“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) After hymns were sung and scriptures were read, Bishop Peggy Johnson led off a series of five, well-attended town hall meetings in four …
Morton installed as North District Supt.
After serving for two decades in one remarkable church, the Rev. Steve Morton hit the road July 1, as Superintendent of the North District; and he has been traversing his new far-flung district ever since. He stopped long enough to …
Cancer Care Ministry: ‘The Great Need’
You are invited to attend a free Cancer Awareness Event Saturday, Oct. 13, 1 to 3 PM at Grove UMC, 490 W. Boot Road, West Chester, PA. You will learn: Why a Cancer Care Ministry is needed, Cancer facts and figures, Information…
Their silence fills the earth
Bishop Bruce R. Ough October 01, 2018 On Thursday, Sept. 27, the nation was riveted by the testimony given to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Judge Kavanaugh confirmation hearings. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford gave compelling, courageous, and at points, …
Conference retreat welcomes all to learn leadership
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” says leadership guru John C. Maxwell. The dynamic Rev. Dr. Jacqui King (left), Director of Leadership for Congregational Vitality at UM Discipleship Ministries, will help …
Sacred Places in Transition
Faith and Form, Volume 51, Issue 3 :: Rachel Hildebrandt | Photographs by Chris Kendig
Philadelphia’s religious building stock is in transition, due in large part to the declining memberships and resources of many congregations, which echoes the situation in cities and towns across the country. The moment a building is sold by a congregation or its denominational office, a new user will likely decide its long-term fate. The numbers confirm this. Of the city’s 839 purpose-built religious properties, 17 percent are no longer in religious use. Half are no longer occupied by the original congregation. Since 2009, nearly 35 religious buildings have been demolished. Keep reading at faithandform.com
Christmas Cards for prison inmates ministry resumes with Nov. 5, 2018 deadline
It’s that special time of the year again. The Eastern PA Conference Prison Ministry & Restorative Justice (PMRJ) Team is asking church and conference members and friends to download, print and sign its online selection of Christmas greeting cards to be delivered …
August 2018 EPA Financial Update
Dear Conference, Below for your information is an overview of the EPA financial data for the period through August 31, 2018. Connectional Ministries Fund Church giving for the Connectional Ministries Fund (CMF) was $2,222,999 through August 2018. Local church giving …
In Germantown, a sanctuary church resists the federal government – again
Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Jeff Gammage continues his revealing coverage of First UMC of Germantown’s recent decision to provide sanctuary to two undocumented immigrant families whose appeals for protective asylum were rejected by the U.S. Bishop Peggy Johnson plans to visit …
A Great Thanksgiving for World Communion
Everyone is invited to the table of grace. From every tribe? Every tribe! From every language group? Every language group! Do you mean from all the peoples of the earth? Yes! God invites those from every nation. We have been …