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…
Nurse leads Korean church’s vaccine ministry
In March 2020, the world began responding to the threat of COVID-19, and churches and businesses temporarily shuttered their doors. Like many of his colleagues, the Rev. Chul-Ki Kim, pastor of Emmaus United Methodist Church in Richmond, Virginia, announced that …
Conference hires Brawner to lead Youth and Young Adult Ministries
The Eastern PA Conference has hired the Rev. William Brawner as its new Coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, effective July 1, 2021. The coordinator works with the Conference Council on Youth Ministries (CCYM) and with youth and young adult ministry …
Zoe Empowers on Virtual Mission Trip, June 22-24
A free, virtual, three-day visit to Rwanda, Kenya, and India awaits you on three mornings this week, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, June 22-24, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM each day. Start the next three days off with Morning Mission …
Conference launches Dismantling Racism Facebook group
The Eastern PA Conference Commission on Religion & Race (CORR) has launched a timely new Facebook Group page aptly titled Dismantling Racism. It’s timely because it launches on the day that the U.S. Congress and President Joe Biden joyfully approved Juneteenth, June 19, also …
Conference to offer two Laity Academies in 2021
The first academy is August 6-7, Friday evening and all-day Saturday, using Zoom video-conferencing. The second will be on October 1-2, when in-person classes will be hosted at several churches across the conference. Learn more…
Cicadas show up for church, testing clergy
The Rev. Bonnie Scott recently preached an online sermon titled “The Cicadas Are Humming.” She did it in the style of spoken-word poetry, and she included the sound of cicadas in the background. Asked what technology she drew on for the special …
Juneteenth now a federal holiday
Church leads Chester celebration
The U.S. Congress this week approved a bill to make June 19 a national holiday to celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day. Although arguably misnamed, the bill, which celebrates national freedom not independence, was signed into law by President Joe Biden today, June 17.
Connecting with people through prayer
A simple question changed the Rev. Jacqui King’s entire approach to prayer. It started one morning when the United Methodist pastor was in line at a busy counter outside Nashville International Airport. The man checking in bags was smiling and …