Volume 7Number 2MARCH 07

By Suzy Keenan

“I was in prison and youvisited me,” Jesus said in Mat-thew 25: 36. But what happenswhen a prisoner is releasedback into the community?

“Ex-offenders often feelforgotten, neglected, or justplain not wanted in our com-munities, and even in some ofour churches,” said AmandaHipple, founder of XOC. XOCstands for Ex-OffendersChurch.

XOC was founded in May of2004 at Ross Street UnitedMethodist Church inLancaster, PA, and as part ofthe shared ministry of LU-MINA. LUMINA is a Churchand Community Ministryproject of the General Boardof Global Ministries based inthe Southwest District of theEastern Pennsylvania Confer-ence of The United MethodistChurch.

XOC makes disciples among ex-offenders

continues on page 12

By Sherry L. Lantz and SuzyKeenan*

Bishop Marcus Matthews hasheld special days on each district,inviting clergypersons and layper-sons to hear his message andengage in dialogue.

In the clergy sessions, afterlunch and fellowship, each districtsuperintendent opened the meet-ing with special devotions fortheir district.

On the Central District, BishopMatthews opened his remarkswith words of thanksgiving forRev. Palmer’s service as interimsuperintendent during Decemberand January. Bishop Matthewsadded that Rev. Palmer blessed thecabinet with his leadership. Oneach district, Bishop Matthewsoffered words of thanks andpraise for the devoted service ofour district superintendents.

Bishop Matthews spoke of com-ing to the Eastern PennsylvaniaConference in 2004 “open to thewinds of the Holy Spirit” ratherthan with a ready-to-go plan. Hisdesire was to spend time in thechurches of our conference, lis-tening to the laity and the clergyand together prayerfully discern-ing how God is moving us toward2012. He wanted to assess and thenbuild upon the work that was

Bishop’s Days on the Districts emphasize making disciplesalready being done.

As we move toward 2012, hesaid, the health of thechurches will be assessedbased upon four criteria:- Spiritual renewal- Active disciple-making- Education and practical skilltraining- Leadership development

Bishop Matthews chal-lenged and encouraged thepastors to set the tone of thecongregation, which maymean needing to do what isnot necessarily popular. Hewent on to speak of the needto be more welcoming to thosewho enter our doors. He liftedup the book, Your LeadershipLegacy, while asking, “Whatdo you want your legacy to bewhere you are?”

He spoke of the need forclergy to encourage youngpeople to prayerfully considerGod’s work. So many clergyhave found their calling asthey have heard their pastor’swords of encouragement,witnessed their pastor’s ex-ample and seen their pastor’sexcitement. He encouragedpastors to continue to be ex-cited about their appointmentand to continue to “bloomwhere you are planted.” He

continues on page 14

The XOC (Ex-Offenders Church) banner hangs in Ross St. United Methodist Church during Friday eveningworship services.

Bishop Marcus Matthews speaks on the conference focus to makedisciples of Jesus Christ at the Bishop’s Days on the Districts.

AnnualConferenceDeadlinesPage 6

MakingDisciples

Pages 7-10

Administrator ofthe year

Page 15

UnitedMethodist Night

at the 76ersPage 16

IndexIndexIndexIndexIndexCalendar ............2Calendar ............2Calendar ............2Calendar ............2Calendar ............2Nation ................4Nation ................4Nation ................4Nation ................4Nation ................4WWWWWorld ................5orld ................5orld ................5orld ................5orld ................5Classifieds .........15Classifieds .........15Classifieds .........15Classifieds .........15Classifieds .........15

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Conference Calendar

Published 10 times per year byThe Eastern Pennsylvania Conference ofThe United Methodist ChurchValley Forge Corporate Center980 Madison Avenue, Norristown, PA 19403

Bishop Marcus MatthewsSuzy KeenanIleana Rivera

Philadelphia Area BishopDirector of CommunicationsGraphic Design and Layout

Annual subscription $12Please submit articles for publication by the 10th of the month to:

The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church,P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820

or via e-mail to communications@epaumc.org

Periodical postage paid at Norristown, PA 19403, USPS #0019604POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

NEWSpirit at EPA Conference, P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820

MARCH 9-12, 2007Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Wash-ington, D.C. - “and How are the Chil-dren?” will be the focus of the Ecu-menical Advocacy Days for 2007.Available study tracks are Domestic,Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, LatinAmerica, Eco-Justice, Global Securityand Jubilee and Economic Justice.Each area will discuss the challengesfaced by parents and/or caregivers inensuring the future for their children.The final day will be spent as a “LobbyDay” visiting members of Congress toshare ideas and needs and discusstheir position on issues important toour children’s futures. For more infor-mation about the conference orcosts, please contact Peggy Wood at (610)524-5935. Partial scholarships are avail-able from Church and Society of theEastern Pa. Conference as well as aroommate sharing bank. MARCH 14,15, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Preparing your congregation’s Minis-try Action Plan. See page10.

MARCH 18, 2007Drexel Hill United MethodistChurch, 600 Burmont Road (at SchoolLane), Drexel Hill, PA, will present the44-voice touring choir from NorthCentral College, Naperville, Illinois,on Sunday, at 10 AM, in the ChurchSanctuary, under the direction ofJeordano Martinez, Professor of Mu-sic. Choral repertoire will includeworks by Palestrina, Bach, Copland,Charles Stanford, and Irving Berlin.North Central College is located inwest suburban Chicago. It has anhistoric relationship with The UnitedMethodist Church and Bishops fromboth the Northern Illinois and Wis-consin Conferences sit on its Board ofTrustees. For further information, callthe church office at (610) 259-2104. Mapand directions to the church:www.drexelhillumc.orgMARCH 23 – 25, 2007Marriage Enrichment Workshop atBethany United Methodist Church,Allentown, PA. Marriage Enrichmentis an affiliated program of The UnitedMethodist Church, and is designed tomake good marriages better. The pro-gram schedule includes Friday night,all day Saturday, and Sunday morning.Registration is open to all, with a feeof $50.00 per couple. The registrationfee covers the cost of the program, anda free will offering will be accepted tohelp with meals and child care. Con-tact us at 610-395-3258 or by e-mail atcharles.e.gardner@verizon.net. Pleaseregister by March 9, 2007. For moreinformation, we can send you a CD toshare with others in your church orcommunity, or you can visit ourwebsite atwww.marriageenrichment.org.MARCH 24, 2007Responding with Faith to Immigra-tion Workshop: How we got towhere we are today - and what wecan do for tomorrow - Arch StreetUnited Methodist Church in Philadel-phia, offering a brief history of immi-gration and discussing the currentstatus and immigration law. Hear

first-hand stories from immigrantsand refugees, and hear informationon how we can work for justice forimmigrants. The workshop is spon-sored jointly by The Methodist Fed-eration for Social Action and theChurch and Society Work Team.From 9:30 a.m. to 1:30p.m.. Registra-tion and coffee at 9:30 a.m. and thespeakers will begin at 10 a.m. (Pleasenote: Discounted parking vouchers areavailable if requested in advance bycalling the church at 215-568-6250.) Thespeakers will be followed by a brownbag lunch (beverages provided) withMefford and others, for further dis-cussion.MARCH 24 & 25, 2007Youth Musical, “Bow Down” (Thestory of Esther) will be presented byGod’s Youth in Motion (GYM), theLansdale United Methodist churchyouth group. The band “Good WithCoffee – Free Trade” will perform at6:30 p.m. The professionally – stagedmusical, “Bow Down” will begin at7:00 p.m. Music, dance and teen-in-spired dialogue teach how we can alluse our influence for God. LansdaleUMC is located at 4th and N. Broad Sts.in Lansdale, PA. A free will offeringwill be taken. Refreshments follow theshow. Reserved seating for youthgroups is available by calling AmyBiemiller at 215-368-0829 or e-mail atamybiemiller@aol.com.MARCH 25, 2007at 4:00 p.m. The McDonald Familyin Concert at Elam UMC. Followedby a covered Dish in the Pierce FamilyLife Center. Elam UMC is located at1073 Smithbridge Road in ConcordTownship, PA. www.elamumc.org.Please contact Mary for more infor-mation: 610-459-2911.MARCH 30, 2007UM Night at the 76ers - For moreinformation, see page 16.MARCH 30, 2007Los Angeles Touring CompanyProduction - A Pebble In My Shoe:The Story of John Shelby Spong’sFight for Human Rights with theChristian Faith 7:30 pm at MillerChapel, Lebanon Valley College (101N. College Avenue in Annville). $10General Admission. Contact (717) 867-6135 for more information.MARCH 31, 2007Lincoln University Choir Concert,4:00 p.m. - Tindley Temple UMC170th Anniversary - The stellarLincoln University Choir, led by Dr.William Garcia, will perform a con-cert at Tindley Temple UMC (750-762 S.Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa.) as part ofour year-long 170th Anniversarycelebration. Come out and enjoy excel-lent musicianship and singing in thegreat Charles Albert Tindley tradi-tion! For more information, call215.735.0442.APRIL 13 - 15, 2007Marriage Encounter Weekend inYork, PA - Put a little shine on yourmarriage! The 44-hour weekend begins7:30 p.m. Friday night and concludeslate Sunday afternoon. Space is lim-ited. GBOD is offering 1.5 CEU creditsfor clergy upon completion of thisweekend. The weekend is also open tonon-clergy husbands and wives. Thereis a nonrefundable registration fee of$50.00. To register contact: Dick &Donna Reisinger 224 Main Ave,Warren,PA 16365. For registration

form call Bernell & Jola Shoff at 717-244-4848, or get a registration form online at: www.encounter.org.APRIL 14, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Prayer. See page 10.APRIL 17, 2007Pocono Plateau Youth Leader’sDay - 9:00 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. This specialday is designed for youth workers asa resource in your ministry withyouth. Continental breakfast andlunch provided. Topics and Informa-tion available include: Ministry in theWilderness; How to Plan and Lead aRetreat; Games, Activities, and theuse of Adventure in Youth Ministry;Fun Food for Youth Groups; ServiceProjects for Youth and Adults; Sum-mer Camp Opportunities. Tour thefacilities including: Main Site andAdventure Site accommodations;High Ropes courses; Low Ropes/TeamBuilding course; Zip line; Climbingtower; and Leap of Faith. Experiencefirst-hand our “Leap of Faith” highchallenge element. Free time to walkthe grounds, hike our interpretivenature trail, enjoy boating or canoe-ing on our 25-acre lake. Optional:Stay overnight for a free personalretreat. Contact the camp office formore information. RSVP at570.676.3665 by Wednesday, April 10,2007. Check out our web site:www.poconoplateau.orgAPRIL 19, 2007Spiritual retreat for older adultstitled “KEEPING THE SABBATHWHEN LIFE IS A WHIRL OF ACTIVI-TIES” from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Na-tional Christian Conference Center inValley Forge. The retreat will be ledby the Rev. Dr. J. Dennis Williams,former District Superintendent andDean of Cabinet of the Eastern Penn-sylvania Conference. “Keeping theSabbath” is a day-long experience forolder adults that is meant to refresh aperson’s faith. The cost for the ses-sion, including lunch, is $35 per per-son. To register contact Mrs.Georgiann Parks atghpns1119@verizon.net. Deadline forregistration is March 30. For direc-tions: www.nc3.org. Sponsored by TheEPA Conference Older Adult MinistryCommittee.APRIL 20-21, 2007Gretna Glen Camp’s Spring Fun &Work Weekend - All Ages. Thisweekend is a great opportunity forfamilies, youth groups, individuals orsmall groups to work together onservice projects. Friday evening willbe filled with games and a movie.Saturday will bring many opportuni-ties to serve through various clean-up, construction, landscaping, andother projects around camp. All mealsare provided. Cost is by donation. Call

the camp at 717-273-6525 or emailcoordinator@gretnaglen.org for abrochure and registration form.www.gretnaglen.orgAPRIL 21, 2007Gretna Glen HistoricalScrapbooking - Don’t you love oldpictures? Do you have any vintageGretna Glen ones? Come and join usas we continue our scapbooking andcelebrate Gretna Glen’s history. Callthe camp at 717-273-6525 or emailcoordinator@gretnaglen.org for abrochure and registration form.www.gretnaglen.orgMAY 10, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Living as Christian Disciples: TheMeans of Grace and Ordinances ofGod. See page 10.JUNE 13-15, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Faith Sharing and Evangelical Re-cruitment. See page 10.JULY 21, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Vibrant and Transformative Worship.See page 10.AUGUST 3-5, 200724th Annual Academy for Laity atthe Sheraton Park Ridge Hotel andConference Center, King of Prussia,PA. The theme for the weekend is“Sharing Our Faith—in the localchurch, in the community and in theworld.” The Rev. N. Lynne Westfield,Associate Professor of Religious Edu-cation at Drew University and anordained deacon in the United Meth-odist Church, will be the keynotespeaker. Mark the date on your calen-dar and register early for the Acad-emy. Details about courses and regis-tration will be available in March onthe Christ Servant Ministry website:www.gbgm-umc.org/csm or the Con-ference website: www.epaumc.org. Ifyou have questions you may contactVerna Colliver, Dean of the Academyfor Laity at vcolliver@comcast.net or215 855 0797.AUGUST 18, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Ways to Increase Your Church Atten-dance. See page 10.SEPTEMBER 8, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Christian Education and SpiritualFormation. See page 10. OCTOBER 13, 2006Making Disciples Training Series -Faith Sharing. See page 10. NOVEMBER 14, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Stewards of God’s Gifts. See page 10.DECEMBER 13, 2007Making Disciples Training Series -Accountable Discipleship: The powerof small group ministry for all ages.See page 10.

MARCH 18, 2007Installation Service for Rev. Dr.Wm. Gary George - 4:00 pm TindleyTemple UMC, 750 S. Broad Street,Philadelphia, PA.

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Bishop Bickerton asked, “Does ourbiased mindset make us blind toJesus, too?”

He added, “The most skeptical soulson earth share a common title: pastor!What happened to the possibility ofChrist working in and through allthings? When the disciples exhibitedradical hospitality, partaking a com-

mon meal in common surroundings,they saw Him. When we sit down at acommon table, Jesus is the commonumbrella.”

* Suzy Keenan is director of communi-cations for the Eastern PennsylvaniaConference.

In MemoriamMr. Donald Beaman, husband ofretired pastor, the Rev. Sarah G.Beaman, on Friday, February 9, 2007.Rev. Beaman served Phila:Wissinoming, and retired in 1988. Inretirement she served Phila:Lawndale, and Catasauqua: Grace.A memorial service washeld on Satur-day, February 17 at Catasauqua: GraceUnited Methodist Church.Condolences may be sent to Rev. SarahG. Beaman, 86 Covington Place,Catasauqua, PA 18032.

Rev. Edwin L. Ellis passed away onWednesday, February 14, 2007. He was82. He had served churches in EPAfrom 1965 to 1981, and then he trans-ferred to the Peninsula-Delaware Con-ference. In the EPA Conference, heserved Lansdowne, Phila.: St.Barnabas, and Tindley Temple. Condo-lences may be sent to his daughter,Mrs. Marcia Thomas Henley, 286 BirchDrive, Lafayette Hills, PA 19444.

Mrs. Elizabeth Gottschalk, widow ofthe Rev. Asher M. Gottschalk, onJanuary 29, 2007. She was 96 years old.Born Elizabeth Kathryn Shaub onOctober 10, 1910, in Scranton, PA. In1928, she graduated from ShillingtonHigh School, Shillington, PA. Shegraduated from Ursinus College (PA)in 1932 with a degree in English andSocial Studies. She furthered her stud-ies at the University of Pennsylvaniaand in 1960, she earned a Masters ofLibrary Science from Kutztown (PA)State College. Betty worked as ateacher and librarian in the Schuylkill

Valley School District, CornwallSchool District, and WarminsterSchool District. Betty developed thechurch library and in 2005, she washonored by having the new children’slibrary named for her. She was veryactive in United Methodist Womenand Churchwomen United. She issurvived by four children, nine grand-children and eight great-grandchil-dren. Condolences may be sent toJerome Gottschalk at 4222 KeystoneAvenue, Culver City CA 90232. Thefamily requests that in lieu of flowers,contributions in Betty’s name be madeto either the Betty GottschalkChildren’s Library at FUMC, Deming,or to the national Alzheimer’s Asso-ciation, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17,Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633.

Mrs. E. Louise George, on January26, 2007; she was the widow of ErnestC. George, and was 98 years old. Shewould have turned 99 on January 30.She resided in Calvary FellowshipHomes in Lancaster, and was a mem-ber of First UMC in Lancaster. Shehad been a Methodist Deaconess.Most of Rev. George’s appointmentswere in the Wyoming Conference. Hetransferred to the Philadelphia Con-ference in 1963, and served Birdsboro,Georgetown, and Thorndale beforeretiring in 1968. He died in December,1974. Condolences may be sent to Mrs.George’s daughter, Caren Maxwell, 94Little Drive, London, KY 40744-8363.In lieu of flowers, the family requeststhat memorial contributions be madeto the “We Care Program” at First

UMC, 29 E. Walnut St, Lancaster, PA17602.

Former clergy member, JoanHemenway, on January 31, 2007.She had been a full member of EPAConference, and retired on July 1, 2003.She withdrew her credentials in 2004.She resided in Guilford CT, and hadbeen in Extension Ministry, mostly asa chaplain, through her ministry.A memorial service was held on Febru-ary 24, 2007 at the Unitarian Society ofNew Haven, CT.Her only immediate survivor is hersister, Marion Conklin, who resides at10 Oriole Court, Shelton, CT 06484.

♦♦♦♦♦ Upper Room Ministries, animprint of the United MethodistBoard of Discipleship, and theCenter for the Church and GlobalAIDS have compiled Prayers for En-couragement: Hope for Persons Suf-fering with HIV and AIDS, Tuberculo-sis and Other Serious Diseases. Thebooklet includes meditations writtenby ordinary women and men whostruggle with what it means to livewith stigma, discrimination andrejection by family and friends. Thebooklet will be distributed throughUpper Room Ministries’ global edito-rial and distribution network. Formore information contact, DaleWaymack at dwaymack@gbod.org;877-899-2780, ext. 7236.

♦♦♦♦♦ This year’s One Great Hour ofSharing offering will be taken upMarch 18 in United Methodistcongregations across the UnitedStates. The United Methodist Churchis one of nine Christian denomina-tions that participate in the annualoffering to help vulnerable and needypeople around the world. The specialoffering from United Methodist con-gregations supports ministries oper-ated by the United Methodist Com-mittee on Relief, or UMCOR, whichbrings hope and aid when catastro-phe strikes anywhere in the world.Resources: visit the UMCOR Web site(http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/give/oghs). Or visit(www.umcgiving.org/ss) online orcall (888) 346-3862.

By Suzy Keenan*

Bishop Marcus Matthews invitedBishop Thomas J. Bickerton of theWestern Pennsylvania Conference tobe his special guest preacher for theLenten Day Apart for clergy on Febru-ary 20.

“Dialogue” was the theme of theday, and Bishop Bickerton emphasizedthat the theme of dialogue around theworld is essential to the global natureof the church. “For 50 years we havebeen teaching Africa about Jesus andthe church,” he said. “50 years later,we need to invite them to come andteach us what we forgot!”

Last year, the bishops of the UnitedMethodist Church met for the firsttime outside the U.S. in Mozambique.The president and minister of healthasked to meet with the bishops todiscuss HIV/AIDS and malaria.Nelson Mandela and his wife, GraciaMachel, who had been educated in aUM school and healed in a UM hospi-tal, came to speak with the bishops.The bishops learned that in Africa,communication is power – a unifyinglink – to which everything is tied:health, education, justice, spirituality.It is all about dialogue.

Bishop Bickerton noted that inAfrica, 1 million people die each yearfrom malaria, and that 75% of themare children. He told a story of RickReilly, a writer for Sports Illustrated,who sent basketball nets to Africa,and discovered he sent the wrongnets. He should have sent bed nets toprotect people from the mosquitoesthat infect people with malaria. Simul-taneously, the UN Foundation and the

Gates Foundation were sending bednets, and everywhere they went thefound United Methodist clinics,schools, and churches. So they cameto the United Methodist Church andasked to partner together at the grassroots level, saying that they saw howwell the church does this work. Thechurch’s surprised response was,“Really?”

The partnership, now known asNothing but Nets, began with a focuson each organization’s differences.But with the questions of whether wecan use the church’s logo, came thequestion, “How many people would diebefore General Conference meets toOK use of the logo?”

“The answer lies in Africa,” saidBishop Bickerton. “God’s people notalways agreeing, but operating undera common umbrella of purpose. Wecan rise above that which separatesus in order to meaningful work to-gether. It takes partnership, collabora-tion, and dialogue.”

He continued, “Bridges can andshould be built. The issue is never theissue. The issue is how we treat eachother in the midst of the issue andwhat separates us.”

After Bishop Bickerton’s presenta-tion, clergy shared in worship to-gether. Preaching for worship, BishopBickerton remarked to the pastorsthat most of us live our lives in disap-pointment. Like Eeyore, we proclaim,“The church is going nowhere.” Thedisciples who encountered Jesus onthe road to Emmaus had love besidethem, the Savior in their midst soclose they could have touched him, butwere so blind they could not see him.

Bishop’s Lenten Day Apart – It’s all about dialogue

Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton (left) was Bishop Matthews invited guest speaker for theLented Day Apart for clergy on February 20.

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In The Nation

The Nation in BriefThe Nation in BriefThe Nation in BriefThe Nation in BriefThe Nation in Brief

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

On Jan. 23, Onesti, pastor ofMasonville-Rancocas United Method-ist Church, donated her left kidney toher friend Bossov, rabbi at MountLaurel’s Adath Emanu-El synagogue.

Now recovering, Onesti is scheduledto return to her pulpit on Easter Sun-day, and Bossov expects to be back athis synagogue in time to celebratePassover in early April.Journey of faith

For the two spiritual leaders, theoperation in Philadelphia was theculmination of a year-long odysseythat began in January 2006 as bothattended an interfaith council ofchurches meeting in Mount Laurel.

Onesti noticed people asking Bossovhow he was feeling, and she stayedafterwards to inquire about hishealth.

Bossov, 47, shared that his kidneydisease had progressed and that hehad been placed on a waiting list for atransplant. Without hesitation,Onesti offered, “I’ll give you one ofmine. My family has great kidneys,and we live into our 90s.”

Bossov was astonished. “I hadn’teven thought yet about asking peopleto donate; I was just telling everyone Iwas listed.”

Onesti, 49, never wavered from heroffer, though she had to undergo ahysterectomy and many tests beforeshe could be a donor.

The fact that both gotthe green light for pro-ceeding with the surgeryduring the seasons ofChristmas and Hanukahattracted a lot of mediaattention. “That and thefact that we sound like abad joke-a rabbi and aminister walk into a hospi-tal,” Bossov says. “Thereare so many bad storiesout there about religion.To have a good one rightaround the holidays, likeone reporter told me, ‘Thisstory just writes itself.’”Sharing the love

The first article waswritten by a member ofBossov’s synagogue, areporter for the New Jer-sey Courier-Post, whichstarted the mediarollercoaster. An Associ-ated Press story followed and landedin newspapers around the world, in-cluding The Jerusalem Post. Onestiand Bossov were interviewed by ABCnetwork’s “Good Morning America,”as well as local television stations.

The day of the surgery, crews withseveral TV stations were at the Hospi-tal of the University of Pennsylvania,where the transplant took place.

“I woke up the following day andsaw on TV that the surgery was asuccess,” laughs Onesti. “I just seeGod very much at work in all of this.The ripple effect of what God is doingis a blessing.” Masonville-RancocasUnited Methodist Church held a 12-hour prayer vigil for Onesti andBossov before the surgery, and bothhouses of worship held special ser-vices as well. Describing the experi-ence, Onesti cites Romans 8:28: In allthings God works for the good ofthose who love him, who have beencalled according to his purpose. “BothAndy and I love the Lord and we arecalled to do God’s purpose,” she ex-plains.Gift of hope

Bossov and Onesti want people toconsider registering as organ donorsand to make sure family membersknow their wishes.

The United Methodist Church sup-

ports organ transplantation and or-gan donation in its Social Principlesas “acts of charity, agape love, andself-sacrifice.

Organ and Tissue Donor Sunday isobserved in The United MethodistChurch the second Sunday in Novem-ber. National Donor Sabbath, an inter-faith celebration of the gifts of hopeprovided through organ and tissuedonation, is held in November andobserved by many religions.

World Kidney Day will be observedon March 8, and the National KidneyFoundation urges people to learnabout how to prevent chronic kidneydisease.

In the United States, more than95,000 people are on a waiting list toreceive an organ transplant. Some26,000 transplants have been per-formed, and approximately 14,000donors have given organs.

“This is not just our story,” Bossovsaid. “This is the story for all thosepeople who have been giving before usand for those who gave the day afterus and those who will give in the fu-ture.”

*Gilbert is a United Methodist NewsService news writer based in Nashville,Tenn.

Pastor’s compassion gives rabbigift of life

Rabbi Andrew Bossov reads Scripture during a prayerservice at Masonville-Rancocas United Methodist Churchin Mount Laurel, N.J., as (from left) the Rev. KarenOnesti, Rabbi Emeritus Richard Levine and the Rev. BobSmith, Capital District Superintendent, listen. A UMNSphoto by Frank Onesti.

The Rev. Karen Onesti and Rabbi Andrew Bossov share a moment together during aspecial service at Adath Emanu-El Synagogue. A UMNS photo by Frank Onesti.

♦ A group of active and retiredmilitary chaplains have formed aUnited Methodist task force workingto teach the church how to supportand welcome service members return-ing from Iraq and Afghanistan. Thegroup met Feb. 12-13 in Nashville,Tenn., and was organized by theUnited Methodist Endorsing Agency,which approves pastors to serve aschaplains, and the United MethodistBoard of Church and Society, thedenomination’s social advocacyagency. Currently, 359 United Method-ist pastors serve as military chap-lains. The task force discussed howthe church can welcome, support anduse the experiences of chaplains toeducate congregations. It will developan action plan to be implementedunder the oversight of the Board ofChurch and Society.

♦ The Rev. Anne Robertson, pastorof the United Methodist Church ofWestford, Mass., is poised to becomethe first female executive director of

the 198-year-old Massachusetts BibleSociety. She is to assume her new jobin Boston on April 17, succeeding theRev. Donald A. Wells, who is retiringafter 19 years. Robertson is a strongproponent of using new forms ofcommunication to spread the Gospel.During the past year and a half, she’soffered podcasts of her Sunday ser-mons and sent weekly devotions via e-mail. Robertson hopes to promotebiblical literacy while providing thetools to look at a biblical text in differ-ent ways. During its existence, thesociety has distributed more than 1million Bibles in some 200 languages.

♦ When a doctor told Pat Galassoshe had two bad knees that wouldrequire surgery, she knew she wouldneed a lot of support-literally. “I reallyneeded a walker,” said Galasso, 77.Fortunately, Galasso knew exactlywhere to get one on loan. The UnitedMethodist Men’s Hospital EquipmentLoan Service in Connellsville, Pa.,keeps an inventory of wheelchairs,walkers, crutches, canes, portable

commodes and even mattresses forpeople who need medical equipment.Most equipment is donated. Everyitem is repaired, if necessary, thencleaned and sanitized by volunteersfrom 11 area United Methodist congre-gations. “The primary areas where wesee the need is for people withoutinsurance coverage or people who donot meet the income or age require-ments for the government programs,”said Wes Boots, a retired schoolteacher who has volunteered with theministry since 1966. The loan servicebegan in the late 1950s.

♦ Six-year-old Heather Martin, ac-companied only by her mother onpiano, has become an overnightInternet sensation for a song per-formed at their rural church in Cache,Ok. Written for her brother Shaunserving in Iraq, the song became oneof YouTube’s most requested videos ofall time in December after a member atCache First United Methodist Churchrecorded and posted Heather’s perfor-

mance on the video-sharing Web site.The video had received 1.7 million hitsas of early February. Heather’smother, Cindy Martin, wrote “WhenAre You Coming Home?” after learn-ing that 22-year-old Shaun would notbe home for Christmas.

♦ Elizabeth Cumbest, 15, says theseven songs she has written aboutHurricane Katrina are prayers set tomusic. She released an eight-songcompact disc at a special service onJan. 14 at Heritage United MethodistChurch in D’Iberville, Miss. Withinthree weeks, “All Things New - Songsof Hope after Hurricane Katrina” hadraised about $6,000, with proceedsgoing to help Seashore MissionChurch recover from the storm.When Katrina roared ashore Aug. 29,2005, a dozen people sought shelter atthe Seashore Mission, which servesthe poor and homeless in Biloxi.

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In The World

The WThe WThe WThe WThe World in Brieforld in Brieforld in Brieforld in Brieforld in Brief

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

The Iranian people don’t want warwith the United States and say a signof U.S. goodwill would go a long waytoward preventing conflict, said aUnited Methodist leader who justreturned from Iran.

”Even with this tragic history wehave visited upon Iran for the past 55years, there is an amazing depth ofappreciation and love for the U.S.people,” said Jim Winkler, topexecutive of the United MethodistBoard of Church and Society, thedenomination’s social action agency.

”I am hopeful if our governmentwould capitalize on that and offer tosit down and negotiate with thegovernment of Iran, our conflictscould be resolved.

”Winkler was part of a 13-memberdelegation of U.S. religious leadersthat visited Iran Feb. 17-25. The group,which included Episcopal, Catholic,Baptist, Evangelical, Quaker andMennonite traditions, released astatement on the trip during a Feb. 26news conference in Washington.

”As Christian leaders from the

United States, we traveled to theIslamic Republic of Iran at this timeof increased tension, believing that itis possible to build bridges ofunderstanding between our twocountries. We believe military actionis not the answer, and that God callsus to just and peaceful relationshipswithin the global community,” saidthe statement.

The U.S. delegation met with Muslimand Christian leaders, governmentofficials and other Iranian people.

”There have been lots of contactsbetween Muslim religious leaders andChristian leaders from around theworld—and with AmericanChristians—over the years, but thiswas considered to be significantbecause it was attached to meetingswith government leaders,” Winklersaid.

”The Iranians don’t want war. Everypolitical and religious leader we metwith said Islam forbids the possessionor development or use of weapons ofmass destruction of any kindincluding nuclear weapons,” he said.“They would love to talk to the U.S. ifthere was but some sign of goodwill.”

Next week, thedelegation will meet withmembers of Congressincluding House SpeakerNancy Pelosi, Sen. HillaryRodham Clinton, Sen.Joseph R. Biden Jr., Sen.Richard G. Lugar, Sen.Barack Obama and Sen.John Warner, amongothers.

”These meetings havebeen very easy to set upbecause members ofCongress are veryinterested to hear ourreport and reflections,”said Winkler.

The group’s meeting withIran President MahmoudAhmadinejad was the firsttime a U.S. delegation hadtalked in Iran with anIranian president since theIslamic revolution in 1979. Themeeting lasted more than two hoursand covered a range of topics,including the role of religion intransforming conflict, Iraq, nuclearproliferation and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The delegation urged both the U.S.and Iranian governments to:·•immediately engage in direct, face-

to-face talks; ·•cease using language that defines

the other using “enemy” images; and•promote more people-to-people

exchanges including religious leaders,members of Parliament/Congress,and civil society.

”As people of faith, we arecommitted to working toward theseand other confidence-buildingmeasures, which we hope will moveour two nations from the precipice ofwar to a more just and peacefulrelationship,” the statement said.

The United States and its Westernallies have said Iran must halturanium enrichment as aprecondition to talks. They believeIran is using its nuclear program toproduce an atomic weapon, but Iransays it is working to generateelectricity.

Ties between the United States andIran have been broken or poor since

Iranian students stormed the U.S.Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and heldits occupants hostage for 444 days.President Bush has named Iran partof an “axis of evil” and, in recentweeks, his administration hasclaimed Iran is behind attacks ontroops in Iraq—a charge that Irandenies.

Winkler said the Iranian people arekeenly aware of their history and saythe U.S. overthrow of their electedgovernment in 1953 set U.S.-Iranianrelations on a destructive course.“Needless to say, the capture ofAmerican hostages contributed verynegatively from their side. But thenwe gave huge support to SaddamHussein in the 1980-88 war betweenIran and Iraq, which resulted in thedeaths of hundreds of thousands ofIranians.”

More information on the delegationcan be found at http://mcc.org/iran/delegation/

*Gilbert is a United Methodist NewsService news writer based in Nashville,Tenn. Information for this report wasprovided by the Mennonite CentralCommittee.

♦ Jim Winkler, top executive of theUnited Methodist Board of Churchand Society, is among religious leadersfrom the United States and Iran meet-ing in Iran to find common groundamong faith groups as a step towardinternational peace, particularly aspolitical tensions grow between thetwo nations. The 13-member U.S. del-egation arrived in Tehran on Feb. 19and began a weeklong series of meet-ings with Iranian religious and gov-ernment leaders, including a sched-uled meeting with Iran PresidentMahmoud Ahmadinejad. In additionto The United Methodist Church, theU.S. delegation represents the Menno-nite, Quaker, Episcopal and Catholicchurches. The group is scheduled toreturn Feb. 25 and plans to meet withmembers of Congress to report ontheir conversations.

♦ As of Jan. 29, The United Method-ist Church is legally registered inSerbia. A Serbian law passed last yearrecognized a limited number of “tradi-

tional churches and religious commu-nities” as having full rights. Otherreligious groups, including The UnitedMethodist Church, were required toregister to qualify for a tax exemptionand the right to run schools, medicalfacilities and prison ministries. The 18congregations in Serbia are part ofThe United Methodist Church inSouthern and Central Europe.

♦ United Methodist Bishop NtamboNkulu Ntanda, leader of the NorthKatanga Area in the Democratic Re-public of Congo, has been elected tothat country’s Senate. The new Senateis expected to be installed Feb. 3.Congo’s Parliament has two cham-bers, the Senate and the NationalAssembly.

♦ MEXICO: FLOOD RELIEFTorrential rains caused extreme flood-ing throughout the Rio Grande Valleylast September. People in Texas andMexico were left with ruined homesand belongings and have begun the

slow path of recovery. UMCOR pro-vided assistance on both sides of theborder. Providing assistance to the RioGrand Annual Conference in the USand in Mexico, UMCOR worked withManos Juntas Mexico. ThroughUMCOR’s grant, the organizationcould provide medicines, water jugsand staple foods, mattresses, gas burn-ers, baby supplies and other items forsurvivors. In addition UMCOR SagerBrown sent over 11,000 health kits andnearly 250 bedding kits. More than10,000 people in Rio Bravo, Mexicoreceived needed assistance throughthese efforts. When you give to Inter-national Disaster Response, UMCORAdvance #982450, you help UMCOR torespond to disasters such as this.

♦ SOUTHERN AFRICA: GIVINGRELIEF THROUGH SHADEUMCOR is working with SHADE (So-journer: Help, Advocacy, Development,Education), a ministry of the Method-ist Church of Southern Africa thataddresses issues of hunger and poor

nutrition among women with HIV/AIDS, their children and orphans.SHADE provides feeding centers, fooddistribution as well as nutritionclasses and help for agriculturalprojects. In the past year SHADEreached thousands of people in sixcountries with their programs. Pleasegive to SHADE, UMCOR Advance#180001 and help eradicate hunger inAfrica.

♦ INDONESIA: RECOVERINGFROM JAKARTA’S FLOODSJakarta, Indonesia’s capital city, issuffering from torrential rains andflooding that has left nearly 300,000people in need of emergency assis-tance. UMCOR is assisting Action byChurches Together members alreadyworking in the area to provide reliefsupplies, shelter, food, and medicalcare to some 20,000 survivors. Yourgifts to UMCOR Advance #982450,International Disaster Response, helpUMCOR to respond to this and manyother disasters throughout the world.

U.S. religious leaders say Iranianswant peace

Jim Winkler (right), representing The United MethodistChurch, and the Rev. Ron Flaming, of the MennoniteCentral Committee, take part in a Feb. 26 newsconference in Washington after their trip to Iran. AUMNS photo by Jay Mallin.

Members of a 13-person religious delegation talk about their recent meetings in Tehranwith Iranian religious and political leaders. A UMNS photo by Jay Mallin.

www.epaumc.org

66666 MARCH 2007

IF YOU ARE REQUESTING CONSIDERATION FOR TIME ON THECONFERENCE AGENDA, THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 16, 2007.· All requests for consideration MUST be submitted in writing to Mrs. AmyBotti, P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0820 or by email:amy.botti@epaumc.org. Late requests cannot be accommodated. Presenterswill be asked to submit detailed scripts accompanied by the name(s) of theactual presenter(s) and the estimated presentation time by MAY 1, 2007. If ascript is not received by the deadline, the presenter will lose presentationprivileges.

IF YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT, THE DEADLINE IS MARCH16, 2007.· Resolutions are to be submitted to the Conference Secretary: The Rev.Charles E. Weigel, Jr., 751 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335; Directyour questions to: (O) 610-269-1496, (H) 610-269-0629; email: Weigel4@aol.com.The name of the actual presenter must accompany each resolution.Resolutions, in portrait format, must be sent on a disk or CD in MicrosoftWord, along with a hard copy. Resolutions submitted after the March 16, 2007deadline will be referred to the Agenda Review Committee in accordance withthe rules of the Annual Conference. Copies cannot be made by the office staffat the Conference Office and will not be published in NewSpirit.

IF YOU HAVE A REPORT FROM YOUR COMMITTEE, AGENCY OR WORKTEAM TO SUBMIT FOR PRINTING IN OUR CONFERENCE JOURNAL,THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 16, 2007.· Submit reports to the Conference Secretary: The Rev. Charles E. Weigel, Jr.,751 E. Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, PA 19335. Reports, in portrait format,must be sent on a disk or CD in Microsoft Word, along with a hard copy.

REGISTRATION MATERIALS FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE CLERGY,LAY AND EQUALIZING DELEGATES WILL BE MAILED OUT IN MARCH.· For returning the completed registration materials and for thoseregistering via website, the deadline is MAY 1, 2007.

IF YOU HAVE MATERIALS TO SUBMIT FOR INCLUSION IN THEANNUAL CONFERENCE NOTEBOOK, THE DEADLINE IS APRIL 2, 2007:· Copy-ready originals must be sent. For more information, please contactMrs. Evangeline Johnson at 610-666-9090, ext. 215 or 800-828-9093, or by email:evangeline.johnson@epaumc.org.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE A DISPLAY TABLE AT ANNUALCONFERENCE:· Please contact Mrs. Evangeline Johnson, P.O. Box 820, Valley Forge, PA19482-0820, 610-666-9090, ext. 215 or 800-828-9093, email:evangeline.johnson@epaumc.org. Vendor reservations for display tables mustbe submitted and payment received at the time of submission. Space is limitedand will be assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

THE MEDIA AND/OR TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS DEADLINE IS MAY1, 2007.· Please complete the Media Specifications Submittal Form and return it tothe Conference Office by MAY 1, 2007. Please complete the TechnicalSpecifications Submittal Form and return it to the Rev. Drew Parsons by MAY1, 2007. Any presenters planning to have a media and/or technicalpresentation must submit ALL materials by this deadline to retainpresentation privileges. Late entries will not be accommodated due to theamount of time needed to process all the submissions.

The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual ConferenceJune 13-15, 2007 at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center

Living Connected as God’s People: “Nurturing the Connection”

DeadlinesMaterials enclosed with deadlines were previously mailed.

A special Annual Conference Supplement to the May issue of “NewSpirit” will be published. For this Supplement, materials must be received by APRIL 2, 2007.This includes resolutions and also includes all materials relevant to the Annual Conference Supplement to the May “NewSpirit.”

Thank you for your cooperation! We believe that this information willgreatly assist the work of the Annual Conference 2007.

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer will be preacher for theMemorial Service and the Service of Ordination.Bishop Palmer is the Resident Bishop of the IowaEpiscopal Area (Iowa Annual Conference), assignedthere after his election in 2000. He is the President-Designate of the U.M. Council of Bishops, elected inNovember 2005. He will become President of thecouncil in 2008. Bishop Palmer was born and raisedin Philadelphia, son of the Rev. Herbert and the lateMrs. Charlotte Sue Palmer. In 1977 he became adeacon (probationary member) of the EasternPennsylvania Conference, and was ordained Elderin 1981 in the East Ohio Conference. He served sixchurches in North Carolina and Ohio and as beingYoungstown District Superintendent prior to hiselection as bishop.

The Rev. Mary Ann Moman, Associate GeneralSecretary of the Division of Ordained Ministry ofthe UM General Board of Higher Education andMinistry will lead the Bible Studies at Annual Con-ference. Rev. Moman is responsible for the overalladministration of the work and programs of theDivision of Ordained Ministry, the Ministerial Edu-cation Fund, the Association of United MethodistTheological Schools, and the Commission on Theo-logical Education. She serves as the liaison withUnited Methodist seminaries and provides supportfor the University Senate.

Bishop Marcus Matthews will preach for OpeningWorship of The Eastern Pennsylvania Annual Con-ference, June 13, 2007. Bishop Matthews is spiritualleader for nearly 1,000 United Methodist Churchesin the Philadelphia Area, comprised of the EasternPennsylvania and Peninsula-Delaware Annual Con-ferences. He will lead the annual meeting for itsthree days in Center City Philadelphia, as nearly1,200 delegates from 475 churches gather in HolyConferencing and to elect delegates to the 2008 Gen-eral Conference to be held in Fort Worth, TX.

Electing Delegates for General Conference 2008

At the 221st Annual Conference Session in June, EPA members will elect sixclergy and six laity to attend the 2008 General Conference of The United Meth-odist Church meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. These twelve persons will also at-tend the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference in July 2008.

An additional six clergy and six laity will be elected to complete the North-eastern Jurisdictional Conference delegation. These additional 12 persons willalso serve in order of their election as reserve delegates to the General Confer-ence. Three clergy and three laity will be elected as reserve delegates to theNortheastern Jurisdictional Conference.

The EPA process for electing delegates is outlined in Article XVI of the EPAConference Rules of Order printed on page 388 of the 2006 Journal. The Confer-ence Secretary, Rev. Charles Weigel, has sent nominating petitions to EPA clergyin full connection and lay members eligible to vote. The Discipline provides thatonly clergy members in full connection and lay members of the Annual Confer-ence may participate in the election of General and Jurisdictional Conferencemembers.

Nominating petitions allow clergy and laity to nominate a maximum oftwelve persons. Persons will be nominated when they have been named on tennominating petitions. As in the election process, clergy nominate only clergyand laity nominate only laity. Nominees must fulfill the requirements of theDiscipline.

www.epaumc.org

MARCH 2007 77777Making Disciples Insert -

Save the Date!

Acts 29 - Prayer Encounter with Terry Teykl

Schedule:• 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. -

Pastors’ and Laity Luncheon• 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. -

Session

Cost:

• $10 - Pastors’ Luncheon• $10 - Laity Luncheon• $10 - Registration

Register online at:www.epaumc.org

April 14, 2007Tindley Temple United Methodist Church

Discover your divine assignmentBy the Rev. Robert Shank

With the lyrics of the Praise Bandstill echoing in the hearts and mindsof the congregation, the Rev. KelvinSauls began to his presentation,“Transformational Spiritual Leader-ship.” Rev. Sauls is director of Congre-gational Development with the UnitedMethodist General Board of Disciple-ship. His two presentations on leader-ship, one in January and one in Febru-ary, have inspired more than 2500attendees.

On February 17, earlier in the day,the Making Disciples Team had beento Ruhl’s UMC in Manheim andTindley Temple in Philadelphia, andnow Rev. Sauls began his third presen-tation of the day at Asbury UMC inAllentown. It was a whirlwind day forthe speaker and the conference staff,and now the Spirit was stirring up its

own whirlwind for all gathered in thisplace!

Rev. Sauls began by saying, “We ranaway from the “E-word” (Evangelism),and corporate America gladly pickedit up.” He noted Jack Welsh, “chiefevangelistic officer” for Starbucks,and noted how corporate evangelismis the hot topic in marketing. Then hesuggested that congregations read thebook, “Discovering Your Divine As-signment” which argues that God hasgiven us a specific assignment we aresupposed to fulfill and God hasequipped us to accomplish our divineassignment.

He read 2 Timothy 1:5-7 from “TheMessage”: “That precious memorytriggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handeddown from your grandmother Lois toyour mother Eunice, and now to you!

And the special gift of ministry youreceived when I laid hands on you andprayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’twant us to be shy with his gifts, butbold and loving and sensible.”

Rev. Sauls suggested that this vitalpassage tells us three things aboutour divine assignment: It is a genera-tional thing involving all generations;it is intentional - not by accident; it isbold, and we should not be shy ortimid with our gifts, but bold andsensible.

A sound of warning was echoedwith the words of Peter Drucker whenhe wrote about the future: “The thingsthat got us here will not get us there.”These are important words of warn-ing the church must hear, listen to,and do something about. Rev. Sauls

continues on page 10The Rev. Kelvin Sauls

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88888 MARCH 2007 - Making Disciples Insert

A 1-day leader training event for theCompanions in Christ family of re-sources is set for Saturday, May 5 atWest Chester United MethodistChurch, 129 South High Street, WestChester, PA from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.The training provides leaders of chil-dren and adults with an in-depth expe-rience in Companions in Christ re-sources and trains them in the distinc-tive leadership skills called upon whenleading formational groups. For infor-mation, call Jo Higgins at 610.692.5190.

The Companions in Christ family ofresources from Upper Room Ministriesbrings a transforming small-groupexperience to congregations. Most in-depth Christian studies offer knowl-edge about scripture, prayer, or otherareas of faith. Companions in Christinvites participants into a deeper expe-rience of the Christian life. As thejourney unfolds participants discoverclassic and contemporary spiritualpractices that form rather than in-form the participants and encouragethem in inner and outward expres-sions of their faith.

The Way of the Child offers an op-portunity for leaders and parents ofchildren ages 6-11 years to learn aboutenvironments and practices that helpchildren grow spiritually. Resourcesessions provide children with a “timeapart” to experience and learn spiri-tual practices that will deepen theirrelationship with God for a lifetime.These practices also help childrenknow themselves and how to live withconfidence and conviction.

Authors of the Companions seriesinclude Stephen D. Bryant, editor/publisher of Upper Room Ministries;Gerrit Scott Dawson, senior ministerof First Presbyterian Church inLenoir, N.C.; Adele J. Gonzalez, Assis-tant Director of the Office of Lay Min-istry in the Roman Catholic Archdio-cese of Miami, Fla.; E. Glenn Hinson,

author and retired professor of spiri-tuality at the Baptist TheologicalSeminary in Richmond, Va.; Rueben P.Job, a retired United Methodist bishopand former editor/publisher of TheUpper Room; Marjorie J. Thompson,author and Spiritual Director of theCompanions in Christ initiative inNashville, Tenn.; and Wendy M.Wright, professor of theology atCreighton University in Omaha, Neb.The Author of The Way of the Child isWynn McGregor, certified Christianeducator in the Presbyterian Church,USA.

Upper Room Ministries is an ecu-menical organization that producesresources for encouraging deeperspiritual formation, including TheUpper Room daily devotional guide,distributed to over two million peoplein 44 languages, five other magazines,a line of books, and programs foryouth and adults.

Nurturing Young Disciples

Companions In Christ and The Way of the Child Train-ing Event Promote Spiritual Growth for Adults and

Children

The first presentation of the Insti-tute for Discipleship online workshop“Maximizing Disciple in Your Church:A Workshop for Disciple Facilitatorsby Bishop Richard Wilke, author ofDISCIPLE, and Lisa Buffum, DIS-CIPLE facilitator” has just success-fully completed. The workshop will beoffered again April 9 - 27, 2007.

This workshop is intended for pas-tors and lay persons who alreadyfacilitate, or would like to facilitate,DISCIPLE Bible Study in their homechurch. With the use of a wonderfulDVD featuring Dr. Wilke, we will ex-plore the need, purpose, structure,and expectations of DISCIPLE. TheDVD also includes ten ways to messup DISCIPLE in a church and helpfulhints. There will be a new assignmentevery three days to give the partici-

Maximizing Disciple in YourChurch online workshop

pants time to watch a short video andread a section of the book. Discussionwill center on helping DISCIPLE BibleStudy to flourish in your congrega-tion.

This is not DISCIPLE training nor isit intended to replace DISCIPLE train-ing. The intent of the workshop is toassist currently trained facilitatorsand potential facilitators in thegrowth and use of the DISCIPLE pro-gram within their church.

To enroll for the workshop, visitwww.BeADisciple.com. You must regis-ter as a user to the website first, andthen log in to enroll.

If you have any questions regardingthe workshop or the Institute for Dis-cipleship, email Lisa Buffum atbeadisciple@sckans.edu.

Two years ago, a middle-agedwoman began to attend the contempo-rary service at Salem UMC, Manheim,PA. She usually came alone, some-times brought a little boy with her ora young woman. Several months later,Judy approached me to ask if I wouldconsider officiating at the marriage ofher daughter (the young woman) andher fiancée. After the obligatory pre-marital sessions, the wedding was ajoy and a success. Janie began to at-tend Salem more Sundays than notwith her mother. As we approachedthe Lenten season of 2006, I encour-aged “Judy” to sign up for one of thesmall group studies, focusing on RickWarren’s Purpose Driven Life book.Judy signed up that very day to be inone of my groups. For the next 7weeks, she didn’t miss a session; andin fact, after week two, Janie camewith her mom.

During this past year – 2006 – Judyand her husband, Doug, joined SalemUnited Methodist Church. Doug is along-distance truck driver, so hemisses a week now and then, but forthe most part, they are both attendingour contemporary service with theirdaughter, Janie. Doug will often bring

fresh fruits and vegetables along backeast for our food bank and considersthis his own “small” contribution toSalem Family Ministry – our outreachprogram at Salem United MethodistChurch.

Judy and Janie have now joined anew small study group that I am lead-ing – H. Norman Wright’s MakingPeace with your Past. After the firstnight of study last week, they took measide and informed me that Janie andher husband are expecting their firstchild this July – a little girl – Judy andJanie asked if after this precious littleone is born, would I baptize them allin one service. I will be baptizinggrandmother, mother, and child some-time in August or September!

By Rev. Jacquilyn Sheely, Pastor ofSalem UMC of Manheim of the EasternPennsylvania Conference of The UnitedMethodist Church.

This story was taken from the“Share your Disciple Making Story”on the Eastern Pennsylvania Confer-ence Website. If you would like toshare your story with us, go to: http://www.epaumc.org/NewsType.asp?NewsTypeID=13

God is good all the time -All the time, God is good!

By Hilda Campbell*

Healing the Wounds of Racismtraining is a vehicle that will assist inbuilding bridges. Congregations candelve deeper into learning and caringabout each other when we under-stand others culture, customs, andhistory. To be truly effective in ourmission of making disciples of JesusChrist for the transformation of theworld, we all need to come equally tothe table and recognize and value ourdifferences and similarities.

Surface encounters and nice ex-changes on Sundays and at meetingsdo little to deepen effective Kingdombuilding. The Healing the Wounds ofRacism training has an effective com-ponent, Covenant Groups, whichcreate an environment for sincerefriendship and understanding todevelop. After completing Healing theWounds of Racism training, you areeligible to become a member of a

Covenant Group. Through thesegroups, sisters and brothers in Christcan begin to work together by partici-pating in truthful conversations,which often clear up our stereotypesand other barriers to understanding.

In the November, 2006, Healing theWounds of Racism training, the Rev.Bill Wolfe shared the story of his heri-tage, which includes Bishop JoshuaJones, bishop of Jones Tabernacle inPhiladelphia. Bishop Jones was anAfrican American, a story that wasnot shared by past generations of hisfamily. Rev. Wolfe was recently asked ifhe could be included on a website gene-alogy as part of the descendants ofBishop Jones, and he said he would bedelighted to be included.

“If the new found African Americanfamily member had not been renowned,would you have been as proud and asenthusiastic?” I asked Rev. Wolfe.

He responded that this heritagecame from his mother side, and hismother had died when he was a youngchild. Rev. Wolfe was delighted to fi-nally discover his family background,happy to finally be able to understandand embrace his heritage.

At the close of Healing the Woundsof Racism training, each participant isgiven a piece of a puzzle, and all mustcome together to complete the puzzle.Without even one piece of the puzzlethe picture is not complete. The sameis true in our Kingdom building anddisciple making. We must invite all ofGod’s people equally into discipleshipfor the Kingdom to be complete.

* The Rev. Hilda Campbell is directorof Human Relations and Leadership forThe Eastern Pennsylvania Conference.

Building bridges throughHealing the Wounds of Racism

Rev. William Wolfe

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MARCH 2007 99999Making Disciples Insert -

I Was a Stranger: A Christian Theology of Hospitalityby Arthur Sutherland

Author Arthur Sutherland places before us our fear of meeting the “other”and the “stranger” in an increasingly global, and frequently dangerous, village.Various social, political, and historical factors have conspired to leave us in averitable crisis: the decline of hospitality.

Why is this a crisis? Why should we practice hospitality? What is it aboutChristian theology that compels us to think about hospitality in the first place?Sutherland offers a passionate plea to recover and rediscover hospitality, and torespond to the divine appeal to welcome the stranger.

Therein lies the central concern of thebook: that hospitality is not simply thepractice of a virtue but is integral to thevery nature of Christianity’s positiontoward God, self, and the world—it is atthe very center of what it means to be aChristian and to think theologically. Heoffers a challenging definition of hospital-ity and calls us to a practice that is thevirtue by which the church stands or falls.

Drawing on modern theologians (includ-ing Howard Thurman, DietrichBonhoeffer, Karl Barth, Martin LutherKing Jr., and Letty Russell) and consider-ing American slavery, the Holocaust, femi-nism, and prisons, Sutherland eloquentlypresents a Christian theology of hospital-ity.

Published by Abingdon Press, this bookretails for $8 to 12, and is available fromwww.cokesbury.com.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

Participants at a conference in thecold Great Smoky Mountains werereminded that God created hospitality- not borders and walls.

”God has concern for widows andorphans and marginalized outcasts,and there is nothing you can do aboutit,” said the Rev. A. Clark Jenkins,pastor of St. Andrew-by-the-SeaUnited Methodist Church in HiltonHead, S.C.

That message was sent home withmore than 100 people attending theUnited Methodist conference called“Our Call to Hospitality: A BiblicalResponse to the Challenges ofImmigration.” Held Feb. 1-3 at theUnited Methodist Lake JunaluskaConference and Retreat Center, theevent was sponsored by theSoutheasternJurisdiction, whichstretches fromKentucky toFlorida, and theUnited MethodistBoard of Churchand Society, thesocial advocacyagency of thedenomination.

Jenkins calledhospitality one ofGod’s greatest gifts.“It is appalling tome that wecelebrated whenthe wall in Berlincame down andnow we are seekingto build a wall inMexico,” he said.

”We expectimmigrants to flip

our burgers and take out our trash,”said the Rev. Clayton Childers, theboard’s program director for annualconference relations.

“We expect them to be here and thenblame them when they are.” Thepurpose of the conference was toeducate and spur United Methodists towork for comprehensive immigrationreform. Participants shared wayschurches and conferences are workingwith immigrants and learned how toadvocate for immigration reform inlocal congregations and communities.

Workshops encouraging hospitalityincluded immigration and racism;causes and consequences ofimmigration; the effects of “Englishonly” declarations; and legal issues inimmigration.

Bishop Hee-Soo Jung of theNorthern Illinois Annual (regional)

Conference andBishop Timothy W.Whitaker of theFlorida AnnualConference startedand ended theconference withworship services.

Biblical hospitality”I greet you in the

name of the migrantrefugee Christ,” saidthe Rev. JoanMaruskin in openinga session on Christianhospitality.

An ordained UnitedMethodist ministerand an author,Maruskin ledparticipants on ajourney through theBible, highlighting

Scriptures that focus on God’s careand concern for “the stranger.”

She said the Hebrew Bible advisesthe people of God more than threedozen times to care for strangers, andthe New Testament is full of storiesabout Jesus welcoming and healingstrangers.

”Our salvation, according to thewords of Jesus, is directly tied to ourwelcoming the hungry, the thirsty, thestrangers, the naked, the sick and theprisoners. Jesus was one with theundocumented,” said Maruskin, whois director of the York CountyCouncil of Churches, an ecumenicalagency of 130 Christian congregations

in York County, Pa.Maruskin called on participants to

“vow to increase your circle of truefriends to include those different fromyou.”

”The United States is a nation builtby design through the blood, sweat,tears and love of immigrantpopulations. Interestingly, theindigenous people of this land are theNative Americans and the Mexicans,”she said.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist NewsService news writer based in Nashville,Tenn.

Hospitality to strangers

Anthony Velazquez (left), a staff member with the United Methodist Council on Financeand Administration, participates in a small group discussion.A UMNS photo by KathyL. Gilbert.

Your Leadership Legacy

By Robert Galford and Regina Fazio Maruca

You should worry about your legacy later in your career, at the edge of retire-ment-right? Not according to Robert Galford and Regina Maruca. In Your Lead-ership Legacy, these authors argue that thinking about your legacy now makesyou a better leader today.

Based on stories of top leaders who have shaped successful careers, the bookexplores the art of “legacy thinking,” helping you to formulate a legacy thatwill exert a positive effect on your work immediately. The authors provide adisciplined approach to framing your legacy, as well as shaping it over time.They start with the idea that your legacy is defined by how others approachwork and life as a result of having workedwith you. They then demonstrate how to as-sess your current impact on those aroundyou, strengthen that impact, and pass alongthe best of yourself in the process.

While many leaders “find themselves” andhone their work accordingly only after a ma-jor life crisis, Your Leadership Legacy enablesall leaders to craft their work and build theirlegacy unburdened by such crises, and toexperience personal satisfaction and achieve-ment throughout their working lives.

“By planning for the impact you will haveon your people and your organization, youbecome a better leader today.”

Now available: The Leadership Legacy As-sessment Test: Identifying Your InstinctiveLeadership Style. For more information, go to:www.yourleadershiplegacy.com

Bishop Matthews recommends:

”I greet you in the name of themigrant refugee Christ,” says the Rev.Joan Maruskin in opening a sessionon Christian hospitality. A UMNSphoto by Kathy L. Gilbert.

www.epaumc.org

1010101010 MARCH 2007

MARCH 15 AND 16, 2007 -

WEBCAST FOR THOSE WHOHAVE COMPLETED THE CVIPROCESS by March 1: (Thursday,Friday BY WEBCAST. 7:00 PM

APRIL 14, 2007 -

PRAYER - Saturday – One loca-tion: TINDLEY TEMPLE UMC inPhiladelphia (Childcare will beprovided.)11:30 AM-12:30 PM - Clergy/LaityLuncheons1:00 PM -4:00 PM - Acts 29 PrayerEncounter with Terry Tekyl

MAY 9, 10, AND 11, 2007 -

Preparing Your Congregation’sMinistry Action Plan - threeseparate locations, childcarewill be provided6:00 PM - Dinner6:45 PM - 7:15 PM - Worship7:15 PM - 8:45 PM - Session 5

JUNE 13-15, 2007 -

Faith Sharing and EvangelicalRecruitment- During AnnualConference with streamingvideo/audio to people not attend-ing Annual Conference – sug-

- Making Disciples Insert

gested through plenariesSession 6 and Session 7*Celebrate successes 6-month checkin for the Making Disciples Initiative

JULY 21, 2007 -

Vibrant and TransformativeWorship - Saturday – one loca-tion,1:00 PM - 3:30 PM - Session 8

AUGUST 18, 2007 -

Ways to Increase Your ChurchAttendance9:00 AM - Small Congregations11:00 AM- Medium Congregations1:30 PM- New Church Starts3:30 PM- Large ChurchesTraining by Rev. Rene Perez andRev. Dorothy Watson Tatem

SEPTEMBER 8, 2007 -

Christian Education and Spiri-tual Formation – Saturday, onelocation, Congregational LeadersTeam10:00 AM -11:00 AM - Small Groups11:00 AM - Plenary GBOD – CarolKrauNoon-1:00 PM - Lunch1:00 PM -4:00PM - (Age level, youth,young adult, college/campus minis-

try, family, single, etc.)

OCTOBER 13, 2007 -

Faith Sharing - Saturday, Onelocation: “Using Communica-tions in Evangelism Recruit-ment” – location to be deter-mined9:30 AM-4:00 PM - Training by Rev.Larry Homitsky, Director of Con-nectional Ministries, Western PAConference, UMC and Suzy Keenan,EPA Director of CommunicationsWorship“Igniting Ministries Training”

NOVEMBER 3, 2007 -

Stewards of God’s GiftsDavid Bell6:00 PM - 6:30 PM - Worship6:30 PM- 8:15 PM - Training by theRev. David Bell, Director of theCenter for Christian Stewardship ofThe United Methodist Church

DECEMBER 13, 2007 -

Accountable Discipleship: Thepower of small group ministryfor all ages6:45 PM - 7:15 PM - Worship7:15 PM - 8:45 PM - Training bySteve Manskar, GBOD

Making Disciples 2007 Training Schedule

ROMANS 12 PROJECT:examining the Wesleyanmodel of forming disciples- The United Methodist Board ofDiscipleship is initiating the “Romans12 Project,” a year-long initiative thatinvolves exploring best practices inUnited Methodist congregations tomine ideas, concepts, practices andprinciples that help form vitalchurches. The project is designed tostudy vital United Methodist churcheswith the goal of revitalizing the de-nomination and expanding its effec-tiveness in equipping world-changingdisciples for the transformation of theworld. Through a new initiative, theagency is seeking help in identifyingexemplary congregations that repre-sent the Wesleyan model of formingdisciples. To learn more about theRomans 12 Project and to make nomi-nations, visit http://www.gbod.org/congregational/romans12/default.asp.

LEARN TO SHAREYOUR FAITH - DiscipleshipResources, a publishing unit of theUnited Methodist Board ofDiscipleship, has announced thepublication of Witness: Learning toShare Your Christian Faith by RonCrandall, associate dean of the E.Stanley Jones School of WorldMission and Evangelism at AsburyTheological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky.Originally published in 2001, therevised and updated version ofWitness includes a 25-week experiencethat continues the tradition oflearning about Christian faiththrough Bible study and reflection;growing spiritually within a small-group experience; identifying gifts forministry; and learning how to witnessto others in a natural and effectiveway.

LIVING PRAYERCENTER ON UMC.ORG -Your schedule may be busier thanever, but with the new UMC.org, youcan access spiritual support from thepeople of The United MethodistChurch 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. Through UMC.org, you canprivately and conveniently submit aprayer request to the Upper RoomLiving Prayer Center and theirCovenant Prayer Groups. Yourprayer concern will be forwarded toone of 300 Upper Room CovenantPrayer Groups, who will pray for yourrequest for an additional 30 days.More than 30,000 prayer requests arereceived each month. Fot the privacyof those requesting prayer, eachrequest is edited to remove anyinformation that would identify theperson or situation needing prayer.UMC.org Prayer Request feature alsoprovides visitors with spiritualresources. To visit the Prayer Requestfeature, just click the “Pray” buttonon www.UMC.org.

You can also submit a prayer requestover the phone to the Upper RoomLiving Prayer Center by calling 1-800-251-2468. United MethodistCommunications encourages you to visitthe Prayer Request features and sharethis information with members of yourchurch and your community. Todownload a bulletin insert and sampleservice announcement, go towww.UMC.org/launch.

then compared the church to the TVshow “Home Improvement” becauseTim Allen “tries to be what he is not,and his wife reminds him who he is.”

“To do improvements,” Rev. Saulssaid, “we have to check what we havein our toolboxes. This is what Jesusdid with the disciples. They were fish-erman and Jesus said, ‘Okay, you willnow be fishers of men and women andchildren.’ In other words, you knowhow to fish, so now get out there andfish for people!”

Leonard Sweet, in his book,AQUAChurch, speaks about the fluidworld in which we live: “The churchneeds to discover the leadership artsnecessary to lead our culture to theuncharted truths of the Gospel.”

Rev. Sauls said that we need to thinkacross the generations. “The Wordwas made flesh and we now need tolead our culture. We need to be theheadlight, not the taillight!”

He outlined the practical ways thechurch can lead into the unchartedfuture to make disciples of JesusChrist for the transformation of theworld by minimizing liabilities. Hisfirst point was about passionate wor-ship, saying, “Worship doesn’t have tobe a test of endurance! It should bepassionate, spirit-filled. It should leaveyour tank filled, and ready to do thework of Jesus Christ. It should be

about truth – liberating - a place toleave your burdens at the altar, withGod being the wind beneath yourwings.” Engaging in intercessoryprayer, the second point, should not bea “911” to God, but a dialogue inwhich we listen more than we say. Healso included deepening faith forma-tion and perpetual practice of faith,which extends to witnessing beyondthe church walls.

Maximizing the assets of yourchurch takes the church another stepforward. “We have assets in our con-gregations,” he said. Tindley Temple iscelebrating 170 years of ministry.Certainly there are a great manyassets in this church!” Then he asked,“Have you done a human resourceassessment in your congregation?There are congregations who aresleeping giants just waiting to beawakened!” Enabling people to dis-cover their spiritual gifts by doing aspiritual gifts assessment will helpthem find their divine assignment. Heasked, “Who are the people in yourpews connected with? We don’t knowwho our members play golf with!”These connections and relationshipsare all part and parcel of the humanresources available to congregations.

Rev. Sauls encouraged churches toknow their history and leverage theirstrengths and good reputations. “If

you don’t know where you are, youwon’t be able to know where you’regoing. The spiritual gifts assessmenttells you where you are.”

Finally, Rev. Sauls shared six practi-cal pieces to mobilize congregations toengage in making disciples of JesusChrist:

-Increase visibility-Review and re-invent yourcongregational image-Increase membership partici-pation-Expand in community-Strengthen the ministry ofhospitality-Engage in intentional congre-gational assessment

“Imagine the otherwise!” he said.“You have what it takes to make dis-ciples of Jesus Christ for the transfor-mation of the world. Therefore, takewhat you have, go and make disciplesof Jesus Christ for the transforma-tion of the world!”

Being equipped to live out our di-vine assignment is essential to mak-ing disciples of Jesus Christ for thetransformation of the world. To helpyour congregation equip, attend themonthly training events. Discover andlive out your divine assignment!

Discover your divine assignmentcontinued from page 7

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MARCH 2007 1111111111

By Vicki Brown*

In the decade since the Order of Dea-cons was created, ordained deacons havetaken The United Methodist Churchoutside its traditional brick walls andstained-glass windows. They have min-istered to the homeless, worked withlabor unions and served through fieldsas diverse as health care, education andeven advertising and communications.

“Deacons are trying to put a swing-ing door on churches, going out intothe world and serving and bringingpeople back into the church,” said theRev. Anita Wood, a deacon who is direc-tor of professional ministry develop-ment at the United Methodist Board ofHigher Education and Ministry.

The church created the Order of Dea-cons to enable United Methodists toanswer the call to an ordained minis-try that connects the church with theworld – both by work outside the churchand by involving congregations in min-istries that heal the world’s hurts. Sucha call resounds with both young peoplein seminary and many second-careercandidates for ministry.

According to the board’s Division ofOrdained Ministry, 1,659 people are cur-rently candidates to become deaconswithin The United Methodist Church.If most are ordained, the number willmore than double. Currently, there are1,381 active deacons and 213 retired.

Deacons and diaconal ministers willgather April 19-22 in Orlando, Fla., for

“Celebrating Diakonia,” a convocationsponsored by the higher educationboard to celebrate the 10th anniversaryof the Order of Deacons and the 30thanniversary of the Office of DiaconalMinistry.

What do deacons do?Even as they celebrate, deacons and

candidates for the diaconate say thechurch is confused about their role.

“Folks are still learning what deaconsdo. I have to educate the people who arementoring me,” said the Rev. DavidBrown, an associate to the senior pas-tor at Camphor Memorial United Meth-odist Church in Philadelphia and a pro-bationary member. “As an African-American man, I’ve been pushed to be-come an elder. Could I do that? Sure. Isthat true to my calling? No.”

The role of deacons has evolved sincethe 1976 General Conference created theOffice of Diaconal Ministry. When the1996 General Conference created theOrder of Deacons, many diaconal min-isters were ordained as deacons.

The Book of Discipline provides forordained deacons “called by God to alifetime of servant leadership,” whileelders are “ordained to a lifetime minis-try of Service, Word, Sacrament andOrder.” Both are clergy, theologicallytrained and have full membership intheir annual conferences. However, el-ders can administer the sacraments ofHoly Communion and baptism, whiledeacons may assist. Elders are ap-

pointed to jobs by the bishop, while dea-cons generally find their own employ-ment and then are appointed by thebishop. Many deacons do specializedministry within congregations in areassuch as music, education or youth work,but a growing number serve in othersettings.

The Commission on the Study of Min-istry acknowledged confusion over thediaconate role in its recent draft reportabout the ordering of ministry. Thedraft recommended further study of theorder, saying it now falls short of the

work envisioned by the definition in theBook of Discipline.

“The church needs to identify the bar-riers, challenges, and possibilities forrealizing the full potential of this of-fice,” the draft report stated.

‘To learn more about CelebratingDiakonia, or to register online for theApril 19-22 meeting in Orlando, visitwww.gbhem.org/convocation07.

*Brown is an associate editor andwriter in the Office of Interpretation,United Methodist Board of Higher Edu-cation and Ministry, Nashville, Tenn.

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie (center) celebrates Holy Communion at the final worshipservice of the International Clergywomen’s Consultation last August. Assisting her aredeacons Jeannie Trevino-Teddlie (left) and Margaret Ann Crain. A UMNS photo byVicki Brown.

Deacons celebrate milestonesas their role evolves

By Dr. Dorothy Watson TatemYvette Davis-Trotman

The Johnson-UGO Foundation Li-brary is open for business! Churches,nonprofits, and individuals are invitedto select and attend the trainings thatwill be most beneficial to the minis-tries for their communities. Work-shop offerings are as follows:

Introduction to Fundraising Plan-ning - Saturday, March 31, 2007; Regis-tration- 8:30am9:00am-11:00amBefore You Seek A Grant – AChecklist for Nonprofits - Saturday,April 28, 2007; Registration -8:30am9:00am-11:00amGrantseeking Basics - Saturday,June30, 2007; Registration- 8:30am9:00am-11:00amFoundation Directory Online Ba-sics - TBAProposal Budgeting Basics -Saturday,July 28, 2007; Registration-8:30am9:00am-11:00amProposal Writing Basics -Thursday,August 30, 2007; Registra-tion- 6:30pm7:00pm – 8:30pmGuide to the Resources on theFoundation Center’s Website - TBAIntroduction to Corporate Giving -Thursday,September 27, 2007; Registra-tion- 6:30pm7:00pm – 8:30pmProspect Research Basics: Re-searching Individual Donors -Saturday,October 27, 2007; Registra-tion- 8:30am9:00am-11:00amYour Board & Fundraising: AnIntroductory Class for SmallNonprofits - Saturday,December 1,2007; Registration- 6:30pm7:00pm –8:30pm

By Rev. Hilda Campbell*

Twelve members of the EPA Confer-ence of the United Methodist Church metat the Philadelphia International Air-port to fly through Atlanta on our wayto Johannesberg, South Africa on theday after Christmas. Unfortunately, theplane left late, therefore our arrival atour Atlanta stop was late. So, we werestuck in Atlanta with the clerk tellingus we had to sleep in the airport till thenext flight, which was the following day.Needless to say, we received rooms, hada marvelous Mexican meal, with fried icecream for dessert.

A malfunctioning light on the planemakes more delays, but gave the oppor-tunity for one of our young adults,Kabrene Sligh, to notice Chris Tucker,who granted us photo opportunities.However, we unfortunately missed our“free day” in South Africa, our destina-tion.

Our arrival in South Africa was fourhours late, but we found everyone to bevery welcoming, even feeding us at mid-night.

At the convocation, groups of youngadults were to attend special workshopson “issue topics.” After some initial con-fusion over the legislation process, I as-sured our Eastern Pennsylvania teamthat all they needed to do was stay at thetable, pay attention, and ask questions.After advice to “Just don’t get frustrated,upset, angry, disillusioned and leave thetable,” the next morning, they engagedby debating social issues, making amend-ments, asking for Bibles, song books andthe book of discipline for clarificationof rules and guidelines.

Our young people can and will involve

themselves when given the chance, feelthey have something to contribute andcan make a difference. I am so glad Ihad the opportunity to witness thismarvelous event that can go down inthe history as the pivotal point forMethodism, revival, renewal and youngpeople’s involvement/participation.

Shauntaye Connor, one of the youngadults from the Eastern Pennsylvaniadelegation, had this to say about herexperience: “I want to start my storytalking, THANKING the LORD for ev-erybody who made this trip to SouthAfrica possible. The trip in my opinionwas a great success. South Africa is avery Beautiful place; there are a lot ofwonderful, surprisingly kind people inJohannesburg. The hotel was great, thefood was excellent, the songs we sangtogether were fulfilling and I had agreat time. I loved my group from themoment we got on the plane; I knewthey were great people. It also was ablessing when we got a chance to legis-late the Book of Resolutions andlearned how the United MethodistChurch rules and laws work. Welearned that we as young people shouldstand up and speak out as to what webelieve in and how we feel about thethings that are going on around theworld. We went to these great museumsin Johannesburg, and it was a BLESS-ING that words can really describe. Ithank every single person for believingin young people. I can’t wait to hang-out with the group and sit down andcatch up a little bit.”

*Rev. Hilda Campbell is the Director ofHuman Relations and Leadership of theEastern Pennsylvania Conference of TheUnited Methodist Church.

Young adults from EPA attendGlobal Convocation

Resources for MinistryAn Introduction to Grantseekingfor Individuals - Saturday,September22, 2007; Registration- 8:30am9:00am-11:00amSeeking Funds to Support Educa-tional Expenses for individuals -Saturday,September 22, 2007; Registra-tion- 11:30am12:00pm-2:00pm

Individuals will also be able to ac-quire training in grantseeking forprogram purposes and to supporteducational expenses (undergraduate,graduate, and post-graduate). YvetteDavis-Trotman, the Library Supervi-sor, will facilitate the trainings.

For further information and regis-tration, please contact the Johnson-UGO Foundation Library by phone at215-338-5020; by fax at 215-338-5031; orby e-mail atjohnsonugolibrary@yahoo.com, lo-cated in the Education Building atJohnson Memorial United MethodistChurch; Rev. Richard H. Andrews,Senior Pastor; 3117 Longshore Av-enue, Philadelphia, PA 19149.

Your apportionment giving makesthis a free service of the EasternPennsylvania Annual Conference ofthe United Methodist Church.

The Johnson-UGO Foundation Li-brary, a collaboration of Johnson Me-morial United Methodist Church andthe Office of Urban and Global Minis-tries, Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem, Execu-tive Director, is a Cooperating Collectionof the Foundation Center, the oldest andmost comprehensive philanthropy li-brary in the United States. Johnson-UGO is the first faith-based collabora-tion to be designated a CooperatingCollection in the Foundation Center’s 50year history.

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1212121212 MARCH 2007

ConferenceAdvanceSpecialsApplications for inclusion in theresolution on the Conference Ap-proved Advance Specials to be pre-sented in June, 2007, are availablethrough the Rev. Richard W.Howarth, 610-792-4822, email:rwhjwh@earthlink.net.A Conference Approved AdvanceSpecial is a program of ministrywithin the boundaries of the EasternPennsylvania Conference that canseek funds through EPA churchesthat meet their connectional commit-ments. See The Book of Discipline¶654.2. Inclusion on the list does notguarantee funding but is permissionto systematically approach thesechurches. Funding raised for a Con-ference Advance is to be remittedfrom the Treasurers of LocalChurches using the monthly remit-tance form. The remittance is to belisted using the name of the ministryas it appears in the resolution. Themeasure of the effectiveness or theappeal of a program of ministrylisted as a Conference Advance is thetotal amount remitted to the Confer-ence Business Office.

United Methodist Women 2007Spiritual Growth Retreat

On April 20 - 22, 2007 a Spiritual Growth Retreat with the theme “ResurrectionWomen” will be held at the Days Inn and Conference Center in Allentown atRoutes 22 and 309. The retreat will begin with dinner on Friday evening and onSunday morning. Our leaders from the Northeast Jurisdiction Core PlanningGroup are Marion Perkins and Dr. Mary White. Music leaders are Yvette Diazand Frances J. Rivers. The retreat is open to all women. Please bring friends. Theretreat will focus on the theology of mission. The purpose of the retreat is toincrease the understanding and the commitment to God’s mission to women,children and youth.

There will be opportunities to join in singing, Biblestudy, Biblical drama, meditation, a labyrinth walk andworship. The cost per person is: 2 people sharing aroom - $130.00; 3 people sharing a room - $107.00, 4 per-sons sharing a room - $95.00. If you have questions,please contact Grace Potts at 610 775 1773 or the Regis-trar, Henrietta Thomas at 215 572 1318 or you may visitthe Eastern Pennsylvania Conference United Method-ist Women Website at www.gbgm-umc.org/umw-epac/You may register on line or by contacting the Registrar.

Registration deadline is March 23, 2007.

In March, St. Barnabas BethsaidaUnited Methodist Church will cel-ebrate the 100th birthday of one of itssisters in Christ, Mrs. VirginiaRobinson.

Known as Cousin Virgie to some,and as Mother Robinson to many,Mrs. Robinson was born on March 19,2007, in Camden, N.J. At an early age,she became a member of Union Meth-odist Church. Later she moved toPhiladelphia, and there met the loveof her life, Sam Robinson, to whomshe was married for 50 years. Mrs.Robinson also worked for the City ofPhiladelphia for 33 years starting in1930.

In Philadelphia, she firstjoined John SimmonsMethodist Church. Todaya member of St. BarnabasBethsaida, she can still befound in her usual place inthe midst of her lovingcongregation on Sundaymornings. She continuesto attend weekday Biblestudy and is truly whatone would call an activemember as she continuesto love and serve herchurch. Mrs. Robinson hasserved several times assecretary of the churchadministrative board andalso as its chairperson.She has served as a pri-mary teacher in the Sun-day School, president ofthe Women’s Society ofChristian Service, chair-man of the Worship Committee, amember of the senior choir, and is anactive member of United Methodist

Women.Mother Robinson has always en-

deavored to empower African Ameri-can Methodists for effective witnessand service among pastors and laityin local churches, conferences, andthe larger community of Christianity.She has striven to encourage andinvolve all people in the struggle forspiritual and social justice in thechurch and community.

The Rev. Allen Jenkins, pastor, said,“Mother Robinson is a pillar of loveand affection. We at the St. BarnabasBethsaida United Methodist Churchapplaud her for her longevity and fine

work that she has rendered to thebody of Christ locally and to a greaterextent internationally.”

Sister in Christ turns 100years old

Mrs. Virginia Robinson

For Ms. Hipple, XOC began as adream in which she was running aftersheep. “I wasn’t alone in this activitybecause there were others also run-ning with me. But the strange thingwas, we were all running after sheep.It seemed like each one of us had ourown sheep to follow. This dream wasunlike any dream I had ever had. Iwoke up crying and emotional. I knewthis vision was from God but I didn’tunderstand its meaning. A year or soafter the dream, God finally inter-preted it by saying, ‘If you keep run-ning after me, you will see me!’ I havenever forgotten this challenge. I’mrunning after God just as fast as myfaith can take me. And now God hasgiving me something to run with.”

Ms. Hipple had been involved withprison ministry at Lancaster CountyPrison for about ten years. Shestarted by playing volleyball withinmates and progressed to doing one-on-one pastoral visits. She also be-came involved with church servicesfor women inmates once a month. “Intalking with these ladies, and learn-ing more about their needs,” she said,“I heard over and over that the reasonthey don’t go to church after they arereleased is because they don’t feelcomfortable at a traditional service.Self-esteem issues, guilt and fear of

being rejected or judged keeps themfrom even stepping foot in a church. Ifeel that God gave me a vision of howto reach these ex-offenders and breakthe destructive merry-go-round thatthey are on. They find God in jail, getout of jail, have no church family toturn to and end up in jail again. Thispattern needed to be addressed anddealt with.”

It was to fill this need, that XOC wasbirthed. XOC provides a church ser-vice that is casual in dress and open toeveryone (even non-offenders). Ser-vices are held on a Friday night, whichis a hard night for people with addic-tion issues. At XOC, people can hearthe word of God, and experience whatreal Christian fellowship is all about.Thus, XOC’s mission is “to provide anurturing and creative worship expe-rience, based on the Word of God, withlove and forgiveness for all.”

“Creative worship experience” in-cludes having a different guestpreacher every week. According to Ms.Hipple, “My calling isn’t to be apreacher, so I had to find a way to getthe Word spoken in the service. So Icalled every pastor, minister, or Chris-tian speaker I knew of and startedscheduling someone different everyweek. How many churches can saythey get a fresh Word from someonedifferent each week?! We cross denomi-national lines too. Sometimes we have

praise and worship bands come and doa concert. We have testimonies, andwe try to have communion once amonth as well.”

XOC also gives back by providingLife Application Study Bibles toLancaster County Prison as well asthe Life Recovery Bible, which incorpo-rates the 12 Steps from AlcoholicsAnonymous. The inmates earn theBibles by memorizing Bible verses.More than 200 Bibles have been givenaway at XOC and in prison. XOC alsoprovides a prisoners devotional bookwritten specifically for people in theprison, which the inmates can earn bymemorizing more Bible verses.

XOC now provides van service tofour different transitional homes inLancaster, Lititz, and Leola. Atten-dance has risen from an initial four orfive in worship to about 30 each week.

Ms. Hipple shared the story of livestransformed, “In this world of somuch heartache, so many sad stories,and so many hurting people, we havetouched the lives of people who oftenfeel that God’s love isn’t meant forthem, and use them for His kingdom.”

For more information, contact theRev. Sally Wisner Ott, Church andCommunity Worker, LUMINA, 133Pearl Street, Lancaster, PA 17603; 717-394-8412, or go to:www.luminaoutreach.org.

XOC makes disciples among ex-offenderscontinued from page 1

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR ASBURY’SALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK TO NEWORLEANS

Asbury Protestant Ministry at Drexel University, a campus ministry spon-sored by the Wesley Foundation of the City of Philadelphia and the EasternPennsylvania Conference, is planning its second Alternative Spring Break inNew Orleans, March 24-31, to help with ongoing relief and rebuilding effortsthere.

This year, Asbury will be taking a group of 30 Drexel students and staff towork with Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program, focused onrebuilding homes in the eastern side of New Orleans. Last year the groupworked with the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

Students are organizing various fundraisers on campus, but additional sup-port is needed!

To make a donation, or for more information about the trip or about Asbury,please contact Pastor Tim Emmett-Rardin: 215-895-2522, asbury@drexel.edu orwww.asburycrossroads.org.

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MARCH 2007 1313131313

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Come Find Out What’s New At

Pocono Plateau Camp & Re-

treat Center!

“Youth Leader’s Day”

Tuesday, April 17, 20079:00am– 2:30pm

This special day is designed for youth workers as a resource in your ministrywith youth. Continental Breakfast and Lunch provided

♦ Topics and Information available include:· Ministry in the Wilderness· How to Plan and Lead a Retreat· Games, Activities, and the use of Adventure in Youth Ministry· Fun Food for Youth Groups· Service Projects for Youth and Adults· Summer Camp opportunities

♦ Tour the facilities including:· Main Site and Adventure Site accommodations· High Ropes courses, Low Ropes/Team Building course, Zip line, Climbingtower, and Leap of Faith

♦ Experience first-hand our “Leap of Faith” high challenge element

♦ Free time to walk the grounds, hike our interpretive nature trail, enjoyboating or canoeing on our 25-acre lake

♦ Optional: Stay overnight for a free personal retreat. Contact the campoffice for more information.

♦ While you’re here, book a retreat for the Fall and receive a discount!RSVP at 570.676.3665 by Wednesday, April 10, 2007Check out our web site: www.poconoplateau.org

Pocono Plateau Camp & Retreat CenterA ministry of the Eastern PAConference of theUnited Methodist Church

reminded us that “clergy lead from thefront, not from the rear,” and thatpeople respond to real leadership. Hespoke of our “golden opportunity tomake a difference in this conference”and our “golden opportunity to makea difference in the congregationswhere we serve.”

Bishop Matthews also recommendedthe book, I Was a Stranger: A Chris-tian Theology of Hospitality. He saidthat we need to extend an invitationfor people to come in, to find ways toshow Christ’s love and acceptance,and to receive them into our presence.Rather than functioning like a club,where it is assumed that everyonealready knows how we function, weneed to recognize that folks who arecoming to Christ do not know the“language” we speak. They are “in-fants” in Christ. We must find ways tolet every person who walks throughour doors know that they are wel-comed. “We need to start bringingpeople to Christ and stop makingexcuses,” he said.

“God has done so much for us; it’samazing how timid we are to say it,”said Bishop Matthews. “I want peopleto know I am a Christian. I don’t wantto hide it under a barrel.” He added,“It does trouble me when I go to aneighborhood and ask for directionsto the United Methodist Church andthey can’t tell me where it is when it isonly 3 blocks away.”

Because of declining membership,we have lost two delegates to GeneralConference. Bishop Matthews empha-sized that the membership loss may

come in part from a lack ofinvitation to join. “In manychurches, if I were moved tojoin, I wouldn’t know how todo it! There is nothing in thebulletin and no announce-ment from the pulpit saying,‘We want you here as a partof our church.’ Don’t beguilty of doing nothing! Usethe authority God has givenyou to win souls for JesusChrist.” He reflected on thefuture by saying, “I have anew granddaughter, TroyAngel. I wonder if there willbe a United MethodistChurch in 20 years for her tobe a part of.”

The Rev. Lillian Smith,Director of ConnectionalMinistries, enthusiasticallyshared the emphasis on“Making Disciples.” Shestated that this is “a pivotaltime in the denomination.”She believes that God is say-ing, “I am calling you to anew thing.”

She spoke of the high per-centages of congregations, inwhich, in recent years, noone has joined by professionof faith. In 2006, 162 out of475 conference churches had no per-sons come into membership by profes-sion of faith. She spoke of the “Mak-ing Disciples” emphasis as a way tohelp congregations re-tool in order toreach out to our communities forChrist. Each congregation is encour-

Bishop’s Days emphasize on making disciples

aged to send a pastor and 6 to 9 laymembers for the training. The ulti-mate goal is making disciples forJesus Christ with a desired outcomeof at least a 10% increase in atten-dance in the church by 2012.

She emphasized that this is not a

special program and it is not aboutinstitutional preservation. “Yes, it isabout the numbers. It is not abouthaving more people so we can pay thebills and the apportionment. It isabout saving souls.” She shared themessage of Kelvin Sauls, presenter forthe first two Making Disciplestrainings, “The Great Commission isnot an option; it is an obligation!”

Rev. Smith asked the gatheredgroups to share in groups of six andto respond to questionnaires and toshare our dreams. “Imagine it is theyear 2012 – what do we want it (thechurch and the conference) to looklike?” “What can I/Vision Team/Mem-ber of Local Church/Member of An-nual Conference do to make the plan areality?”

Rev. Smith said that the MakingDisciples emphasis offers every con-gregation access to the resources andtraining being offered by the confer-ence in conjunction with the GeneralBoard of Discipleship. She stated thatthose who have a Ministry ActionPlan designed through either Project6:15 or Natural Church Developmentcan bring their plan to the MakingDisciples sessions. She also encour-aged churches to contact her for moreinformation on the CongregationalVitality Indicator tool.

* Sherry L. Lantz is Pastor of Dis-cipleship & Congregational Care at WestLawn UMC in Reading. Suzy Keenan isdirector of communications for the East-ern Pennsylvania Conference.

continued from page 1

The Philadelphia Caucus of Black Methodistfor Church Renewal (BMCR) needs you!!

If you are not a member of BMCR, we hope you would consider becoming amember and being a part of helping to reshape and move this organizationforward. If you are not familiar with BMCR, you can visit the website:www.bmcrumc.org. and see why you are vital to strenghtening this organiza-tion. The mission of BMCR is to raise up prophetic and spiritual leaders whowill be advocates for unique needs of black people in the United MethodistChurch and in society.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday,March 11, 2007 @ 7:00 P.M. at Tioga UMC

(Broad & Westmoreland Streets, Philadelphia, PA).We are looking for men and women to take this organization to another level.

If you are one of them, we hope to see you on March 11th. The following localmeeting will be on Sunday, April 15, 2007 @ 7:00 P.M. at Grace Community UMC(1213 Central Avenue, Chester, PA). Thank you in advance for your thoughtfulconsideration in becoming active in BMCR-Philadelphia Caucus. For moreinformation, contact Rev. Andrew L. Foster, III., President, BMCR (PhiladelphiaCaucus).

We currently meet the 2nd Sunday of each month except when it falls on amajor hoilday. When the locations of each meeting are determined, we willemail them to you. All meetings are held 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

The dates for 2007 are:

Sun. March 11, 2007 @ Tioga UMCSun. April 15, 2007 @ Grace Community UMCSun. May 20, 2007 (location to be announced)

Sun. June 3, 2007 @ St. James UMCNo Meetings in July & August

Sun. September 9, 2007 @ Mt. Carmel UMCSun. October 14, 2007 (location to be announced)

Sun. November 11, 2007 (location to be announced)Sunday, December 9, 2007 (location to be announced)

The Rev. Lillian C. Smith

www.epaumc.org

MARCH 2007 1515151515

By Stacy Martin*

The Foundation provides custodianand investment management servicesto its clients. The Foundation is avail-able to all 1,000 United Methodistchurches located in the two Philadel-phia Area Conferences, Peninsula-Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania.We currently provide these services toseveral of the agencies and boardswithin the Conferences. Our client listincludes 135 relationships and over $28million under management. Pleasenote that we only serve United Meth-odist entities within our boundaries.This allows us to focus our attention

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/ORGANIST- Haws Avenue UMC seeks to fill theposition of a Music Director/Organistto help us connect with ourcommunity. A detailed job descriptionis available upon request. Sendresume to Haws Avenue UnitedMethodist Church, 800 W. MarshallStreet, Norristown PA 19403 or emailto hawsavenueumc@verizon.netFREE: Lowrey Organ, 2 keyboardsand 2 octaves of foot pedals, withbench. Pick up organ and bench from

♦♦♦♦♦ Peace with JusticeGrants Available

The Church and Society WorkTeam of the Eastern Pa. Conferenceis offering grants for both individu-als and churches/organizations forup to $2,000. If you have a project,want to attend a conference, begin atraining program or other initiativethat seeks to approach peace from afaith perspective, we’d love to hearfrom you. We believe that peace ismore than the absence of war. Apeaceful society is one which is justand provides opportunities for allpeople to strive for wholeness. Apeaceful society is created by moti-vating and educating ourselves andour community.

For more information includingguidelines and application form visitwww/gbgm-umc.org/epacs. ThePeace with Justice page provides anapplication and guidelines in PDFformat. If you should need a copysent to you please contact PeggyWood at (610) 524-5935 orPeggy.Wood1@verizon.net. Deadlinefor organizations/churches isMarch 31, 2007. Applications forindividuals operate on the basis ofrolling deadlines. If you have ques-tions about whether you qualify orhow the funds can be used pleasecontact Rev. Carolene Brubaker at(610) 692-5190 orcbrubaker@westchesterumc.com.

on their goals and to uniquely meettheir needs.

The Foundation’s Board is com-prised of fifteen members, all commit-ted to meeting the needs of the localchurch’s Trustees, Finance Commit-tee, Endowment Committee, etc. Webelieve the Foundation offers theseCommittees immediate solutions tothe following problems:

Instant Diversification: TheFoundation’s equity options includelarge/mid cap funds, small cap, inter-national and several fixed incomeoptions. The diversification also in-cludes different investment styles.

Delegation of Selection of VariousMoney Managers: The Foundation’sBoard selects and oversees the perfor-mance of the money managers. Thisallows the Church Committee mem-bers to focus their time and attentionto their ministries rather than meet-ing, evaluating and monitoring sev-eral different managers. Further, ourrole solves the dilemma of having achurch member or family memberhandle the investment decisions forthe church’s funds.

Asset Allocation: The Foundation’sBoard has a recommended allocationfor the equity side of our clients’ in-

vestment, that is, what percentage ofthe equity portion should be investedin large/mid cap, small, and interna-tional.

Spending Policy: We can work withyou and customize your portfolio tomeet the needs of your ministries andincorporate the principles of soundspending so your ministries can con-tinue into the future.

Socially Responsible Investing: Ourfunds comply with The Book of Disci-pline mandate to allow us to live inChristian stewardship in all aspect ofour lives.

Fiduciary Responsibility: Althoughthe Committee members are volun-teers, their responsibility is serious.We understand the challenges andissues facing the Committees and cansupport and guide you through thoseissues.

Stewardship Education Support:Our clients enjoy full support fromthe Foundation for providing materi-als, guidance and education of theCommittee members and/or the con-gregation so our response to God canbe maximized. Detailed materials areavailable regarding gifts of stock,charitable gift annuities, donor ad-vised funds, endowment policies, mar-

Why Invest the Church’s Money with the Foundation?Why Invest the Church’s Money with the Foundation?Why Invest the Church’s Money with the Foundation?Why Invest the Church’s Money with the Foundation?Why Invest the Church’s Money with the Foundation?

The United Methodist Associationof Health and Welfare Ministries(UMA), a national network of UnitedMethodist related organizations, willhonor ten outstanding leaders andtwo organizations during UMA’s

upcoming 67th National Conventionon Saturday, March 10.

Angele Parker, President and CEO,Methodist Home for Children,Philadelphia, PA, will be honored asAdministrator of the Year for theChildren, Youth and Family Division.This prestigious award is presented tothe Administrator who is known to

· view and demonstrate thather work is a personalministry to serve,

· possess strong leadershipwhich enables theorganization to excel, and

· maintain active involvementin the community andconnectional units within theUnited Methodist localConference.

“Angele has provided irreplaceablevision and leadership as the MethodistHome has partnered with otheragencies to build and now operatesMonument Village – a village on ourmain campus that provides housingand services to women being reunitedwith their children as they transitionfrom treatment to independent living,”said Lawrence D. Dodds, Ph.D., Chairof the Methodist Services for Children

and Families and Methodist FamilyServices of Philadelphia Boards. “Asecond project is our current endeavorto create transitional housing foryoung women exiting the foster caresystem. Again, Angele’s vision,creativity and guidance have broughtus to the start of an exciting venture.In both examples, Angele has workedto extend our Wesleyan mission intoareas that traditionally were notserved.”

Robert O. Niles, Chairman of theBoard for Methodist Home forChildren, noted, “Dr. Parker’sleadership has been reflected in thecontinued improvements in programdiversity, quality and management.She brings strong leadership to theagency as it continues to cope withoutside forces that impact its visionand mission.”

UMA is a national network ofapproximately 400 healthcare andhuman service organizations. UMAprovides its members with education,accreditation, networking,communication and business serviceswhile keeping with the rich, historicalWesleyan traditions and practices ofthe United Methodist denomination.For more information, go to:www.umassociation.org.

Angele Marie Parker chosen as Administrator ofthe Year by the United Methodist Association

Angele Marie Parker, President CEO,Methodist Home for Children

keting plans, estate and gift planning.These materials are easily customizedto meet your church’s needs.

Competitive Pricing: We believe ourpricing is very competitive with otherinvestment options, particularly whenyou include all the additional servicesand resources available to our clientthrough our relationship.

Living in Connection: We enjoy agood relationship with all areas ofboth conferences we serve, Peninsula-Delaware Conference and EasternPennsylvania Conference. We areavailable to the leadership of the con-ferences and support their program-ming needs whenever we can. Weunderstand that the success of bring-ing more individuals to know Christis a community effort and we must allwork together toward that goal.

Please feel free to contact me at theFoundation office for more informa-tion about our services. Blessings.

*Stacy J. Martin is the ExecutiveDirector of the Eastern Pennsylvania-Peninsula United Methodist Founda-tion. stacy.martin@epaumc.org ; 800-828-9093 x247

donor. Contact Jeffrey Kiesel, 610-389-2140 or cjkiesel2@verizon.net.GUEST PREACHER/SPEAKERAVAILABLE - Pastor Tim Emmett-Rardin, director of Asbury ProtestantMinistry at Drexel University (campusministry sponsored by the WesleyFoundation of the City of Philadel-phia and the Eastern PennsylvaniaConference), is available to preachand/or to speak about Asbury’s minis-try with college students.

ARE YOU A DREXEL ALUM? -Of Drexel University and/or AsburyProtestant Ministry at Drexel (or theold Asbury UMC)? If so, Asburywants to hear from you! Please con-tact Pastor Tim Emmett-Rardin,Asbury’s director, at 215-895-2522 orpastortim@drexel.edu. For more infoabout Asbury’s ministry, visitwww.asburycrossroads.org.WANTED: PART TIME COORDINA-TOR OF YOUTH MINISTRIES forEastern Pennsylvania Conference. Ap-

proximately 10 hours per week. Partici-pate with Conference Council on YouthMinistry efforts to plan and run activi-ties and events for conference youth, co-ordinate sharing of information aboutyouth ministries with district officesand local congregations, provide re-source information and support toadult workers in youth ministry. Pleasesend resume to Jim Wilkin, Director ofCamping and Nurture Ministries, P.O.Box 820, Valley Forge, PA 19482;jim.wilkin@epaumc.org.

ClassifiedsClassifiedsClassifiedsClassifiedsClassifieds

www.epaumc.org

16 16 16 16 16 MARCH 2007

Join Bishop and Mrs. Matthews and the Philadelphia ConferenceDepart on August 6, 2007Philadelphia or Baltimore from $2298**Plus taxes, tips,fees, etc.

9 Exciting and Educational Days

*Roundtrip Airfare *Week Stay in First Class Midlands Hotel *Daily Breakfastand Dinner (dinner in London on your own) *Deluxe Motorcoaches *GuidedSightseeing *Entrance Fees *Study Guide *Lecture Program

Your Journey of a Lifetime Includes:

Educational Program:*Asbury House, Birmingham *New Room and Charles Wesley House, Bristol*City Road Chapel, London *Old Rectory and St. Andrews Church, Epworth*Coventry Cathedral, Coventry *St. Mary de Crypt, Gloucester

For brochure contact the conference office at 1-800-828-9093 or e-mail Amy Bottito amy.botti@epaumc.org.

Wesley Heritage Tour

United Methodist Night at the 76ersUnited Methodist Night at the 76ersUnited Methodist Night at the 76ersUnited Methodist Night at the 76ersUnited Methodist Night at the 76ersAll churches are invited to be a part of our 4th annual United MethodistChurch Night with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Friday, MARCH 30, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.

76ers vs. Boston Celtics

Package Cost & Location$52.00 - Lower Level Ends (sections 106-108 and 118-120)

$30.00 - Mezzanine Centers (sections 223 – 203 and 211-215)

To print out a ticket order form go to:http://www.epaumc.org/

NewsDetails.asp?pageID=1644

If you have any questions, please call

UM Representative

Jim Wilkin @ 610-666-9090

ext. 225

**For Each Ticket Sold a donation will be

made for Conference Youth Ministry**