Bishop Peggy A. Johnson announces the following appointments & assignments: |
Effective July 1, 2021, unless otherwise stated.
South District
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Rev. Etta McCall (Licensed Local Pastor) to serve Darby: Mt. Zion UMC, quarter time, effective July 1, 2021.
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Churches respond to gun violence crisis via public witness |
According to the Philadelphia gun violence and prevention report, there were at least 896 nonfatal and 247 fatal shootings this year as of July 7, including 224 people shot just last month. That is an increase of more than 34% at this point in 2020. It is a national crisis in many cities, but the cracked bell tolls loudest for us in “The City of Brotherly Love.”
Heeding God’s Call cosponsors prayer vigil marches and traveling T-shirt memorials on the lawns of houses of worship, all to draw attention to the deadly crisis and to support advocacy for effective government responses. UM churches are among many that have participated in these public activities. Miller calls the t-shirt displays “colorful graveyards” because they memorialize the many murder victims whose names are inscribed on the colorful shirts.
Some UM churches in and around Philadelphia have hosted t-shirt memorials and participated in marches. Recently, two suburban churches, Ardmore UMC and St. Luke UMC in Bryn Mawr erected memorials on their front lawns. Learn more…
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Conference seeks new Coordinator of Urban Ministries |
The Eastern PA Conference is seeking to hire a new Conference Coordinator of Urban Ministries. This position has the primary responsibility for coordinating the work of the Annual Conference in empowering congregations to develop and sustain ministries directly related to urban and outreach ministries.
This is a 20-hour per week position that does not include benefits. Resumes and cover letters should be sent to UMJobs@epaumc.org by July 13.
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Arroyo to head UMC’s Religion and Race agency |
The Rev. Giovanni Arroyo, Team Leader for Program Ministries at the UMC’s General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) will become its next General Secretary August 31. With his election, Dr. Arroyo, born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, will be the first-ever Latinx person to head a denomination-wide agency.
Arroyo has resourced and taught at anti-racism events across the denomination, including several Eastern PA Conference Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Ministry (CRCC) workshops. And he provided consultation and support for our anti-racism Call to Action Initiative and our Racial Justice Transformation Project, including our 2018 racial equity audit.
“His experience, talent, and lifelong commitment to the work of dismantling racism is invaluable at this critical juncture in the life of the church and the world,” said Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, president of the Commission’s board of directors, in making the announcement July 6.
“We rejoice with the Rev. Dr. Arroyo as he assumes the General Secretary position,” said the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, the Eastern PA Conference’s Director of Connectional Ministries. “He has been instrumental in supporting Eastern PA Conference's anti-racism and cross-cultural development work, providing coaching, support and training to our conference. We know his work will continue to bless our denomination and we look forward to our ongoing partnerships.” Learn more…
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Bishop Yeakel, caring leader, dies at 93 |
United Methodists remember Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel as a wise, caring leader who did not seek his own glory but instead sought to include others in glorifying God. He also was not afraid of change.
“Bishop Yeakel was a voice for justice and was always one of the first to speak truth when it was most needed,” Council of Bishops President Cynthia Fierro Harvey said in a statement. “He was a kind and gentle spirit who always led with a voice of encouragement and steadfastness.”
Yeakel, a former Council of Bishops president, died July 4 at age 93, in Wooster, Ohio. He had been a UM bishop longer than any episcopal leader still living. And in his more than 70 years of ministry, he also led the church through a time of significant transition. Learn more....
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Join Bivocational & Small Church Network at next meeting July 13 |
The new Bivocational & Small Church Network will have its next meeting for conversation and resourcing on Tuesday, July 13, at 6:30 PM via Zoom. Members will explore “Finances and the Small Church,” led by the Rev. Steve Morton, North District Superintendent, and James Brown, Conference Treasurer.
Brown will announce a 35 percent-off discount for churches participating in Paychex through Wespath. The support group will share information about grant opportunities for small churches in Eastern PA and how to find and possibly share a church treasurer when there is no one in the church who has financial knowledge. Members will also learn about potential partnerships with other small churches across the conference. Anyone with questions about small-church finances to be addressed should send them to the Rev. Denny Emrick at dennyemrick@gmail.com.
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August Book Club to feature Woolverton's new book
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The Congregational Development Team’s next CDT Book Club selection will be the Rev. David Woolverton's newest book, Mission Rift: Leading through Church Conflict. Woolverton, who frequently teaches courses on overcoming church conflict in Eastern PA, will lead the four-week study on Wednesdays, August 11 to Sept. 1, at 11 AM. Once again, the first 25 registrants will receive the book’s Kindle version for free.
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Rev. David Woolverton has been an ordained Elder within the Eastern PA Conference for over thirty years, serving and consulting in congregations of various sizes. In addition to serving as Lead Pastor at St. Paul’s Church, Elizabethtown, he also is Affiliate Professor of Leadership and Program Director for the Masters of Arts in Leadership as well as the United Methodist Student Advisor at Evangelical Theological Seminary in Myerstown, PA. He also is a Faculty Mentor in the Kairos Project at Kairos University. David lives in Lancaster, PA with his wife, Kristine, and their rambunctious two year old Bernedoodle. |
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Churches urged to relaunch, not just reopen |
Thousands of United Methodist churches in the U.S. are coming out from under pandemic restrictions, and amid the happy reunions, they’re assessing what they’ve been through and what comes next.
Church leadership experts have become preachers in this moment, imploring “We’re at a crossroads,” said Tim Snyder, senior researcher at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and visiting assistant professor of practical theology at Wesley Theological Seminary. “Will we go back to those ways of being the church that have been in steady decline for several decades now, or will we risk the possibility that the Spirit of God is once again about to make all things new?”
Thom Rainer, who leads the Church Answers consulting group, recently did a webinar on the post-pandemic church for the Texas Conference. He predicted the pandemic will hasten membership and attendance declines already long seen by denominations.
But Rainer also sees opportunity. “There’s more openness to change than there was,” he said by phone. “It’s a window that will close.” Learn more…
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UM Men’s plans virtual national gathering for Aug. 28 |
The General Commission on United Methodist Men announces its 2021 Virtual National Men’s Gathering. The gathering will be held online August 28, from 11 AM to 5 PM. Keynote speakers will be the Rev. Dr. Ron Bell, pastor of Camphor Memorial UMC in St. Paul, Minn., and the Rev Tom Albin, who recently retired from The Upper Room as Director of Spiritual Formation and Congregational Life.
Albin now directs United Christian Ashrams International and is President of Albin Consulting and has authored or contributed to numerous books, articles, online courses and reference works. He will speak on Evangelism and Discipleship.
Bell, formerly a pastor in the Peninsula-Delaware Conference, provided key community leadership in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police in Minneapolis, Minn. in 2020. He has written for several local and national publications, has a webinar series on Trauma and Empathy, and has published books about reaching Young Adults in ministry, Embracing Grief through Art, and his newest book, The Four Promises: Journeying through Past and Present Trauma. He will speak on “Combating and Healing the Trauma of Racism.” Learn more…
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MISSION & MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES |
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#StillInMission to feature 4 missionaries July 22
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The UMC’s Global Ministries agency invites all to join them for episode 33 of #StillInMission on Zoom on Thursday, July 22, at 12 PM, and hear about how God is at work through the mission all over the world. Four missionaries will be featured. Click on their names to see their bios and learn about them before the event, or visit www.umcmission.org. Episode 33 will feature:
Doug Williams, who serves as a pastor and Volunteers-In-Mission promoter with the Evangelical Methodist Church of Argentina.
Osias Segura-Guzmán, who serves as Coordinator of Curriculum & Small Group Leadership Development for new churches in Latin America in the Caribbean.
Oscar Quevedo Garcia, who serves as Coordinator of Lay Pastoral Teams with the Methodist Church in Uruguay.
Kenneth Koome, who serves as the Mission Financial Officer with the East Angola Annual Conference.
Is your church supporting a missionary? The Itineration Team is ready to walk with your church or small group as you discern developing a relationship with a missionary sent by the UMC through Global Ministries.
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Learn about interpreting for the Deaf, July 17 |
Attend the online Church Interpreting Academy, July 17, sponsored by UMC Committee on Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Ministries and UM and AME partner churches. This free virtual event offers three tracks:
- Introduction to church interpreting—learning about the interpreter's role
- Interpreting Scripture, for experienced interpreters
- Introduction to sign language
The academy's goal is to prepare churches to be more inclusive of Deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, and to introduce the field to anyone interested in becoming a church interpreter. For seasoned interpreters, there will be teaching of techniques for message equivalency when engaging with Scripture.
In a time where many are striving for equality and social justice, this Church Interpreting Academy supports churches that want to extend that value to Deaf persons. in taking concrete steps in doing so. The collaboration between The AME and UM church sponsoring partnership is a special feature of this event. Contact Rev. Leo Yates with any questions.
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Calling all Youth: Get Ready to Rally August 28! |
There’s a time for everything Ecclesiastes 3 tells us, and August 28, from 9 AM to 6 PM, will be the perfect time for the Eastern PA Conference’s next Youth Rally. It will be a youth rally like no other, promises the Rev. David Piltz, outgoing Coordinator of Young Peoples Ministries.
Covenant UMC in Bath, Pa., will again be the perfect place for a bit of northern exposure and a return to this late-summer youth outdoor rally for its second year. Its debut in 2019 was titled Camping at the Crossroads, but COVID-19 shut down the 2020 plans. Now, all current CDC guidelines and protocols on COVID-19 safety will be maintained.
The day will have games, speakers, music, prizes and much more. There will be youth speakers and musicians including CCYM’s very own Sarah Mott and Covenant UMC’s praise band S.O.U.L.7:17. A speaker from the National Alliance on Mental Health will share a personal testimony about overcoming and living with mental illness.
We will also hear from Egypt Speaks ( https://www.egyptspeaksofficial.com/) a renowned poet, spoken word artist and musician. Ending music and a concert will be provided by Tribe Collective ( wearetribeco.com). In the middle of the day professionals actors from Without a Cue ( www.withoutacue.com) will lead the attendees in an innovative improv based competition!
Finally, throughout the day we will hear from and support two amazing ministries. One is New Bethany Ministries ( www.newbethanyministries.org) who provides a variety of support services to those in need. The other is CareNet of Carbon County ( www.carenetcarbon.org) who work with “at-risk” youth and young people and providing services that create positive choices.
This is a day youth won’t want to miss! Registration beings at 9 AM, and the program launches at 10 AM. Lunch is on your own, but there will be food trucks available on site.
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Advanced Sexual Ethics course to examine pornography link to child sex trafficking |
The next Advance Sexual Ethics course will study The Impact of Pornography and the Intersection with Child Sex Trafficking and Abuse, Sept. 29, 10 AM to 1 PM, on Zoom. The cost is $35.
The workshop will delve into the world of pornography and its impact on congregants, children, communities and ourselves. The workshop will focus on common types of pornography, trends in the use of porn and its impact on the human brain, and connections between pornography and the growing problems of domestic child sex trafficking and child sexual abuse.
Prior to the workshop, registrants will receive links to two videos to view and worksheets to complete. The facilitators are from Safe Communities Lancaster PA, including Linda Crockett, founder and director. Contact the Rev. Jacqueline Hines for more information at pastorjacquelineumc@gmail.com or 410-963-1721. Learn more…
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Healing Communities Training on Zoom in Sept. |
Co-sponsored by the Conference Prison Ministry and Restorative Justice Team and the West Chester Mission Link.
3 ZOOM sessions in September:
- Tuesday, Sept 21, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
- Saturday, Sept 25, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
- Tuesday, Sept 28, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
- 2 additional hours of homework to be completed outside of the Zoom sessions
1.0 CEU to be provided for CSM, CLM, and clergy, upon completioin of all 3 Zoom sezzions and the 2 hrs of out-of-class work. Cost: $10
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October seminar to focus on domestic violence in marginalized communities |
The Eastern PA Conference will explore this fall how domestic violence is experienced and addressed by people who face injustice, neglect and other disadvantages because of their race, ethnicity, disability, nationality and other circumstances that relegate them to the margins of society.
“Seeking Justice and Mercy: Social Justice for Marginalized Communities Experiencing Domestic Violence” will be the broad focus of a weekend Zoom webinar Oct. 15-16. The conference Domestic Violence (DV) Committee is organizing the Friday evening (7-9 PM) and Saturday morning (9 AM to 12:30 PM) online event.
Maria Sofia Gattorno, an attorney at HIAS PA's Domestic Violence Initiative, will keynote the webinar, following introductions and devotions on Friday at 7 PM. At HIAS she provides free legal services to immigrant and refugee survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who reside in Chester County.
“Voices of Survivors” will follow, featuring testimonies and reflections by a diverse panel of women—including one who is deaf—about their struggles for justice and equity in seeking help and healing to overcome domestic and intimate-partner violence.
Saturday’s agenda will feature more panelists sharing how non-mainstream cultures may be uniquely impacted by domestic violence, and what needs to be done—in the faith community and beyond—to respond to their challenging needs and circumstances. Learn more…
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Financial lessons for the post-pandemic church |
In the aftershocks of the COVID-19 crisis, many churches face a period of financial reckoning. The Rev. Lovett Weems and Ann Michel of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership offer eight tips for helping churches navigate uncharted territory. To help churches deal with the financial aftershocks of the COVID crisis, they recommend managing resources wisely, engaging givers more effectively, and seeking more creative approaches to economic sustainability. Read tips.
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Weekly conference prayer meetings
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Join the dozen or more prayer warriors who show up each Tuesday at noon for a half-hour of personal sharing and compelling intercessory prayer. It’s a supportive community of believers in the power of prayer. Some sessions have featured meditative music, wisdom readings and poetry to stimulate creative reflection.
Upcoming Schedule of Prayer Leaders:
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July 13: Rev. David Piltz
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July 20: Rev. Stacey Jones-Anderson
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July 27: Bishop Peggy Johnson
Meeting ID: 591 129 374 Or Call in: +1 646 558 8656
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United Methodist health partnership offers hope |
CHICUQUE, Mozambique (UM News) In partnership with the Mozambique Ministry of Health, United Methodists are using mobile clinic brigades to serve isolated communities.
Focusing on pregnant women and children up to 5 years old and offering consultation to adults, the mobile clinics serve the districts of Maxixe, Morrumbene and Massinga.
“Our main target is children, pregnant women and women in general for family planning,” said Dr. Karima Ussene, head of mobile clinics at Massinga Hospital. Learn more…
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Embrace your ‘next’ as part of God’s plan |
UM News Commentary by the Rev. Olu Brown, July 1, 2021
On Sunday, May 16, I stood on the stage at Impact United Methodist Church and shared with the world that I was retiring from pastoring in the local church. This was a big announcement. Immediately afterward, I was flooded with calls, texts and emails with words of congratulations, shock and surprise.
Although hearing the announcement may have seemed like a single moment for the viewers, for me it was part of a long journey that began at the age of 13, when I was given the opportunity to serve in my hometown church praying and reading Scripture.
The opportunity the pastor and church gave me set into motion a wonderful journey of global and passionate ministry that was more than I could have ever imagined at 13 years old. So, when I gave my announcement, it was not one moment, but it was the millions of moments that I had experienced over a 30-year period. Learn more...
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New Economic Justice Council to improve racial equity |
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The Eastern PA Conference Commission on Religion and Race (CORR) has formed an Economic Justice Council with clergy and lay members from across the Conference who reflect racial-ethnic and gender diversity.
“CORR recognizes that our continuing commitment to greater racial justice in the Eastern PA Conference also requires economic justice,” said the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, Director of Connectional Ministries. “The work of this council will focus on achieving greater racial equity here in the Eastern PA Conference.”
Four focus areas will define the initial work of the council. The goal is to develop specific proposals for each area that would provide greater economic-racial-ethnic equity. These proposals would be brought to the 2022 annual conference. Learn more...
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2021 Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference |
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Orientation to Ministry training August 21 |
Register for the upcoming "Orientation to Ministry" training on Saturday August 21, 10 AM-12 PM, at Moravian Theological Seminary (60 W Locust St., Bethlehem PA 18018). The training will be led by Rev. Karyn Fisher, North District DCOM Registrar. Please note: This training will take place in person, and will not include the option to participate remotely.
“Orientation to Ministry” is an overview of the diverse ways in which one can enter into professional ministry in the United Methodist Church. It is designed to guide individuals in the process of answering a call to ministry. Those who take this class will gain an understanding of different categories of professional ministry as well as a practical step by step understanding of the candidacy process. This is a required course for all candidates for professional ministry in the Eastern PA Conference. To register, visit: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=626300&
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Partners for Sacred Places invites design award submissions |
Partners for Sacred Places now invites submissions for its 2021 Faith & Form / Interfaith Design Awards. Partners is “the only nonsectarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to sound stewardship and active community use of older sacred places across America. (It) provides capital campaign training and fundraising strategies, along with technical assistance, and grants to congregations and other local organizations across the U.S.”
The awards program, founded in 1978 to honor the best in architecture, liturgical design and art for religious spaces, is open to a variety of congregations and nonprofit organizations. New award categories are added this year. Categories include:
- Religious Architecture for new, renovated and restored facilities;
- Adaptive Reuse/Repurpose design;
- Liturgical/Interior Design;
- Sacred Landscape and Religious Arts;
- Unbuilt Work (new);
- Faith Community Civic Engagement (new);
- Faith Community Civic Engagement: COVID-19 Response (new);
- Faith Community Civic Engagement: Visual Arts, Performing Art, and Other Creative Collaborations (new);
- Multiple Site Education/Advocacy (new).
Entries are welcomed and encouraged from architects, landscape architects, designers, artists, students, consultants, nonprofits, and religious organizations. Submissions will be accepted from July 1 to Sept. 30, 2021. Learn more…
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Church to answer need for blood donations |
Christ UMC Lansdale (1020 S Valley Forge Rd, Lansdale) will answer the great need for blood donations by hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, July 8, 9 AM - 7 PM. Currently, the supply of blood is extremely low and many locations for blood drives are still closed. The church invites all who are able to come donate. Wawa will sponsor the event offer giveaway prizes. To sign up ahead of time, visit the event website.
Is your church also responding to the need for blood donation drives? What about other needs in your community? Please let us know, so we can let others know. Visit our Churches in Mission web page and contribute news of your church’s local and global mission activities.
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View recording of UMCom’s Social Media Day Q&A |
On “Social Media Day” June 30 UM Communications sponsored a Live Learning Session Q&A that offered church leaders tons of tips for using social media to promote and communicate their ministries. There’s new information offered about Facebook, Instagram and other social media and tactics that can enrich any church’s digital ministry. If you want to share or re-watch the video, it’s posted for now at Facebook.com/UMCom.
Also, explore a variety of online training courses, such as Social Media for Churches, at UMCtraining.org. And subscribe to UMCom’s twice-monthly e-newsletter, MyCom, at ResourceUMC.org/MyCom. You can also find helpful social media content in their social media shareables library and download free graphics for every season of the year.
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Podcast on digital ministry premieres |
A new weekly podcast with tips on improving online ministries launched with five episodes on June 17. Produced and hosted by the Rev. Ryan Dunn of United Methodist Communications, "Pastoring in the Digital Parish" should serve as "the digital ministry class you missed in seminary." The podcast is available via Apple, Google, Spotify and Amazon, as well as on the ResourceUMC website. Read press release ResourceUMC: Pastoring in the Digital Parish
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How to have Courageous Conversations on racism
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Understanding the Connection of Anti-Racism to Discipleship. UM Discipleship Ministries offers a three-session teaching series that builds on the Courageous Conversations Teaching Course. It dives deeper into themes around discipleship, the evils of racism, biblical language of “family” and beloved community, community engagement, and more. It also offers ways to encourage churches to take specific actions in their community.
For various reasons, writes the sponsoring agency Discipleship Ministries, “congregations and church members are hesitant about having this needed conversation. Our hope is that these three sessions will encourage and equip church leaders to feel more confident about understanding the need for such a conversation and to glimpse potential outcomes for the local church.
“This should not be viewed as one conversation that will solve the multifaceted issues of racism in America. Rather, these conversations should be viewed as launching points for deeper relationships and new ways of ministry in the community.” Learn more and sign up...
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New summer online CEU courses for clergy |
Market Square Publishing is offering new online continuing education courses for clergy this summer in its Clergy Education series. In addition to its books and small-group studies, these one-hour webinars each cost $25. Attendees can receive certificates for continuing education units (CEUs).
The upcoming schedule includes:
- Starting and Sustaining Effective Hybrid Ministries, July 15, with Anne Bosarge.
- Tips to Becoming More Effective as a Pastor, July 22, with Quincy Brown
- Game Changers of the Post-Pandemic Church, July 27, with Kay Kotan
- Money Talks: A Biblical Take on Saving, Spending and Giving, August 11, with Callie and Roz Picardo
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GCORR offers full menu of resources for anti-racists |
Visit the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) website to get practical resources and support for those seeking to engage in cultural diversity and embrace equity and anti-racism. Recent resources include:
Also, listen to their new podcast series “Expanding the Table” with two episodes on “Practicing Anti-Racism”:
- Racism, Police Reform, & Faith
- Theologians Explore the Roots of Anti-Asian Racism and What the Church Should Know
And check out their Online Courses, etc
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You Are Here: First Steps for White Christians on Race and Racism ($39.99)
- Anti-Racism 101: Required Skills for White People Who Want to be Allies ($39.99)
- Implicit Bias: What We Don’t Think We Think ($20)
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Also: Implicit Bias Small Group Facilitator's Package and Workbook.
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New Benefits Board members needed! |
We are looking for a few talented and conscientious volunteer board members to lead and strengthen the programs of the Eastern PA Conference Board of Benefits.
The vital work of this board includes administering our health and pension plans, monitoring our investments according to policy, maintaining relationships with our clergy on medical leave, evaluating grant requests, and keeping our members educated and informed about their eligibility, benefit plans, and goals for retirement.
If you can contribute your time, thoughtfulness, and leadership, are willing to learn about the benefits we offer to our Clergy members, are a member of a United Methodist Church, and are interested in exploring this opportunity, Contact Jo Fielding at jfielding@epaumc.org or 484-762-8213 to discuss if this volunteer opportunity is right for you. Learn more...
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Words of wisdom and warmth
View video of our 2021 clergy retirees
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Metro Ministries offers special grant for church technology improvements |
Eastern PA Conference Metro Ministries offers a special grant of up to $4,000 to help churches in Chester, Norristown and Philadelphia make improvements in their technology and media ministry to support worship and other activities. Grants will be awarded to help churches move to hybrid worship services that provide in-person worship while retaining an on-line/virtual presence.
Purchases can include display monitors, cameras, streaming software, worship presentation software, subscriptions for virtual presence, PA equipment, electronic signage, etc. Unlike the Metro Ministries building repair grant, this special grant does not require matching funds.
Submissions are due by July 15. Awardees will be notified by July 31.Funds are limited to support the most compelling projects that demonstrate high impact on the life of the congregation and/or the community it serves. This is a one-time special grant.
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People of God campaign invites members to #BeUMC |
UM Communications, in collaboration with other UMC leaders, is building on the People of God campaign, launched in 2020. The addition of a new hashtag and call-to-action – #BeUMC – invites church members to embody the church’s values, embrace its aspirations, and remain with the denomination even in difficult times.
The People of God campaign celebrates key attributes that are important to United Methodists and serves as a reminder of how they are living out their faith as people of God. Each month has focused on a specific word: faithful, missional, committed, spirit-filled, deeply rooted, connected, resilient, justice-seeking and diverse. The words were chosen to reflect the denomination’s faith, heritage, values, history, diversity, connection and global footprint. Learn more...
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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.
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Conference launches Dismantling Racism online Facebook group
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The Eastern PA Conference Commission on Religion & Race (CORR) has launched a timely new Facebook Group with a page aptly titled Dismantling Racism. It’s timely because it launched just as the U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden approved Juneteenth on June 19, also long known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, as a national holiday.
June 19 was the day in 1865 when the last slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free—two months after the Civil War officially ended and over two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to free slaves in Southern states.
CORR has been planning to launch the Facebook group for several months; and now members are busy posting information, events, comments and resources to the new page. They are also inviting friends and colleagues to join who resonate with the anti-racism values and interests it communicates. Learn more...
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Retirement celebration for Bishop Peggy Johnson, July 26, on Zoom |
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Eastern PA Conference leaders are planning a retirement celebration to bid a fond farewell to Bishop Peggy Johnson, after her 13 years of providing service and leadership here. The virtual farewell fete on Zoom is scheduled for Monday, July 26, at 6:30 to 8 PM, and will include greetings from members of the conference and the NEJ College of Bishops, among others.
To attend the farewell webinar click on the Zoom link. Webinar ID: 966 9511 7530. Passcode: 891085. Or join by telephone: US: +1 646 558 8656. Also, we are requesting the submission to communications@epaumc.org
of photos of our bishop from across the conference
Also, save the Date!
A Welcome Celebration is being planned for Bishop John Schol as our new episcopal leader on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 10 AM, onsite and online at West Chester UMC.
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Conference to offer two Laity Academies
in 2021: August 6-7 online; Oct. 1-2 onsite
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It’s been over a year of shutdowns and lockdowns; learning to live differently in our homes; attending meetings, classes and worship services on Zoom; and ordering many more consumer goods online. We depended on essential workers to serve and take care of us, while some of us learned how to take better care of each other. “Handle With Care” became not only a cautionary box label but a way of being human together.
In John 13:34, Jesus commanded us to not only care but also love one another. “As I have loved you,” he said, “so you must love one another.” The pandemic has reminded us that life is precious. How we live our lives is precious. And how we care for one another and Love one another is precious.
Acknowledging that we are not fully back to normal, the annual conference Laity Academy will host two learning events in 2021. The theme is “Handle with Care Love.”
The first academy is August 6-7, Friday evening and all-day Saturday, using Zoom video-conferencing. The second will be on October 1-2, when in-person classes will be hosted at several churches across the conference.
There will be one Basic course for lay ministry servants; three Caring courses (one in Spanish); four Leadership courses; and three Speaking courses (two in Spanish). These courses will teach about preaching, Bible study, pastoral care, church communications, emotional intelligence and other topics. Learn more...
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Registration for the August Zoom courses is now open. Register now.
Registration for the October in-person courses will open by mid-August. Course descriptions for October will be posted soon.
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View recordings of recent important events |
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New puzzle helps clergy families navigate pastoral transitions |
Jigsaw Journey is a puzzle with a discussion guide, online videos, and other tools, provided by Artos Retreats (“Bread for the Soul”), to help clergy families navigate the emotional journey of pastoral transitions. It’s a good conversation-starter to help families reveal and share thoughts and feelings about the experience.
“The game opened a doorway for my family to talk about some challenging issues related to our upcoming transition,” said one clergy spouse with two teenage boys. “We may have never talked unless we were working on the puzzle.”
The full set costs $55 and would be a great church gift to clergy families. Discounts are available upon request for clergy families feeling a financial pinch during the pandemic. Discounts for EPA clergy families are made possible by the generous support of the EPA Conference Board of Pension and Health Benefits. Contact: Julie@ArtosRetreats.org. Learn more.
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Racial Ethnic Local Church grants available this fall |
Grants up to $10,000 will be available this fall from Discipleship Ministries to strengthen leadership training, small groups, worship, stewardship and spiritual formation in racial-ethnic local United Methodist churches. The application deadline for Racial Ethnic Local Church Concerns (RELCC) grants is Sept. 1.
RELCC grants are available each year, with priority given to new programs. Funds are not provided for personnel, equipment or ongoing building costs.
For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3vSgb5G or contact Naomi Hope Annandale, director of research and strategic evaluation, by phone at 615-340-1743 or by email at nannandale@umcdiscipleship.org.
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Conference Leadership Opportunities for all! |
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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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July
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July 13: Bivocational & Small Church Network. Every other Month, on the 2nd Tuesday of Month, at 6:30 PM, on Zoom. Register.
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July 22 - 30: 2021 Mission u, virtual. Sponsored by Eastern PA Conference UMW. Learn More. Register. Registration has been extended until July 13!
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July 24: Urban Summit Mini-Series
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July 26: Farewell fete for Bishop Peggy Johnson. 6:30 PM - 8 PM. Zoom webinar. Join.
August
September
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September 18: Welcome Celebration for Bishop John Schol, 10 AM, at West Chester UMC.
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September 25: Urban Summit Mini-Series
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September 22, 25, 28: Healing Communities Training on Zoom. Sept. 21 & 28 at 6:30-8:30 PM. Sept. 25 at 8:30 AM-12:30 PM.
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September 29: Advanced Sexual Ethics, on Zoom. 10 AM - 1 PM. “Impact of Pornagraphy and the Intersection with Child Sex Trafficking and Abuse.” Register.
October
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October 1-2: 2021 Laity Academy - In-Person Sessions, at several church locations TBA. Learn more.
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October 15 & 16: Domestic Violence Workshop. Friday October 15 from 7 PM – 9 PM & Saturday October 16th from 9 AM – 12 PM. Further details TBA.
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October 23: Faith Sharing Evangelism Training with Rev. Olu Brown
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October 23: UMW Annual Celebration
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October 29 - Nov 1: Dismantling Racism, Level 1, Virtual. Register.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church
980 Madison Avenue, Norristown, PA 19403
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