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…
Dive Into IGNITE 2024: Your Guide to the Ultimate Youth Experience
Here it is! Your big guide to what to expect at IGNITE 2024! This year, our featured worship leader is Jonathan Traylor. Jonathan is Gospel’s most talked-about up-and-coming artist. He offers a diverse sound and creative presentation that brings a …
See Your Church from a Fresh Perspective with Pathways
Ministry is relentless. Summer brings VBS and maybe some rest, but then the program year starts with fundraisers and Back to Church events. After that comes stewardship time, followed by Advent and Christmas. We catch our breath briefly during the …
A Day of Joy and Service: Highlights from Sayers Memorial UMC’s Community Day
Sayers Memorial UMC celebrated its third annual Community Unity Day in West Philadelphia on August 17. This celebration originated from a vision that the Lord gave to Pastor Washington in 2019, leading to the creation of an event called Youth …
Stirring up Love and Good Deeds: Reflections on the 2024 Laity Academy
The Laity Academy of Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) met from August 2-3 at Eastern University to equip lay leaders with the tools they need to lead well in their contexts. The theme for this 40th year of equipping lay leaders came …