Watch the video. History is composed of self-told stories; so it can never be totally unbiased. Most of the stories we hear about Europeans “discovering” America are told from the European point of view. One key to overcoming racism involves …

Policing in African American Communities Webinar
Join us for an important discussion to benefit our communities…
The Eastern PA Conference Urban Commission’s Fight for Floyd and Beyond Initiative will sponsor a webinar on African Americans and Policing: Developing Healthy Police and Community Relationships on Thursday, April 22, 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Zoom.

Conference commission leads the way to ‘Dismantling Racism’
Dismantling Racism. The term, growing in use, conveys an apt understanding that this social scourge is large, systemic and complex, with many parts—and that it must be taken apart or demolished from different angles. That is how the Eastern PA Conference is approaching the stubborn sin of racism.
“Vaccines, variants and the road ahead” webinar: Recording, PowerPoint slides now online
Monday’s “Vaccines, variants and the road ahead” webinar, led by clinical pharmacists Dr. Elsen Jacob and Dr. Susan Jacob, was richly informative, with clear, helpful remarks and answers to questions. The Zoom recording and PowerPoint slides used for their 90-minute …

Vaccines, variants and the road ahead
Updated information with new details
Experts to teach Eastern PA about COVID-19 and vaccines
Three current vaccines offer promise for an eventual end to the current COVID-19 pandemic. But the road ahead still has deep potholes to navigate in the form of threatening variants that are growing in our region alongside the number of persons being vaccinated.

Rev. Sukja Bang featured in Fordham News
Korean-American Polio Survivor and Longtime Pastor Prepares to Counsel Parishioners Rev. Sukja Bang, pastor of Ackermanville UMC in Bangor, is featured in the Fordham News (March 29, 2021), an online publication of Fordham University, where she will receive a D.Min. from the …

Women of the UMC–A Feature for Women’s History Month 2021
As leaders, teachers, missionaries, and organizers, women have shaped the history of Methodism. In their work with the poor and disenfranchised, women have initiated important social and political reform. Roughly 800,000 members belong to United Methodist Women, and approximately 25% of clergy in The United Methodist Church are female.
We invite you to explore the inspiring stories of women who have made important contributions to the life of the church, as well as ideas to help nurture your own participation and witness.

Bishop featured in Women’s History Month video
Bishop Peggy Johnson reflects on her ministry and that of other clergywomen in this interview for the Conference Commission on the Status and Role of Women. Watch the video on Youtube.

Conference members join outcry against anti-Asian American racism
Eastern PA Conference members are joining the outcry of voices speaking out against a reported, nationwide increase in racist verbal and physical attacks against Asian Americans. Those voices are growing in the wake of eight murders of massage parlor workers—including six Asian American women—March 16, in the Atlanta, Ga. Area…

Racism must go, but how to get there?
It’s time — way overdue, in fact — for The United Methodist Church to make progress on racial issues that surpasses the bromides of the past, said Black leaders of the denomination.
Difficult, complicated racial justice issues were raised in 2020 by Black Lives Matters protests and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol building in Washington, as well as the police killings of African Americans including George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York.