For churches seeking a path toward ending the sin of racism, looking inward may be a good first step. Eastern PA’s Healing the Wounds of Racism core team will help churches prepare to take that step with a workshop titled …
Unlock your congregation’s full potential with Introduction to Pathways
Unlock your congregation’s full potential with an Introduction to Pathways for Congregational Development. Attend one of two orientations August 26 or 28 via Zoom. Are you eager to strengthen your congregation’s mission and make a positive impact in your community …
Possible! Episcopal Address by Bishop John Schol
Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, Presented May 18, 2023 View this address at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ps2qeqlirs&t=19018s at timecode 05:17:35. Welcome back! You look marvelous, and it is great to be back together in person! All Things Are Possible I see great possibility before …
Complexity and Calm
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a) When Mike Slaughter spoke at Hopewell UMC’s Planting Seeds for Ministry event back in 2015, I recall him repeating one of his favorite lines: “Our God does some of his best …
When the past just doesn’t work anymore
No one pours new wine into old wineskins. —Luke 5:37 In my role as bishop of EPA&GNJ, I lead or serve on the board of directors of eight nonprofit organizations. These include annual conferences, foundations, universities, social service organizations and …
Register by April 1 to start Pathways in May
“I shall not fear the battle…nor wander from the pathway if thou wilt be my guide.” (From “O Jesus, I Have Promised,” UM Hymnal, #396) More than 50 EPA congregations are currently involved in the Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health guided …
Managing the fast pace of change
“Your word is firmly fixed in heaven.” —Psalm 119:89b “The only constant in life is change,” Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher of the sixth century BCE, taught us. But when is too much change just too much for a system to …
Saturday is Leadership Academy Planning Day
While the Philadelphia Eagles will spend Saturday preparing to win Sunday’s Super Bowl, about a hundred EPA&GNJ church, district and conference leaders will gather to prepare for something far more important and more lasting: a new and improved Leadership Academy …
Holding on together
Cabinet epistle prescribes remedies to clergy stress, burnout
“In the midst of deeply felt challenges to our health, our churches and our society, it is normal for stress and anxiety to increase.” Thus begins a letter sent recently by the joint EPA&GNJ Cabinet to all clergy and chairs …
The best leaders champion their teams
“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,…let us RUN.” (Hebrews 12:1) When my granddaughter Mia scores an occasional goal during a soccer match, there is jubilation on the sidelines—her father, her grandfathers, all the wives and …