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February 26, 2022

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EPA's Project Restoration seeks volunteers for disaster recovery work 

Robin Bresser, of Christ UMC Lansdale, got his “first taste” of being a mission volunteer when he worked with his father for two years on Habitat for Humanity houses. When his father died, Robin kept going, partly to honor his dad. It was sort of in his blood.  

 

But mostly he kept going, helping to repair and renovate homes and churches in need near and far, because he felt so fulfilled when helping others. “I just kept finding mission trips to go on,” he said. “Whenever I saw any information about a trip, I would just take it.”    



EPAUMC’s Project Restoration is happy to have Robin Bresser, and they’re looking for more volunteers like him. The new disaster response project is recruiting volunteers to help with disaster recovery work this spring. Learn more and use either of the two sign-up forms to register: Sign-up form for individualsSign-up form for groups. 

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United Methodists respond to invasion of Ukraine 


United Methodist leaders decried war and asked for prayers for peace after Russia began an invasion of Ukraine. A district superintendent in Kyiv reported explosions there and said the denomination’s churches are opening as shelters. UMCOR is talking with partners about how to mount a humanitarian response. Learn more.  


Also, the head of UMCOR and UM Global Ministries Roland Fernandes has published a statement on the crisis. And the World Methodist Council has called for Peace and Prayer among all Methodists worldwide. Finally, find background information on our UM presence in Ukraine offered by Global Ministries Mission Theologian and blogger David Scott’s “Recommended Readings: Ukrainian United Methodists.”

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A look inside Tools for Ministry’s full toolbox of courses 


Tools for Ministry, the online learning for leadership academy that convenes conveniently on Zoom next Saturday, March 5, 9 AM to 12:30 PM, will span a broad curriculum of high-value instruction, from the practical to the prophetic. Two 90-minute sessions of diverse, dynamic learning in Zoom breakout rooms will follow an opening plenary with devotions and a greeting from Bishop John Schol.  Learn more.  Register today.  

Nine more things you should know...

1. General Conference organizers plan announcement soon: The UMC’s Commission on the General Conference has been weighing whether General Conference can move forward as scheduled this year on Aug. 29-Sept. 6 in Minneapolis. The commission met online Feb. 24, and after 3½ hours of a closed session, it said it would announce the result of its deliberations within a week. Follow reports about General Conference and other UMC news at www.umnews.org

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2. Bishops urge prayer for peace and safety in Ukraine  

Bishop John Schol called on EPAUMC members Friday to pray, “particularly in your worship services this weekend for the people of Ukraine and for peace in the region.” He reported that the UMC’s Council of Bishops discussed in a called meeting the war being waged against the Ukrainian people by Russia.  



“We heard from three of our Bishops who oversee the church in Europe and particularly parts of Eastern Europe,” he wrote. “It was heartbreaking, and we as Bishops of the church condemn aggression without provocation anywhere in the world and particularly in Ukraine.” He called for prayer for the refugees fleeing Ukraine seeking safety and for the UMC’s ability to help them.   

  

Bishop Schol also addressed the Commission on General Conference’s statement that it would announce within a week its decision on whether General Conference will convene in session in August 2022 or be postponed a third time, due to COVID and related overseas travel restrictions. “Covid has prevented the Church from gathering to make important decisions,” he wrote. “Please continue to pray for the Commission and the Church.” 

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3. Church in disaster recovery to host prayer vigil for Ukraine

Otterbein UMC, at 181 Walnut St., Mont Clare, will host a prayer vigil for Ukraine in the church’s upstairs sanctuary on Saturday, Feb. 26, at 6 PM, at its community’s request. “It should last about a half-hour, and we will hold candles,” said the Rev. Catherine Bowers, pastor ([email protected]).  

 

Otterbein is finally making progress in its renovation from Hurricane Ida-caused flooding that devastated its bottom floor in early September 2021. The church was without electricity until January. “It will be a bit cold outside; but even though we are in mid-construction, the sanctuary has heat and lights,” said Bowers. “We will ask people to come in using the ramp. But be aware that the bathrooms in the church are not functional at this time.” View some of the church reconstruction progress on its Facebook page

4. The EPAUMC Prayer Ministry Group, which has met on Zoom every Tuesday since April 2020, will focus its next prayer meeting—on Tuesday, March 1, at 12 noon—on prayers for Ukraine, now suffering death and destruction from military attacks by Russia. “We will lift up God's people in Ukraine, as we pray for peace,” said group leader the Rev. David Piltz. “We welcome our conference to pause with us in prayer on Tuesday at noon wherever you may be. If you are able, please join us on Zoom. Learn more.

5. Needed: Camera Operators for AC2022. We need volunteers to operate video cameras at Annual Conference 2022, which will be livestreamed and recorded at West Chester UMC on May 20 and 21. The conference will pay a $300 honorarium. The time requirement will be from 8 AM to 5 PM, plus up to 3 pre-conference meetings and rehearsals and set-up on May 19. Please apply by March 4, 2022. See details

6. Don't forget those church statistical reports. They are due Feb. 28. If you need help completing them contact your District Resource Assistant (DRA) or watch this video from the January 11 Bivocational & Small Church Network meeting. 

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7. Ways to celebrate Black History all year long. Black History Month is almost over, but that doesn't mean the celebration or the learning has to end.  

Recognize that Black history matters because it is America’s too-often hidden history, worthy of a yearlong exploration perhaps now more than ever. Invite your family, friends and church members to join you in an ongoing, monthly discovery of our nation’s African American heritage and social concerns. Explore informative films, books, websites, art, music and more. Create displays, puzzles, booklets, lectures, dialogues and videos. Organize a black heritage scavenger hunt in search of information. For more ideas, check out articles like “How to Celebrate Black History Month All Year Round.” 

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8. You’re invited to join the #BeUMC campaign  A new #BeUMC online toolkit has launched to help church leaders create engagement in their communities while focusing on the work of the Holy Spirit being done through the people of the UMC. #BeUMC is a grassroots effort built on powerful stories of congregations and individuals living their faith. Read press release. Access toolkit

9. Plan to attend Mission u via Zoom in July. Theme: “Who Can We Be Together? Building Communities of Hope and Joy.” Just one course will combine spiritual growth, missions and social action in a study of the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Recorded worship can be viewed on the EPA United Methodist Women's web page. Look for details there next week! 

Good News!

West Chester Mission Link offers an outpouring of thanks to health workers

The five churches in the West Chester Mission Link partnered together recently to thank the Chester County Hospital staff for their dedicated community health care efforts. How? By buying them thousands of cups of coffee, tea and cocoa in the hospital cafeteria. The churches—West Chester, Marshallton, Willistown, Grove and El Buen Samaritano—donated $4,000, enough to treat hospital staff to countless cups of their favorite beverages for over a week, said the Rev. Molly Dee Rounsley, Associate Pastor of West Chester UMC. Learn more.

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Cedarville UMC 'wins' Souper Bowl of Caring for outreach center

Cedarville UMC in Pottstown collected non-perishable food items for two consecutive Sundays to turn the NFL’s Super Bowl into a fun, competitive, charitable endeavor to support its affiliated community outreach center, Mission First. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a popular national campaign waged annually by churches and groups to support food banks that serve their hungry neighbors. Learn more.

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Church celebrates centennial, while focused on its future in mission

We are the church.” On a frigid February day in 1922, a group of 14 believers proclaimed their identity, upon establishing what would become Covenant UMC in Springfield. The congregation echoed those same words in its call to worship last Sunday, Feb. 20, as it honored its centennial. And it will continue its celebration with activities over the next year.  


While proudly displaying records, photos and artifacts of its congregational history for this celebration, Covenant is especially focused on its missional pursuits--past, present and future. Learn more. 

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Lenten study exploring Fathers & Daughters of the Bible available now

The new, multimedia Lenten study resource developed by the Rev. Steve Morton, North District Superintendent, is available on the North District web page now. Led by district clergy, the study for small groups focuses on a rarely explored topic: biblical relationships between fathers and daughters. Learn more from the North District web page. Or contact District Resource Assistant (DRA) Deb Boyd at [email protected] or 857-253-0225. 

Have Good News to share? Email [email protected]. Or use our Submit News web page to let us know! Also, visit and contribute news to our Churches in Mission and Local Church & Mission Link Events pages. 

Reminders

  • The Denman Awards nominations deadline is Feb. 28. We welcome nominations of clergy, laity and youth members who devotedly share their Christian faith and the gospel with others. See details.
  • AJ Levine returns next week, March 2, to introduce us to witnesses at Jesus’ cross. Register to join the four-week book study on Wednesdays, 11 AM – 12 PM, via Zoom. Learn more
  • Two EPAUMC grants are available now with March deadlines: Dewees Grant, March 1; and Metro Ministries Building Repair Grant, March 15. Visit our Funding for Ministry webpage. 
  • EPAUMC Scholarships are available with March application deadlines. The deadline for EPA Conference Scholarships for undergraduate college students is March 1. See details. The application period for EPAUMC Education Society Grants is April 25 to May 9. See details.  
  • Apply for Church & Society Ethnic Young Adult Summer Internships by March 1. The General Board of Church and Society is recruiting summer interns for June 5 to July 30. Young persons of color, ages 18-22, interested in working for social justice, should apply now at umcjustice.org/internships.  
  • Advance Special Project applications deadline is March 4. Selected projects will be submitted to Annual Conference in May for approval. Approved projects may seek funds from EPAUMC congregations. See details.  
  • EPAUMC has two job openings that may provide ideal, part-time ministry opportunities to interested persons: Hispanic/Latino Ministries Coordinator and Project Restoration Construction Project Manager
  • Eastern PA Annual Conference Resolutions instructions are available now. All Annual Conference resolutions are due to the Conference Secretary, the Rev. Jacqueline Hines, by March 7. Initial resolutions will be placed on the conference website March 8 for feedback. All feedback on resolutions is due by March 24. Learn more
  • This Holy Mystery: A UM Study of Holy Communion. Join the Revs. Candy LaBar and Gary Knerr on Saturdays, March 19 and 26, 9 to 11:30 AM via Zoom. as they offer wisdom and insights about this essential, timeless sacrament, the Lord’s Supper. Learn more and Register by Friday, March 4. 

Calendar

  • March 2: Learning for Leaders Book Club, March 2022. Witness at the Cross: A Beginner’s Guide to Holy Friday by Amy-Jill Levine. Wednesdays, March 2 - 23, 11 AM, via Zoom. Register
  • March 5: Tools for Ministry. Register.
  • March 9: Living as a Beloved Community, a six-week Lenten Study from March 9 to April 13, each Wednesday at 7 PM, via Zoom. Learn more. Register
  • March 11 & 12: Crossing Cultures: Understanding & Applying Intercultural Competencies in Cross-Racial / Cross-Cultural Ministry. Via Zoom. Learn more. Register.
  • March 19 & 26: This Holy Mystery. The Board of Ordained Ministry offers a study of Holy Communion, for continuing education credits. 9:00 – 11:30 AM both days. via Zoom. Register
  • March 31: Retiree Workshop for 2022 Retirees on March 31, via Zoom. 9-4, Details to follow. 


  • April 2: 2022 Laity Session, 9 AM – 12 PM, via Zoom.
  • April 20-24: Dismantling Racism – Level I. Virtual, via Zoom. Learn more


  • May 4: 2022 Clergy Session, 9 AM – 12 PM.
  • May 14: 9 AM – 12 noon, via Zoom. Transition Workshop for New Appointments, led by Rev. David Woolverton. Learn more.
  • May 14: 12:30 PM - 2 PM, via Zoom. Workshop for SPRCs. Led by Julie Anderman, Executive Director, Artos Retreats. The EPA Board of Benefits co-sponsors this program with Artos Retreats. Learn more.
  • May 20-21: 2022 Annual Conference, via Zoom.
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