Marcellus Shale Gas Update (Nov. 2011)
The Marcellus Gas Team has meet several times determine the values and goals on which a possible lease would be based. Among those values and principles are: 1. The integrity of the historical legacy held by the Weber Memorial, 2. The preservation of the land, buildings and cemetery, 3) the environmental wholeness and beauty of the land and the 4) stewardship of the environment on the Weber Memorial and throughout the Commonwealth.
The Committee submitted many revisions and amendments to the original lease proposal. Chevron has accepted most but not all of the revisions, including provisions to preserve the land’s integrity. Negotiations with Chevron on the lease terms continue without a deadline so the committee is throughly evaluating all aspects of the proposal. Committee members are current on the environmental concerns over Marcellus drilling and the various new reports are regularly issued. We will continue to inform the Conference as developments occur.
Global Mission: Church-to-church Partnerships
The Global Missions Team of the Penn West Conference was formed in response to an initiative from the national United Church of Christ. This initiative calls for the national church, conferences and churches to become “Global Mission Partners.” It is a call to see missions in a new way. Rather than a process by which American churches give their resources and culture to mission fields in foreign lands, missions become a covenantal relationship with our mission partners. Recognizing Christians around the world as partners rather than wards. We seek to share and to receive, to teach and to learn, from Christians from many cultures.
At the 47th Annual Meeting, Penn West Conference voted to form a team to pursue the goal of becoming a Global Mission Conference. Following a self the Global Ministries approved PWC for Global Mission Partner status. The Penn West Conference voted to become a Global Mission Partner Conference at its Annual Meeting in 2009.
The Global Mission Team worked with Global Ministries to identify a partner conference. Our partner conference is the Northwest Luzon Conference of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (NWLC). The Global Mission Team and the NWLC have established a working relationship. To cultivate that relationship the Global Mission Team provides information on our partner and ways that local churches can participate.
The next step is to challenge individual congregations to become Global Mission Partner churches. Our team encourages churches to under take the study and we are willing to support you in this process. A handbook on becoming a global mission partner church is available from the Conference office or from Global Ministries.
An additional step is to encourage individual congregations to become a partner with a specific congregation in the NWLC. At present, eight PWC churches have decided to become partner churches and others have expressed interest. The Global Missions Team has made a tentative list of partner match-ups and sent t them to NWLC for confirmation. If you are interested in seeing your church become a partner congregation please contact the Conference.
The Global Missions Team, supported by your prayers, will continue to seek ways to increase enthusiasm for missions and to encourage.
New Board for Ministries and Missions
The new The Ministry & Mission Network is to call churches, Associations and the Conference to see “church” as a verb and to do church, to connect with each other in encouraging and supportive ways.
The vision of the new Ministries and Missions Network is
Mission statement: The Ministry & Mission Network is the link to connect key ministries and mission in and among congregations, and to create and support new ministries and mission as needs and hopes are expressed.
During the coming year local churches will be called to seek what are their ministries and missions that God is calling them to do. Your ministry maybe in creating inspired worship; or holding study classes in a local café; or tutoring youth. Your mission maybe partnering with other churches in working on a community wide problem. The Network can help - it can encourage, support and partner with churches. The Network will help make connections between churches engaged in similar ministries and missions. The linking of ministries and missions in churches may bring together those who are most passionate and committed to making a difference.
Associations Challenged!
Cheryl Petrini, President of the Westmoreland Association, joined by two pastors, stood to offer a challenge to each Association. When they returned to the Westmoreland Association, they were going to challenge each church to a special $200.00 per church gift, above already OCWM support, for the 2012 unfunded benevolence. Juanita Association accepted the challenge. The Conference has already heard of churches stepping up to make the $200.00 extra gift. After announcing the opportunity and need, a lay member came up to the lay minister and said he would cover the $200.00 personally.
Churches sending their gift to the Associations or to the Conference in support for the 2012 unfunded needs (benevolence, Living Waters and Teams) can mark their remittance “2012 Benevolence support.” It will be held in reserve for the 2012 budget.
Conference Minister Interim Plans
As soon as Alan announced his plans to retire to the Board of Directors, the Board began the process of filling the vacancy. Recognizing the importance of the interim time for the Conference, The Executive Committee immediately contacted Susan Towner Larsen, Minister for Conference Relations, in the UCC national settings in Cleveland office for assistance. In a conference call she assured Barry Fillman and me that intentional interims are available. She suggested that a Search Committee be appointed and we select some dates to schedule meetings with her. In the meantime, she e-mailed several documents to “get the ball rolling.”
The first order of business was the creation of the interim search committee. I appointed the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors, with the addition of Barry, to serve. At this time, we are awaiting a response from Susan as to the acceptability of the dates I e-mailed her. Since three of the five persons are delegates to General Synod, and Susan will also be in attendance, the meeting will not occur until after GS 28.
There are several benefits to calling an interim. First is the speed of finding a person who is trained in assisting in the transition. Second is that training that Intentional Interims have is invaluable to a Conference. Third the process smooths the transition between Conference Ministers by inserting a kind of “breathing space” between the two tenures.
As we enter this time, let us pray for God’s Presence, celebrate the ministries we are doing in the name of Jesus and look to the Holy Spirit to guide us into the future to which God is calling us. Challenges ahead? Certainly. Faith, hope and love. We have these gifts in abundance.
We will keep you informed about our progress each step of the way.
Peace, Earl J. Mostoller
Conference Receives Bequest
The late Dr. and Mrs James Killius, former members of the Trinity UCC, Berlin made a generous gift of $ 25,000.00 to the Penn West Conference in their estate. On the recent passing of Dorothy, her daughter contacted Rev. Alan McLarty to share the news.
Jim and Dorothy were known as caring and generous persons throughout their life time. One long time frond wrote about them: “Respect and Grace come to mind as qualities exhibited by both he and Dorothy. They both treated others with the utmost respect and grace. Many times before receiving congregational approval Jim would stand up objecting to the insufficient funding of Benevolence and getting his way before approval. Certainly he lived his life as very benevolent person and even in death he demonstrated his strong beliefs by remembering his church and Conference in the same way. “
The “James and Dorothy Killius Fund” was set up in the United Church Funds to preserve their gift for future generations.
Marcellus Shale Gas Resolution Passed
The Resolution to permit the Board of Directors to continue to investigate and possibly develop a lease contract for the Marcellus Shale gas under the Weber Memorial property in Westmoreland Association passed at the Annual Meeting. Both during the Friday evening Forum and the dialogue prior to the vote, there was vigorous discussion about environmental issues and concerns and the rapid growth of the industry in Pennsylvania. Short and long term benefits were noted too.
The Marcellus Shale Team is equally dedicated to the stewardship of the environment, especially the Weber Memorial land. Not only is there an area for picnics and fellowship, but a historic church and cemetery that recall the history of Rev. John Weber and the generations who preceded us in establishing many Reformed Churches. From the first contact with the Atlas Company, the integrity of the land was foremost in conversations.
The Weber Memorial Committee, comprised of members from the Pittsburgh and Westmoreland Associations, have been involved in the process. Indeed, the Weber Memorial Committee is eager for all churches in the Conference to plan events at the site and enjoy its natural beauty and convenience. (Contact the Conference to schedule dates.).
The Marcellus Team will have updates as the investigation continues.
New Ministry and Mission Partnership
“Turning the page in an exciting novel,” was how Sam Swick, chair of the PWC Governance Committee joined by Association Presidents shared their excitement about a new partnership.
The heart of churches, Associations and the Conference are the ministries and missions we carry out in the name of Jesus. Worship, spiritual formation and Christian education, nurturing and developing our spiritual gifts for service, telling others about God’s love in Jesus Christ, caring for the least among us near and far are among the essential ministries and missions to our discipleship. Image the possibilities when your pastor and lay leaders work together with other pastors and laity to create and live out a key ministry that is the heart of your church’s mission! The “Board for Ministries and Missions” brings together leaders in churches, Associations and Conference who are passionate about the ministries and missions that are doing to live God’s Mission.
Next Steps: Continuing our Stewardship Conversation
During our presentation of the proposed 2012 budget [ on line at www.pennwest.org under the 49th Meeting tab], it became readily apparent that no one was happy with the budget being proposed, including the presenters, even though it was necessary due to the current level of support by member congregations. What did come to light from the spirited discussion was that many congregations are struggling financially making it very difficult to have conversations about giving more of their very limited resources to the Penn West Conference and OCWM. We can talk at length about the needs and missions of the greater church but if our congregation’s constant focus is on the survival of their local church it is hard to get much of a conversation going beyond the day to day needs.
Consequently the Penn West Conference as our mission and outreach effort to our local churches will host a conversation in your area later this fall on “Sustaining and Growing Your local church, or Stewardship and Outreach begin at home.” We will bring in exciting outside resources from the Cleveland Office as well as some real life experiences and examples from your local area on how we can all become better stewards of God’s individual blessings to us.
We have members at all stages of life’s journey willing and able to share their personal experiences in the spirit of fellowship and love to the honor and glory of our Lord. If you truly care about Jesus Christ and you local church join us for this important and exciting conversation. We will all be richer for the thoughts you bring and share. Share your talent and time to this worthy ministry. We guarantee we will all leave with more than we brought to the meeting. Come and see firsthand the loaves and fishes multiply.
Stewardship Associates and Budget and Finance Committee
PWC Office updates are complete
The upgrades to the heating and insulation at the Conference office were completed a few months ago. Visitors feel the difference when going up the stairs to the second floor. The temperature was a noticeably warmer and in the summer we expect the cooling will be improved.
The Board thanks the churches and individuals who contributed to the upgrades. The Conference has received to date $ 9,144.00. There were 22 churches and 7 individuals who made gifts to the project in addition to one hundred percent (100%) of the Board members who personally supported the project. While energy costs are hard to forecast, it is estimated the gas bills will be 40% less and some think it will be 50% lower than previous years.
Thank you!