United Methodist Men’s report to 2019 Annual Conference
The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference United Methodist Men would like to acknowledge all the support it gets from the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference, our Bishop, our District Superintendents our executive director of connectional ministries, other cabinet members, and our conference lay leader. We also had quite a bit of help from people on the district and local church level. With the help of all we st we were able to have some success in reaching out and starting new ministries. We will continue to reach out to local churches in order to help them to initiate and strengthen men’s ministries.
The mission of the Eastern Pa Conference Organization Of United Methodist Men is to guide men to greater fellowship and discipleship through organizational assistance, and activities and ministries that encompass the individual districts and the entire conference.
As is required in our by laws we held our annual conference UMM meeting in October 2018 at Evansburg UMC. As per our by laws we elected our conference officers to a new two year term. A highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Rev. Joe DiPaulo on the way forward. Our thought was to have men be able to discuss the way forward in a setting of men. While thew presentation was presented before the meeting of delegates for the purpose of voting on the various plans, Rev. DiPaulo was able to give the men a good description of the various plans. He also gave us an idea of what was to take place at the special session, It also allowed the men to ask questions concerning things on their Our plans for this year’s meeting and future years meetings is to have a presentation of topics which will be relevant to and of interest to men.
Since the 2018 Annual Conference we have installed a new president in the South and East Districts. These are districts in which we have not had a president since redistricting took place. This should increase the connection between conference, district and local church ministries.
We have four important goals which we have set for the remainder of 2019 and 2020.
- Concentrate on strengthening local church units and helping them develop ministries, and initiate spiritual growth opportunities for all men of the church.
- Increase the number of chartered churches in the conference. We had two churches become chartered since the 2018 Annual Conference. We have two churches that are working on becoming chartered. Contact has been made with some other churches who have expressed interest in chartering. We are in the process of working with them in order for them to understand why it is important to be chartered.
- Reach out to young men (teenagers and young adults) in order to insure that our UMM organization continues on the church, district, and conference level. We would like to have a youth serve on our conference board. As with so many groups local United Methodist Men’s groups are made up of older men. We must get younger men involved or some of our units are in danger of going out of existence. When we have our fun activities such as UM night at the Phillies, and UM night at the 76ers, our emphasis is being placed on inviting men and their families as well as younger men and teenagers from the churches and their communities. Our thought is that by establishing this type of contact with our communities and involving them in fun type activities basis we might get some new persons (especially men) to begin attending our churches.
- We urge men to use the conference app to complete the leadership and Service Interest Form. Take time to visit the leadership table in the vender area. We need more men to become members of committees on the districts and conference level.
The following fun activities were provided by Eastern Pa UMM provided since 2018 annual conference.
- United Methodist night at the Phillies was held on July 21st 2018 at Citizens Bank Park. We had many churches attend.
- Family fun weekend at Dorney Park was held on the weekend of August 10,11, and 12.
- United Methodist night with the 76ers was held on March 5 ht 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center.
Scheduled Activities for 2018-2019
Potato Drop One disappointment for us is that we were unable to provide our top ministry. That is the potato drop. It seems that this was not a good year for potatoes. Last year we were able to distribute close to 40 thousand pounds of potatoes. The Society of St Andrews who provides potatoes for us informed us that they would be out of potatoes by the end of May. I know this is a disappointment to many of you, because it is something you look forward to. We are hopeful that we will be able to resume the potato drop at next year’s Annual Conference.
United Methodist Night at The Phillies will be held on July 27 at 7 PM. The Phillies will be playing Atlanta. Flyers with details for ordering tickets is on the conference web site and in the new spirit. There are several ticket prices. We would like to see churches get 25 or more members of your congregation and friends to attend. Each church which has a group of 25 or more will be welcomed on the Phillies message board at the top of the 5th inning. Also that night is picture night. If you arrive between 5 PM and 6 PM you will be able to take pictures of your favorite Phillies player.
Annual Men’s Meeting – To be held during the fourth quarter of 2019. Date and location to be determined. Information will be forthcoming.
We are also involved in two other ministerial programs.
The United Methodist Men are working with Rev. Mark Biedeman in urging all churches to have a training session called ALICE aimed at preparing for an armed intruder. Some churches have already had the training. Some have scheduled the training. ALICE stands for alert, lock down, inform, counter, and escape. Don’t make the mistake of saying that an intruder will not invade the House of The Lord. It has already happened. It is better to be prepared and not have it happen than it is to be unprepared and have it happen. Mark Beideman pastor at Parkesburg UMC and Faith Community has been trained and is certified as an ALICE instructor. You can get more information and schedule the training by contacting Rev. Biedeman at Parkesburg UMC.
The United Methodist Men are also involved in the planning and are supporting the upcoming presentation of the Domestic Violence Committee entitled The Church Responds II Breaking out of the man box which will be held on Sept. 28 at the Simpson House. More information and registration directions will be forth coming. The program is emphasizing a Call to Men. Ladies we don’t want you to think that since there is an emphasis on a Call to Men that there won’t be material presented for women. There is information concerning domestic violence which women should be aware off. This workshop is for all…
Blessings and continue doing the work you do for the United Methodist Church in the service of our Lord.
Submitted by Clifton Hubbard
President, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference United Methodist Men