Otterbein United Methodist Church in Lancaster will open its spacious, rarely used fellowship hall as a year-round emergency, overnight shelter for homeless neighbors starting December 1, in response to an urgent appeal from the city. The historic church will have …
Sharing God’s Love at Christmas once again
‘Remember those who are in prison…’ (Hebrews 13:3) Can you imagine being separated from your family and friends at Christmas? Those who are incarcerated suffer this isolation and other deprivations on a daily basis, but at Christmas, those losses can …
Toiletry Bowl generosity delivers ‘a reflection of God’s love’
The Eastern PA Conference’s Toiletry Bowl campaign to provide basic necessities to incarcerated persons went from high-tech to high-touch on August 30. That’s when over 2,300 toiletry items—soap, toothpaste, deodorant and hand cream—ordered by donors online from Amazon.com were bagged …
Church ends VBS with lively worship and carnival
Black Creek United Methodist Church in Sugarloaf, near Hazleton, climaxed its Vacation Bible School on Sunday, August 20, by sharing worship and a free carnival with its congregation and community. “Our small but awesome group of VBS children led the …
EPA, GNJ Advance Special projects Loving abundantly, pursuing possibilities
“With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) The spirit of that scripture, which inspired the 2023 Annual Conference theme Possible, is also infused into the work of both Greater New Jersey’s and Eastern Pennsylvania’s Advance Special Projects. Both conferences …
‘The Power Has Gone Out from Me’
Who touched me?” Jesus asked his disciples on a crowded street, “for I know that power has gone out from me.” (Luke 8:46) “There is a great crowd,” his puzzled disciples answered. “Everyone is touching you.” But Jesus felt the …
Ida victims not forgotten in Pennsylvania
Two years after Hurricane Ida flooded her home, Brenda Wyatt is finally on the last leg of efforts to repair it, helped by Eastern PA’s Project Restoration. Volunteers from Virginia spent a hot June day laying flooring in Wyatt’s basement. …
Save our planet. Become an Earthkeeper. Next training Oct. 5-8
Want to help save our planet? Become an Earthkeeper, part of a grassroots environmental movement of action and advocacy. The UMC’s Global Ministries agency seeks to train United Methodist EarthKeepers to launch and grow environmental projects in their own communities. …
Enjoying a ‘kindness bubble’ at camp
Innabah Camp and Retreat Center in Eastern Pennsylvania sets aside eight weeks each summer for Challenge Camps for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 50-acre camp offers swimming, archery, an obstacle course and more. Just as important, it provides …
Summer Camp 2023: Opportunities to share the love of Jesus
1 Camp Family at 4 Sites The four, diverse Eastern PA Conference Camp & Retreat Centers are a closeknit family, united and inspired by their mission to share the love of Jesus among visitors, volunteers and staff who come from …