On January 15, 2025, 60 people gathered via Zoom for Lament and Action, to worship together and learn how to support the immigrants and refugees who live among us. The event was led by Rev. Noé Gabriel López, Associate Superintendent …
Spotlighting the work of deaconesses and home missioners
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 …
Thank you for helping us minister to people in prison at Christmas
This year, the EPA Prison Ministry & Restorative Justice Team again asked congregants and community members in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to write brief encouraging messages on Christmas cards to be given to those who are incarcerated. These cards are an …
Latino Pastors and Missionaries gather to remember and to grow deeper in faith
On a cool autumn day, Latino pastors and missionaries from across Eastern Pennsylvania gathered at Gretna Glen for a day apart. Their purpose was to reconnect with God, with one another, and with all they had learned in the past. …
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 …
Collaborative CoNAM work embodies fundamental truth, “We are all family”
On Saturday, October 26th, on a beautiful, crisp fall morning, volunteers arrived at 8:30 a.m. for the annual Winter Giveaway at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Despite the early hour, cars were already lined up, some …
Early Response Team deploys to help with Hurricane Helene relief in Northern Georgia
In the wake of the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, an Early Response Team (ERT) from the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and the Greater New Jersey Conference of the United Methodist Church has mobilized to offer assistance in Northern Georgia. This …
UMCOR Cleaning Bucket Challenge
Back-to-back hurricanes led to widespread devastation in the south-eastern region of the United States. Recovery will take years of investment. As the body of Christ here on earth, we are called to embody hope by responding when and as we …