Your weekly news & information
April 18, 2018
DISTRICT OFFICE SCHEDULE

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.

  • Regular Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9am-4pm.
ROBES FOR AFRICA

"Gently used robes, collars, shirts, and stoles are needed by my clergy brothers and sisters in Africa," Bishop Peggy Johnson reports in a recent appeal for donations of clergy attire. "I would like to fill two suitcases full of gently used clerical apparel to give to my episcopal colleagues at the Council of Bishops meeting the end of April."
 
Want to add a special greeting to enhance your apparel donation? Insert your personal or church business card with a few words of prayer or blessing or just a greeting to fellow, African clergy. Write it in English, French or Portuguese. (Search online for a language translation.) Nothing larger (or heavier) than a business card please. 

Kristin will be taking these to the conference office. Please make arrangements to have your items to the district office no later than 3pm on Monday, April 23rd .
EPA CHAPTER OF ORDER OF ST. LUKE

The next meeting of the Eastern PA Chapter of the Order of St. Luke will be Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 9:00 am at Grove United Methodist Church, 490 West Boot Road, West Chester, PA 19380.
The meeting will begin with a short communion service, and then move to a classroom for a time of discussion, around an hour in duration. The discussion for this meeting will be led by Rev. Charles Yrigoyen around the theme of "Taking Communion To Those Unwillingly Absent." While the meeting is a regular meeting of the order, attendees do not need to be members of the order to participate. Feel free to invite others to join you. Questions can be directed to Lloyd Speer at lfspeer3@comcast.net
PRE-HEALTH INSURANCE MEETING FOR 2019

This meeting is to give a general overview of the new Healthflex plan being voted on at Annual Conference. 

It will provide general information about the plans in the exchange including the dental and vision plans, why this makes sense for us now as a conference, and how it will impact local churches and clergy. 
Jo Fielding, Executive Director, Board of Pension and Health Benefits, will be able to answer some general questions, but the very detailed information will be provided on each district in October, prior to open enrollment.

Meeting date: Thursday, May 3, 2018
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Neffsville: Long Memorial United Methodist, 2660 Lititz Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601 [ DIRECTIONS]
ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2018 REGISTRATION & DEADLINES

Registration is now open for Annual Conference attendees and exhibitors. Register online now! The registration deadline is Friday, May 18.

All Media Materials  (Powerpoint, video, etc.) are due to the Bishop's Executive Secretary,  Amy Botti , by May 4. Please follow our media specifications:  AC Presentation Media Request Form. It would be best not to wait until the deadline to submit media materials, in case more time is needed to make timely corrections and ensure that they are in proper order. (The deadline for resolutions has passed.)
  • Learn more... about Annual Conference, and see the new "We Will All Be Changed" logo for this year's annual session. More advance coverage of Annual Conference coming soon. 
Join us at Manheim: Salem for our District Conference. Refreshments will be served.

We will be honoring those who are retiring, being ordained, have become a local pastor, deacons, and CLM/CSM's in the last year. 

Pastors, please send pictures of your celebrations in the last year to:  epawestdistrict@comcast.net . Please limit the number of pictures sent, you can give some details about the pictures, too. It helps to know what's going on. 

Registration is not required, but encouraged so we can have enough bulletins, handouts, and refreshments.

Host: Manheim: Salem UMC, 140 North Penn Street, Manheim, PA 17545
Date: Sunday, May 6, 2018
Time: 3pm
SPIRITUAL LIFE RETREAT - Registration deadline - FRIDAY
April 28, 2018 9:00 – 12:30 (Registration and fellowship 9:00am and program 9:30am)
Location: First UMC of Schuylkill Haven, 420 Saylor St., Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972 Theme: Holy Listening with Body Breath and Spirit
Presenters: Dr. Lili Mansi and Rev. Laurie Ann Rookard

Holy Listening Come join us for a journey of the soul as we listen to the Spirit whispering our destiny, smell the aromas of the earth, and reach towards the new life that God has in store for each of us.

REGISTRATION TO: Susan Dziuk address: 11755 Brandon Rd. Phila., PA 19154
e-mail: dziuks1@verizon.net phone: 215-637-7898
Deadline for registration Friday, April 20, 2018

Click here for downloadable flyer.
HEALTHY TRANSITIONS FOR CLERGY SPOUSES

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2018, 10am-3pm
Registration deadline: May 5, 2018

Location: Refreshing Mountain Retreat Center, 455 Camp Road, Stevens, PA 17578

Cost: $10 (lunch included), child: $0.

Led by: Julie Anderman, clergy spouse, ARTOS Retreats

This open to any transitioning clergy spouse and children (ages 5-14). Registration available online soon! Contact Julie Anderman for more information:

Prepare your head and heart with other clergy spouses going through similar transition journeys.
  • Small group learning, led by UMC clergy spouse
  • Real-life clergy spouse scenarios to solve
  • Personalized guidebook of strategies
  • Sacred safe space, with no pressure to be personally revealing

For the kids:
  • Four hour-long outdoor activities with varying age-appropriate levels
  • Zip-line, multi-leveled ropes course
  • Lunch
  • All UMC children travel as one group to each activity
  • Retreat Center guides
  • Safe Sanctuaries-approved chaperones
Workshop Leader - Julie Anderman
  • 19 years as EPA Conference UMC clergy spouse (with reluctance and reward!)
  • 20 years providing instructional design and communication services to Fortune 500 companies
  • 25 years facilitating small groups
  • A.B. in Theology, M.B.A. in Organizational Behavior, Strategic Marketing
WOMEN WHO DARE TO BELIEVE

Tickets are still available for Women Who Dare to Believe on April 25th. Purchase tickets here: Event Brite.
At a Face to Face Encounter, you will…
  • Hear fourteen spiritual talks about God’s grace and love presented over four days
  • Participate in Holy Communion
  • Enjoy in-depth table discussions with people your age, covering topics such as God’s grace, grief, and end-of-life issues.
  • Experience God’s grace personally through prayer and service
  • Understand more fully the presence of Christ in the body of believer’s

Face to Face is based on the scripture of Luke 24:30-31A…
“When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it. and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” (From the walk to Emmaus narrative.)

Face to Face Encounter is co-ed. The church is handicapped accessible.
Participants must fill out an application/registration form. The fee of $50.00 is the cost for the four days, which includes your lunch and program expense.

The application/registration form is available from Rev. Judy Kehler Shirey at turborev@comcast.net or call (717) 450-3842. Participants must complete all four days. Each day is different and builds on the previous session. The four days are spread over twelve days to make it easier for the infirmed and busy seniors.
May,  Thursday, 10th
          Tuesday, 15th
          Saturday, 19th
          Tuesday, 22 nd
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MAY 1 ST

Clergy leaders are Rev. Terry Cooney, Rev. Beverly Andrews, Rev. Judy Shirey and Cornwall Manor Chaplain Rev. Glen Esler
PARENTS, KIDS, AND PORN: THE CONVERSATION

Free One-hour webinar on May 15, at noon OR May 22, at 8pm. Sponosored by the Religious Alliance Against Pornography.


FOUR STATIONS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Where: New Birth 1025 Lehman St; Lebanon, Pennsylvania 17046
When: June 2, arrival 8:30 start: 9 and finished by noon
Cost: $15 for packet includes “Too Busy Not to Pray” book, anointing oil, baptismal water, and communion elements

Registration: Email Gordon Hendrickson: gordonacts6@gmail.com or phone: 267-258-9507

For full information, please click here.
FELLOWSHIP OF ASSOCIATE MEMBERS & LICENSED LOCAL PASTORS ANNUAL RETREAT

EPA and Pen-Del Conferences will join together on April 22-24, 2018 at Black Rock Retreat Center, 1345 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, PA 17566, to explore the topic " The Character and Purpose of Luke's Christology.
Save the Dates
  • West District Conference - Sunday, May 6 - Manheim: Salem, 140 North Penn Street, Manheim, PA 17545 - 3pm [Directions]
  • Four Stations of the Holy Spirit - Saturday, June 2 - Lebanon: New Birth, 8:30am-11:45am
  • Annual Conference - Thursday, June 14 - Saturday, June 16 - Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA. [Directions]
  • Mission U - July 20-21 - Inn at Reading, Reading, PA [Directions]
  • Laity Academy - August 3-5 - Quakertown UMC [Directions]
  • Vital Church Merger Workshop - Saturday, September 15 - Christ Church, Lansdale, PA
  • Domestic Violence Workshop - Saturday, November 17 - West Lawn UMC [Directions]
District & Conference Reminders/Events
For our “Helping Puerto Rico Rise Again!” campaign, please make checks payable to the Eastern PA Conference and indicate “Fund #0345PR–Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief” in the MEMO line and mail the checks to the conference office. Thank you!
GRANTS TO ASSIST IN DEFRAYING HIGHER EDUCATION COSTS

April 30 is rapidly approaching. On that date, the Education Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church will be accepting grant applications to assist worthy individuals with defraying the cost of higher education for the 2018-2019 school year. The application is available on the Conference website. It can be accessed as "Grants to Defray Higher Education Costs." at the following website address:
 
All applications received in the Conference Office (between and including) April 30 to May 21 will be considered for a grant. Like last year, all applications will be considered. Unless there is some disqualification, grant recipients will be randomly selected. 
 
It is important that this information be provided to church members who plan to attend an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2018. Please communicate this grant opportunity to your congregation as soon as possible.
 
If you have questions, please contact the Education Society Chairperson, Al Adey at ahadey@verizon.net .
 
Sincerely,
Alfred H. Adey

LOCAL GATHERING OF THE WESLEY COVENANT ASSOCIATION
A local chapter of the Wesleyan Covenant Association is forming, and invites elders, deacons and local pastors who share our vision to join us for “A Company of Pastors.” This will be a monthly gathering of clergy to foster a deeper, covenantal connection. We will gather at First United Methodist Church, Lancaster (29 E. Walnut Street) on the first Saturday of each month from 8:30 to 10:00 AM, beginning Saturday, May 5th. We will meet for worship and prayer, to share words of encouragement for our personal ministries, and to study a topic on pastoral ministry. All are welcome. Contact jdipaolo@engagegodfirst.org for questions. Come and join us!
ADVANCED SEXUAL ETHICS TRAINING - THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2018
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location to be announced (a host church on the southeast side of EPC)
Cost: $35.00 (includes lunch and materials)

Bishop Peggy Johnson has recognized the need for churches to better understand and show love to transgender people and their families. She has invited David Garrett, a lay person from Pen-Del, and Rev. Andrea Brown, an elder from EPA, to lead a workshop on this topic, primarily for clergy. The workshop will provide information about scientific understanding of gender and explore biblical stories and teachings on the topic. You will receive practical advice for children's, youth, and adult ministry that is responsive, inviting, and life-affirming to transgender, non-binary, and gender fluid people.


For more information and registration, please click here.
ANNUAL TRANSITIONAL CLERGY WORKSHOP

Date: June 9, 2018.

Location: West Lawn UMC, 15 Woodside Lane, Reading, PA 

Time: 9:30-12:30pm 

This open to any transitioning clergy and the SPRC members from their new church.

There is no charge for the event, however, so we can have the correct number of attendees, registration information to follow.

LAITY ACADEMY AUGUST 3-5, 2018

Quakertown UMC
Class, Registration & Hotel Information will be posted after April 1
Christ Servant Minister web page: http://christservantministries.net/


Click here for: Full Brochure Information.
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!

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 - 717-569-9673 / 201-787-9373; bkepaumc@gmail.com

Mrs. Kristin E. Reifsnyder, District Resource Assistant  - 717-569-9673; 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. Janet Taylor, District UMW President - taylorjj1962@comcast.net

Rev. Kevin Babcock, Local Pastor's Registrar  - frairbabock@yahoo.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 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.