Community Cupboard
"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done." Proverbs 19:17 NIV
I have always believed that every little thing goes a long way. It doesn't matter how big or small it is, but it all makes a difference. Trinity United Methodist Church (UMC), Conneaut Lake has a community cupboard where they feature a different item for people to donate each month. The month of November was toilet paper.
People are welcome to donate other items but it makes it easier for some to donate a specific item each month. The church focuses on essentials but people struggling in the community are always blessed by the church's generosity.
On the first Thursday of each month from 9am – 10am, they give each household a bag containing the following:
- 1 liquid laundry detergent (up to 78 oz) or
- 1 dish soap (up to 25 oz)
- 2 bars bath soap
- 2 rolls toilet paper
- 1 roll paper towels
In addition, the following products are given on a rotating basis:
- Toothbrushes
- 1 tube toothpaste
- 1 shampoo and conditioner
- 1 box Kleenex
- Cleaning Products
- Bleach
This cupboard is an example of giving towards mission made easy. Most of these items are everyday items that we use, but might sometimes take for granted. Simple as they may be, they can make an impact in someone else's life. Mission does not have to be complicated but has to be meaningful. For more information on what Conneaut Lake UMC does click here.
Thanksgiving partnerships
Salem United Methodist Church, Wexford PA would like to send out a a big thank you to Cranberry Giant Eagle, Bradford Woods Community Church, Wexford Presbyterian Church and all others who made Salem’s 19th annual Thanksgiving dinner for the community possible. They are especially grateful to Marisa Harris, Salem’s administrative assistant, who coordinated the activity. Almost 200 meals were prepared and delivered to folks who were alone for the holiday or were unable to provide a meal for their family.
Free Thanksgiving Meals Provided by DuBois UMC: WTAJ reported on the volunteers from DuBois United Methodist Church who offered a free Thanksgiving meal to people in need. The annual tradition began around 10 years ago and this year, 400 meals were prepared. Watch Segment.
Friends of Albright: A community driven effort to transform the Albright Church building into a community space hosted their 48th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner. They think this was one of the biggest meals to date. They served over 200 meals and people were able to take some meals home for thanksgiving. Not only that, they had enough leftovers to supply 100 meals to two other Pittsburgh nonprofits.
During the pandemic they handed out takeout meals outside so it was great to be able to return to the kitchen and see many familiar volunteers and guests.
Western PA Regional Mission Agencies
WPA Advance Special Numbers
WPA Advance Special Number Application
WPA Featured Missionaries
- Katie Peterson (Advance #982942) Latest Newsletter
- Luis Cardoso (Advance #3022667)
- Ellyn Dubberly (Advance #3021818) Latest Newsletter- September 2022
- Thanksgiving message from Ellyn.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Dubberly Family in El Salvador.
Our family has so much to be thankful for this season and always!
Today our daughter, Camila, is excited to go to school in clothing of her choice instead of a uniform and to have chicken nuggets for lunch in honor of the American Thanksgiving. :)
This evening, several of our friends will gather at our home to share a Thanksgiving meal prepared by my husband, Brian, who was an Executive Chef in our life before full-time mission ministries.
You and your loved ones will be in our prayers as we give thanks this evening. May you be filled with the spirit of thanksgiving because of a God who is oh so good!
With great appreciation,
Ellyn
- Lourdes Ramirez (Lulu) and Rich Mroczka. Summer Itineration VIM Guatemala Latest Newsletter from Mroczka. New: Empowering Guatemalan Women.
Roots of Faith Video.
Disaster Response
We have had a lot of natural disasters that have happened in the past couple of months. In the near future we will be setting up teams to assist in those disaster stricken areas. Please be on the lookout for an interest form in the next couple of weeks. But if you are interested and have questions in the meantime please contact Sandra Matoushaya at sandra.matoushaya@wpaumc.org
Relief Supply Kits
Our Mission Barn is in need of Cleaning Kits (also known as Flood Buckets). We are running low and would like to restock the barn. Consider making kits at your churches and sending them to our Relief Supply Network or giving towards the purchase of needed supplies. Click here for the kit recipe and instructions. View the latest Mission Barn Newsletter
UMCOR Cleaning Kit: Enabling those affected by floods, hurricanes and tornadoes to begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up.
Other Ways to help:
- Prayer: Continue to pray for all partners as well as for survivors.
- Donate and support the work of UMCOR.
- Volunteer: Set up time to volunteer at the Mission Barn. They are now accepting teams of 12-14 volunteers at one time. For more information please contact Katie Peterson at missionbarn@gmail.com
UMCOR will remain at the disaster until the final home for the final disaster survivor is safe, sanitary and secure. This is a seven-fold ministry that shows our witness as Christians as we continue our outreach- seen through the stores, customers, transporters, makers, verifiers, the people that hand out the buckets and the survivors.
PLEASE DO NOT SELF-DEPLOY! Wait for an invitation to be communicated from our Disaster Response Coordinator, UMVIM Coordinator or the Jurisdiction. What you CAN do is: Pray, pray, pray. Give through The Advance and make and Donate Kits. If you have an invitation and you would like to share the opportunity, please register your team. In some instances others want to help but do not have a team. Remember there is power in numbers.
For more information contact our Disaster Response Coordinator, David Kissinger at disasterresponse@wpaumc.org or call 814-243-3254.
2022 Flood Recovery
Volunteer Opportunities
Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
With the Holidays approaching, Please share this food bank distribution schedule to all in case you know of a family or friends in need. Also you an sign up to volunteer.
Schedule
Done-in-a-day
What's happening with all those quick one-day mission projects - quick projects at the local food bank, or at a camp work day, or supporting a local organization with a community cleanup. We call these Done-in-a-Day. These VIM experiences are as important as the mission journeys that require a year of planning. Connect with me by reporting them here or email sandra.matoushaya@wpaumc.org Tell us about what you are doing! Share the story and few pictures. Your experiences are ones that might be a springboard for someone else to serve.
Are you planning on any service events? If so please let Sandra Matoushaya know @ sandra.matoushaya@wpaumc.org. It would be great to share all the amazing work we have done.
Partnership offers 2022 Advent devotional
United Methodists in Eastern Germany and Western Pennsylvania have released their 
2022 Advent Devotional in English and German, which can be downloaded and copied. Advent begins on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.
The entries for each day contain scripture and devotional thoughts in both English and German. Bishops Harald Ruckert of Germany and Cynthia Moore-Koikoi of Western PA contributed to the devotional as well as retired Bishop George W. Bashore. Several Western PA clergy and laity from Western PA contributed, including: Richard C. Russell, Dean E. Byrom, Scott Miller, Mitchell Stecker, John Mize, Donna Chesleigh, Mary Gerber, Joseph Stains, Thomas Q. Strandburg, Raphael Koikoi, John Logan, Deborah Ackley Killian, Judi Phelps, and Oden Warman.
Download Here.
UMVIM
Puerto Rico Update
Many questions are being asked about returning to Puerto Rico to assist with the recovery efforts. Here's the recent update from UMCOR-
88% of the island has no power. Outside of the metropolitan areas there is no potable water, but the government has installed community water devices in central locations. The municipalities, coastal areas, and the Southeast are all impacted again, but even worse than Hurricane Maria. In the South, Central, and West communication towers, major roads, bridges, and most rural roads have been impacted by mudslides. Travel around the island is severely impacted and more rain is in the forecast in the coming days. All hospitals are up and running. The internet is holding up thanks to post Maria improvements.
Key points to know and share:
- Do not self deploy
- Do not send ANY material goods. The government has specifically requested this:
- Donate to USDR Advance 901670 to provide support to Puerto Rico.
- Pray as more rain delays the flood waters receding.
UMCOR Response to Hurricane Ian.
Long-Term Missionary Conversations with Roland
"The purpose for conversations is to gain insight from missionaries on what missionmeans in these and future times as well as how we understand and shape missionary service. It is important to have input from our missionaries currently serving."
The conversation will continue with the following schedules:
- December 7 (Wed) 1 pm - 3 pm (EST), LAC Group B (Spanish) tomorrow.
- December 9 (Fri) 9 am - 11 am (EST), Africa Group B
- January 4 (Wed) 1 pm - 3 pm (EST), North America
- January 10 (Tue) 9 am - 11 am (EST), Asia and the Pacific
Mission Journeys
Volunteers in Mission (VIM) team openings throughout the connection. Click here. To see Missionary and Partner Newsletters Click here.
Virtual Mission Journeys
View past Virtual Mission Journeys visit the UMVIM page.
Global Ministries
Ministry in Mongolia
Did you know that United Methodist missionaries are active in Mongolia, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and partnering with communities to meet their physical and spiritual needs?
Watch and read several powerful stories of how God is moving in the UMC of Mongolia: Watch
Missionary Commissioning
Congratulations 
to the following missionaries on their commissioning for service in countries throughout the world:
- Dexter Fernandez Ceballos
- Mary Louise Escobar
- Janice Sehyung Lee
- Ashley Riddle
- Joseph Leslie Riddle
- Kirk Stephens Sims
- Nicole Haack Sims
- Frieda Mwebe Mofya
- Srey Non Bo
- Christine Glenn Mercader Brua
- Afiju Kamara
- Vanny Keo
- Modester Kulongwe
- Q. Nguyen
- Tariro Salim Nyamudeza
- P. G. G. Santos
The commissioning was presided over by Bishop Pedro M. Torio, Jr. and Bishop Israel M. Painit. Global Ministries staff also participated, including General Secretary Roland Fernandes, Rev. Dr. Judy Chung, Hannah Hanson, and Rev. Paul Kong.
Answering God's Call to Mission
Global Mission Fellow US-2 Track
Are you looking for an opportunity to fight the root causes of injustice in the United States through deep engagement with a local community? Are you between the ages of 20-30?
The Global Mission Fellow US-2 Track could be the perfect opportunity for you!
Global Mission Fellows seek to combat systemic oppression and alleviate suffering while serving in partnership with their new community. They serve for two years as a cohort across the United States working in public health, migration issues, poverty situations, and much more.
Some of the placements that may be available for the 2023 cohort include:
- Immigration rights project, Washington state
- Case management for families experiencing homelessness, Utah
- Youth ministry and civic engagement, Iowa
- Campus ministry and food insecurity, Michigan
- Case management for individuals experiencing homelessness, Michigan
- Anti-racism and justice outreach, Michigan
- Youth program coordination, Florida
- Ministry coordination with families experiencing homelessness, Florida
- Immigrant legal clinic, Florida
In order to be eligible to apply for the US-2 Track, you must have authorization to work in the United States. More information
Global Mission Fellow International Track
Now more than ever, our world needs young leaders who are willing to learn from others, discuss social issues honestly and seek culturally appropriate ways to address issues of systematic injustice. The International Track offers the opportunity for fellows to discuss current world issues as a cohort and serve in a new context, allowing them to put their education and faith into practice.
WHERE CAN A FELLOW SERVE?
Fellows serving in the International Track are assigned to a placement outside their homd country. Fellows may indicate areas of interest in their application, but the final determination on where a fellow is placed is based on the needs of the placement site and how these needs match the skills of a fellow.
Fellows are invited to serve in placements with our partnering organizations in Central and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
Fellows have specialized job descriptions based on the needs of their host community and placement site. Fellows seek to combat systematic injustice by working with partners who address issues such as:
- Migration
- Food sustainability/agriculture
- Education
- Worker’s rights
- Health access
- Housing security
- Children/youth engagement
WHO CAN APPLY?
Fellows in the International Track are:
- Young adults between the ages of 20 to 30 in the year that service begins
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
- Able to communicate in English at a conversational proficiency level
- Committed to two years of service
- Willing to live and serve in solidarity with others
- Dedicated to addressing the root causes of injustice
- Called to put their Christian faith into action
Note: You must be between the ages of 20 and 30 by Dec. 31 of the year when service begins.
Questions? Email missionaryinfo@umcmission.org. More Information
Give love, joy, hope and peace
Every day, your generosity transforms individuals and communities around the 
world. Through the end of December, explore stories of mission and ministry from 2022 that show your gifts of love, joy, hope and peace in action. More...
Together, we can make a lasting, meaningful difference in the world.Churches and laity are invited to help promote this giving opportunity in their local communities. Find resources and materials such as graphics, videos, letters, social media posts and more. Resources
Mission Volunteers
Mission Volunteer 2023 Training Dates
Still not sure if the Mission Volunteer program is for you? Watch the video to get started and plan to attend one of the Mission Volunteer Trainings in 2023:
- March 27-30, 2023 St Raphaela Retreat Center, Haverford, PA
- May 10-13, 2023, Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA
- Nov 8-11, 2023, Franciscan Center, Tampa FL
To learn more about the training events, email mv@umcmission.org.
Church and Community Workers
Missionary Service is working to develop at least five new placements for Church and Community Workers (CCW) this year. CCWs are commissioned missionaries of Global Ministries, who, in response to God’s call, are devoted to uplifting the poor and disenfranchised in rural and urban areas throughout the United States. They work to change the social inequities of poverty, racial injustice and domestic violence. As the name implies, CCWs take the church into the community and bring the community into the church. They normally serve in a project for six to 10 years. For additional information please contact Sonia Brum at SBrum@umcmission.org Flyer.
Three P's in Mission. The Players, Payers and the Prayers.
