Engaging in hands-on mission
EPA’s hurricane recovery efforts in Puerto Rico continue
| The Rev. Nicolas Camacho led a mission team of Eastern PA volunteers to Puerto Rico Nov. 5-12 to help residents there recover from the widespread destruction caused by Hurricane Maria in 2018. The ramshackle, storm-damaged house they transformed into a livable home was the most challenging one he’s worked on yet, he said. But there were also a few lives transformed during that week as well. Learn more. | |
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UM Men looking for new officers
Ed Gale, new president of EPA’s UM Men (UMM), is contacting church men’s groups to build connections and support. But he’s also looking and praying for “a few good men” to assume leadership roles (vice president and secretary) in the conference’ men's organization. Contact him at [email protected].
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EPA volunteers serve at disaster recovery site in Eastwick
WHYY, a top public media news source in our region, published an in-depth story Nov. 17 reporting on efforts to help the Southwest Philadelphia community of Eastwick. Homeowners there are still trying to recover from Tropical Storm Isaias, which struck the area and flooded homes in August 2020. FEMA declined to provide emergency assistance, and many still unrepaired homes lacked flood insurance.
The Rev. Allen Keller, case manager for EPA’s Project Restoration, was there when WHYY visited on Saturday, Nov. 12, working as a volunteer and offering devotions before the work began. He is pictured in the story, unnamed but wearing Project Restoration’s signature lime green t-shirt. “I was certain God was smiling to see the diversity of humans who came and joined together to serve others in need,” said Keller.
Also pictured are frequent EPA disaster recovery volunteer Robin Bresser and longtime Eastwick UMC member Victor Jackson, vice chairperson of the influential Eastwick United CDC. Read the story.
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Spotlight: Recorded video courses on Safe Sanctuaries and more
Do you or your church members who work with young people still need to take EPA’s required Safe Sanctuaries training? If you missed the recent online trainings in September and November, you’re in luck. Video recordings and resources provided in those trainings are accessible in Spotlight, EPA’s new online learning management system.
What else is new in Spotlight? The well-attended, October “Ministry with Older Adults with Dementia” book study via Zoom explored Lynn Casteel Harper’s helpful book On Vanishing: Mortality, Dementia and What It Means to Disappear. Harper and the Rev. Karen Bartkowski examined changing cultural perceptions and new understandings of Alzheimer’s disease, offering wisdom from their studies and experiences that inspired personal reactions from participants.
Spotlight is winning praise from many who have used it for online learning and courses taken for CEUs and certification. Just log in at epaumc.myabsorb.com. Watch the orientation video and view the catalog of available courses. Learn more and try it out.
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NJ justice coalition to honor Bishop Schol for moral leadership
A faith-based, grassroots coalition of advocates for justice and equality in New Jersey, will honor Bishop John Schol as Moral Leader of the Year at its annual awards ceremony Dec. 15 in Ewing, N.J. Building One New Jersey is “devoted to the idea that everyone who lives here has a stake in the economic and social wellbeing of our region.”
While honoring seven other leaders in government, education, civil rights and organized labor, the group will recognize Bishop Schol for “his many years of service and social activism and for the righteous pursuit of power for the cause of justice through faith in action.” Learn more.
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Christmas Day is on a Sunday? We got you covered.
The Eastern PA and Greater NJ conferences are working together to produce a full worship service on video. It features Christmas liturgy, music and a sermon preached by Bishop John Schol. The video will offer a Christmastide service for any church to use anytime from Christmas Eve, December 24, through New Year’s Day.
Be on the lookout for it during the first full week of December!
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Healing Communities training Jan. 25-Feb. 1
EPA’s Prison Ministry & Restorative Justice Team will sponsor, for both EPA and GNJ conferences, a virtual 2023 Healing Communities Training in three sessions via Zoom, Jan. 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Jan. 28, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and Feb. 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Two hours of pre-class work is required in addition to 10 hours of CEU credits. Cost: $15. Register by Jan. 15.
The training provides information and perspectives on the criminal justice system and its impact on victims, survivors, offenders and their families. Church leaders will gain ideas and develop action plans to engage congregants in fostering ministries of hope, healing and reconciliation. Learn more and register. Save & share the flyer.
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World AIDS Day promotes equity and ending HIV
“Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV” is the theme for World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. While the annual observance was yesterday, AIDS is a life-stealing, global disease that still affects millions every day. The day honors all of those who have lost their lives to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and those who are infected with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). It also raises awareness of the pandemic spread of the virus and aims to end misconceptions about AIDS by educating people on prevention and control of the disease. Learn more and use the featured prayer in your church.
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NYC’s Times Square a centerpiece of UMC’s Advent advertising
The bustling holiday crowds in New York City’s Times Square and other prime locations will see an invitation from The United Methodist Church from Nov. 28 through Christmas Eve. The “Connect with Joy” campaign will remind millions of people that “The hope, love and joy we celebrate at Christmas is already present in the world – and we can connect to it right now, together.” Learn more.
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3 UM bishops, including first woman, elected in Philippines
Delegates of The United Methodist Church’s Philippines Central Conference elected three bishops during their Nov. 24-26 meeting, including the first female bishop. The Rev. Ruby-Nell Estrella, conference treasurer, said she was “truly humbled and thankful to God for this historic election.” The Rev. Rodel M. Acdal, president of John Wesley College, and the Rev. Israel Painit, country director of mission in Southeast Asia, also were elected.
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Women’s commission at 50, still a long way to go
Women in the UMC have come a long way, but more progress is needed, said Dawn Wiggins Hare, top executive of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women. The commission is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. But women pastors are still underpaid and resisted by some congregations who don’t want a female leader. Read story
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Reclaim the mission of the church
With all of the uncertainty in the UMC and around the globe, there’s a danger of losing the purpose and mission of the church, or sweeping it aside in the desire to keep everyone together and safe. When we remember “who we are and whose we are,” writes Anne Bosarge, director of Leadership Strategies and Local Church Resources in the South Georgia Conference, “we are rediscovering what we are called to do.” Read commentary
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Read and reflect on true Christmas message
John the Baptist and angels take center stage in new books available for United Methodists to read throughout Advent in preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth. Whether you choose to leisurely read a book as part of your personal study or join a Sunday school class or other small group, take time during the holy season to reflect on the true Christmas message. Read story
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Why churches should hang Christmas lights
Most people may never see the greens, Christmas trees and Advent wreaths that brighten church sanctuaries this time of year. The Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter offers three reasons why a church should decorate its building exterior with Christmas lights. Read commentary
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3 Tools for Ministry dates, sites set for March 2023
EPA has set three March dates and three locations for the 2023 Tools for Ministry church leadership education events. The half-day academies, each offering two sessions of diverse courses, will occur onsite, rather than online, for the first time since 2020. EPA members may attend any Tools session at any location.
The South and East districts will host a session together March 4 at Palmer Theological Seminar in St. Davids. The North District will host a session March 11 at Asbury UMC in Allentown. And the West District will host a session March 18 at Church of the Good Shepherd UMC in Lebanon. More information and registration to come.
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2023 Denman Evangelism Awards nominations due March 1
The Eastern PA Conference Congregational Development Team is now accepting nominations for clergy, lay and youth to receive 2023 Denman Evangelism Awards. The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors selected United Methodist clergy, lay and youth whose exceptional outreach to others invites and brings people into a life-transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Awardees are honored at Annual Conference. Learn more and download nomination forms. Send completed nomination forms to [email protected]/ by March 1, 2023.
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Next book study: Tempered Resilience by Tod Bolsinger
EPA’s Congregational Development Team (CDT) invites all to attend the next EPA book study in February 2023. Tod Bolsinger, a top leadership coach and former pastor, will lead us in a group study of his new book Tempered Resilience, How Leaders Are Formed in the Crucible of Change.
He’ll help us explore adaptive leadership qualities we can develop in changing times to overcome the external challenges we face and the internal resistance that holds us back. The study meets via Zoom on Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15, 22, at 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Register now and order Tod’s new book. It’s available for free to the first 25 registrants. Learn more. Also, see the new Learning for Leaders flyer promoting all four, seasonal book studies in 2023.
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Churches host Christmas celebrations during Advent
Emmanuel UMC in Allentown will host the Grace Notes Gospel Big Band playing Christmas/Holiday favorite music on Sunday, Dec. 4 at 6:30 PM. The 18-piece band created in 2000 includes musicians and singers from areas and denominations across the Lehigh Valley “dedicated to spreading God’s word through instrument and voice to God’s people and those needing encouragement.” Visit their Facebook page.
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Newtown UMC will celebrate “The Miracle of Jesus” in anticipation of Christmas during morning worship on Sunday, Dec. 11. The “multi-sensory experience” will transport attendees back to ancient Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Christ, as people there recall with wonder the special night the miracle baby was born and “the amazing things he went on to do.”
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Servants of Christ UMC, in Philadelphia, will also celebrate Advent and Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 11, at its annual Gospel Fest, 3-5 PM, with refreshments served at 2 PM. Visitors will enjoy gospel music, praise dance, poetry and testimony. The celebration will be livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page.
St. John’s Ivyland UMC will offer a special Christmas gift to its community on Sunday, Dec. 11, 5–8 PM, with its annual live nativity scene, complete with live animals. "Experience the wonder of the Christmas story, from the Annunciation to the birth of the Christ child. All from the comfort of your car."
Please send us news of your Advent and Christmas events and celebrations. Send information and photos to [email protected], or better yet, please use our Submit News page.
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