Summer camps at the Eastern PA Conference’s four Camp & Retreat Centers blast off this week and next, launching perhaps several thousand children and youth into a season of enjoyable, exploratory experiences, as they are encouraged, taught and guided by …
Leadership Academy offers 2 new Bible study courses led by Bishop Schol
The EPA&GNJ Leadership Academy features two new, in-depth Bible study courses in June, with discussions led by Bishop John Schol via Zoom. The courses are Gospel of Luke and Gospel of John. Each course includes eight videos, pre-course assignments, helpful …
Historic church shines a light of service in a place of refuge
In its 230th year of ministry, Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church in North Philadelphia maintains a legacy of loyal service to its community. It will celebrate that 230th anniversary with a banquet and other activities in November 2024. The …
Yea, though I walk… Pastors tread labyrinth in spiritual retreat
Twelve participants stepped away from their busy lives for a three-hour, midweek pastors spiritual retreat June 5. The small, monthly gathering usually includes time for reflective roaming around scenic church exteriors. But this month’s retreat at Paoli United Methodist Church …
Project Restoration, local church host visiting disaster response teams
Thelma Bruton has lived in her family’s modest, two-story brick home in Darby, Pa., for over seven decades, since she was a year old. But for over three years she slept downstairs, away from the hole that Hurricane Isaias ripped …
Connecting Our Cultures in Christ
The Eastern PA Conference Economic Justice Council invites all to join and support EPA congregations in celebrating Juneteenth 2024, especially two of our historic Black churches. Mother African Zoar UMC in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 15, 11 am to 3 pm …
July book study to explore Healing Fractured Communities
“How can congregational leaders be both healers and agitators at the same time?” That “both/and” question is one of many addressed empirically in the new book Healing Fractured Communities (2024), by F. Douglas Powe and Jessica L Anschutz. The Eastern …
Laity Session highlights lay leadership, ministry, Fresh Expressions
At their annual Laity Session, May 21, Eastern PA Conference lay members learned about how both the conference and the emerging Fresh Expressions movement are inviting and helping church laity to grow in discipleship through community engagement.
Consider EPA’s Loan Fund for loans, investments
The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Loan Fund helps United Methodist churches finance capital projects such as new construction, roof replacements, air conditioning projects, and the like. And it can only do so because of the assets provided by investors in the …
Pathways guides steps toward ministry growth, progress
On a Sunday morning after worship 25 church leaders are gathering around tables to set goals and action steps that will lead to a successful pastoral transition. At a weekday church council meeting leaders are meeting to move beyond the …