The Eastern PA Conference’s new Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health initiative has its crew and initial passengers all aboard, as it prepares to taxi down the runway for a September takeoff. Eighteen chosen facilitators have received an orientation to begin helping churches chart their pathways into a vital and visionary future of ministry. And over 40 churches are registered to take the first flight, while about two dozen more await their turn in November.  

The Rev. Steve Morton, EPA’s new Leadership Development Manager, shared the initiative’s nascent vision and fielded church leaders’ questions during three district breakfast meetings in August. The fourth breakfast meeting, for the East District, will happen Sept. 6 at Jarrettown UMC. Learn more. 

A number of Eastern PA Conference grants are available to support vital ministries, and application deadlines are fast-approaching for several of them. For example, Dewees Grants are provided to support EPA’s mission to grow vital, missional congregations. Applications are due Sept. 1. Learn more. 

1. UMC’s top court clarifies Discipline paragraph 2548.2 use 

The UMC’s Judicial Council ruled that the Book of Discipline’s much-debated paragraph 2548.2 can only be used conditionally, and that paragraph 2553 must be used instead for churches seeking to disaffiliate from the denomination. 

“Paragraph 2548.2 (of the Book of Discipline) establishes a process for the limited purpose of deeding and transferring church property to another denomination but does not apply to the membership of a local church,” the top church court said in Decision 1449. Learn more.  

2. How churches can assist parents

A new course of instruction is being launched to help church leaders guide parents. "It Takes a Church to Raise a Parent: Helping the Church Community Empower Families" will help church leaders journey alongside parents to nurture, equip, empower and effectively communicate with them.  Learn more.  Register

3. Safe Sanctuaries Training

Sept.10, 10 AM–12 noon, via Zoom.

Safe Sanctuaries is more important than ever, especially with more youth online. This training is vital for all church leaders and pastors, especially those who relate to children and youth in church facilities. The Rev. Jacqueline Daniszewski, Conference Safe Sanctuaries Committee Chair, will present needed information. Learn more and register.

4. Federal EPA to help churches improve indoor air quality 

The Rev. Zachary Hopple, pastor of Christ UMC Lansdale, reminds churches of an Environmental Protection Agency free training that will happen, Sept. 20 from 6:30 to 8 PM on Zoom. This free webinar will look at how houses of worship can improve indoor air quality. Hopple will be one of the presenters. 

Learn more about Improving Indoor Air: Breathe Healthier Indoor Air in Houses of Worship & Other Facilities. Register here. The webinar will discuss ways to improve indoor air quality, including reducing indoor pollutants such as mold, safer chemical use and integrated pest management, as well as the importance of outdoor air and ventilation.  

5. Grow your Youth Ministry at the IGNITE 2022 Conference

The Greater New Jersey Conference’s IGNITE fall youth event—open to EPA youth and youth ministry leaders, too—will offer ideas, tools and inspiration to help you start, rebuild and grow a youth ministry. The IGNITE Conference, Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, in Wildwood, NJ, is a great opportunity for students grades 6-12 to connect with God and each other, grow in their faith and become leaders in their church, their community and beyond.   Ticket prices for IGNITE 2022 will increase on Sep. 5.  Register today to get the lowest ticket price available. 

6. Premarital/Marital Counseling Training 

Prepare-Enrich premarital/marital counseling materials have helped almost 3 million couples, guided by trained facilitators to teach communication skills, conflict resolution, stress management, financial decision-making and ways to handle other marital concerns. The Rev. Lloyd Speer will conduct 8 hours of facilitator training Oct.14, at Christ UMC in Fairless Hills.  Register at www.prepare-enrich.com by Sept. 23. The cost is $220 and includes certification and materials.  Contact Speer at 215-943-2343 or [email protected]. 

7. NEJ Conference to meet in November 

Foster endorsed for election as bishop 

The UMC’s 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference will meet Nov. 3-4 in Hunt Valley, Md. This year’s gathering of elected delegates from the NEJ’s 10 annual conferences was postponed from 2020, along with the UMC’s General Conference, due to the COVID pandemic. 

Election and assignment of bishops to supervise the life and leadership of annual conferences is the primary activity of a jurisdictional conference. The Rev. Andrew L. Foster III, EPA’s East District Superintendent, was endorsed recently by the NEJ’s Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) caucus. . Learn more... 

8. Faith leaders hear of ‘lost ground’ on HIV 

Faith leaders and others at the 24th International AIDS Conference, July 29-Aug. 2 in Montreal, heard that newer global health threats like COVID-19 and monkeypox are hampering progress toward improving HIV prevention, treatment and care. Preaching about the need for HIV testing and working to end the stigma attached to HIV are ways religious leaders can help end AIDS. Learn more. 

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. 

Church member heroically saves baby’s life 

Christine King, a member of Good Shepherd UMC in Philadelphia, is a living action hero. She went into action while driving in heavy traffic on I-95 July 28, when she saw a man holding a baby dangerously over a highway overpass while fighting with the toddler's mother. 



While other motorists gawked at the horrific scene from their cars, King, a 52-year-old mother who lives in Bensalem, parked her Honda, rushed to the couple, and desperately urged the disturbed man to hand her the child. “I said, ‘Oh my God, please give me the baby. Don’t do this!” she recalled for Inquirer columnist Jenice Armstrong. 

Police arrived and arrested the man, as King comforted the mother and her child. Bucks County officials honored her this week. And a foundation sent a check to Good Shepherd UMC in honor of her compassionate bravery. Read Armstrong’s full account of the incident with comments from this lifesaving Good Samaritan. 

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Church to host Human Gifts book study 

First UMC Media will host a book study, open to all EPA members, to explore Human Gifts, Giving to Transform Ourselves, Others and the World, by the Rev. James Hallam, a retired elder in EPA. Hallam uses lessons from the Bible, contemporary culture, and his own personal history to illuminate gifts ranging from love and compassion to generosity and legacy.  

This 8-week study, with discussions on Tuesdays at 10:30 AM, begins Sept. 13, onsite in First UMC’s lounge and on Zoom. Video replays will be available the next day. For more information, call 610-566-3172. Click here to purchase Human Gifts. Click here to purchase the Human Gifts workbook.  Book study Zoom link. Meeting ID: 827 9936 3603   Passcode: 861691. .

SEPT. 6

"Let’s talk Pathways over Breakfast” – East District | 10 AM | Learn More

SEPT. 10

Safe Sanctuary Training | 10 AM – 12 noon | Zoom | Register

SEPT. 17

Orientation for CR/CC Companion Ministry | 9 AM – 3 PM | Details TBA

SEPT. 26

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

OCT. 5 - 26

“Learning for Leaders” October Book Club: On Vanishing | Wednesdays at 11 AM | October 5, 12, 19, 26 | Zoom | Register