On December 11, the Norristown Police Department held a meaningful swearing-in ceremony welcoming five chaplains from different religious denominations into service. I (Lisa DePaz) was honored to be among those clergy members who publicly committed to serving our community through …
East Stroudsburg UMC plants seeds of faith through service
It is Monday afternoon, the sidewalks are lined with snow, and the temperature is well below freezing in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. But inside East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church, the gymnasium is bustling with warmth. Tables are lined with fresh groceries, …
Stroudsburg UMC breaks ground on new community resource center
Stroudsburg UMC, winner of the 2024 Herbert E. Palmer Award for Urban Ministry for the North District, is deeply committed to serving the community that surrounds the church. For more than 24 years, they’ve been welcoming people through their doors …
United Methodists from across Philadelphia gather to advocate for change amidst affordability crisis
On November 12, Philadelphia community leaders, service providers, and residents filled the sanctuary of Mother African Zoar UMC to raise a unified alarm about a crisis they say is devastating the lives of Philadelphians. Affordability of basic needs—housing, food, utilities, …
Honoring the Lives Lost and the Work Still Before Us
A Reflection from the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) Today marks the anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre (November 29, 1864), the deadliest day in Colorado’s history. At sunrise, the U.S. Army attacked a peaceful encampment of Cheyenne …
One-on-one with justice advocate, pastor and Chancellor: Rev. Mark Salvacion
In October, Rev. Mark Ignatius Salvacion, Lead Pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Bryn Mawr, PA and recently-appointed Chancellor of EPA, was recognized by the NAACP Main Line Branch with the Oscar B. Cobb Sr. Civil Rights Advocacy …
Eastern PA and Greater NJ United Methodists Respond to Food Insecurity
While SNAP benefits have been restored across EPA & GNJ, food insecurity continues to rise across our communities. Congregations throughout the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Conferences are stepping forward with compassion and purpose—living out Jesus’ call to “feed my sheep.” From …
Remembering Bishop Violet Fisher: A Life Led by the Holy Spirit
My heart was grieved when I received a call from a family representative informing me of the passing of Bishop Violet Fisher. Bishop Violet Fisher’s legacy and influence live on in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and throughout the whole church. …
Registration for the 2026 EPA UMC Local Pastor Licensing School is now open
The EPA Local Pastor Licensing School is a foundational learning experience for preparation to become an appointed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church of Eastern Pennsylvania. Students will engage in facilitated learning on topics such as worship, preaching, mission, …
The East District United Women of Faith Celebrated with CoNAM presentation of ‘The Loss of Turtle Island’
The Women of Faith (UWF) in the East District of EPA Conference gathered for their 20th Annual Celebration on October 11, 2025, at Lansdale First UMC, Lansdale PA, to fellowship, worship, conduct business and to learn about Native American history. …