Women of the UMC–A Feature for Women’s History Month 2021

As leaders, teachers, missionaries, and organizers, women have shaped the history of Methodism. In their work with the poor and disenfranchised, women have initiated important social and political reform. Roughly 800,000 members belong to United Methodist Women, and approximately 25% of clergy in The United Methodist Church are female.

We invite you to explore the inspiring stories of women who have made important contributions to the life of the church, as well as ideas to help nurture your own participation and witness.

Church to give new meaning to ‘home delivery’

Bethel Hill UMC partners with Help Build Hope

Founded in 1870, Bethel Hill UMC in Lansdale, Pa., the state’s second oldest Methodist church, may be 250 years old. But it can still find new ways to serve in mission, especially when a viral pandemic demands adaptability.

Conference members join outcry against anti-Asian American racism

Eastern PA Conference members are joining the outcry of voices speaking out against a reported, nationwide increase in racist verbal and physical attacks against Asian Americans. Those voices are growing in the wake of eight murders of massage parlor workers—including six Asian American women—March 16, in the Atlanta, Ga. Area…

Racism must go, but how to get there?

It’s time — way overdue, in fact — for The United Methodist Church to make progress on racial issues that surpasses the bromides of the past, said Black leaders of the denomination.

Difficult, complicated racial justice issues were raised in 2020 by Black Lives Matters protests and the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol building in Washington, as well as the police killings of African Americans including George Floyd in Minneapolis, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky, and Daniel Prude in Rochester, New York.

Church members still fighting hunger from home for Lent

St. John’s Ivyland UMC is continuing its fight against hunger in a small but important mission project during this season of Lent. Members are wrapping plastic eating utensils at home to donate to the Trenton (N.J.) Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). …

State of the Black Church forum to address concerns

The Eastern PA and Peninsula-Delaware (Pen-Del) conferences will cosponsor The State of the Black Church Forum on Thursday, March 18, at 6:30 PM on Zoom. This important, timely panel discussion for Black clergy and laity will feature African American district superintendents of each …

NEJ Native American Ministries group calls for ‘full inclusion’

The United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdiction Native American Ministries Committee announced Feb. 20 its official position on full inclusion of LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The committee voted unanimously to affirm full inclusion of such persons (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Queer, Intersexual, Asexual, …

Urban Commission grants help fund diverse outreach ministries

The Eastern PA Conference Urban Commission awarded $30,000 in urban ministry grants to eight churches and three church/community alliances at the end of 2020. Their diverse ministries include provision of free food, temporary shelter, outreach to youth and young adults, …