February 12, 2022
NEWS & VIEWS
Appointments, open churches, clergy retirements listed on website Sundays, 1PM
Visit our Appointments web pages on Sunday at 1 PM to see any announcements this week of pastoral appointments, open churches to receive appointments and clergy retirements. Also, review the Cabinet’s statements on Mission Values and Appointment Practices, and benefit from our helpful Resources to Assist in Pastoral Transitions for Clergy and Churches page. Learn more...
Annual Conference to meet via Zoom again
The 2022 Eastern PA Annual Conference will meet virtually again via Zoom May 20-21, while sessions are video livestreamed on the conference Facebook page. A majority of respondents to a survey by the Sessions Commission indicated an online preference. This will be the third consecutive time that the Annual Conference is held online, due to the still-prevalent COVID pandemic.

The Service of Commissioning and Ordination, and the Memorial Service to remember deceased clergy and clergy spouses will take place at the UM Church of West Chester. Registration and further AC2022 details will be published soon. Here are available dates and deadlines so far. Visit our Annual Conference 2022 web page to learn more.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS:
March 7 - Deadline to submit resolutions to the Conference Secretary.
March 8 - Initial resolutions are placed on the conference website for feedback.
March 24 - All feedback on resolutions is due. 
April 4 - Finalized resolutions are submitted to the Conference Secretary. 
April 25 - Final resolutions to be voted on are placed on the conference website.

EVENT DATES:
Laity Session: April 2, via Zoom
District Conferences: May 1, via Zoom (Some may be hybrid; details TBD)
Clergy Session: May 4 (Onsite or Online details TBD)
Annual Conference: May 20-21, via Zoom and Facebook Live.
Please donate prayer squares for Annual Conference
We are asking members to create and send us “prayer squares” for Annual Conference. If you or your church would like to donate prayer squares, please contact Judy Ehninger (judy.ehninger@gmail.com) by Feb. 25 to tell her how many you can provide. Prayer squares should be received at the Conference Office by April 1.  

The prayer squares can be knitted or crocheted, with a plain design or including a raised pattern of a cross. The suggested finished dimensions are 3” x 4”. All types of yarn may be used. 

Conference hires two Project Restoration staff 
EPAUMC has hired two staff to manage its disaster recovery efforts in communities still struggling to rebound from hurricane-related storms in recent years—namely hurricanes Ida in 2021 and Isaias in 2020. Those efforts—named Project Restoration—are supported by donations from churches and conference members and a $417,000 grant from UMCOR (UM Committee on Relief).

Denise Shelton, a member of Grove UMC, becomes Disaster Recovery Project Director Feb. 15. “We will create connections and find those who are still struggling from home damage to provide the assistance they need and help them thrive,” she said.

The Rev. Allen Keller, a deacon at UM Church of West Chester, becomes Project Restoration’s Case Manager beginning March 1. He will help flood survivors address various concerns and access needed services and resources. He wants to “combine my passions for home repair and pastoral care to help with flood relief ministry.”

The conference is seeking to hire a Construction Project Manager to help plan and oversee repairs and renovations to flood-damaged homes by volunteer teams and professional contractors. Learn more

GNJ/EPA Episcopal Office News
Soomin Lee leaves Episcopal Office for new opportunity
Soomin Lee, Bishop John Schol’s Episcopal Office Administrator for nearly six years, left Feb. 11 to become executive assistant to the head of e-commerce for Samsung North and South America.  Soomin was hired to work with the bishop one month after immigrating to the U.S. She says this wonderful job opportunity would not have been possible without her work in the bishop’s office.  Greater New Jersey and Eastern PA staff and leaders will miss Soomin. We wish her the best in her future.

Erica Martinezsantos steps in as the interim Episcopal Office Administrator. Erica has been working with GNJ’s Regional Administrators/Project Coordinators and assisted the conference in moving from nine to six districts. EPA members can contact her at emartinez@epaumc.org or 732-359-1010.

Schols welcome 4th grandchild
Bishop John and Beverly Schol are the proud grandparents of Ayla Jane, their fourth grandchild. Born on Feb. 8, Ayla Jane is the daughter of Rebecca and Jubran who live in California. The Schol’s have three children, Mark, Kristin and Rebecca, and four grandchildren, Elise, Nora, Jakob and Ayla.
Lydia Muñoz to lead UMC’s Hispanic/Latino ministry plan 

The Rev. Lydia Muñoz, an EPAUMC elder and advocate for multicultural ministries and social justice, will be the next executive director of the UMC’s National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry, effective July 1. Muñoz, a conference member since 2009, is the pastor of Swarthmore UMC and a leader of the conference’s Latino Commission and Justice for Our Neighbors immigration legal aid ministry. She also co-chairs the conference’s Rapid Response Team on Immigration and MFSA/RMN (Methodists for Social Action/Reconciling Ministries Network). 

“I am excited that Rev. Dr. Lydia Muñoz will bring her love of God and her deep commitment to creating a more inclusive church to the leadership of the National Plan,” said Bishop LaTrelle Easterling, chair of the NPHLM executive committee.  Read press release.   Read press release in Spanish
Pocono Plateau Camp seeks Assistant Kitchen Manager 
Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center wants to hire an Assistant Kitchen Manager for its summer camp season. See link to the description/application. They want someone with experience in a high volume kitchen and ServSafe certification. Housing for the summer will be available if needed.
EPA gets live tour of Congo Partnership mission site via Zoom  
View recorded video from our Congo Partnership tour of the Mpasa Medical and Nutrition Center on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy1tIj4EdlY  

The Congo Partnership, now 20 years old, welcomed the Eastern PA Conference on a live video tour of its Mpasa Medical and Nutrition Center on Thursday morning, Feb. 10. With developmental aid from EPAUMC, the center serves residents in sprawling Mpasa, outside of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Rev. Jonathan and Donna Baker, both retired missionaries who staffed the partnership from 2015 to 2018, used Zoom video-conferencing on their smartphones to show staff, clients and activities at the clinic. The 30-minute virtual visit introduced us to lifesaving, life-changing mission work—in medicine, education and entrepreneurship—aided by EPA prayers and donations. Learn more…

This Holy Mystery: A UM Study of Holy Communion

The EPAUMC Board of Ordained Ministry will again offer an exploration of Holy Communion on two Saturdays, March 19 and 26, at 9 to 11:30 AM via Zoom. The Revs. Candy LaBar and Gary Knerr will lead the study again, offering important wisdom and fascinating insights about this essential, timeless sacrament, the Lord’s Supper, that unites us with other Christians around the globe. 
Rev. Candy LaBar
Rev. Gary Knerr
What do we believe as worshipers? What do we teach as pastors? How important is communion to our relationship with Christ and our Christian spirituality in general? Is Christ really present in the consecrated elements? LaBar and Knerr will address these and other questions in two interactive teach and talk sessions to help all church leaders — especially licensed local pastors and lay-supply pastors — to wrestle with the theological foundations of Holy Communion.

To participate, individuals should read Gayle Carlton Felton’s This Holy Mystery (available at www.cokesbury.com), including Wesley’s sermon, “On the Duty of Constant Communion.” Also, share any questions with the study leaders via email. 
Learn more and REGISTER by Friday, March 4. Continuing education credits (0.5 CEUs) will be offered to those who complete both sessions of the entire course. The sessions will not be recorded. 
UM Advocacy in PA Report, February 2022
Legislative redistricting, juvenile justice, services for people with disabilities

By Joyce M. Davis, Coordinator of UM Advocacy in Pennsylvania

The PA legislature has been focused on drawing new lines for Congressional and state legislative districts. Seats are at stake and incumbents of both parties have tried to ensure their positions are safe.
Both Republicans and Democrats know the redrawn maps will determine the political landscape in Pennsylvania for the next decade. A lot is at stake. The process is behind schedule and could lead to mid-term elections being postponed.

Also, the PA Task Force on Juvenile Justice Reform has recommended significant changes in the way children are treated in the criminal justice system, noting rampant abuse in juvenile detention facilities and the placement of children as young as 10 years old in adult jails. 

And advocates for people with disabilities are putting pressure on both Gov. Wolf and the legislators to raise pay rates for home healthcare workers. Advocates say families are having great difficulty finding and retaining home healthcare workers to care for family members with disabilities. Learn more and see the return of UM Advocacy in PA Reports on our Advocacy Ministries web page…
UMC Bishops Rebuke Hatred, Racism
The Council of Bishops has released a statement condemning the recent attacks and threats against houses of worship and institutions of learning in the United States. Specifically, the Feb. 8 statement referred to the recent attack on a synagogue in Texas and bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities. Learn more...  
Help for Korean pastors in cross-racial ministry
(UM News) — More than 240 Korean-American United Methodist pastors are serving in cross-racial appointments. The program CRCC Madang aims to provide these pastors with practical training and solid education to enhance their skills.  Read story. Read story in Korean
New music history center honors Dotson
United Methodist Discipleship Ministries is partnering with Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary to create the Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music and Worship in the Black Church and Beyond. The center will provide ongoing training to music and worship leaders and create an archive that will preserve and promote the rich history of Black church music.

Dotson, the former top executive of Discipleship Ministries, died Feb. 25, 2021. The agency donated $500,000 to start the center, which will be led by the Rev. Cynthia A. Wilson.  Read Discipleship Ministries press releaseRead Garrett-Evangelical press releaseUM News: Dotson remembered for seeing all the people.

Hendren aiming for stability at Wespath
GLENVIEW, Ill. (UM News) — Andrew Hendren, who worked at Wespath for 17 years before being named its top executive, is pledging to keep the agency entrusted with the retirement savings of 100,000 United Methodists on a steady course. The Missouri native has a law degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and tried improvisational comedy along the way. Read storyUM News: Boigegrain ready for life after Wespath
Church disaffiliations, court cases mount
As the UMC’s General Conference continues to be delayed, an increasing number of congregations–most recently Frazer Memorial UMC, one of the largest churches in the Alabama-West Florida Conference–are parting ways with the denomination. Some are taking their case to civil courts. However, the number of disaffiliations is only a tiny fraction of the more than 31,000 United Methodist churches in the U.S. And a historian points out that the people called Methodist have seen and thrived among such ruptures before. Learn more…
Also…Judicial Council clarifies disaffiliation rules

The UMC’s Judicial Council released the first batch of decisions from its 22-item fall docket.

All six rulings deal with questions raised about a new provision that allows churches to leave the denomination with property if they meet certain criteria. Learn more...
Inviting 2022 Harry Denman evangelism award nominations by Feb. 28
The EPAUMC Congregational Development Team invites nominations for the 2022 Harry Denman Evangelism Awards, which honor UM lay, youth and clergy leaders who freely, devotedly share their Christian faith and the gospel with others. 

Denman Awards, sponsored by the UMC’s Foundation for Evangelism, are presented at Annual Conference to awardees in each conference. Nominees are chosen in each category to recognize exemplary leaders who exhibit “outstanding efforts in Christian evangelism by faithfully carrying out the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ.” 

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Foundation for Evangelism website. They should be completed and mailed to the conference at P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820–to the attention of Suzette James or the Rev. Lloyd Speers–or emailed to cdt@epaumc.org. Nominations must be received by Feb. 28. 
LEARNING EVENTS NEWS
Lenten study: Living as a Beloved Community
Christ UMC in Fairless Hills will offer an interactive six-week study for Lent, titled Living as a Beloved Community, from March 9 to April 13, each Wednesday at 7 PM, online via Zoom. Participants will use resources and discussions to seek and offer insights about unity, diversity and Christian faith.

The Rev. Lloyd Speer, pastor, explains that humanity was created in the image of a loving God who calls us to love one another. But “divisions have occurred, discord has cropped up. And the color of a person's skin has been the occasion of untold numbers of ungodly acts of prejudice and discrimination. Even among Christians. And even when Christians have not actively participated in such things, sometimes they have sat idly by while God's beloved kingdom has been harmed.”

Speer describes the study as a “journey toward more fully living as ‘the beloved community’ that Dr. King spoke about” and that God intends for us to become. See and share the flyer.

Register today to get the Zoom link and watch the listed videos to prepare for each week’s session. For more information, contact Rev. Lloyd Speer at lfspeer3@comcast.net
AJ Levine returns in March to introduce us to witnesses at Jesus’ cross
Register now and be among the first 25 to receive the AJ Levine’s new book free!

The Eastern PA Conference Congregational Development Team (CDT) Book Club will welcome back in March internationally renowned author, scholar and professor Amy-Jill Levine for a new four-week book study via Zoom, on Wednesdays, March 2 to March 23, at 11 AM to 12 PM.

As we begin the Lenten season, AJ will prepare us to celebrate Jesus’ Passion by guiding us over four Wednesdays through her newly released book Witness at the Cross: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Friday.

Amy-Jill Levine describes herself as “an unorthodox member of an Orthodox synagogue and a Yankee Jewish feminist, who until last year taught New Testament in a Christian divinity school in the buckle of the Bible Belt.”

In Witness at the Cross she explores the roles and testimonies of those who are with Jesus as he hangs dying on the cross. And she invites readers to imagine themselves there as witnesses, too, to determine what their own testimonies will be. Learn more...
Tools for Ministry set for March 5 on Zoom
It’s time to open the proverbial tool box again to help build and repair church ministries—to fix what’s broken and improve what’s working. That requires leadership development and training more than anything else.

So the Eastern PA Conference will sponsor its 2022 Tools for Ministry on Saturday, March 5, 9 AM to 12:30 PM. Classes will be offered virtually on Zoom once again, out of an abundance of caution during the still-surging COVID pandemic.

Tools for Ministry is a half-day academy offering two sessions of diverse, dynamic learning for leaders. And it’s open to all laity and clergy. Skilled instructors will provide valuable information, wise insights and helpful resources. And some classes will be recorded and made available later to be viewed again or for the first time by those who want to learn more.

Register today before some classes fill up!
New book studies offer Learning for Leaders
Learning for Leaders is a new series of four conference-wide, author-led book studies for 2022. The lively, guided, hourlong discussions will continue on Wednesdays, at 11 AM via Zoom. Having the books' authors lead those discussions makes them deeply insightful with personal, first-hand wisdom for participants.

The books to be studied are:

These studies gather clergy and lay leaders who are passionate about lifelong learning, personal and church growth, and leadership development. The real bonus is learning with others in dynamic group settings, even online. The diversity of experiences and open minds and open hearts has enriched the Conference-wide book studies throughout 2021.

The 2022 studies are sponsored by various Conference ministry teams. For each book study, the first 25 registrants will receive a free e-copy (Kindle edition) of the book. Also, CEUs are now available for participation in CDT Book Studies. Download and share the flyer!
RESOURCES
Easy steps for telling your church's story

Every United Methodist congregation has stories worth sharing. Aaron Crisler talked to the Rev. Joe Iovino and Crystal Caviness, who create content for UMC.org, about their tips for helping church members tell their congregations’ stories. Read story
Lift Every Voice celebrates songs from Black Church experience
The UMC Discipleship Ministries agency presents a four-part video series, “Lift Every Voice: A Celebration of Song from the Black Church Experience,” featuring Bishop Ernest Lyght (retired) and the Rev. Cynthia Wilson, Executive Director of Worship Resources. Bishop Lyght and Wilson sing and explore how music from the Black Church, such as the traditional Negro spiritual, hymns, songs both sacred and the secular, and contemporary gospel, has contributed to the rich musical tapestry of today’s worship experience.

“The observance of Black History Month in the life of the Church can take on many forms,” they write. “Yet any celebration without gratitude and appreciation of the contributions from the Africana traditions to the music life of the whole church would be incomplete.” Experience a taste of the scope and variety of musical styles and genres in this Celebration of Song from the Black Church Experience. And visit each Monday in February for additional videos. Learn more and watch
Remembering Bishop Francis Burns
(From Ask The UMC) — The Rev. Francis Burns was the first Black bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Elected in 1858, he served as a missionary bishop in Liberia. His rise to ministry and the episcopate happened against a background of American racism, colonialism and imperialism, writes Ask The UMC, a ministry of United Methodist Communications. In honor of Black History Month, the team has more on this pioneer in Methodism.  Read story.   Read more Ask The UMC.

AROUND THE UMC CONNECTION
Developing fearless leaders
NEPTUNE, N.J. — The Greater New Jersey Conference has been holding a series of training sessions with Fearless Dialogues, an organization committed to seeing the invisible and hearing the voiceless in its quest for justice and compassion. The conversations around race are designed to move unlikely community partners from fear and apathy to self-discovery and culture change. Conference staff have the story. Read story
Bishop issues pastoral letter on police shooting
Minnesota Conference: Following the Feb. 2 shooting of Amir Locke by police executing a no-knock warrant, Minnesota Conference Bishop David A. Bard issued calls for prayer for Locke's family as well as an examination of the practice of no-knock warrants. "We seek genuine reform in policing, policies, procedures, and training that builds community and protects and serves … the whole community," he wrote. Learn more…
REMINDERS
We’re looking for your church news!
Visit our Churches in Mission and Local Church & Mission Link Events web pages. Then please send us your good news of ministry and mission happening at your church. Post your information and upload images on our Submit News page. Or email it to us at communications@epaumc.org
Project seeks Construction Project Manager
The Eastern PA Conference has an immediate need for a Construction Project Manager to help individuals and families recovering from hurricanes Ida (2021) and Isaias (2020) across Southeastern Philadelphia. That staff member would work with survivors to provide home repairs and allow them to experience some normalcy and sense of recovery. 

It’s all part of the conference’s Project Restoration efforts funded in part by UMCOR. The part-time Construction Manager will collaborate with the EPAUMC Disaster Recovery director and case manager to develop the scope of work from the construction assessments of damaged homes to plan repairs by volunteer teams and professional contractors. The monthly stipend is $2916. Full Job Description | Email
United Methodists invited to imagine future
The Connectional Table, the denomination’s coordinating body, has organized an initiative called “Imagining the Future” to invite UMs to have a conversation about their vision for the denomination. As part of the initiative, members in the Philippines and Europe have published “Background and Contextual Information” statements about their region. Statements from Africa and the U.S. are still in progress.

Read:
PA Council of Churches seeks church leaders’ views about its mission
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches, led by UM clergyman the Rev. Larry Pickens (left), seeks input from pastors and laity as it looks at its future and how it can best serve churches across the Commonwealth. It invites both groups to join in an online gathering on either Tuesday, March 1, 6:30-8:30 PM., or Saturday, March 5, 10-11:30 AM. 

These “World Café” events on Zoom will engage clergy and lay participants in group discussions on what challenges and opportunities congregations are facing, and how the Council best help them. RSVP at https://forms.gle/N1c4kJZjzYDUW7DZ7

The PCC also asks leaders to respond to an online survey about the council and its mission and service to churches and communities. Use this link: https://pacouncil.questionpro.com.
Invitation to join #BeUMC campaign
A new #BeUMC online toolkit has launched to help church leaders create engagement in their communities while focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit being done through the people of the UMC. #BeUMC is a grassroots effort built on powerful stories of congregations and individuals living their faith.  
Scholarship application deadline approaches
The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation will accept scholarship applications for the 2022-23 academic year through March 1. Student members of the UMC who plan to attend a United Methodist-related college, university or seminary full time are eligible to apply. To apply
North District's new Lenten resource studies Fathers & Daughters
The Rev. Steve Morton, North District Superintendent, offers all churches another Lenten study led by district clergy–this one focusing on a rarely explored topic: biblical relationships between fathers and daughters. The original 7-week Bible study–an annual passion project for Morton– is designed for small groups or classes to use either online or onsite. It starts the week of Ash Wednesday, March 2.

“Father-daughter relationships are among the least developed stories in the biblical narrative,” says Morton, “with daughters often isolated as the most absent member of the family, or overwhelmed (even victimized) within a largely patriarchal culture.” This study explores various such relationships in Scripture to generate insights that might extend to current family dynamics that “play a role in our Christian discipleship today.” 

Study materials will be available in late February from the North District office and on its web page. Video sessions will be accessible on DVD, jump drive or via online download. For more information, contact North District Resource Assistant (DRA) Deb Boyd at dboyd@epaumc.org or 857-253-0225. Nearly a decade of Morton’s past Lenten studies are also available from the district office. 
How parents pass religious faith to children
What determines whether children will carry on the faith of their parents? Ann Michel interviews noted sociologist Christian Smith about new research examining how parents shape their children’s faith. Read interview. Watch interview.
Many are donating Undies for Easter
Underwear purchase appeal expanded
UPDATE: Our Undies for Easter campaign is enroute to becoming a big success! The conference-wide effort to collect 2,000 pairs of men’s briefs for persons incarcerated in the Philadelphia Prison System and donate them to the head chaplain there before Easter is three-quarters of the way to its goal. So, now we want to do more.

“We now have 1,500 men’s briefs purchased,” reported the Rev. Marilyn Schneider Friday. ”So we have added to the Amazon gift registry 2,000 men’s undershirts and 600 women’s briefs. We want to ensure there is opportunity for many to contribute.” 

Head Chaplain Carmelo Urena, who serves about 6,000, mostly male prisoners, tells us that each receives only one pair of underwear upon entering the system, His aim is to provide at least one additional pair of underwear to each new, incoming inmate. 

Anyone can use the Undies for Easter Gift Registry on Amazon.com to purchase the underwear items for men and women. This will benefit the health and wellness of our incarcerated brothers and sisters.

All purchases must be made online via Amazon before Palm Sunday, April 10. Select “EPAUMC’s Prison Ministry Gift Registry Address” for direct shipping. Contact the Rev. Marilyn Schneider, of the EPA UMC Prison Ministries & Restorative Justice Team, at prisonministries@epaumc.org with any questions.
Agency seeks ethnic panel volunteers
United Methodist Communications is seeking people in leadership roles within local United Methodist churches to participate in upcoming ethnic leader panel discussions. Panelists will be invited to take part in online surveys and focus groups throughout the year. People may volunteer for the agency’s Latino leader and/or Black leader panels. Additional panels will be introduced soon.  Read press release. Black Leader Panel volunteer interestLatino Leader Panel volunteer interest.  
Creating Hybrid Worship Services
Hybrid worship is becoming a norm for many churches. This free, online UM Communications course, Creating Hybrid Worship Services, is designed to explore the best practices for offering worship services that engage participants that are both in-person and online. It will identify effective hybrid techniques, in addition to some of the tools and skills needed to make hybrid worship a reality for your church. Join this course and gain access to a variety of lessons such as: Live-Streaming, Teleconferencing and Online Engagement Tips and Techniques. Learn more… 
Growing spiritually during Lent
Amplify Media, part of the United Methodist Publishing House, is offering two new studies to help individuals and small groups grow spiritually during Lent. A webinar introducing the Rev. Adam Hamilton's study on the Lord's Prayer will be offered Feb. 8 at 2 PM. A webinar introducing Amy-Jill Levine's study on Holy Friday will be offered Feb. 10 at 2 PM. For more information and to register
Foundation offers local church evangelism grants
The Foundation for Evangelism is offering churches small grants totaling $250,000 to support creative faith-sharing initiatives. The grants, for $5,000 or $10,000, will aid 25-50 small and medium-size (under 250 worshipers) congregations, or clusters of churches working together, in “a Wesleyan-tradition denomination.” Applications are due by Feb. 28. Grants will be awarded this summer. For more information visit  www.FoundationForEvangelism.org.

Also, the Foundation will offer a webinar on applying for local church grants Jan. 25, at 2 PM. Registrants will receive a link to the recording so they can watch even if they cannot attend live. To register.
Lenten anti-racism small group study available
“Faithful Lent: Connecting the Practices of Lent and Anti-racism” is a new Lenten resource for congregations to use in a small group setting. The purpose of the six-week study is to make explicit connections between the traditions of Lent and the work of anti-racism. View resource
Lenten devotions available for order
BIG ISLAND, Va. — The Society of St. Andrew, a feeding ministry and United Methodist partner, is offering free devotionals for the season of Lent. This year's theme is "The Cup of Salvation." The deadline to order print materials is Feb. 14. The daily devotionals will start Ash Wednesday, March 2, and conclude on Easter, April 17.  To learn more and order
Get insight into mental health issues
Two virtual seminars on mental health first aid will be offered by Wespath on March 10 and 24. The free events will be led by Chris White, a hostage and crisis negotiator and mental health trainer.  Read press release and register
Video-remote sign interpreting coming to churches
TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The incorporation of sign-language interpreters into worship services is more than a novelty. But it still isn't the norm for many congregations because in-person interpreters may not be available. The Rev. Leo Yates Jr. describes how a Florida UM church addressed this with remote video interpretation and how that is the wave of the future. Read commentary
Conference Lay Leader nominations sought
As David Koch concludes his second four-year term as Eastern PA Conference Lay Leader, the Conference Board of Lay Ministry is seeking willing, qualified and service-oriented nominees to succeed him in 2022-2026.   

“All persons are urged to prayerfully consider this matter and share the information with other persons,” writes Koch in his announcement.

Each person receiving at least 10 written nominations will be considered at the Board of Lay Ministry meeting in February and brought before the 2022 pre-Annual Conference Laity Session April 4. The session will send its nomination to the Annual Conference May 20-21 for a consensus vote.

A full description of the Conference Lay Leader position can be found in The Book of Discipline, ¶607. It details representative leadership responsibilities and qualifications.

All persons will be considered regardless of current leadership positions they now hold. Sample nomination forms may be found on the Conference website. Nominations must be submitted by postal or electronic mail postmarked by Feb. 15 to: Lay Leader Nomination, c/o George Hollich, 212 West Orchard Drive, Palmyra, PA 17078 or hollich@comcast.net.

Conference seeks Data Entry Clerk
The Eastern PA Conference is seeking to hire a part-time Data Entry Clerk for entering and maintaining accurate data in the conference database. This is a 25-hour per week position that does not include health benefits. Resumes and cover letters should be sent to UMJobs@epaumc.org by Jan. 10, 2022. Learn more…
BOOM assistance available for clergy counseling, spiritual direction
The EPAUMC Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) recognizes the importance of clergy practicing good self-care through both spiritual direction and counseling. The board wants to ensure that all clergy are aware of financial resources available for both counseling and spiritual direction. 

Insurance should be used first when seeking counseling. If additional support is needed, BOOM provides financial assistance for counseling and spiritual direction. Clergy may choose their own provider; but the counselor or spiritual director needs to be licensed.  

The board provides $75 per session for up to 6 months available. Except where BOOM has required otherwise, pastors are expected to contribute to their own care. For further information or application, contact the Rev. Greg Impink, BOOM Chair of Pastoral Care, at greg.impink@gmail.com. All names and identifying information are held in confidence by the Pastoral Care Chair.
Missed any virtual events?

View recordings of many recent online events on our Event Recordings webpage. Share them with your congregation and church leaders. Use them as a training resource.

Please tell us if and how you use our Event Recordings and if they are valuable to you. Write to us at communications@epaumc.org. 
Update your church's Find-A-Church webpage
Update your church’s Find‑A‑Church webpage to offer potential visitors current, helpful information. As people begin to seek in‑person connections once more, they’ll be searching online for information about local churches. Be prepared to welcome them with an updated Find‑A‑Church profile! Include a note about who you are as a congregation, links to your website and social media channels, location details and more.
Conference Leadership Opportunities for all!
The Conference Leadership Committee asks all clergy and lay members to use this Leadership and Service Interest Form to indicate how and where they are willing to serve on. Learn more...
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.
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!
Missed any past issues of NEWSpirit Digest?
You can still read or share informative, colorful back issues of our weekly e-newsletter on the Conference Website at epaumc.org/news/newspirit. 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!
SAVE-THE-DATES
February 2022
 
February 18-20: Winter Jamboree and Winter Blast at Pocono Plateau
 
March 2022
 
March 5: Tools for Ministry. Learn More. Register.
 
March 11 & 12: Crossing Cultures: Understanding & Applying Intercultural Competencies in Cross-Racial / Cross-Cultural Ministry. Via Zoom. Learn More. Register.
 
April 2022
 
April 2: 2022 Laity Session, 9 AM – 12 PM, via Zoom.
 
April 20-24: Dismantling Racism – Level I. Virtual, via Zoom. Learn More
 
May 2022

May 4: 2022 Clergy Session, 9 AM – 12 PM. 
 
May 14: 9 AM – 12 noon, via Zoom. Transition Workshop for New Appointments, led by Rev. David Woolverton. Learn More. Register.  
 
May 14: 12:30 PM - 2 PM, via Zoom. Workshop for SPRCs. Led by Julie Anderman, Executive Director, Artos Retreats. The EPA Board of Benefits co-sponsors this program with Artos Retreats. Learn More. Register
 
May 20-21: 2022 Annual Conference, via Zoom.
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church
980 Madison Avenue, Norristown, PA 19403