Online, streamlined AC2020 session approved |
In an historic decision, Eastern PA Annual Conference members voted overwhelmingly August 26 to approve temporary rule changes that will allow for their 2020 annual conference on October 13-14 to be a Zoom video-conference webinar with electronic voting and a reduced agenda.
The vote—conducted through eBallot, a secure online voting system—tallied 508 “yes” votes and 14 “no’s,” with a quorum of participating members. The result will be a conference agenda that handles only matters required by the United Methodist Church’s Book of Discipline and other mandatory conference business.
That conference business includes reports on key programs and operations, and votes needed to approve an annual budget, clergy equitable salary levels, and pension and health benefit plans. As always, many votes may be combined on the Consent Calendar. Legislative resolutions will not be addressed this year but may be resubmitted for consideration at the 2021 Annual Conference. Learn more…
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Conference seeks part-time clerical staff |
The Eastern PA Conference is seeking two part-time clerical staff members to assist the two District Resource Assistants (DRAs) who serve our four districts. (Kristin Reifsnyder serves the East and West districts; Deb Boyd serves the North and South.) The two new staff members will work at the Conference Office in Valley Forge beginning immediately.
One 10-hour per week clerical staff member will assist the South District with filing, phone calls, emails, etc. Another 20-hour per week clerical staff member will assist the West and East districts with filing, phone calls, emails, etc. Christine Collazo will continue in her current role offering clerical assistance to the North District.
Additionally, the Conference will re-staff immediately a part-time clerical position in Accounting. This is a 10-15-hour per week position, also at the Conference Office, to assist with filing, mail, phone calls, email, remittance entry, etc. The job description is attached here.
Anyone interested in these positions, is invited to contact Jo Fielding, Conference Director of Administrative Services at umjobs@epaumc.org by Sept. 11.
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District Conferences to meet on Zoom in Sept. |
District conferences will meet virtually on four different evenings in mid-September, rather than simultaneously as usual:
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South District: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 6:30 PM
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East District: Wednesday, Sept. 16, 6:30 PM
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North District: Thursday Sept. 17, 6:30 PM
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West District: Monday, Sept. 21, 6:30 PM
Bishop Peggy Johnson will speak to each of the district conferences about necessary adjustments planned for Annual Conference in October and also the denomination’s new Dismantling Racism initiative and the importance of discipleship.
Districts will fill vacancies for equalizing-lay-members-to-annual conference for the rest of this quadrennium and will also celebrate new clergy retirees, thank churches that have paid 100% in apportionments, and recognize persons who will be commissioned and ordained in October. Information on equalizing lay members and resolutions will be emailed to all members Sept. 4.
District members will also receive and provide any needed corrections to the Committee on Leadership’s preliminary report to Annual Conference. Members may attend any district conference, but they should only vote in their own district. Members will vote by using the Zoom webinar raised-hand feature with automatic vote tabulation. In addition to Zoom, the District Conferences may be viewed on Facebook Live (via livestreaming).
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Bishop’s Letter: Fundraising Appeal for Camps |
Bishop Peggy Johnson appealed to Eastern PA Conference churches and members in a letter this week to support our four Camp & Retreat Centers as they struggle financially from the cancellation of Summer Camp and numerous events in the still looming shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The camps have had to make painful choices to cut staff and other costs, while trying to offer limited activities online and onsite, uncertain of when the pandemic will end and if they will recover.
But the bishop, in her August 27 letter, expresses faith in the Holy Spirit and hope in the support that already exists for the camps, which she describes as “important mission extension outposts for our churches and the greater community. They are one of the most effective evangelism tools we have," she writes. "Thus, I am asking you--churches, members and friends of our Conference—to embrace a vision of what it would look like if every church would donate $300 to support our camp centers and avoid a budget shortfall.” Read more... Or Read entire letter.
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South District answers call to aid Central Congo |
The Eastern PA Conference’s South District is answering the urgent call to help people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to an appeal by the Congo Partnership, the Rev. Evelyn Kent-Clark, new South District Superintendent, wrote to pastors and churches in her district urging them to contribute to save lives by supporting various struggling nutrition programs. Learn more…
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Dual events engage youth, youth leaders in learning, fellowship |
While many are avoiding public gatherings this summer during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eastern PA Conference and its churches are making ample use of Zoom video-conferencing for meetings, worship, education and special events. And the Conference’s Youth Ministries program is doing its share.
The Rev. David Piltz, Coordinator, has hosted two virtual learning and fellowship events in two months—one for youth and the other for adult youth ministers. While young participants sorely missed the social contact of an extended onsite gathering, they nonetheless appreciated the interaction, learning and good attendance they experienced in their brief time together.
Piltz and his team—including youth ministers Michael Gold and Jezerel Gutierrez—helped the Conference Council on Youth Ministry plan and cohost a virtual youth rally with guest speakers and music August 21-22. With the theme “Perfect Vision 2020,” based on 2 Corinthians 5:7, the rally drew about 80 attendees, mostly youth.
An earlier gathering organized for adult youth ministry leaders, July 25, was an “experiential workshop” designed to help youth ministers and other church leaders engage with young people in “intentional conversations” on challenging and undoing racism—both explicit and implicit. Learn more...
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Tindley Temple featured in Philadelphia Tribune |
Historic Tindley Temple UMC in Philadelphia, founded by gospel music pioneer the Rev. Charles Albert Tindley, was featured as the Philadelphia Tribune’s Church of the Week in its August 8, 2020, issue. The full-page (8-B) article “Tindley Temple United Methodist Church: Fighting the battle against gentrification” explores the once-bustling 136-year-old church’s past, present and future in words and multiple photos.
The Rev. Robert Johnson, the pastor for the past six years, recalls being nurtured as a child and young adult by the congregation and its pastors. He cites the church’s ongoing ministries of worship, education, cultural events and human services, but also its desire to flourish again in its changing Center City community.
“Tindley is currently working on a gentrification project to become more multicultural,” says Johnson. “We are a stable African-American older congregation. However, through this pandemic we’ve seen more people connect with Tindley in a real way through our online services then we’ve ever seen connecting to us.” Learn more… Also, visit our Methodists Make News web page and send us links to news stories about your church.
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Bishop’s Blog: Jesus, the ‘Universal Suffragist’
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This summer women in the United States celebrate with pride the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote when fully ratified on August 26, 1920. This was a hard-fought battle that had its earliest beginnings at the “Women’s Rights” Convention in Seneca Falls, NY, in 1848.
There were failures along the way. The Supreme Court in 1872 declared in a ruling about the 14th amendment that “all people” did not include women. One of the saddest realities of this movement was the fact that the White women often sidelined Black women for fear that Southern voters would not support their suffrage campaign. Learn more...
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‘Unity’: A plea from Ephesians 4:1-4 |
“The biggest burden in the church and our country right now is our disunity! It is borne of racism, greed, partisan politics and pride.” Thus proclaims Bishop Peggy Johnson in “Unity,” a compelling new sermon that can be viewed and read on our website. “The events the past few months with the death of George Floyd have set in motion an incredible call for change. This change can only happen if all people are unified in purpose. Only as we work together can we make real progress.
“I as your bishop pledge to keep this before us,” she promises, “to do what I can to break down the barriers of division, so that we can be a model for what it means to walk together with one purpose. We can only do this with the power of the Holy Spirit. Learn more…
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East District bids farewell to Michael Yancey |
East District members and others, including Bishop Peggy Johnson, said goodbye to District Resource Assistant (DRA) Michael Yancey on Monday night, August 31, on his final day on the job. The Zoom video-conference event elicited praise and thanks to Yancey, who served as a DRA since November 2017. He begins a new job as office manger at his church, First UMC Germantown in Philadelphia, in September. The East District Superintendency Committee sponsored the online tribute, which included thanks from new District Superintendent the Rev. Andrew Foster, seen here with Yancey.
Now, in a new, cost-saving restaffing arrangement, Kristin Reifsnyder will serve as DRA for the East and West districts, while new DRA Deb Boyd serves the North and South district. Each district will also have a part-time clerical staff assistant to handle phone calls, email, filing and other basic tasks for 10 hours a week. North District DRA Sheri Kentner, who also participated in the Yancey tribute, plans to retire Dec. 31 and will work on special projects until then.
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Conference Office staff schedules for fall 2020 |
When the Eastern PA Conference Office’s summer schedule ends on Labor Day Sept. 7, associate staff will begin working there three days a week and work from home the other two days to limit the number of staff in the office daily for health and safety reasons. Executive staff, including full-time directors and part-time coordinators, will continue to work from home as much as possible. The new schedule begins Sept. 8. See in-office schedules by day and by staff member: Learn more…
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Meet our missionaries in virtual visits |
Eastern PA Conference Missions Secretary Barbara Drake reports that conference members and churches can get to know online some of the Global Ministries missionaries we support through a “virtual itineration” this fall.
At least eight missionaries serving around the world and supported by Eastern PA members and churches want us and the world to know that they are #stillinmission during this pandemic. And now we have a chance to meet them and learn about their mission endeavors. Unable to physically visit this year due to the pandemic, some are instead itinerating among us online, thanks to Global Ministries. Learn more…
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Louisiana churches hit by Hurricane Laura |
LAKE CHARLES, La. (UM News) — Hurricane Laura may not have brought the widespread devastation that was feared, but southwest Louisiana was clobbered by its powerful winds. Pastors reported damage, some of it extensive, to a handful of United Methodist churches in and near Lake Charles. Sam Hodges reports. Read story... |
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Bishop Yambasu's funeral set for Sept. 6 |
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone — Bishop John K. Yambasu, the late resident bishop of the Sierra Leone Conference, will be laid to rest on Sept. 6 after a series of services that will celebrate his life. All churches in the Sierra Leone Conference have been asked to conduct services of remembrance on Aug. 30. Read press release. UM News remembrance: Sierra Leone bishop dead at 63.
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African schools adapt to health requirements |
NAIROBI, Kenya (UM News) — With more than 1 million confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa, United Methodist schools and universities face unprecedented challenges. Many are turning to e-learning to make sure education continues while others focus on safety protocols as students return to school. UM News communicators from around the continent share how schools and churches are adapting. Read story.
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New book club begins with 'Transforming Community the Wesleyan way'
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The Eastern PA Conference’s renamed Congregational Development & Transformation ministry (CDT, formerly Congregational Development Team) will launch a new book club this fall, and its first title explores how churches can use Methodist traditions to pursue missional transformation.
Transforming Community: The Wesleyan Way to Missional Congregations looks at how to adopt John Wesley's creative way of organizing churches for active discipleship in order to form missional communities and congregations. The 2016 book, co-written by seminary theologians the Revs. Henry Knight and Douglas Powe, is intended to equip today's congregations to be more transformational.
The Rev. Kevin Babcock, the Eastern PA Conference’s new Coordinator of Church Support Services, is organizing the book club and will lead the 8-week study from Sept. 9 to Oct. 28, using Zoom video-conferencing. Registration is required; but the first 25 people to REGISTER for the book study will receive a free copy of the book. Learn more…
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The conference Healing the Wounds of Racism Core Team will offer the next Dismantling Racism Level II workshop via Zoom on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9 AM to 12 PM. “The Experience and Impact of Racism on People of Asian Ancestry” is the theme. The Rev. Doris Kung Chi Pui Dalton, a Deacon and former Eastern PA Conference staff member, will keynote the interactive discussion. All clergy are required to take a Level II workshop during the quadrennium. The cost is $15. Scholarships are available REGISTRATION PAGE. Learn more…
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Attend our next Leadership Launch, October 3
Bearing Fruitful Ministry
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“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Church, District and Conference Leaders, register online to attend the 2020 Leadership Launch online. Oct. 3, 2020, 9 AM to 11:30 AM
An interactive Zoom video-conferencing event.
All leaders are welcome and highly encouraged to attend. That includes: Connectional Ministry/Table teams and committees; Lay Leaders; Christ Servant Ministers, Certified Lay Ministers and anyone else in a church leadership role.
Invite your leadership team to participate. Registration is free but required. Register now. Download and share the flyer. C ome join fellow church and conference leaders, as we discern what it means to lead well in challenging times.
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, New Eastern PA Conference Director of Connectional Ministries. Break-out sessions will be led by Connectional Table Members. Taylor-Storm shares the following:
“As ministry leaders, we are called to ‘bloom where we are planted.’ Even now, in this new vineyard where we find ourselves, fruitful discipleship is possible. Come and learn alongside other ministry leaders in this interactive training.”
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3 Church & Society grants have Sept. 4 deadline |
Human Relations Day, Ethnic Local Church, and Peace with Justice grants are all available through the UMC’s Board of Church and Society. September 4 is the deadline for the fall funding cycle.
TO APPLY FOR FUNDING FROM ANY OF THE THREE GRANTS, THE APPLICANT MUST BE:
- a United Methodist local church, district, conference or other affiliated group/organization
- an Ecumenical group/organization working with and through at least one United Methodist agency or organization, whose program impacts at least one United Methodist local church.
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Peace with Justice Grants |
Funding for grants come from the offering taken on Peace with Justice Sunday, which “witnesses to God’s demands for a faithful, just, disarmed, and secure world.” Fifty percent of the offering is retained in the Annual Conferences and the remainder is forwarded to the General Church. Applicants must work toward ending violence, militarism, poverty, injustice and/or human rights violations, and leading people toward peaceful reconciliation, racial and economic justice, and self-development. Preferences are given to first-time requests and to work that includes advocacy. The maximum Peace with Justice award is $5,000. Download the Peace with Justice grant application here. Contact Quinn Wonderling at qwonderling@umcjustice.org or 212.973.1702.
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Ethnic Local Church Grants |
The purpose of GBCS’s Ethnic Local Church Grants (ELCG) program is to support racial-ethnic ministries of education, public policy, advocacy, or leadership training and development in social justice ministries. Priority is given to new and emerging ministries that directly impact racial/ethnic communities. The maximum Ethnic Local Church award is $10,000. Download the Ethnic Local Church grant application here. Contact: Rev. Neal Christie, nchristie@umcjustice.org, 202-488- 5611.
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Human Relations Day Grants |
The purpose of the Human Relations Day Grant is to provide funding to promote ministries that respond to non-violent young offenders through education, advocacy, or leadership training and development.
The UMC observes and receives a special offering on Human Relations Day in January on the Sunday immediately following Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The special Sunday is a call to “the Church to recognize the right of all God’s children in realizing their potential as human beings in relationship with each other.” The maximum Human Relations Day award is $10,000. Download the Human Relations Day grant application here. Contact John Hill, jhill@umcjustice.org, 202.488.5654.
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Apply for ecumenical, interreligious ministry grants by Sept. 14 |
The UMC Council of Bishops announces a Sept. 14 applications deadline for its 2020 Local Initiatives Grants program. The grants fund creative initiatives to develop or strengthen ecumenical and interreligious relationships. All grant applications or questions can be emailed to Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst at jhawxhurst@umc-cob.org. Read about grants awarded in 2019: Council of Bishops announces winners of 2019 Local Initiatives Grants.
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Agency launches anti-racism campaign |
The United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has introduced #ColortheConversation, a new discussion and listening campaign to address racism in the fields of higher education and ministry. The campaign invites others to respond with their own topics and video stories. Read press release.
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Children, youth and families are challenged by social upheaval and distance from their physical church. Here are practical suggestions for how congregations can meet their material, spiritual, and emotional needs. Learn more…
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When Home Hurts
Conference to explore Domestic Violence and Families
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The Eastern PA Conference’s Domestic Violence Committee will focus on children and families when it presents its third annual Domestic Violence Seminar October 9-10. The two-part, virtual event will be a video-conference on Zoom. Its times are on Friday evening, from 7 PM to 9 PM, and on Saturday morning, from 9 AM to 12 PM.
The theme is When Home Hurts: Domestic Violence and Families—The Church Responds.
“Again, we will learn more about this destructive social crisis that hurts individuals, families and communities,” said the committee in announcing the event. “And we will explore how churches can respond.” The virtual seminar will include a keynote address, a panel discussion and topical workshops--all led by experts who play various roles in seeking and offering solutions to this lethal problem.
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Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Diversity training |
This recurring workshop can help any church leader improve their communication, teamwork and conflict management skills, while creating an inclusive, welcoming environment. It’s a must-learn for leaders who want to abide in and lead like Christ.
The workshop provides insight into Jesus’ life and approach to managing conflict, creating believers, and teaching others about living life with God at the center. It provides answers to those who perceive and experience oppression, inequality and violence. The skilled trainers are the Revs. David Piltz and Anita Powell of the Eastern PA Conference Commission on Religion & Race (CORR).
Register now for this Zoom video-conferencing workshop, scheduled for two Saturday afternoons, October 31 and November 7, from 12:30 to 3:30 PM, just 3 hours each day. The registration fee is only $10. More information coming soon!
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GCORR online Anti-Racism 101 begins Sept. 1
Pre-registration is now open!
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The General Commission on Religion and Race will launch an online course, “Anti-Racism 101: Required Skills for White People Who Want to be Allies,” September 1 and is offering pre-registration now. The basic, three-session course will distinguish between claiming to not be a racist and instead becoming proactively anti-racist and working to dismantle racism. Pre-register now for a special discount. A special price for the first 100 registrations: $34.99
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Urgent appeal for our Peter Weaver Congo Partnership |
We have all been impacted by the pandemic in the United States. During our own challenges, God calls us to care for others. Your Peter D. Weaver Congo Partnership continues to be a beacon of hope for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo that has been devastated by the pandemic and other challenges, especially economically.
We are seeing a growing rate of malnutrition and starvation because people in remote areas are unable to grow their own food. Our lifesaving Partnership projects are needed more than ever. We endeavor to provide for the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs of our Congolese sisters and brothers.
The Partnership, which is supported by the Eastern PA Conference, now faces serious financial challenges which will require us to cut some of our life-giving projects if urgently needed funds cannot be raised. If every person and every congregation provided some financial support, God would take those gifts and multiply them so that we can support our Congolese mission partners in this time of great need. Learn more....
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Cabinet to lead 6 conference prayer meetings |
The Eastern PA Conference’s half-hour prayer meetings, held on Tuesdays at noon by video-chat on Zoom, will welcome a special cadre of prayer leaders in August and September. The conference Cabinet was invited to take the lead by the Rev. David Piltz, creator, coordinator and host of the ministry, and they accepted.
Piltz, who also leads Young People’s Ministries for the conference, as well as being a campus minister at Drexel University and the new pastor of Valley Forge UMC, started the weekly prayer sessions in April, as the current Coronavirus pandemic was growing. Bishop Peggy Johnson is a frequent attendee, as well as other conference leaders and local church laity and pastors.
Now she and her appointive Cabinet, and new Connectional Ministries Director the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, will become guest-hosts over the next two months. Piltz hopes their spiritual leadership in this forum will draw more participants from their individual districts and beyond, and also add new, diverse voices and styles of prayer to the overall experience. It may even lead to inviting more guest hosts in the future.
Here is the upcoming schedule of Cabinet Prayer Leaders:
Bishop Peggy Johnson – Sept. 8
Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, Director of Connectional Ministries – Sept. 15
Here is the Zoom access information:
Meeting ID: 591 129 374
Or Call in: +1 646 558 8656
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Register now for mission volunteers virtual orientation |
Due to concerns related to COVID-19, the UM Global Ministries Mission Volunteers program will offer a virtual orientation experience September 3-4 for all individuals and couples interested in learning more about the program. Especially invited are those who may be discerning future long-term volunteer service as part of their life journeys.
There is no registration cost for the virtual orientation. But persons must register by August 15 using an online form. This orientation replaces in-person training events for now.
The orientation will be held from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. The session will include such topics as The Theology of Mission, Cross-Cultural Expansion, Fundraising for Volunteer Service, and more. Participants are expected to prepare by completing required readings provided upon receipt of the online registration. Attendees should give their full commitment to the learning process and virtual environment.
Placement opportunities will be available in 2021 for all interested virtual orientation participants. For questions or more information, please email mv@umcmission.org.
Here is the link to register or share with others who might be interested. Una Jones is Director of Mission Volunteers.
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Faith Sharing Event, Nov. 14, moved to Zoom |
Evangelism in a Changing Landscape, the Eastern PA Conference’s 2020 Faith-Sharing Event Nov. 14, will now be a 3-hour Zoom video-conference from 9 AM to 12 noon, offered for free.
Our featured speaker is the Rev. Lisa Greenwood, Vice-President for Leadership Ministry of TMF (the Texas Methodist Foundation), Dallas, Texas. She 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 participate in teams to learn, strategize and prepare to grow together.
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Online school to train local church historians
MADISON, N.J. — The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History is offering a free online course that will cover a range of skills needed to become a church historian. The 12-week course will begin Sept. 14 and people can take it at their own pace. Read press release. To register.
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Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress, & Transformation event moves online to Zoom |
The Eastern PA Conference’s twice-postponed Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress and Transformation workshop will happen online on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 AM to 2 PM, using Zoom video-conferencing. The unusual workshop will address a timely topic that concerns many people of color in today’s highly charged racial climate: race-based traumatic stress.
The Rev. Dr. R. Dandridge Collins, a pastoral psychologist, author, lecturer, minister and trauma expert, will teach and lead participants in frank discussions to explore solutions to emotional distress and trauma caused in part by racist mistreatment, conflict and reactions, past and present. People of color, clergy and lay, should register soon. Space may fill up quickly.
The original $25 registration fee has been reduced to $15 and still includes a copy of Collins’ bestselling 2007 book The Trauma Zone: Trusting God for Emotional Healing. Also included is a copy of Romal Tune’s book, Love is an Inside Job. Scholarships are available. Please contact: dtaylorstorm@epaumc.org. Register Online. Download and share the flyer!
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Orientation to Ministry, Sept. 12 |
There are various ways one can enter into professional ministry in the UMC. Attend this orientation Sept. 12 to learn the process of answering God’s call. Presenter: Rev. Michael Roberts. Learn more and Register.
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An essential guide to re-opening your church
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Vanco is offering a new Returning to Church During COVID-19 Playbook that provides actionable guidance for churches that are reopening. Yes, another set of guidelines among many, but can you ever have too many? Vanco’s new resource deals with: health and safety tips; best practices for social distancing: advice for accommodating contact-free Communion and online group discussions; communicating with staff, volunteers and your congregation; and maintaining a sense of community when members are attending both in-person and virtual services. Learn more...
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Conference offers churches online giving page
The conference has created a giving page on its website to allow congregations to easily receive online gifts from church members, visitors and donors, who can select from a menu of participating churches. The online giving portal is now operational. It is 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. Learn more...
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REMINDER: PA tax exemption extended until September 30 |
Due to delays in processing of sales tax exemptions as a result of COVID-19, the PA state revenue department is extending the Eastern PA Conference’s tax-exempt status and that of its subsidiary churches until September 30, 2020. The extension is intended to assist conferences and subsidiary churches in continuing daily operations without interruption of exempt status.
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Clergy, pastors, deacons asked to submit photos for directory |
The Eastern PA Conference is creating a Clergy Photo Directory to be used by the new appointive Cabinet and to help future transitions in Annual Conference leadership. For convenience, the Cabinet created an online EPAUMC Clergy Photo Portal to allow for easy photo submissions.
Each appointed or assigned pastor (clergy or lay) and deacon is asked to submit one photo. You will be asked for your email address to access the portal. Once you access the portal, you will be asked for your name and a photo to upload.. The portal will only accept image files (.jpg, .png, etc.). The Clergy Photo Portal will guide you through completing these steps. Questions? Contact the Rev. Kevin Babcock, ( above), Coordinator of Church Support Services, at kbabcock@epaumc.org.
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Visit our Local Church Resources webpage |
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 page under the Administration tab on the EPA website and you can answer these questions.
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Let's stay connected. Send us your newsletters |
Please add our Communications Office to your church newsletter's digital and/or print mailing lists. We find much of our news in church newsletters (when we find time to read them), and we try to report local church news and events as much as possible. (We also love seeing Conference news reported in your newsletters. Thanks!) However, we want to receive only your church newsletters please, not other e-mailed church announcements. Thanks!
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Update your Find-A-Church profile |
Developed by United Methodist Communications, Find-A-Church helps your church connect with people who may be looking online for a church to provide worship, fellowship, spiritual nurture and other needs. If your church has a Website, having a church page in Find-A-Church doubles your local visibility to reach people searching by city, town or zip code. It is the official online directory of United Methodist churches in the United States and one of the most visited sections of UMC.org, averaging more than 1,000 page views a day. You'll achieve the best results from your Find-A-Church profile when you update your church's information. For video instructions on how, visit Video Tutorial: Find-A-Church Overview.
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Missed any past issues of NEWSpirit Digest? |
You can still read or share informative, colorful back issues of our weekly e-newsletter on the Eastern PA Conference Website at www.epaumc.org/news-events/newspirit-digest. Share this link with others who might want to stay informed about our news, events, resources and concerns. And please encourage them to subscribe by e-mailing communications@epaumc.org. Thanks!
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September 19, 2020: Dismantling Racism Level II Workshop. Zoom. 9 AM - 12 PM. Theme: "The Experience and Impact of Racism on People of Asian Ancestry." Register online.
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October 3, 2020: Connectional Ministries Leadership Training Event. Zoom online meeting. Register online.
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October 4: Practice Vote & Information Session for Annual Conference. 3 PM, Zoom webinar.
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October 9 & 10, 2020: Domestic Violence Seminar on Zoom. Friday, Oct. 9, 7-9 PM and Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 AM-12 PM. Download the flyer. Register online.
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October 13 & 14: 2020 Annual Conference. Zoom webinar and livestreaming. Learn more at epaumc.org/annual-conference.
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October 17, 2020: ERT/VIM Training, 8 AM – 4 PM, Eastwick UMC
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October 17, 2020: UMW Annual Celebration. Download the flyer!
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October 17, 2020: “Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress, & Transformation”
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October 23-25, 2020: Dismantling Racism Training, Friday 5 PM – Sunday 3 PM, Desmond Hotel
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October 31st & November 7: Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Training. Part 1: 10/31 at 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM. Part 2: 11/7 at 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM.
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November 14, 2020: Annual Faith-Sharing Event–Evangelism in a Changing Landscape. Register online.
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December 13, 2020: Annual “Celebrating our Cultures” Event, Zoom online meeting
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March 13, 2021: Tools for Ministry. Times and Places TBD by Districts.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church
980 Madison Avenue, Norristown, PA 19403
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