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Sunday, February 12, 2012

District Days with Bishop Johnson

Upcoming District Days: Financial Seminars with Bishop Peggy Johnson ***For all clergy and laity***  

February 5, February 12, February 26, March 11, March 18 (schedule below)

CLICK HERE: To download the PowerPoint presentation used at the District Days.
Bishop Johnson, the District Superintendent of record, Peter Dinofia (our conference treasurer), Jo Fielding (our conference pensions and benefits officer) and other conference lay leaders will be presenting the state of the conference report and share plans for improving our financial picture.  We will also worship together and celebrate the many wonderful outreaches and ministries of our churches.  Lay and clergy of all churches are urged to attend one of these events around the conference. 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Grants to Assist In Defraying Higher Education Costs

The Education Society of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church will be offering a number of Grants to assist worthy individuals with defraying the cost of higher education for the 2012-2013school year. 

PRINT a grant description and application form.

Since there are some deadlines, it is important that this information be provided to church members who plan to attend an institution of higher learning in the fall of 2012.  Please communicate this grant opportunity to your congregation as soon as possible.

Applications will be received no earlier than May 1st and no later than May 31.  Amounts range from $500 to $1,000 and applications will be considered in the order in which they are received.

If you have questions, please contact the Education Society Chairperson, Al Adey at ahadey@verizon.net. 

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

General Conference Listening Sessions


General Conference Listening sessions will be held February 13, and March 12.

With General Conference coming in April 2012, and Jurisdictional Conference coming in July 2012, it is important that the elected delegation of both clergy and laity hear from all persons in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference who would like to speak to the issues which will be discussed, debated, and voted at General Conference in Tampa, FL next spring.   Each of these listening sessions will be identical in their structure, and will be held in various parts of the Annual Conference in order to accommodate the most number of persons.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

NEWSpirit: The Camping Edition

NEWSpirit February 2012What’s cooking for Summer Camp 2012?  S’mores and more…

Find out in the February 2012 NEWSpirit!

·         See a photo of Bishop Peggy Johnson as she plays a shop-owner of the ancient Holy Land at Carson Simpson Farm’s Summer Camp;

·         Hear how Dr. Christopher Kurien credits camping in part for helping t his daughter, Ann, develop as a disciple and a leader;

·         Read what Rev. Jim Heath says about the “Pathway to Our Future” camping funding initiative;

·         See the smiling faces of young disciples whose lives have been changed by our four wonderful camps!

·         What is the Pathway to Our Future?  Find out in the February 2012 NEWSpirit, now online!

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Loan Fund is Granting Loans to Local Churches

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Loan Fund has loans available for church building and renovation projects of all types.   The Conference Loan Fund has a rich forty year history of granting loans to local churches. The Fund is a separate Pennsylvania non-profit corporation.   Its purpose is to promote and support the mission of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference by the establishment and maintenance of a fund for the purpose of making loans to conference churches and agencies for building related projects. Loans are not made for program or personal property.

Loans are secured by a mortgage and applications are available on the conference web site. Applications must be signed by the Pastor, District Superintendent and an authorized representative of the Board of Trustees.  Applications must be received thirty (30) days prior to the board meeting. The board meets quarterly, on the fourth Wednesday of January, April, July and October.  The loans have the following favorable terms; interest rate of 5.5%, no closing costs, simple loan documentation, borrow as little as $10,000 or up to $750,000.  There is a ten (10) year amortization period for loans greater than $50,000.  All loans under $50,000 are amortized over a five (5) year period. 

Friday, January 20, 2012

2012 Church Remittances

In a difficult financial climate, we have seen Churches work hard to meet their financial obligations.  As of January 17, 2012, a total of $18.4 million has been received for all funds for 2011, 89% of the total budget of $20.6 million.  We will provide a 2011 financial update and post the final 2011 figures on our web site by the end of the month.

We saw a 25% increase in giving from local churches for CMF over the last quarter compared to last year. Sixty-six percent (66%) of all EPA churches paid 100% or more for CMF. As of result of Bishop Johnson’s appeal, 48 churches paid more than 100%, and an additional 245 churches paid CMF 100%. We praise God for the support of each other in this connectional ministry.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Nominate a leader by February 12

Do you feel called to serve or wish to recommend someone else who has a passion for servant leadership on one of our conference boards or agencies?

Nominations for service in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference are being received now through until Feb. 1, 2012.

All persons currently serving in positions now and those who want to serve in the future must submit an online Interest Form (see below) by February 1, 2012, to be considered for positions on boards, commissions and committees for the 2012 – 2016 quadrennium.

The form can also be downloaded and mailed, emailed or faxed to the Nominations Committee on or before February 1, 2012.  This self-nomination process is a way of affirming your recognition of the spiritual gifts you have been given.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Two years ago: The Haiti Earthquake

 

Pierre Michel repairs a wall outside the Methodist Guest House in Port-au-Prince.  Photo courtesy UMNS. 

Bishop Peggy A. Johnson encourages church to send a mission team to Haiti.

Two years ago today (January 12, 2010) the terrible news came about the devastating earthquake in Haiti.  

Three United Methodist staff from the General Board of Global Ministries were there at the time: Clint Rabb, Sam Dixon and Jim Gulley.  Sadly Clint and Sam died from injuries incurred during the destruction of the earthquake.  Jim Gulley has dedicated much of his ministry to relief work in Haiti ever since.
I am proud to say that the United Methodist Committee on Relief is still working hard in Haiti two years later.  
Thursday, January 12, 2012

One Great Hour of Sharing Offering: March 18

Homes destroyed by the flood in Pakistan stand in ruins in the Tali village, Balochistan. Photo: UMNS

One Great Hour of Sharing

The people who were very poor in Pakistan were made poorer by last year’s flooding there,” said David Sadoo, International Disaster Response executive for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). “Lay that natural disaster on top of already existing security issues, and it’s a very difficult situation.” UMCOR is supported by your generous gifts on One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday. (March 18, 2012)

Monday, January 9, 2012

Take 15 Minutes – Make $25!


In 2012, the Board of Pension and Health Benefits is offering incentives for steps toward WELLNESS!  If you do your part, we will provide additional funds to your HSA (HRA and early retirees will receive a gift card.)

To start the year off right, take 15 minutes to complete your online health assessment, located on your personal record at www.aetna.com.  If you have a body mass (BMI) of 25 or higher, you will be invited to participate in the Healthy Body Healthy Weight program available only in January and February of this year – and worth an additional $50 in your HSA!

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