Juneteenth, historically celebrated on June 19, will be observed as a federal holiday this year on Monday, June 20. It commemorates the delayed emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the U.S. But more than 150 years after the first Juneteenth …
DePaz to staff EPA’s Latino Commission
The Rev. Maria Quesada “Lisa” DePaz, Pastor of Haws Avenue UMC in Norristown since, will become Coordinator of the Eastern PA Conference Latino Ministries Commission July 1. Currently the commission’s secretary, she succeeds the Rev. Lillian “Luky” Cotto, who will retire …
Black-Brown Youth Retreat explores identity, relationships
“Black, brown, black, brown, black, brown.” That’s how the Rev. Will Brawner instructed the youth at the Black and Brown Youth Retreat, April 1-3, to sit in chairs encircling Gretna Glen Camp & Retreat Center’s largest meeting room. He mixed …
Support Native American Ministries May 1 and beyond
As we support EPAUMC’s efforts toward Dismantling Racism, we can learn more about Native American heritage, culture, concerns and faith expressions–especially on Native American Ministries Sunday, May 1, and beyond. View EPA’s Committee on Native American Ministry” (CONAM) 2022 Tools …
Restored Language = Restored Culture = Healing
Watch a fascinating presentation on how an American Indian people are trying to rescue and preserve their native language. Halay Turning Heart, a formally-trained tribal language preservationist for the Yuchi people, spoke with the EPAUMC Committee on Native American Ministries …
EPA leaders learning ‘3R’s’ of dismantling racism
Dismantling Racism may start with learning a new form of “the 3Rs”: Relationships, Recognition and Revelation. Relating openly and lovingly to others who are different—especially cross-racially or cross-culturally—can lead to honest recognition of what one doesn’t know and then to …
As JFON’s immigration cases grow, so does its need for help
Justice for Our Neighbors of the Delaware Valley (JFON-DV) has been operating immigration legal clinics for 13 months in three states, handling a growing docket of cases, as it looks for volunteers, especially language interpreters. The Eastern PA regional office moved …
CoNAM to explore restoration of Native languages for healing, April 3
Special Guest: Halay Turning Heart, “Restored Language=Restored Culture=Healing” The Committee on Native American Ministries will feature tribal language preservationist Halay Turning Heart at its annual Spring gathering on Zoom, on Sunday, April 3, at 4 PM. She will share her …
Letter of Support for Emmanuel UMC
I pray everyone is well and that God has been keeping you in spite of the continued challenging times we find ourselves in. Attached please find a letter of support in response to the recent events at Emmanuel UMC. As Emmanuel …
2022 BMCR Philadelphia Caucus membership application
Attached is the 2022 BMCR Philadelphia Caucus membership application. Our 1st meeting of the year is set for February 25th at 6pm and the zoom information is below. We are looking forward to seeing you and engaging in ministry and …