Carmen O’Shea, new director of Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat Center, shared in a letter to campers, friends and supporters, the joy of her new ministry assignment, as she settles into a learning mode and faces its many challenges and …

James Salley on growing tomorrow’s African leaders
James Salley, known by some as “Mr. Africa University,” has been with the United Methodist institution in Zimbabwe since it was in the embryonic stage. In its nearly 30-year history, AU has produced leaders in government, religion and business. Its alumni …

Bishops, others denounce WCA’s vaccine plan
Virus, visas pose dual challenges to global General Conference Story updated Jan. 20 to include additional statements from bishops, the Love Your Neighbor Coalition and WCA’s Africa coordinator. United Methodist bishops and other church leaders are raising alarm bells about …

Filipino churches step up after super typhoon
After the Rev. Apriniel Salmon witnessed his first super typhoon, he headed out to check on families reeling from the disaster. On the morning of Dec. 17, sunrise unveiled the great damage brought by Typhoon Odette, known internationally as “Rai.” “Scattered …

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 …

AJ Levine returns to introduce us to witnesses at Jesus’ cross
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 …

Church to host Holocaust Remembrance event, Jan. 23
Willow Grove UMC will host a special event on Sunday, January 23 at 3 PM to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed annually Jan. 27. Lesser known than Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this solemn day also signifies …

Celebrate Korean American Day Jan. 13
Jan. 13, is Korean American Day (#KoreanAmericanDay), an observance that celebrates the first arrivals of Korean immigrants on U.S. shores on this day in 1903 and the significant presence and contributions of Korean Americans ever since. There were about 1 million Korean …

No severe injuries or damage from medical helicopter crash at Drexel Hill UMC
A medical helicopter carrying a baby and three other passengers to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia crashed on the lawn just in front of Drexel Hill UMC Tuesday, Jan. 11, at about 1 PM…

Spiritual decluttering: A fresh start for a new year
One of the wonderful things about each new year is that it brings with it a sense of a new beginning, 365 days of promise and possibility. Some use this time to bring freshness to their lives. You may decide …