Churches across the Eastern PA Conference spent much of a busy but blessed Holy Week in worship through sermons, ceremony and song—many worshiping jointly with neighboring churches. But some attempted creative, energetic ways to demonstrate the sacred significance of this …
A Holy Week delivery of Undies for Easter
Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are. Hebrews 13:3 (Good News Version) The Philadelphia Prison Complex received a special delivery …
Historic church survives fire, as its worship and witness continue
Recovering from an electrical fire that damaged part of its building, 162-year-old Arch Street United Methodist Church, just blocks away from Philadelphia’s City Hall, is holding Holy Week and Easter Sunday services. While Good Friday worship will be held online, …
Hundreds find learning, encouragement, connections at Tools for Ministry
“I give thanks for Tools for Ministry events that provide us with learning, encouragement and connections for this journey,” said the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership Development and the Eastern PA Conference’s Director of Connectional Ministries. …
EPA members, Bishop Schol attend UM Black caucus’ 57th General Meeting
Six members of the Eastern PA Conference’s Black Methodists for Church Renewal caucus, plus Bishop John Schol, attended the national caucus’s 57th General Meeting March 6-9 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the caucus’ birthplace. Bishop Schol spoke to the assembly of over …
Celebrating Clergywomen during Women’s History Month, Part 3
For Women’s History Month, the Rev. Julia Singleton shared in her essay last week responding clergywomen’s memorable “Wow” moments of their ministries. In part three this week, she shares their answers to her third question, “We owe so much to …
Celebrating Clergywomen during Women’s History Month, Part 2
For Women’s History Month, the Rev. Julia Singleton shared in her essay last week responding clergywomen’s memorable “Wow” moments of their ministries. In part two this week, she shares their answers to her second question: “All clergy face challenges in …
Salem-Orwigsburg celebrates 200 years
Salem UMC in Orwigsburg is celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2024. Organized as Salem Evangelical Church with its first 24 members in 1824, the church grew through several denominational mergers until it became Salem United Methodist in 1968. For its …
Spiritual care via yoga offered to EPA pastors, ministry leaders
For pastors, church staff, and faith leaders, the seasons of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter can be profoundly impactful and deeply resonant, while at the same time bringing with them a deep level of physical and mental exhaustion. A 7-week …
2-part Laity Academy to begin with our beginnings April 27
‘Creation, Evolution and Intelligent Design’ Eastern PA laity will get another double portion of the conference’s annual Laity Academy in 2024—a biannual pairing that has succeeded in drawing participants since late 2021, when online and onsite courses were offered as …