The Western Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church gathered at the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, Pennsylvania, on June 6-8. The theme was “Dressed for the Harvest.” Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi presided.
The Rev. Williams Meekins Jr. delivered the sermon during opening worship, challenging those gathered to not be complicit and compliant with the way things are. "There is an urgency about the work that we are called to do," he implored. "We can't wait until the last moment. We have to do things today, not tomorrow. We have to be willing to make sacrifices today. We as a church are perhaps struggling because things aren't the way they used to be. It's not better or worse, it's just different. The call upon our lives is to be effective disciples, making sacrifices so others might know of God's love for them."
ORDINATION
This service was held on the evening of May 6. During her sermon during the Ordination celebration, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi heralded the continuous movement of Jesus throughout history and into the present day. She addressed the members of the Conference, acknowledging their role as answers to prayers. "Beloved, you are what we asked for! You are an answer to prayer."
She then spoke directly to those commissioned, ordained, and received by name, lifting them up as tangible answers to the prayers of the annual conference. “We are sending you into the harvest,” she told them, “to seek out those new places among those new people to bring to them a word of peace, to heal them, and to declare to all that the kingdom of God is at hand.”
During this service, two were ordained as elders and one as deacon; two were commissioned as provisional elders and two as provisional deacons; one was commissioned as a deaconess; and one was received as an associate member.
- Ordained as Elders — Sarah E. Adkins, Kimberly L. Foos
- Ordained as Deacon — Megan Miles
- Commissioned as Provisional Elders — Edmund Layton Bach, Amanda Mitchell
- Commissioned as Provisional Deacons — Todd Michael Ciarimboli, Karen Slusser
- Commissioned as Deaconess — Leanna Lake
- Reception as Associate Member — Sara Jane (Trull) Wrona
MISSION IMPACT
Nearly 100 people gathered at the Historic Erie Bayfront for this year's Mission Impact event. The gathering was organized in collaboration with the Erie Mayor’s office and local organizations. Participants came together to clean up litter and remove debris from sidewalks and roadsides, underscoring United Methodist’s commitment to meaningful, hands-on engagement in all communities where they are present.
OTHER NOTABLE MOMENTS
- In her State of the Church Address, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi addressed the clergy and laity of the Western Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church. Highlighting the diverse make-up of participants from various geographical and social contexts, the bishop shared a message of resilience, unity and renewal amidst the challenges faced by the church.
- Twenty-four retirees were recognized and thanked for their service.
- Three clergy and six laity were elected to the Jurisdictional Conference delegation. Two of the laity delegates elected are youth.
- The conference welcomed and honored with a standing ovation 100-year-old WWII veteran Ernie Clute, a member of a local United Methodist congregation.
FIVE AREAS OF FOCUS
Every year, the Western Pennsylvania Conference highlights churches and ministries that exemplify our five areas of focus. Those highlighted include:
- New and Renewed Congregations: The Remnant
- Developing Principled Christian Leaders: Conference Strategic Plan
- Ministry with the Poor: Communities of Transformation
- Abundant Health: The Nyadire Connection
- Dismantling Racism: Johnstown Banishment
LEGISLATION
2023 RS 403 (IMAP Household Alignment): Last year, RS 403 was tabled by the Annual Conference. In light of actions taken by the General Conference, a motion was made to remove this legislation from the table. Amendments were proposed to make the legislation current and was then passed. The entire motion was then before the body and also subsequently passed with 72% in affirmative. This legislation establishes three households — traditional, blended, progressive — and allows local churches and clergy to choose a household alignment. Additionally, it establishes co-conveners of each household and lays out a timeline. See full legislation.
A new task force was named by Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi to carry out the work of enacting this legislation. More information and guidelines will be forthcoming as the task force meets.
Other Legislation: Legislative sections met and deliberated legislation concerning the budget, dispersal of funds, special weekends, compensation, Conference evangelists and others. These items were added to the consent calendar which was passed.
Budget: A budget of $5,035,796 was approved (an increase of $283,111).
Statistics
Membership stands at 79,773; down 3,834 from the previous year.
Worship attendance stands at 15,877; down 312.
Church school attendance stands at 3,353; down 102.
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2023 is 497; down 10 from 2022.
Adults and young adults in small groups for 2023 is 8,333; down 58 from 2022.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2023 is 9176; down 171 from 2022.
See full summary at https://www.wpaumc.org/newsdetail/ac-24-summary-18388913
Liz Lennox, director of communications, Western Pennsylvania & Susquehanna Conferences