Our Mission To transform people, creating disciples of Christ who are devoted to living in a biblically-functioning community.

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1 Our Mission To transform people, creating disciples of Christ who are devoted to living in a biblically-functioning community. Our Methodist Heritage 50 th Anniversary of the United Methodist Church 50 years ago, The United Methodist Church was created by union of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and The Methodist Church, and dissolution of the segregated Central Jurisdiction. As United Methodists from the Evangelical United Brethren tradition, we give thanks for our spiritual ancestors, Philip William Otterbein, Martin Boehm and Jacob Albright. We celebrate the founding of Zion Church in Donegal in 1799, and the Organizing Conference of the United Brethren in Mount Pleasant in We also celebrate the arrival of Evangelical preachers in Hyndman, Elton and Somerset in the early 1800s, and the formation of the Evangelical Association in From three original preaching circuits two United Brethren and one Evangelical we grew to 290 churches organized in 3 conferences at the time of the 1968 merger. We began educational institutions, housing and nursing facilities, orphanages and camps; most notably: Albright College, Otterbein College, United Theological Seminary, Arbutus Park Manor, Camp Findley and Camp Allegheny. From our EUB tradition come vivid accounts of the experience of Christian assurance of salvation; unwavering faithfulness to the practice of personal and corporate prayer; the Council on Ministries organizational structure; a longstanding practice of ordination of women; and a firm and unwavering commitment to abolish slavery and end segregation. It was at the insistence of the Evangelical United Brethren that the dissolution of the segregated Central Jurisdiction became a condition for union in Our pietist roots teach us that to be a Christian is to follow a way of life that affirms and upholds the dignity of all. From the former Washington Conference of the Central Jurisdiction, we give thanks for our spiritual ancestors Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, who were licensed to preach at the Christmas Conference of We celebrate the historically black churches of Western Pennsylvania. The first, Warren, was organized in Pittsburgh in John Wesley in Washington followed in These two churches launched four others: Calvary in McKeesport, Trinity-Asbury in Johnstown, Buena Vista in Pittsburgh, and John Wesley in Verona. We give thanks for Bishop Roy C. Nichols, the first African American bishop elected after the dissolution of the Central Jurisdiction, who led our Conference from ; Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly, whose father pastored Warren Church during her childhood, and who became the first African American woman elected to the episcopacy; and Bishop Warner Brown, Jr. who was ordained and served his early years in ministry in Western Pennsylvania. We offered the best of ourselves to our shared mission and ministry. From our tradition, we brought our hymnody and spirituals, our passionate worship, and our witness against racism rooted in Biblical teachings of justice and liberation. From the Methodist tradition, we give thanks for our spiritual ancestors John Wesley, Francis Asbury, and Thomas Coke. We celebrate the first Methodist class meetings west of the Allegheny Mountains, organized in the summer of 1772 near Washington, PA. Those gatherings developed into the Redstone Circuit, formed in 1783, a year before the Christmas Conference that formally established the Methodist Episcopal Church. Francis Asbury first visited the Circuit in 1784 and would return to Western Pennsylvania another 19 times throughout his life. The first Asbury-promoted camp meeting in the Methodist tradition occurred in 1803 on the banks of the Monongahela River. By 1824, forty-three circuits were organized into the Pittsburgh Conference. Through various expressions Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant, and The Methodist Church we have actively supported educational institutions, care facilities, camps and publishing houses. Among them are The Pittsburgh Christian Advocate publication, Mount Union College, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Jumonville Camp and Retreat Center, Goodwill Industries, Church Union, and the Bradley Center. From our Methodist tradition comes a sense of ministry as a calling not a career; a connectional structure and ethos; episcopal polity balanced with lay representation; and an emphasis on care for children and training of youth. Lord of the church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church, and in the United Methodist Church. Excerpts taken from Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference, Daily Journal, June 7, 2018.

2 2 FUN DAY SUNDAY Our annual Fun Day Sunday will be held on July 22, 2018 and we are planning a Military theme for this year.. We have invited visitors from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines and have already received confirmation that the Army and Marines will be there! We will also have visitors from the Saint Michael and Dunlo American Legions and the organization Wings for our Heroes from Windber. This organization gives back to our nation s heroes and protectors who have given so much to our country and communities. Wings for our Heroes is a non-profit corporation that offers upland adventures and adaptive hunts as a means of giving back to those who have given so much. They're dedicated to provide outdoor adventures/hunts and adaptive equipment to Military, Police, Firefighters and EMS workers that have been disabled in the line of duty. If you have any questions about this upcoming event, please contact Tom Fondelier. For the month of July, we will be collecting canned vegetables. Thank you for your continued support to the Forest Hills Food Pantry. July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 George and Janet Drobnak John and Shirley Leipchack Chuck and Lynnea Bailey Keith and Marsha Griffith Rod and Cheryl Lowry Congratulations to our 2018 graduates We had three graduates recognized during our worship service on June 24. Nathan Bailey graduated from Windber Area High School and will attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania majoring in the nursing program. Mara Chappie also graduated from Windber Area High School and will be attending Clarion University majoring in environmental biology. Josie Helsel has recently graduated from St. Francis College and is now working as a physician s assistant at Pediatric Care Associates in Johnstown. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Summer Special Music Once again, we are looking for willing musicians, vocalists, dancers, etc., to provide Special Music during the 9:00 am and/or 10:30 am worship services over the summer months. A calendar will be available in the Narthex. Please write your name on a Sunday that you could share your gifts with the congregation. Please contact Stacy Novak at with any questions. Thank you! 2

3 3 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday am SPLASH DAY am am FUN DAY SUNDAY VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL BEGINS!! 3

4 4 Sharon Hess Jassim Hassan Ethan Hill Lisa Selders Jenny Orner Janet Drobnak Martin Graffius Doug Fregly Beryl Dunmyer Andrew Grech George Drobnak Sheryl Richie Carol Chappie Ali Hassan Joshua Keeley Bill Markley Marsha Griffith Kiera Beckner Aiden Graffius Keith and Paula Saylor 6 Keith and Jenny Cutshall 6 John and Shirley Leipchack 14 Thad and Melissa Baumgardner 16 Scott and Susan Lowry 17 Donnie and Brooke Fishel 21 Jim and Sharon Hess 24 Don and Roxanne Saccol 26 Randy and Robin Cope 26 Terry and Jill Hill 27 Fellowship Weekend Update The Fellowship Weekend, coordinated by Tom Fondelier, was a huge success! On Friday evening, seventeen people stayed overnight in campers (no tents because of the rain). Ten others then joined in on the bonfire for a total of twenty seven people. Even though it was cold, windy and rained, it was still a great time. Saturday morning, Stacy Novak organized a wonderful breakfast for the group. At 9:30 Pastor D provided the group with Safe Sanctuary training followed by Stacy Novak who presented us with this year s Vacation Bible School plan. This year s VBS is going to be a SPECTACULAR event one that your children/grandchildren don t want to miss! Day 2 of the Fellowship Weekend had about the same number of people stay overnight. Pastor D challenged the folks at Mt. Hope for a semi-pro wiffle ball game but we re still trying to determine the winner of that event. That evening Tom Stewart played his guitar and we had a jam fest provided by Tom and Ian Hill. Everyone had a great time and all are looking forward to our next event. 4

5 5 The Conemaugh Valley School District is collecting new or gently used clothing for distribution to those in need. Any clothing you would like to donate can be brought the church and placed on the coat rack in the hallway. Thank you. We would like to welcome our newest addition to God s family. Charlotte Joann Natta was baptized at Elton Zion during our worship service on June 24. We are so blessed to be able to share God s love with her as she grows in her faith. We would like to extend a warm welcome to two new members at Elton Zion - Karen Straw and Loretta Groom. CAMP ALLEGHENY WOMEN S RETREAT August 24-26, 2018 Greetings Sisters in Christ, As we approach summer I can t help but get excited about this year s Camp Allegheny Women s Retreat. Are you ready to set time apart for yourself to draw closer to God? You are invited to come to the mountaintop for a time of refreshment and renewal. Women s retreat is a weekend designed to let women refresh and renew their walk with the Lord. It is filled with praise, worship, wonderful speakers, great meals, and plenty of fun free time activities. There is an opportunity for you to participate in a mission project. Chat with old friends and make some new ones. Highlights include a watermelon slurp, hayride, and a beautiful candlelight service. Come to enjoy fun and fellowship on the mountaintop. Open your hearts to a weekend of encouragement, faith building, and God s love. Our speakers this year are Friends of the Heart with the theme If Our Closets Could Talk Kim Messinger, Janine Boyer, and Shirley Brosius will share their love for the Lord and guide us to see what might be blocking us from becoming all God calls us to be. Through encouragement, skits, messages, songs, and a dramatic presentation, these friends have a passion for opening women s hearts to the joy we have in Christ. This year s retreat is based on people from the book of John. It addresses a subject to which we can easily relate clothes! We will peek into our life s closet. -- What s in there? -- What doesn t fit? -- What should we give away? -- What should we pitch? So what are you waiting for? Join in the joyful journey and let these ladies become friends of your heart. Mark your calendars! Come and be blessed! Colossians 3: Therefore, as God s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Blessings, Merrilee Saccol Dean of Camp Allegheny Women s Retreat 5

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7 7 Our founding fathers used God s word and teachings to establish our Great Nation. Please pass this along and be proud of the country we live in and even more proud of those who serve to protect our God Given rights and freedoms. The first fold is a symbol of life. The second fold is for our belief in eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing rank, who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. The fourth fold stands for our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it s to Him we turn to in times of peace as well as war for his divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to America. In the words of Stephen Decatur, Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong. The sixth fold is where our heart lies. It s with our flag that we pledge allegiance to the flag and the republic it stands for. The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces. For it is the armed forces that protect our country and flag against enemies, whether they be domestic or foreign. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother s Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it is through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for He has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. When the flag is completely folded, which some consider the 13 th fold; the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, In God We Trust. Also, when completely folded, the flag takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today. There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. Share this with the children you love and all other who love what is referred to, the symbol of Liberty and Freedom. 7

8 E lton Zion United Methodist Church PO Box 96 Elton, PA Phone: Our relationship with Jesus doesn t begin in heaven it begins right here on earth and is continued into heaven 8