The Conference Office will be closed on  Tuesday and possibly Wednesday, March 14-15,  due to weather forecasts of up to 2 feet of snow. As usual we will follow the Methacton School District's open or closed decision, which can be found  here .

A message from the Rev. Greg Ellis, Conference Disaster Ministry Coordinator & UMVIM Coordinator: 

While news reports about inclement weather tend to offer worst-case scenarios, reports today show that minimum snowfalls throughout the conference region most likely will be significant. County Emergency Management agencies may reach out to churches to serve as warming centers in case of power outages. Warming centers are typically the first need in winter storms that churches are equipped to handle. So if it is safe for you to open your building to serve in this capacity, it is a great way to be a Christian presence in the community. 

Reminder: report any property damage to your church's buildings to the District Superintendent's office. And please let us know how you are serving others during the storm and aftermath. The conference partners with many groups to serve, and the more we know about each other's response efforts, the better we can serve the community.

Please e-mail or text information about any UM church-involved weather emergency and/or service response to the Rev. Greg Ellis at  [email protected] (cell phone: 484-350-5965) and also to the John Coleman, Communications Director, at  [email protected] (cell phone: 443-745-5654), in addition to the appropriate District Superintendent's office.

Bishop Peggy Johnson shared a message of hope and solidarity for Latina immigrant detainees at the Berks County Residential Center Sunday, March 12, surrounded by about 90 people who gathered to worship and witness for justice and mercy. The hour-long, interfaith prayer vigil, which included songs, scriptures, litanies, prayers and the bishop's message, occurred outside the detention center, across from the county prison, in Bern Township.

"This is a very sad thing for women and children to be detained here for many months," she said, reading her statement in both Spanish and English. ... But God is on the side of those who suffer. We will pray for justice and mercy, and not only pray, but also talk to those in our government who are making these laws." Members of several Eastern PA Conference churches were present, including members of United Methodist Women and the Rapid Response Team on Immigration, among other advocates, as police officers watched from their cars nearby.  Learn more...

The  application for approval as a 2017-18 Advance Special project, in order to receive local church donations, is available on the  Missions & Outreach page of our website. Advance Special projects are endorsed by the Annual Conference for second-mile giving by local churches that have fulfilled their apportioned giving responsibilities. Completed applications must be received by no later than April 15.

The application includes a cover letter addressed to pastors, agency and program directors, and local church leaders of mission and ministry--all of whom are eligible to apply. Applications received via e-mail, postal mail or fax by the  April 15 deadline will be considered by the conference missions board and, if selected, may be included in a resolution for approval at Annual Conference,  June 15-17. Approved projects will be eligible for Advance Special funding immediately after Annual Conference.

"Please start now, and make sure we receive your completed application forms before the  April 15 due date," writes the Rev. David J. Davis, Conference Secretary for Global Ministries.

A bunch of Lenten worship services, dinners and Bible studies sponsored by various churches and mission   connexions; jazz, Christian and gospel concerts at several music-minded churches; a couples retreat and a yard sale coupled with an oyster supper; a comedy theater show; and an annual men's Lenten breakfast now in its 54th year. These are just some of the sure-to-be delightful events to be sponsored in the coming weeks by churches around our conference. And all of them are promoted on our website's  Local Church Events page. Check it out. You may find just the activity you need to attend to experience more faith, fellowship or fun during this time of changing seasons when we could all use a little more warmth.

And please, please, please send us your church's  special events and activities so we can add them to our webpage. Many people are coming to our website every day, some without a church to call home; and many want to see what's happening at our churches. Please help us show them that we've "got it going on" all across this bustling conference of ours. Use our easy  Submit News page or write to us at  [email protected].

The Helping Hands Community Center in Parryville, a ministry of Saint Peter's UMC in nearby Emerald, will open the third Lifetree Café in the Eastern PA Conference this Saturday, March 18, at 5 PM. The church-run community services center at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets becomes part of a national network of weekly neighborhood Café sites where people can enjoy snacks and beverages over friendly, comfortable guided conversations. Those conversations are aided by brief, topical videos that can help generate keen insights about life, values and faith.

The new Café in Parryville is one of several opportunities for entertainment and fellowship, including an open mic night, that the Helping Hands Community Center will host each weekly to cultivate a popular gathering spot for neighbors-both church members and nonmembers.

The Lifetree Café experience is a scheduled hour of "stories and conversations to feed the soul," according to the Rev. Bill Ritzenthaler, St. Peter's UMC's pastor and the driving force behind the new experimental ministry. It's sort of like a live, local talk show, with an inspirational twist," he explained. Discussions will be guided by Pamela Snyder, a Certified Lay Minister who will help manage the weekly Café. 

Allentown newspaper The Morning Call recently shared some great news about Wesley UMC in Bethlehem--great for them and for the many people they serve through their Lehigh Valley Outreach Depot .  This ambitious church mission enterprise receives, stores and provides free, donated goods and furnishings to people recovering from crises and undergoing transitions-often people who need help reestablishing their lives. The Depot has helped nearly 3,000 area families in its nearly seven years. To double down on its good deeds, it also provides a place for volunteers to assemble donated items into disaster relief kits for distribution to areas in need worldwide. 

But on the verge of losing its low-rent warehouse space, the Depot was itself in dire need of a new home. Now, after a long search, this ministry, where faithful volunteers try to be "the hands and feet of God" has taken a surprising "leap of faith," writes Morning Call columnist Bill White. In February they bought and began refurbishing a new, larger home in an old tire warehouse in Allentown. It required a generous donation, helpful financing arrangements and a labor of love from volunteers, so that the Outreach Depot can continue to fill gaps in people's lives.

Read this uplifting account titled " Outreach Depot finally has a new home " in the Feb. 21 issue of The Morning Call. And thanks to the Rev. Andrew Krpata, Pastor, for sharing this great story with us.   

See more great stories of local church ministry on our Methodists Make News webpage . And please send us any stories where your church, pastor or members are featured in the news. 

Green Lane School , located at Green Lane UMC in Philadelphia's Roxborough community, recently was named one of the "Best 10 Pre-Schools in Philadelphia." The Expertise Award is given by a company that researches schools, businesses and services in the country to name the Best 10 in each city. The school's website now proudly includes an Expertise Award badge. 

"Our primary goal is to provide children with a safe and caring environment that promotes learning and helps develop the whole child" reads the site's opening letter by Rita M. Stebbins, Director. "We are proud to be serving the community since 1964." 

If you want to learn how to lead or host Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams, then be sure to attend the UMVIM Team Leader Training on Saturday, April 1, from 9 AM to 3:30 PM at Ardmore UMC (200 Argyle Road, Ardmore), These teams bring needed repairs and recovery to damaged homes and disaster-stricken areas, as well as compassion for victims, while bearing the love of Christ in their hands and hearts. The $35 cost includes training materials and lunch. Learn more and register online by March 27.

The Rev. Tom Lank, an ordained deacon in the Greater New Jersey Conference, is VIM Coordinator for the Northeastern Jurisdiction. He has organized international mission journeys in Africa, the Caribbean, Central America and South America, and domestic mission journeys in nine U.S. states. Team Leader Training is recommended for all first- time VIM team leaders, but all interested persons are welcome to attend. For more information contact the Rev. Greg Ellis, Conference Coordinator of Disaster Ministry & UMVIM, at [email protected] or 484 350 5965. 

There's more information about the April 1 Fresh   Expressions t raining event that could change your church. " Changing Church for a Changing World: Fresh Expression Vision Day" will happen on Saturday, April 1, at Mount Carmel UMC, 2203 Harmonyville Road, Elverson PA. J.R. Briggs and Kristin Beckert, both skilled church planters and trainers, will bring their creative, strategic ideas as gifted facilitators. The Eastern PA Conference is a co-sponsor; so members can attend for a discounted $20 each. 

Fresh Expressions   is a movement that is cultivating new forms of church alongside existing congregations in order reach a changing world. Visit  www.freshexpressionsus.org and scroll down to "Pottstown Vision Day." Learn more ... 

 

When you experience God's love, you want to share it with everyone!

The United Methodist  Foundation for Evangelism  helps annual conferences annually honor extraordinary clergy, youth and adult laypersons with the  Harry Denman Evangelism Award  for sharing with everyone God's message of love through Jesus Christ. As Christians, we work in a variety of ministries and contexts with a common goal to build up of God's Kingdom.

This year, until May 5, the Eastern PA Conference's  Congregational Development Team (CDT)  is pleased to accept your nominations of persons to receive the 2017 Harry Denman Evangelism Award. That noteworthy award signifies a remarkable commitment to introducing others to the living gospel in ways and places where "new believers can encounter Christ."

All completed nominations with comments should be submitted to the CDT by May 5. Please send e-mail nominations to  [email protected] , 

addressed to the EPAUMC/Congregational Development Team, c/o of Suzette James/. Attn: Denman Award Nomination. Or mail them to the Eastern PA Conference Office, ATTN:  Dr C. Kurien (identified as "2017 Denman Nominee"), P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA  19482-0820.

Gretna Glen invites churches to have confirmation classes in their neck of the woods, learning all about faith in the midst of God's creation.

Gretna Glen's three Confirmation Camp weekends- March 31-April 2, April 7-9 and October 13-15-will focus on the five vows of affirmation: prayer, witness, gifts, service, and presence, say planners. "Each vow comes alive as confirmands participate in hands on activities, discussions, and reflections that help draw connections from the act of confirmation as the start of a full-time life of faith." Cost is $90. Register using their Brochure.

Be sure to read Bishop Peggy Johnson's article about summer camp, " Our camps-changing seasons and young lives." 

Churches that feel the Holy Spirit moving them to take a serious, open-minded look at their mission and future in ministry, in addition to churches identified by their district superintendent, are urged to send teams to attend "Vital Church Mergers and More" March 25, from 8:30 AM to 12 PM, at Christ UMC Lansdale (1020 S. Valley Forge Road). Cost: $10 per church (payable to Eastern Pa. Conference of the UMC). Pay onsite. Each church attending should first read Dirk Elliot's book Vital Church Mergers.  District Superintendents have copies available. The Congregational Development Office has 30 copies. Please pray daily for vision from the Holy Spirit to help you see where God is leading your church. Contact the Rev. Gordon Hendrickson at 267-258-9507 or   [email protected].

UMCOR (UM Committee on Relief) and the Northeastern Jurisdiction Volunteers in Mission will provide training  March 26-29 for persons wanting to lead the church in disaster response and in its wider mission in God's world. Our own Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat Center will host the classes, ranging from beginner to advanced, including: UMCOR's Foundations; Early Response Team Advanced (201-level) Training; using the Connecting Neighbors curriculum; Spiritual and Emotional Caregiving; and more. There will also be workshops on Global Health, Communication Technology, Race and Privilege, Asset-Based Community Development, Caring for Creation, and other mission topics. No prior qualifications are necessary. CEUs are available. Register now. Early-bird rates apply until  Feb. 26. For more information contact the Rev. Tom Lank, UMVIM-NEJ Coordinator, at 919-428-0461, [email protected], or visit  www.umvimnej.org.

A limited number of printed 2016 Eastern PA Conference Journals are available.  Order yours today for only $30 each. You can  order and pay online or send a check, by USPS, to: EPA UMC, Attention Gloria Knoeller, PO Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820.

March 28, 9 AM - 3:30 PM, at  Grandview UMC (888 Pleasure Road, Lancaster, PA). Participants pay $35 to participate, which includes light breakfast, lunch, and materials. Presenters are the Revs. Andrea Brown and Jose "Ricky" Ayala.  Find out more » 

Basic Sexual Ethics 

July 15, 9 AM - 3:30 PM, at  Conshohocken UMC (20 W. Sixth Ave., Conshohocken, PA).Participants pay $35 to participate in this class. The fee includes light breakfast, lunch, and materials. Presenters are Rev. Jose "Ricky" Ayala and a female presenter to be named.  Find out more

Our 2017 annual Faith-Sharing Training Event will happen March 18, from 8:30 AM to 2 PM, at New Hanover UMC. Our guest presenter is the Rev. Terry Teykel, a leading "prayer evangelist" and popular speaker and author. He travels the world encouraging churches to develop and strengthen prayer ministries as a means of revival and transformation.

 

Teykel, the founder of Renewal Ministries and Prayer Point Press, has authored several books, including The Presence-Based Church, My Most Wanted: 40 Days to Pray for the Lost, and Pray the Price: United Methodists United in Prayer. He has spent his life teaching churches how to develop a heartfelt, meaningful relationship with the Lord. His warm, humorous style makes him a much-sought after speaker and seminar leader.

 

"We believe that when prayer and evangelism are reunited the Church will emerge as a powerful force for reclaiming the land and setting the captives free."      -Terry Teykl. 

Learn more about this passionate, powerful speaker and man of God.

Plan to attend the 3rd Annual Eastern PA Conference Youth Rally on Saturday, April 22, 2017. For the first time, this youth rally will last all day, from 9 AM to 4 PM. We're planning fantastic features, with dynamic speakers, soul-stirring music, fun games, powerful prayers, laugh-out-loud humor, great food and hospitality, and enough friendship and fellowship moments to give you a lifetime of memories. Don't dare miss it! See and share the flyer, and look for more details, coming soon.