News & Views

Oct 15, 2025

Connection at the heart: Diana Wrisley awarded the Walter King Lay Leadership Award

To be a strong leader in the church requires both commitment and flexibility—being grounded in God while remaining open to the movement of the Spirit. Diana Wrisley, former dean of the Laity Academy, is just such a leader. This year,

Eastern PA and Greater NJ United Methodists Respond to Food Insecurity

While SNAP benefits have been restored across EPA & GNJ, food insecurity continues to rise across our communities. Congregations throughout the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Conferences are stepping forward with compassion and purpose—living out Jesus’ call to “feed my sheep.” From ...

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Many years ago, upon the land of the EPA & GNJ Annual Conferences, the original people lived here. They roamed our Conference land in harmony, love, and peace. White colonists came to the Lenape land in the 1680s and William ...

Remembering Bishop Violet Fisher: A Life Led by the Holy Spirit

My heart was grieved when I received a call from a family representative informing me of the passing of Bishop Violet Fisher. Bishop Violet Fisher’s legacy and influence live on in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and throughout the whole church. ...

The East District United Women of Faith Celebrated with CoNAM presentation of ‘The Loss of Turtle Island’

The Women of Faith (UWF) in the East District of EPA Conference gathered for their 20th Annual Celebration on October 11, 2025, at Lansdale First UMC, Lansdale PA, to fellowship, worship, conduct business and to learn about Native American history. ...

Learning from Our Past to Shape Our Future: Northeastern Jurisdiction DCMs Gather in Philadelphia

From Nov. 3 to 5, the Directors of Connectional Ministry (DCMs) from across the Northeastern Jurisdiction gathered in Philadelphia to learn, reflect, and discern how our shared history can guide our ministries today. Our time together invited us to remember ...

Capital campaigns with a twist: Lancaster First turns fundraising strength into mission

When churchgoers hear the words “capital campaign,” fundraisers for large building projects likely come to mind – replacing a leaky roof, broken boiler or constructing a new education building. Lancaster First United Methodist Church is no stranger to capital ...

UMC Bishops finish Canvassing of Amendments; All Four are Ratified

This information was originally published on the Council of Bishop’s website. The Council of BishopsThe United Methodist ChurchFor Immediate ReleaseWednesday, November 5, 2025 WASHINGTON, D. C. The Council of Bishops of The United Methodist Church has completed canvassing the votes of ...

Faith, Finances, and the Future: Financial Leadership Academy Graduates ready to lead with confidence

On October 1, more than 80 clergy, laity and their supporters gathered to celebrate their graduation from the 18-month Financial Leadership Academy (FLA) program. The FLA, a program of the Mid-Atlantic Faith Foundation (MAFF), empowers participants to lead their congregations ...

New Resources from United Methodist Men

Unlock new potential in your local church’s ministry with men through these new resources. Cokesbury’s 2025-2028 Guidelines for Men’s Ministries offer practical advice on how to start, grow, and maintain men’s ministry—emphasizing the core principles of Purpose, Passion, Planning, and ...