Rejoice always , pray without ceasing , give thanks in all circumstances;
for THIS is the WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18
West District Weekly

July 8, 2020
Pulpit Supply List at the bottom of this email has been updated as of 5/18/2020.
New office hours:
Monday - Tuesday
8:00 am - 5:15pm
with Kristin in the Conference Office

Wednesday - Thursday
8:00 am - 5:15pm
with Kristin working from home
New item available! Be sure to check below!
Please discontinue the use of our office number, fax number (717-569-9673/2038), our Comcast email address, and our PO Box (PO Box 271, Bird in Hand).
As of 6/30 we no longer have access to these.

New Mailing Address:
EPA UMC
c/o West District
PO Box 820
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820

New Physical Address:
980 Madison Avenue
Norristown, PA 19403

New Phone Number:
610-666-9090 ext 1020
800-828-9093 ext 1020

New Fax Number:
610-666-9093
Fax must have a cover sheet clearly indicating how many pages and that it's for West and/or Kristin
Charge Conference Dates COMING SOON!
Pastors, be on the look out for Charge Conference dates to schedule from coming out in the next two weeks!!!
Gretna Glen Family Getaway Retreats
JULY 10-12, JULY 17-19, JULY 24-26, JULY 31-AUGUST 2 ARE THE WEEKEND EVENTS
JULY 27-30 IS THE WEEKDAY EVENT
They may add more events depending on how these fill up.  
Space is limited.
Please call 717-273-6525 to register. Office hours are Mon.-Fri. 8:30-5:00
 
The family getaways are intended to provide rest, recreation, and spiritual growth. A family vacation that is fun and affordable, with something for everyone. Keep busy or just take the time to relax. You will be able to disconnect, so you can reconnect with God, each other, and creation in a new way. While Gretna Glen will provide a schedule for the event and have some planned activities, we really want you to spend the time here as your family needs. Meal times are not flexible however all other activities will be optional. The goal is to provide a healthy, safe retreat for your family to enjoy Gretna Glen at your own pace.
Your retreat will include:
  • Lodging (a few options, so first come first serve for booking housing)
  • 5 Meals-Weekend Event / 9 Meals-Weekday Event (served family style at assigned tables)
  • Worship experiences
  • Self-guided Bible and nature discovery packs
  • Optional camp classic activity times including Archery, Boating, Swimming, Crafts
  • As well as opportunity to explore and enjoy our 200-acre site
All activities are optional and included in your family getaway. In addition to these staffed activities, you and your family will have access to:
  • Fishing (with License over 16)
  • Basketball Court
  • 9 square Court
  • Volleyball Court
  • Gaga Pits
  • Yard Game Arena                                                                            
  • Imagination Garden
  • Hiking Trails
  • Nature Center
  • Prayer Labyrinth
  • Playground

For more information, click here .
2020 EPA Annual Conference Announcement from Bishop Peggy Johnson
Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

I am writing to let the Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference know that I have prayerfully decided that the bulk of our annual conference sessions this fall will be virtual and not in-person (face to face). The continual rise in COVID 19 cases, the threat of a second wave in the fall, the age of most of our constituents, and the budgetary challenges we are facing has led me to this decision.

I will be meeting with the annual conference session committee to determine the details and we will be in touch as plans are worked out with more specific information. We plan to keep the same dates that have been previously announced, but with a few changes. We will not be gathering at the Oaks Convention Center. Understanding that all social distancing and other health precautions will be observed, the dates are:
  • Tues. October 13, 2020 - 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Clergy Session (virtual/live streaming) and there will be no laity session.
  • Tues. October 13, 2020 - 1:00 am - 5:00 pm - Annual Conference (virtual/live streaming). 
  • Wed. October 14, 2020 - 10:00 am - Memorial Service (at a local church yet to be confirmed). This will be in person but by ticket only with limited seating and live streaming available.
  • Wed. October 14, 2020 - 2:00 pm - Ordination Service (at a local church yet to be confirmed). This will also be in person but by ticket only with limited seating and live streaming available.
Many annual conferences across the country have opted for virtual sessions with great success so we will be able to learn from their experiences. Ensuring electronic accessibility for our voting delegates is a priority for us. We are committed to providing accessibility for individuals with disabilities and those who speak Spanish. We will also continue to receive our special Annual Conference offerings online and/or by mail.

I realize this is a huge change from what we are used to doing. The fellowship and resourcing that is typical of an in-person event will be limited and the agenda will be smaller. However, this will help us to do things in a new way that may facilitate even greater options for ministry in the future. As Isaiah 43:19 reminds us "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Our God is a way-maker, doing new things for a new generation. Please be in prayer as we embark on this venture of Annual Conference 2020.

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson
Upcoming Workshop
Serving as an associate or assistant pastor provides its own set of unique challenges and opportunities in ministry. Having a safe environment with others who understand your position can be extremely helpful, particularly during difficult seasons. 
 
That’s why for the next two months, Samaritan’s Clergy and Congregation Care program is waiving the fee for associate pastors and assistant pastors to meet in an ecumenical, facilitated group with peers. 
 
The group will provide an arena to talk about the challenges, joys and sorrows related to ministry, as well as to test ideas of how to best serve congregations. Additionally, these sessions will provide a safe space for clergy to be vulnerable with trusted colleagues who know where they’re coming from.
 
Sessions will be facilitated on Zoom by the Rev. Don Hackett. The group will be limited to 6 participants, who will collaboratively determine the frequency and tone of these sessions. After the initial free sessions, participants can elect to continue with the group for a monthly fee.

If you’re feeling stressed amid this trying time, or just want to join with others, click below today to email Don and sign up for one of the 6 openings.

For more information on Clergy & Congregational Care at Samaritan's Counceling Center, click here .
Revs. Carolene Brubaker and Beverly Andrews from our district run groups through SCC as part of this team.
About Rev. Don Hackett
Rev. Dr. Don Hackett lives in Lancaster, PA, and serves as pastor at Centre Presbyterian Church in New Park, PA. Don has served in several churches as an associate pastor, pastor and entrepreneur. He also consults and leads workshops for a number of local churches and businesses. Don enjoys seeing everyday activities as faith-deepening practices, including baking bread, yoga, walking with his wife and photographing nature. He attended Fuller Seminary and focused on regional youth ministry for his Doctor of Ministry degree.
Food Distribution Centers in EPA Conference
These food centers are either church based or our churches support them. Click here to download. <<- Updated!
Conference to aid churches with online giving page
“In these changing times, the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference is pleased to offer an online giving option to aid local churches,” announces James Brown, conference Treasurer. The conference is creating a giving page on its website to allow members, visitors and donors to easily contribute online to congregations by selecting from a menu of participating churches.It should be available for use by May 31. 

This online giving web page, also known as a portal, will be available to all churches, but it should be especially helpful to churches that do not currently offer online giving but want to. The service is provided through the conference’s relationship with Vanco Payment Services.   

Simple electronic funds transfer process
To participate in the program, a local church must simply complete the electronic funds transfer form and return it to the conference accounting office. The conference Treasurer’s office will process and deposit gifts into the church’s designated bank account weekly. A contribution report will then be sent to the church.

“There are many ways to re-imagine passing the offering plate for the church in today's world,” says a recent article about online giving. “Setting people up for online giving can help the church to have consistent and easy tithing regardless of the ebbs and flows of church attendance. People are not bound to have to remember to bring a checkbook or cash with them to church either.” (“Making giving easy: Services, credit readers and more”)

No fees charged for online giving set-up or transactions
While online giving services typically charge transaction fees for each donation, and some also charge a set-up fee, Eastern PA Conference churches will be spared such expenses, thanks to the Mid-Atlantic United Methodist Foundation (MAUMF).
The foundation serves churches in the Eastern PA, Peninsula-Delaware and Baltimore-Washington conferences.

Jack Brooks, MAUMF Executive Director, has announced a grant to underwrite the cost of implementing online giving programs for churches of the Eastern PA Conference. “Our research continues to prove the positive impact online giving has to church vitality,” said Brooks. “It’s important that we do our part to remove any remaining roadblocks of accessibility to online giving for all churches in the connection.” 

The MAUMF is the leading provider of stewardship education and investment resources to UM churches in the mid-Atlantic region. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.midatlanticfoundation.org

“I appreciate the partnership of the MAUMF and our Eastern PA Conference during this time to assist our churches,” said Bishop Peggy Johnson. “I believe that electronic giving is not where we’re headed but where we already are. This option can be a learning experience for churches who are considering this but need to see how it works.”

For information about online giving options for churches read “Making giving easy: Services, credit readers and more” on the ResourceUMC website. For information about online giving options for churches read “ Making giving easy: Services, credit readers and more” on the ResourceUMC website. Also read “ The need for giving when church doors close.

from NEWSpirit Digest
AT&T ML17928 2-Line Corded Phone, Black/Silver

Add 100 names and numbers into the directory on this corded telephone. The dial-in-base speaker enables hands-free conversations and lets others participate in calls. The 2-line operation ensures calls can be made and received on two separate phone lines, and third-party conferencing is useful for small meetings with remote associates. This AT&T speakerphone has reduced background noise and interference and is compatible with most telecoil-equipped hearing aids.
  • Conference phone allows for multiple participants to converse simultaneously
  • Compatible with up to two lines for expanded calling capabilities
  • Monochrome LCD display for clear viewing
  • Speakerphone keeps your hands free
  • Features conference, speakerphone, headset, mute, flash, pause, hold, volume, and redial buttons for versatile functionality
  • Caller ID/call waiting lets you see who's calling

Keep Lines Separate or Bring Them Together
The AT&T ML17928 two-line speakerphone supports two distinct phone lines, each with its own mailbox and ringtone, if desired. The two lines can be brought together with a third party, when needed, for conferencing.

Ample Storage Space for Contacts, Speed Dials, and Messages:
The AT&T two-line corded speakerphone has space for up to 100 contacts, and can also store 18 speed dials. For any calls you aren't able to take, there is room for 12 minutes of incoming messages. The answering machine offers prerecorded greetings, day/time stamp, and remote access.

Manage Calls with Digital Display and Hands-Free Features:
With its bright, 2. 75-inch LCD display, you can view call waiting and caller ID details at a glance. The AT&T ML17928 two-line speakerphone also offers Clearspeak speaker capabilities in the base, so your hands can do other things while you are talking on the phone.

Contents:
AT&T two-line speakerphone, telephone cord, adapter for wall mounting, AC power adapter, and user manual.



To pick up locally (Lancaster/Lebanon), please make arrangements with Kristin for Wednesdays or Thursdays.
If you have a need, please email the district office - the ad will run for two weeks in the newsletter, but will be available on the District website for one month. Additional listings are available on the District website.
2020 Events
**Details listed in articles above/below**

  • West District Bishop's Day & District Conference - Monday, September 21, 2020 - VIRTUAL on ZOOM

  • Annual Conference - Tuesday-Wednesday, October 13-14, 2020 - Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA

  • Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress & Transformation - Saturday, October 17, 2020 - Simpson House, 2101 Belmont Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131

  • Faith Sharing Event - Saturday, November 14, 2020 - TBA
District & Conference Reminders/Events
Local Church Resources
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.
2020 Faith-Sharing Event
Plan now to attend the EPA Conference’s 2020 Faith-Sharing Event

November 14, 2020
8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
LOCATION TBA
Theme: Evangelism in a Changing Landscape

Cost: $10. $50 for groups of 6 or more!

Teams are encouraged to attend. 0.6 CEUs are available. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Our featured speaker: 
The Rev. Lisa Greenwood
Vice-President for Leadership Ministry of TMF
(the Texas Methodist Foundation), Dallas, Texas

This one-day event will stimulate reflections on the changing landscape of our mission field—both its challenges and opportunities—and invite us into conversations about the implications for our church leaders and ministries. Congregations are encouraged to send teams to learn, strategize and prepare to grow together.

Ever feel like we have inherited models for ministry that just aren’t working? Has evangelism taken on the qualities of an unwanted virus (thus, to be avoided like the plague!)?

And yet, we know that we are compelled to share Christ’s good news of love and grace, justice and hope. What does that call mean for us as leaders and for the churches we serve?

Lisa Greenwood works with church leaders across the UMC connection to help them understand and foster “deep change” by facilitating purposeful conversations of courage, learning, generosity and innovation. She brings wisdom and experience from serving suburban, urban and rural churches as a pastor in the North Texas Annual Conference for 20 years. She also has served on the Board of Ordained Ministry, four General Conference delegations (2004-2019), and as ministry strategist for the Horizons Stewardship Company.

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!

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!
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
Rev. Bumkoo Chung, District Superintendent - bkepaumc@gmail.com

Mrs. Kristin E. Reifsnyder, District Resource Assistant  - kreifsnyder@epaumc.org

Mrs. Sue Grimm Mattox, District Lay Leader - 717-575-6414; sgrimm1028@gmail.com

Rev. Elaine Bortman, Chair of Committee on the District Superindency  - elainebortman@yahoo.com

Mr. Craig Lenhard, Chair of Board of Church Location & Building  - rvrguyd@yahoo.com

Rev. Tim Smith, Chair of District Committee on Ordained Ministry - ts3707@gmail.com

Rev. Jason Perkowski, Chair of District Resource Team - jbperkowski@gmail.com

Ms. Hatsy Droke, District UMW President, 717-824-3714, hdroke552@gmail.com

Mrs. Lynn McCord, District Christ Servant Minister Coordinato r,
717-615-5616,  dpmlem1@gmail.com

Rev. Chris Eden, Interim Local Pastor's Registrar  - chris@quarryville.church

Rev. Jacqueline Hines, Conference Secretary - conferencesecretary@epaumc.org

Mrs. Correen Russo, LUMINA - correen.lumina@gmail.com

Conference Office  - 610-666-9090 / 800-828-9093
MISSION CENTRAL HUBS IN OUR DISTRICT
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**
Editorial Policy of the West District Weekly:  The West District Weekly 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 Weekly 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 westdistrict@epaumc.org  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.