Shaped by the Spirit

Monaca UMC hosted this year’s annual Church Conference for Monaca and Aliquippa First UM Churches on Wednesday, October 23rd.

District Superintendent Deborah Ackley-Killian started off the meeting by sharing a moving devotion on 1 Peter 2:4-10, reiterating that God is the Rock and discussing how we are like stones being built into the structure that is the body of Christ.

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” -1 Peter 2:4-5

After the devotion, church business was conducted. The conference heard retired pastors’ reports, a report from Rev. Shane Siciliano on his first full year in extension ministry, and Pastor Jim’s report, which serves as this month’s Pastor’s Message.

The conference also voted on the new slates of council and committee members, approved the pastor’s compensation for 2025, affirmed Kathy Glovier as certified lay speaker, and voted on modifying a subsection of Aliquippa First’s by-laws regarding the church Memorial Fund.

At the conclusion of church business, DS Ackley-Killian updated the conference on Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, who will be officially installed as our region’s new bishop on Sunday, October 27^th. DS Ackley-Killian spoke highly of Bishop Steiner Ball and encouraged everyone in the conference to meet the new bishop at any opportunity.

DS Ackley-Killian then took some time to hear about members’ feelings of loss, love, hurts, and hopes before closing the Church Conference with prayer. Fellowship and refreshments followed the meeting.

The full minutes from the 2024 Church Conference can be obtained from the church office by calling (724) 775-6702 or emailing monacaumc@gmail.com.

Photo caption: District Superintendent Deborah Ackley-Killian offers a basket of stones “shaped by the water of the rivers of western Pennsylvania.” The stones were shared with everyone in attendance at the church conference as a reminder of how each of us has been shaped and fashioned by baptismal waters.