On Sunday, March 15, 2026, I attended one of six meetings hosted by Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball. The Bishop offered these meetings as “Update Gatherings” in order to update clergy and lay members with regard to the restructuring of the Western PA Conference (WPA Conference).
Currently, the WPA Conference is divided into ten districts: Butler, Connellsville, Erie-Meadville, Franklin, Greensburg, Indiana, Johnstown, Kane, Pittsburgh, and Washington.
Effective July 1, 2026, we will begin operating with four Supervisory Areas following Annual Conference approval. The WPA Conference’s four Supervisory Areas are currently named by geographic location: Northern Area, Central Area, Southwestern Area, and Southern Area. At some point, with approval, the Areas may “rename” themselves. Each Area will have about 100 churches in it. The transition period will run through December 2026. As of January 1, 2027, the transition plan will be fully effective.
Our church is currently in the Pittsburgh District. Come July, assuming the Annual Conference approves, we will be in the Southwestern Area along with other United Methodist Churches (UMCs) in Allegheny County (64 in all), Armstrong County (1), Beaver County (1), Greene County (2), Washington County (31) and Westmoreland County (1).
Bishop Steiner Ball shared information with regard to which WPA Conference staff members are retiring or moving on to other positions and which staff members are staying in place. The names did not mean anything to me because I do not know or work with WPA Conference staff. However, it is obvious that some changes are being made in the staff at the Conference level.
With regard to the four Areas, the Superintendents will be:
Rev. Scott Gallagher for the Northern Area;
Rev. Deborah Ackley-Killian for the Central Area;
Rev. Ross Pryor for the Southwestern Area; and
Rev. Paul Ritchey for the Southern Area.
I am confident that we will have an opportunity to meet Rev. Pryor some time in the not-so-distant future.
Bishop Steiner Ball explained that ministry will be done differently. If I understood her correctly, the intent is to build ministry teams within the areas which will share ministry opportunities among the areas. Team membership will be by invitation based on self-identified ministry passion. The Bishop asked everyone to prayerfully consider where their passions lie for mission and ministry, and to ask members of their congregations to do the same. To that end, please be advised that each of us is encouraged to complete a “Passionate About Ministry” form which may be downloaded, printed, completed, and submitted to the WPA Conference office. The form is found at wpaumc.org. Also found at this website is more information on the restructuring. Please visit the website for additional information.
On a personal note, I spoke with our former pastor, Myles Bradley, and his wife, Joan, who also attended this meeting. Joan’s cancer treatments have taken her hair but not her spirit. Myles has not changed a bit.
Kristine Swaney
SUMC Lay Leader