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JUNE 4, 2022

Our hearts are full,” announced the Rev. Catherine Bowers, in thanking partner churches and others for their support in the ongoing efforts of Otterbein UMC in Mont Clare to recover from Hurricane Ida-caused flood damages last September. “You have made it possible for us to continue to serve God and love and serve our neighbors in this community.”  

Bowers offered certificates of appreciation and words of deep gratitude to seven generously supportive United Methodist churches during Otterbein’s special service of thanksgiving May 22. Read more.

EPA Churches are invited to begin supporting United Methodist Global Ministries missionaries Gaston and Jeanne Ntambo, who serve with Wings of the Morning in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We now have an official conference relationship with their longtime aerial mission work in central Africa. 

Gaston and Jeanne Ntambo, as pilot and radio operator, fly people needing emergency medical treatment and medical supplies to hard-to-access destinations to save time and ultimately to save lives. “They have been missionaries for many years but have not had the needed amount of support from partner churches,” reports Barbara Drake. Read more. 

1.  Clark to become Cabinet Dean in July

“It is my great joy to share with you that the Rev. Evelyn Kent Clark, South District Superintendent, will be the new dean of the cabinet starting July 1,” announced Bishop John Schol, Thursday. “Her colleagues recognize in her wisdom, experience, leadership, a non-anxious presence and giftedness. I am grateful for her willingness to serve.” Clark, who succeeds the Rev. Bumkoo Chung in that role, became South District Superintendent in 2020. 

2.  New Certified Lay Ministers to ‘graduate’ Sunday, June 5

Six new Certified Lay Ministers will “graduate” in a Service of Recognition on Sunday, June 5, at 4 PM, at Salem UMC in Orwigsburg, where two are members.  

Bishop John Schol will congratulate the graduates, cabinet members will present certificates and the Rev. Steve Morton, North District Superintendent will preach. The new CLMs will speak briefly about their ministry journeys, including this special milestone and what it means to them. The Spring Class of 2022 includes: 

East District 

Janet Gratz of Haws Avenue UMC, Norristown  

Debra Lumpkin of Haven Peniel UMC, Philadelphia 

North District      

Brenda Binns of Salem UMC, Orwigsburg 

Dennis Booher of Salem UMC, Orwigsburg 

Catherine Doane of Stroudsburg UMC 

Susan Hocking of Simpson UMC, Gordon  

3.  Latino Commission to celebrate Holy Convocation Saturday  

“Do You Love Me? Jesus’s question in John 21 is the theme of the EPA Latino Commission’s Holy Convocation (Santa Convocación) Saturday morning, June 4. The annual, Pentecost-related gathering will draw participants from Latino churches and ministries across the conference. They will gather for worship, Communion, prayer and presentation of certificates to 12 newly trained Lay Missioners, a program of UMC’s National Plan for Hispanic/Lay Ministries. Cabinet members will participate and Bishop John Schol will address the assembly by remote via Zoom. 

4. Newly assigned missionary to serve Casa del Pueblo and East District

The Rev. Olga E. Gonzales Santiago (left) is the new missionary assigned by the UMC’s Global Ministries to the EPA as Coordinator for Hispanic/Latino Ministries in the East District. She will serve Casa del Pueblo, a ministry of Lehman Memorial UMC in Hatboro, while also assisting the district in its broader Latino outreach ministry efforts. Coming from upstate New York, she begins her work July 1, succeeding the Rev. Luky Cotto (right), who retired from that appointment in 2021. 

“Our recently approved Path Toward Wholeness Economic Justice resolution (#2022-07) promised to take to the next level the conference’s stated commitment to dismantling racism,” said the Rev. Andrew Foster III, East District Superintendent. “This new appointment demonstrates our apportionments at work. We look forward to Rev. Santiago’s support in helping to grow and extend the mission of the church to: 

• Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 
• Lead and support congregations to connect with the people in their community. 
• Strengthen the health and vitality of congregations to be witnesses in the world.” 

5.  See and share videos of our historic 2022 Annual Conference.

Visit our Annual Conference 2022 web page or our YouTube channel to view (or review) the entire two-day Annual Conference. Or just enjoy special, individual, pre-recorded videos shown during the session. Watch the conference welcome video and Bishop John Schol’s uplifting episcopal address. Enjoy the presentations of awards celebrating evangelism, urban ministry and discipleship growth.  

View Connectional Ministries Leadership Reports offered in informative and inspiring interviews conducted by our enthusiastic host the Rev. John Brice. And be inspired by EPA scholarship recipients, Summer Camp scenes, Project Restoration’s appeal for volunteers and the 2021 celebration of Francis Asbury’s coming to America 250 years ago. Oh, and don’t forget your popcorn.   

6. Districts to bid fond farewells to Chung, Morton in June 

On Wednesday, June 8 West District clergy and laity will celebrate the Rev. Bumkoo “BK” Chung's (right) ministry as District Superintendent there since 2014. He leaves to become pastor of Olivet UMC in Coatesville July 1. Well-wishers will gather at Faith UMC in Lititz for an informal reception at 6 PM, followed by worship and testimonials at 7.  

Donations are being sought for a shared gift to support the Rev. Dorcas Kamanda’s mission serving children and families in Sierra Leone through education, health care, evangelism and discipleship. To learn more about this vital mission in Sierra Leone,  Click here.  Learn more about BK’s farewell event. 

The North District will say goodbye to its superintendent, the Rev. Steve Morton, during a worship service and fellowship June 15, at 6PM, at Grace-St. Paul UMC in Jim Thorpe. He has requested that any farewell gift donations be directed to the conference to support its new Leadership Development initiative (Check memo line: Leadership Development), which he will manage beginning July 1.  

On June 18, members will gather with Morton again at their annual Clergy Family Picnic at Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg. The North District's superintendent since 2018 has hosted supportive, monthly chats on Zoom with his clergy members since the Covid pandemic began. 

7. Peace with Justice Sunday June 12   

Peace with Justice Sunday will be celebrated across the UMC June 12, during the season of Pentecost. One-half of the special offering supports peace with justice ministries in our conference. The rest supports ministries around the connection, administered by the General Board of Church and Society. Learn more.  Order celebration and offering materials. 

8. Support for gun control measures urged

United Methodists are being urged by the denomination’s Board of Church and Society to contact senators and advocate for gun control measures in the wake of recent mass shootings that have taken dozens of innocent lives. The Senate is expected to vote soon on legislative measures that include some restrictions on access to firearms and ammunition and strengthening background checks for purchases.  Read press release. Also read “End Gun Violence Now. It’s Time to Pray and Act” by the Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, head of Church and Society . 

9.  Permissions extended for use of copyrighted worship material

As churches continue online worship, the United Methodist Publishing House is extending full permission to all churches for use of its copyrighted worship materials indefinitely. This permission does not extend to events other than worship services.  Read press release 

10.  Webinar on protecting ministry from malware 

The General Council on Finance and Administration, The United Methodist Church’s support agency, will offer a free webinar titled, “Church Tech Talk: Tools to Protect Your Ministry in the Digital Age.” The webinar is set for June 15, at 2:30 PM. It aims to help churches protect their technology and data from intrusion.  To register 

11. Church court modifies ruling on bishop elections

The UMC’s top court has modified an earlier ruling to say that newly elected U.S. bishops will take office on Jan. 1, 2023. The Judicial Council previously ruled that the Council of Bishops could call U.S. jurisdictional conferences this year to elect and assign new bishops.  Read story

Mohnton church welcomes Latino neighbors to community event 

Calvary UMC in Mohnton, near Reading, will host a “grand opening” community festival on Saturday, June 4, at 2-5 PM, to invite more neighbors to come join its new Latino outreach ministry, which began in January. Latino Ministries coordinator Madeline Amill (left) will introduce Calvary’s “4th Generation New Hope Church” at the festival, which will feature worship, music, fellowship, food, activities and prizes.  Learn more. 

First UMC Lansdale looks back and looks ahead 

Verna Colliver chronicles First UMC Lansdale’s celebration of 150 years of ministry May 22 with a special worship service and historical presentation by a Lansdale Historical Society researcher. The theme, “150 Years and Our Story is Still Unfolding,” gave the congregation a focus and direction for the years ahead, led by their pastor the Rev. Steward Warner. Read all about it.

JUNE 4

2022 Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Workshop. 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, via Zoom. See the flyer. Register.

JUNE 25 

Basic Sexual Ethics Workshop. 10 AM – 1 PM via Zoom. Register.

JULY 4

Semana Latina Anniversary Celebration. 43rd anniversary of the Semana Latina (Latino Week) Summer Camp at Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center.  All-Day Event with 5 PM Dinner.  

JULY 7-28

EPA United Women in Faith "Mission u" – Virtual event. Register.

AUGUST 5-6

Laity Academy – Part 1. In-Person at Cedarville UMC.

AUGUST 13

Orientation to Ministry. 10 AM - 12 PM, at Moravian Seminary.

SEPT. 30 – OCT. 1 

Laity Academy – Part 2. Virtual.