Eastern PA Conference of the UMCInspire
We’re excited to include these three sections–Inform, Inspire, Involve. Here we intend to recommend helpful information, hopeful inspiration and opportunities for involvement that can offer nourishment and possibly direction for your faith journey. Please return to visit these sections again soon and often. And please contribute ideas, information, insights and resources that might be helpful to others. Thanks!
Observing a Long Lent
By Bishop Peggy Johnson
“Lent” comes from a German word, “lango,” meaning “long.” It refers to the “lengthening” of our days as spring approaches. In that spirit, let’s observe a “Long Lent” this year.
Black History Month
Elijah Pierce: Telling the Story in Wood
Recently the Barnes Foundation of Philadelphia showcased the works of artist Elijah Pierce. Born in 1892 in Mississippi, this son of freed slaves became a wood carver, barber…
Repentance
Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Lent offer a time for repentance. During Black History Month, our church continues to repent from its complicity with the sin of systemic racism. Learn more…
Jan. 31 Cabinet sermon illuminates Jesus’ ‘New teaching’
The Rev. Bumkoo Chung, West District Superintendent, offers a new sermon for churches to use in worship on Sunday, Jan. 31, or another appropriate Sunday. His sermon, “New Teaching,” is taken… Read more
Sermon: It’s time for wise, courageous leadership
The Rev. Evelyn Kent-Clark, South District Superintendent, offers a new Cabinet sermon, “Called for Such a Time as This,” for churches to use in worship on Sunday, Jan. 24.
Confluence on Inauguration Day
The word “inauguration” (New Oxford Dictionary) means, “The beginning or introduction of a system, policy or period; the formal admission of someone to office; a ceremony to mark the beginning of something.”
A fresh wind of peace…
A Prayer for this Weekend and the Week Ahead By the Rev. Dr. David Woolverton.
Lord, in the shadow of last week’s violence, and in the potential and fear of more to come, we draw our hearts and minds to You. Forgive us—all of us…
Thoughts on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. You may have always wondered about his name. Was he or his father named for a famed, rebellious monk and professor who left the Roman Catholic Church…
‘In this sacred hour’
Watchnight Services: ‘A meaningful and remarkable blessing.’ The founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley devised a service of covenant renewal known as a covenant service in 1755. It was a time when the people called Methodists would reaffirm…
Bishop’s Blog: “Rejoice!”
Deacon Jerome Kiel was the only Deaf Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church’s Archdiocese of Baltimore years ago when I was serving as the pastor of an all-Deaf United Methodist congregation. It was significant that he achieved the office of Deacon because…
