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47th Annual Meeting
The 47th Annual Meeting of the Penn West Conference brought together 170 delegates, mission partner guests, and visitors. We praised God in worship and prayer, in the ministries and missions that God calls us to do, in fellowship, and learning.
The Penn West Conference Web has the reports and activities of our Committees and Teams for your information. Below are important actions from the meeting.
NEW Living Waters Board Elected
The Annual Meeting elected eight members to a new Living Waters Board of Directors. These members will nominate and elect four additional members for a full twelve member Living Waters Board. The new Board will apply for incorporation in the Commonwealth, write bylaws ,and apply for a nonprofit tax except status.
Living Waters Property
The Annual Meeting voted to authorize the Penn West Conference Board of Directors to transfer the assets to the new Living Waters Board when the above procedures are completed. There is hope that this can be done before the end of the year.
Living Waters is a ministry for, and with, the churches in the Penn West Conference. Our summer camps will take place, churches will use it for retreats, the annual Women’s Retreat will continue as well as the Pastors’ Retreat. In future e-newsletters, letters to churches and on the web, you will be able to stay informed about the progress at Living Waters.
Global Mission Conference
Following presentations and a workshop by Wider Ministry staff on Global Missions, the delegates of the Annual Meeting voted that the Penn West Conference become a “Global Mission Conference.” This is our affirmation that Christ’s Church is global and Christians throughout the world share in the work of Christ. Through a partnership with a UCC partner Church overseas - yet to be determined - our churches will experience missions personally. We will share directly with persons in missions and learn from them about Christ’s ministry and tell them about the ministries in our churches and Conference. We may assist in joint mission projects, and eventually, we may visit the partner church. It is a hope that our partner church may also visit us. If you find yourself stirred and excited by this mission prospect, please join the newly forming Global Mission Conference Ministry Team. Send an e-mail to office@pennwest.org and we will get back to you.
Members Elected to the Penn West Conference Board of Directors
Rev. Paul Wrightman, pastor at First UCC, Millvale and St. Peter’s, Spring Garden, was elected Moderator and Mr. Earl Mostoller, Stoystown Charge, was elected Assistant Moderator. At-large members who were elected are Mr. Robert Penner, St. John’s Bedford, and Mr. John Kretchman, Amity UCC, Meyersdale. Associations elected the following members: Rev. Barry Fillman (Clarion), Mr. Gordon Shelp (Juniata), Ms. Arlene Sadler (Lake Erie), Rev. Linda Lawson (Pittsburgh), and Rev. Steve Craft (Westmoreland). Thank you to each for your willingness to serve. A complete list of the Board of Directors will be on the PWC website.
Mission Trip to New Orleans
St. Paul’s UCC, Somerset and the Conference are sending 17 persons on a mission trip to assist in the rebuilding of homes in New Orleans. Staying at St. Paul’s UCC in New Orleans, the team will work on projects coordinated by the South Central Conference Recovery. The youth and adults are supported by local churches and the Penn West Conference. Rev. Matt Deal, minister, St. Paul’s, Somerset, and Mr. Sherman Dick, Disaster Coordinator, are leading the trip. The trip is from June 27 to July 5.
Living Waters 6th Annual Golf Outing
Golfers - mark your calenders and sign up your four-some for the Living Waters Golf outing and spa at Chestnut Ridge Golf Club on August 14. Each year the golf outing has raised additional funds for the Living Waters camperships and extra facility needs at Living Waters camp. Golfers have a great time, everyone wins a prize and all share in great fellowship. Churches and sponsors feel the gratification that they have supported a ministry that can change the lives of young and old.
Living Waters Summer Camping
Register for the summer camping program. Churches have the Living Waters brochure and camping schedule and registration forms.
PWC Goes to General Synod 27
Our delegation of nine, and the Assistant Moderator and the Conference Minister will be in Grand Rapids, MI June 25-July1, for the 27th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. You can stay current by logging to the UCC WEB [ www.ucc.org ] and see reports from General Synod. General Synod is an overwhelming experience of a global faith community where we live out Christ’s call to ministry and mission Worship, Bible study, community groups, workshops, fellowship, keynote speakers and preachers, the election of a new General Minister and President, dialogue on new governance, and a huge youth participation all create a dynamic and special mix of people. Those who have attended previous General Synods have been truly blest and felt that the United Church of Christ, for all the challenges we experience, is the community where they faithfully experience God’s Mission to the world.
Peace and joy,
Rev. Alan McLarty
Conference Minister
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