Deaconesses and Home Missioners are theologically trained lay women and men who dedicate their lives to full-time lay ministry as part of the United Methodist Church. They live out their call to lay ministry in the vocational field to which …
2024 Church Anniversary Celebrations
As we continue to peer forward into the new year with anticipation, let’s look back at some of the churches that celebrated anniversaries in 2024. Zoar’s 230th anniversary highlights past, present, future in ministry By John W. Coleman* “Emboldened by …
Carrying the spirit of Christmas into the new year
There are lots of ways to engage the community at Christmas. Some churches go into the community to tell the story of Christmas, some tell the story of Christmas in creative ways, and others choose to build relationships by inviting …
2025 EPA Local Pastor Licensing School registration is open
Registrations are open for the next EPA UMC Local Pastor Licensing School. It will be offered via Zoom sessions from February to early April in 2025. The registration fee is $375 The Local Pastor Licensing School is a foundational learning …
Lighthouse Congregations: Embracing All in a Polarized World
St. Mark’s Mount Joy is a Lighthouse Congregation, a faith community that chooses to shine a beacon of radical welcome into our polarized and polarizing world. No matter what you believe or which side of the political aisle you sit …
Resilience and Renewal: The Journey of Tindley Tea Cafe
As churches began to emerge from COVID two years ago, many dreamed of restarting ministries that the pandemic had sidelined. Tindley Temple on South Broad Street was no different. They were looking forward to reopening their feeding ministry that provides …
Camphor Memorial UMC hosts community conversation
On Friday, September 13th, Camphor Memorial UMC hosted a Community Conversation designed to bring church members, neighborhood residents, and business and community leaders together to dream about how Camphor might be in ministry with their community. The conversation opened with …
Dive Into IGNITE 2024: Your Guide to the Ultimate Youth Experience
Here it is! Your big guide to what to expect at IGNITE 2024! This year, our featured worship leader is Jonathan Traylor. Jonathan is Gospel’s most talked-about up-and-coming artist. He offers a diverse sound and creative presentation that brings a …
A Day of Joy and Service: Highlights from Sayers Memorial UMC’s Community Day
Sayers Memorial UMC celebrated its third annual Community Unity Day in West Philadelphia on August 17. This celebration originated from a vision that the Lord gave to Pastor Washington in 2019, leading to the creation of an event called Youth …
Stirring up Love and Good Deeds: Reflections on the 2024 Laity Academy
The Laity Academy of Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) met from August 2-3 at Eastern University to equip lay leaders with the tools they need to lead well in their contexts. The theme for this 40th year of equipping lay leaders came …