

6 Rev. Roy Gearhart "Sharing Faith with the De-Churched" Paul Morelli "Sharing Faith With Those Who Have Never Believed" Schedule 9:30 am Registration 10:00 am Opening Worship 10:15 am - 12 Noon Enrichment Time 12 Noon - 12:40 pm Lunch (free will offering for lunch) 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm Enrichment Time 1:45 pm Closing Worship 2:00 pm Dismissal - Into the world as Disciples' of Christ To Register or for questions! Rev. Calvin Cook Call FertigsUM@venustel.com Cranberry UM Church Rt. 322 Cranberry, PA Sponsored by the CHRISTAR Cluster of the United Methodist Church The Retreat for Those Affected by Disability will be at Olmsted Manor from Sunday afternoon, September 7, 2014, to Tuesday afternoon, September 9, Education Opportunities 2014 Webinar Series The cost of each webinar individually is $25. The cost of registering for all 5 webinars is discounted to $100 To receive a discount by registering for all 5 webinars at once, please click here to receive the discounted price. After payment, you will receive confirmation of your registrations with more information. Register for Individual Webinars Each of the following webinars will start at 10:00 AM ET (9:00 AM CT, 8:00 AM MT, 7:00 AM PT) and will last approximately 1.5 hours. By clicking on the dates below, you will be directed to the individual registration pages at GoToWebinar. February 19th, Homiletical Hot Potatoes: Preaching on Difficult Topics - Led by Rev. Dr. Alyce McKenzie March 20th, Narrative, Trauma Transformation and Faith Communities - Led by David Anderson Hooker April 30th, Appreciative Inquiry, Conflict Transformation and Faith Communities - Led by Dr. Joy Samuels May 21st, Emotional Systems, Conflict Transformation and Faith Communities - Led by Dr. W. Craig Gilliam Webinar descriptions: MTSO s Schooler Institute on Preaching features Mark Kelly Tyler

7 Rev. Dr. Mark Kelly Tyler will lead the Schooler Institute on Preaching Feb. 10 and 11 at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 3081 Columbus Pike, Delaware, Ohio. Tyler is senior pastor of the historic Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia and a fully affiliated faculty member at MTSO, where he teaches homiletics and African-American studies. Thanks to the generosity of Schooler Family Foundation, the event is offered to the public without cost. Advance registration is required. A complete schedule and online registration form are available at MTSO is offering one CEU credit for a $25 administrative processing fee. For more information, visit CONTACT: Danny Russell Director of Communications drussell@mtso.edu WPA Conference United Methodist Ministers Chorus Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 7 pm Sugarcreek UMC Franklin District Admission is FREE! A free-will offering will be received. To schedule a concert, contact Rev. John V. King, Ministers Chorus Secretary at Phone number: or johnbonnieking@verizon.ne CE 22 nd Grampian One Church, Four Generations by Rev. Wade Berkey A continuing education study based upon the book: One Church, Four Generations; Understanding and Reaching All Ages in Your Church by Gary L. McIntosh. the Indiana District Office at indiana.office@wpaumc.org as soon as you decide to attend. Events start at 9am and end at 3pm and the cost is $10 which includes lunch. Lenten Resources for 2014 Take time this Lent to focus on your spiritual life with the Society of St. Andrew Lenten Devotions Program, Create in Me a Clean Heart. Make room in your heart and in your busy days throughout the season of Lent (March 5 April 20) for a few minutes each day reading scripture, reflecting on a brief meditation, and praying, to prepare your heart and your life to experience the grief of Jesus crucified and the glory of him resurrected Licensing School The commuter school begins on March 1st and runs through the end of April (no classes will be held Easter weekend). Location: Manorville UMC (near Kittanning), 800 Water Street, Manorville, PA The summer residential school will be held August 3-13th at Olmsted. NEW-2014 FRANKLIN DISTRICT LAY SERVANT MINISTRY TRAINING for certification, re-certification or personal enrichment Dates: March 9, 16, 23, 30 and April 6 Time: 2:00 5:30 pm Location: Strattanville United Methodist Church Advanced Registration is Required Deadline: March 1, Washington Street

8 Strattanville, PA For more information, call or Preliminary Brochure Gay Mix, Franklin District Director of Lay Servant Ministry Training at or Can't make this training? Try one of the 4 neighboring district trainings. Note that Erie-Meadville District has a Tuesday evening option. BUTLER DISTRICT - LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES SCHOOL 2014 SUNDAYS 2-5 PM March 9, 16, 23, 30 and APRIL 6, 2014 Harmony-Zelienople United Methodist Church COST: $35 covers book and materials Registration deadline March 1, 2014 Contact the Franklin District Office for a copy of the brochure. Indiana District kane.district@wpaumc.org Sundays, March 2 - April 6 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm Johnsonburg UMC 5 Clarion Road Homer City United Methodist Church 12 S Main Street Homer City, PA Robert Penrose Indianalayschool@wpaumc. org If you attend the Lay Servant Ministries School in another District, be sure to give a copy of Kane District (4 locations) Sundays, March :30 pm - 5:00 pm Johnsonburg, PA Warren Covenant UMC 1624 Pennsylvania Avenue Warren, PA Good Shepherd UMC 9870 Route 36 Leeper, PA 16233

9 Evans Memorial UMC 1149 South Avenue Lewis Run, PA Erie-Meadville District (2 locations) Sundays, March 9 - April 6 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Bill Barton lcswlb123@verizon.net Saegertown UMC 620 Euclid Avenue Saegertown, PA Tuesdays, March 11-April 8 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Asbury UMC 27 West Second Street Waterford, PA Saturday, March 22, AM - 3 PM "C 2 C" "Children to Christ - Christ to Children" Children's Ministry Workshop with special guest speaker, "Ricardo Miller"For Directors of Children's Ministries and Volunteers in Children's Ministries. Lakeside UMC 420 1st Street DuBois, Pa Snack and Lunch provided. For more information please contact;michelle M. Polohonki District Children's Ministry Coordinator lakeside_mdo@yahoo.com CE Mar. 24 Clymer Youth Ministry in the Smaller Church by Rev. Brian Keller the Indiana District Office at indiana.office@wpaumc.org as soon as you decide to attend. Events start at 9am and end at 3pm and the cost is $10 which includes lunch. Change the World Lead Strong! The line-up of speakers and breakout sessions has been announced for the next Change the World missional conference on April 3-4, The annual event held at Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City, Ohio, is designed for all church leaders who are ready to stop playing church and start being the Church. Information and to register 2014 Youth Opportunity: SOWER Mission Camp at Epworth Center in SE Ohio The Epworth Center is excited to announce three scholarships for camper fees for SOWER Work Mission, summer The theme for SOWER 2014 is Rebuild. Restore. Renew." Because of a grant received through the Youth Service Fund of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, other funding can be designated to help first time work mission participants. Two scholarships are available for youth, ages 12-17, on their first mission trip through the First-Steps program. One scholarship is available for a full week SOWER participant, ages 12-24, on his/her first mission trip. Visit or call for more information. It is our prayer that these scholarships will allow youth / young adults who may not be able to afford the mission trip to be able to have the experience of helping others and faith building. Deadline for application is April 15, Engaging All Generations: Registration is now open for Continuum - Engaging All Generations," the 2014 Large Church Initiative Conference of the United Methodist Church. LCI 2014 will be held April 28 30, 2014 in

10 Johns Creek, GA at Mount Pisgah United Methodist. Online registration, early bird rates, and a complete conference schedule are now available at LCI2014.com. Change the World Sunday May 17-18! If you haven't started planning an outreach to take church into your community, start now before the Lent-Easter season gets underway. Resources can be found online or contact me, Stephanie Gottschalk August 22-24, 2014 Autism Family Retreat at Jumonville Camp and Conference Center the 2013 retreat at Read about VIM NEW UMCOR Relief Supplies Needed: UMCOR reports that as shipments of relief supply kits continue to move out of depots, replenishing shelves to meet future emergency needs remains a concern. Last weekend, in response to Cyclone Ian, a category 5 storm that struck the South Pacific island nation of Tonga, UMCOR West Depot sent 2,000 school kits and 2,000 health kits. They were included in a mixed container organized by the Tongan United Methodist community in Salt Lake City, home to UMCOR West. Use the relief kit instructions on UMCOR s Relief Supply web page to purchase items for school kits, health kits, layette kits, bedding packs, and sewing kits, which are all in great demand now. Completed kits, donations of items for kits, or cash donations may be brought to the Eastbrook Mission Barn, an UMCOR depot, or the UM Center in Cranberry Twp. Visit Mission Barn webpage UM Youth in Mission Event at Bakerstown UMC July 6-12 Youth Groups (grades 7-12) of all sizes are invited to participate in a week of local mission work, spiritual growth, and community building. This event is sponsored by U.M. A.R.M.Y. (United Methodist Action & Reachout Mission by Youth) - read more about their 35 years of developing youth as mission leaders online. Register now for great group rates! Youth Invited to Apply for Zimbabwe Trip-Deadline to apply is February 15 th. Senior high school-age students are invited to apply to be part of a youth team traveling to Zimbabwe from August 5-21 to participate in a revival known as the Ebenezer Convention. Info and application: Youth Zimbabwe Trip

11 SEND YOUR EVENTS or NEWS WORTHY ITEMS TO: Lead Strong! The line-up of speakers and breakout sessions has been announced for the next Change the World missional conference on April 3-4, The annual event held at Ginghamsburg UMC in Tipp City, Ohio, is designed for all church leaders who are ready to stop playing church and start being the Church. For more information and to register The Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO) Apply for Admission: We re currently accepting applications for Spring 2014 and Fall It s free to apply. Deadlines and details can be found here Competitive Scholarships Available: One in four students has earned a full tuition scholarship at MTSO. Fall 2014 students need to apply by February 1, Take a look at our competitive opportunities here ANNUAL CONFERENCE JUNE 5-8, 2014 Clergy: Plan to be in attendance! Please do not schedule weddings, mission trips, vacations, etc. during Annual Conference. REV. PAUL MORRIS TO LEAD GROUP TO THE HOLY LAND On November 10, the group will depart on a ten day trip to the Holy Land. Dr. Morris is a retired pastor living in Homer City. The journey will include touring of Galilee, Nazareth, the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem, the Garden Tomb and much more. The travel/study program has been arranged by Educational Opportunities, a Christian tour company whose main objective is to provide pastors and laity affordable, first class learning experiences in the Lands of the Bible. The tour will provide sightseeing, daily devotions and informative lectures. The cost of the pilgrimage is an all-inclusive price of $3, from Pittsburgh, Pa. For more information contact Dr. Morris at If you would like a brochure or more information about the trip contact Rev. Morris by phone or e mail him at georgiadar@comcast.net 2014 Lands of the Bible, Then and Now!-November 12-21, 2014 Tour with Bishop Bickerton All inclusive price from Pittsburgh***Register early and get the best discount! Information at eo@travelwithus.com Brochures available at

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