The 2024 Eastern PA Annual Conference, May 21-23, will consider 11 resolutions, including a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to continue and extend the 18-month collaborative partnership between the EPA and Greater New Jersey conferences (EPA&GNJ). The MOU resolution—which also …
Embracing the Joy of Our Unity
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BISHOP (From NEWSpirit newspaper’s Spring 2024 issue) “…so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” –Romans 12:5 I tasted grits for the first time at the age …
Ten days to forge a faithful future together
“It is done,” wrote the Dawn Taylor-Storm on her Facebook page at 6:23 p.m. on May 3. The United Methodist Church’s 2020/2024 General Conference had just adjourned—as undoubtedly one of its most historic and consequential legislative assemblies ever. Taylor-Storm is …
EPA to graduate 7 new CLMs June 2
Eastern PA will celebrate the 2024 Class of Certified Lay Ministers at their graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 2, at 3 p.m., at Bickley’s New Beginning United Methodist Church, Philadelphia. The Rev. Andrew Foster III will preach at the event. …
Ministry that Transcends Hatred and Discrimination
The United Methodist Church’s General Conference voted May 1 to approve a resolution condemning racial-ethnic discrimination and gender-based violence against Asian Americans. Submitted by the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists, the resolution condemns increasing discrimination against racial-ethnic minorities, especially …
Annual Conferences to meet back-to-back, while looking forward
As of May 13, 526 members have registered online for the United Methodists of Eastern Pennsylvania (EPA) Annual Conference. Online registration is closed. Following his ascension, Jesus Christ’s followers gathered in a room to meet, pray and await the Holy …
EPA, GNJ Delegates Reflect on Historic General Conference
The United Methodist Church’s postponed 2020 General Conference–now officially the 2020/2024 General Conference–held in Charlotte, NC from April 23 to May 3, was an intense experience for all delegates, including those from Eastern PA and Greater New Jersey. They sometimes …
Rev. Noé Gabriel López: A Volunteer Monitoring for Equity
Amid the thousands in attendance at the Charlotte Convention Center, where the United Methodist General Conference is underway, a distinct figure stands watchfully at the periphery of the plenary floor. It’s Rev. Noé Gabriel López, the associate pastor of First …
Regionalization Moves Forward, The Thread of Hope Continues
A palpable thread of hope continues to weave through the General Conference proceedings as The United Methodist Church took a significant step toward a more equitable global structure. Delegates approved a constitutional amendment for regionalization. This amendment, passed with a …
GC Begins with A Spirit of Cautious Hope
The long-postponed 2020 United Methodist General Conference commenced April 23, after 2:00 p.m., with opening worship at the Charlotte, N.C., Convention Center, signaling a critical juncture for a denomination navigating through post-disaffiliation transitions and the global impact of the COVID-19 …