Eastern PA Conference of the UMC
Singing the Lord’s song in a foreign time
Over the past few days, I’ve spent time with pastors and laity talking about Christmas. We’ve wrestled with questions: How can Advent/Christmas be celebrated without carols? How do we deal with visitors if…
The Uncertain Devotion
Uncertainty is part of life. It can be the cause of our fears, worries and concerns. It is a principle in science that challenges us to explain how the universe and our bodies work. It is a principle…
Getting back to spiritual basics
When life gets chaotic, we all know that getting back to basics is important. We try to get more sleep, eat healthy food, remember to take our vitamins, get some exercise, go outside every day. Maybe we spend time with family and friends, count our blessings…
Our life planning must start with God
By the Rev. Gordon HendricksonEastern PA Conference Coordinator of Congregational Development By the Last week for Palm Sunday, we looked at how to overcome the fear or anxiety of death. … Read more
Fear Not: God Is in Control
By the Rev. Gordon HendricksonEastern PA Conference Coordinator of Congregational Development On Palm Sunday it seems strange not going to a worship service. But in many ways it might be… Read more
A Letter for Holy Saturday
By the Rev. Dawn Taylor-StormSuperintendent, South District Dear Friends, Holy Saturday is the waiting place. The dash between two endpoints. We seek resolution; we long for clarity. But I believe, dear… Read more
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls
By the Rev. Suzanne Wenonah Duchesne “Missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is not an Indigenous issue – it’s a human issue.” —RagghiRain, Eastern Cherokee The #MeToo movement has… Read more
Unprecedented Easter?
An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. – Matthew 28:20
Of all the gospel’s scenes depicting Easter’s empty tomb, this one is my favorite. Dawn. The two Marys, their eyes mistier than the early morning…
CCYM shares reflections, advice on surviving pandemic
The Eastern PA’s Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) is working virtually, via Zoom videoconferencing, to plan its second annual “Camping at the Crossroads” Youth Rally. The March 28 annual spring… Read more
Homecoming: A Thanksgiving homily
Home-goings and homecomings. That’s what Thanksgiving is about for many people. Many will travel home or welcome family and friends home this week. The profound gratitude we feel for home… Read more