From the comfort of air-conditioned offices on one of the hottest days of summer, the Rev. Zach Hopple and I chatted about the UM Global Ministries’ Earthkeeper program and how the church can be better stewards of creation. This interview …
Jurisdictional Conference Repents of Systemic Racism
Delegates explore history of structural racism in the Methodist Church In the space where episcopal elections would have taken place, delegates gathered for a holy conversation about race and the way that structural and systemic racism colors both our past …
Angela Overstreet of UMCOR to teach ERT Training at Laity Academy August 2-3
When disaster strikes, early response teams can make all the difference. Angela Overstreet, a manager for the UMCOR United States Disaster Response Training Program, is coming to Eastern Pennsylvania to teach us how to help those impacted by disaster. When …
Leadership Academy offers 2 new Bible study courses led by Bishop Schol
The EPA&GNJ Leadership Academy features two new, in-depth Bible study courses in June, with discussions led by Bishop John Schol via Zoom. The courses are Gospel of Luke and Gospel of John. Each course includes eight videos, pre-course assignments, helpful …
Yea, though I walk… Pastors tread labyrinth in spiritual retreat
Twelve participants stepped away from their busy lives for a three-hour, midweek pastors spiritual retreat June 5. The small, monthly gathering usually includes time for reflective roaming around scenic church exteriors. But this month’s retreat at Paoli United Methodist Church …
July book study to explore Healing Fractured Communities
“How can congregational leaders be both healers and agitators at the same time?” That “both/and” question is one of many addressed empirically in the new book Healing Fractured Communities (2024), by F. Douglas Powe and Jessica L Anschutz. The Eastern …
Use Breakthrough’s ‘On Purpose’ Summer Worship Series
“Why was I born?” begins Oscar Hammerstein II’s poignant lyrics to a 1929 classic torch song. “Why am I living? What do I get? What am I giving?” All good questions for anyone deeply searching for their raison d’etre (reason …
How do you help people Belong?
Our 2024 Annual Conference theme is Belong. EPA&GNJ Communications wants to celebrate that theme by inviting churches to tell us, so we can tell others, how they help people—members, nonmembers and guests—feel they Belong. “People go where they are welcome,” …
‘Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots’
Enjoy a timely video course on Methodist history As we look forward to what will no doubt be a historic United Methodist General Conference, it’s a good time to also look back at the highlights and lowlights that brought us …
Leadership Academy adds 4 new Teachable courses, now totaling 7
The EPA&GNJ Leadership Academy has launched four new online courses to help church leaders learn more about the challenges and growth opportunities in church leadership, United Methodist racial history, community outreach for missional engagement, and the work of lay leaders …