EPA Conference launches new Website

The Eastern PA Conference's long-awaited new Website is here and available for use at http://www.epaumc.org//. Offering more content, more colorful imagery and more convenience for users, the new site includes:

• conference, district and denominational news, views and events;
• resources for church leaders; and
• multiple, informative pages for ministry program areas, communications media and administrative services.
  

New features include: an Archives and History page; a Giving opportunities page; a staff directory; a church search module and one for appointed pastors still being developed. Other new features include two blogs--titled "NEWSpirit Blog" and "From Pulpit & Pew"--and three strategic content sections, titled "Inform," "Inspire" and "Involve."

UMM Softball Tournament begins 9 AM Saturday

 
Come out and get your cheer on Saturday, July 25, at the Eastern PA Conference UM Men's Annual Softball Tournament beginning at 9 AM, at Mondauk Commons Park,1451 Dillon Rd, Ambler, PA. 
Four top teams will compete for the annual tournament prize: Jarrettown UMC, Hopewell UMC, Grove UMC and New Hanover UMC. They'll gather to begin with devotions at 9 AM, before taking the field to pitch, hit, run, leap and slide to victory. Organizer Ross Brightwell invites everyone to come watch and cheer the teams on. Team sports is a proven tool for evangelism in today's world, especially in reaching young people who are and are not involved in church. He urges church members, families and friends to come, bring their lawn chairs, pup tents snacks and beverages. And most of all, bring your team spirit. 

Laity Academy registration ends July 31 Register now, before next Friday, for the 32nd Laity Academy, set for August 14-16, at The Inn at Reading, 1040 North Park Road, Wyomissing, PA. The theme is "Planting Seeds: Rooted in God's Word." The online registration is now live, and you can get plenty of information about this annual education and fellowship event--the largest gathering for laity each year--on our Website. The Basic Christ Servant Ministries class is full. 

You can find access to the: Paper Registration Form and Course Selection Brochure; 2015 Academy for Laity Course Descriptions; and the 2015 Academy for Laity FAQs all on the event information page. For more information contact Aubrey Bates or Anne Taylor. For hotel reservations visit [email protected]. Mention "Lay Academy."

Please reserve your hotel room for AC 2016 now!
We're trying to gain favor at the Lancaster Marriott for our 2016 Annual Conference, and you may be able to help. We really need members who plan to attend Annual Conference to start making room reservations now for the June 16-18 session. As more early reservations are made, we can get more leverage with the hotel staff for our meeting and hospitality needs. So if you can, please reserve your rooms now at the Lancaster Marriott, Penn Square, 25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA  17603 (717-239-1500). The online room registrations rate is $129/day. Discounted parking in the garage is $7/day. Please, please book your hotel room now. 

Due to the rain that hindered many people from coming to celebrate UM Day at Dorney Park Saturday, June 27, you can still use the "United Methodist Day at Dorney Park" discount coupons at the Park Saturday Aug. 1. We regret to announce that the "UM Family and Youth Music Fest" could not be rescheduled for that date.  If you have any questions contact Ross Brightwell at [email protected] or 215/643-1269.  

Try Disciple Fast Track: Bible study for busy lives 

If you've ever wanted to take the Disciple Bible Study course--or take it again--but in less time, the new Disciple Fast Track may be ideal for you. While the original course required 34 weeks of over 2-hour classes, this new option offers 75-minute classes for only 24 weeks. Using the same Disciple Study Manual, participants still receive a thorough introduction to the Bible, but less in-depth and in almost a third less time to accommodate busy lifestyles.

Designed by Bishop Richard Wilke, author of the Disciple Bible Study manuals, and Christian Educator Susan Fuquay, the study is endorsed by the UM Publishing House. It offers a new, user-friendly leader's guide, videos, online training and an online community. Churches around the country report a surge in classes, as more people are enjoying this new Bible study option. Visit the website http://www.disciplefasttrack.com to explore the materials and read what other pastors, educators, leaders and participants are saying. Also, please let us know if your church has or will participate in DiscipleFastTrack. E-mail us and tell us what you think about it at [email protected]. 

'Only Four Things Grow Your Church'
The rescheduled "Only Four Things Grow Your Church" workshop will happen Saturday, Sept. 19, from 9 AM to 4 PM, at St. Matthews UMC of Valley Forge, 600 Walker Rd, Wayne, PA. 

Bill Tenny-Brittian and Bill Easum will conduct the seminar designed for church leaders (clergy, staff and laity) who are committed to seeing their churches become effective, faithful, and sustainable. The four core processes they teach focus on Inviting, Connecting and Discipling people and then Sending them back into the world to reach others. The cost is $75. Register now.  All attendees get a $50 gift card. Also, register a team of 3 or more and save $10 per registration.  

The Eastern PA Conference will host Launchpad, a PATH 1 training for current or prospective church planters and their teams, Aug. 21-23, at New Birth UMC (Nuevo Nacimiento),1025 Lehman St., Lebanon, PA. Launchpad guides teams into the early stages of church planting with exercises to help them start new faith communities. Now in its 5th year, the training, offered in English and Spanish, is based on lessons learned from hundreds of church planting leaders across the USA. Paul Nixon, who has coached around 100 new church projects, will co-lead it with Sam Rodriguez, a UM expert on church planting within Hispanic communities.

The costs, for training, materials and lunch, are: $100 for the church planter (and free for spouses) and $50 for each additional team member. The registration deadline is Aug. 1. Attendees may also participate in a free follow-up Webinar in January to help them prepare to launch or relaunch a new worship experience.  Register here .

Transformational Leadership event coming to Hershey PA

On Oct. 2-4 the UMC's Northeastern Jurisdiction Vision Table will sponsor the Conference on Transformational Leadership, a ground-breaking learning adventure for emerging leaders, at the Hershey Lodge, in Hershey, Pa. The theme is "See, Know, Love." With dynamic speakers, vibrant conversations and innovative workshops, this resource-rich training opportunity will alter the way you think about leadership and living out your faith in churches and communities. Learn more...

Kochenderfer Church in Lebanon, PA, will welcome the second Revelation Festival, offering music for millennials, on Saturday, August 8.  The church will host and partner with young organizers of the adventurous music gathering sophomore again this year.  

"We have been hard at work to make this the best Revelation Festival yet," said Alex Shepler. "We are so excited to have Rapture Ruckus (pictured here) headlining our Festival this year! They put on a stellar show, and they will even host a big dance party following the festival."  In addition to Rapture Ruckus, Revelation Festival will present even more nationally and locally known bands. "It's the perfect mix of music," added Shepler. "If you like, pop, rock, worship, electronic, rap, or metal music, we have something for you. And it's only $10 for tickets. We're also looking for volunteers. Interested parties can sign up to volunteer on our website." Contact info: Email: [email protected], Phone: 717-273-0525, Web: www.rev-fest.com