JUNE 24, 2022

Transformational Leadership

Help is On the Way!

By the Rev. Steve Morton

EPA’s new Leadership Development Manager has a heartening prognosis despite all the maladies that may currently afflict the body of Christ: “As I look around at all the talent and giftedness across our Conference, maybe we don’t always see it right away, but here’s what I believe: Help is on the way....We’ve got troubles. But Jesus says, ‘Enough of that. I understand; but here’s what I’m telling you: the Father who dwells in you...still does his works today.’” Read more.

Laity Academy: An invitation to learning for ministry

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." Learn more. Click here to view the course catalog . Register

Growing in Faith

‘Building Communities of Hope and Joy’ at Mission u

“God’s desire for us is to build communities of hope and joy.” The Eastern PA Conference United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women) invite all to join in exploring that inspiring, unifying desire at monthlong sessions of Mission u 2022, to be held online July 7-28.

The cost is $25 per person. The registration deadline is extended to July 1. All participants will take the same study. Books available for adult, youth and children will focus on a shared biblical theme, found in Luke 13. View a new, 1-minute promotional video, “It’s time to recharge with Mission u.” Learn more.

More things you should know...

1. Project Restoration and partners meeting hurricane recovery needs

The Eastern PA Conference’s Project Restoration is helping survivor families recover from severe flood damage caused by Hurricanes Ida in 2021 and Isaias in 2020. We are working with disaster recovery partners in Coatesville, Downingtown, Eastwick and West Chester, with more communities soon to come.

If you know of hurricane survivors with unmet needs please call us at 484-441-6637 or email [email protected]. And please join our volunteers in helping to restore the lives of neighbors in need. We welcome individuals and groups of volunteers. Visit our website and complete our volunteer registration form. Learn more.

2. Federal EPA to offer churches free energy efficiency training

The Rev. Zachary Hopple, pastor of Christ UMC Lansdale, wants Eastern PA Conference churches to know about free, upcoming Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) training events to help them save on energy costs.

The first training, July 12, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, is an introduction to the federal EPA’s Treasure Map, a tool to help houses of worship identify areas where they can make simple changes within their facilities to help save energy. Church trustees, administrators and finance leaders are urged to attend the three monthly events, all on Tuesdays, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Learn more.

3. ‘Francis Asbury’ to visit Boehm's Chapel

“Bishop Francis Asbury,” the father of American Methodism, will return to Boehm's Chapel, 13 W Boehms Rd Willow Street, PA, June 26 to help celebrate its annual Heritage Sunday. Local actor Peyton Dixon will portray Asbury, a friend of Martin Boehm, co-founder of UMC predecessor denomination the United Brethren in Christ, a . A 4:00 PM worship service will feature “Asbury’s” remarks and music provided by First UMC Lancaster. Boehm's Chapel is a UMC heritage landmark open to visitors June through August or by appointment. Learn more.

4. Celebrate Social Media Day with new resources

UM Communications will celebrate Social Media Day June 30 by highlighting the many resources the agency provides to help churches maximize their social media potential. A live learning session at 1 PM will offer tips for using Facebook Groups, with a Q&A session to follow on the agency's Facebook page. Read press release Learn more about training See Social Media Day resources

5. Understanding our spiritual goal as United Methodists

What does it mean to be United Methodist? Find out from Dr. Ashley Boggan Dreff, General Secretary of the General Commission on Archives & History, as she shares what United Methodists believe and how we are to live our faith in the world around us. "Our spiritual goal as United Methodists is to embody the love of neighbor in a constant and consistent fashion, that when people look at us all they see is the love of God shining forth from us," begins Dr. Boggan Dreff. "This is our understanding of God's grace working in us."

View “Understanding our spiritual goal as United Methodists” to learn about: our spiritual goal as United Methodists; Wesley's emphasis on social holiness; challenging ourselves to be better; and living into the United Methodist mission.

6. Video games to enrich your faith

Since its inception, one of the major goals at Checkpoint Church was to make use of the medium of the video game in order to explore the Christian faith, according to its self-described “nerd pastor,” the Rev. Nathan Webb. He recommends a handful of video games that could be used to start a small-group study. View resource.

UM News: ‘Church for nerds’ builds community without a building

7. New era for church and Boy Scouts of America

The United Methodist Church will continue to partner with the Boy Scouts of America but in a new relationship that should lighten the load for local churches. The shift comes after a difficult two years that has included the BSA’s child sex abuse-related bankruptcy proceeding and the pandemic. Sam Hodges reports. Read story

8. The role of the church in addressing gun violence

Churches often feel overwhelmed with the idea of taking on potentially divisive issues, the Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter acknowledges. However, she says churches have a positive role to play in addressing the tragedy of mass shootings. It starts with recognizing there is no single answer. Read commentary

Reminders

Look for updates of Appointments, Retirees and Open Churches on Sundays after 1 PM. See the Appointments page on our website for updates.

Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health

Pathways 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. You can learn all about it to help your church make choices for a future that is visionary, viable and vital. Visit the Pathways to Congregational Fruitfulness & Health webpage and enroll.

COSROW to host event on 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... Register.

Next issue of Jobs Digest June 27

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

Local Pastors Licensing School to begin in August

The Eastern PA Conference’s next Local Pastor Licensing School will begin August 19 and run eight weekends total until Oct. 8. That includes six weekends total of in-class modules, again offered fully online via Zoom video-conferencing. Online registration is open now. Learn more.

Online history courses available

The United Methodist Commission on Archives and History has launched a new online teaching platform, the UM History Hub. The hub currently offers registration for the Local Church Historians' School; an online course that focuses on past splits, separations and reconciliations of the denomination; and another course for young people on Wesleyan heritage. Read press release. Visit UM History Hub

Worship series concepts sought

United Methodist Discipleship Ministries is in the market for ideas for worship series based on themes or special events. Concepts can be sent to the agency for consideration via a form on its website. Pastors, worship leaders and worship teams are encouraged to send their ideas. Learn more and submit ideas

Registration now open for 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. Worship Fest 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 .

Good News!

Have Good News to share?

Email [email protected] 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

JUNE 25

COSROW event “How Heart Problems Affect Women” 2 PM, via Zoom. Register.

JULY 4

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

JULY 7-28

Mission u. EPA United Women in Faith Virtual event. Register by July 1 (extended deadline).

JULY 16

Basic Sexual Ethics Workshop. 10 AM – 1 PM via Zoom. Register. Rescheduled from June 25.

AUGUST 5-6

Laity Academy – Part 1. In-Person at Cedarville UMC. Register. View the course catalog.

AUGUST 19

Local Pastors Licensing School begins. Six weekends of in-class modules via Zoom. Online registration is open now. Learn more.