BMCR has a new webpage

Bishop speaks to caucus concerns BY JOHN W. COLEMAN Philadelphia Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) has a new Web presence at www.epaumc.org/bmcr, hosted by the Eastern PA Conference website. The caucus represents interests and concerns of predominantly black Eastern …

Domestic Violence: The Faith Community Responds

A new Domestic Violence Task Force is hoping to help Eastern PA Conference churches address this widespread, lethal problem in the church and in communities through a conference-wide educational and planning event on Saturday, Nov. 17, 9 AM to 2 PM, at …

Mrs. Ruthann W. Gotwols

Mrs. Ruthann W. Gotwols, age 94, the surviving spouse of the Rev. G. Webster Gotwols, died March 14, 2018.  Together they served the below Eastern PA Conference churches from 1962 to 1986: Goodwill Columbia: Cookman (closed ) Manayunk: Ebenezer (closed) …

Mr. Russell Welsh

Mr. Russell Welsh, 74, spouse of the Rev. Barbara J. Welsh, died April 13, 2018. Rev. Welsh served as Licensed Local Pastor to Ash Grove UMC and then retired in 2015.  After retirement, she served Mount Carmel: First & Ringtown: …

Mrs. Amelia Bemesderfer

Mrs. Amelia Bemesderfer, age 103, died March 28, 2018.  She was the surviving spouse of the Rev. James O. Bemesderfer. Together they served the below Eastern PA Conference churches: Birdsboro: Christ Pottstown: Salem Allentown: Trinity (closed) Cleona Lebanon: St. John’s …

First Quarter 2018 EPA Financial Update

Dear Conference, Below for your information is an overview of the EPA financial data for the period through March 31st, 2018.  Connectional Ministries Fund Church giving for the Connectional Ministries Fund (CMF) was $805,665 through March 2018. Local church giving …

Reflections on BMCR’s 51st General Meeting

By the Rev. Shayla Johnson

BMCR Philadelphia Coordinator

The 51st General Meeting of National Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR), March 13-17, in Sacramento, Calif., drew a smaller attendance than the 500 who came to the 2017, 50th anniversary meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio. About 162 registered persons attended this year’s meeting, where there was less pomp and circumstance but nonetheless, important matters and decisions to consider, along with celebrative worship and fellowship.