A supplement to the NEWSpirit Winter 2017 article, “District dialogues offer ‘real talk’ about race” At our request, a number of clergy participants in recent racial dialogue and learning events, sponsored by four districts, kindly shared their reactions and reflections …
UM legislative advocate reports on 2017 state issues
More state budget cuts that will hurt the poor, climate change and hydraulic fracking that undeniably hurt the environment, expansion of gambling…
District dialogues offer ‘real talk’ about race
Real talk about race is happening around much of the Eastern PA Conference this winter, as dialogues and teaching moments bring people together to explore a difficult but timely topic. And we’ve only just begun. The Central, Southeast and East …
NEJ Bishops urge welcome for immigrants, refugees
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, . . .” United Methodist Bishops of the Northeastern Jurisdiction quoted poet Emma Lazarus’s words found on the Statue of Liberty (also known as “Mother of Exiles”) …
Honor M.L. King’s legacy, dream this weekend
Sunday, Jan. 15, is the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, which our nation will also celebrate with a holiday on Monday, Jan. 16 this year. What will your church and community do to honor this occasion and its significance …
Districts dig deeper into real talk about race
Four districts will dive deeper into their exploration of racial understanding and race relations in January and February with upcoming dialogues that may lead to more. Clergy and laity from all districts are invited to attend. The Southeast District will …
Celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday
The Eastern PA Conference’s Disability Ministries Committee urges churches to celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday Jan. 22 (or on a more convenient date). The UMC’s Book of Discipline calls for every conference and church to celebrate this special occasion annually to increase response to …
Christmas cards for inmates inspires gratitude
“Thanks to all of you who shared God’s love with inmates through a signed Christmas card this year,” writes Marilyn Schneider, leader of the conference Prison & Restorative Justice Ministries Team. “To those who are incarcerated, this is a powerful …
Churches celebrate Advent, Christmas in many ways
It’s beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas. Not so much from the wintry weather arriving this weekend, but from the Advent activities happening all over the Eastern PA Conference. From hanging of the greens nearly everywhere, to …
Phila. church offers sanctuary to shield father from deportation
Arch Street UMC in Philadelphia is providing sanctuary for Javier Flores García, 40, an undocumented Mexican immigrant and a husband and father of three. The church, which is part of the national New Sanctuary Movement, welcomed him into asylum the …