Dear Conference, Below for your information is an overview of the EPA financial data for the period through March 31, 2020. Connectional Ministries Fund Church giving for the Connectional Ministries Fund (CMF) was $645,979 through March 2020. Local church giving …
Tentative General Conference dates publicized
After the pandemic-caused postponement, the new prospective dates for The United Methodist Church’s General Conference are 8/31-9/10, 2021.
Praying Mantis
They greet me at the back door of my house on summer days, these long, green insects that appear to be in a posture of prayer. Commonly known as “praying mantis,” these pre-historic, dinosaur-looking bugs are known to “eat almost anything…
Weekly Conference-Wide Prayer Meeting
Join in a weekly 30-minute prayer meeting on Zoom, Tuesdays at 12 noon. It’s for all conference members and guests, in response to the coronavirus pandemic. But all prayer concerns are welcome.
Despite calls to end pandemic shutdown, most leaders say wait
By John W. Coleman Story updated April 18, 2020, with new information. Pennsylvania reported 1,706 additional positive cases of the new coronavirus Friday, April 17, bringing the statewide total to 29,441. There were also 49 new deaths among positive cases, …
Modeling non-anxious leadership during pandemic
The statistics are grim, but United Methodists in the U.S. have engaged the COVID-19 pandemic by emphasizing good information, helping those in need and offering inspiration… Learn more…
Unprecedented Easter?
An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. – Matthew 28:20
Of all the gospel’s scenes depicting Easter’s empty tomb, this one is my favorite. Dawn. The two Marys, their eyes mistier than the early morning…
Doing ministry in the midst of coronavirus
Behold, I am doing a new thing;now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wildernessand rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (ESV). Are you doing a new thing? Is your church making a way…
Online prayer groups seek healing despite social distancing
By John W. Coleman Churches and church groups are busily using online videoconferencing services—especially Zoom—and also free conference call services during these social distancing days for worship, meetings, Bible study classes, and increasingly, for prayer. Now, even larger groups are …
2020 ‘Bridge Walk for Peace’ marches on virtually
Since 2008, the Rev. David W. Brown, a deacon in the Eastern PA Conference, has led a special, early dawn walk across Ben Franklin Bridge in Central Philadelphia to commemorate the tragic day the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was …