Conference Office closed until Jan. 4, 2022
Blessed Christmas greetings to you from us!
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The Eastern PA Conference Office closed for the year midday on Thursday, Dec. 23. (And the conference staff partied together onsite and remotely online.)
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We wish you all
a blessed, safe
and Merry Christmas!
We will see you
in the new year!
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Read and share NEWSpirit Newspaper’s Fall/Winter 2021 issue now online
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Read and share this informative and inspirational issue, with articles about
- Bishop announces 2022 Cabinet transitions; seeks 2 new superintendents
- EPAUMC receives UMCOR Disaster Recovery grant (with updates on our Disaster Response efforts and challenges)
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Latino Commission celebrates growth, new ministries in 2021) ...and much more.
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Cabinet offers churches gift of recorded Christmas worship service
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Bishop John Schol and the Extended Cabinet recorded a full Christmas worship service, offering it online to EPAUMC churches for suggested use on Dec. 26.
While all three versions are intercultural, the Spanish and Korean language versions feature additional Latino and Korean worship participants, respectively. Their liturgies are spoken and songs are sung in their languages, and Bishop Schol’s sermon is translated with subtitles.
The complete worship service begins and ends with Christmas music performed by two different bell choirs. It is the Cabinet’s gift to churches to offer pastors and worship leaders a brief respite from busy Advent and Christmas activities—in other words, a Sunday off.
The worship service, titled “Clothed in Love,” features a sermon by Bishop Schol, based on Colossians 3:12-17, in which he especially emphasizes the virtues of gentleness and patience, among others. Extended Cabinet members contribute an opening greeting, prayers, scripture reading, offering stewardship message and benediction.
Two lay members—a grandmother and grandchild— from Wharton-Wesley UMC in Philadelphia read a Call to Worship together. Solo and ensemble musicians from all four districts around the conference perform a rich variety of sacred, Christmas music. Learn more…
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A Christmas Prayer: ‘That we may be Christmas people every day of the year’
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By the Rev. Evelyn Kent Clark, South District Superintendent
O God, we come before you to express our joy and thanksgiving in this miraculous season. As we celebrate the beauty and mystery of the Christmas event, the birth of the Christ Child, we are in awe of the full scope of your love and grace toward humanity.…
We pray for all people near and far, young and old, in every situation of life. Gift us, O God, with more power, that we may be the answer to their prayers, that we may be Christmas people every day of the year….
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WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops President Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey is optimistic that 2022 will offer more opportunities for United Methodists through the world to engage in increased ministry and to be more loving.
In the COB Christmas 2021 letter Bishop Harvey, who is also the resident bishop of Louisiana, said the COVID-19 pandemic, racial unrest, hurricanes, tornadoes, job losses and the brokenness of our world have not deterred the UMC in its mission.
“As we enter 2022, we will continue to make room for all to be welcome. Christ compels us to live creatively in the context of all the new possibilities that only a true gift of Christ can bring. We have more opportunities for us to be a living and more loving United Methodist Church as we experience Emmanuel, God with us! “Bishop Harvey said in the letter. Click here to read the Christmas letter in full.
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By the Rev. Julia Singleton
I’m a clergymom. So, Advent is one of the most overwhelming times of year. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the magic-bringer.
At church, I make sure all the traditions are followed, the church is beautiful, the Christmas letter goes out, the sermons are inspiring, the shut-in folks feel cared for, and so on…
And at home I need to bring the magic by decorating the house, sending out Christmas cards, buying and wrapping presents for everyone, trimming the tree, baking cookies for Santa, watching all the Christmas specials, and so on and so forth…
But then at some point, I stop and remember that I’m not the magic-bringer. The magic– the miracle–of Christmas was already brought over 2000 years ago into a stable in Bethlehem. Emmanuel, God with Us! Read more…
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A Message for Advent and Christmas, from Bishop John Schol
Pastoral theologian Frederick
Buechner described what God said to Job about suffering and calamity: “You don’t want to know why things happen. You want to know that I love you.”
At some level, all of creation is in a Job moment. Disasters, poverty, racism and a pandemic that has brought the world to a common experience of tragedy and loss. We have lost family, friends, time, identity, health, trust, jobs, interactions with people, innocence, confidence, and the list goes on.
You would think people would lose faith, belief in God. Nope. A recent Pew Research study found that people’s faith at this moment has not changed because of the pandemic. We cling to the Advent/Christmas story in which God said, I love you.
This faith, this love, this hope does not come easily. It’s hard, and yet, it is worth fighting for because God fought for us. A love greater than we could have imagined came as a whisper in the birth of a child. Learn more…
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Annual Conference: onsite, online or both? |
Annual Conference planners survey members for help with 2022 decision
The Eastern PA Annual Conference will meet May 20-21, 2022, with the usual highlights. What has yet to be determined, however, is where and how we will meet: either onsite at the familiar Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, or online via Zoom as in the past two years. Or maybe both onsite and online in a hybrid arrangement to accommodate the safety concerns of some, amid rising COVID-19 transmission rates, and the desires of others for face-to-face proximity.
The Commission on Sessions hopes to decide in January how to meet, which may affect logistics, participation and costs for both the conference and its paying registrants. So it is asking voting Conference members for their onsite or online preferences in a new survey questionnaire. Members are asked to complete and submit the online questionnaire by Thursday, Dec. 23. Learn more…
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Latino Commission celebrates growth, new ministries in 2021 |
Members of the Eastern PA Conference Latino Commission celebrated Christmas together Dec. 4, as families enjoyed feasting and fellowship, music and mirth, worship and witnessing to their faith.
The Rev. Luky Cotto, Latino Ministries coordinator, was sadly unable to join them onsite at Lehman Memorial UMC in Hatboro, as she recuperated from surgery. But she appeared on a laptop screen via Zoom, bearing the most plentiful and precious gifts of the celebration: a full report on how their various churches and ministries were blessed by accomplishments and support during this year, along with plans for the year to come.
Cotto highlighted new and growing ministries in Latino churches and communities, and three new, promising Latino community outreach efforts at predominantly Anglo churches. Learn more…
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United Methodist Men Ring in the New Year |
Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
10 PM - 12 AM, ET
The Northeastern and Southeastern Jurisdictions of the United Methodist Men invite our brothers and sisters worldwide to close one year and ring in a new one with a focus on faith. As people of faith, we pray in the new year. Our connectedness in the high moment of prayer is so significant that we believe that should be the first act of the new year.
Let us rejoice in song and reflect on 2021 with words from Haggai, King Solomon, David, Joshua, and Jesus. Hear testimonies from our brothers and sisters about how God has blessed them. Then as we light the candles for a new start in 2022, let us in the Methodist tradition renew the covenant prayer by John Wesley that describes Jesus' way of self-giving and self-emptying love. Learn more…
Meeting ID: 846 5629 7696. Passcode: 659649
For additional information or questions, call Bryon Gould at 443-858-1308 or email Rich Hughen at [email protected].
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2021: Notable church members remembered |
United Methodists over the past 12 months have marked the passing of influential church leaders, the inventor of a beloved children’s toy, brave justice advocates and the woman believed to be the last remaining U.S. Civil War widow.
Among the UM bishops joining the Church Triumphant was Bishops F. Herbert Skeete, who led the Philadelphia Area from 1980 to 1988, and Joseph H. Yeakel, who was born, raised and attended college in Eastern PA.
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Kentucky disaster responders say no more donated items please! |
A message from Robert Simcox, EPAUMC Coordinator of Disaster Response
Our Kentucky VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster) partners report that they are overwhelmed with tons of donated items and have no place to store them. The flood of donations has now become their second disaster. They have asked us to tell our disaster response networks, “Please do not send more.”
They say, “While all donations are appreciated, CASH IS BEST. Our members are fully-vetted, experienced, and dedicated professionals who will get the most out of your generous donation. Do not send or bring unsolicited donations. If you wish to make a financial donation, please email [email protected] for information.” Learn more…
Please continue to keep all people who are in the midst of dealing with a disaster, around the world, in your thoughts and prayers as we celebrate Christmas. Merry Christmas to everyone. —Bob
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LOCAL CHURCH MINISTRY NEWS |
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We’re looking for glad tidings. Please send us your church news! |
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Attend ‘Preaching CAREFully’ lay speaking class in January
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Eastern PA Conference Christ Servant Ministries will again offer the Advanced Lay Speaking course “Preaching CAREfully: Reclaim Being a “Shepherd of Souls” via Zoom in three class sessions. The Rev. Lloyd Speer, who says, “True preaching is always pastoral,” will teach the popular course.
• Friday, Jan. 14 (7- 9 PM)
• Saturday, Jan. 15 (9 AM to noon)
• Saturday, Jan.22 (9 AM to noon)
The registration cost is $35. There are prerequisites; and attendance at all three sessions is required to receive CSM or CLM credits. See and share the event flyer for more information and to register.
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January 2022 Book Club: Being the Church in a Post-Pandemic World
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Dates: January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9 (5 weeks)
Study led by: Kay Kotan (author)
Sponsored by: EPAUMC Congregational Development Team (CDT)
The first 25 people to register will receive a free Kindle version of the book.
Focused specifically on how to help churches as we emerge from the pandemic. This will be a dynamic, interactive study that you and your church leadership will not want to miss! Learn more... Register now!
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CEUs are now available for participation in CDT Book Studies! |
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2022 book studies to offer lively Learning for Leaders |
Learning for Leaders is a new series of four Conference-Wide, Author-Led Book Studies that will continue in January 2022. The lively, guided, hourlong discussions will continue on Wednesdays, at 11 AM via Zoom. Having the books' authors lead those discussions makes them deeply insightful with personal, first-hand wisdom for participants.
The books to be studied are:
These studies gather clergy and lay leaders who are passionate about lifelong learning, personal and church growth, and leadership development. The real bonus is learning with others in dynamic group settings, even online. The diversity of experiences and open minds and open hearts has enriched the Conference-wide book studies throughout 2021.
The 2022 studies are sponsored by various Conference ministry teams. For each book study, the first 25 registrants will receive a free e-copy (Kindle edition) of the book! Download and share the flyer!
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EZRA / Church Statistical Report forms mailed |
The mailings for the Statistical Reports were processed and mailed om Wednesday, Dec. 22. Churches should be able to enter their 2021 data starting Thursday, Dec. 23.
The website is the same: ezra.gcfa.org. Login user name: the church’s six-digit GCFA number
The initial access password is: stat2021. The submission due date for all churches is Feb. 28, 2022.
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Conference seeks Disaster Recovery Director |
The Eastern PA Conference has an immediate need for a Disaster Recovery Director to assist with disaster response and recovery efforts across the Southeastern Pennsylvania region. The director would work closely with the Director of Connectional Ministries, the Disaster Response Coordinator, and the Volunteers in Mission Coordinator to manage the design, implementation, and communication of the recovery plan.
The director will partner with disaster response efforts in Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties to help communities devastated by floods caused by Hurricane Ida (2021) and Hurricane Isaias (2020). That includes working with vendors, volunteers, case managers and construction managers; also helping recruit and deploy volunteers. Learn more…
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Conference seeks Disaster Recovery Case Manager |
The Eastern PA Conference has an immediate need for a Case Manager to work with individuals and families who are recovering from floods caused by Hurricane Ida (2021) Hurricane Isaias (2020) across the Southeastern Pennsylvania region. The Case Manager would coordinate needed services and resources to address clients’ complex disaster recovery needs in order to re-establish normalcy and holistic recovery.
The case manager would work closely with the Disaster Recovery Director to identify vulnerable persons in need of services and referrals, screen applicants to identify urgency of need, and direct individuals to appropriate services, information and referral. Learn more…
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Conference seeks Data Entry Clerk |
The Eastern PA Conference is seeking to hire a part-time Data Entry Clerk for entering and maintaining accurate data in the conference database. This is a 25-hour per week position that does not include health benefits. Resumes and cover letters should be sent to [email protected] by Jan. 10, 2022. Learn more…
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EPAUMC Cabinet sets priorities for its work |
The Eastern PA Conference’s Extended Cabinet, comprising district superintendents, senior staff and Bishop John Schol, is building on EPA’s vision, mission and a recent survey of laity and clergy to set priorities for its work.
That conversation started in September with a survey of conference members, followed by Cabinet members’ consideration of survey findings and deliberations around the question “Why do we exist?” And then it moved to conference staff and elected leaders of ministry groups who serve on the Connectional Table, all giving feedback, perspectives and energy in developing priorities.
The Extended Cabinet, in addition to leading and managing the administration and ministry of EPA, works together to develop transformational lay and clergy leaders. Those leaders will guide congregations to become healthy, vital and missional, as they “make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Cabinet will focus its work on four key areas. Learn more…
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Bishop announces 2022 Cabinet transitions; requests two new DS recommendations |
Bishop John Schol announced Dec. 16 the imminent departure of two district superintendents in June 2022, and he appealed to EPA Conference members for recommendations of who should succeed them.
“I am sad that the Rev. Bumkoo Chung (right) will finish his tenure as a superintendent on June 30, 2022,” wrote the bishop in a conference-wide letter, noting Chung’s passion for effective evangelism and community engagement among churches. “He has served EPA and the West District faithfully. In the short time I have known him, Rev. Chung is deeply committed to leading congregations to health and vitality, growing lay leadership and supporting clergy.”
Bishop Schol also expressed sadness for the departure next June of the Rev. Steve Morton (left) as North District Superintendent. Morton requested a new part-time appointment. “I have known Steve for much of my ministry career and have found him to be an exemplary leader in growing churches, developing leaders and supporting clergy and laity in their ministry,” wrote the bishop. “His leadership in the North District has led to innovative and strengthened ministry. He too will be deeply missed as a superintendent.”
Bishop Schol asked for prayers for the Cabinet, “as we prayerfully discern and appoint two new superintendents.” He also requested members’ help in that process. “Please submit up to two names of individuals you believe will serve well as superintendents. I will only consider names submitted by clergy and laity for the superintendency.” Learn more…
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Churches to enjoy Connectional Ministries Fund ‘holiday’ |
Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day. These are our three, ordinary, end-of-the-year holidays. But the Eastern PA Conference is offering its churches an extraordinary “holiday” as this year ends—one that’s all about thanks and about giving. In fact, it’s more than just a day. It’s a whole month.
It’s the “one-month Connectional Ministries Funds Holiday” promised to churches at the EPAUMC Annual Conference session May 21. And while many churches continue to struggle to make ends meet, this holiday relieves them of paying December’s apportioned Connectional Ministries Fund.
“To celebrate the good financial standing of the annual conference,” the conference’s Council on Finance & Administration announced at the online annual session in May, that churches would only be expected to pay 11 months of the CMF (Connectional Ministries Fund). The cost of this “payment holiday,” which only relates to the CMF and not to other apportioned funds or remittances, may total more than $300,000, according to Conference Treasurer James Brown. Learn more…
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UMCOR grants EPAUMC $417,000 to aid disaster recovery efforts |
Conference to seek more volunteers to help restore homes
We are pleased to announce that the United Methodist Committee on Relief of Global Ministries (UMCOR) has approved your grant request of USD ($)417,737 on behalf of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference for Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Isaias Recovery (Project Restoration).
Those welcome words brought an Advent blessing last week to EPAUMC’s Director of Connectional Ministries, the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, who labored for months on the UMCOR grant application. But it was also a blessing to flood-ravaged communities in dire need of the aptly named “Project Restoration.”
The immediate result is a search to find and hire a Director of Disaster Response to lead in recruiting and managing volunteers, among many other tasks, and a Case Manager to help families still waiting to return to their damaged homes or be safely relocated.
EPA’s volunteer Disaster Response Coordinator Robert Simcox has been organizing and overseeing the labors of Early Response Teams several Saturdays a month in Downingtown since October--including today, Dec. 18.
Meanwhile, Hopewell UMC has member teams doing major home restoration work there as well, in partnership with local groups. And the church has raised and contributed over $60,000 plus supplies to the town’s recovery needs. Learn more…
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Seeking ‘faithful stewards of God’s grace’ for disaster response |
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” –-1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Whether it’s “time, talent and treasure,” as cited in several biblical passages, or the “prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness” of The United Methodist Church’s membership vows, the sharing of God’s many gifts and merciful grace is key to the lives of faithful stewards.
United Methodists are sending donations to the Eastern PA Conference for its Disaster Response Fund to help neighbors recover from Hurricane Ida’s remnant storms that devastated a church and several communities in our area in early September. We received $32,780 in donations from individuals, churches and districts as of Nov. 30, plus a $10,000 grant from the UM Committee on Relief (UMCOR, which we support through our connectional giving).
But that is only a start, and more is needed. You can support the conference Disaster Response Fund by visiting our Giving Page. Make checks payable to "Eastern PA Conference" and mail them to: Eastern PA Conference, Attn: Accounting, PO Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482. Write the name and fund number (Disaster Response Advance Special project #0345) on your check memo line. Or use our convenient Online Giving Page.
While some are giving directly to affected churches, the conference is raising funds and seeking grants to respond broadly to unmet needs and to support home restoration efforts with the help of hard-working teams of volunteers. The conference hopes to recruit and deploy more Volunteers in Mission this month to join already engaged Early Response Teams in Downingtown, who work along with volunteers from Hopewell UMC and the community. Learn more...
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Churches who help Afghans eligible for grant |
Churches helping refugees from Afghanistan resettle in the U.S. are eligible for $1,000 grants through a partnership between the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Church World Service. Recognizing that providing resettlement support to refugees presents congregations with new responsibilities, the relief agency is offering to share some of the costs. Applications are being taken through April 30. To apply. Learn more. UM News: Global Ministries, UMCOR approve $10M in grants
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BOOM assistance available for clergy counseling, spiritual direction |
The EPAUMC Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM) recognizes the importance of clergy practicing good self-care through both spiritual direction and counseling. The board wants to ensure that all clergy are aware of financial resources available for both counseling and spiritual direction.
Insurance should be used first when seeking counseling. If additional support is needed, BOOM provides financial assistance for counseling and spiritual direction. Clergy may choose their own provider; but the counselor or spiritual director needs to be licensed.
The board provides $75 per session for up to 6 months available. Except where BOOM has required otherwise, pastors are expected to contribute to their own care. For further information or application, contact the Rev. Greg Impink, BOOM Chair of Pastoral Care, at [email protected]. All names and identifying information are held in confidence by the Pastoral Care Chair.
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Missed any virtual events?
View recordings of many recent online events on our Event Recordings webpage. Share them with your congregation and church leaders. Use them as a training resource.
Please tell us if and how you use our Event Recordings and if they are valuable to you. Write to us at [email protected].
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Update your church's Find-A-Church webpage |
Update your church’s Find‑A‑Church webpage to offer potential visitors current, helpful information. As people begin to seek in‑person connections once more, they’ll be searching online for information about local churches. Be prepared to welcome them with an updated Find‑A‑Church profile! Include a note about who you are as a congregation, links to your website and social media channels, location details and more.
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Conference Leadership Opportunities for all! |
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Visit our Local Church Resources webpage |
Do you find yourself wondering where you can obtain a 501(c)3 letter? Clergy W-2s? Various other bits of information that is crucial for churches? Look no further than the Local Church Resources page under the Administration tab on the EPA website and you can answer these questions.
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Let's stay connected. Send us your newsletters |
Please add our Communications Office to your church newsletter's digital and/or print mailing lists. We find much of our news in church newsletters (when we find time to read them), and we try to report local church news and events as much as possible. (We also love seeing Conference news reported in your newsletters. Thanks!) However, we want to receive only your church newsletters please, not other e-mailed church announcements. Thanks!
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Missed any past issues of NEWSpirit Digest? |
You can still read or share informative, colorful back issues of our weekly e-newsletter on the Conference Website at epaumc.org/news/newspirit. Share this link with others who might want to stay informed about our news, events, resources and concerns. And please encourage them to subscribe by e-mailing [email protected]. Thanks!
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January 2022
January 7 & 8: Implicit Biases Workshop. Friday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM to 12:45 PM, on Zoom. Download the flyer. Register.
January 11: Bivocational & Small Church Network. Every other Month, on the 2nd Tuesday of Month, at 6:30 PM, on Zoom. Learn More. Register.
Starts January 12: Weekly Book Club: Being the Church in a Post-Pandemic World by Kay Kotan. Wednesdays at 11 AM. Dates: January 12, 19, 26; February 2, 9 (5 weeks). Sponsored by CDT. Learn More. Register.
April 2022
April 2: 2022 Laity Session, 10 AM – 12 PM, via Zoom.
April 20-24: Dismantling Racism – Level I. Virtual, via Zoom. Learn More.
April 30: "Relating with Clergy Spouses" workshop for SPRCs, led by Julie Anderman (Executive Director, Artos Retreats). Registration and further details TBA.
May 2022
May 4: 2022 Clergy Session, 9 AM – 12 PM. Further details TBA.
May 14: Transition Workshop for new appointments, led by David Woolverton. 9 AM – 12 Noon via Zoom. Registration and further details TBA.
May 20-21: 2022 Annual Conference.
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Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church
980 Madison Avenue, Norristown, PA 19403
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