Your weekly news & information
February 14, 2019
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If you are dropping something off,
please call before coming to the office
to ensure someone is here as the DS and DRA attend off-site meetings. There is no external drop box or mail slot at this time. The phone number is: 717-569-9673.
- Regular hours Monday through Friday, 9am-4pm.
Please
DO NOT
drop items or paperwork off if no one is at the office. There is no drop box.
Please be sure to read the entire newsletter so you don't miss things. Things are often rotated weekly to ensure enough coverage.
In some email platforms, you may have to expand your view by clicking
MORE
at the bottom of your email - this is not something the district can change.
It is an issue within your email client.
Pulpit Supply List is at the bottom of this email.
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Bishop Johnson will be at West Lawn UMC on Saturday, March 16 from 10am to 12pm to recap the Special General Conference on The Way Forward. All are welcome and invited to attend.
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Upcoming Changing Racism Workshop
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There is an upcoming Changing Racism Workshop to be held Friday, April 5 through Sunday, April 7, 2019. If you have not attended, here's your chance! Keep in mind, it is a requirement for all clergy to attend this at some point.
The Desmond Hotel Malvern,
1 Liberty Blvd, Malvern, PA 19355
Registration fee
– $300.00
This is not a commuter event.
Casual dress code.
Registration cost includes a single room and meals. Full Payment is Due at Time of Registration
Note: No refunds will be issued for participant cancellations less than 30 days prior to the start date of the event
CHANGING RACISM WORKSHOPS GENERAL INFORMATION
This is a 3 day workshop and participation all 3 days is
expected. Participants will learn concrete strategies for:
- Developing skills for addressing and changing attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate bias, discrimination, and other obstacles to equity
- Understanding the personal costs to everyone of system of privilege and disadvantage
- Recognizing institutional racism and other forms of systemic oppression and discrimination that affect members of historically excluded groups
- Changing dysfunctional intraracial and interracial behavior that undermine effective partnerships
- Learning to acknowledge and interrupt the subtle (and often unintentional) dynamics that play out between “modern” forms of oppression and “internalized oppression”.
This workshop will be led by a cross-racial, cross gender team of two facilitators from Visions, Inc. For more information on Visions, Inc. visit their website:
visions-inc.org
2 Continuing Education Units are awarded upon completion of the training and this satisfies the requirement for Healing the Wounds of Racism.
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Information from the Conference Secretary, Rev. Lloyd Spear
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In this email, links have been provided with the details regarding submitting annual conference resolutions in 2019 according to the EPA Rules of Order as well as information on nominating General Conference delegates for 2020. Please click on the blue links and read each document thoroughly.
Deadlines:
Resolutions for Annual Conference 2019 must be submitted by Monday, March 15, 2019 to the Conference Secretary (Lloyd Speer) at
conferencesecretary@epaumc.org
(more details in the attached 2019 Annual Conference Resolution Submission document).
EPA2019
Nominating petitions for delegates to the 2020 General Conference must be returned to the Conference Secretary no later than March 1, 2019 (more details in the attached General Conference Delegate Nominations document).
2020GC
Please contact the Conference Secretary Lloyd Speer at 215-943-
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Tools for Ministry Information!
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Find Ways to Move Your Faith Forward
Lititz United Methodist Church
201 Market St, Lititz, PA 17543
Cost: $10
(Includes Materials, Continental Breakfast & Refreshments)
Registration Deadline
:
February 24th
-
Walk-ins will be accepted but the availability of workshops may be limited. In case of inclement weather, call the District Office (717-569-9673) for news of cancellation (snow date: Saturday, March 23rd, 2019). Indicate workshops desired. Please note and detail any physical needs or disabling conditions. Payment must accompany registration. If the registration fee is an issue, please still register by calling the District office. Scholarships are available upon request. You may also register online at
http://bit.ly/wdtfm19
.
No cash refunds will be available. Substitutes will be allowed.
Basic Schedule of the Day:
8:15 am to 8:50 am
–
Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00 am to 10:20 am
–
Workshop Session I
10:30 am to 11:50 am
–
Workshop Session II
11:55 am to 12:30 pm - Music/Announcements/Meditation
Click Here
for downloadable workshop listing and registration.
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Cross Racial/Cross Cultural Information Session
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February 23, 2019
10:00am to 12:00pm
Cedarville UMC
Registration: Free
This event is for churches and members who are interested in learning more about CR/CC appointments.
Registration is free but mandatory for attendance, and
EVERY
church is requested to send at least one representative to attend.
Cedarville UMC is located at:
1092 Laurelwood Rd, Pottstown, PA 19465
This
Cross-racial/Cross-cultural Ministry Information Session
will introduce participants to ministry in churches where persons of one race, ethnicity or culture interact with a majority membership of another race, ethnicity or culture. Typically, those persons are pastors appointed to serve a congregation of a different race, ethnicity or culture. Such “crossover” experiences can produce challenging but potentially enlightening and rewarding ministry experiences for both pastors or deacons and laity.
This session will offer information, insights and testimonies of persons who are or have engaged in cross-racial and/or cross-cultural ministry. It is part of a conference-wide effort to cultivate opportunities and growth experiences in this bridge-building form of ministry, as we fulfill the church’s mission to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.”
Leaders of congregations that may have never considered a cross-racial/cross-cultural appointment may learn something to pique their interest and consideration. So, all churches are encouraged to send representatives.
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Bishop John's Town-hall on the 2019 Special Session of the General Conference
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You are encouraged to attend one of these events. Locations are pending.
3/25 - 6:30 pm East
3/26 - 5:00 pm North
3/27 - 6:30 pm South
3/28 - 6:30 pm West - to be held at
Manheim: Ruhl's
,
4810 Elizabethtown Rd, Manheim, PA 17545
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Training Events (Simultaneous)
Ponder anew what the Almighty can do . . . through you!
You could travel a few miles from home or halfway round the world to share God’s love! Work alongside close friends or new friends from far-off lands! The Eastern PA Conference’s Disaster Response ministry team will sponsor two simultaneous training events for UM Volunteers in Ministry (UMVIM) March 16, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at St. Paul’s UMC, Elizabethtown (398 N. Locust Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, (717) 367-1889).
One training will be for people wanting to explore participation in UMVIM teams. The other will be for people wanting to serve on Early Response Teams (ERT), whose mission is to provide skilled support to disaster survivors as soon as communities allow response teams into disaster-impacted areas.
Leading the two trainings will be:
- The Rev. Russell Atkinson, Eastern PA Conference UMVIM Coordinato, for UMVIM training information contact: ratkinson@epaumc.org or 610-675-7187.
- Robert Simcox, the conference’s Disaster Response Coordinator, who will lead the ERT training.
Each training costs $45 per person, which also provides the book Mission Journey (UMVIM participants will also get the updated VIM Team Leader Resource Toolkit) a light breakfast, and lunch.
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Upcoming Basic & Advanced Sexual Ethics Courses
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Basic Sexual Ethics workshop is scheduled for Saturday March 23, 2019 from 9 30 to 3 at Conshohocken UMC, 20 W 6th Ave, Conshohocken, PA 19428, led by
Rev. Wanda Sevey of the Council for Relationships.
Cost is $35 lunch is provided.
Advanced Sexual Ethics April 30th 2019 at Asbury UMC in Allentown led by
Rev. Beverly Andrews and Mrs. Elaine Spanger.
Cost is $35. Lunch is provided.
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2019 Events
- Tools for Ministry 2019 - Saturday, March 2, 2019 - Lititz UMC
- Lenten Day Apart - Monday, March 4, 2019 - Aldersgate UMC, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE
- Tools for Ministry 2019 SNOW DATE - Saturday, March 23, 2019 - Lititz UMC
- Anchorage Breakfast Ministries Giant Yard Sale - March 30, 2019
- Deacon Gathering with Bishop Johnson - Saturday, April 13, 2019
- Annual Conference 2019 - Thursday, June 13 - Saturday, June 15, 2019
- Laity Academy - August 2-4, 2019 - Eastern Univerity, Radnor
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Are you cleaning out your basement, attic or storage area? Anchorage Breakfast is looking for donations for their upcoming indoor yard sale.
Donations are beginning accepted between now and March 27.
The indoor yard sale will be held on Saturday, March 30 at Lancaster Brethren In Christ Church on Fruitville Pike.
Acceptable items:
Household items, Kitchen items, Books, Toys, Furniture, Outdoor items, Sport equipment, Holiday items, Pet items, Collectibles.
A few things we do not accept:
Computers, Cribs, Mattress/boxes springs, VHS or cassette tapes, Torn or stained items, Broken items, OLD TV, Food, Cups/mugs from events/places.
Yard Sale helpers are needed on the following dates (2 hour commitments):
- Saturday, March 23 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. – collect stored items; deliver to the site and begin setting up – two hour slots
- Tuesday, March 26 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. – help unpack and organize- two hour slots
- Wednesday, March 27 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. – help unpack and organize- two hour slots
- Thursday, March 28 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. – help unpack and organize- two hour slots
Day of Sale - Saturday, March 30 beginning at 7:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
- two hour slots
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Clergy Financial Wellness and 2019 Retirement Seminar
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Tuesday, March 26, 2019 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center, 87 Old Mill Road, Lebanon, PA 17042.
This event is FREE and lunch will be provided!
Now is the time to begin planning for your financial future! We recognize the unique challenges of clergy, and are excited to offer a new workshop, specifically tailored to your needs!
We will offer two tracks at this event - one for clergy financial planning and one for this year's class of retirees.
At this event you will learn about the pension and welfare plans offered through the conference. Wespath and EY Financial Planning experts will help you learn how to assess your current financial position, set goals and develop a plan for achieving them, control your spending and manage your debt, prepare for retirement, and use the Wespath benefits in order to help reach your goals.
Wespath Benefits and Investments (Wespath) offers confidential, objective financial counseling at no charge* to eligible participants** from EY, (formerly Ernst and Young) a leading global financial services firm.
They are available to assist with Budgeting, Managing credit card and other debt, Determining how much to save, Making investment decisions, Considering before-tax, Roth and/or after-tax contributions to retirement plans, Creating an effective retirement plan, Understanding tax issues, Evaluating insurance needs and options, Buying a home or car, Financing a college education, !And more!
When you speak with EY, you receive professional advice without the sales pressure, since EY does not sell any investment or insurance products. To speak with a financial planner, call EY directly at 1-800-360-2539, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Central time.
*Costs for their services are included in Wespath’s operating expenses that are paid for by the funds.
**Financial planning services are available to active participants and surviving spouses with an account balance in Wespath-administered plans, and to terminated and retired participants with an account balance of at least $10,000.
Sponsored by:
EPA Board of Pension and Health Benefits
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Donations being accepted for Sierra Leone
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In the past we have sent several barrels of medication, clothing and toys to Rev. Dorcas Kamanda in Sierra Leone for the Children's Village she started. We have been extremely successful with this mission and we would like to start sending more to the Village in the new year.
At the end of September the District presented Dorcas with a check for $2,038 for supplies and medication needed for the Village. These funds came from donations received from YOU (district conference, direct donations, etc.). These funds were also used for purchasing barrels and covering the shipping costs on all of these barrels.
Therefore, we are in need of barrels (pictured) and supplies to go into barrels. Last time we obtained shipping barrels they cost approximately
$50 each
. If someone knows where we can obtain plastic barrels at a cheaper cost or has clean, plastic shipping barrels, we would greatly appreciate info. Shipping was
$150.00 per barrel.
Each barrel should be
55 gallons with a removable lid
, preferably a solid lid.
If you are able to point us in a direction to obtaining barrels, we would grateful, as would the Village.
We have received an updated list of items that are needed for the both NarSarah Clinic and the Children's Village - both started by Dorcas.
Needs for Clinic
Clinic really needs surgical equipment for minor surgeries e.g. appendix.
OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS
pain medications, antibiotics, anti-diarrhea, cold sores meds; cold medications, children's vitamins; vitamins for older women e.g. Centrum etc., rash medication, folic acid, prenatal/post-natal
Needs for Childen's Village
Children’s clothes and shoes especially tennis shoes for children ages 4 to 10 years, socks, NEW underwear, soccer balls, bathing soaps.
We need a water well to address our water need.
We need solar panels to increase our energy demand.
We need a playground for the orphans and children from the village.
We will need a school bus as our numbers increase.
Please contact the District Office with questions by phone at 717-569-9673 or email Kristin at
kreifsnyder@epaumc.org
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FREE YOUTH GROUP NIGHTS @ GRETNA GLEN
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What is it?:
At Gretna Glen we are committed to supporting the ministry that is already active in your church. We are inviting you and your Middle & High School youth to camp every 3rd Sunday of the month through the fall, winter, and spring.
We usually start the evening off with an open activity time. If the weather is nice, we will open up some of camp's general activities for the students to enjoy. This sometimes includes archery, boating, fishing, ga-ga ball, 9-square, sports in the field. After that, we'll gather everyone together for an all group welcome and large group games. Following the games we move into worship, a message from our speaker or specialty presentation and a snack.
What will they learn?
This school year, we will be following a central theme of "Squad Goals". This theme will cover different aspects of aspiring towards strong Christian community. The purpose of life is our relationship with God and our relationship with others. God did not design us to live a life in solitude. This lesson shows students the importance of relationship and community, while encouraging them to build up a supportive faith community. So get your squad ready and come on out to camp this year!
Dates:
February 17, and March 17
Time:
4pm - 6:30pm
**Reminder - adults must be present with youth
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Do you find yourself wondering where you can obtain a 501(c)3 letter? Clergy W-2s? Various other bits of information that is crucial for churches? Look no further than the
Local Church Resources tab on the EPA website and you can answer these questions.
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LOCAL CHURCH & CONNECTIONAL EVENTS
Please don't forget that we love sharing the events you have going on in your churches and Connections. Be sure to share them with the district either on
Facebook
or via
email
. We can't share what we don't know is happening!
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PULPIT SUPPLY LIST
If you would like to be added to this list, please contact the
district office with your name, which category you're in, phone number and area you can cover. We have limited names for the Lebanon area, if you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible!
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Rev. Tim Smith, Chair of District Committee on Ordained Ministry
-
ts3707@gmail.com
Mrs. Lynn McCord, District Christ Servant Minister Coordinato
r,
Conference Office
- 610-666-9090 / 800-828-9093
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MISSION CENTRAL HUBS IN OUR DISTRICT
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1)
Elizabethtown: St. Paul’s
(Liz Helm, coordinator), 398 N. Locust Street, Elizabethtown, PA. 717-367-1889 **call to make sure someone will be there**
2)
Lebanon: Covenant
(Mariellen Lantz, coordinator), 346 N. 9
th
Street, Lebanon, PA. 717-272-0672
3)
Cleona: Immanuel
(Jeanne Earnshaw, coordinator), 29 E. Maple Street, Cleona, PA. 717-926-2305 **call to make sure someone will be there**
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Editorial Policy of the West District E-Alert:
The West District E-alert is published on an as-needed basis on Wednesdays. Articles will appear once as new information; thereafter, they will be Reminders or Calendar Items. Spaghetti dinners, fundraisers, concerts, VBSs, bazaars, etc. are included only on the
Local Church and Connetional Events page
. Job postings can be found in the
Classifieds
section of the website. The E-Alert is sent to Pastors and Church Offices on the West District and to lay people who have requested having their names added to the distribution list. Please feel free to copy any article for your church’s bulletin or newsletter. Appointed clergy may not unsubscribe. All articles and announcements should be sent to the District Resource Assistant at
epawestdistrict@comcast.net
by 3:00pm Tuesday afternoon for consideration. Articles should be in the body of an email or an attached Word document (please no PDFs). Submissions made by telephone will
not
be accepted. Articles may be edited for clarity and space. The District Office makes all decisions regarding publication.
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