Safe Sanctuary Trainings, Oct. 25 

Locations and Times for District Safe Sanctuary Trainings, Oct. 25: 

Why Community Engagement Matters 

In 2012 the Lewis Center for Church Leadership prepared a short video on one of the Vital Congregations goals for use at charge conferences and elsewhere. It was done at the request of a superintendent, but it is free and available for anyone to use. Because of its wide use (over 7,000 views), the center offered another short video in 2013 and again in 2014. 

The theme this year is "Why Community Engagement Matters" and the video is 5 minutes long. "We are happy to make this video available to you and to congregations," writes Dr. Lovett Weems Jr., center director and Professor of Church Leadership at Wesley Theological Seminary. "Feel free to publicize it to any in your district who may find it useful in their efforts to encourage connecting with their communities." You can download the video at this link.

The two previous videos are also still available:

"Why Worship Attendance Matters and Clues for Improving It" at http://www.churchleadership.com/attendance; and

"Why Giving Matters and Clues for Improving It" at http://www.churchleadership.com/funding/WhyGivingMatters.asp.

If you don't already receive the Lewis Center's free online newsletter, Leading Ideas, you should consider subscribing to it at www.churchleadership.com. 

Fall seminar on Wesleyan Missions for 21st Century

Evangelical Seminary in Myerstown, Pa., will host a seminar on missions for laity and clergy of all denominations Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.  Dr. Timothy C. Tennent, president of Asbury Theological Seminary, will speak on the seminar's focus: "Developing and Supporting Distinctively Wesleyan missions for the 21st century."  He will explore the history and current opportunities in global missions and give guidance on developing a mission strategy for your local church.  Dr. Tennent is a leading United Methodist expert on missions, having served in India and authored books on world missions, A continuing education unit (0.5) is available from Asbury Seminary for those who attend the entire event.

The seminar will be sponsored by the Northeastern Jurisdiction Evangelical Connection (NEJEC) of United Methodists and will include times of worship, prayer, and fellowship. It will begin Friday at 3 pm and end Saturday 12:30 PM.  Registration is for one day ($15) or both days ($25) and is due by Oct. 15 or by Sept. 20for a $5 discount. Overnight accommodations are available. More details and a registration form can be found online at: https://sites.google.com/site/reunywebiste/home/nejec-news.

Seminar to explore launching new worship services

Worship leaders are invited to attend The Domino Effect: Launching a New Service to Create Momentum for Your Church, Nov. 22, in York, Pa. Launching a new worship service for a new constituency is the most helpful thing many churches could do to "unlock God's future for their communities." When done right it pushes a church into much of the critical work necessary to reroot itself into a 21st-century community. And it can bless a lot of people who have never known that "church could be like this." At this event, sponsored by the Susquehanna Conference, dynamic leaders Paul Nixon and Jason Moore can help your church start a new movement in your mission field. Come learn to creative powerful worship experiences. Learn budgeting, staffing and community networking principles. Learn how to build, perfect and sustain a worship design team and how to maintain excellence. The cost is $295 per team, lunch included. For more info and to register, click here.

Witness in Common to explore Full Communion Agreements 

The Pennsylvania Council of Churches (PCC) will sponsor a daylong symposium titled "Witness in Common: An Exploration of Full Communion Agreements" Nov.10, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2000 Chestnut Street,  Camp Hill, Pa. The Very Rev. Dr. Tom Ferguson, former Ecumenical Officer for The Episcopal Church, will deliver the plenary address. Afterward, small groups and discussion panels will share stories of Full Communion Agreements between denominations from their inception to their implementation. The day will conclude with worship and celebration of the Eucharist, during which Bishop Peggy Johnson will preach.

Full communion is when two denominations develop a relationship based on a common confessing of the Christian faith and a mutual recognition of Baptism and sharing of the Lord's Supper, while also respecting differences. This gathering is an opportunity to learn why these agreements are important to the missional church in the 21st century and to hear from leaders who implement agreements in local contexts. The Rev. Sandra L. Straus ([email protected]) , Director of Public Advocacy for the PCC invites anyone to come, and to bring guests, who have an interest if not involvement in ecumenical relations. For more information or to register, call (717) 545-4761 or go to www.pachurches.org and click on the conference link. You can also visit their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Witness-in-Common/1449239948675363). 

Celebrando Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month

Golf outing puts 'fun' in fundraising

"Guys 'n Gals, last night I was sitting with some young people who were talking about the great time they had last year at the "Nets and Vets" Golf Outing (Sept. 20) and how they were signed up for it again this year...and were encouraging their friends to sign up," wrote Ross Brightwell, EPA Conference UM Men's president. "They said it was a fine golf course to play; there were extra fun contests around the course, such as "Beat the Pro"; the cost was cheap; the food was great; the raffle prizes were very cool; and best of all it benefits two great causes - "fighting malaria" and "providing help for veterans!"

United Methodist Men will sponsor the 6th annual Nets & Vets Golf Outing Saturday, Sept. 20, to benefit the  denomination's anti-malaria campaign and a local Veterans Multi-Service Center. The location will be the Skippack Golf Club at 1146 Stump Hall Road, Skippack. Open to men and women, the charity  fundraising event is named in part for the UMC's "Nothing but Nets" campaign--now known as Imagine No Malaria--and the Philadelphia center that helps returning military veterans move past barriers to transition successfully back into their communities.

Starting times are 12:30 pm for arrival, 1:30 pm for the tournament start and 6:30 pm for the buffet dinner. The $90 cost includes golf and dinner, as well as use of the practice range, greens fees, golf cart. Dinner only is $40. Last year $3,000 was raised for donations, but organizers want to double that amount this year. So far they have raised more than $10,000 in five years. You can register at www.netsandvets.com/reservation.html. Contact Ross Brightwell at. 215/643-1269 or [email protected] for more information. 

Time to charter a UM Men's unit at your church?

Do you have or plan to start a men's ministry? Why not take it a step further this fall and officially charter a United Methodist Men's unit at your church?  The cost is only $85, and the men will receive not only an impressive charter but also a packet of information about all the projects that the UMM sponsors in EPA and around the church.  "Our conference's UMM is very active and supports many outstanding mission programs," writes Bishop Peggy Johnson, an avid and grateful supporter. "They do great outreach and special events to offer discipleship and fellowship opportunities not only for men but for the whole family." 

Take a look at the UMM Charter Application. Fill it out and send it in to start your UMM unit, or to take your existing men's ministry to the next level through a fruitful, global  connection with UM Men across our denomination. You can find the application and other information at http://epaumc.org/ministry/UMM.

Camp & Retreat Centers Events  

See creativity--including your own--flourish in the midst of Creation when you enjoy special gatherings this fall at our conference Camp & Retreat Centers. 

Camp Innabah invites all to join in their 85th anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 4, from 11 am to 5 pm, with a ceremony, slide show presentation and special guest speaker Bishop Peggy Johnson at 4 pm in Knobler Hall. Come enjoy also pumpkin decorating, apple cider, live music, hayrides and more. But before that the camp invites supporters to come help spruce up the place during the Sept. 27- 28 Volunteer Fall Work Day. 

Pocono Plateau will be off to the races the morning of Sept. 20 with its Hero Dash 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run. The races start at 10 am. The fundraising event will benefit the conference's "Pathways to Our Future" camp and retreat center funding initiative. Find out more. The camp will also sponsor a Senior Adults Fall Retreat, Oct. 7-10, offering crafts, games, archery, nature walks, singing, Bible studies, musical entertainment and a campfire with 'smores! Then they'll convene knitters--new and advanced--for a Knitting Retreat, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, complete with classes and outdoor recreation. "The Tin Man Gets His Heart Back: The Choice for Abundant Life" is the title of a creative Men's Retreat occurring on two weekends: Nov. 6-9 or Nov. 14-16.

Spiritual retreat to explore healing ministries

Check out our Local church Events page 

We have lots of exciting local church events listed for you on our Web site at www.epaumc.org/events/localchurchevents. Please take a moment to peruse them and try to attend events of interest to you. It's part of being in a connectional church. There's a train ride, an auto show, several concerts, a breakfast, a banquet, retreats focusing on Spiritual Renewal and Gifts of the Spirit, and a symposium and songfest to honor the Rev. Charles Albert Tindley.  We're adding more new, exciting local church events every week. So check out our listings, and send us your special church events too, so we can add them to the page.

Christ Servant Ministry Training,

Oct. 3-4  

Do you feel God's nudge to lead? Register for Christ Servant Minister training on Oct. 3, 7 pm to 10 pm, and Oct. 4,  8 am to 3 pm, at Campbelltown UMC. Register today. Sign Up for:   Basic CSM Training  or Preaching 1. 

Perhaps it's an encouraging word from someone in your church or the sense that as specific scripture was written just for you.  Maybe you've accepted a position of leadership and are hoping for information on how to live into that role according to God's plan for you.  Lay leadership is critical to the life and health of our churches.  And, you can explore concepts of Christian leadership within the United Methodist Church  as well as your own potential as a leader in an interactive training experience coming this fall.   

YES: Youth Call to Ministry
Retreat, Nov. 22

Invite and schedule promising young people you know now to attend the YES: Youth Call to Ministry Retreat, for students in grades 9 through 12, on Nov. 22, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, at New Life UMC, 2600 Bond Ave., Drexel Hill, Delaware County.  This event gives older teens the opportunity to ask and discover where God may be calling them to serve in the body of Christ. The day will include powerful worship, fun games and activities, an opportunity to meet people who work in many different ministries, and a time to reflect and listen for God's voice. The retreat will close with our own Bishop Peggy Johnson sharing her call to ministry.  Please share this information with your youth leaders and senior high youth. Registration information will be released soon.