The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Conference, meeting May 21-23 in Wildwood, NJ., made history twice with two actions—one offering a redemptive healing of its past; the other offering a resilient hope for its future. John Coleman reports.
You are INVITED! Summer Camp 2024
Hey there, adventurers! Summer’s knocking on the door, and guess what? We’ve got the ultimate invitation for you! Calling all kids, teens, and grown-ups alike to dive into the thrill of our fantastic summer programs. It’s not just a getaway; …
Neighbors enter church pickleball courts with praise
Believing that churches should be places to play as well as pray, two United Methodist churches in EPA & GNJ are providing indoor pickleball courts as inviting gifts to their communities. West Lawn UMC in Reading, PA, and St. Paul’s …
Use Breakthrough’s ‘On Purpose’ Summer Worship Series
“Why was I born?” begins Oscar Hammerstein II’s poignant lyrics to a 1929 classic torch song. “Why am I living? What do I get? What am I giving?” All good questions for anyone deeply searching for their raison d’etre (reason …
June 5 pastors’ spiritual retreat to feature Labyrinth walk
“We’re hoping for a good turnout for our next spiritual retreat for EPA pastors June 5th at Paoli UMC,” writes the Rev. Steve Morton, who helps to promote the monthly retreats led by the Rev. Peter Jamieson. “So, before you …
Eastern PA Annual Conference celebrates Beth Stroud’s reinstatement as an elder
WILDWOOD, NJ, May 21, 2024 – On its final day, May 3, The United Methodist Church’s momentous 2020/2024 General Conference voted to allow for the reinstatement of clergy who were previously defrocked due to their sexual identity. On the first …
EPA Recognizes Four Who ‘Go and Make Disciples’
The Eastern PA Conference celebrates evangelism each year with two major awards, the One Matters Award and the Denman Evangelism Awards, that recognize churches and individuals making strides in living out Jesus’ Great Commission to “Go and make disciples” (Matthew …
Urban Ministry Awards Go to 4 Community-Engaged Churches
In describing the urban ministry challenge today, the Rev. Evelyn Kent Clark, Eastern PA Conference Dean of the Cabinet, may have turned iconic author Charles Dickens’ most famous opening line into a call for mission evangelism. “We think these are …
Helping people feel they Belong
Open hearts, open minds, open doors. United Methodists of Eastern PA have special ways of making guests of all ages feel special, to feel like they Belong. That’s our 2024 Annual Conference theme. We asked churches to share some of …
EPA Annual Conference to ordain, commission 8 clergy
“Who presents these candidates to be ordained or commissioned?” Bishop John Schol will ask that question to begin the 2024 Eastern PA Conference’s Service of Ordination and Commissioning May 21. The congregation’s response will remind all present of where these …