The Cove

The Cove is an arts-based youth drop-in center at Greenstone UMC in Avalon. It is an accessible, magnetically designed space for youth to experiment with various art expressions, all within an environment that cultivates discipleship.

Area young people, ages 12 to 18 are welcomed into the space Monday - Friday, 3pm to 6pm, by artists-in-residence that reside at Greenstone UMC's Home of the Nomad. The Home of the Nomad is an artistic hub for touring musicians & artisans as well, which has facilitated growth in Greenstone's young adult ministry.

Young people continue to be engaged through The Cove's ministry called "Skill Share." These are individual lessons in visual & performing arts that seeks to build disciple-making relationships between a young person and artist.

I am excited to announce that The Cove has a WPAUMC Advance Special Number. To support The Cove, checks can be made out to WPAUMC with the advance special "COVE" or "The COVE Art Center" in the memo line. Mail to 1204 Freedom Road, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066.

Follow the cove on Facebook and Instagram.

Mission Opportunities this week

Wednesday, June 24 at 12:00 PM EDT: #StillInMission Episode 3 Revisited-David Guinkpa- due to technology issues David was not able to share. Global Ministries is offering another opportunity. Register
Thursday, June 25 at 9:00 PM EDT: #StillInMission Episode 5
- Didier Monga is serving as a Mission Advocate for Young Adult Mission Service.
- Adam Shaw is serving as the Justice and Peace Advocate at the Asia Pacific Regional Office based in Seoul, South Korea
- Alma Navarro is serving as minister for administration and Christian education of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) ministry in Taipei. She serves alongside her husband, Richard Navarro, who is serving as serving as minister for congregational development and pastoral care of the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). Register
Thursday, June 25 at 2:00PM EDT: The UMC Social Principles in the Context of Mission. Learn about the proposed revision of our UMC Social Principles and how they can inform our mission work. Rev. Christie led the years-long process of getting global input to make the revision truly reflective of our global nature. Register
Friday June 26 at 12:00pm EDT: Entry Points for Creation Care Ministry. One of our most basic responsibilities as Christians is to care for the earth (Genesis 2:15). Learn how your church can integrate creation care into existing ministries and save money in the process. Register

Resourceful Africa University Grad Aims to Give Back

Every day, Africa University alumnus Gad Maiga witnesses to the transforming grace of Jesus Christ. “My social involvement has evangelistic consequences,” he said. “Being, doing and saying are at the heart of our integral task.”

Born and reared in the Kenyan village of Muberi, Gad was the third of seven children. In Nairobi, he worked with the United Methodist youth ministry and founded a small music school in 2011. “I managed to support my family, plus enroll in several life-skills courses while applying for scholarships to advance my studies,” he said.

In 2013, he received a scholarship to attend Africa University. “Africa University made me an entirely different person,” Gad said. “AU is filled with resources and counselors that helped me succeed. From internships to volunteer work, my resume was already booming even before I got my degree.”...More

Meet a Missionary in July

Thursday July 9, 2020. 6:00PM EDT: #StillInMission Episode 7. T. & J. Park, Joy Prim, Sung Il Lee, & Min Kyu Lee. Register
Thursday July 16, 2020. 1:00PM EDT: #StillInMission Episode? 8. Julie Wilson, Yorleni Jimenez, Moses Blair Kamanga, Carolyn Schneider, & Colleen Miller-Register
Thursday July 23, 2020. 1:00PM EDT: #StillinMission Episode 9. Bruna Farat, Ann Hidalgo, Dan & Courtney Randall, Patrick Mwinkeu, & Trisha Manns. Register
Thursday July 30, 2020. 1:00PM EDT: #StillinMission Episode 10. Hannah Reasoner, Edwin Ramirez, Patrick Booth, Leah Magruder, & Natallia Manyeza. Register

Virtual Missions

Peru Virtual Mission Journey: We are a connected church and we have the opportunity to learn within our denomination. The East Ohio Volunteers In Mission will be hosting a virtual mission opportunity to Peru.

Who can participate? Families, friends in or outside of East Ohio UMC, people ready to experience a new culture, discover missions in their local community, and set a week aside for intentional learning and discovery about Peru, its people, faith, food, culture, history, natural beauty, tourist sites, and more.

Cost: $20 to helps fund ministry needs in the Methodist Church of Peru. For more information and to register visit the mission page.

UMCOR Summer Collection Points

Be sure to contact collection sites before drop off to make sure they are open and still accepting especially on the specific dates listed in the sidebar. Please visit whichever location is closest to you.

Erie-Meadville District

Park Northeast satellite - July 15
Ron Holl 814-725-3014. 103 Clay St., Northeast, PA,

Indiana District

Smithport UMC - July 18 from 9-12
Alyson Reitz 814-590-4880. 47 Smithport Rd. Glen Campbell, PA

Johnstown District

David Kissinger - 814-243-3254. Zion Elton,1089 Mount Airy Drive Elton, PA

WPA Conference Center

724-776-2300. 1204 Freedom Road, Cranberry Twp, PA 16066

Butler District

Mission Barn. Katie Peterson 724-856-8241. 226 Church Lane, New Castle

Pittsburgh District

Coraopolis UMC- July 18 9-12
Rev. Dennis Lawton, (412) 264-3727 (church), 814 706-8164 (Dennis's cell)
1205 Ridge Ave, Coraopolis, PA 15108

Trinity Tower UMC
Rev. Dale Reese, 412-793-9000 (church), 6729 Saltsburg Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15235

Kane District

Smethport UMC
West King Dr.,Smethport PA 814-887-2455

Connellsville District

Connellsville Area Community Ministries
110 W. Crawford Ave., Connellsville, PA 15425 724-626-1120

UMCOR is accepting requests for Hygiene Kits for shelters. If you know any shelters in the conference in need of Hygiene Kits, please suggest they fill out the Relief Supply Request Form, or have them contact our Disaster Response Coordinator, David Kissinger at dlkissinger22@gmail.com

Mission Opportunities within our conference

Mission is everywhere; it is local, regional and international. There are many ways in which we can be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. This could be expressed in many ways: Advocacy, fundraising, mowing a neighbor's lawn, making reusable masks and so much more. Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18.

Summer Mission Opportunities

WPA missions wants to know what mission opportunities you have been engaged in. We would like to share your story. Please send pictures and stories to sandra.matoushaya@wpaumc.org.

Abundant Health

Healthy Congregations

The Abundant Health Team is requesting pictures and videos regarding ways in which pastors, congregations and communities are staying healthy and/or participating in health ministry during the pandemic. These can be emailed to abundanthealth@wpaumc.org

Abundant Health Team seeks Community Health Nurses and Health Ministers

The conference Abundant Health Team is seeking to establish a registry of Community Health Nurses and Health Ministers that have taken the training at Pittsburgh Mercy or NWPA programs. Kindly send names of individuals, church affiliation and contact information to Team Member Linda Hiles, Ph.D. at lindagh.071@gmail.com