The Rev. Daniel Owens, pastor at Harmony-Zelienople United Methodist Church, helped guide the congregation through its transition away from the United Methodist Church. The church will enter a new era Sunday, July 2, with its change to the more conservative Global Methodist Church. Justin Guido/Butler Eagle

HARMONY — On Sunday, July 2, Harmony-Zelienople United Methodist Church will enter a new era in its 78-year history by shedding the “United” part of its name and officially joining the Global Methodist Church.

Just as many other Methodist churches all over the world, Harmony-Zelienople has severed its ties to the United Methodist Church and joined with the emerging Global Methodist Church. The split was made official last week, during the first day of Western Pennsylvania UMC’s annual convention in Erie on Tuesday, June 13.

Harmony-Zelienople is far from the only church in Western Pennsylvania to leave the fold — they are merely one of 298 members of the United Methodist Church that were given the OK to disaffiliate. Seven of these churches — Harmony-Zelienople (in Harmony), Bethel (in Eau Claire), Boyers (in Marion Township), Branchton (in Slippery Rock Township), Cabot (in Winfield Township), Hilliards (in Washington Township), and Zion (in Buffalo Township) — are in Butler County.