On Saturday October 26th EPA is sponsoring a Domestic Violence Awareness workshop. Two survivors will share their stories and then Rev. Neelley Hicks, a UMC pastor will facilitate a conversation to equip faith leaders with the tools they need to …

Get to Know Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
We’re all super excited that we have a new bishop, Cynthia Moore-Koikoi. Today we’ll explore some of her favorite movies, songs, and books. As we share her favorite things, we’ll invite you to share your own. Each section below contains …

The Lilly Foundation Awards Grant to fund the Bridges project for EPA & GNJ
The dream of Bridges was to create a program that would help congregations grow in their cultural competency so that they could Bridge the Gap between their church and the community around them. Over the past 2 years, 150 leaders …

Camphor Memorial UMC hosts community conversation
On Friday, September 13th, Camphor Memorial UMC hosted a Community Conversation designed to bring church members, neighborhood residents, and business and community leaders together to dream about how Camphor might be in ministry with their community. The conversation opened with …

Need help today? The employee assistance program is here for you
Sometimes life comes crashing down all at once, and you aren’t sure where to turn. We, of course, always have Jesus, who stands with us in every storm. However, in my experience, Jesus doesn’t generally hop onto the phone to …

Clergy gather for monthly spiritual retreat
On Wednesday September 4th clergy gathered for an afternoon of spiritual retreat, rest, and renewal. Arriving on the scene with the retreat underway, it was immediately apparent that something sacred was happening. The air itself felt softer, gentler. The pace …

Bishop Moore-Koikoi Calls for Authenticity in Transition
On a sunny and warm Monday morning, a spirit of cheerfulness and hopeful expectation filled the air as the conference staff from EPA and GNJ gathered for their first worship service with Bishop Moore-Koikoi.

A Conversation with Rev. Zach Hopple, UM Earthkeeper
From the comfort of air-conditioned offices on one of the hottest days of summer, the Rev. Zach Hopple and I chatted about the UM Global Ministries’ Earthkeeper program and how the church can be better stewards of creation. This interview …

Sharing God’s Love at Christmas Begins Now
Can you imagine being separated from your family and friends at Christmas? Those who are incarcerated suffer this isolation and other deprivations on a daily basis, but at Christmas, those losses can be particularly difficult. Though the EPA Conference’s Christmas …

A New Chapter for EPA&GNJ: A Conversation with Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
It was a crisp, sunny morning on the Tuesday after Labor Day weekend when Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi stepped into the Mission and Resource Center in Neptune, NJ. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation as the new episcopal leader began her first day…