Across communities, congregations participating in Pathways Bridges are reimagining what it means to be the church, shifting from inward-focused ministry to meaningful community engagement.
For many, Bridges has become more than a series of workshops. It is a community bonded by the desire for individual and communal transformation.
At Calvary UMC in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, the experience has been described as both “energizing and clarifying” by Rev. Nova Villa Vitug-Thomas. Under the coaching of Program Director Alyssa Ruch, members engaged in storytelling, small-group dialogue, and visioning exercises that helped them define a clearer sense of purpose and mission.
The enthusiasm was immediate and visible. Attendance exceeded expectations, requiring additional seating, and reflected a shared commitment to learning and growth. Through activities like a prayer walk at Mohnton Playground and collecting stories of faith beyond church walls, participants discovered the ways that “God is already at work in our community and that we are called to join in what God is doing” Vitug-Thomas shared.
That realization has reshaped how the congregation operates. Events are now intentionally outward-facing, including the 50th anniversary celebration of the church’s preschool, which welcomed alumni, neighbors, and families for a community gathering. Their 2025 Live Nativity, created in partnership with local churches during the borough’s Christmas Tree Lighting, drew a large and deeply moved audience.
Congregational leaders say Bridges has transformed how they communicate, collaborate, and connect, with a renewed focus on joining the work already happening around them.
A similar spirit of renewal has taken hold at Butler UMC in New Jersey. Rev. Iraida Ruiz de Porras describes her team’s experience as “enlightening,” particularly around the experiential learning like the “Human Library,” which emphasized listening with empathy, openness, and without judgment.
Bridges also fostered intergenerational collaboration. Children and youth played an active role in identifying community needs and imagining solutions alongside adult members, an experience leaders called both refreshing and inspiring.
This shift in perspective proved critical during a time of economic hardship. As financial assistance programs faced cuts, Butler UMC’s food pantry, “Loaves and Fishes,” continued serving more than 150 families each month. After a public call for donations and volunteers, the response from the community was overwhelming. Contributions surged, volunteers stepped forward, and the church expanded its ability to meet urgent needs during the holiday season.
The experience illuminated a key insight: a church thrives when its community thrives.
For Rev. John Lafferty, Pastor of Eddystone UMC in Pennsylvania, Bridges has also highlighted practical ways churches can serve. In his congregation, conversations revealed a growing need for emergency preparedness following the closure of two nearby hospitals.
In response, the church is working to become a community training hub, offering programs such as Active Shooter Prevention and Narcan overdose response, with plans to expand into CPR, First Aid, and “Stop the Bleed” training. These efforts not only address critical safety concerns, but also create new opportunities to welcome the community into the church space.
“Bridges has encouraged our church to dream beyond our sanctuary,” Lafferty noted.
In Congers, New York, the transformation has taken on a deeply personal and spiritual dimension at Congers United Methodist Church.
Their journey began even before Bridges officially started, during a 2023 congregational retreat where members identified four defining values: faith, family, fellowship, and music. Known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere, and generous shared meals, the church had long centered its ministry around the table.
But Bridges challenged them to think even bigger.
“What was once a blessing within our walls is now becoming a bridge to our community,” shared Bishop Alfred Johnson, Ret. The congregation has embraced a new vision: taking their “table to the streets.”
Though still in its early stages, that vision is already changing hearts. One member, initially hesitant to pray publicly, found the courage to offer prayer to a local shopkeeper in need, an act that was met with gratitude and became a turning point in her faith.
The church’s formal Bridges journey began on May 31, 2025, grounded in three affirmations: Our story matters. Our people matter. Our future matters.
What followed was a season of both honesty and hope. As members shared stories of faith, resilience, and tradition, they also confronted difficult realities: declining attendance, illness, and the painful departure of some members. Leaders made the tough decision to postpone a beloved youth camp to focus on strengthening the church’s foundation.
Yet even in the midst of challenges, momentum grew.
Partnerships with neighboring congregations opened new doors for collaboration. A November gathering centered on gratitude highlighted how far the church had come, while December brought acts of compassion, including visits to homebound members and unexpected support from a partner church’s food pantry.
These moments planted seeds for future ministry, including plans to launch their own food outreach in the coming years.
As 2026 unfolds, the congregation continues to build on that momentum: resuming home visits, forming new partnerships, and exploring health-focused initiatives following a recent women’s retreat. Their upcoming prayer walk also represents more than a symbolic act. It is a declaration of purpose.
“We are not just walking the streets,” Congers member Shantelle Williams Johnson reflected. “We are walking into our calling.”
These are just a few examples of how Bridges is making a difference. Across communities in EPA and GNJ, the message and impact of Bridges is clear: the ministry of the church is not confined to its sanctuary. It is found in relationships, in listening, and in meeting people where they are.
Curious about Pathways Bridges? Join us on Saturday June 13th at Doylestown UMC for our Taste of Bridges “Hospitality Across Generations” session! We will be joined by leaders from Arch St. UMC and The Center – Philadelphia as we explore ways to embody and deepen practices of hospitality in our congregations and communities.
Space is limited so be sure to register early! Two leaders per congregation are invited to attend! Commitment to the 2026 Cohort is not required to attend.
Register for the Taste of Bridges “Hospitality Across Generations” session here!
To learn more about Pathways Bridges, visit pathwaybridges.org or Contact Ashley Wilson, Program Coordinator, at awilson@epagnj.org.