On December 30, 2024, Otterbein UMC in Lancaster opened its doors in a wide welcome to its unhoused neighbors. The vision began when the Lancaster County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) was evaluating potential sites for a low-barrier homeless shelter. …
Undies for Easter: An Act of Love
Each inmate arriving into the Philadelphia Prison System is given ONE pair of underpants and no undershirts or socks. Can you imagine living with only one pair of underpants? Through your generosity we have donated more than 2,000 pairs of …
Souper Bowl Challenge (Fill Out the Form Below!)
Next Sunday, our Philadelphia Eagles will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on the football field—a rematch of sorts, after a disappointing loss in 2023. We, the United Methodists in EPA & GNJ, must face a rematch of our …
‘Brave the Dark’ celebrates mentoring and EPA sites, including Ranck’s UMC
New Holland, PA You may not know the names Nate and Stan Deen today, but if you like to go to the movies, you may soon know their names and celebrate them like most people connected to New Holland, PA …
The Overlooked virtue of changing your mind
“Who knows? He may turn, change his mind and leave a blessing behind him.” (Joel 2:14a, CJB) The EPA Conference North District and Congregational Team (CDT) partner to bring Bishop Will Willimon to our pastors and other local church leaders as he …
From Lament to Hope-filled Action
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 …