The Rev. Rudy Rasmus, co-pastor of St. John’s Downtown UMC in Houston, Texas, and the Rev. Rashawn Clark, pastor of New Spirit UMC in Atlanta, Ga., kicked off the Eastern PA Conference’s multi-session Virtual Urban Summit on Saturday morning, April 24. In Part 1, the two visionary, impactful pastors shared their experiences and insights in “Engaging Communities in Change” and “Doing Spiritually-Focused Urban Evangelism.”
News of UMC schism reactions may be growing
UM News has published at least five news stories in the past two weeks and a few commentaries that report on decisions, plans and appeals being made, as the UMC slowly lurches toward the separation and disaffiliation of churches and members that may all occur at its delayed 2022 General Conference.
United Methodists react to Chauvin verdict
Bishop Peggy Johnson joined other UMs across the connection in responding to a jury’s guilty verdict –three counts of murder and manslaughter–given April 20 to former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for killing George Floyd. Learn more…
Things You Should Know Before You Get Ready to Sing
Can you remember the last time you sang full voice in worship? It seems impossible that it was over a year ago that our houses of worship closed, and we switched to online worship; and we were advised not to …
Becoming the Beloved Community: Preaching for Pentecost
An Interactive Seminar on Preaching, Worship and Mission for Pentecost Season
Tuesday, April 27, 2021, 10 AM to 12 PM
For pastors, musicians, and worship and mission teams Download the flyer. Register.
Tools for Ministry recordings now online to offer more learning
Like a good toolbox, this year’s Tools for Ministry online leadership academy, held March 13, is still available and useful. At least 26 of the 34 diverse, 90-minute courses, all provided via video conferencing on Zoom, were recorded. A page …
Online 2021 Annual Conference session approved
A brief, online special session of the Eastern PA Annual Conference approved a suspension of conference rules on Sunday, April 18, agreeing to hold the full conference business session, scheduled for May 21, by video conference on Zoom once again, …
More churches serving as COVID vaccination sites
Three more African American UM churches in the Philadelphia area have joined the ranks of church COVID-19 vaccination sites. Eastwick UMC hosted a vaccination clinic, partnering with Rite Aid pharmacy; and it will host its follow-up clinic May 15.
Mission Link proves good things can come when adversity hits
It seemed that the year 2020 was a year of tempestuous winds to navigate.
Many congregations and people were struggling to follow new regulations and to maintain social distance from acquaintances, friends, and family. For some, these regulations were easy to follow. We are all different and appreciate life and relationships in distinct ways…
Camp & Retreat Centers foresee ‘a future with hope’
What a difference a year can make—especially this year, and especially for the four Eastern PA Conference’s Camp & Retreat Ministry (CRM) sites.
“Spring has sprung, and we are so excited,” writes Apryl Miller, Director of Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center in a recent newsletter. Despite the ongoing, debilitating pandemic, she and the other camp directors are hoping to spring forward…