Your weekly news & information
December 13, 2018
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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.
- Christmas Holiday Hours: closed Friday, December 21, 2018 through Tuesday, January 1, 2019. We will reopen on Wednesday, January 2, 2019.
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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As we prepare our hearts and minds for this coming week, the week of Love, take a few moments and relax, breathe and calm your mind.
The third Sunday of Advent signifies joy and reminds us of the angel's good news told to the shepherds. Follow the star as it takes you on a journey to joy over the next seven days. Take time this week to light the third candle in your Advent wreath. Imagine yourself on the hillside where the joyous news was announced by heavenly hosts. As you watch for joy in the world around you during this season, surrender the pain and fear of your life and ask God to fill you with the gift of His joy. ~
The Star: A Journey to Christmas.
Week 3 Scripture:
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John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
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Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
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The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
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“What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
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John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
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Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”
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“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.
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Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”
He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”
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The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.
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John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
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And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.
~Luke 3:7-18 (NIV)
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Equipping Church Leaders -- Registration Now OPEN!
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Equipping Church Leadership
Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 9-11:30am
(Snow Date: January 26)
(Registration, Light Breakfast, and Fellowship from 8:30-9am)
at Faith UMC, 1290 Fruitville Pike, Lititz, PA 17543 (entrance off of Koser Road)
COST:
FREE!!
We are inviting all laity who will be serving on church committees in 2019 to come out to this training and get equipped to take on the task effectively.
Expert workshop leaders will cover the basics for people newly elected and fresh tips and practical insights for leaders who are more experienced. We are inviting
chairpersons, committee members, and pastors
to join us for these training sessions designed to help you start the new year off right in your role to equip the church to go and make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
We will be offering training in the following areas:
Church Council; Evangelism; Finance; Marketing, Web Design, and Social Media; Missions and Service Projects; Stewardship; Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee; and Trustees.
Registration and fellowship is from 8:30-9am—with light refreshments in the Welcome Center. Each workshop lasts from 9-11am. We will conclude with a combined Q&A Panel Discussion from 11-11:30am.
Registration
Even though the workshops are free, registration is helpful so that materials and space can be prepared. Walk-ins will be accepted as space permits. Individual sessions may fill up due to limited physical space, so please register early (we will fill spaces in the order of registration). If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jason Perkowski at (717) 333-9238 or
jbperkowski@gmail.com
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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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Anchorage Birthday Celebrations
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Come to Anchorage Breakfast Program and help guests celebrate their birthday month! Your church or group would provide a birthday cake (or cupcakes) and small gifts for 18-20 people. The celebrations are held once a month.
If interested in sponsoring a month, please contact Sue Grimm Mattox at
sgrimm1028@gmail.com or 717-575-6414
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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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2018 Conference Journal is Ready!
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The 2018 Conference Journal is now available online!! Please contact the District Office for the log-in information.
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2019 Events
- Deacon Day Apart - Saturday, January 12, 2019
- Equipping Church Leaders - Saturday, January 19, 2019
- Tools for Ministry 2019 - Saturday, March 2, 2019 - Lititz UMC
- 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
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INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED LAY MINISTER?
Register now for Orientation/Admission Sessions for the Certified Lay Ministry Class of 2019, which begins in April 2019. All prospective candidates must attend one of the Orientation/Admission sessions, which are held from September to December at locations in the four districts of the Eastern PA Conference, see dates and locations on the website
ChristServantMinistries.net
Certified Lay Minister page
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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: January 20, February 17, and March 17
Time: 4pm - 6:30pm
**Reminder - adults must be present with youth
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UPCOMING DEACON EVENTS
January 12: Deacon Day Apart
April 13: Deacon Gathering with Bishop Johnson
The times and locations are still to be determined, but keeping the deacons and deacon candidates informed of these upcoming events would be greatly appreciated. When I have more details, I will certainly send them out.
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Lay and Clergy Delegates for Special Conference 2019
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Please remember to lift up our Lay and Clergy Delegates during your special times of prayer.
LAY DELEGATES
CLERGY DELEGATES
Lay Alternates:
Clergy Alternates:
Resources for Finding A Way Forward
There is an excellent list of resources from many differing perspectives available on the EPA website. Please make these available to your congregations and use them in discussions in your churches.
See link below. This includes the current COBs (Council of Bishops) PowerPoint, small group studies and more.
The link below has
A handbook for United Methodist Bishops on the work of the Commission on the Way Forward.
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PEN-DEL & EPA - RETREAT FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS, LOCAL PASTORS, STUDENT PASTORS AND CLMs
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For full flyer and registration details, please
click here.
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LOCAL CHURCH & MISSION CONNEXION EVENTS
Please don't forget that we love sharing the events you have going on in your churches and Mission ConneXions. 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 ConneXion 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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