Lay and clergy leaders from across the Eastern PA Conference gathered June 2 at Bickley’s New Beginning United Methodist Church in Philadelphia to celebrate the 2024 class of new Certified Lay Ministers, serving in three EPA districts. This cohort of …
EPA summer camps ready to transform young lives
Summer camps at the Eastern PA Conference’s four Camp & Retreat Centers blast off this week and next, launching perhaps several thousand children and youth into a season of enjoyable, exploratory experiences, as they are encouraged, taught and guided by …
Leadership Academy offers 2 new Bible study courses led by Bishop Schol
The EPA&GNJ Leadership Academy features two new, in-depth Bible study courses in June, with discussions led by Bishop John Schol via Zoom. The courses are Gospel of Luke and Gospel of John. Each course includes eight videos, pre-course assignments, helpful …
Historic church shines a light of service in a place of refuge
In its 230th year of ministry, Mother African Zoar United Methodist Church in North Philadelphia maintains a legacy of loyal service to its community. It will celebrate that 230th anniversary with a banquet and other activities in November 2024. The …
Project Restoration, local church host visiting disaster response teams
Thelma Bruton has lived in her family’s modest, two-story brick home in Darby, Pa., for over seven decades, since she was a year old. But for over three years she slept downstairs, away from the hole that Hurricane Isaias ripped …
Bishops confirm end to church disaffiliations, freedom regarding same-gender weddings
The College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdiction issued a letter June 10 to all members addressing the end of church disaffiliations and policies related to “Same-Gender Weddings and Appointments of LGBTQ Pastors.” The letter, in response to many …
Connecting Our Cultures in Christ
The Eastern PA Conference Economic Justice Council invites all to join and support EPA congregations in celebrating Juneteenth 2024, especially two of our historic Black churches. Mother African Zoar UMC in Philadelphia, Saturday, June 15, 11 am to 3 pm …
July book study to explore Healing Fractured Communities
“How can congregational leaders be both healers and agitators at the same time?” That “both/and” question is one of many addressed empirically in the new book Healing Fractured Communities (2024), by F. Douglas Powe and Jessica L Anschutz. The Eastern …
Laity Session highlights lay leadership, ministry, Fresh Expressions
At their annual Laity Session, May 21, Eastern PA Conference lay members learned about how both the conference and the emerging Fresh Expressions movement are inviting and helping church laity to grow in discipleship through community engagement.
EPA treasurer Jo Fielding to retire Sept. 1, after 26 years
Jo Fielding, the Eastern PA Conference’s Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since March 2023, as well as Executive Director of Benefits and Director of the EPA&GNJ Mission Data Team, will retire September 1, 2024. Fielding, who has worked for the …