Oxford UMC was awarded a grant of $4,216 from the Clyde P. and Katherine B. Alexander Memorial Fund of The Philadelphia Foundation to support the mission and ministries of the church. Announcement of the grant was made by Pedro A. …
Cooperative church efforts aid Congo volcano recovery
On May 22, the Mount Nyiragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo began erupting. Ten miles away, in Goma, more than 3,500 houses were destroyed, and volcanic lava decimated fields and animals. More than 450,000 people were evacuated. …
Social media takes disciple-making global
After the COVID-19 pandemic closed Forest Chapel United Methodist Church’s doors, the world found a new window on its ministry. Through worship services and prayers posted on Facebook, people began visiting the Cincinnati church from multiple time zones away. In the …
Latino Commission nurtures faith formation for all
The Eastern PA Conference Latino Commission emphasizes faith formation and leadership development for all ages—from children who attend Latino Week Camp at Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center, to adult learners, including the 21 who recently became Lay Missioners in …
UM Native American groups urge bishops to address boarding schools’ traumatic legacy
The Eastern PA Conference Committee on Native American Ministries has called on the UMC’s Council of Bishops “to lead our people in restorative justice (through)…a forum where (Native American) boarding school survivors and their descendants can tell their stories.” CONAM …
2021 Urban Ministry Awards
Members of the West Lebanon Mission Link receive a Herbert E. Palmer Urban Ministry Award for their collaborative food pantry ministry that also received an Urban Commission grant. Presenting the award to the Rev. Bruny Martinez (center) were (from left) the Revs. David Eckert and Myra …
Words of wisdom and warmth
View video of our 2021 clergy retirees
Enjoy the heartwarming video of our Clergy Retiree Celebration Service, recorded in April and presented at the 2021 Annual Conference May 21. Each year our clergy retirees’ career remembrances and parting sentiments are an inspirational delight to conference members. So …
People of God campaign invites members to #BeUMC
UM Communications, along with UMC leaders, is building on the People of God campaign, launched in 2020. The addition of a new hashtag and call-to-action – #BeUMC – invites church members to embody the church’s values, embrace its aspirations…
Fare-thee-well
Moving pastors say goodbye to churches amid waning pandemic My move to a new pastoral appointment is happening now. But I sympathize especially with clergy who had to move last summer during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, …
“Ask Rev. Palmer”
By Bishop Peggy Johnson
When I arrived as bishop of the Eastern PA Conference in 2008, it was not long before I heard the phrase “Ask Rev. Palmer.” I was quick to seek out the wisdom of this retired Elder in the conference because of his experience, graciousness and keen insight. People encouraged me to “Ask Rev. Palmer” whenever there was a need for “big picture” thinking…