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September 3, 2022

Engage Communities in Mission

Hurricane Ida recovery, one year later 

This weekend marks one year since Hurricane Ida unleashed its devastating winds and floods on Pennsylvania—from August 31 to Sept. 5. Just over a year earlier, August 4-5, 2020, it was Hurricane Isaias. Hurricane Ida caused severe flooding and damage to many homes and churches in hard-hit communities in EPA. 

 

Now the Eastern PA Conference’s Project Restoration is making slow but steady progress, helping churches, communities and residents to recover from both storms. While grateful for generous support, the project itself needs more help–more donated funds and more diligent work teams for the long journey ahead. Learn more.  

Deepen faith   

EPA summer camps connect 2,366 young hearts with God and with each other

Two statements sum up the reactions of many children and youth to their summer camp adventures the past two months at the Eastern PA Conference’s four Camp & Retreat Centers:  

  • “I feel so much more connected with God, personally” and 
  • “If you come here, you will make great memories and friends.” 

 

Indeed, of 2,366 total campers who enjoyed great fun, food and fellowship while deepening their Christian faith, many returned home with memories and friendships that may last a lifetime. Learn more.  

More things you should know...

1. Death and memorial info for Clifton Hubbard  

Clifton Hubbard, President of Eastern PA Conference UM Men, Treasurer of the Board of Ordained Ministry and a leader of other conference ministries, died last week. His colleagues, friends and fellow members of St. Matthew’s UMC of Valley Forge, ask for prayers for his wife Gladys Hubbard and their family.


St. Matthew’s UMC, 600 Walker Rd, Wayne, PA 19087, will celebrate Hubbard's life on Friday, Sept. 9. Funeral arrangements are as follows: Viewing in the Sanctuary at 10 AM; Memorial Service at 11 AM; Graveside Service at 12 PM, at George Washington Memorial Park, 80 Stenton Ave, Plymouth Meeting; and Luncheon at St. Matthew's UMC at 2 PM. All are welcome. The church phone number is (610) 688-7055.

2. Bishops call for rejecting 'idolatry of guns'

To address the crisis of gun violence in the U.S. and around the world, bishops are urging United Methodists to raise their prayers and contact their elected leaders. The Council of Bishops released a letter to the wider church Sept. 1. Read story Read Council of Bishops letter (PDF)  Read press release. 

Also see:

Bishops plan for the election of new colleagues  

Council of Bishops President urges end to falsehoods, pivot to future. 

3. Christmas Cards for People in Prison launches Sept. 9

EPA Christmas Cards for People in Prison program, through which we can help incarcerated persons experience God’s love, returns this year from Sept 9 to Nov. 2.  Cards can be downloaded and copied from our website, or picked up and dropped off at several district locations, or mailed to churches that request that new option. Simply write an encouraging note on a card, sign your first name only, and return completed cards to the conference Prison Ministry & Restorative Justice Team. Learn more. 

4. Bivocational & Small Church Network to discuss Local Pastor concerns Sept. 20

EPA’s Bivocational & Small Church Network will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 20, welcoming leaders from the Board of Ordained Ministry (BOOM), District Superintendents, District Committees on Ministry, and Board of Benefits. They will discuss the process for becoming a Local Pastor, the Course of Study requirement, health benefits, and other related concerns. Send questions by Sept. 7 to the Rev. Derrick Gutierrez at derrick.gutierrez@gmail.com.  

5. By Water & the Spirit: Theology & Practice of Baptism returns

EPA’s Board of Ordained Ministry will again offer the course By Water & the Spirit: Theology & Practice of Baptism on Zoom on two Saturdays, Oct. 1 & 15, at 9 to 11:30 AM. Register by Sept. 23. 0.6 CEUs will be offered for completion of both sessions. Instructors: Revs. Gary Knerr, of Grove UMC, and Candy LaBar, of Wesley UMC Bethlehem. 

 

Baptism is at the core of who we are as Christians. But how well do we truly understand this sacrament? Those who serve in church leadership often face practical questions from the pews. This course—open to all church leaders, but particularly to local and lay-supply pastors—will help us understand the theological heart of baptism. Participants should first read Gayle Carlton Felton's By Water and the Spirit (available at cokesbury.com). Learn more. 

6. Courageous Dialogues series 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. Approved at the 2022 Annual Conference (Resolution 2022-09: Building Fellowship in the Face of Division), the dialogues are intended to create sacred space where clergy and laity can “build trust and understanding by listening and hearing one another one-on-one.” 


The purpose is to foster greater insight into “how events and people in our lives have influenced, shaped or clarified our faith and viewpoints…on the issue of homosexuality in our churches and denomination.”  



Dialogues will be offered for districts, but members may attend sessions at any camp location. The first dialogues will be held Oct. 24, Nov. 14 and Jan. 30, 2023—all Mondays. Weekend dates will be provided for the spring. See the districts and locations for these initial dialogues, plus costs and a list of “Core Values for Courageous Dialogues.” Learn more and register 

7. EPA offers pastors chance to explore Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition 

The EPA Leadership Development Office will sponsor up to a dozen pastors’ participation for free in a new yearlong, four-part series of videos and dialogues on Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition, offered by UM-related Duke Divinity School. The pastors will spend four days, beginning Oct. 11, learning together about Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets from Duke scholars, using video presentations and other resources.


Part of Duke’s Rediscovering the Heart of Methodism series, the “Nurturing Entrepreneurial Mindsets” discussions will align with EPA’s commitment to develop transformational leaders. Learn more.  To join the cohort email the Rev, Steve Morton, Leadership Development Manager at smorton@epaumc.church.

8.  Wesley program to help churches strategize to thrive

The Source Collaborative is a Lilly Endowment funded program of Wesley Theological Seminary designed to help local congregations thrive in the midst of social, cultural, and denominational change. Applications are open for the final cohort of regional UMC congregations. During a two-year cycle, congregations identify their own markers of thriving based on their community and context, then create a strategic plan for congregational change. Each congregation is coached throughout the process and is awarded a grant to enact change.  

 

The cohort is open to UMC congregations in six conferences surrounding Washington DC, including EPA. Apply by Sept.15. The cohort will be selected and notified by Oct. 15. Learn more and apply

9. UMCom resource aims to help church conversations

A new resource from United Methodist Communications aims to help congregations learn more about the shared beliefs, history, mission and ministry of The United Methodist Church. "We are the church. Together" is a slide presentation that aids leaders in answering members' questions and walking their church through what it means to be United Methodist. Read press release   Download 'We are the church. Together'

10. Hear Justice Talks: Rise of Christian Nationalism Sept. 28 

The UMC’s Board of Church and Society staff will be joined by Baptist and Presbyterian friends for an ecumenical conversation on Christian nationalism and its history in the U.S., including the dangers of rising trends and the importance of religious freedom for all. REGISTER HERE

Reminders

Safe Sanctuaries Training

Sept.10, 10 AM–12 noon, via Zoom.

Safe Sanctuaries is more important than ever, especially with more youth online. 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.

October Book Club: On Vanishing, about challenges of dementia

Learning for Leaders is a series of weekly conference-wide, author-led book studies EPA’s Congregational Development Team (CDT) cosponsors throughout the year. The next 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. The first 25 registrants will receive a free e-copy (Kindle edition) of the book. CEUs are available.

Good News!

Visit our Methodists Make News web page to see plenty of good news about EPA people and churches serving and sharing Christ through various ministries. 

Eddystone UMC opens its doors to partner church, refugees  

Eddystone UMC has partnered in ministry with Overcomers Through Christ Ministries, Inc, and now will rent its facility to the Black Pentecostal congregation for weekly Sunday afternoon worship. Eddystone’s pastor, the Rev. John Lafferty, and members will attend the inaugural worship celebration there on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 3 PM. Joining them will be Eddystone’s mayor and other officials and local neighbors. “We are really excited about this opportunity to expand the kingdom and get Eddystone moving!” said Lafferty. 

 

The church is also renovating its long-vacant parsonage to house a Ukrainian refugee family who will be sent there by the Nationalities Service Center in Philadelphia, which serves new immigrants in the area. “Our church board felt that we should open the house up for what God would want us to do: help people from across the world who we never met before and who are living in the hell of war,” said Lafferty. “I cannot believe the love and support that is making this a reality.” Learn more. 

Have Good News to share?

Email communications@epaumc.church 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

SEPT. 6: "Let’s talk Pathways over Breakfast” East District | 10 AM | Learn More


SEPT. 10: Safe Sanctuaries Training | 10 AM – 12 noon | Zoom | Register


SEPT. 10: Orientation for CR/CC Companion Ministry | 9 AM – 3 PM | Details TBA


SEPT. 26: Project Restoration Youth Day of Service – South District | Register.


OCT. 1 & 15: By Water & the Spirit: Theology & Practice of Baptism | 9 AM – 11:30 AM | Zoom | Register by Sept. 23.


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. Virtual Meeting


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


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

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