Sharon Katz and the Peace Train performed and showed a film at First UMC Germantown, April 22. The Philadelphia Tribune reported on this event.

The Philadelphia Tribune has highlighted a number of our Philly UM churches in frequent religion articles, including its regular Church of the Week feature. Recently it lifted up Janes Memorial and Grace UMCs; and on April 29 it featured Camphor Memorial UMC. 

The newspaper reported on the 95-year-old church’s efforts to make a “tangible impact on the lives of its members and the community by empowering them through education or uplifting them in acts of charity.” It credits the Rev. Frank N. Moore, Camphor Memorial’s “social justice-oriented pastor,” with trying to engage more young people and teaching people “about who Jesus really was, in terms of what Jesus really did.”

Also featured in the newspaper recently were:

• James UMC, which hosted “Your Right to Know: Moving Forward with A Criminal Record,” a March 28 workshop for its congregation and community, sponsored by City Councilwoman Cherelle Parker. Attendees gained much-needed information and insights about finding jobs, housing and other needs, as well as reclaiming voting rights, after release from incarceration.
• First UMC of Germantown, which hosted a April 22 visit and concert by the Peace Train, a musical experience led by South African musician and music therapist Sharon Katz. The audience viewed the documentary “When Voices Meet,” which chronicles the history of the 500-voice multicultural, multinational youth choir that sings to inspire listeners to seek God’s peace and social justice. The Peace Train concept was the brainchild of Katz and Nonhlanhla Wanda. The Peace Train is touring the U.S. sharing its music and documentary with diverse audiences in houses of worship. To learn more contact Katz at SharonKatz2000@gmail.com or 215-495-9562.
• Haven Peniel UMC’s new yearlong focus on justice includes welcoming local law enforcement officers and officials belonging to the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, who worshiped there on Justice Sunday in February. Read to learn more about the association’s priorities and the church’s various community outreach ministries.

The Tribune regularly features ministries, members, pastors and concerns of black churches in Philadelphia, often in articles written by correspondent Samaria Bailey. Recently, Bailey covered a clergy forum titled “The Role of the Black Church in the Trump Era” (March 31), including comments by the Rev. Gregory Holston, pastor of New Vision UMC and head of grassroots social action agency POWER, and Camphor UMC pastor the Rev. Frank Moore.

Eastern PA Conference Communications asks—implores—all churches in our conference to please, please let us know when and where your church, your pastor or members are featured in your local news media—in newspapers, television or online stories. We want to highlight more links to more stories like these whenever and wherever they occur, publishing them in NEWSpirit Digest and on our “Methodists Make News” webpage. Please keep us in your loop.