Pittsburgh District Conference
October 25, 2020 2:00 pm Via Zoom
The Reverend Dawn M. Hand, District Superintendent
Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference The United Methodist Church 901 Allegheny Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Phone: 412-281-7152 E-Mail: [email protected] Fax: 412-314-8901 Website: wpaumc.org/Pittsburgh
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Agenda ...... 1 Minutes of 2019 District Conference ...... 2 – 4 Appointment Changes ...... 5 – 6 Retirements ...... 6 2019 Connectional Apportionment Giving ...... 7 – 8 District Leadership and Committee Representatives ...... 9 – 11 District Committee on Ordained Ministry ...... 9 District Missional Strategy Team ...... 10 Superintendency and Trustee Committee ...... 10 District Anti-Racism Team ...... 10 District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries ...... 11 District Nominations Committee ...... 11 Board of Church Location and Building ...... 11 District Representatives on Conference Committees (Informational) ...... 12 – 15 District Lay Equalization Candidates for 2021 Annual Conference ...... 16 District Committee Reports ...... 17 – 20 District Committee on Lay Servant Ministry...... 17 District Missional Strategist Team ...... 18 District Building and Location Committee ...... 18 Report of the District Nominations Committee ...... 18 Pittsburgh District Anti-Racism Team ...... 19 – 20 District Committee on Ministry ...... 21 District UMVIM and Disaster Response Reports ...... 22 – 23 Ministry Reports ...... 24 – 29 Nyadire Connection ...... 24 – 27 United Methodist Church Union ...... 28 – 29
PITTSBURGH DISTRICT CONFERENCE October 25, 2020, 2 pm
The Rev. Dawn M. Hand, District Superintendent Presiding
GATHERING MUSIC
WELCOME & CENTERING TIME The Reverend Dawn M. Hand, District Superintendent Mrs. Shannon Shaffer, District Lay Leader
BUSINESS MEETING
CALL TO ORDER Rev. Hand
ELECTION OF SECRETARY Ms. Pam Honeychurch Pittsburgh District Administrative Assistant
APPROVAL OF 2019 DISTRICT CONFERENCE MINUTES See Pages 2 – 4
CFA PRESENTATION (2021Conference Budget) Rev. Don Kephart
CLERGY APPOINTMENTS & RETIREMENTS See Pages 5 & 6
2019 CONNECTIONAL APPORTIONMENT RECOGNITION See Page 7 Certificates of Appreciation for 100% or More Giving
DISTRICT CONFERENCE ACTIONS
ELECTION OF DISTRICT COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP See pages 9 – 11
NOMINATION OF LAY EQUALIZATION DELEGATES 2021 Annual Conference See Page 16
APPROVAL OF DISTRICT COMMITTEE REPORTS See Pages 17 - 20
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINISTRY PRESENTATIONS Laity Report Shannon Shaffer Abundant Health & Covid Response Dr. Jessica Price Nyadire Connection Ralph Duckworth District Vision, Values, Goals & Objectives Rev. Scott Shaffer Disability Awareness Rev. Chad Bogdewic Dismantling Racism Rev. Kellie Wild
ADJOURNMENT & BENEDICTION
1 Minutes of Pittsburgh District Conference April 13, 2019, 10 am, at Bakerstown United Methodist Church
Those in attendance: Rev. Ed Bailey (Ingomar & UM Foundation), Florence Black (Fairhaven), Rev. Don Blinn, Jr. (Warren/Anne Ashley), Rev. Cyndi Bloise (Jefferson), Frank Bloise (Jefferson), Martha Boward (Sewickley), Darlene Calhoun (West View), Mary Frances Cooper (Community: Aspinwall), Rev. Greg Cox (Ingomar), Rev. Tracy Cox (First: Pittsburgh), Bill Crooks (Community: Aspinwall), Rev. John Devey (West Homestead), Roger DeWitt (Little Hill), Rev. Keith Dunn (Bakerstown), Sean Dunning (Shannopin), Rev. David Ewing (Greenstone), Rev. Roberta Farls (Sheraden/Christ Community), Rev. Tom Fodor (Little Hill/Shannopin/Glenwillard), Marion Funk (Whitaker), Rev. Jim Gascoine (Dutilh), Sharon Gregory (Warren), Rev. Jim Hamilton (Sewickley), Wilma Hamilton (Sewickley), District Superintendent Dawn Hand (Pittsburgh District), Drew Harvey (Christ: Bethel Park), Sandra Haun (Whitaker), Rev. Karen Hecht (Whitaker), Rev. Larry P. Homitsky (Calvary), Pam Honeychurch (Pittsburgh District), Lyndall Huggler (Faith: Fox Chapel), Sandy Huling (Coraopolis), Jan Johnson (West View), Mark Jordan (Bakerstown), Rev. Don Kephart (Homestead Park), Marge Kirkpatrick (Bakerstown), Rev. Penny Lyon (Salem), Terry Lyon (Salem), Tracy Merrick (First: Pittsburgh), Candace Morgan (New Day-Swissvale), Rev. Chris Morgan (Christ: Bethel Park), Rev. Dai Morgan (UM Advocacy in PA), Sandy Ord (Glenwillard), Rev. Ben Phipps (Faith: Fox Chapel), Sharon Platt (Bakerstown), Rev. David Pogany (Eighth Ave. Place/New Day-Swissvale), Rev. Matt Price (South Hills Partnership), Rev. Diane Randolph (Millvale), Sandy Riczu (Homestead Park), Pat Schmidt (Salem), Rev. Scott Shaffer (Faith: Fox Chapel), Shannon Shaffer (Faith: Fox Chapel), Rev. Russel Shuluga (Sewickley), Rev. Karen Slusser (St. Paul's), Rev. Kelly Smith (Mifflin Avenue/South Avenue), Dara Sterling (St. Paul's), Rev. Jeff Sterling (St. Paul's), Rev. Bruce Stollings (McKnight), Rev. Tom Strandburg (Mt. Lebanon), Rev. E. David Streets (Ingomar), Rev. Drew Sutton (West View), Cindy Ulrich (West View), Claudia K. (Kim) Viehland (Mifflin Avenue), Keith Volhop (Bakerstown), Rev. Amy Wagner (WPAUMC), Peggy Ward (Greenstone), Rev. Luke Whipple (Bakerstown), Rev. Kellie Wild (East End Cooperative Ministry), David Wire (West View), and Rev. Dean Ziegler (Coraopolis)
After a time of worship, the business portion of the meeting was called to order at 10:38 am. Pam Honeychurch was elected secretary by voice vote. The minutes of the 2018 District Conference corrected to include Bruce Stollings (McKnight) as in attendance. With a motion from Tracy Cox, seconded by Tracy Merrick, the minutes were approved as amended with no objections. Jeff Sterling, who is a member of the Council on Finance and Administration, gave a presentation on the proposed 2020 Conference budget of $8,847,347, which is down from $9,499,524 in 2019. There should be a meaningful decrease in Connectional Apportionment for the local churches. A vote will be taken at Annual Conference to change Connectional Apportionments to an income based formula. Pastors retiring, as well as those coming into and leaving the District, were recognized. They are noted on page 5 of the packet. Present were Ea Kyoung “Amy” Jun, appointed to Circleville UMC in the Greensburg District and Drew Sutton, who is returning to his home Louisiana Conference. Also present was retiree Don Blinn, and retired elder Dean Ziegler, who has been serving as an interim pastor at Coraopolis. A summary of Connectional Apportionment giving for 2018 is on pages 6 and 7 of the 2019 District Conference Packet. The churches who gave 100% or greater were personally
2 recognized with certificates and letters from Bishop Moore-Koikoi and the Western Pennsylvania Conference. Those with improved giving were also recognized. After a motion from Sharon Gregory, seconded by Flo Black, the tellers and alternate teller, as listed on page 2, were elected. As motioned by Peggy Ward and seconded by Sandy Riczu, The District leadership and committees, as found on pages 8 - 10, were accepted. Fred Watts, who currently serves as both the District Disaster Reponses Coordinator and UMVIM Coordinator, is looking for 1 or 2 people to step up to work alongside him and transition into these positions. Beth Nelson, Larry Homitsky, Chris Morgan and David Ewing were asked to see if they had any laity who might be interested. Page 13 of the report shows the Lay Members to 2019 Annual Conference. Added to the list were Flo Black (Fairhaven) and Candy Morgan (New Day-Swissvale). Page 14 lists the Lay Equalization Candidates for 2019. Those without asterisks (*) before their names were approved at the 2018 District Conference. Those with asterisks (*) were late additions. Frank Bloise (Jefferson) and John Esaias (Mt. Lebanon) were added from the floor. After a motion from David Streets, seconded by Keith Volhop, the additional Lay Equalization Candidates, those marked by an *, as well as the 2 added from the floor, were approved. Patrick Fowler was removed (he is a lay delegate instead) and Thomas Greeway (moved to 2020) were removed from the list of 2019 Lay Equalization Candidates. The list of 2020 Lay Equalization Candidates, found on page 15, were approved with the addition of Thomas Greeway. As motioned by Cyndi Bloise and seconded by Kellie Wild, the District Committee Reports, as found on pages 16 – 21, were accepted. Scott Shaffer spoke as chair of the District Missional Strategist Team. A survey to help develop a 2020 Vision for the Pittsburgh District will soon be shared with the clergy and churches in the district. He asked for the survey to be shared with church laity. The survey will be open until May 1, 2019. Scott also let everyone know that as a District we will participate in “Open Streets Pittsburgh” on July 28, 2019. We will be collecting items in June & July to make kits for the homeless. Details will be communicated as they are better known. Larry Homitsky spoke briefly about the work Church Union continues to do through feeding programs and in outreach to the homeless. At the beginning of today’s conference, we worked together to make kits for the homeless. Everyone was asked to take two kits as they left to keep in their car to hand out when the opportunity arises. DS Dawn Hand asked everyone to put September 7, 8 am – 1 pm, on their calendars when “March to Unite” will be held. This will be a prayer walk and march in partnership with Pan Methodist Churches, as well as ecumenical and inter-Faith. Details will be communicated later. Shannon Shaffer spoke on the importance of laity within our churches, District and Conference. She is looking for opportunities to connect laity. Laity are encouraged to take lay classes, and serve as lay delegates and lay equalization candidates to Annual Conference. She also encourage clergy to help empower the laity in their congregations.
3 Scott Shaffer gave a presentation on the Bishop’s camping initiative, “Deeply Rooted, Upward Reaching.” He encourages each congregation to find their “why” to help financially support the camping and retreat ministry initiative. The goal should be a total of $125 per person, given over 3 years. Peggy Ward spoke on “Developing Principled Christian Leaders,” which is one of the areas of focus. She spoke about the importance of Lay Servant Ministries, and how the classes offer great benefits. Fall 2019 and spring 2020 classes are being planned. People are also encouraged to take online classes through “Be A Disciple.” Drew Harvey spoke about work with the Nyadire United Methodist Mission with a focusing on “engaging in ministry with the poor.” There are 12 programs at Nyadire that churches in Pittsburgh support: Keeping a doctors in the hospitals, keeping the pharmacy stocked, shipping items to the clinics in partnership with Brothers Brother, empowerment pad ministries helping keep girls in school, helping to rebuild clinics, vision services, orphan scholarship programs, educational scholarships, forming and building relationships with other organizations to help improve facilities, the hearing impaired program, scholarships for graduates, and VIM teams who travel to Nyadire. Dara Sterling, a volunteer with the Olive Branch, spoke to the focus of “Abundant Health.” Volunteers meet regularly at the Olive Branch through “Missions and More” to make products used for dementia, cancer and hospice patients. They also supply a number of products to overseas groups to help improve health. Peggy Ward and Tracy Merrick spoke about “Dismantling Racism.” The District Anti-Racism Team is conducting conversations about race, looking for ways to increase leadership and participation, and working to partner with groups that address systematic racism. A workshop on implicit bias is planned for October 13, 2019. The “Wall of History” at Christ: Bethel Park, will be on display at Annual Conference. Cyndi Bloise spoke about the focus “Creating New and Renewed Congregations” Jefferson UMC is undertaking three new ways to reach the “dones” and “nones”: Downward God (yoga church), Soul’d Out Supper (meeting in the upper room of a local pub & eatery), and Sit. Stay. Praise! (dog church). Sharon Gregory, Conference Lay Leader, stressed the importance of laity in the local church and at the Conference level. She recognized laity in attendance who serve on conference committees and boards. Pam Honeychurch asked everyone to look inside the back cover of the packet to note the dates for upcoming events. DS Hand closed by saying she envisions a United Methodist Church that loves and accepts all of God’s people. The conference adjourned at 12:02 pm. Respectfully submitted by Pam Honeychurch
4 CLERGY APPOINTMENTS & RETIREMENTS
SPECIAL APPRECIATION Thank you to retired elder Barry Lewis for serving Sheraden UMC and Christ Community Church July 2019 through June 2020.
APPOINTMENT CHANGES The Rev. Dr. Cyndi Bloise has been appointed Associate Pastor at Ingomar UMC. Cyndi most recently was Senior Pastor at Jefferson UMC, in Jefferson Hills since 2017. The Rev. Greg Cox has been appointed Senior Pastor at Ingomar UMC after serving as Co-pastor at Ingomar since 2018. The Rev. Dr. Dianne Glave has been appointed as an Associate Pastor at Christ: Bethel Park after serving on the Conference staff as Coordinator of Diversity Development and Inclusion since 2015. The Rev. Joong “Jay” W. Koe has been appointed Senior Pastor at Salem UMC after serving as Senior Pastor for 7 years at Blooming Valley, Townville, and Troy Center UMCs in the Erie-Meadville District. The Rev. Hannah Loughman has been appointed as Senior Pastor at Sewickley UMC after serving for two years at Butler First UMC as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Seeds of Hope. The Rev. Ben Phipps is now serving as the Jeannette Campus Pastor of Charter Oaks UMC in the Greensburg District. Ben had been associate pastor at Faith: Fox Chapel since 2014, overseeing the ministries of Roots of Faith, a satellite ministry in Sharpsburg. The Rev. Steven Gruver left the Pittsburgh District after serving as Senior Pastor of Windover Hills UMC since 2017. He is now Senior Pastor of Punxsutawney First United Methodist Church in the Indiana District. The Rev. Joshua Demi is Senior Pastor Windover Hills UMC. He had most recently been Senior Pastor of Millerstown and Walter Chapel UMCs in the Butler District. The Rev. Kelly Smith is serving as Senior Pastor of the Sheraden/Christ Community Charge and Associate Pastor at Calvary UMC. She had been Senior Pastor of Mifflin Avenue UMC since 2012 and South Avenue UMCs since 2018. The Rev. Seth McPherson was Associate Pastor at Christ UMC in Bethel Park from 2014 – 2020. He is now Senior Pastor at Community UMC in Harrison City in the Greensburg District. After serving as Associate Pastor at Bakerstown UMC for 5 years, the Rev. Luke Whipple is now serving in the Butler District as Senior Pastor at Faith Community UMC in Rochester and Riverview UMC in Beaver Falls. The Rev. Chad Bogdewic has been appointed as an Associate Pastor at St. Paul’s UMC. Chad most recently served in the Franklin District where as Senior Pastor of First UMC: Sharpsville and Oakland Avenue UMC in Sharon.
5 After serving in extension for 4 years as Director of Ministry and Community Development in the Upper Allegheny Valley, The Rev. Raphael Koikoi is now Senior Pastor at Warren UMC. The Rev. Kathy Clark, a retired elder, is serving a one year appointment at Jefferson UMC. The Rev. Barry Henck, a newly certified local pastor, is serving as an Associate Pastor at Faith UMC in Fox Chapel. His main focus will be the ministries of Roots of Faith, a satellite ministry in Sharpsburg. The Rev. Matt Scott, Associate Pastor, came to Bakerstown UMC from the Johnstown District where he served Lilly and St. Michael UMCs from 2017 to 2020.
RETIRING CLASS The Rev. Donna A. Anderson – Robert Morris University, Director of Student Civic Engagement since 2005 The Rev. Beth L. Nelson – Senior Pastor of Salem UMC since 2011. Beth continues to hold leadership positions with Church Union, the United Methodist Foundation and CommonRoots Federal Credit Union. The Rev. Russel W. Shuluga – Senior Pastor of Sewickley UMC since 2006. In retirement, Russel is serving as Senior Pastor of Mifflin Avenue and South Avenue UMCs The Rev. E. David Streets – Senior Pastor of Ingomar UMC since 2006 The Rev. Kenneth R. Wagoner – China Outreach Ministry, Campus Ministry and Campus Outreach Director since 1988
6
Pittsburgh District 2019 Connectional Apportionment
Over 100%
Dutilh Faith Jefferson
Warren Whitaker
100%
Bakerstown Mary S Brown-Ames Calvary McKnight Christ: Bethel Park Millvale Fairhaven Sewickley First Bethel Shannopin Glenwillard Spencer Hill Top St. Paul's Ingomar Trinity Tower Laketon Heights West Homestead Little Hill
Improved Giving
Blackburn New Day-Swissvale Epworth Sheraden First: Pittsburgh Verona Homestead Park West View
7 Pittsburgh District 2019 Connectional Apportionment Church Name Charge Name Apportionment Paid % Homestead: Eighth Avenue Ministries/Munhall:Anne Ashley/West Anne Ashley Homestead/New Day-Swissvale $17,163.00 $6,114.00 35.62% Bakerstown Bakerstown $44,997.00 $44,997.00 100.00% Baldwin Community Baldwin Community $69,903.00 $30,000.00 42.92% Blackburn Avalon:Greenstone/Epworth/Sewickley:Blackburn $3,601.00 $75.00 2.08% Calvary Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh Parish $27,562.00 $27,562.00 100.00% Carnegie Pittsburgh: South Hills Partnership $9,239.00 $3,309.75 35.82% Christ Bethel Park: Christ $202,513.00 $202,513.00 100.00% Christ Community Pittsburgh: McKees Rocks: Christ/Sheraden $10,946.00 $1,200.00 10.96% Community Verona/Rosedale/Community:Aspinwall $7,447.00 $1,500.00 20.14% Community Of Reconciliation Pittsburgh: Community Of Reconciliation $25,780.00 $800.00 3.10% Coraopolis Coraopolis $34,866.00 $25,983.45 74.52% Dutilh Cranberry Twp: Dutilh $90,586.00 $90,588.00 100.01% Homestead: Eighth Avenue Ministries/Munhall:Anne Ashley/West Eighth Avenue Place Homestead/New Day-Swissvale $0.00 $0.00 0.00% Epworth Avalon:Greenstone/Epworth/Sewickley:Blackburn $9,868.00 $4,934.00 50.00% Fairhaven Pittsburgh: South Hills Partnership $8,038.00 $8,038.08 100.00% Faith Fox Chapel: Faith $34,858.00 $34,859.00 100.01% First Pittsburgh: First $63,565.00 $55,400.04 87.15% First Bethel First Bethel $30,602.00 $30,602.00 100.00% Glenwillard Shannopin/Glenwillard/Little Hill $2,517.00 $2,517.00 100.00% Greenstone Avalon:Greenstone/Epworth/Sewickley:Blackburn $25,187.00 $2,569.69 10.20% Highland Grove Highland Grove $4,758.00 $2,631.50 55.31% Hill Top Pittsburgh: South Hills Partnership $6,930.00 $6,930.00 100.00% Homestead Park Homestead Park $23,166.00 $13,901.00 60.01% Ingomar Ingomar $176,485.00 $176,485.08 100.00% Jefferson Jefferson Hills $15,784.00 $15,805.00 100.13% Laketon Heights Closed 6/30/19 $19,268.00 $19,268.00 100.00% Little Hill Shannopin/Glenwillard/Little Hill $6,211.00 $6,211.00 100.00% Mary S Brown-Ames Pittsburgh: Mary S Brown-Ames $5,833.00 $5,833.00 100.00% McKnight McKnight $20,916.00 $20,916.00 100.00% Mifflin Avenue Wilkinsburg: Mifflin Ave/South Avenue $21,280.00 $1,000.00 4.70% Millvale McKnight (Merged with McKnight 6/30/19) $4,266.00 $4,266.00 100.00% Mount Lebanon Mount Lebanon $70,071.00 $34,562.58 49.33% Homestead: Eighth Avenue Ministries/Munhall:Anne Ashley/West New Day-Swissvale Homestead/New Day-Swissvale $1,152.00 $500.00 43.40% Rosedale Verona/Rosedale/Community:Aspinwall $7,190.00 $1,200.00 16.69% Salem Wexford: Salem $23,267.00 $8,000.00 34.38% Sewickley Sewickley $29,028.00 $29,028.00 100.00% Shannopin Shannopin/Glenwillard/Little Hill $3,764.00 $3,764.00 100.00% Sheraden Pittsburgh: McKees Rocks: Christ/Sheraden $8,046.00 $3,872.26 48.13% South Avenue Wilkinsburg: Mifflin Ave/South Avenue $45,216.00 $33,912.00 75.00% Spencer Pittsburgh: South Hills Partnership $10,950.00 $10,950.00 100.00% St. Paul's Allison Park: St Pauls $127,849.00 $127,849.00 100.00% Trinity Tower Penn Hills:Trinity Tower $34,773.00 $34,773.00 100.00% Verona Verona/Rosedale/Community:Aspinwall $7,596.00 $1,500.00 19.75% Warren Pittsburgh: Warren $10,192.00 $10,365.86 101.71% Homestead: Eighth Avenue Ministries/Munhall:Anne Ashley/West West Homestead Homestead/New Day-Swissvale $2,468.00 $2,468.00 100.00% West View Pittsburgh: West View $23,501.00 $17,556.00 74.70% Whitaker Whitaker $7,438.00 $7,500.00 100.83% Windover Hills Windover Hills $26,474.00 $1,500.00 5.67% Pittsburgh District Totals $1,467,891.00 $1,176,109.29 80.12% 8 PITTSBURGH DISTRICT LEADERSHIP JULY 2020 – JUNE 2021
Resident Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi [email protected]
District Superintendent Dawn M. Hand 412-281-7152 [email protected]
District Lay Leader SHANNON P. SHAFFER [email protected]
District Disaster Response CHRIS GALBREATH [email protected] Coordinator* FREDRICK C. WATTS [email protected]
District UMVIM Coordinator* FREDRICK C. WATTS [email protected]
District Director of Lay PEGGY D. WARD [email protected] Servant Ministries
Conference Lay Leader SHARON GREGORY [email protected]
District UMW President LINDA E. COX [email protected]
Lay Leader Emeritus GUINEVERE GREGORY
* seeking replacement to work alongside Fred during transition
DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON ORDAINED MINISTRY (Book of Discipline ¶666, Conference By-Laws ¶4.7)
Chair: Keith A. Dunn District Superintendent: Dawn M. Hand [email protected] [email protected] Registrar: Dale A. Reese Secretary: ROBERTA L. FARLS [email protected] [email protected]
Pamela S. Gardner Beth L. Nelson LEE SHAW [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Sean R. Lewis Matthew F. Price Bruce E. Stollings [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Dai D. Morgan SANDY J. RICZU Judith E. Winston Thomas [email protected] [email protected] pastorjudywinstonthomas @gmail.com Peggy M. Osborne [email protected]
9 DISTRICT MISSIONAL STRATEGY TEAM Scott A. Shaffer, Chair [email protected] Dawn M. Hand Beth L. Nelson [email protected] [email protected] Ronald R. Hoellein JEANNA-MAR SIMMONS [email protected] [email protected] Larry P. Homitsky Kelly J. Smith [email protected] [email protected] MITCHELL R. HORTERT PEGGY D. WARD [email protected] [email protected] TRACY R. MERRICK Kellie Wild [email protected] [email protected]
SUPERINTENDENCY AND TRUSTEE COMMITTEE (Book of Discipline ¶669, Conference By-Laws ¶4.6) (Book of Discipline ¶2518, ¶610.5, ¶ 2525) DIANNE S. WAINWRIGHT, chair Tracy J. Cox [email protected] [email protected] Beth L. Nelson, Vice Chair Dawn M. Hand [email protected] [email protected] Russel W. Shuluga, Secretary Ronald R. Hoellein [email protected] [email protected] SHANNON P. SHAFFER, District Lay Leader LYNDALL J. HUGGLER [email protected] [email protected] Thomas J. Barnicott SUSAN R. STOLLINGS [email protected] [email protected] JAMES M. CAMPANA [email protected]
DISTRICT ANTI-RACISM TEAM TRACY MERRICK, Convener LYNDALL HUGGLER Scott Shaffer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] LOUANNE BAILY MARILYN LARRIMER Jeff Sterling [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Tom Barnicott SUSIE MOFFETT Bruce Stollings [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Don Blinn Matt Price PEGGY WARD [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Dawn Hand NANCY ROSS Kellie Wild [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
10 DISTRICT COMMITTEE ON LAY SERVANT MINISTRIES (Book of Discipline ¶668)
PEGGY D. WARD, Chair Dawn M. Hand [email protected] [email protected] SHANNON P. SHAFFER, District Lay Leader Dennis E. Lawton [email protected] [email protected] MARY ELLEN DICKSON Matthew F. Price [email protected] [email protected]
DISTRICT NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
Dawn M. Hand, Chair Scott A. Shaffer [email protected] [email protected] Cynthia G. Bloise Bruce E. Stollings [email protected] [email protected] PAMELA L. HONEYCHURCH PEGGY D. WARD [email protected] [email protected] ROBB MONTGOMERY [email protected]
BOARD OF CHURCH LOCATION AND BUILDING (Book of Discipline ¶¶2519 – 2524)
Christopher A. Morgan, Chair JACK MORROW [email protected] [email protected] Cynthia G. Bloise TIMOTHY K. SHIPLEY [email protected] [email protected] Dawn M. Hand FREDRICK C. WATTS [email protected] [email protected] LYNDALL J. HUGGLER Judith E. Winston Thomas [email protected] [email protected] THOMAS C. KENDIG [email protected]
Names in ALL CAPS indicate laity. Regular case are clergy.
11 PITTSBURGH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVES ON CONFERENCE COMMITTEES ***Derived from Conference Database – Let District know of any corrections*** Names in ALL CAPS indicate laity. Regular case are clergy
Anti-Racism Team Board of Ordained Ministry Don Blinn TOM KENDIG Dawn Hand Sean Lewis Renee Mikell PEGGY WARD Board of Pensions DARA STERLING, Chair Board of Church and Society MARTHA BOWARD Cyndi Bloise Greg Cox JOAN BRADLEY Alyce Dunn Alyce Dunn TERRY LYON Dai Morgan MATT MOUDRY DOROTHY SHERWOOD Tom Parkinson Alyce Dunn Board of Discipleship Matt Price Pamela Gardner, Chair Chris Kindle Camping and Retreat LORI ROXBURY Corporations Board of Global Ministries Alyce Dunn Alyce Dunn Keith Dunn Renee Mikell KATIE GASCOINE Jeff Sterling JESSICA PRICE Cyndi Bloise Board of Higher Education and Clergy Community of Practice Campus Ministry Chad Bogdewic Dawn Hand Tracy Cox Susan Moudry Keith Dunn Board of Laity Don Kephart SHARON GREGORY, Chair Dennis Lawton LINDA COX Renee Mikell Alyce Dunn Matt Price GUINEVERE GREGORY Kelly Smith Dawn Hand Bruce Stollings Chris Kindle Commission on Archives & History Susan Moudry DAVID GRINNELL SHANNON SHAFFER WARREN KINNEER Susan Moudry John Wilson
12 Commission on Christian Unity Conference Rules Team and Interreligious Concerns John Wilson, Chair Scott Shaffer, Chair AMY BENTZ Kimberly Greway MARTHA BLACKSTONE Renee Mikell Alyce Dunn Dai Morgan Alyce Dunn Commission on Communications Connectional Leadership Table Tracy Cox Cyndi Bloise Alyce Dunn LORI DEAL Dawn Hand Alyce Dunn Raphael Koikoi SHARON GREGORY Bruce Stollings DARA STERLING Amy Wagner John Wilson John Wilson Connectional Nurture Commission on Religion and Race Ministries Team PEGGY WARD, Chair Keith Dunn, Chair Don Blinn LORI DEAL Renee Mikell SHARON GREGORY ROBB MONTGOMERY Commission on Status Susan Moudry & Role of Women DARA STERLING Kelly Smith, Chair Susan Moudry Connectional Outreach Cathy Newport Ministries Team Cindy Schneider Cyndi Bloise, Chair Chad Bogdewic Conference Chairs Kelly Smith Cyndi Bloise PEGGY WARD Chad Bogdewic GLENNA WILSON LORI DEAL Bob Wilson Keith Dunn David Ewing Connectional Witness Pamela Gardner Ministries Team SHARON GREGORY David Ewing Scott Shaffer Pamela Gardner Kelly Smith Chris Kindle DARA STERLING Scott Shaffer PEGGY WARD Amy Wagner GLENNA WILSON John Wilson Bob Wilson
13 Council on Finance & Health As Wholeness Team Administration Chad Bogdewic Alyce Dunn Stephanie Gottschalk Don Kephart Susan Moudry Renee Mikell Lay Servants Ministry Team Jeff Sterling PEGGY WARD Amy Wagner Leadership Recruitment and Disability Concerns Chad Bogdewic, co-chair Nominations Team Alyce Dunn Alyce Dunn Don Kephart Dianne Glave Dennis Lawton SHARON GREGORY Amy Wagner Renee Mikell Bruce Stollings Episcopacy Committee PEGGY WARD SHARON GREGORY Karen Hecht Mission Support Renee Mikell FRED WATTS Chris Morgan Mission u Ethnic Local Church Concerns DENISE-NICOLE STONE Don Blinn PEGGY WARD Dawn Hand Native American Ministry Kelly Smith NAOMI BOWYER Amy Wagner Bob Wilson PEGGY WARD Bob Wilson Parish & Community Development Judy Winston Thomas David Ewing, Chair MATT DEAN Evangelism Team SHARON GREGORY Roberta Farls ALECIA MAHAN Chris Kindle Beth Nelson Dylan Parson Amy Wagner Global Health Initiative Team Personnel Team Stephanie Gottschalk LORI DEAL, Chair Kimberly Greway Alyce Dunn SARA NUTE DICKEY Sandra Marsh-McClain Global Mission Network Alyce Dunn MARY GARBER Renee Mikell
14 Poverty Team United Methodist Men GLENNA WILSON, Chair Chris Kindle Chad Bogdewic MARTHA BOWARD United Methodist Women Alyce Dunn JOAN BRADLEY Dai Morgan SARA NUTE DICKEY Kelly Smith Young Adult Ministry DENISE-NICOLE STONE Sessions Staff
Cyndi Bloise GUINEVERE GREGORY TOM KENDIG Rita Platt Matt Price AMY SCOTT Kelly Smith Jeff Sterling NAOMI BOWYER Alyce Dunn SHARON GREGORY Dawn Hand Kelly Smith Amy Wagner PEGGY WARD John Wilson
15 Pittsburgh District Lay Equalization Candidates Nominated at 2020 District Conference for 2021 Annual Conference
District Lay Leader: Shannon Shaffer (Faith) Young Adults Under 25: Kendra Shoffstall (Christ) District Youth Representative: Shane Pogany (Eighth Avenue Ministries) District UMW Representative: Linda Cox (St. Paul’s) District UMM Representative:
Martha Blackstone (Salem) Lori Roxbury (McKnight) Martha Boward (Sewickley) Amy Scott (First Bethel) Ben Bracken (Mary S Brown-Ames) Gloria Stephan (First Bethel) Sandy Danley (Christ) Dara Sterling (St. Paul's) Kenny Elliott (Calvary) Denise-Nicole Ward-Stone (Greenstone) John Esaias (Mt. Lebanon) Amy Taggart (St. Paul’s) Thomas Greway (St. Paul's) Mary Ruth Yarrison (Greenstone) Wilma Hamilton (Sewickley) Annamae Hilf (Sheraden) Bob Howard (Ingomar) Sandy Huling (Coraopolis) Lynne Johnson (Christ) Tom Kendig (Ingomar) Terry Lyon (Salem) Tracy Merrick (First) Robb Montgomery (St. Paul's) Sara Nute Dickey (Christ) Lynn Ogden (Coraopolis) Liangsheng Qian (Mary S Brown-Ames) Kevin Rim (Mary S Brown-Ames) James Roxbury (McKnight)
16 DISTRICT COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Pittsburgh District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries Lay Servant Ministry held its second school in Fall 2019 at Roots of Faith in Sharpsburg. This school featured new leaders, new facilities, new schedule and a newly designed course! “Leading Worship” was led by Rev. Valerie Wilson. Valerie has lead this course in other districts but this was the first time she led it in Pittsburgh District “Called to Preach” was led by Rev. Pam Gardner. Pam was new to the district and new to teaching LSM courses. The preaching class was a significant offering as it is a core course for the lay speaker certification, is not offered online, and has not been offered in the district in recent years. Our previous school piloted a condensed schedule and was well received. The 2019 school continued to experiment with the schedule, this time offering a hybrid schedule. Two of the classes occurred over 2 weekends and the third occurred at another time in the condensed weekend format. Because of this some students were able to complete 2 courses in Fall 2019. A highlight for me, especially, was that one of the classes offered was “Lay Leaders lead in Dismantling Racism.” It was a course designed specifically with the learning approaches and goals of LSM courses by the Rev. Bob Wilson and me. This course was piloted here in Pittsburgh with Bob and me as course leaders. Participants received advanced course credit. It is hoped the board of Discipleship will pick up this or a similar course for the LSM approved course list. We were considering a Spring 2020 school but, like so many other plans, COVID-19 hit. I am hopeful that people take advantage of the BeADisciple (www.beadisciple.com) courses offered. Recognizing the hardship COVID placed on LSM seeking to/needing to complete coursework by 12/31/20, the Conference Board of Laity and Conference Lay Servant Ministries has proclaimed a “Unified Grace Period” extending the deadline to 12/31/22! I would like to remind all Lay Servant Ministers to send documentation of any coursed taken online or out of district, to the Pittsburgh District Office. The LSM board began, just before COVID, making personal contacts with lay servant ministers to make sure they knew how to navigate the certification process. We have begun this process again, so if you haven’t receive a call, we are working toward you and if you received a call, but were unable to answer, please return that phone call . Before I close, I would like to welcome the Rev. Dennis Lawton to the team. He brings wisdom gathered from serving on other district LSM teams. Do not hesitate to reach out to any of our team if you have a question. Peggy Ward Chair, Pittsburgh District Committee on Lay Servant Ministries
17 Pittsburgh District Missional Strategy Team In 2020, the Pittsburgh District Missional Strategy Team (MST) has held 10 meetings. The primary result of our work is the new Pittsburgh District Vision document, which was developed through a year-long process including a survey of clergy and laity, clergy discussions, laity discussions, and the formation and refining of the vision document. The MST is currently in the process of reaching out to clergy and laity in every church in our district to communicate, discuss, and seek involvement in the goals and objectives in the vision document. The team is also in the process of developing a video to communicate the vision. In addition to raising awareness about the District Vision, the ongoing role of the team will be to facilitate the regular communication of ministry opportunities throughout the District that are related to our vision. Simply put, our role is not to create any new programs or events - but rather to ensure that United Methodists from across the Pittsburgh District are aware of opportunities to come alongside one another, and accomplish more together than we can separately. Scott Shaffer Chair, Missional Strategist Team
Report of the Pittsburgh District Building and Location Committee The District Building and Location Committee has had a less busy year than normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are some exciting ministries happening throughout our conference and our committee is here to help and affirm the ones that involve the buying and selling of property, the building of new places for ministry, and the raising of funds for new places and ways of doing ministry. Actions decided by the Pittsburgh District Building and Location Committee in the past year: Mary S. Brown-Ames has temporarily stopped their project due to COVID and they let us know they will revisit sometime next year Approved Dutilh UMC’s master plan and proposal to borrow funds for their remodeling project Continue working with the Sheraden congregation regarding the next steps following the fire I would like to personally thank the following people for their work as part of this committee: Dawn Hand, Tom Kendig, Judy Winston Thomas, Cyndi Bloise, Jack Morrow, Tim Shipley, Fred Watts, and Pam Honeychurch. Thank you for the hard work you given our district to help churches in this important work. Sincerely, Chris Morgan
Report of the Pittsburgh District Nominations Committee Members of the Nomination Committee met on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, to discern possible candidates for the various district committees. Prior to the meeting, existing committee members were asked if they were willing to continue. Using guidelines from the 2016 Book of Discipline and the Conference Rules, candidates were identified to fill committee openings. Where possible, special attention was taken to nominate racial and ethnic persons, people along the age spectrum, and to ensure diversity of gender and laity/clergy.
18 Pittsburgh District Anti-Racism Team Report – October 18, 2020
Background: June 2017 – “Let’s Talk About Race!” o Four single session district regional gatherings at Christ UMC Bethel Park, Dutilh UMC, Greenstone UMC, and South Avenue UMC o Two single church meetings at Christ UMC Bethel Park and St Paul’s UMC o Called by DS Paul Taylor o Nearly all district churches represented by their pastor and/or a lay person o Agenda included multiple opportunities for participants to respond to questions posed by the leaders 2018 & 2019 – Pittsburgh District Anti-Racism Team o Met periodically o Developed a plan which was presented to the District Conference in 2019 January & February 2020 - Conversations about Race o Four nearly identical weekly sessions in three locations: Baldwin Community UMC, McKnight UMC, and South Avenue UMC o Led by Don Blinn, Tracy Merrick, Nancy Ross, Jay Pendleton, Peggy Ward, and Valerie Wilson o Approximately 90 individuals attended at one or more of the sessions o Conversations were based upon the video series “Race: The Power of An Illusion” o Evaluations were overwhelmingly positive; many asked when we would move from conversations to action June 2020 - Pittsburgh District Missional Strategy Team Report o Overriding themes: . Micah 6:8 “… do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” . “The Pittsburgh District is a place where all God’s people are welcome. Our shared ministry is to build bridges of beloved community, embrace full inclusion and extend radical hospitality grounded in justice.” o Three Core Values: Beloved Community, Justice, and Full Inclusion - Two of four provisions under Justice apply to the Anti-Racism Team . “Confront systemic racism and oppression by actively eliminating disparities and inequities in the church and in society” . “Become caretakers of the environment, recognizing the intersections of racial, economic and ecological justice for all of creation” o Four First Year Goals – One goal directly involves the Anti-Racism Team: . Support District Anti-Racism Team in equipping clergy and laity to combat racism o First Year Objectives related to the Anti-Racism Team: . Host at least one multi session, multi-location training course to equip churches to deal with systemic racism in the church and in society . On a regular basis, communicate multiple concrete examples, actions steps, and possible partnerships for ways to actively confront systemic racism in the church and in society
19 Pittsburgh District Anti-Racism Team - update Meetings: o “Re-Start” meeting on September 14th o Second Meeting on October 19th Members: o Members of the Pittsburgh District Anti-Racism Team which met in 2018 and 2019 were invited o Participants who expressed an interest in serving on the team during the Conversations about Race were also invited Meeting Plans: o Review District Missional Strategy Team report o Review plan developed in 2018 - 2019 o Discuss what it means to be an anti-racist as defined in Ibram Kendi’s book “How to be an Anti-Racist” o Discernment o Restructure o Develop a plan which at least supports the Objectives of the Missional Strategy Team report: . Host at least one multi session, multi-location training course to equip churches to deal with systemic racism in the church and in society . On a regular basis, communicate multiple concrete examples, actions steps, and possible partnerships for ways to actively confront systemic racism in the church and in society o Since we have just begun our work, we will be better prepared to report progress in early 2021. The prevalence of COVID-19 will certainly impact our work and our plans.
Report submitted by: Tracy Merrick, Convener
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2020 PITTSBURGH COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY MEMBERS CERTIFIED CANDIDATES; LOCAL PASTORS AND CERTIFIED LAY MINISTERS
Members: ROBERTA FARLS, Pamela S. District Superintendent: Dawn M. Hand Gardner, Sean R. Lewis, Dai D. Morgan, Beth Chair: Keith A. Dunn L. Nelson, Peggy M. Osborne, Matthew F. Registrar: Dale A. Reese Price, SANDY RICZU, LEE SHAW, Bruce E. Stollings, Judy Winston Thomas
Enrolled in UMCARES/ Assigned to Candidacy Group Matthew Dean David Seitz Matthew Grubbs Randy Ord Certified Candidates Seminary or Course of Study Year Certified (* indicates available for appt.)
Associate Members Provisional Members Endorsed CLMs (* assigned) Grace Killian (2020) ROBERTA FARLS Josh Demi (2000) Matt Scott (2000)
Local Pastors Full Time or Part Time/ Year Certified (if COS or (* if COS or seminary COS or Seminary seminary NOT completed) completed) John W. Devey PT - COS-WV 2016 Karen L. Hecht PT - COS-WV 2012 Jeff J. Lukacs PT - PTS 2013 PT (college student Grand 2019 Brandon J. Moore Canyon U) David P. Pogany PT - COS-WV 2013 Karen S. Slusser FT - PTS 2014 Valerie J. Wilson PT - PTS 2016 Dai D. Morgan PT * Scott A. F. Miller PT 2019 Laura L Powell PT - COS-WV 2015 Diane C. Randolph PT - PTS Barry J. Henck FT - COS-Ohio 2020
21 Pittsburgh District UMVIM and Disaster Response Reports
Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church April 2019 UMCOR (made health kits) May 2019 Foundation of Hope (Allegheny County Jail) - Monetary Donations June 2019 Jeremiah's Place (Pittsburgh's Only Crisis Nursery) - Monetary Donations July 2019 Wilkinsburg Community Ministry (monetary & collection of items for hygiene kits for Wilkinsburg school children) August 2019 Nyadire Connection (we sponsor 2 children at the House of Hope Outreach in Zimbabwe - Monetary Donations September 2019 Church World Service - Monetary donations October 2019 MAUMC Good Samaritan Fund - monetary donations to help those in need in our church and community November 2019 Angel Tree (Christmas gifts for children of those in jail - The Program) December 2019 The Children's Rescue Initiative (rescuing children from slavery - monetary donations) January 2020 Bethlehem Haven (women's homeless) - monetary donations June 2020 Jeremiah's Place (Pittsburgh's Only Crisis Nursery) monetary donations July 2020 Wilkinsburg Community Ministry - monetary donations August 2020 The Nyadire Connection (we sponsor 2 children at House of Hope Outreach in Zimbabwe) September 2020 Church World Service - monetary donations October 2020 MAUMC Good Samaritan Fund - monetary donations to help those in need in our church and community General Church Special Sundays - monetary donations: Human Relations Day, UMCOR Sunday, Native American Ministries, Peace with Justice, World Communion Sunday and UM Student Sunday
Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church Collected and distributed special anti-COVID-19 hygiene kits through our longstanding partnership with the Northside Congregate Feeding Program "The WIRE": Weekday Individual Remote Education program, providing supervision for school children doing remote learning. Special "back-to-school backpack" distribution at the start of this unusual school year. Drive-through Food Distribution
Salem United Methodist Church July 2019: Fourth of July Blessing Bags for the children of Northview Heights neighborhood July 2019: Necessities Bags for the homeless as part of the Open Streets Pittsburgh event August 2019: Backpack and School Supply Drive for Children of Northview Heights September 2019: Rise Against Hunger November 2019: Thanksgiving Meals program November 2019: Donated surplus Thanksgiving non-perishables to North Hills Community Outreach December 2019: Crisis Center North Holiday Toy Drive December 2019: Winter Wear Collection for Daily Bread Feeding Program March 2020: Collected hygiene supplies for Daily Bread
22 May 2020: Provided dinner for guests at Daily Bread Ongoing through the Olive Branch: o Making prayer shawls and lap blankets for cancer patients o Making purses for school girls in Zambia to carry hygiene supplies to help them stay in school during monthly cycle o Making hats and blankets for premature babies in local Pittsburgh NICU facilities o Made masks for families in financial need and sent thousands to Native American facilities and schools o Making hats, scarves, and gloves for the street homeless in Pittsburgh o Making baptismal items for chaplains at Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital to use for sick children o Making dresses for school girls in several African countries and Native American facilities in the US o Sew Fidget Blankets for Alzheimer’s Patients o Collection site for North Hills Community Outreach – donated food and school supplies
Sewickley United Methodist Church We continue to have involvement with the Bethany House Academy; Christmas gifts for both the preschool participants and the afterschool participants. With financial contribution from a community member, each preschool student received a new winter coat, mittens, and hat. From October to March, breakfast and lunch foods were provided in hopes of increasing the nutritional value of those meals. Monthly, we collect non-perishables for the Sewickley Community Center Food Pantry. A few times each year, we do Pack-a-Meal collections, including for Thanksgiving and Easter. Since March 2020, we have collected targeted monthly items to help meet increased needs. We also continue to maintain a small “Pastor’s Pantry” at SUMC. Through 412 Food Rescue and World Vision, we have received and distributed food boxes and hygiene products to local families/seniors., including to Mooncrest Community Center, which serves a low income neighborhood in Moon Township. Each 5th Thursday, one can find SUMC members at Center for Hope’s Community Dinner. Typically, 130-150 meals are prepared to be served or packed for take-out during those dinners. Since March, those dinners have been grab and go for up to 200. In addition to promoting the many Special Sunday offerings on the WPAUMC level and UMC- designated, SUMC strives to keep the congregation aware of emergency needs of UMCOR and our Conference. Sewickley UMC provided support to St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bower Hill Community Church for their Family Promise host weeks, until the program went on hiatus due to COVID-19. Hygiene kits were assembled and delivered for East Brook Mission Barn. As no mission team went to Red Bird Mission this summer, SUMC sent items in great demand for outreach there, such as diapers, hand sanitizer, and thermometers. With help from crafters at the Olive Branch and St. Paul’s UMC, around 1,000 handmade face masks were shipped to Red Bird, along with dresses made by Mission & More of the Olive Branch and other children’s clothing donated by various people. SUMC has done two gently used/new book collections for Church Union’s Reading Mentoring program.
23 The Nyadire Connection Makes a Difference
Still going strong in its second decade after being founded in 2006, The Nyadire Connection (TNC) continues to grow and make a difference a long way from home – some 8,400 miles from Pittsburgh. TNC (www.nyadire.org) provides help to support and sustain the Nyadire United Methodist Mission in northeastern rural Zimbabwe, Africa. As a partnership, the individuals and churches involved have also greatly enriched their own faith journey as they respond to our Christian call to help. The Nyadire Mission offers a hospital, nursing school, school system (preschool through high school), orphanage, teachers’ college, farm, and many other services to the surrounding community. Founded after a mission trip by a group of Pittsburghers in 2006, TNC partners with the Nyadire Mission to support 12 programs in three core areas: Health, Orphans, and Education/Relationships. TNC includes a network of seven Pittsburgh-area United Methodist churches – Christ, St. Paul’s, Dutilh, Mt. Lebanon, First Bethel, Baldwin Community, and Liberty – and many more individuals and churches who provide periodic donations, sponsorships and other forms of support. The “network” churches have a long history of engaging regularly with TNC, leading a program, advocating for TNC within their church, and prioritizing Nyadire as their international mission choice, and we are always looking to expand this network to include other churches. Donations for any of TNC’s programs can be sent directly to The Nyadire Connection, c/o Christ United Methodist Church, 44 Highland Road, Bethel Park, PA 15012, or through the Conference by designating Nyadire (Advance #MS004800P) on your church remittance form. In 2020, TNC’s reach made an impact on lives in Nyadire in a variety of ways, even as the COVID-19 crisis created life-and-death challenges. Zimbabwe, already reeling from continued political unrest and chronically high unemployment of more than 90%, has been locked down for most of the year to combat the virus. These conditions may have forced TNC to modify its processes – mission trips were postponed, several programs were put on hold and Zoom calls temporarily replaced monthly meetings in Pittsburgh – but only strengthened our resolve to help.
24 Perhaps there’s no better example of this resolve than a program that emerged in mid-year to address the severe food shortage in Zimbabwe. In coordination with a newly created Social Committee in Nyadire, TNC provided much-needed funding while the Committee handled the purchase and distribution of life-sustaining food bundles, all while managing under COVID-19 restrictions. TNC’s supporters initially responded in May to an emergency hunger appeal by providing $38,000; when we issued a call to raise more money later in the year, we exceeded our goal of an additional $45,000, which will enable TNC to continue to provide food through April 2021. More than 400 families who live or work at the Nyadire Mission, plus the pastors of the Mutoko-Mudzi district and the staff at Nyadire’s six rural health clinics, are receiving the food, and we continue to receive abundant and heartfelt messages of appreciation for this life-enabling generosity. In 2020, TNC’s rural health clinic renovation efforts continued, with the beginning of work at the Mashambanhaka clinic. That’s the fifth clinic to be renovated since the program began in 2013, with one more to go. TNC has also provided clinic furnishings by working together with Brothers Brother Foundation and sending the items over via ocean containers. The Nyadire United Methodist Hospital administratively manages these clinics in northeast Zimbabwe. Each serves a population of between 5,000 to 8,000 people who live in the region, with many of them walking miles to a clinic for treatment of malaria, cholera, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. The rebuild of each clinic brings greatly increased space, housing for the staff and waiting mothers, running water with flush toilets, and electrical service, either through solar or by connection to the grid. To help finish Mashambanhaka, TNC was recently awarded a $25,000 grant from the United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania (“UMF”.) The UMF also agreed to match up to $25,000 of additional contributions received by TNC by the end of this year. To meet this challenge grant, TNC plans to hold a virtual fundraiser via a Zoom webinar at 7 pm U.S. eastern time on Wednesday, December 2; the event will feature testimonials from several Zimbabweans, who will attest to the 25 importance and life changing/life-saving capabilities of the clinics. Anyone can join the webinar by clicking the link below: https://dentons.zoom.us/j/93323866570?pwd=TmY2T29IYkwranNCQ1ZDajVxd3c1QT09 If you prefer to join by phone, please call one of these U.S. toll-free numbers (877-853-5247 or 888-788-0099) and provide the following info: Webinar ID: 933 2386 6570 / Passcode: 107848
In addition to the programs already mentioned, TNC continued to provide vital support in its focus areas: Health
The Eyeglasses Team provides eye testing and eyeglasses and has served nearly 8,000 patients, including one who is 110 years old. On average, about 50% of the patients are fitted with used donated prescription eyeglasses. Through this program, TNC works with Mission Vision of Pittsburgh to collect used eyeglasses, then trains local residents in Nyadire to conduct eyeglass clinics. The Girls Empowerment Program provides a means for sanitary protection for young women so they can continue to attend school or work during their monthly menstrual cycle. TNC volunteers host “sewing parties” to cut cotton fabric and assemble materials into kits that allow recipients to sew their own reusable pads. In 2020, TNC and its Nyadire partners responded to the COVID-19 crisis by using some of the sewing machines and materials to make masks. By coordinating Ocean Container Shipments, TNC sends many items urgently needed in Nyadire that are available in the U.S. through donations or at a much-reduced cost. Our objective is to send items that Nyadire specifically requires and requests, rather than simply gifting of personal articles. TNC maintains a storage facility to accumulate items until a container shipment is scheduled, often partnering with the Brothers’ Brother Foundation. Examples include: X-Ray equipment, surgical tables, an autoclave, medical supplies, back packs for students, computers, and educational and sports equipment for the schools. Funding for Medical and Doctor Support, and funding to purchase critical Medicine and Drug Supply.
26 Orphans
TNC donors sponsor orphans at the Home of Hope orphanage and educational sponsorships for orphans in area schools through the Home of Hope Outreach program. These programs always need additional sponsors and offer a true connection between sponsor and child. Funds underwrite the operational budget for the orphanage and keep about 400 kids in school. In 2020, some funds were also used to purchase supplies for area schools to allow their safe reopening.
Education/Relationships
For more than 10 years, TNC has provided sponsorships for students for primary and secondary schooling. In 2018, TNC decided to assist these students further with their pursuit of either academic or vocational education by initiating the Sister Rut Scholarship Program. Sister Rut Lindgren was a missionary nurse from Finland who lived in Nyadire for more than 35 years. Through the Hearing Innovation Program, we provide funds for SolarEar Hearing Aids and teach proper use and maintenance so that 24 students are able to learn effectively at school and also develop critical life skills. TNC partners with the Engineers Without Borders student chapter at Carnegie Mellon University. An initial project provided solar street lighting to the Nyadire campus, and the students are now exploring a cooking system for the Nyadire Primary School that would use biogas rather than firewood. In 2020, TNC responded to a water shortage crisis at the mission due to dry boreholes by adding solar-powered water supply pumps. TNC sponsored Volunteer in Mission trips to Nyadire in 2019 and early 2020, but travel is now on hold due to COVID-19. We expect to schedule trips in 2021; anyone is welcome to join, and we can work with any church that would like to sponsor a team.
For more information about TNC or to see how you can become involved, contact Drew Harvey, [email protected], 412 841-3738 (mobile)
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