EPA gives $384,000 to missions via Advance in 2021

The United Methodist Church’s Global Ministries agency reports that EPAUMC churches and individuals donated over $384,000 in 2021 to aid global and national missions through The Advance for Christ and His Church, the UMC’s longtime primary giving channel to support missions.

Deaconess Barbara Drake, our EPA Conference Secretary of Global Ministries, shared the good news of our generous giving with cabinet members recently. She computed the $384,050.51 total, including gifts from at least 120 churches, from a report that would exceed 100 pages if printed.

One hundred percent of gifts through The Advance go to support the intended project or missionary, while administrative costs are covered by our World Service apportioned giving and by the UMCOR Sunday churchwide special offering. (The 2022 official date for celebrating UMCOR Sunday and its special offering is March 27; but it may be celebrated at any time.) Read more.

Resources & Ideas for Helping the Ukrainian People in Crisis

Prayers for Peace. Temple UMC in Pottstown hosted a Prayers for Peace service Feb. 25, that included scriptures, a litany for peace and hymns. The Rev. Gary Nicholson, pastor, shares their event program with others who may want to use or adapt it: Prayers for Peace  Temple UMC’s service begins with a meditation on Psalm 46.

Psalm 46: A Prayer in Times of Disaster.  Watch and share this short meditative video on Psalm 46, produced by United Methodist Communications. It reminds us that in times of natural and man-made disasters, God is our refuge. Watch video.

Prayers for Families in a Time of War. From UM Discipleship Ministries. Includes “Prayer for Those Who Wait at Home” and “Prayer for Children,” composed by the Rev. Katie Long. Churches and individuals may reprint these prayers for worship or personal use as long as the copyright line is printed along with the words: “Used with permission.” Read prayers.

View more resources.

Congo Partnership

As an outgrowth of our Hope for the Children of Africa connection to the Central Congo Area, a Partnership was established the Central Congo Episcopal Area and now three US Annual Conferences: Peninsula-Delaware, W. North Carolina, and Eastern Pennsylvania. You Can Make a Difference! 100% of your contribution goes to the projects with no administrative costs.

UMNS

United Methodist Neighborhood Services (UMNS), supported by the Eastern PA Conference United Methodist Women's Trust, operates under the management of its Board of Directors and Managing Director Millicent Clark. It is affiliated with the  Eastern PA Conference Office of Connectional Ministries and receives support from volunteers and donors, churches of the Eastern PA Conference, community organizations... Learn More

LUMINA

Lancaster United Methodist Inner-City Alliance (LUMINA) exists to offer impoverished residents of Lancaster County the light of hope. LUMINA encourages children and youth through Christian character building, empowers families through life skill education, and equips those in need with basic necessities and proper clothing for work and school. LUMINA is a cooperative mission project of the Eastern PA Conference of The United Methodist church, based in the West District and affiliated with the Conference Office of Connectional Ministries.

UMC Missions & Outreach

Mission Central, Inc.

Mission Central is a member of the UMCOR Relief Supply Network.  The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating human suffering around the globe. Visit missioncentral.org

Advance Special Giving for Disaster Response

While Conference Advance Special projects are proposed and approved by our Annual Conference each year, we have an ongoing Advance Special giving opportunity to support disaster response needs in the Eastern PA. When storms severely damage our Eastern PA churches and communities we try to aid them with relief and restoration funds, as well as volunteer assistance as we are able. Your gifts help us to help our churches and neighbors in need. Please give using our Disaster Response Advance Special project #0345. Thank you! Please see our Giving page to learn more.

2021-2022 Conference Advance Specials

Conference Advance Specials is a missional stewardship program of second-mile giving by generous churches, groups and individuals to support primarily local ministries. Churches that want to give to support Conference Advance Specials should first fulfill their primary connectional stewardship commitments to the conference and general church by remitting apportioned funds and direct bill payments. View: 2021-2022 Advance Specials

2022 Advance Special Application

Now is the time to submit applications for approval as an Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Advance Special for the coming year.  Applications are needed now so that the advance special resolution can be prepared for 2022. This year the deadline is March 4, 2022. Learn more and apply: 2022 Advance Special Application