It all began with a campfire conversation in California nearly a decade ago. I was part of a retreat with the leadership of Philadelphia’s since-closed Cookman United Methodist Church in 2008 when someone around the circle casually mentioned that the …
Amtrak crash survivors find refuge in Eastern PA church
At home on his couch at about 8 AM on Sunday, April 3, the Rev. James Ford, pastor of Trainer UMC, near Chester, Pa., was quietly finishing his sermon when he suddenly heard blaring sirens arriving at the nearby church. …
Celebrate and give on Native American Ministries Sunday!
On this Sunday, April 10, we celebrate Native American Ministries! Every year United Methodist congregations across the country hold a special collection for Native American ministries. These gifts support ministry and outreach to Native American populations within Annual Conferences and provide …
General Conference Countdown “Call to Prayer” #7
Restructuring the Church: At our 2016 General Conference in Portland, Ore., May 10-20, there will be a number of restructuring proposals…
Delegates to hear members’ concerns on General Conference
The Eastern PA Conference delegation to General and Jurisdictional conferences will sponsor four Listening and Discernment Sessions in April–three of them face-to-face and one by telephone. Delegates will not speak but instead want to hear annual conference members’ concerns about …
Ross Brightwell memorialized in tribute
The General Commission on United Methodist Men’s (GCUMM) posted on its Website this week a memorial tribute to Ross Brightwell, former president of the Eastern PA Conference UM Men from 2007 to 2015. Brightwell, 69, died from illness March 27. He was a prominent layman …