Wpa-email.brtapp.com



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|Meetings are cancelled until further notice. | |

|Please double check before leaving to attend anything in April. | |

|The United Methodist Center is closed and Conference staff will be working remotely and available by email. Some leaders and staff may report to conduct essential business | |

|from time to time, but the intent is to limit the number of people in the building. Email is the recommended method of contact. Voicemails left on office phones will be | |

|checked regularly and returned as soon as possible. | |

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|As an alternative to in-person meetings, the Conference Center has a number of conference call options available allowing you to hold meetings remotely. | |

|The Wesley Woods office is closed and all events are cancelled through April 30, 2020. They are working remotely. To get in touch with the office, email | |

|info@. | |

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|Indiana District Office is closed, except by appointment, until further notice. Sherry can be reached by email Indiana.office@ and Jim can be reached by email or | |

|cell phone Indiana.ds@ (724)322-1718. The office phone messages will be checked once a week… please try to use email as primary contact. | |

|DISTRICT DATES (Subject to Change) | |

|Apr 19 | |

|District Council ??? | |

|District Office | |

|5:30 | |

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|Apr 20 | |

|Clergy Dialog North ???? | |

|Punxsy First | |

|12:00 | |

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|Apr 21 | |

|Superintendency ?????? | |

|Indiana Trinity | |

|11:00 | |

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|Apr 21 | |

|Clergy Dialog South ??????? | |

|Indiana Trinity | |

|8:00 | |

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|May 2 | |

|dCOM ????? | |

|Punxsy First | |

|8:30 | |

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|May | |

|District Conference Rescheduling | |

|Marion Center | |

|2:30 | |

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|May 4 | |

|Trustee | |

|District Office | |

|6:00 | |

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|May 4 | |

|Location & Building | |

|District Office | |

|7:00 | |

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|May 5 | |

|Regional Clergy Breakfast - Indiana | |

|Eat-N-Park | |

|8:00 | |

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|May 5 | |

|Regional Clergy Lunch - Kittanning | |

|Thee Log Cabin | |

|12:00 | |

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|May 5 | |

|District Clergy Supper – Punxsy | |

|Anchor Inn | |

|7:00 | |

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|May 6 | |

|Regional Clergy Lunch - Punxsy | |

|Anchor Inn | |

|12:00 | |

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|May 7 | |

|Regional Clergy Breakfast - DuBois | |

|Eat-N-Park | |

|8:00 | |

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|May 7 | |

|Regional Clergy Lunch - Brookville | |

|Denny’s | |

|12:00 | |

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|May 7 | |

|Ramp | |

|District Office | |

|4:00 | |

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|June 15 | |

|Clergy Dialog North | |

|Punxsy First | |

|12:00 | |

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|June 16 | |

|Superintendency | |

|District Office | |

|11:00 | |

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|June 22 | |

|OMG Meeting | |

|Lunch TBD | |

|11:00 | |

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|June 23 | |

|Clergy Dialog South | |

|Indiana Trinity | |

|8:00 | |

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|July 25 | |

|Clergy Picnic | |

|TBD | |

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|New news | |

|GENERAL CONFERENCE TO MOVE TO 2021 READ THE NEWS RELEASE | |

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|Coronavirus Information | |

|Churches & COVID-19 Stimulus/Relief | |

|The Conference Treasurer’s office has compiled information on how the Coronavirus Stimulus and Relief legislation applies to churches and other non-profits. Changes may be | |

|made. Visit our Coronavirus Stimulus and Relief webpage. | |

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|Information and resources on ministry during the coronavirus pandemic are updated regularly on our Conference Facebook page wpaumc/ and website . On | |

|the website, the homepage feature photo link will take you to COVID-19 Announcements. Use the Resources drop-down menu on the top blue bar to find other COVID-19 resources.| |

|Take-aways from our Clergy Conversations is there.  | |

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|Leading the Church in the Face of Coronavirus | |

|How can the church provide timely and proactive leadership when there is no tried and true template? Read more now. | |

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|The Pennsylvania Department of Health has relevant information that is updated regularly on its website at ics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx | |

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|The Center for Disease Control website offers information and downloadable resources on its main COVID-19 page and a page devoted to information for faith-based | |

|organizations. | |

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|Resources | |

|While your community copes with the COVID-19 pandemic, turn to resources that will support your church during this time of uncertainty and change: | |

|• : Leaders will find virtual worship how-tos, congregational care ideas and ways to respond | |

|• : Members will discover prayer tools, encouraging podcasts and comforting articles | |

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|Chuck’s Back! | |

|He’s teamed up with #SeeAllThePeople for a “Chuck Knows Church” video series: “Things We Can Do-Covid-19.”  It suggests simple things to maintain and build community during| |

|this time of crisis. Share them with your congregation. Take a look | |

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|Leading the Church in the Face of Coronavirus | |

|Bill Owens of the Center for Healthy Congregations offers some simple reminders and best practices in this Leading Ideas article.  | |

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|Helping Children Deal with Covid 19 | |

|Sheltering in place is confusing for children accustomed to daily contact with friends and teachers. Church leaders offer advice on how to help them. Read story | |

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|Announcements | |

|Use the link on the homepage for announcements and resources related to coronavirus response in our Conference or find it here.  | |

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|Sources for Coronavirus Information | |

|Keep up with information and advice from the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more localized information, check the | |

|Pennsylvania Department of Health website, your county Health Department or local officials. | |

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|Online Worship | |

|If your church doesn’t offer online worship, invite your congregation to worship with one of our congregations who do. Links to some are on the Conference website. Pick a | |

|link or two and share them with your congregation. See the list. | |

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|Giving & COVID-19 | |

|Discipleship Ministries of the UMC sent out 10 Ideas for Church Financial Leaders Amid the COVID-19 Crisis. An article about electronic giving: Electronic Giving Allows | |

|Ministry to Continue in “Isolating” Times. | |

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|Worker's Compensation payment | |

|Send to the Conference Center by March 31st. Email accounts receivable with questions. | |

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|Due May 15th: | |

|2020 Pastor Evaluations and Continuing Education form. 2020 Evaluations were emailed to pastors on March 2nd. The email included a link to access the forms. For assistance,| |

|contact the District Office. | |

|Parsonage Inspection – Send to the District Office. | |

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|Upcoming Webinars at | |

|Continuing Education for United Methodist Leaders. See the webinars at | |

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|Information for College Students | |

|Student Loan Payment Suspension: A three-month suspension of student loan payments is being offered by the UM Board of Higher Education and Ministry in response to the | |

|economic impact of the coronavirus. The pandemic may cause financial hardship for many paying off student loans. Press release | |

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|Scholarships For Undergraduate Education | |

|The Western Pennsylvania Conference scholarships for undergraduate education for students who are members of its churches. Some scholarships are provided in the annual | |

|budget of the Conference while others have been provided by individual donors. Brochure attached | |

|Video about scholarships Deadline is April 30th | |

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|UMW Scholarship Fund | |

|for Christian Vocations provided by the United Methodist Women of the WPA Conference. Deadline for the Fall Semester is April 15.  Christian Education Scholarship | |

|Application | |

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|Attention Pastors At Minimum Salary | |

|The Higher Education Team has college scholarships available for your children.  For more information contact Rev. Jeff Little at jeffreybl2003@ | |

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|UMC Student Loans | |

|Loan applications for the January to May period is open until May 5. Students are eligible to apply for up to $10,000 per calendar year from the General Board of Higher | |

|Education and Ministry. Click here for eligibility and application information.  | |

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|Revised Local Church Audit Guide | |

|The Audit and Review Committee revised the Local Church Audit Guide, which serves as a tool to help churches conduct financial audits and helps to educate why audits should| |

|take place. The companion document, Frequently Asked Questions, has also been revised. Download now | |

|MAY | |

|Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders | |

|May 4-8 at the Scarsdale Congregational Church, Scarsdale, New York. This is the only MSTI scheduled in the Northeast this year. Save $200 if you register before April 3rd!| |

|Be prepared when conflict arises to transform it into a positive opportunity for growth and reconciliation. Acquire 32 contact hours that you can apply towards Continuing | |

|Education credits. | |

|Register online at Brown Paper Tickets (a non-refundable service fee will be assessed for online registration). | |

|Lombard Mennonite Peace Center | |

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|Wesley Woods | |

|Open House on May 16 from 1:00-4:00 PM. All Ages! Cost: $0-$15 (based on activity choices). Come walk around camp and get a feel for what a week at summer camp would be | |

|like! Check out our foot golf course, gaga ball pit, miles of trails, challenge course, and cabins! Activities will be open on a first-come basis with payment due at the | |

|check-in desk. Choose 2 activities to do during the breakout sessions! Options include a Tour & Hike (Free), Crafts ($5), Low Ropes ($10), and Foot Golf (Free). We | |

|recommend that everyone try to make it to one of the Tour & Hike rotations so that they can learn what to expect at camp and view the facilities! Signups: 1:00-1:30 | | |

|Breakout Sessions: 1:30-3:30 | Info Session 3:30-4:00 | |

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|At The Lake Ministries | |

|2020 season beginning May 21st! ATLM offers opportunities for persons with special needs to enjoy fishing and cruising on Lake Erie. To view the dates and for directions on| |

|how to schedule a charter for your family or group, visit | |

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|Spring Women’s Olmsted Retreat | |

|May 22-24. Sister speaker team Aimee and Amber will lead you in a time of renewal away from the worries of your everyday life. This retreat is designed for you to spend | |

|time away focusing on your mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Come and enjoy the beauty of the forest, supportive women, encouragement, space to share, delicious | |

|meals, and purposeful relaxation. Register | |

|Leaders: Aimee & Amber Kaple | |

|Cost: $175/person includes programming, two-night stay, and all meals | |

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|Pastoral Transitions Seminar | |

|May 30, 2020 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. | |

|JUNE | |

|Notice of New Registration Process for Annual Conference | |

|The annual conference is moving from an open registration process to a closed registration process for voting members. Visitors may continue to register in the open | |

|registration. | |

|An email will be sent with the link to register to each individual listed in the church dashboard as a Lay Member to Annual Conference (LMAC) in order to vote at annual | |

|conference at Grove City College. Pastors are asked to make sure the Lay Member to Annual Conference is complete in the church dashboard Leadership report. Any laity | |

|representing the local church must have an email address listed on the Leadership form in the church dashboard by March 1. If someone does not have an email, then enter the| |

|local church’s email address and assist them in registering for annual conference. If this isn't feasible, use the district office email and the district Administrative | |

|Assistant will be able to assist them in registering for annual conference. | |

|  If you have questions about adding the LMAC to the Church Dashboard contact your district office. Church Dashboard Login: Church ID number and Password will be | |

|needed. | |

|Do you have youth (from 7th grade - 12th grade) who are interested in being a page or youth delegate (voting member) at Annual Conference? They will need to come to | |

|Conference on June 9 at 1 pm and stay through June 13. There is no cost. Application forms are due March 30. Contact Amanda Gilligan at the conference office with | |

|questions. Get application. | |

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|Pirates 8th Annual Faith Night | |

|Saturday, June 6, which is a 4:05 pm game against St. Louis.  After the game, fans are invited to stay and see a more personal side of our players and coaches where a large| |

|number from the team come back out to the field to discuss how faith has impacted their careers and personal lives.  Groups of 10 or more are on sale now, and Groups can be| |

|reserved with a deposit. You can make group reservations by contacting me directly at (412) 325-4756. Chad Glover, Pirates Account Manager & Seating Sales. If you’re | |

|seeking less than 10 tickets for Faith Night, discounted seats are still available to you and are available now at faithnight. | |

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|Annual Conference 2020 | |

|The session will be June 11-13, 2020 at Grove City College. | |

|Clergy: Plan your vacation, weddings, mission trips, etc. around these dates and plan to attend. | |

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|Spirit Lake Mission Trip | |

|Join Grove City Grace UMC on the Spirit Lake Reservation in Devil’s Lake, ND from June 19-28. Arriving at Devil’s Lake, ND by Amtrak train on June 21, 2020, the team will | |

|work with the reservation children throughout the day or aid in home repairs. No experience needed, save a love for Jesus and a servant’s heart. The estimated cost of | |

|$988.00 includes food, board, & travel. Contact Rev. Ed Saxman for further details at pastor@ or call Grace UMC @ 724-458-8660.  | |

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|Youth and Young Adults | |

|Are wanted to serve on General Agency Boards of Directors | |

|Every four years, one way that Young People’s Ministries can help advocate and amplify the voice of young people in the UMC is to provide a list of youth and young adults | |

|who are willing to serve as members of the Boards of Directors for each Board or General Agency of the church! If you are selected, you would serve one quadrennium (four | |

|years). This as a “free agent pool” of young people that the church can use to ensure young voices are at the table! If you are interested, please complete the form. | |

|Completed forms are due by June 25, 2020. | |

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|Missionaries to Visit WPA | |

|Missionaries Lourdes and Rich Mroczka, who serve in Guatemala, will visit Pennsylvania and other states from April 16 to June 30, 2020. If you’d like them to speak to your | |

|congregation or group about Guatemala, send an invitation from your church to richmroczka@.  | |

|JULY | |

|2020 Zimbabwe Immersion | |

|The dates for the 2020 Zimbabwe Immersion Program have been set for July 13-August 6, 2020, and the application is online now. Deadline to apply is February 1, 2020. Learn | |

|more | |

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|Canadian Wilderness Canoe Trip | |

|Sunday, July 19 to Tuesday, July 28. Join us for a week of wilderness canoeing and camping in the north woods of Ontario. For seven days and nights we travel through a | |

|rugged and beautiful land of lakes, rivers, and forests. Along the way, we look for wildlife and camp on the lakeshore. Around the campfire, we learn about God, the wonders| |

|of his creation, and what it means to follow Jesus in community. This trip is physically demanding and involves primitive camping. Previous canoeing and camping experience | |

|is helpful, but not necessary. The cost of the trip includes canoeing and camping equipment, most meals, and transportation. Open to adults and teens at least 15 years old | |

|(14 with approval of trip leaders). If you are 19 or older, you must have a passport. Cost: $475 for adults 18+, $445 for under 18. Led by Revs. Scott Hamley, Doug Burns, | |

|and Craig Lindahl. For information, contact: Rev. Scott Hamley, enonvalleyinc@. | |

|OFFICE INFORMATION | |

|D.S. Rev. James N. Pond indiana.ds@ Cell # (724) 322-1718 | |

|Admin. Sherry Meterko indiana.office@ Office Closed Mondays and Fridays. Office # (814) 938-1742 Fax # (814) 938-6457 | |

|Calendar: | |

|Treasurer: treasurerindianadistrict@ | |

|DON SHAFFER 4765 RAMSAYTOWN RD. BROOKVILLE, PA. 15825. PLEASE SEND ALL MONIES TO HIM. THANK YOU. | |

|LAY LEADER: CORONA MCKEE CORONAMCKEE@ | |

|Lay Servant Ministries: Jennifer Gordon djgordonfam@ and/or Ed Bach edmundbach@ or check out this link: | |

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Indiana District Newsletter

4/7/20

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