By Sam Hodges Feb. 15, 2018 |UMNS | Read the story at umc.org The Rev. Vance Rains had expected that his church’s Ash Wednesday evening service would be just like the noon service.But in-between, a mass shooting occurred at nearby …
Sarah Fernsler, Eastern PA’s new EarthKeeper
After decades of caring for patients and parishioners, the Rev. Dr. Sarah Fernsler will soon be caring for our planet. She was commissioned a United Methodist EarthKeeper on Monday, Jan. 22, after training in environmental stewardship provided by staff from the UMC’s …
Human Relations Day is Jan. 14
“Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God’s children.” – Matthew 5:9, CEB Human Relations Day is Jan. 14, a fitting occasion on the day before our nation celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. How will …
UMC Bishops call for respectful conversations in time of uncertainty
United Methodist Church bishops are calling on members of the denomination to engage in respectful conversations amidst growing conflict over political, religious and justice issues in many places in our world. In a pastoral letter released at the end of …
Bishops called to navigate ‘off the map’
United Methodist bishops find themselves “off the map” as they try to navigate a way forward through the church’s impasse over the practice of homosexuality and whether it is acceptable among those entering or engaged in ordained ministry and marriage. …
Puerto Rico Methodists respond to ‘catastrophe.’
By the Rev. Gustavo Vasquez and Linda Bloom Oct. 5, 2017 | UMNS The Methodist Church of Puerto Rico has activated an emergency strategy to respond to community needs following Hurricane Maria. “My definition of the situation is the same …
Celebrate our call to mission on Heritage Sunday, May 21
United Methodists will celebrate Heritage Sunday on May 21, just days before our observance of historic Aldersgate Sunday on May 24. Observed on the third Sunday of May (to correspond with Aldersgate Day), Heritage Sunday calls the denomination to honor …
National Day of Prayer, Thursday, May 4
Many Americans will engage in collective, faithful prayer, and some will fast, on Thursday, May 4, for the National Day of Prayer, observed annually on the first Thursday in May. Public figures and churches of many backgrounds and church traditions …
CONAM to hear about resistance to gas pipeline in Lancaster
Several online advocacy publications have been reporting on public resistance to plans for installing the Atlantic Sunrise Natural Gas Pipeline in Lancaster County. Our conference’s Committee on Native American Ministry (CONAM) will welcome two courageous leaders of that resistance to …
Latino group’s Holy Convocation to focus on immigration
The Eastern PA Conference Latino Commission will hold its annual Holy Convocation (Santo Convocacion) on Saturday, April 15, from 7 AM to 3 PM, at Buen Samaritano UMC (at West Chester UMC) in West Chester, Pa. With the theme “Cristo el Immigrante” (“Christ the Immigrant”), …