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JULY 22, 2022

Transformational Leadership

Connectional Table learns about EPA goals, plans, progress

EPA’s Connectional Table, a gathering of staff and elected chairpersons of various conference committees, met July 12 via Zoom to hear and respond to reported plans and updates on major conference program initiatives. They learned about movement toward our Conference goals, including developing vital congregations and transformational leaders, increasing financial stewardship and ending the sin of racism. Learn more.  

Engaging youth in mission

Project Restoration to host Youth Days of Service

The EPA Conference Council on Youth Ministry (CCYM) will sponsor four Youth Days of Service this fall, engaging youth volunteers in disaster recovery work with EPA’s Project Restoration. Youth volunteers from across four districts—North, East, South and West—are being asked to sign up individually or in groups, and help their districts send the most youth. Learn more. 

Deepen faith

Experience Ignite, GNJ's fall youth rally

EPA youth and adult youth leaders are invited to come experience Ignite, the Greater New Jersey Conference’s annual youth rally, Sept 30 to Oct. 2, in Wildwood, NJ, based at the Convention Center on the boardwalk. It’s a high-impact, life-changing, spiritual-growth weekend for thousands of youth in grades 6-12. Experience high-energy worship with powerful Christian bands; engaging speakers; interactive, inspiring workshops; community building; and opportunities to fortify your faith in God. Learn more at ignitenj.org.

More things you should know...

1. Meet EPA-supported missionary from Belize Aug. 4

Charles Mulemena, a missionary in relationship with EPA and supported by our churches, will appear August 4 on Zoom in UM Global Ministries’ #StillInMission vitual itineration program. The pastor and trainer in Belize, Honduras District, for the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and the Americas, will be featured with three other missionaries in Episode 45, on Thursday, August 4, at 12 PM. Each will describe their lives and passion for mission work and then answer viewers’ questions in individual presentations.


Mulemena, who is from Zambia, in southern Africa, visited churches in our conference in 2019 when he was serving in Brazil. Learn more about him and support his work through The Advance. You can also visit his Facebook page and his YouTube channelRegister for #StillInMission Episode 45. Registration is required to participate. 

2. Doing church with younger generation

There are an estimated 162.6 million people under 40 in the U.S. Millennials are 25 to 40 years old, while the next generation–dubbed Gen Zers–is between 9 and 24. The dividing line between the generations is a little blurry. While many consider both millennials and post-millennials “young,” the two groups have distinctly different ways of interacting with and viewing the world. Within each are singles, parents, young families, students and workers. When seeking to reach them, focus on the different social groups and life stages rather than the generational group they have been lumped into. --From GNJ Digest, July 20, 2022 

4. Ask the UMC: Valuing Life

United Methodists value human life, from pregnancy and maternal care before we are born to our closing breaths. We seek worldwide to bring abundant life to people at every stage through the hands-on ministries we support and the advocacy we do. This seven-part series explores the ways United Methodists value life and help others experience the abundance of life Jesus promises. Learn more. 

5. Creating a Narrative Budget: The Story Behind the Numbers 

Discipleship Ministries has re-launched its popular online course Creating a Narrative Budget – The Story Behind the Numbers. A workbook helps leaders link their church’s budget items into ministry narratives through eight self-paced sessions, inspired by generosity theory. What moves people to give? Find out with the help of this valuable resource offered for free. A version that leads to earning CEU credits, is available for $25. Learn more and register.  

5.  Lift up laity

How does your church encourage, celebrate and lift up laity who serve in various ministry roles? A little bit of recognition, celebration and gratitude goes a long way to encourage not only those who have served but also those who might serve in the future. Certified Path 1 coach Kay Kotan lists 10 tips to help recognize and equip disciples more intentionally. Read tips.  

Reminders

Children's Faith Formation Curriculum Fair, July 26 

The 2020s have been a decade of accelerating change, and we in children’s ministries have spent the last two years pivoting and reinventing. The Leadership Development Office wants to help you get a jump on planning for 2022/2023. We’ll look at our curriculum options for faith formation so we are prepared to go forth in ministry, whatever our setting may be. Learn more and REGISTER.


Laity Academy, Part 1, August 5-6. Register by July 29 

The EPAUMC Laity Academy, Part 1, happens Friday-Saturday, August 5-6, in-person at Cedarville UMC in Pottstown. It’s an opportunity to expand your faith, explore your gifts, and advance your ministries and service to our Lord. REGISTER by July 29 before registration closes. (The Session 2 weekend is planned for Sept. 30-Oct. 1 and will be held online.) One course, Preaching Carefully (Speaking 203), has been cancelled due to low enrollment. But seven other courses are still available: 


Disaffiliation Discernment information session, Aug. 1 

An information session about disaffiliation discernment is scheduled for Monday, August 1, at 6:30 PM. Jo Fielding, Director of Administrative Services, and Bishop John Schol will lead the session. More information will follow. Learn More. See further resources: Disaffiliation Discernment webpageBishop Schol’s 6/30/22 Message: Annual Conference Follow-Up


Helping women prepare for disasters, Aug. 13

Be Red Cross Ready: How Women can be Prepared for Disaster Events is a workshop sponsored by COSROW (Commission on the Status & Role of Women) on Saturday, August 13, at 9 AM. The hour long event will feature two speakers: Sibongile Sithole (a UMC member) and Heather Bowman. Both women are involved with the American Red Cross. Learn more. (Further details TBA.)


October Book Club to explore 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 on Wednesdays, 11 AM to noon, via Zoom, throughout the year. The next book study, for four weeks in October, 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. The study discussion dates are October 5, 12, 19, 26. 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. 


EPA’s Conference Office is closed on Fridays 

The EPA Conference Office is closed on Fridays for summer, until Sept. 5. Staff work summer hours, Monday to Thursday, 8 AM to 5:15 PM, alternating between in-office and at-home work during the prevailing COVID pandemic. 

Good News!

Have Good News to share? 

Email communications@epaumc.org 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

JULY 26

Children's Faith Formation Curriculum Fair.  Learn more  and REGISTER.

AUGUST 1

Disaffiliation Discernment information session. 6:30 PM. Join.

AUGUST 5-6

Laity Academy – Part 1. In-Person at Cedarville UMC. View the course catalog. REGISTER by July 29. 

AUGUST 13

Orientation to Ministry, 10 AM -12 PM, at Moravian Seminary. Register.

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