Churches to welcome popular musical guests

Hopewell UMC in Downingtown will welcome back popular musician, composer and professor Mark A. Miller this Sunday, May 17, at 7 PM, to present a dedication concert on the newly rebuilt organ in the historic Donald J. Bower Chapel. Miller directed music for our 2014 Annual Conference and has led worship convocations here. He is Associate Professor of Church Music and Composer in Residence at Drew Theological School. He will be joined by the Hopewell UMC chancel choir to present some of his own choral compositions.

Covenant UMC, Springfield, will host internationally renowned choral composer and arranger Craig Courtney during the May 31 worship service at 10:30 AM. The Chancel Choir will sing ten of his anthems, interspersed with scripture readings, hymns and comments by the composer. Courtney has written over 300 anthems and is in constant demand as a choral clinician and featured composer. A reception will follow with an opportunity to meet the composer.

St. Daniels UMC, Chester, will host the Watoto Children's Choir, a family of orphans from Uganda, East Africa, during their American concert tour, on Thursday, June 18 at 7 PM. Each of the children in the choir has suffered the loss of parents through war or disease. They live in Watoto children's villages but touring exposes them to other cultures and broadens their worldview. It also gives them confidence and boldness and helps them rise up out of their own situations of sadness and despair. Don't miss this uplifting, energetic concert and the chance to support these talented children.

Come to UM Day at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, June 27
United Methodist Day at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Allentown, Pa., Saturday, June 27, Park opens at 10 AM. Use the Discount Coupons to enjoy this year's United Methodist Day As a bonus we will have a "Youth and Family Gathering" at Dorney's Center Stage, open to all ages from 11 AM to 12 PM. There will be music and inspirational speakers. "This is a great way for your members to reach out to their friends and neighbors and invite them to a fun day of fellowship with your United Methodist family," says Ross Brightwell, event organizer. "The same goes for your churches' youth groups. And they don't have to be United Methodists."

Here's how it works:  After you receive your coupons distribute them to your parishioners by e-mail.  You can also download them and distribute them by hand.  Put them in the narthex or in the bulletin.  As you see, with these coupons the holders can enter the Park for $33, a $21 discount off of the regular price of $54.  The beauty of this coupon system is that there is no requirement to order tickets in advance. If it is a rainy day or something comes up you just don't go. You don't lose any money.  On June 27 your folks just take the coupon to the ticket window when you arrive at the Park to buy your ticket.  We do ask that you do not distribute the coupons in the DORNEY parking lot. On June 27 we will have a small tent set up at the Haunted Mansion House Hotel where we can meet and greet all of we great United Methodists. Remember, these coupons are only good for June 27. (Note: This is a Jarrettown UMC church fundraiser; but you don't have to be United Methodist.) If you have any questions call or email Ross Brightwell at 215/643-1269 or [email protected].

Two Advanced Sexual Ethics workshops will occur in the fall. "Shame-Less Lives, Grace-Full Congregations" will be a joint venture between the Board of Ordained Ministry's Pastoral Care team and the conference's iCare team. The Sexual Ethics workshop will occur Friday, Sept. 25, 9 AM to 3:30 PM, at West Lawn UMC. The Rev. Dr. Karen A. McClintock, presenter, is a psychologist, author and congregational consultant who served as a pastor for nearly two decades in the California-Nevada Annual Conference. She invites clergy to bring lay employees to the Friday workshop, which could be helpful for youth leaders, Christian education directors, and others. Register online. A second, closed workshop for only the conference ICARE team will occur Saturday, Sept. 26.

"Sexual Infidelity Among Clergy Members:  Understanding Risk Factors and Prevention from an Attachment Framework" is another Advance Sexual Ethics workshop, scheduled for Nov. 17 at West Lawn UMC. For more information and registration visit our Sexual Ethics workshops Webpage. Also, the Rev. David Woolverton will leave his role as chairperson of Pastoral Care for BOOM June 30. The Rev. Andrea Brown will succeed him and will coordinate future sexual ethics workshops.