• VOLUME 69
• ISSUE 3
I’ve spent the best part of a lifetime
as a member of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). I have found this
a very good place to live and practice
“the faith that was once for all entrust-
ed to the saints.” (Jude 1:3) At the cen-
ter of this faith is Jesus Christ and this
nativity season is a good time to reflect
on what we mean when we Disciples
confess that Jesus is Christ and Lord.
As a Disciple, I have appreciated
the freedom to explore ideas and the
diversity of opinions that decorate our
landscape. We have used the phrase
of 16th century theologian Rupertus
Meldenius as a rallying cry: “In es-
sentials unity, in non-essentials liberty,
PAGE TWO: WITH OUR CONGREGATIONS
PAGE FOUR: JEFF’S JOTTINGS
PAGE SIX: REGIONAL ASSEMBLY REVIEW
in all things charity.”* This has set the
groundwork for a wide diversity of
opinion in our part of the church and
it serves us well when we have a large
dose of charity or love. Too often we
get caught up in what constitutes es-
sentials and forget the love part.
One thing I have loved about being
a Disciple is that the love part usually
overcomes the controversy part and
we get on with serving God, loving
the neighbor and seeking for truth,
each in our own ways and in fellowship
with the whole body. We are at our
best when we are nurturing relation-
ships, even with those with whom we
disagree and when we are serving the
least and the lost. We are at our worst
when we forget the love part and start
beating each other over the head
trying to force compliance with our
own standards. (That’s a pretty useless
exercise, anyway, and only results in in-
jury to the beater and the beaten alike.
Mostly it injures the Body of Christ.)
We have not done doctrine and
pronouncements very well – beyond
adhering to the centrality of Scripture
in our life. We have done service and
relationships much better.
When I think of the essentials of the
faith – I go back to another characteris-
tic Disciples practice and that is the fact
that we require only one affirmation of
our members and that is that Jesus is
Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior.
Whenever I hear the misrepresenta-
tion that we have no creed, or are a
non-creedal people, I cringe, because
from day one we have had a powerful
creed. The statement we have claimed
is “We have no creed but Christ.” We
have a creed and that is our belief in
Christ. Down through the ages the
church has worked on what it means to
confess Christ. That is still our work to-
day. (I have long loved and used in my
personal devotions and public worship
the Nicene Creed, not as a test of faith
–which would not be true to our Dis
Alba, First (Charlotte Morse): The Christian Women’s Fellowship
“Bazaar, Luncheon and Bake Sale” was held on October 16 to
benefit missions. The congregation is also collecting items for
“Operation Christmas Child.”
Allison (Michael Peton): Hanging of the Greens took place on
November 27. The congregation has collected personal items
for those serving in the military. An active prayer ministry is
maintained with the “Boxed Prayer for Women” and the monthly
“Hour of Prayer.”
Benton (David Mansfield): Women’s Bible studies and Men’s
Prayer Meeting are important parts of the congregational life.
They are also participating in “Operation Christmas Child.” The
congregational meeting is planned for December 5.
Bethel Park, Brightwood (Robert Jackson): The new roof has
been completed. This assures that the congregational meeting
for the election of officers and accepting a 2011 budget as well
as the Thanksgiving Eve service will be warm and dry.
Butler, Oak Hills (Phillip Conyers, Jr.): The Thanksgiving Dinner
with the annual congregational meeting was scheduled for
November 14. A “Coat and Mitten Tree” has been placed in the
church to receive gifts for the Children and Family Services of
Butler County.
California, United (Jana Quisenberry): The congregation is
participating in a host of mission outreach activities including
“Operation Shoebox,” Thanksgiving Fruit Baskets,” “Operation Christmas
Child” and the collection of 109 coats for those in need. There was also
a dedication of the Blessing Boxes on November 7.
Canton, Church of Christ (Bonnie Browning): “Seasonings for the
Season” is an outreach program of the congregation which will feature
the contribution of food and non-food items for the local Food Pantry.
The congregation hosted the East Central District Fall Festival of Music
featuring several area choirs.
Carmichaels, First (Reagan Fike): DWM held a very successful Fall
Rummage/Food/Bake Sale. They are working hard in refurbishing
the kitchen. Meanwhile the men hosted a breakfast on December 4,
featuring pictures with Santa.
Connellsville (Chris Stillwell): The congregation welcomes Charlotte
Bethany Stillwell, who joins Chris, Jessi, and Owen in the pastoral
household. The church Christmas tree in the dining room is being
decorated with ornaments presented by the church’s families. The
church has also begun a monthly coffee house and open mic night the
second Friday of each month. The first two coffee houses have been
well attended and they plan on doing this 8 months a year. They just
completed their second course of computer classes for the commu-
nity and they will celebrate Advent with a special service of “Carols by
Candlelight”.
East Smithfield, Federated (Stan Gill): The congregation is participat-
ing in “Operation Christmas Child.” A fellowship dinner was planned for
November 21. Weekly Bible study and prayer groups are a regular part
of church life.
Greensburg, First (Renny Domske): A “come as you are/
casual” chili supper followed by the Thanksgiving Eve
Service was planned for November 24. The congrega-
tion is collecting food and supplies for local families in
need.
David Mansfield installed as pastor at Benton
Christian Church
Benton Christian Church celebrated the instal-
lation of their new minister, David Mansfield, on
Sunday, November 14. Pictured left: Regional
Minister Rev. Dr. William Allen giving the prayer
of installation for Rev. Mansfield, and a number
of his family members.
 FCC Greensburg makes donation
for Woman-to-Woman Turkey
mission trip
Pictured right is the Laurel District Coordina-
tor, Cindy Ball; Lee Speicher, president of
Greensburg’s DWM; and Lisa Buday, past
DWM regional president, presenting mon-
etary gifts and baby vitamins to Linda Stiles
(center), DWM Regional president, for her
Woman-to-Woman journey to Turkey.

Hermitage, Central (Jeffrey Moore): The congregation held an Sayre (James Donahoo): The congregation held its annual Steward-
Election Day bake sale as well as a “pie and pumpkin-roll” fund ship Sunday on November 14. The budget for 2011 was presented
raiser. The Monday Morning Prayer Group meets each week faith- following worship that day. The free Community Breakfast was
fully. served on November 13.

Monongahela, First (Gerald Demarest): The congregation has Uniontown, Central (Art Mace): Youth of the church sponsored a
welcomed Cindy and Gerald back from their sabbatical. The youth pie sale. A Christmas Special service of contemporary music is took
led worship on October 24. The Ladies Christmas Luncheon is place on December 4 and the Family Christmas Dinner on Decem-
scheduled for December 12. ber 5.

Perryopolis, First (Edward Arbogast): A “Women’s Book Club” is Washington, Lone Pine (Joshua Sonoga): An “Election Day Café”
being started in the congregation. Church members are assisting and Operation Christmas Child” occupied some members as well
at the Perryopolis Area Food Bank and they are collecting personal as a spaghetti dinner for the Chestnut Mountain Ranch for Youth.
care items for their adopt-a-families for the holiday season.

Pittsburgh, Mt. Lebanon (Joshua Snyder): The Hanging of the

Greens took place of the First Sunday of Advent. The congregation
is collecting supplies for the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater On Sunday, November 21, the Benton Christian
Pittsburgh and is involved in recycling with a Paper Retriever in the Church honored Jeanette Hartman for 62 years
of teaching Sunday School with a plaque from
parking lot.
the Pennsylvania State Sunday School As-
sociation presented by Faith Schlichter, Sunday
Pittsburgh, Wilkinsburg (Janet Hellner-Burris): The congregation
School Education Leader. Jeanette’s children and
honored their pastor’s 20 years of service in a great celebration on grandchildren were present and honored her
October 17. A congregational Thanksgiving Dinner took place on with dinner at a local restaurant. Ron Kelsey,
November 21 following the worship service. Kim Notestine and Mary Lou Harvey were
among the other teachers recognized.
Philadelphia, Fellowship: In October, the congregation partici-
pated in the Light a Candle for Children 40 days of prayer. This was
a prayer vigil for children which ended with a special service and
celebration observing the National Children’s Sabbath. During each
Sunday, members lit candles and members committed to pray dur-
On October 24th, Fellowship Christian Church
ing the week for different areas of children’s concerns and needs
in Philadelphia was blessed to have Rev. Dr.
and for them to come to know Christ. Myriad thanks go to Sister
William Allen come to preach and perform a
Juanita Murrell, who facilitated and kept the members encouraged. baptismal service. His message was encourag-
ing and inspiring. John Pitts, Dawn Boyd, and
Republic, First (Rufus Peer): The congregation is participating in seven-year-old Rahmeer Jackson (pictured left,
the “Angel Tree Program” to benefit the children of prisoners in the with Rev. Allen) were baptized, received the right
Fayette County area. They are also preparing baskets for delivery at hand of fellowship, and their first communion.
Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Greetings to fellow Disciples across this vast region! With the Regional Assembly at Villanova now
several months past, I realize that the mantle of leadership passed to me as your new Moderator
carries with it some awesome responsibility.
I take this position very seriously and I utilize Romans
8:28 everyday of my life as my focus and intention, “We
know that in everything God works for good with those
who love him, who are called according to his purpose.”
From the far corners of our region we are each one
called to serve the Christ, who seeks for us to make a
difference in this complex and needy world. I am com-
mitted to that task and I pray that you will join with me
in this next biennium to make our region even stronger
and more vital. To that end, one area of concern that
was shared at the Assembly, and which I also heard over
the last biennium, was the continuing need to improve
and advance our methods of communication within
the region, to share what is happening in our regional
life, and to lift up what needs and joys are to be pro-
claimed either in prayerful concern or celebration. As
we develop, as a new Executive Committee, goals and
objectives for the 2010-2012 biennium, I can assure you
that communication is number one on my personal list
of priorities. Via the Keystone Christian, Keystone Online,
Moderator letters, and any other form necessary, I am
most intentional about keeping this region apprised of
that which we all share in this body of faith.
Much like the organizational structure of a local
church Board, I envision my role as Moderator to regu-
larly relate to the Regional Minister by helping coordi-
nate, assist, cooperate, and encourage new directions
of service, maintain and continue to evaluate present
programs and ministries, and to be a link through the
Executive Committee to the Regional Board and all of
our many congregations. I am excited to continue my
work with Rev. Bill Allen, who continues to provide ex-
emplary Christian service to our region as our Regional
Minister, even as we transition through this period, in
seeking to call a permanent Regional Minister. How
blessed we have been and continue to be in having his
skilled leadership at the helm. He has been a powerful
and steady force amidst times of doubt and anxiety.
As your Moderator, I want to avail myself of you and
your congregations. If I can be of assistance at anytime,
please do not hesitate to contact me. Our structure as a
region is ever being transformed and this next biennium
will be a new chapter in working with a Cabinet and Mis-
sion teams that will develop goals and objectives to move
us forward. Our story needs to be shared and I am excited
in helping to share that story. I am most grateful for the
last Executive Committee and the hard work they tackled,
the financial issues they dealt with honestly, truthfully, and
in complete transparency, and the foundational pieces of
the transformational process that have now been put in
place. We will build upon the success of the last two years
in continuing to create a powerfully faithful and committed
region in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Our Regional Minister Search Committee has resumed
its challenges under new leadership, and I pray that you
will lift this body of dedicated servants to our Lord daily.
Our Finance Committee developed a 2011 budget that
was presented at the October Regional Board Meeting.
Please be in prayer for this body as they tackle a difficult
task considering our worldwide economic climate. Even
as we bask in the glory of the Regional Assembly, our First
Vice Moderator will soon begin working along with his
team on the 2012 Assembly.
While most of our Regional Board positions have been
capably filled with male, female and youth representatives
from our districts, the next step in creating a unified and
highly functioning Regional Board will be having each one
of those representatives attend the Regional Board meet-
ings when they are scheduled.
I am eager to serve the regional church and excited
about making a positive difference in the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania. I look forward to
hearing from you, visiting with you, and serving with you.
Blessings to each of you in the many ministries we share
together.
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Moore
724-347-1703
301-653-1475
jtmntm@yahoo.com
PENNSYLVANIA DISCIPLES
ATTEND SEMINAR
Three Pennsylvania Disciples attended the July 4-10,
2010 Ambassador Youth Seminar in Washington DC. Rev.
Nichole Mazza-Fredley of Pittsburgh was the director of
the event, along with Capital Area Regional Minister, Lari Grubbs. Youth participants were Robert Lenahan of Canton Church
of Christ (Disciples) and Eric Clark of New Life Deliverance Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Willingboro NJ. The seminar
was hosted by the Northeast Inter-Regional Fellowship (NIRF) and National City Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Par-
ticipants were lodged at National City church and participated in a wide variety of experiences in the nation’s capital. NIRF is
comprised of these Regions: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Canada, Northeast, Capital and Pennsylvania. The purpose of the
Seminar was to give the participants an opportunity to meet and explore various experiences with young people from diverse
backgrounds in order to build relationships and practice Christian love.

FCC MONONGAHELA RELEASES COOKBOOK
IN HONOR OF 110TH ANNIVERSARY
Disciples Women’s Min-
istries released a cook-
book in celebration of
Monongahela’s 110th year
anniversary. The cookbook
consists of 500 recipes
in a three-ring, hardback
binder. It sells for $15.
Requests for the book
UPCOMING EVENTS
can be made by calling FCC
Monongahela at 724-258-
3255. (From left to right,
front row: Wanda McMahon,
Virginia Beveridge, Virginia
Day, Joyce Halechko, Cathy
Young, Back Row: Sandy
Wentzell, Cindy Demarest,
Mary Alice Boyce).
January 15-16: NE District Youth Gathering
Canton Church of Christ
February 7-9: Clergy Consultation
Antiochian Village, Ligonier
March 5: Youth & Young Adults Mission Team
Meeting Venue TBA
March 5: DWM Multi-District Gathering
First Christian Church, Washington
March 12: Cabinet for Community Life mtg
For Leaders/Teams - Venue TBA
April 1-3: Spring Youth Retreat
Camp Laurelview
April 3: Camp Counselor Training
Camp Laurelview

A newspaper published in the interests of the Christian Church in Pennsylvania and the general
missionary, educational and benevolent work of the Disciples of Christ by the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Pennsylvania, Inc. EDITOR, Rev. William B. Allen; MANAGING EDITOR,
Christine E. Johns; EDITORIAL/BUSINESS OFFICE: 134 Mathews St., PO Box 90, Greensburg,
PA 15601. TELEPHONE: 724-834-5023; FAX: 724-834-5025; WEBSITE: www.padisciples.org. The Keystone Christian is published at least 6
times per year at 134 Mathews St., PO Box 90, Greensburg, PA 15601. ISSN: 0274-5011.
PRE-ASSEMBLY MISSIONS TRIP TO PHILLY PARTNERS EAST
AND WEST CONGREGATIONS
Despite 100 degree heat, mem-
bers of the Christian Church of
Wilkinsburg, Fairhill Manor Christian
Church, Marple Christian Church
and New Life Deliverance Church
worked to paint two long hallways
and repair a floor at the Restoration
Haitian Christian Church in Philadel-
phia before attending the Regional
Assembly.
This was an opportunity for our
young people and adults not only to
work for a sister congregation, but
also to learn about Haiti and what life
is like in America for Haitian-Ameri-
cans. In the evenings, we showered,
played games, worshipped and re-
laxed at the Marple Christian Church
where we slept on the floors.
The highlight of the trip was the Sunday
morning worship service with the con-
gregation of Restoration who greeted
us warmly and with deep appreciation
for all we had accomplished. What a
dynamic worship experience we had
with Pastor Franz LeBlanc and our new
Haitian American friends!
Mission trips are both fun and faith-
building. That is why the Christian
Church of Wilkinsburg invites anyone
who wants to join us for the Pre-Assem-
bly Mission Project next summer before
the General Assembly in Nashville, Ten-
nessee in early July.
Contact Pastor Janet Hellner-Burris at
pastorjanethb@verizon.net for more
information about next summer’s mis-
sion project for the General Assembly or
go on the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) website to “Volunteers in Mis-
sion” for information about Disciples run
mission projects across the country.
 Cabinet for Com-
munity Life teams
meeting during
breakout sessions
at the 2010 Re-
gional Assembly
at Villanova
University.

During this biennium of 2010-2012, our regional

ministry will be supported by five mission teams:

Congregational Vitality
For established, new and developing congregations
(Chairs: Rev. Art Mace and Rev. Janet Scott-Mace).
Missions for Regional Mission Projects and mis-
sion education in congregations (Chair: Rev. Janet
Moore).
If you would like to volunteer to serve on one of these mission teams
or if you have a great idea for us, please contact the chair of the
mission team directly or the Chair of the Cabinet, our Regional Min-
ister Bill Allen at wallen@padisciples.org or the Chair of the Cabinet,
Pastor Janet Hellner-Burris at pastorjanethb@verizon.net.

Spiritual Life and Leadership

For region-wide retreats and leadership training
events (Chair: Rev. Sam Bourne).

Stewardship Team
For promoting regional and local church steward-
ship and education (Chair: Rev. David Morris).

Youth and Young Adults

For our ministry to children, youth and young adults
(Chair: Rachel Neil, Vice-Chair: Rev. Reagan Fike).

Each of these mission team chairs, along with the

Presidents of Disciples Womens Ministries (CWF)
and Disciples Men, the chair of the Pro-Reconcili-
ation Team, the Moderator and Regional Minister,
will compose a leadership team for planning and
coordination of ministry called the Cabinet for
Community.

As we begin this new phase in regional ministry

through our mission teams, we are looking for
members who have a passion and a heart for the
work described above, as well as ideas, hopes and
dreams for each of these mission teams.
ciples tradition – but as an excellent statement of what Ed Arbogast
it means to confess Christ, which was crafted early and installed at FCC
well by an ecumenical council of the ancient church
Perryopolis
and is received in almost every quarter of Christianity.) FCC Perryopolis formally
“Who is Christ? How do I know him? What does he welcomed the Rev. Ed
want of me?” Answering these questions is the work of Arbogast and his wife,
the church and the quest of each of us Christians. So Joyce (center), on
November 21. The Rev.
let’s come out of our fear and anger and walk in the
Dr. William B. Allen, Re-
clear light of God, loving and seeking the presence of gional Minister, presided
our beloved Christ. Fear and anger are not of Christ, over the installation
loving and learning are. service.
Hold fast to the faith and hold your opinions and
expect that other Disciples will hold theirs. Defend
their right to hold their opinions, even when you dis-
agree. That’s the Disciples way. And love them. That’s
the Disciples way. Expect to be loved yourself.
This is being faithful to the one whose birth was
greeted by angels, shepherds and sages – quite a
diverse company.

Faithfully and lovingly yours in Christ!

William B. Allen, Regional Minister

*Other renderings of this phrase are: “In faith unity, in opinions

liberty, in all things love;” or in Meldenius’ words, “in neces-
sariis Unitas in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas.” That would
translate something like, “In necessities unity, in doubtful things
liberty, in all things, charity.”