On July 25, a group of pastors gathered at Princeton Theological Seminary’s Farminary, as the final activity of their three-date retreat. At first glance, one might wonder, what does farming have to do with pastoral ministry? A lot, as it …
New Life UMC’s Prayer and Praise Service Lifts Spirits
New Life UMC at Drexel Hill celebrated its 6th annual Prayer and Praise Celebration on July 13 welcoming all commuters for prayer, praise and worship at SEPTA’s 69th Street Terminal Transportation Center Station in Philadelphia. The celebration was a hands-on …
Connectionalism brings new life to VBS ministry
Salem UMC hosts first VBS in 20 years In 2023 Palisades Community Bible Church, asked Salem UMC if they could host a bible club for children in the community. Salem UMC gladly opened their doors, and the bible club reached …
Two Churches Cast Bold Visions, then Boldly Revise
Celebrating past visions and embracing new ones On June 23, the Rev. Erica Munoz along with church leaders past and present gathered to burn the mortgage of Trinity United Methodist Church in Hackettstown, NJ. Their celebration sparked a leadership lesson. …
MyCalling Ministries Celebrates 10 Years of Youth-led Mission Trips
In 2013, three students from Yardley United Methodist Church were rebuilding homes that were damaged by Superstorm Sandy when a moment of Holy Spirit inspiration came. They realized, “We can do a mission trip at our church!” They came back …
Delegates Eager to Collaborate with Incoming Bishop Moore-Koikoi
After the new episcopal areas were announced, EPA and GNJ sat down together to discuss their hopes and dreams for future collaboration and for their incoming episcopal leader. “We were dating, now we’re married!” laughed delegates from EPA and GNJ …
Jurisdictional Conference Repents of Systemic Racism
Delegates explore history of structural racism in the Methodist Church In the space where episcopal elections would have taken place, delegates gathered for a holy conversation about race and the way that structural and systemic racism colors both our past …
EPA&GNJ Ahead of the Curve with Collaboration and MOUs
On Wednesday of the 2024 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference, delegates voted to reduce the number of episcopal areas from nine to six. The new episcopal areas have yet to be officially named. The newly formed episcopal areas are: This reorganization does …
Wrestling with Hope: NEJ Begins with Memorial Service and Communion
The first day of legislative work at the 2024 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in Pittsburgh commenced with a solemn service of remembrance and communion, setting a reflective tone for the days ahead. The service honored the late bishops William Boyd Grove …
Youth Representatives from EPA & GNJ Overflow with Excitement and Hope for Jurisdictional Conference
Three youth from GNJ and EPA have traveled to Pittsburgh to bear witness to the conference and share the perspective of the young disciples of the UMC. They joined others from across the jurisdiction to form a group of 20 …