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 better. I get to watch several Palm Sunday worship services …
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 friends, that our faith is meant for today. For when …
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 brought attention to the staggering number of women who have …
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 Youth Rally had to be cancelled due to the unprecedented …
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 and for reuniting with loved ones, are a big part …
Freedom
By John W. Coleman–Adapted from a sermon on Mark 5:1-20, preached July 1, 2018, at Servants of Christ UMC Philadelphia. The demon-possessed man languishing among the dark tombs in Gerasenes ran to Jesus…
The promise, practice and power of prayer
“Rise Up and Pray!” Do you remember that imperative call of our recent Annual Conference, to lift our heads, hands and hearts in prayer to our almighty, all-loving God? What about Draw the Circle: The 40-Day Prayer Challenge, the Rev. Mark Batterson’s…
Four Stations of the Holy Spirit begin with prayer
There is little if anything new under the sun, a saying that’s true about the church and discipleship. We constantly go back to the Church of Acts…
Why I Dance
Every year I’ve attended Annual Conference, there have been a small but faithful group of people who hold vigil right before the ordination service. Those passing are sometimes confused about why these people are standing outside singing. For as many people who …