News about the United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania

Grant Applications Being Evaluated

2008 Funding Ministry Toolbox Being Planned

Director of Programs Travels to Middle East

Clergy Tax Seminar Held January 31

2007 Founders' Day Award Recipient Announced

Excellence in Ministry Award Presented to Warren First UMC

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Grant Applications Being Evaluated (Posted 5/9/08)
We are very pleased to have received 44 grant applications from representatives of United Methodist churches and agencies throughout western Pennsylvania. These applications are being reviewed by members of the Grants Committee and the Foundation Board of Directors, and awards will be announced at the end of May. Thanks to all of you who applied this year.

2008 Funding Ministry Toolbox Being Planned (Posted 4/3/08)
Gratified by attendance and participation at the 2007 “Toolbox” held at Monroeville UMC, Foundation staff members are now planning this year’s event. We expect that it will be held on September 6 at Christ UMC in Bethel Park. Speakers will be prepared to help church representatives establish and carry out specific programs to fund ministry. Watch your mail, the Events page, and our Foundation Report e-mail newsletters for details.
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Director of Programs Travels to Middle East (Posted 4/3/08)
As part of a national Peace and Justice group mission sponsored by the UMC General Board of Global Ministries, Director of Programs Joe Reasinger visited Israel and Palestine, staying three days in Galilee and nine in Bethlehem. While there, the group met with a cross-section of people from many Christian churches – United Methodist, Melkite Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, and non-denominational – and Palestinian Muslims and Israelis. The group will be helping to determine how to communicate the needs of the Palestinian people to a wide audience and to spur action on their behalf.

Clergy Tax Seminar Held January 31 (Posted 4/3/08)
Nearly forty clergy and spouses attended this annual seminar at Harmony Zelienople UMC. Comments we received indicated that seminar leader Rev. Fred Leasure did an outstanding job of tackling attendees’ specific questions and concerns.
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2007 Founders' Day Award Recipient Announced (Posted 11/7/07)
Beginning in 1989 the Board of Directors has chosen individuals, whose long-term leadership and commitment to the mission of the Foundation has been exemplary, to receive the Founders' Day Award. William R. Shipley was chosen as the recipient of this year’s Award, marking a fitting tribute to Bill’s boundless energy and enthusiasm for the Foundation and its activities. The 2007 Award was presented at the Annual Founders’ Day Celebration held on November 2.
Complete listing of Founders' Day Awardees
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Excellence in Ministry Award Presented to Warren First UMC (Posted 7/10/07)
The Warren First United Methodist Church received the 2007 Excellence in Ministry Award at the Annual Meeting of the United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. This special recognition is made each year to the church or agency that has made the most creative use of the income from its endowment to initiate or sustain ministry. The Award consists of a framed certificate and a check for $500 to be used in support of the recognized ministry.

(Left) Accepting the Excellence in Ministry Award from Foundation Board Chair Frank Kelly on behalf of Warren First UMC were Shirley Crone and Mary Merenick.

At the meeting, Shirley Crone explained three projects that Warren First funds from endowment income: (1) Faith Inn is an apartment complex in downtown Warren that houses individuals and families who have come upon difficult financial problems in their lives; (2) A duplex that serves as interim housing for former patients of Warren State Hospital; and (3), The Sharing Place, where meals are provided for those in the community who have difficulty in affording a good hot meal – church funds provide payment for the cook, and individuals from the church provide desserts. All three projects are a cooperative effort with other churches and organizations in the community.
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