Lancaster Online, the main online news publication serving the Lancaster area, reported twice on United Methodists leading in mission in its Feb. 26 issue. One article featured seminarian Jeremy Graeff, who discerned his call to creative ministry while leading worship at Grandview UMC. He now also leads Ember, a fledgling new faith community that worships in a downtown art gallery on Sunday evenings. Graeff, an artist and musician, left the church disillusioned years ago but returned when he discovered Grandview. He is a top student at Lancaster Theological Seminary. View on lancasteronline.com

Lancaster Online also reported on how First UMC Lancaster may soon rescue a much-needed weekday breakfast ministry for poor neighbors who have been going to St. James Episcopal Church daily for 30 years. St. James will soon have to end the ministry, which last year served nearly 31,000 meals, an average of 119 per day, because of inadequate space and the need to renovate its century-old parish house. First UMC Lancaster is considering taking it over if other churches and organizations will help. It’s a big, demanding decision that is expected in April. “There is definitely an openness to see if we can make it work,” says the Rev. Joe DiPaolo, senior pastor. “It takes about 70 volunteers per week, and that’s a lot.” View on lancasteronline.com