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August 19, 2022

Ending the Sin of Racism

Wholeness Centers to spur BIPOC church-community ministry partnerships  

The Eastern PA Conference is placing a new milestone on its justice-centered Path Toward Wholeness initiative with the launch of its Wholeness Centers program this month. Wholeness Centers are church-based partnerships with local residents and groups in BIPOC (black, indigenous and people of color) communities with underserved populations. Their goal is to develop and strengthen ministries to positively impact those communities. 


The new initiative is part of the EPA’s new Dismantling Racism: Path Toward Wholeness commitment approved by Annual Conference to address systemic racism and economic inequity. It will award grants to UM churches that are committed to intentionally partner with the BIPOC communities they serve. Learn more. 

Developing Transformational Leaders

'Leaders are born, right?'

By Bishop John Schol 

Throughout my life of ministry and leadership, invariably people have asked me how I knew something or where I learned to lead. I have become a student of leadership development. Many factors are important to the success of a congregation, ministry or organization; but one is key: leadership.      

 

Some say, “Leaders are born.” Don’t believe that. Leadership is not biological. It is shaped and honed over time. Some gifted persons rise to become very good leaders. These are generally leaders who failed early and often and became better by learning, taking on new challenges and opening themselves to being coached. These are leaders who are hungry to improve their competency. Leadership is a competency that is learned, practiced and improved.   Learn more. 

More things you should know...

1. EPA Loan Fund seeks new board members

The EPA Conference Loan Fund, with assets of $13.4 million, seeks qualified, committed lay and clergy volunteers to serve on its Board of Directors for a four-year term. Members should have a passion for ministry and financial management to serve as fiduciaries representing Loan Fund investors and to help make decisions on mortgage loan applications from UM churches and affiliated agencies. The Loan Fund Board meets quarterly. Interested candidates should contact Jeff Paiste at paisteja@gmail.com. Read more.  

2. Charge Conference reports due Sept. 15

Sept.15, is the deadline for all Charge Conference leadership reports. Pastors are responsible for ensuring that all completed reports are submitted on time. District Resource Assistants can answer any questions if contacted early. Login credentials were sent directly to SPR (Staff-Parish Relations) chairpersons August 1 using verified email information. Learn more.  

3. Dewees Grants applications due Sept. 1

Dewees Grants are available for “to use in the mission programs of the Church.” Grants will typically not exceed $5,000 and must be for initial funding of a project only. The deadline to apply for fall grants is Sept. 1.


Churches should send their application form to their District Superintendent. Committees, boards and agencies should send the application form to the Director of Connectional Ministries, Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm at 

dtaylorstorm@epaumc.church

4. Metro Ministries Building Repair Grant applications due Sept. 15 EPA’s UM Metro Ministries will receive applications for fall building repair grants from eligible churches until Sept. 15. UMMM seeks to fund the most compelling projects that demonstrate high impact on the life of the congregation and/or the community it serves.  Learn More. Download the Building Repair Grant Application (after August 21).  

5. Part 2 of 2022 Laity Academy canceled

Part 2 of the 2022 Laity Academy, scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, is canceled. A special Laity Academy-sponsored single-course event via Zoom is being planned for spring 2023. Ruth Hendrickson will teach from her book Positioned – How to be Aligned & Empowered to Walk in Your Divine Destiny, and participants will be invited from the EPA, Greater New Jersey, and Peninsula-Delaware conferences. More details coming soon. 

6. UM Neighborhood Services Community Lunch

Check out UM Neighborhood Services’ newly updated brochure. Share it with others and encourage them to contact this vitally important EPA local mission site for services and support. UMNS offers food, clothing, education, fellowship and other needed resources in two communities: Germantown, at Janes Memorial UMC, and North Philadelphia, at Serenity House, an outreach ministry of Arch Street UMC. 


Also, UMNS will cohost, along with The Center and Arch Street UMC, a Community Lunch on Saturday, August 27, at its North Philly location, 1209 W. Lehigh Avenue, from 12 to 2 PM. And UMNS is sponsoring a community food drive at that same location in August and September, accepting non-perishable items to meet the needs of local families. Contact: Millicent Clark, Executive Director, at 267-230-1999.  

7. Learn how to age healthy and keep safe from COVID

As the COVID-19 pandemic remains a serious threat in our society, healthy aging becomes more essential. It’s a fact that people are living longer; and it’s also a fact COVID keeps hanging on. Mt. Zion UMC in Philadelphia will help increase awareness of healthy aging in a conversation Sept. 17, at 10 AM. Learn about inequalities among the aging and how to improve their protection through COVID prevention measures. Call 267-584-4461 to register for this event! 

8. Ministering to congregants who haven't returned post-COVID

According to Barna research, about one in every three churchgoers has not returned to in-person worship services since COVID-19 shutdowns ended. With that in mind, on writer suggests some ways to minister to members who have not returned, including tips for digital care. Read story.

9. Congregational Trauma, Resilience and Healing

EPA will sponsor an Advanced Sexual Ethics workshop via Zoom on Congregational Trauma, Resilience and Healing on Saturday, Oct.15. 9 AM to 12 PM. The workshop, offering 0.5 CEUs, will equip participants to recognize congregational trauma and work to increase resilience and healing within a congregation. Participants are expected to spend 2.5 hours preparing for the workshop through readings, videos, and other resources and 3 hours meeting via Zoom. Register: Advanced Sexual Ethics (October 2022) 


Workshop leader: The Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens, chair of the Order of Deacons in EPA, is a nationally recognized expert in healthy boundaries for ministry, social ethics, and UM theology and polity. He serves as Director of United Methodist Studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary and Director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry.  

10. District donates $20,000 to Ukrainian resettlement, Aug. 1 

The North District made its third and largest donation to Ukrainian Catholic churches in its area to help the people of embattled Ukraine. The Rev. Steve Morton, former superintendent, and district leaders presented a remarkable $20,000 gift to the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mount Carmel August 1.


While previous donations helped send relief supplies to those suffering from months of Russia’s brutal attacks on its neighboring country of Ukraine, this latest gift will help resettle a Ukrainian family in the coal region where many North District churches are located. This story has been updated. Learn more. 

11. Bishops to discuss church future  

In the midst of ongoing challenges related to COVID-19 and church disaffiliations, the Council of Bishops will meet Aug. 22-26 to discuss the future of the UMC, prepare for new bishops to be elected later this year and address other topics . The bishops' meeting will be livestreamed Aug. 22 and 26, 9 AM to 1 PM. on the Council of Bishops Facebook page. Read press release. View Facebook page 

Reminders


October Book Club: On Vanishing, about challenges of dementia

Learning for Leaders is a series of weekly conference-wide, author-led book studies EPA’s Congregational Development Team (CDT) cosponsors throughout the year. The next book study, weekly on October 5, 12, 19, & 26, will be On Vanishing: Mortality, Dementia and What It Means to Disappear, authored by the Rev. Lynn Casteel Harper, who has studied and ministered among people living with dementia. Harper will co-lead the study with the Rev. Karen Bartkowski, Pastoral Ministries Coordinator and Chaplain at Maris Grove Senior Living in Glen Mills. Learn more and register. The first 25 registrants will receive a free e-copy (Kindle edition) of the book. CEUs are available for participation in CDT Book Studies. 


Mustard Seed Migration Grants

Mustard Seed Migration Grants, inspired by the well-known parable, are available to provide up to 50 congregations in the U.S., offering up to $2,000 in one-time grants to support community-based projects that assist refugees, asylum seekers, undocumented persons and migrants of all types. Applications will be accepted at any time prior to Sept. 1. Learn more. 


Church and Society announces 2022 grants  

GBCS grants support local UMC churches, annual conferences, caucuses and community partners to further ministries of justice and peace. Applications may be submitted August 1 to Sept.16, via a new online application system. Funding is provided through three grant programs: Ethnic Local Church Grants; Human Relations Day Grants; and Peace with Justice Grants. Learn more.  

Good News!

Visit our Methodists Make News web page to see plenty of good news about EPA people and churches serving and sharing Christ through various ministries. 

Downingtown church builds “The Well” to nourish community 

The Well, a vital and vibrant mission outpost of Hopewell UMC on the outskirts of Downingtown, shows commitment to its in-town community through after-school and summer enrichment programs, a Celebrate Recovery support group, and other ministries, including two transitional housing apartments for single mothers. ABC6-TV news recently reported on this former, repurposed funeral home now bringing new life to its community. Read and view this uplifting story. 

Pastor helps co-victims of violent crime overcome misery she knows well 

In A mission to help crime victims UM News shares the Rev. Myra Maxwell’s personal story and the busy work she does helping families of violent crime victims in Philadelphia. Theirs is a misery she knows from experience, and it fuels her commitment as Executive Director of Victim Support Services for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office. “People don’t understand what you’re going through when you have situations like that, unless you’ve experienced it,” said Maxwell, who is also pastor of Trinity UMC in Philadelphia. Learn more. 

Church to host 10th school backpack giveaway event Saturday

Wesley UMC in Bethlehem will host its 10th “We Got Your Back” school backpack giveaway event this Saturday, August 20, at 8 AM to 12 noon. Young children will receive backpacks filled with donated school supplies, socks, underwear and other goodies.  The Backpack Team began preparing for the large-scale ministry in January and will again welcome the participation of many volunteers and community partners. They have continued to sponsor the giveaway annually, even making it a drive-through event during the COVID pandemic.  

Have Good News to share?

Email communications@epaumc.church to let us know! Also visit our Local Church Events page and our Churches in Mission page. And please send us your news of church events and church mission efforts.

Calendar

AUG. 19  Local Pastors Licensing School begins (six weekends) via Zoom

SEPT. 6  Let’s Talk Pathways over Breakfast” – East District, Jarrettown UMC,10 AM  Learn More

SEPT. 26  Project Restoration Youth Day of Service – South District. Learn    More

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