Pastor’s Message for November 2024

Pastor’s Report from 2024 Church Conference

Grace and peace in the name of Jesus Christ!

     I am so very blessed to be the pastor of these two churches in the heart of Beaver County. This year will be my third year serving as pastor here, and my fourteenth year in ministry.

     This year was a general conference year, which brought about some big denominational changes regarding issues of human sexuality. While some churches saw fit to depart from the United Methodist Church, I am proud that our churches have put aside the division and anger which have torn apart other churches and just kept on being the hands and feet of Jesus in the community where God has placed us. The United Methodist Church is a place where I’m proud to serve.

     Overall, the charge has done meaningful ministry and continues to make a difference in the area. Our numbers are steady, neither increasing nor decreasing significantly in the past year. Overall, not just the churches on the charge, but most churches are experiencing a slow decline over the last twenty years. This generational shift away from religion overall is not something that happened all at once, nor will it be corrected overnight. My emphasis in the next year is to help the churches lay the groundwork for us to be able to continue to do faithful ministry for generations to come. Here are some of the strengths and challenges I see within the two churches:

Monaca

     Monaca has a calling to see that no one in our community should go without food. The food pantry is one ministry which helps us to meet that challenge. We provide a generous portion of food for the folks who come to our monthly distribution, and also have food for emergency needs. Our children’s Sunday School has a team of devoted volunteers, and does wonderful ministry with our kids during worship. We also had our first VBS since the pandemic and had a nice response from the community. The Carey Center has become a place that provides a space for several groups and activities.

     The challenge Monaca Church faces is an aging of the congregation. Many of the people who volunteer for ministry opportunities are reaching the point where health is becoming a hinderance. While the church does great ministry, it is often done by many of the same people who struggle against burnout.

Aliquippa First

     Aliquippa First has a music ministry which is second to none! There are many opportunities for those who wish to worship God through the use of their musical gifts. We have an active handbell choir, a small but devoted choir, and opportunities for expressions of musical talent throughout the year. Aliquippa’s location along one of the main roadways in the county is ideal for reaching out to the community and hosting events. Aliquippa has been active in providing supplies to shelters in the area, and is a welcoming church to all who come to worship. The church has welcomed a group of homeschoolers to use a portion of the unused areas of the building for their weekly group lessons and activities. Their presence is a blessing to the church and community.

     Aliquippa’s greatest challenge is the building itself. We are a church of 40-50 worshippers in a building built for 400-500. While the congregation is smaller, the needs of the building, from furnaces to roofs, remain the same. The church is in need of a new roof over the education wing of the building which will cost significant funding. The church also suffers from a lack of children and young adults. The combination of these challenges creates an environment which is not sustainable long-term. There is opportunity for growth, but it will require much work and intentional focus.

God loves you, and so do I,
Pastor Jim Sands