Photos

Baseball and Theology--Pirates Game

Participants at the Baseball and Theology Seminar on August 23, 2010 ended the day with a Grand Slam evening as the Pirates took on the St. Louis Cardinals. The Buccos lost, but the WPAUMC fans enjoyed a great night of fellowship and baseball. Wesley Seminary professor Shaun Casey led the seminar.

Bishop at Boy Scout Jamboree 2010

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton, head of the United Methodist Church's Global Health Initiative, spoke during a United Methodist worship service near the end of the Boy Scouts of America's 2010 Jamboree and Centennial celebration in Virginia. He talked about the spirituality of Christians in Africa and the Imagine No Malaria-Nothing But Nets campaign to eliminate deaths from malaria by 2015. With an offering of about $12,000 and donations at the United Methodist booth, nearly $17,000 was raised for the anti-malaria campaign at the Jamboree. Photos by the Rev. Alan Morrison, except where noted.

Imagine No Malaria - Tip of the Week

Photos from churches supporting Imagine No Malaria featured in the Tip of the Week.

2010 School of Mission -- Youth at Work

Mission Discovery, the youth component of the Western PA School of Mission, includes worship, learning and hands-on opportunities to make a difference in the world. Youth worked at the Mission Barn at Eastbrook, a supply depot for the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Photos by George Powers.

2010 School of Mission

Photos from the 2010 Western PA Cooperative School of Christian Mission, with sessions July 11-16 and July 16-18 at Grove City College. The theme was Faith, Hope, Love in Action. Photos by George Powers and Jackie Campbell.

2010 Buddhists, United Methodist Worship in Pittsburgh

First United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh hosted area Buddhists for worship on July 4. About 150 people heard Khandro Rinpoche, the highest ranking female Tibetan Buddhist teacher, who was in Pittsburgh for a three-day visit. During her teachings, she focused on love and discussed its importance in both Buddhist and Christian traditions. All photos by Ron Chan.

Light of Life Mission Trip to Haiti-June 2010

The Rev. Pam Armstrong, other staff members and clients of the Light of Life Rescue Mission on Pittsburgh's North Side were in Haiti in late May-early June to help with earthquake recovery. The Rev. Rick Nelson, pastor of White Chapel UMC and a veteran Disaster Response worker accompanied the group. Photos are by Light of Life intern Meg Weyrha.

Health As Wholeness

2010 Annual Conference - Fourth Day - Sunday

Bishop Bickerton ordained 11 elders into full membership at the 2010 Annual Conference, June 10-13. The June 13 worship service included Holy Communion served by the ordinands and was followed by the reading of the clergy appointments. Images by Mark Rehn and the Rev. Rich Pearson.

2010 Annual Conference - Third Day - Saturday

On June 12, the Western PA Conference met for the third day of Annual Conference 2010. Activities included early morning worship, Bible Study 2 with Steve Cordle, recognition of Camping Retreat Ministries, veterans/chaplains, Youth Ministry Team, Session Team, commissioning eight provisional members, a reception afterward, and more. Images by Rich Pearson, Mark Rehn, and Carrie Moore.

2010 Annual Conference - clergy - new elders, provisional members and retirees

Eleven elders are to be ordained in full connection and eight provisional members commissioned during the 2010 Annual Conference, June 10-13, in Grove City. The class of retiring clergy was also recognized through the sessions. Images by Mark Rehn.

2010 Annual Conference - Second Day - Friday

Sessions began with early morning worship led by the youth followed by the first part of the Bible Study, a day of plenary sessions and concluded with worship. The Conference partnership with Zimbabwe was sealed and celebrated in the evening. Images by the Rev. Rich Pearson, Carrie Moore and Mark Rehn.

AC2010 - Thursday

Members of Annual Conference 2010 gathered on June 10 to celebrate the opening of the sessions and remember Conference members who have gone to join God in the last year. The service included music by the Slippery Rock UMC praise team, Acts 29, the combined Conference Choir and the WPAUMC Ministers Chorus. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton delivered a message of hope, celebration and rememberance. Images by the Rev. Rich Pearson.

2010 Annual Conference - Day of Preparation

Members of Annual Conference 2010 and others gathered for the Laity Academy and Day of Spiritual Preparation activities on June 9, 2010. Images by Carrie Layton Moore, the Rev. Rich Pearson and Mark Rehn.

Nothing But Nets Buzz Tour to Fight Malaria

The Nothing But Nets Buzz Tour stopped at the United Methodist Center in Cranberry Township on May 13. Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton and the Western PA Conference staff welcomed Mozzie the Mosquito and crew, who are visiting major league soccer stadiums leading up to the FIFA World Cup to raise money for mosquito nets to fight malaria. The UN Foundation sponsors the tour and partners with The United Methodist Church, major league soccer and other organizations to eliminate deaths from malaria by 2015. In three years, NBN raised $30 million to buy 3 million nets. To makea donation or learn more, visit www.nomoremalaria.org.

Change the World 2010

The last weekend in April (24-25) was Change the World weekend 2010 and United Methodist all over the world participated in community outreach projects, as well as activities centered on the launch of our denomination’s Imagine No Malaria campaign, headed by our Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton. Images from a variety of sources.

2010 United Methodist Women Assembly--Western PA participants

Western PA UMW members pictured here were among the 6,500 at the 2010 Assembly in St. Louis from April 30 - May 2. High School students Karen and Jaime Luccarelli of First Bethel UMC were plenary speakers and Sally Ernst participated in opening worship as a past national president. Photos by George Powers, except where noted.

Camping poster- May 7, 2010 InterLink

A number of camping images were incorporated into a full-color poster in the May 7, 2010 InterLink, the Conference newspaper. Included are letters from campers along with images of campers at all three sites: Jumonville, Camp Allegheny and Wesley Woods. The oppostie side of the poster were articles for camping and retreat minsitries an youth and young adult ministries.

Change the World - Erie United Methodist Alliance

Making a difference in their region on Change the World weekend, April 24, 2010, some 46 people from eight local churches worked at facilities of the Erie United Methodist Alliance which provides shelter and cares for the homeless. The volunteers included individuals of all ages, from youth to senior citizens.

WORLD MALARIA DAY U2charist at Mr. Small's Funhouse, Millvale

For World Malaria Day, April 25, 2010, several churches and the Conference teamed to offer a U2charist worship service at Mr. Small's Funhouse in Millvale (Pittsburgh). The Reply, a band that includes Bruce Stollings, pastor of Little Hill & Blackburn UMCs, as singer and guitarist, led the U2charist with live U2 music. Afterward, the the band and friends led a concert of worship and other music.Donations and Buzzkill t-shirt sales benefied Imagine No Malaria, the United Methodsit initiative to fight malaria through prevention, medical help, education and bed nets. April 25 also makred the launch of Imagine No Malaria. Included in the U2charist was a presentation by Sandra Matoushaya, coordinator of the Conference's partnership with Zimbabwe and a native of Harari, Zimbabwe. Other U2charist participants included Pittsburgh District Superintendent Don Scandrol, Brenda Walker, pastor of Millvale UMC, and Bruce Gascoine, association pastor of St. Paul's UMC in Allison. Members of St. Paul's helped as volunteers and the church also funded the required security.