The season of Advent, which comes comes from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming” or “visit,” begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the liturgical year for Christians. [Liturgical — from liturgy, …
World AIDS Day–One church fights AIDS Stigma
December 1 is World AIDS Day, a day when many of us remember precious lives lost to this global, still incurable disease and focus our concern on people living with HIV and AIDS today and the ongoing challenge we face …
Lifetree Café: A new ministry to reach millennials
Recently I attended my first Lifetree Café national conference in Denver, hosted by the parent company, Group Publishing. Ever since we brought the innovative founders, Thom and Joanie Schultz, to our conference’s Faith Sharing Event in March 2015, it seemed …
Prison Ministry promotes hope, healing and Christmas joy
Nearly 20 churches across five districts report involvement in prison ministries and restorative justice efforts, ranging from visitations, Bible studies and Kairos (Emmaus) programs, to providing necessities and assisting parolees with job searches, computer skills training and other needs. The …
Connectional Table: Linking ministry to mission
When Mei-Ling Blackstone, a 16 year-old junior at Emmaus High School, led devotions as a guest at the Connectional Table (CT) meeting at First UMC Phoenixville, on Oct. 17, she led her listeners back to their roots through the art …
Conference launches #BlackChurchesMatter funding appeal
Leaders and friends of African American United Methodist churches in the Eastern PA Conference, including Bishop Peggy Johnson and members of her Cabinet, met at the Conference Office Thursday, Nov. 19, to endorse the recent launch of an online fundraising …
Bishop’s report prepares districts for 2016
While some churches celebrated Pastors Appreciation Month in October, Bishop Peggy Johnson was celebrating “Districts Appreciation Month” during her annual, day and night visits to all six districts of the Eastern PA Conference. Meeting with clergy and laity separately, she …
UMC leaders respond to recent terrorist attacks
Leaders in The United Methodist Church and other denominations, while expressing their shock over the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris and solidarity with the French people, nevertheless caution against condemning all Muslims or calling for a dangerous escalation of …
Clergy, register now for Mid-Winter Retreat
The 2016 Midwinter Retreat for all clergy (elders, deacons and local pastors) and their spouses is set for Jan. 12-14, 2016, at the Double Tree Hotel by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA. Chaplain and Brigadier General Charles R. …
PA bishops gather for $1 million Imagine No Malaria pledge
Thanks to the efforts of United Methodists in Pennsylvania and across the connection, the church has reached 90 percent of its goal of $75 million to combat suffering and death from malaria. The three UMC bishops from across the state …