Events

• Conference Events (Jump to: January, February, March)
• District Events
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Printable Listing of Eastern PA Conference Events (Updated weekly. Last Updated: 1/14/2020)

Academies, workshops, training events, convocations, retreats. The Eastern PA Conference is a vibrant, living organism that survives and indeed, thrives in community as we gather and grow together. Our connectional life is enhanced by these types of learning events and by other gatherings as well: worship and prayer services; concerts, theater, film viewings and other performances; celebrations; picnics; sports and recreation events–the list is endless.

We also provide access to a list of upcoming Conference meetings of boards, teams and committees, and to a list of recent and upcoming Local Church events. Please send us your complete information about meetings and events right away by using our Submit News page.

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CONFERENCE EVENTS

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January 2020

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Enjoy a special UM Night with the 76ers, Jan. 17

Order tickets by Dec. 17

January 17, 2020, at 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Eastern PA Conference church members and guests can enjoy a spectacular night of pro basketball together on United Methodist Night at the Wells Fargo Center Arena, on Friday, Jan. 17, at 7 PM, when the Philadelphia 76ers tame the Chicago Bulls. Start your MLK holiday weekend off with a connectional celebration of team spirit.

And there’s a new, special feature for this annual night of fun and fellowship for United Methodist Sixers fans. It’s called the Assembly Room. All UM members, groups and guests can enjoy the game together in a large viewing area that includes a lounge with couches, large TV monitors, food and beverage concessions, and other amenities. It’s a special-ticket, reserved space connected to a regular seating area, where we can move about freely.

Those who order tickets should indicate the name of their church on the order form where it says “School.” Why? Because the Wells Fargo Center will recognize all churches in attendance on the big message board.

This annual gathering is sponsored by our conference’s UM Men’s organization, and a portion of the proceeds from our purchased tickets will help fund their ministries. Contact UM Men’s president Clifton Hubbard at chub21@aol.com  or 610-265-923 with any questions.

The UM Night Assembly Room purchase deadline is Dec. 17. So, please order your tickets ($40 each) today to join fellow United Methodists, their families and friends at the big game to cheer on the home team together.

Download the flyer!

Jan. 25: Dismantling Racism – Level II Workshop

Recognizing and Responding to Micro-aggression

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2020
(Snow Date:  February 1)
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

St. Matthew’s UMC, Valley Forge
600 Walker Road, Wayne, PA 19807

REGISTRATION:  $15 (Cost of lunch and materials)

This is a workshop for anybody desiring to increase their anti-racist competency in  their work to dismantle racism in the Annual Conference, its churches and agencies, and the community as a whole.

The focus will be on the microaggressions which People of Color so often experience in their ordinary activities at church, at work or school, or in the community.  Special attention will be given to how Euramerican allies can recognize and respond to microaggressions in support of the Persons of Color against whom they are directed.

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February 2020

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Feb. 8: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Event

Did you know? African Americans accounted for 43% of all HIV diagnoses in the United States and 6 dependent areas,* despite making up 13% of the U.S. population. (Source: Center for Disease Control)

Sponsored by the Eastern PA Conference Urban Commission

Hosted by: Wharton Wesley United Methodist Church
5341 Catharine Street – Philadelphia, PA  19143

Saturday, February 8, 2020
9 AM – 2 PM

Registration Fee: $5 – Includes continental breakfast & lunch

Activities include: Guest speakers, breakout sessions, HIV testing (Free & Confidential)

All are welcome, ages 14 and up!

To register, email: hub-of-hope@umcod.org

Download the flyer!

For more information, please read: Observe World AIDS Day 2019 Dec. 1

True Justice: Seeking Equal Justice for People and Communities of Color

A Film Showing, Discussion and Action Planning for Change

February 22, 2020 (Snow Date: February 29)

9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, at Cedarville UMC, 1092 Laurelwood Rd, Pottstown, PA. Cost: $10. Lunch included. CEUs certification requested. Please register by February 1, 2020. Register online now!

Click here to view and download the flyer!

Join us in viewing together the compelling HBO documentary film True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality about the lifesaving, life-changing crusade of Bryan Stevenson. Stevenson is a dedicated public defense attorney and the founder and Executive Director of the groundbreaking Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama.

True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality examines his personal journey, as he labors to bring justice to wrongfully convicted and disadvantaged prison inmates. The film weaves together his own story, those of his clients, and a history of injustice and complicity in our justice system. As Stevenson reveals a troubling narrative of racial inequality still prevalent in this country, he challenges us to seek the truth, confront it and work towards reconciliation.

After we view this powerful film, we will hear from a panel of vital, visionary leaders seeking ways to foster racial justice in the criminal justice system. And then we will gather in groups to learn more and determine how we can live out our faith—how we can “do justice and love mercy—by joining Stevenson’s fight in a national campaign that seeks true justice for people and communities of color. Learn more…

For further information, contact Marilyn Schneider, Prison Ministries & Restorative Justice Committee Chairperson, at 610-696-2663 or prisonministries@epaumc.org.

Please register by February 1, 2020. Register online now!

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March 2020

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March 28, 2020: “Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress, & Transformation”

Calling All People of Color: Clergy & Lay

March 28, 2020, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Simpson House
2102 Belmont Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Cost: $25

Facilitator: R. Dandridge Collins, Ph. D., M. Div.

Download the flyer!

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March – May 2020

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2020 General Conference Delegation Listening Sessions:

• Wednesday, March 25, 2020 – 7 pm to 8:30 pm  Church of the Good Shepherd,  1500, Quentin Rd., Lebanon PA
• Thursday, April 2, 2020 – 7 pm – 8:30 pm  Downingtown UMC751 East Lancaster Ave, Downingtown, PA. This event will be streamed and accessible by ZOOM
• Saturday, April 4, 2020 – 10 am to noon  Simpson House, 2101 Belmont Ave.,
  Philadelphia, PA
• Monday, April 20, 2020 – 7 pm to 8:30 pm  Epworth UMC, 3245 Oakland Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18020

Information sheet for 2020 General Conference Listening Sessions

Post-General Conference Review Sessions with Bishop Johnson

• Saturday, May 23, 2020, 10 am – 12 noon, West Lawn UMC, Reading, PA
• Saturday, May 30, 2020, 10 am – 12 noon  Aldersgate UMC, Wilmington, DE

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DISTRICT EVENTS

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March 7: 2020 Tools for Ministry

*Spanish-language workshops will be held at the North District location, click on the link below for more information.

• South District: Eastern PA University/Palmer Campus, 1300 Eagle Road, St. Davids, PA 19087-3696. 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM. Learn more and Register.
• North District: Asbury UMC, 1533 Springhouse Road, Allentown, PA 18104. 9 AM – 1 PM. Learn more and register.
• East District: TBA
• West District: TBA

May 17: 2020 District Conferences

Further Details TBA.

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OTHER EVENTS

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Northeastern PA Pastors Seminar

Thursday, April 30, 2020 (9 AM to 4 PM)

$35 per person includes full day seminar, book signing and books for purchase, continental breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Open to all denominational and non-denominational clergy, staff, and laity.

Please register by emailing Lori Wagner at loribethwagner@gmail.com.

Guest Speaker: Dr. Len Wilson (St. Andrews UMC, Plano, TX)

Len Wilson is an expert in communications and creativity in church life. He is known for his pioneering work in visual storytelling, and has taught and consulted with organizations and ministries across the country. His life mission is to use oral, written and visual communication with equal effectiveness in sharing Jesus Christ and advancing God’s kingdom. Len is the author or co-author of ten books, has been featured in dozens of articles for major religious periodicals, and has acquired leadership books for Abingdon Press, a division of the United Methodist Publishing House. He currently serves as Creative and Communications Director at St. Andrew, a large church in Plano, Texas. Len holds a MA in Religious Communication from United Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Studies from Portland Seminary. Follow Len at lenwilson.us or on Twitter at @Len_Wilson.

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LOCAL CHURCH & MISSION LINK EVENTS

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See more on our Local Church Events page.

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Save-the-Dates

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• January 17, 2020: UM Night with the 76ers, 7 PM, Wells Fargo Center Arena
• January 25, 2020: Dismantling Racism – Level II Workshop, 9 AM – 3 PM, St. Matthew’s Valley Forge
• January 28, 2020: Connectional Table Meeting, 7 PM – 8:15 PM
• February 8, 2020: HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, 9 AM – 2 PM, Wharton-Wesley UMC
• February 18, 2020: Transfiguration Day Apart for Clergy. Host Church: Asbury UMC in Salisbury, MD. Learn more and register.
• February 22, 2020: “True Justice” — Seeking Equal Justice for People & Communities of Color. Film showing & discussion, 9:30 AM – 3 PM, Cedarville UMC
• February 24, 2020: Lenten Day Apart for Clergy. Host Church: The Crossing in Washington Crossing, PA. Learn more and register.
• March 7, 2020: Tools for Ministry (all districts)
• March 14, 2020: Basic Sexual Ethics, 9:30 AM – 3 PM, Bethel UMC.
• March 20-22, 2020: Dismantling Racism 3-day training, Friday 5 PM – Sunday 3 PM, Desmond Hotel
• March 21: ERT/VIM Training, 8 AM – 4 PM
• March 21-22, 2020: UMW’s Girls on the Go Retreat, Camp Innabah
• March 20-22, 2020: National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministries (NPHLM) Encuentro 2 (Encounter 2), location TBA (Pen-Del Conference)
• March 28, 2020: Racism, Post-Traumatic Stress, & Transformation, 8 AM, Simpson House. Register online.
• March 28, 2020: Eastern PA Youth Rally
• April 18, 2020: Connectional Table Meeting, 9 AM – 12 PM
• April 25, 2020: Faith-Sharing Event: Evangelism in a Changing Landscape, 9 AM – 3 PM, Bethlehem: Wesley UMC
• April 26 – 28, 2020: FAMLP Retreat, Camp Pecometh
• May 2, 2020: Advanced Sexual Ethics Workshop, 9:30 AM – 3 PM, Elam UMC
• May 16, 2020: UMW’s Spiritual Life Retreat
• May 16, 2020: Urban Summit
• May 16, 2020: Basic Sexual Ethics Workshop, 9:30 AM – 3 PM, Faith UMC
• May 17, 2020: District Conferences
• May 30, 2020: Clergy Transition Workshop, 9:30 AM – 2 PM, West Lawn UMC
• May 30, 2020: Latino Commission Holy Convocation and Annual Assembly
• June 6, 2020: CRCC Training, 9 AM – 3 PM, Further Details TBA
• June 18 – June 20: 2020 Annual Conference, Oaks Expo Center
• October 3, 2020: Connectional Ministries Leadership Training Event
• October 10:, 2020 Domestic Violence Seminar

Printable Listing of Eastern PA Conference Events (Updated weekly. Last Updated: 1/14/2020)