Dismantling Racism. The term, growing in use, conveys an apt understanding that this social scourge is large, systemic and complex, with many parts—and that it must be taken apart or demolished from different angles. That is how the Eastern PA Conference is approaching the stubborn sin of racism.
Read the Spring 2021 issue of NEWSpirit Newspaper
The Spring 2021 issue of NEWSpirit Newspaper is online now with lots of important news:
- A welcome to Bishop John Schol, who will succeed Bishop Johnson in September
- A wide-ranging overview of the conference’s Dismantling Racism initiative.
- An update on our Camp & Retreat Centers as they prepare for ‘a future with hope’…
Church needs VIMs to make floors safe for children
There is pent-up energy among the UM Volunteers In Mission community right now. Because of the pandemic, the possibility of an UMVIM journey abroad is zero. And even movement around the nation is not prudent. But opportunities are opening up within our conference boarders.
Church delivers meals for Easter
Although he had participated in meal deliveries to disadvantaged neighbors at Thanksgiving and Christmas, Dick Stiles of Grace UMC in Pen Argyl—located in the Slate Belt region near the Poconos—felt that outreach mission should extend to Easter also. In fact, the extended isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made an Easter outreach even more imperative for him.
UMCOR grants to help churches aid local refugees, migrants
UM churches across the U.S. can receive grants of up to $2000 to help refugees and migrants living in their communities, thanks to a new grant program from the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). The “Mustard Seed Migration Grants” continue the agency’s 80-year tradition of helping refugees, immigrants and migrants seeking to build a new life.
Conference weekly prayer meetings mark 1 year
The Eastern PA Conference can celebrate a special anniversary in April. The weekly, half-hour prayer meetings the conference offers every Tuesday at noon by video-chat on Zoom began in April 2020, just as the coronavirus pandemic was growing.
How do United Methodists fund mission?
United Methodists clearly hear our call as disciples of Jesus Christ to love our neighbors as ourselves and bear one another’s burdens. Together, by sharing our resources, United Methodists support remarkable ministry around the world.
The United Methodist Church’s special giving structure ensures that together our gifts bless as many people as possible in sustainable, strategic ways. Every contribution makes a difference in this important work… Read More at UMC.org
FEMA offers COVID-19 Funeral Financial Assistance
Churches should know that FEMA is offering to assist “economically insecure” families who have incurred a heavy cost in funerals as a result of COVID-10. FEMA uses a standard process to determine “eligible Funeral Assistance award amounts across all COVID-19 …
Vaccines, variants and the road ahead
Updated information with new details
Experts to teach Eastern PA about COVID-19 and vaccines
Three current vaccines offer promise for an eventual end to the current COVID-19 pandemic. But the road ahead still has deep potholes to navigate in the form of threatening variants that are growing in our region alongside the number of persons being vaccinated.
Easter Event at Telford: Grace UMC
Grace UMC in Telford held a socially distanced Easter Drive-Through Parade on Saturday, March 27, from 1 to 3 PM in our church lot. This colorful celebration event was free for all who attended. We handed out “He Is Risen” plastic bags …