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October 14, 2022

Making disciples of Jesus Christ

Laity Sunday: Rise Up and Testify to God’s Grace!

On Laity Sunday, Oct. 16, churches highlight the ministry and witness of laypersons everywhere. The Greater New Jersey Conference shares resources to help congregations celebrate this important occasion, using the theme “Rise Up and Testify to God’s Grace.” Learn more.

Transformational leadership

New Conference Lay Leader wants to first listen, then lead

William “Bill” Thompson, our new Eastern PA Conference Lay Leader, wants to speak up for the concerns of laity. But first he wants to listen. He likes to share a favorite maxim of his dad’s about having two ears and two eyes, but only one mouth for a reason.

 

Thompson wants to help laity discover and develop their abilities in advocacy, discipleship and service, while making the best use of their time, talents and resources. He also wants to help “cultivate a team approach to ministry,” based on his long experience of “motivating people and establishing meaningful relationships with diverse laity and clergy.” And finally, he wants churches to send him information and photos from their Laity Sunday celebrations. Learn more.

More things you should know...

1.    Special NEJ session to decide on election of bishops, Oct. 15

The UMC’s Northeastern Jurisdiction will have a virtual Special Called Session this Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 AM to 1 PM, to receive a special report from the Committee on Episcopacy and College of Bishops and to decide on the number of bishops to elect when the regularly scheduled Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference meets Nov. 2-4.

 

Voting delegates and delegates with voice will be allowed to participate in the session via Zoom video. Reserve delegates and visitors are invited to participate by watching the sessions live on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jogZp5SmuFw.

2.    17 laity complete North District cluster’s regional academy

Eastern PA Conference churches in the northwestern part of the North District resumed their annual, regional Laity Academy at Elysburg UMC in September after a two-year hiatus caused by the Covid pandemic. Methodists United, a cluster of 10 area churches offered this alternative to EPA’s conference-wide academy, because this one is closer to home. Seventeen lay members completed the academy’s three classes, all taught by pastors. Learn more.

3.   Project Restoration Youth Day of Service a success; 3 more to come

While off from school, about 15 youth from three South District churches came to Otterbein UMC in Mont Clare on Monday, Sept 26, to help the church recover from 2021’s Hurricane Ida flood damage. It was the first of four scheduled Youth Days of Service to engage youth in the EPA Conference’s Project Restoration. 

 

Three more Youth Days of Service are scheduled for the other three districts on non-school days:  West, Nov. 8; East, Nov. 19 (NEW DATE); and North, Nov. 25. Youth from those districts’ churches are urged to REGISTER and participate. Look for more coverage next week of Project Restoration’s efforts at Otterbein UMC and serving residents of communities still trying to rebound from hurricane-caused flooding. Learn more. 

4.   Dismantling Racism I training openings

There are several open spots left for the Dismantling Racism-Level I course, scheduled for Oct. 28-30, to be conducted online, via Zoom. Register now before they fill up. The schedule is Friday, 2 –5 PM; Saturday: 10 AM–1 PM & 2–5 PM; Sunday: 2– 5 PM.  An interracial team of trainers will teach participants skills and strategies for:

  • Changing attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate racial bias and discrimination.
  • Understanding the personal costs to everyone of racial privilege and disadvantage.
  • Recognizing institutional racism and other forms of systemic oppression.
  • Changing dysfunctional racial behaviors that undermine effective partnerships.
  • Ending subtle dynamics that lead to various forms of oppression.

5.    2023 Equitable Compensation Application due Nov. 15

The Equitable Compensation Application for 2023 funding is due Nov. 15. Each year at Annual Conference the Commission on Equitable Compensation recommends the base compensation standards for pastors in our EPA Conference, which is then approved by vote at each session of Annual Conference. Local churches that are not able to pay the full amount of the minimum compensation to their pastor may receive supplemental funds from the conference. Apply here.

6.    Bishop Hassinger to keynote COSROW’S Wisdom-Seeking Women

The Eastern PA Conference Commission on the Status & Role of Women (COSROW) invites all women of faith to participate in an online spiritual renewal retreat over two-evenings, Oct. 21-22, at 6:30 to 9 PM, via Zoom.

 

The Upper New York Conference COSROW will host the virtual retreat, titled Wisdom-Seeking Women. They describe it as “a chance to catch your breath.” And they invite EPA’s women of faith to join them because the main speaker is an EPA clergy member with close, affectionate ties to our conference: Bishop Susan Hassinger (retired). Learn more.

7.    Exton UMC to remember Centralia “From Ashes to Rebirth” Oct. 22

[NOTE: The location of this event was misreported. It will be at Zion UMC in Aristes, not at Exton UMC.]

 

The Revs. Meagan Ackerman of Exton UMC and Rose Marquardt of Zion UMC in Aristes will once again tell the history of Centralia UMC, the coal-region predecessor of present-day Exton UMC in Chester County. The two churches—Zion in the EPA Conference’s North District, and Exton in the South—will come together to share their connected stories.

 

The one-hour talk on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 PM, at Zion UMC in Aristes, will feature Dave DeKok, author of Fire Underground: The Ongoing Tragedy of the Centralia Mine Fire, and the Rev. Michael Hutsko, pastor of the Centralia Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the only church left in Centralia. Learn more.

8.   Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry, Dec. 3

All are welcome to attend the Introduction to Christ Servant Ministry course Dec. 3, 9 AM to 4 PM, at Fallsington UMC (East District). A full-day’s attendance is required, along with completion of an assignment prior to the class. For more information contact Judy Ehninger, instructor. Download the registration form at:  PDF Registration Form - Dec. 3, 2022. Visit the Christ Servant Ministries Website.

Reminders...

Carson-Simpson Farm to host Worship Fest!

Carson Simpson Farm Christian Camp (CSF) in Hatboro will pulsate with sounds of melodious music ministry when it hosts its first-ever Worship Fest on Saturday, Oct. 15, 12 to 5 PM. Over 580 people have registered for the free,  half-day, outdoor  "mini-Creation Festival." Register at Worship Fest Tickets, Eventbrite. Churches worship teams will sing and inspire the gathering. Joining them will be the popular Ripe Creatives, a collective of exciting, young, multi-genre Christian artists, including hip hop musicians and spoken word poets. Learn more.

EPA United Women in Faith 49th Annual Celebration

October 15, 2022, from 9 AM to 3 PM. Location: Montgomery Square UMC( 1900 County Line Rd. North Wales, PA 19454). UMF Annual Celebration 2022 Flyer. Register.

Body & Soul: Healing the Trauma of Domestic Violence, Oct. 21-22

The Eastern PA Conference Domestic Violence Committee will explore the physical, emotional and social impacts of trauma related to violence, primarily domestic and intimate-partner violence Oct. 21-22, via Zoom, on Friday, 7-9 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM -12:30 PM. Resource experts, advocates and survivors will present information and compelling insights, and lead discussions and workshops.

 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Attendees will explore trauma caused by violence that increasingly affects children and youth, survivors of disasters, residents of violence-prone communities, families of military veterans suffering with PTSD, and others. “Every church should have a ministry of healing and a message of hope to respond to this crisis,” said the Rev. Jacqueline Hines, committee co-chair. Learn more.

Phone volunteers needed to aid Hurricane Ian survivors

The EPA Conference’s Project Restoration disaster recovery ministry is offering an easy way for people to help survivors of Hurricane Ian, which devastated communities in Florida. All you need are a telephone, a computer, some free time during the week and a patient, caring heart willing to hear survivors’ concerns and connect them with the help they need.

 

Project Restoration is partnering with Crisis Cleanup to provide phone volunteers for their web-based program to assist Hurricane Ian survivors. Volunteers are needed to take survivors’ calls on the Crisis Cleanup disaster hotline. Learn more.

Certified Lay Minister orientation for entering Class of 2023

EPA’s is offering in its annual orientation for persons interested in becoming Certified Lay Ministers. Attendance at one orientation session, via Zoom video conferencing, is required for admission to the Class of 2023 (to be certified in 2024). The remaining two-hour sessions will meet on Monday, Oct 24, and Tuesday, Nov. 8, both at 6:30 PM; and on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 9:30 AM. Contact Judy Ehninger, CLM Program Coordinator, with questions and to register for an Orientation Session. Phone: 610-442-3140. Or judy.ehninger@gmail.com. Download for full information: CLM orientation for admission 2023.  

Courageous Dialogues begin Oct. 24

EPA Conference members will engage in Courageous Dialogues to share their stories with one another in multiple sessions at EPA Camp & Retreat Centers. The first dialogues will be held Oct. 24, Nov. 14 and Jan. 30, 2023—all Mondays. See the districts and locations for these initial dialogues, plus costs and a list of “Core Values for Courageous Dialogues.” Learn more and register

UM Men to meet, elect new officers Oct. 30

The Eastern PA Conference’s United Methodist Men will elect new officers when they have their annual membership meeting on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 2 PM, via Zoom. All EPA men are invited to participate and urged to share this announcement with others. Following the recent passing of UMM president Clifton Hubbard, new leaders are being sought for all offices: President, Vice-President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Zoom access information will be shared later. For more information contact David J. Marks, UMM secretary at david@davidjmarks.com.

Return Christmas Cards for People in Prison by Nov.2

EPA Christmas Cards for People in Prison program, through which we can help incarcerated persons experience God’s love, returns this year. Blank cards can be obtained online, by postal mail or picked up from convenient church locations. All signed cards must be returned by Nov. 2. Learn more.

CONAM to explore Doctrine of Discovery, Nov. 6 at Innabah

The Committee on Native American Ministries (CoNAM) will present a lecture and discussion on “The Doctrine of Discovery: Enabling Oppression and Exploitation,” led by CONAM member Ron Williams, on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 4 PM. The free fall event returns to Innabah Camp & Retreat Center in Spring City. It will include a light supper and a free-will blanket offering. Please register in advance. Attendees may earn Advanced Dismantling Racism course credit for this event. Learn more and register.

New Safe Sanctuaries training scheduled, Nov. 12

EPA will offer a virtual Safe Sanctuaries training on Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 AM to 12 noon, via Zoom. This training is vital for all church leaders and pastors, especially those who relate to children and youth in church facilities. The Rev. Jacqueline Daniszewski, Conference Safe Sanctuaries Committee Chair, lead the training. Learn more and register.

BSA agreements extended to Dec. 31

The BSA and UMC have agreed that all present agreements between churches and scouting groups have been extended to Dec. 31, 2022. This includes charters, affiliation agreements and facilities use agreements. Despite the unanticipated delay in the final approval of the BSA reorganization plan, this extended deadline is still in effect.

Good News!

Have Good News to share?

Email communications@epaumc.church to let us know! And please send us your news of church events and church mission efforts.


Also, visit our Local Church Events page and our Churches in Mission page. 

Calendar

OCT. 5 - 26: “Learning for Leaders” October Book Club: On Vanishing | Wednesdays at 11 AM | October 5, 12, 19, 26 | Zoom | Register


OCT. 15: Advanced Sexual Ethics Workshop: Congregational Trauma, Resilience, and Healing, 9 AM – 12 noon, via Zoom.


OCT. 15: United Women in Faith 9th Annual Celebration. Montgomery Square UMC North Wales. Learn more.


OCT. 21-22: Body and Soul: The Trauma of Domestic Violence. Learn more. 


OCT. 24: Courageous DialoguesInnabah Camp & Retreat Center (for South & East Districts combined). Register.


OCT. 24: Project Restoration Youth Day of Service. East District.  Register.


OCT. 28-30: Dismantling Racism – Level I, via Zoom. Learn more

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