As churches began to emerge from COVID two years ago, many dreamed of restarting ministries that the pandemic had sidelined. Tindley Temple on South Broad Street was no different. They were looking forward to reopening their feeding ministry that provides …
Help the Unhoused this Christmas
The Center-Philadelphia at Arch Street UMC, creates safe space for the unhoused to obtain the necessities, showers, clean clothes, case management and wellness services, and respite from cold and heat. This Christmas, they are asking for your help. More and …
EPA Responds to Hurricanes Helene & Milton
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and then moved north dropping 30 trillion gallons of water on western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee and western Virginia caused catastrophic flooding. A few weeks later, Hurricane Milton hit Florida again. Both storms destroyed …
The Lilly Foundation Awards Grant to fund the Bridges project for EPA & GNJ
The dream of Bridges was to create a program that would help congregations grow in their cultural competency so that they could Bridge the Gap between their church and the community around them. Over the past 2 years, 150 leaders …
A Conversation with Rev. Zach Hopple, UM Earthkeeper
From the comfort of air-conditioned offices on one of the hottest days of summer, the Rev. Zach Hopple and I chatted about the UM Global Ministries’ Earthkeeper program and how the church can be better stewards of creation. This interview …
Sharing God’s Love at Christmas Begins Now
Can you imagine being separated from your family and friends at Christmas? Those who are incarcerated suffer this isolation and other deprivations on a daily basis, but at Christmas, those losses can be particularly difficult. Though the EPA Conference’s Christmas …
A Day of Joy and Service: Highlights from Sayers Memorial UMC’s Community Day
Sayers Memorial UMC celebrated its third annual Community Unity Day in West Philadelphia on August 17. This celebration originated from a vision that the Lord gave to Pastor Washington in 2019, leading to the creation of an event called Youth …
Stirring up Love and Good Deeds: Reflections on the 2024 Laity Academy
The Laity Academy of Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) met from August 2-3 at Eastern University to equip lay leaders with the tools they need to lead well in their contexts. The theme for this 40th year of equipping lay leaders came …
Building Bridges and Sharing Joy: Outreach Event Connects Cultures & Communities
On Sunday August 11th El Buen Samaritano UMC hosted their annual outreach event. El Buen Samaritano regularly hosts community events in the park to create opportunities for new connections. People don’t have to step through the door of a church …
Faith Lessons from Gretna Glen
This summer Gretna Glen welcomed 1,269 campers to a time apart, when they could play, grow, and learn about faith. Here are a few of the lessons learned from campers both big and small. Jesus connects us with God. Cameron …