West Weekly
May 21, 2021
God is the friend of silence. Trees, flowers, grass grow in silence. See the stars, moon, and sun, how they move in silence.

~Mother Theresa
District Superintendent

Rev. Bumkoo "BK" Chung

Mailing address:
West District
Eastern PA Conference UMC
PO Box 820
Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820
Reopening Best Practices for Local Churches During the Pandemic
The Eastern PA Conference places the health and welfare of our members and the surrounding community as the first priority in making decisions around occupancy of buildings and grounds.  Congregations must be committed to the goal of flattening the virus curve by following all state and city guidelines; and they must have a reopening plan approved by their church councils. Please continue to monitor the PA.govPhila/gov and CDC website for up-to-date information.


The Eastern PA Conference Office will fully reopen June 1! 

“We are excited to welcome conference members and guests back to our Valley Forge location for business and scheduled meetings,” announced Jo Fielding, Director of Administrative Services, May 13. “We encourage everyone to become vaccinated and observe safety guidelines.” 
Staff began returning to the Conference office months ago for several days a week, while still also working from home. Most will begin working onsite three days a week in June, while the office moves to its customary, four-day, summer workweek from June 1 to August 31. The official summer office hours will be Mondays to Thursdays, 7:30 AM to 5 PM.
Mt. Gretna Bible Festival
Friday June 4th -Sunday August 29th
Plus a Special Concert on October 2nd
2021 Summer Programs - 7:00 PM
Freewill Offering will be received

Sunday, June 6, 2021 - Mennonite Children's Choir of Lancaster - Training children and youth to glorify Jesus Christ through excellent choral singing.

Sunday, June 20, 2021 - Andy Roberts Jazz Quartet - Mt. Gretna's own Andy Roberts will praise God with their original jazz song stylings.
Sponsored by JoAnn Thomas Show

Sunday, June 27, 2021 - New Holland Band - Patriotic and spiritual concert, directed by Dr. Kenneth Laudermilch.



ALL PROGRAMS ARE IN THE HISTORIC TABERNACLE
THIRD ST & GLOSSBRENNER AVE
Parking at Mt. Gretna Fire Co. & Mt. Gretna Roller Rink
Handicapped Parking at Mt. Gretna United Methodist Church Parking Lot

MASKS REQUIRED AT ALL PROGRAMMING IN THE TABERNACLE during the 2021 Season.
           All Programs will conform to strict CDC Guidelines - Changes to schedule may occur.



Tools for Ministry recordings now online
26 of the 34 diverse, 90-minute courses, all provided via video conferencing on Zoom, were recorded. A page full of links to those recordings is now available on the conference website.

Preaching for Pentecost Recording now online
View and share this Zoom recording of this interactive Seminar on Preaching, Worship and Mission for Pentecost Season.  Download the flyer. 

Request For Clergy Photos
All clergy are encouraged to submit photos in for preparation for the Episcopal transition.
Link to submit clergy photos:

Messages for Retiring Clergy
Conference members are invited to join in posting short messages to e-gratitude boards for each of the 2021 retirees. Messages on the e-gratitude boards will be emailed to the retirees on June 30 (or July 30 for those retiring in August). Click here to access the list of e-gratitude boards.
COVID-19 Resource Center
Helpful Links:
CALENDAR
Friendly Reminders and Updates
  • 2021 Church Budgets were due 12/31/2020 and 2020 Fund Balance Reports were due by 1/31/2021 (Please email to lromano@epaumc.org)

  • 2021 Laity Leadership updates are due. If you have not already sent in your updates please don't hesitate to complete and submit yours today. (Please email to  lromano@epaumc.org)

West District EPAUMC Calendar
● May 20 - 22: 2021 Annual Conference
● May 26: CDT Book Club “From Franchise to Local Dive” on Zoom at 11 AM.
● May 29: Latino Holy Convocation and Assembly. Casa del Rey in Allentown. 9 AM - 3 PM. 
● June 1: Conference-wide Weekly Prayer Meetings. 12 Noon on Zoom.
● June: Weekly Preaching Forum. Tuesdays at 2 PM, on Zoom. .
● June 5: Cross Cultural Cross Racial Training for New CR/CC Appointments. 9 AM - 12:30 PM, via Zoom Meeting.
● June 6: the Recognition of New Certified Lay Ministers, at 4 PM, on Zoom.
● June 8: Conference-wide Weekly Prayer Meetings. 12 Noon on Zoom.
● June 8: Weekly Preaching Forum. Tuesdays at 2 PM, on Zoom.
● June 9: Start of June CDT Book Club--The Bible With and Without Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine
● August 6 - 8: Laity Academy

CDT Book Club: The Bible With and
Without Jesus 
by Amy-Jill Levine
June 9th - June 30th 11:00AM - 12:00 PM
The Eastern PA Conference Congregational Development Team (CDT) Book Club will sponsor a new weekly book study on Zoom—and its first led by a woman author—in June when it welcomes Amy-Jill Levine, University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt
... Learn More

Basic Sexual Ethics Workshop
Saturday June 19th

“Where do I Draw the Line: Maintaining Boundaries in a Digital Age”

The goal of this training is to increase awareness of the need for healthy boundaries in the clergy-congregant relationship especially in light of the new post-pandemic normal.


Presenter – Rev. Alice Fadiora, MDiv, LAMFT
 Alice Fadiora is a Marriage and Family Therapist in Princeton NJ who specializes in the integration of Spirituality and Psychotherapy.

Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 10 am – 1 pm via Zoom


Zoe Empowers Virtual Mission Trip
June 22nd - 26th
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Via Zoom
International mission trips are the heartbeat of some of our strongest, most transformational local churches - but in this past year of severe COVID-related restrictions, travel - and even making plans to travel -just hasn’t happened. Good news: you DON’T have to miss out on this ministry joy, completely! The Eastern PA Conference is partnering with ZOE Empowers, an organization which in 2021 introduced VIRTUAL Mission trips in order to introduce folks to its incredible, international program of serving children in poverty. ZOE’s entire approach is based on “Empowerment, not Hand-outs” – and it has demonstrated success among more than 100,000 children of the world, so far. A free, three-day visit to Rwanda, Kenya, and India awaits you on the mornings of June 22-24 (9:30-11:00 am each day). Registration is handled by the ZOE ministry team.  For information about the entire ZOE program, check out its website at zoeempowers.org


Retirement Celebration for Bishop Peggy Johnson
Monday, July 26, at 6:30 to 8 PM
Eastern PA Conference leaders are planning a retirement celebration to bid a fond farewell to Bishop Peggy Johnson, after her 13 years of providing service and leadership here. The virtual farewell fete on Zoom is scheduled for Monday, July 26, at 6:30 to 8 PM, and will include greetings from members of the conference and the NEJ College of Bishops, among others.  

To attend the farewell webinar click on the Zoom link:
Webinar ID: 966 9511 7530. Passcode: 891085.   
Or join by telephone: US: +1 646 558 8656 

We are requesting the submission to communications@epaumc.org
of photos of our bishop from across the conference

In addition, we have created a Kudoboard where members and friends can post messages of gratitude for Bishop Johnson.  Please visit the online board at  Expressions of Gratitude from the Eastern PA Conference to read some messages and add your own. You can add a note of gratitude and/or a picture:  https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/x2ms73OK

Also, save the Date!
A Welcome Service is being planned for Bishop Schol on Saturday, Sept. 18, at West Chester UMC
Conference prayer meetings April schedule
The Eastern PA Conference’s half-hour prayer meetings, held on Tuesdays at noon by video-chat on Zoom, welcomes a new cadre of prayer leaders in March.


Upcoming Schedule of Prayer Leaders:

  • May 25th – Rev. Dave Piltz, EPAC Young People’s Ministries Coordinator, UM Campus Minister at Drexel University and Pastor of Valley Forge UMC. 


Here is the Zoom access information:
Meeting ID: 591 129 374. Or Call in: +1 646 558 8656
WEEKLY PREACHING FORUM for SERMON COLLABORATION
(EVERY TUESDAY @ 2)
12 Preachers from Across the Conference will lead us. Come as you are able (it's ok if you can't make every week). Each week we will look @ the text for Sunday. We will also collaborate on sermon ideas, illustrations, liturgy and more. Hope you will join us.

Bivocational & Small Church Network
Every other Month, on the 2nd Tuesday of Month, at 6:30 PM, on Zoom

“This is a group designed exclusively for church leaders of smaller churches, welcoming part-time, bivocational, retired and all other small-church leaders, both clergy and lay,” said the Rev. Dawn Taylor-Storm, Connectional Ministries Director. “Small churches are the backbone of The United Methodist Church, and we want to provide a bimonthly small group for conversation that relates to the unique opportunities found in our small, vital churches.”

The Rev. Denny Emrick, who has long served small churches, asked for such a group and will facilitate the initial conversation, which may produce a monthly gathering for “prayer, dialogue, connection and resourcing for part-time, bivocational and small church leaders.”

West Classifieds
St. Mark’s UMC, Mount Joy
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Mount Joy, West District, seeks a visitation pastor to care for homebound and hospitalized members. Elders, deacons or licensed local pastors are preferred. Responsibilities include leading a prayer team and attending weekly staff meetings. The position involves 10 hours a week. For information, contact Pastor Helen Adams or Business Administrator Rob Stoner, 717-653-5493, email hadams@connectstmarks.com or rob@connectstmarks.com.

Gap UMC
Worship Leader position available for a growing congregation in Gap, PA. Individual will be responsible for leading the Praise Team and providing accompaniment to songs during a blended worship service on Sunday mornings. PT position about 8-10 hours a week. Prefer keyboard player. Our vision is to Obey God, Love Jesus, Make a Difference. If you are someone who has wants to lead a Worship Service by using your musical talents call Jane at 610-781-2735.

Covenant United Methodist Church, Lancaster
Covenant United Methodist Church in Lancaster, PA, is hiring a part-time Director of Music/Chancel Choir Director. This city church has a strong tradition of excellent music and hopes to find a committed and talented individual who will oversee and expand the church’s music ministry as well as direct the adult Chancel Choir in the traditional worship service. This individual will lead the music staff and manage all aspects of the music program, and, in coordination with the Senior Pastor, will be responsible to plan music for the traditional worship service throughout the year.
Interested candidates may visit the church website at covenant-umc.com for the complete job description and for more information about the church. Letters of interest and resumes can be sent to office@covenant-umc.com.

Covenant United Methodist Church in Lancaster, PA, is hiring a part-time accompanist for its traditional service. This city church has a strong tradition of excellent music and hopes to find a committed and talented individual with proficiency in piano and possibly organ, who will serve as accompanist to the adult Chancel Choir as well as to vocal and instrumental soloists or ensembles throughout the year. Interested candidates may visit the church website at covenant-umc.com for the complete job description and for more information about the church. Letters of interest and resumes can be sent to office@covenant-umc.com.
West District Resource Center
Rev. Bumkoo Chung, District Superintendent bkepaumc@gmail.com

Ms. Lisa Romano, District Resource Assistant - lromano@epaumc.org

Mrs. Sue Grimm Mattox, District Lay Leader - 717-575-6414; sgrimm1028@gmail.com

Rev. Elaine Bortman, Chair of Committee on the District Superindency - elainebortman@yahoo.com

Mr. Craig Lenhard, Chair of Board of Church Location & Building - rvrguyd@yahoo.com

Rev. Tim Smith, Chair of District Committee on Ordained Ministry ts3707@gmail.com

Rev. Jason Perkowski, Chair of District Resource Team jbperkowski@gmail.com

Mrs. Lynn McCord, District Christ Servant Minister Coordinator,
717-615-5616, dpmlem1@gmail.com

Rev. Dan Lebo, Local Pastor's Registrar - dlebo23@gmail.com

Rev. Jacqueline Hines, Conference Secretary - conferencesecretary@epaumc.org

Mrs. Correen Russo, LUMINA - correen.lumina@gmail.com

Conference Office - 610-666-9090 / 800-828-9093

Baptism, confirmation photos sought for Annual Conference
With the theme “Come to the Water,” we will celebrate the ministry of baptism and confirmation in our Annual Conference in 2021. We would love to share photos, videos and stories of church baptisms and confirmations, if permitted by the families involved, as part of our celebration at Annual Conference and throughout the year. 

Request For Clergy Photos
All clergy are encouraged to submit photos in for preparation for the Episcopal transition.
Link to submit clergy photos:


MISSION CENTRAL HUBS IN OUR DISTRICT
1)  Elizabethtown: St. Paul’s (Liz Helm, coordinator), 398 N. Locust Street, Elizabethtown, PA. 717-367-1889 **call to make sure someone will be there**
2)  Lebanon: Covenant (Mariellen Lantz, coordinator), 346 N. 9th Street, Lebanon, PA. 717-272-0672
3)  Cleona: Immanuel (Jeanne Earnshaw, coordinator), 29 E. Maple Street, Cleona, PA. 717-926-2305 **call to make sure someone will be there**


Pulpit Supply List
If you would like to be added to this list, please contact the district office with your name, which category you're in, phone number and area you can cover. We have limited names for the Lebanon area, if you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible!




Willing Servants Needed for 2021-2022 Conference Year
Would you like to shape the financial life of our conference?  Do you have a passion for racial justice & reconciliation?  Can you use your gifts for long-term care of our clergy pension program?  Are you interested in serving on CCFA, Board of Pensions, Commission on Religion & Race, Camping Board or other conference teams?   If so, please fill out the information form at the link below. 
Questions? 
Contact: Maryann Griffith magteaches424@gmail.com 
or Tim Fisher jtfisher@outlook.com


Wellspring
The new Eastern PA Conference Global Ministries Team, which combines the work of three previous committees, has published an expanded Fall/Winter issue of Wellspring, the newsletter formerly published by the Conference’s Health & Healing Council. That council has now merged into the Global Ministries Team, along with the Conference’s former Missions Committee and Church and Society Work Team.  

West District Office - www.epaumc.org/districts/west