“How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose,” wrote Thomas Wentworth Higginson in 1861, “if there were no winter in our year!” Our three year-round Camp and Retreat Centers are getting a head start on the big chill, …

Leadership Academy Preaching Institute hires director, coordinator
The EPA&GNJ Leadership Academy’s new Lilly Endowment-funded Preaching Institute (LAPI) hired a new director and coordinator January 1. The Rev. Darryl Stephens, who chairs the Order of Deacons in the Eastern PA Conference and teaches at Lancaster Theological Seminary, will serve as director. …

EPA&GNJ members “Journey with Paul” in Greece
Evoking the season and spirit of Epiphany, which signifies the revelation of Christ to the world, 23 members of the Eastern PA and Greater New Jersey conferences began 2024 in Greece on a revealing “Journey with Paul.” Since January 4 …

Leadership Academy uses Teachable online courses to train church leaders
EPA&GNJ’s Leadership Academy has launched its first online courses for training church leaders, using Teachable, one of the nation’s top online learning management systems. The multimedia, fully accessible digital platform enables creation and hosting of a variety of instructor-led courses …

IGNITE’s 2 Youth Leader Days to empower youth ministry
Join fellow youth ministry leaders for a day of enrichment, networking, and skill-building at the IGNITE Youth Leaders Day. EPA&GNJ will fan the flame of its IGNITE creative youth ministries with two upcoming events designed to empower youth leaders and …

You are what you read
Those who know me know that I love to read. I may not always remember books in detail, but I absorb them. They become a part of me. As a pastor, I move a lot. During one of my moves …

Denman Evangelism Award nominations extended to Jan. 19
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. (1 Thessalonians 5:12) The deadline to submit nominations for the 2024 Harry Denman Evangelism Awards is extended to January 19. The Eastern PA Conference Cabinet and …

And the dream lives on…
“At the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer.” (Numbers 8:25) Our revels now are ended. These our actors,As I foretold you, were all spirits, andAre melted into air, into thin air…We are …

2024 Breakthrough Worship Series is here!
The EPA&GNJ 2024 Breakthrough Worship Series outlines are now available online and ready for you to explore at www.breakthroughseries.org/2024. This free, creative and comprehensive resource will help you plan six faith-inspiring worship series throughout the year. The series relate to …

January deadlines for churches: Shared Ministry payments; Statistical Reports
Local church leaders should note two important EPA Conference deadlines in January: Jan. 10 for submitting their Shared Ministry Fund payments (formerly Connectional Ministry Fund); and Jan. 31 for submitting their Year-End Statistical Reports. The Shared Ministry Fund is required …