“Teamwork makes the dream work,” wrote leadership guru John Maxwell in 2002. While the adage is fast becoming cliché, it could nonetheless describe what’s happening at New Hanover UMC in Gilbertsville. Leaders there are focused on forging more cooperation particularly …
Bishop shares next steps to EPA’s path forward
Bishop John Schol in a new letter to EPA members reviews our May 2022 Annual Conference and reports on next steps to implement groundbreaking decisions made there.
Exploring the lifecycle and leadership of small-membership churches
Bi-Vocational Pastors & Small Church Network to focus on church revitalization July 12 Church Revitalization for Small-Membership Churches will be the focus of the EPA Bi-Vocational Pastors and Small Church Network’s next meeting on Tuesday, July 12. The group’s usually …
Help Is On the Way!
Everywhere I drive my car these days—and I drive a lot!— I encounter potholes in the road—huge, crater-like, car-swallowing potholes. And nobody seems to be doing anything about it. There’s a stretch of road about four miles long which runs …
Church welcomes neighbors into its ‘spiritual home’
“Welcome Home.” One sees that greeting written down at First UMC in Media and on its website. But now members are also saying it more, as they welcome new and diverse attendees to join them in worship and ministry. The …
Step into PATHWAYS, now available on EPA’s website
Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health offers a menu of intentional processes congregations can use to prepare, assess, learn and grow in their understanding of what it means to be a healthy, fruitful congregation. It is a timely resource, especially …
Church grateful for flood recovery aid from partner churches
“Our hearts are full,” announced the Rev. Catherine Bowers, in thanking partner churches and others for their support in the ongoing efforts of Otterbein UMC in Mont Clare to recover from Hurricane Ida-caused flood damages last September. “You have made …
EPA honors churches, leaders for the fruit they bear
“Be purposeful and fruitful.” That creative challenge is in the last line of Bishop John Schol’s April 4 essay titled “ Direction: A Key Ingredient for Successful Leadership – Part 2: Mission.” He reminds us of the Eastern PA Conference’s mission: “Recruit …
Churches offer healing ministries through GriefShare groups
Grieving the death of a loved one can become a healing journey when shared with others, and at least two United Methodist churches in Eastern PA are helping members and neighbors to take that journey together. Grove UMC in West …