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JULY 29, 2022

 Engaging with communities in mission: 

Musicians partner with camp, church to spread gospel in verse

Ripe Creatives, a collective of young, dynamic, Christian poets, singers and rappers, has been delighting and discipling campers and staff at EPA’s Carson Simpson Farm Christian Center in Hatboro this summer. And they will bring their message-rich music—sung and spoken—to a Philadelphia church and community on Friday, July 29, starting at 6 PM. Learn more. 

The power of small groups

From a nudge, Leap of Faith praise band takes flight

Right before the Covid shutdowns a small group of young adults who love music were nudged to begin a praise band. They loved the Lord and loved worship. So they took a leap of faith, which became the name of their talented quartet. Since then, they have been “stewarding their desire to please God with their special brand of worship music.” Learn more.

Giving generously to mission 

District to donate $20K to Ukrainian Catholic Church Aug. 1 

The North District will donate a remarkable $20,000 to the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Mount Carmel on Monday, August 1. Past donations have helped send relief supplies to those suffering from Russia’s brutal attacks on Ukraine. The new gift may help house a refugee Ukrainian family in the region, where many residents’ ancestors immigrated from Ukraine to work in PA’s coal mines. Learn more. 

More things you should know...

We're taking a week off! The next issue of NEWSpirit Digest will be published August 12.

Body and Soul: The Trauma of Domestic Violence, Oct. 21-22

During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October the Eastern PA Conference Domestic Violence Committee will explore the physical, emotional and social impacts of trauma related to domestic violence. The weekend training event on Zoom, October 21-22—on Friday, 7-9 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM -12:30 PM—will feature presentations, discussions and workshops led by resource experts, advocates, and survivors, plus the offering of an original poem inspired by and composed for the occasion. Learn more. 

LUMINA to hold free Community Day Camp

LUMINA, the Lancaster United Methodist Inner-City Alliance, will hold a free Community Day Camp “for underprivileged children in Lancaster City” August 1-5, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at New Creation UMC. The EPA-affiliated local missions agency will welcome the first 40 children to be registered. Activities will include games, arts and crafts, music, Bible Stories, prizes, lunch, book giveaways and a field trip to Gretna Glen Camp for fun in the water. LUMINA is seeking volunteers and will reward teens who come to help daily. Learn more. Contact the Rev. Correen Russo, director, at correen.lumina@gmail.com or 717-394-8412. 

Releasing God’s Blessings: A stewardship series 

We often think of blessings as things we receive. While it is true that God, by grace, freely gives us all that we have, we are not just passive recipients of God’s blessings! Just as God blesses us through people in our lives, so does God promise to bless others through us. When we live from a place of gratitude for God’s gifts and trust in God’s provision, we can be agents of God’s blessing in our world. Learn more and find resources. 


Ukrainian UMs care for fellow countrymen   

United Methodists in western Ukraine are opening their churches and homes to house evacuees from the war with Russia. Three shelters operated by the denomination care for about 100 displaced people per day, providing shelter, food, medicine and other necessities. Read story  Video: Ukrainian pastor talks about helping evacuees

The Indispensable Power of Emotional Intelligence  

“In today’s world, it has become too easy to be so one-sided that anyone who disagrees with you must be wrong,” writes the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, a leadership coach. “There is no room for discussion or questioning. No room for learning about another’s point of view. This mindset is not only detrimental; it’s toxic.” She discusses “the indispensable power of emotional intelligence, and how it can allow you to build deeper relationships and become a better leader.” Learn more.

Course helps churches create impactful imagery 

A new course from UM Communications aims to equip church leaders to easily create graphic designs and videos for social media, presentations and more. "Outreach and Design Using Canva is scheduled for Aug. 15-Sept. 9. Designed with busy schedules in mind, the course will be delivered in a self-paced online format. Optional live web session gatherings are set for Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 2 PM. Registration will run through Aug. 10. Learn more To register . 

Guide offers discounts, resources for ministry 

The General Council on Finance and Administration has released its updated, free Ministry Resource Guide that features special offers, discounts and programs from vetted ministry partners and is designed to help UM churches and other ministries.  Read press release   Read Ministry Resource Guide 

New Classes in PA Academy of Ministry  

From the Rev. Darryl Stephens, Director, Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry and Director, UM Studies, at Moravian University & Lancaster Theological Seminary. Learn more and register.  

  • Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, Aug 23–Sept 27, Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor Jessica Young Brown will offer an in-depth look at ethics in ministry, including confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care. 2.5 CEUs. $325.  
  • Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor Lovett Weems will teach practical skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.    

Reminders

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

The EPA 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.  


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.  

Good News!

Celebrating 41 years of mission in Appalachia 

Covenant UMC in Springfield, as part of its 100th anniversary celebration this year, highlighted four decades of sending Appalachian Service Project (ASP) teams into the mission field to serve others' needs. ASP alumni shared reflections and dedicated ASP Hall in one of Covenant’s buildings, including a large, framed quilt made of ASP teams’ t-shirts. Learn more. 

Church tunes up biweekly Karaoke worship

Fallsington UMC members and guests are enjoying a Karaoke Worship Service every other Thursday at 7 PM. “Come and experience praise music in a whole new way. Karaoke makes it fun and engaging,” reads the church’s website. The Rev. Joe Martin introduced the ministry in July and calls it “a true blessing.” He encourages clergy friends to give it a try. 


About 40 attended the first night, including nine singers. A supportive audience enjoyed favorite worship songs and warm fellowship. Some extoled the surprisingly good singers and “inspirational message.” One man Martin invited, came and sang (“He was really good!”), and said he would return with a guest. Contact Martin at jomartplayer@aol.com to learn more.  The next Kareoke dates are August 11 and 25.

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

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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