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Deepen Faith
EPA youth help 'IGNITE' youth rally in Wildwood, NJ
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Just steps from the Atlantic Ocean, amid swirling gusts of an early autumn wind, the Holy Spirit was aflame as more than 700 enthusiastic youth, adult leaders and event staff converged on the sprawling Wildwood Convention Center from Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. The weekend IGNITE 2022 Youth Rally welcomed them from across the host Greater New Jersey Conference and the Eastern PA, New York and Upper New York conferences.
Reminiscent of the cultural diversity that welcomed the Holy Spirit’s first arrival at Pentecost, the gathering was for many just as inspiring and perhaps just as transformative in its impact on their lives. Learn more and enjoy the IGNITE recap video.
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Inspiring Worship
Camp & Retreat Centers burst into fall with Worship Fest and more
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The Eastern PA Conference’s four Camp & Retreat Centers have transitioned into autumn like the vivid fall foliage that will soon overtake their grounds. 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.
Nearly 400 people so far have registered for the free, outdoor, half-day "mini-Creation Festival." While the event is free, online registration is requested at Worship Fest Tickets, Eventbrite. Churches will send worship music teams to 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.
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More things you should know... | |
1. 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 last week. 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 will partner 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.
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2. Esposito to direct UM campus ministry at Drexel
The Rev. Diana Esposito is the new Executive Director of the Wesley Student Foundation of Philadelphia, where she directs the Open Door Campus Ministry at Drexel University. She also has two more new leadership roles: Pastor of Children, Youth, and Community Engagement at Covenant UMC in Springfield and Co-chairwoman of EPA's Commission on Religion & Race. Learn more.
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3. 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 [email protected].
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4. New Safe Sanctuaries training scheduled, Nov. 12
For those who missed the virtual Safe Sanctuaries training Sept. 10, a new one is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 AM to 12 noon, via Zoom. Safe Sanctuaries is more important than ever. 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, will present needed information. Learn more and register.
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5. BSA agreements extended to Dec. 31, 2022
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.
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6. Interested in becoming a Global Mission Fellow?
Young adults, age 20 to 30, with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent life experience, can commit to two years of living and serving in solidarity with others. This is a great opportunity for those dedicated to addressing the root causes of injustice and putting their Christian faith into action.
Global Mission Fellows who serve in the US-2 Track have an awareness of systems of injustice and a desire to advocate for change. They form meaningful relationships within the community and are mentored by experts in partnering organizations. Applications are being accepted now.
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8. Advent devotions available for order
The Society of St. Andrew, a feeding ministry and UMC partner based in Virginia, offers free devotionals for the season of Advent. This year's theme is "Prepare the Way of the Lord." The deadline to order print materials is Nov. 1. The daily devotions run Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. To learn more and order
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Christmas Cards for People in Prison
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.
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October Book Club explores On Vanishing, about dementia
The next Learning for Leaders book study, weekly on October 5, 12, 19, & 26, will be On Vanishing: Mortality, Dementia and What It Means to Disappear, authored by the Rev. Lynn Casteel Harper, who has studied and ministered among people living with dementia. Harper will co-lead the study with the Rev. Karen Bartkowski, Pastoral Ministries Coordinator and Chaplain at Maris Grove Senior Living in Glen Mills. . Learn more and register.
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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.
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Exton UMC to remember Centralia “From Ashes to Rebirth” Oct. 22
The Revs. Meagan Ackerman of Exton UMC and Rose Marquardt of Aristes Zion UMC will once again tell the history of Centralia UMC, the coal-region predecessor of present-day Exton UMC in Chester County. They will be joined by Dave DeKok, author of Fire Underground the Ongoing Tragedy of the Centralia Mine Fire, in a one-hour talk on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 2 PM.
Exton previously hosted "Story-telling from Centralia" May 15, drawing attendees from both the South and North districts. Marquardt shared personal stories of her connection to Centralia, whose history and culture is represented in Exton’s architecture and furnishings.
The program will happen at Exton UMC, followed by a time of fellowship. It will also be livestreamed on Exton UMC's Facebook page. Learn more.
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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. Register.
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 Dialogues. Innabah 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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