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JUNE 10, 2022

Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health offers a menu of intentional processes congregations can use to prepare, assess, learn and grow in their understanding of what it means to be a healthy, fruitful congregation. It is a timely resource, especially now as we prepare for ministry in a post-pandemic future. And now you can learn all about it to help your church make important choices for a future that is visionary, viable and vital. 

Visit the  Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health  web page and enroll now. 

Six new Certified Lay Ministers (CLMs) “graduated” in a Service of Recognition June 5, at Salem UMC in Orwigsburg. After months of class sessions on Zoom, they met each other in person there for the first time. Yet, despite so much distance learning and some difficulties, they spoke of becoming a close-knit cohort through it all. 

“This is the first time we’re all together; but we’ve bonded by praying with and for each other all along,” said Judy Ehninger, director of the CLM program. “It’s not been an easy year, with Covid, sickness and other challenges; but God calls us in the middle of stuff in our lives. This class has bonded and persevered.” Read more. 

1. Next issue of Jobs Digest June 27

If you have employment openings to announce please send them to us by June 20 at [email protected], to be published in the next issue of Jobs Digest June 27

2. COSROW to explore women’s heart health, June 25 

EPA’s Commission on the Status & Role of Women (COSROW) will shed light this month on a topic too long lost in the shadows of medical ignorance: heart illness in women. Deena Weems Thornton of the American Heart Association will speak on “How Heart Problems Affect Women” June 25, at 2 PM, via Zoom. Learn more... 

3. UMC, BSA Relationship Update webinar set for June 16 

UM churches have long been chartering organizations for Boy Scout troops. That's changing, and a Zoom webinar will explain the new relationship churches will have with Boy Scouts of America and BSA troops. It’s set for June 16, at 7:30 PM. The meeting is to last about 75 minutes, and UM leaders say they issue a follow up FAQ statement.   Learn more.  

4. 2022 Laity Academy - Part 1, August 5-6 

Part 1 of the 2022 Laity Academy will happen August 5-6 with in-person classes at Cedarville UMC in Pottstown. Eight classes will cover the Basic, Speaking, Leadership and Caring essential areas of lay ministries. They include classes in Preaching, Disciple-making through small groups, Servant Leadership, “Generating Intense Bible Study Games for Adults,” “Empowering, engaging and nurturing our aging congregations” and “Making Every Prayer Count.” Click here to view the course catalog.   Register   

5. New Passage online resource helps track clergy, candidacy progress

The UMC’s General Board of Higher Education & Ministry has launched Passage UMC, where ministry candidates and clergy can track progress toward their vocational goals. The new platform promises to create a more streamlined experience for all users, as it replaces the long-used “UMCares” tracking system. Learn more. Also, see https://www.gbhem.org/passageumc/. 

6. Carson Simpson Farm to host Worship Fest, Oct. 15

Carson Simpson Farm in Hatboro, EPA’s Philadelphia-area Camp & Retreat Center, will host a free, lively, half-day, outdoor worship festival on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 12 to 5 PM. WorshipFest will feature an outpouring of music and messages from a faith-fueled cadre of young, Christian performers known as Ripe Creatives, as well as other church worship groups. . Learn more.

ALSO, Pray for our camp directors and staff as they prepare to launch their summer camps this month. Send them hopeful prayers with notes of gratitude for the lives they will touch and change during this busy summer. Our four camps received 11,000 guests last year, and they expect more this year, as the pandemic wanes. Look for our advance story next week about their exciting summer camp plans and preparations.  

7. Webinar looks at why people stay United Methodist 

The United Methodist Association of Retired Clergy plans to have a webinar titled “Gladly Choosing To Be United Methodist” at 6 p.m. U.S. Mountain time June 22. Speakers include the Revs. Adam Hamilton, Kennetha Bigham-Tsai, Will Ed Green, Rebekah Miles, Israel Alvaran and Kay Palmer-Marsh. Register for webinar. 

8. Guidance for incoming cross-racial pastors

At this time of year, many pastors are moving to new churches. The UMC's Commission on Religion and Race has created a resource to help cross-racial and cross-cultural pastors in their new communities. The graphic contains a list of do’s and don’ts.  See resource.. 

9. 'Fiesta Jubilosa' aids bilingual worship

Songs and prayers in Spanish and English to aid bilingual worship are offered in the new "Fiesta Jubilosa" ("Joyful Fiesta"). The resource is published by The United Methodist Publishing House, which is distributing 5,000 copies at no charge to bilingual churches in the denomination. The general editor of "Fiesta Jubilosa" is Raquel Mora Martinez.   Read press release

10. Much is still possible for our church 

BATON ROUGE, La. (UM News) — Inspired by a book of poems, a group of clergy mentors, leadership professionals and spiritual guides pondered what is "still possible" for The United Methodist Church. The Rev. John Winn shares the group's list. 

Read commentary

Churches are making VBS 2022 experience ‘Monumental’ 

Many EPA congregations are planning or already hosting Vacation Bible School gatherings. They are turning up the excitement meter probably inside and outside their church buildings, and enlisting youth and adult volunteers to help offer children plenty of fun, food and festivities, along with faith formation lessons drawn from various offered VBS themes. 

“Monumental! Celebrating God’s Goodness,” “Food Truck Party: On a Roll with God” and “Make Waves: What You Do Today Can Change the World Around You” are three popular themes with art and activity packages that churches are choosing for their summer VBS 2022 events. West Lawn UMC, in Reading, used “Monumental” for their VBS this week, including a generosity for mission project. Learn more.

What’s your church doing for VBS to bring learning and laughter to children? Please send us information and photos to feature on our conference website this summer. Contact us at [email protected] or use our Submit News page.  

Conshohocken UMC mission team sells coffee to support Uganda school

The mission team at Conshohocken UMC, also known as Conshy United, will visit the Karama Education Center in Uganda this summer. There they will install a Living Waters for the World solar-powered water filtration system and also train operators and community educators to use it.

But they also want to raise $5,000 by selling coffee from Latin American countries to provide laptops loaded with software so young students there can learn English, reading, math, computer keyboarding and other skills. Their fundraiser is a partnership with Yield Coffee Roasters of Ohio.  Supporters can select varieties of the Karama Coffee Collection, which will be roasted fresh June 14-15 and shipped June 16 or available for pickup at Conshy United June 18-19. Learn more and make your purchase today. Their coffee might be a great Father’s Day gift.  

JUNE 25 

Basic Sexual Ethics Workshop. 10 AM – 1 PM via Zoom. Register.

JULY 4

43rd anniversary of the Semana Latina (Latino Week) Summer Camp at Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center. 

JULY 7-28

EPA United Women in Faith "Mission u" – Virtual event. Register.

AUGUST 5-6

Laity Academy – Part 1. In-Person at Cedarville UMC.

AUGUST 13

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

SEPT. 30 – OCT. 1 

Laity Academy – Part 2. Virtual.