The U.S.’s majority membership status in the UMC may end in 2020 largely because of a continuing decline in U.S. membership and continuing growth across Africa. Learn more…
As GC2020 nears, fewer keep to the sidelines
In the denomination’s longtime homosexuality debate, fewer United Methodists are keeping to the sidelines. The fallout continues after the 2019 special General Conference in St. Louis adopted, by about a 53% vote, the Traditional Plan that tightens enforcement of church bans on …
Delegation invites NEJ episcopal nominations
One of the responsibilities of the Eastern PA Conference delegation to the 2020 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference is to identify potential episcopal candidates from our conference. A general letter from the delegations was emailed this week to clergy and lay members …
UM Night with the 76ers, Jan. 17
Join church members and guests for a night of basketball fun and fellowship at Wells Fargo Center Friday, Jan. 17, 7 PM, and watch the 76ers tame the Chicago Bulls.
Delegation to begin process of inviting NEJ Episcopal nominations
One of the responsibilities of the Eastern PA Conference delegation to the 2020 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference is to identify potential episcopal candidates from our conference. As this work begins the delegation would like to remind the Annual Conference of …
Recent Conference events address matters of the head and heart
Story and photos by John W. Coleman The Eastern PA Conference was bustling with conference-wide events from September through November, filling many weekends and some weekdays with rich learning opportunities to resource leaders and ministries and even to offer some …
Doing justice, loving mercy for our neighbors
By John W. Coleman Spanish translation: Haciendo justicia, amando la misericordia para nuestros vecinos When 6-year-old “Mariana” came from Guatemala with her aunt and cousin this year to join her mother in Warrington, Pa., she got separated by Immigration and …
Historic St. George’s UMC celebrates 250 years
Historic St. George’s UMC, founded in 1769, inaugurated what may become a yearlong celebration of its 250th anniversary with an historic Sunday worship service Nov. 24. Ensuing events include a Dec. 1 Christmas concert and dedication of special plaques during …
Read NEWSpirit’s fall issue now online
Read, enjoy and share news, features and photos in a colorful layout. Also, look for our new online publication, NEWSpirit Special, coming in January. We’ll focus on local churches in mission.
Hearing a young mother’s plea for mercy
The Rev. Evodia Villalvia, pastor of El Buen Samaritano UMC in West Chester, sought help in October for one of her members, a young Latina immigrant mother whose husband had been detained and then deported back to Honduras. “Isabella” and …