Deaconesses and Home Missioners are theologically trained lay women and men who dedicate their lives to full-time lay ministry as part of the United Methodist Church. They live out their call to lay ministry in the vocational field to which …
2024 Church Anniversary Celebrations
As we continue to peer forward into the new year with anticipation, let’s look back at some of the churches that celebrated anniversaries in 2024. Zoar’s 230th anniversary highlights past, present, future in ministry By John W. Coleman* “Emboldened by …
Journey of Healing: From Lamentation to Praise
In a letter sent to thousands of United Methodists across Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) and Greater New Jersey (GNJ) on New Year’s Day, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi extended an invitation both audacious and humble: participate in a collective journey of healing. Titled …
UMCOR Cleaning Bucket Challenge
Back-to-back hurricanes led to widespread devastation in the south-eastern region of the United States. Recovery will take years of investment. As the body of Christ here on earth, we are called to embody hope by responding when and as we …
Lighthouse Congregations: Embracing All in a Polarized World
St. Mark’s Mount Joy is a Lighthouse Congregation, a faith community that chooses to shine a beacon of radical welcome into our polarized and polarizing world. No matter what you believe or which side of the political aisle you sit …
Urban Ministry Awards Go to 4 Community-Engaged Churches
In describing the urban ministry challenge today, the Rev. Evelyn Kent Clark, Eastern PA Conference Dean of the Cabinet, may have turned iconic author Charles Dickens’ most famous opening line into a call for mission evangelism. “We think these are …
Hundreds find learning, encouragement, connections at Tools for Ministry
“I give thanks for Tools for Ministry events that provide us with learning, encouragement and connections for this journey,” said the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development and the Eastern PA Conference’s Director of Connectional Ministries. …
Next spiritual retreat for busy pastors, April 3
The next Pastors Spiritual Retreat will happen April 3 at Hope UMC in Ephrata and online via Zoom, at 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. REGISTER. Participate via Zoom. (Meeting ID: 964 2192 0885. Passcode: 236569.) The Rev. Peter Jamieson will lead the retreat; and …
3 Tools for Ministry academies will offer learning for leaders
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. —Proverbs 3:13 Several hundred lay and clergy members of Eastern PA will spend three brief but full Saturday mornings in February and March drilling down into a deep well in …
EPA’s North-West Region plans 2024 Korea pilgrimage
The Eastern PA Conference’s North-West Region will explore Korean Methodism’s roots during a 10-day pilgrimage to Incheon and Seoul, South Korea, June 17-27, 2024. The Rev. Hun Ju Lee, North District Superintendent, is inviting clergy, laity and youth members on …