—
Ministry reassignments in the Johnstown District of the Western Pennsylvania Conference, United Methodist Church, are seeing pastors shifting gears.
Two downtown Johnstown churches, Franklin Street United Methodist and First United Methodist on Vine Street, will be under new leadership effective July 1.
Because of declining attendance and financial concerns at both churches, two new pastors will be appointed, one at each congregation, said the Rev. Charles Fowler, district superintendent for the Johnstown District.
“The whole conference has seen a lot of church decline,” Fowler said. “We’re a graying denomination.”
The Rev. David Vaughn, presently pastor at Fox Chapel United Methodist in Pittsburgh, will serve as senior pastor, and the Rev. Larry Rowe, a retired minister from Garfield Street United Methodist, will serve as associate pastor.
“We’re putting it in the hands of both congregations,” Fowler said. “Within two years, we need the churches to determine their ministry and mission to the downtown. There is the possibility of a merger into one church.”
If the merger would come to pass, Fowler said the Johnstown District would determine the use of both buildings.
“We would make good use of both properties,” he said. “Trying to maintain church buildings is a struggle.”
Members of both congregations have worked well together in the past, going on mission trips, holding Bible studies and rehabilitating homes in Johnstown.
Fowler expects that both pastors will work well together.
“David will be in charge of administration,” Fowler said. “He’s mission minded. Wherever he has served, he has grown churches. He has done missions within the community and served on missions throughout the United States. Larry is a native and knows Johnstown.”
The Rev. Dennis Zimmerman, present pastor at First church, will go to Kantner United Methodist Church in the Connellsville District, while the Rev. Thomas Verner of Franklin Street church will go to Bradford First United Methodist Church in the Kane District.
When a new district superintendent is appointed July 1, Fowler will be moving right along with his pastors.
He will serve at First United Methodist Church, Leechburg, Armstrong County, in the Greensburg District.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the churches, but I miss the local church,” Fowler said of his return to pastoring.
The Rev. Alice Weaver Dunn, who comes from Trinity United Methodist Church, Brackenridge, Allegheny County, in the Butler District, will be installed as the new district superintendent at 6 p.m. June 20 at Belmont United Methodist Church, 107 Coldren St., Johnstown.
Her husband, Keith, will take over as pastor at Belmont when that pastor retires this year.
“We have another clergy couple coming, Wayne and Patricia Clearly,” Fowler said. “Patricia will be pastor at Bethany United Methodist, and Wayne will be pastor at Elton Zion United Methodist.
“In the Johnstown District, we have more clergy couples serving than in any other district in the conference.”
Features
UM will reassign pastors, mulls downtown merger
- Features
-
-
Community theater | Cresson Lake Playhouse was one woman's vision
Every successful venture starts with a good idea. And Eleanor Lantzy, a native of Spangler, had a doozy.
-
Nonprofit counts on donations | Sources of funding are difficult to find
Elaine Mastalski, executive director of Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto, was hired for her background in business. She has been with the playhouse for 12 years and is a voting member of the board of directors.
-
Quality, sustainability board's main focuses
Board members of Cresson Lake Playhouse love theater and want to preserve the amateur theatrical experience for future generations.
-
'It's a nostalgic part of summer to come to Cresson Lake'
Tracey Ingold of Cresson has been onstage at Cresson Lake Playhouse as well as volunteering.
Now, she works as house manager. A playhouse volunteer for 10 years, Ingold started volunteering and acting because of her close proximity to the theater. -
Kick up your heels | Three-day Friendly City PolkaFest will offer different styles
The area’s ancestral music and ethnic food will be key components as the Friendly City PolkaFest returns to Johnstown’s Cambria City neighborhood.
-
Religion in brief | First Lutheran pastor will speak from Acts
Pentecost will be celebrated at 5:30 tonight and 10:45 a.m. Sunday at First Lutheran Church, 415 Vine St., Johnstown. The Rev. Eleanor Abarno, pastor, will focus on Acts 2. Communion will be served at both services.
-
Events | What's on tap locally
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” opens the season at Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.
-
Hats take center stage at Art Works
Hat Ladies of Johnstown are about to strut their stuff again. The 15th annual Hat Show will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Art Works, 413 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
-
Tribute group will have audience on 'Cloud Nine'
Members of the audience will be tempted to think it’s just their imagination that a top Motown act is onstage. The Legacy of The Temptations will bring the sounds of Motown to the area at 8 p.m. June 2 at Arcadia Theater, 1418 Graham Ave., Windber.
-
Memorial Day services planned throughout area
Soldiers and sailors who served America will be honored during Memorial Day ceremonies.
- More Features Headlines
-
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
