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Prayers are asked for the congregation of Otterbein UMC which suffered a devastating church fire in the early morning hours of October 15th. The building was almost totally consumed by the fire along with three adjacent residential/apartment buildings, one of which was the origin of the fire that spread from building to building. Several neighbors lost homes and belongings to the flames, and a number of injuries were sustained by those who leaped from windows of the burning buildings. Prayers for these families and individuals are asked as well.

Beaver falls 1st UMC has graciously opened its doors to the Otterbein congregation for as long as needed and offers of support and prayers of many congregations – both UM and non-UM have poured in over the days since the fire. Otterbein UMC’s building was insured, and now faces a study period to determine its best options for the future. Continue to remember this congregation and its neighbors whose lives have been so radically uprooted by this disaster.

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Welcome to the Butler District of The United Methodist Church in The Western Pennsylvania Conference. 

We are located about twenty miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with two of our three counties:  Beaver and Lawrence sharing a common boundary with the State of Ohio.  Butler County is located east of both Lawrence and Beaver Counties.

The district parsonage is located in Harmony, Pennsylvania at the Zelienople exit of Interstate 79.

There are 86 Churches in 64 charges in the district.  The larger number of churches is found north of Pittsburgh along the Ohio and the Beaver Rivers. 

Beaver County was home to some heavy steel industry and is making a change to smaller and lighter types of commerce.  There are some small mills that continue production, and significant plastics industries in New Brighton.  There is also a leading engineering firm: Baker Company in the county.

The churches are reaching some stability after a period of long and severe decline.  Both the New Brighton and Beaver Falls areas are attempting to create ways for the smaller churches to maintain individual identity while stressing cooperative ministry in and to the community – a lot of skepticism … but encouraging moments as well!  Our newest community of faith is Fellowship Church in Ambridge.  This congregation just opened an ecumenical Center of Hope … providing spiritual refuge as well as many social services and career development programs in connection with a number of community organizations.

Lawrence County enjoys a mixture of manufacturing and farming concerns.  The largest of the United Methodist Churches in Lawrence County is First Church, just north of downtown New Castle.  This congregation completed a new sanctuary and dedicated it in the fall of 2002.  The downtown churches in New Castle:  Wesley, Croton Ave., and Epworth, along with Kings Chapel have, by necessity, ongoing conversation about forms of cooperative ministry to strengthen our witness in this area of the conference.

Butler County – more rural than the other two (though all three have significant agribusiness.  There are two significant churches in the City of Butler:  Christ Community and First Church.  Both share strong pastoral leadership and dedicated lay involvement that engage the community – both city and suburban in this major county town.

There are also churches at the eastern edge of Butler County – Freeport Church in Armstrong County, Arnold in Westmoreland County, and several  others in Allegheny County.

Butler County has seen a steady growth in population over the last two decades.  Many of the churches are planning and programming to meet challenge of providing nurture and spiritual development for all in the area … welcoming persons with open arms, and seeking ways to share faith and witness outside of the walls of the church buildings.

There is significant ministry carried out in all of the churches in the district.  These faith-based people of God provide a transforming witness to the power of Christ to change lives… 

We welcome you to Butler District … and to the ministry of this web-site…

Disaster Relief Information

Conference Events

PPRC Evaluation

Power Point Presentation

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Radiant Life Christian Community UMC has MOVED!!!

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Exploring Partnersteps

Brochure

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Upcoming Events

December 5, 2008

District Christmas

Dinner/Program