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Church Giving Makes Upward Strides for Ministry by Thomas Jackmon and Kent Kroehler*

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Church Giving Makes Upward Strides for Ministry by Thomas Jackmon and Kent Kroehler* Volume 7 Number 5 JUNE 07 Church giving makes upward strides for ministry By Thomas Jackmon and Kent Kroehler* In the first four months of 2007, Annual Eastern Pennsylvania Conference finances have improved signifi- Conference cantly. These monies fund mission and ministries of our United Methodist connection here in Pennsylvania and around the Pages 6 & 11 world. “The single most important element of the improvement is the record amounts our congrega- tions have given toward the appor- Making tioned funds and paid toward the billed funds,” said Mr. Moses Disciples Kumar, treasurer for the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. “The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Page 7 manages major funds that make ·Direct Bill has an unheard of ministry happen, both directly 33% payment rate. (Note: The Mr. Kumar added, “While we make possible our connec- through Conference agencies and total Direct Bill was reduced by celebrate that giving to all tional mission regionally, also through the ministry of ad- about 1% for 2007, due to our funds is at record levels, we nationally, and across the ministration that supports our progress in paying off the un- also acknowledge that East- world. The other five groups UM Night congregations. We celebrate these funded liability for pre-1982 ern Pennsylvania Conference seen on the chart – Pension, remarkable increases for mission, pensions.) churches have 2007 end-of- Direct Bill, Group Insurance, at the ministry, and administration.” ·Pension payments (including April arrearages totaling Property & Liability, and Work- changing to CRSP and the re- $298,509.” ers Compensation - are admin- Phillies Here is the good news: duced Direct Bill costs) have The major funds adminis- istration billings that we ·The total dollars given and increased almost 9%. tered by the conference are share connectionally, making paid by EPC congregations is up ·Workers’ Compensation grouped into seven categories our common mission possible. 8% (almost $500,000) over 2006. payments have increased almost (see chart). The Connectional As of April 30, 2007, Eastern Page 16 ·Property & Liability and Ve- 40%. Ministry Fund, World Service, PA Conference churches have hicle Insurance payments have and General Church Funds Index increased by nearly 7%. continues on page 14 Calendar ............2 Nation ...............4 th World ................5 Happy 50 anniversary to Rev. Dr. A. Jane Harner Classifieds .........15 On May 19, 2007, the Rev. Dr. his spirit and practice are Classifieds .........15 A. Jane Harner celebrated the such as become the Gospel of 50th anniversary of her ordina- Christ, and he continueth to tion. hold fast the form of sound Rev. Harner was one of the words according to the estab- first two women ordained in lished doctrines of the Gos- the Philadelphia Conference. pel.” She was later ordained She was ordained by Bishop an Elder in 1961. Fred Pierce Corson at the Phila- Rev. Harner met with many delphia Annual Conference on challenges to be the first May 19, 1957. woman ordained in our con- Noting that women had not ference. Although she was before been ordained, the pre- ordained in 1957, she was not printed ordination certificate appointed to a church until that bears her name refers only 1977. She served these to male persons. The certificate churches: Wiest Memorial, says that Bishop Corson or- Bethany in Lancaster, Salem dained, “Jane Sayger Harner in Springtown, St. Paul in for the office of a Deacon in the Hellertown, Salem in United Methodist Church, a Plamerton, and the former man who in the judgment of Faith in Reading. the Philadelphia Annual Con- Rev. Harner and her hus- ference is well qualified for that band, the Rev. William E. work and he is hereby recom- Harner were the first clergy mended to all whom it may couple in the Philadelphia concern as a proper person to Conference. Today, the administer the ordinance of Harners are residents of The Rev. Dr. A. Jane Harner Baptism, Marriage, and the Cornwall Manor, a United The Rev. Jane Harner processes at Burial of the Dead in the ab- Methodist-related continuing Covenant United Methodist Church in sence of an Elder and to Feed care retirement community in Lancaster. the Flock of Christ so long as Cornwall, PA. 2 JUNE 2007 than for their own snacks or souve- AUGUST 9 - 10, 2007 Conference Calendar nirs. Transportation will be pro- The Alpha Training Event. The vided. Limited to 25 participants. ALPHA course is a 10 week experience For more detailed information con- used around the world, in thousands JUNE 10, 2007 Leonard and Margaret Marsch have tact Peggy Wood at (610) 524-5935 or of churches in many different denomi- Patriotic Concert - 7 p.m. Fritz been singing together since their [email protected] nations, where people from all back- Memorial United Methodist Church, early childhood. They are coached JULY 28, 2007 grounds come together in a welcom- 303 Packer Ave, Bethlehem PA 18017. and accompanied by their mother, a ing environment to explore what rel- graduate in Sacred Music/Organ from Phillies vs. Pirates @ 7 p.m. We are holding our 2nd annual Look for ticket order forms in your evance Jesus has for their lives today. Patriotic Concert in honor of our Moody Bible Institute and The course is running in a number of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, church office. A UM Men’s Choir will military past and present. The United sing the National Anthem. See page EPA Conference churches. The AL- States Army will be the Honor Guard NJ. Their programs include classical, PHA course both revitalizes believers sacred, patriotic and international 16. and all of the services in uniform will AUGUST 3-5, 2007 and sparks interest in not-yet believ- be represented. The music will be the songs. Most of their music is pre- ers and your whole church is changed. 24th Annual Academy for Laity at church choir, bagpipes, and trumpets. sented in 3 or 4-part harmony and is Learn how to start this kind of fire— the Sheraton Park Ridge Hotel and This is a free concert and a donation sung a capella or accompanied by and keep it burning—at an ALPHA Conference Center, King of Prussia, will be requested for UMCOR Katrina piano or organ. The sisters’ pure, training event. One is scheduled for PA. The theme for the weekend is survivors. Last year we received over clear, natural blends of voices are the Philadelphia area August 9-10. “Sharing Our Faith—in the local $400.00 and had over 140 in attendance. perfectly suited to the acoustics of For information or to register call 1- church, in the community and in the For additional information contact: historic Boehm’s Chapel. The Marsch 866-US-ALPHA or go online at world.” The Rev. N. Lynne Westfield, Ray Haislip, Concert Coordinator, family has recorded three CDs: www.alphaconferences.org. Associate Professor of Religious Edu- [email protected]; 610 317 0934. www.marsch/family.com for addi- tional information and to hear clips. cation at Drew University and an AUGUST 13 - 15, 2007 JUNE 10, 2007 Please phone 872-4133 or email ordained deacon in The United Meth- Healing the Wounds of Racism Work- Danny Oertli, a gifted Christian [email protected] for addi- odist Church, will be the keynote shop - Daylesford Abbey contemporary singer and songwriter tional information. This event is free speaker. Mark the date on your calen- AUGUST 17 - 19, 2007 returns to Hopewell UMC as the first and open to the public. Boehm’s dar and register early for the Acad- Healing the Wounds of Racism Work- event of this year’s Christian Concert Chapel is located at 13 W. Boehm’s emy. Details about courses and regis- shop - Daylesford Abbey series on Sunday, June 10 at 6:30 Road, Willow Street, PA. tration are available on the Christ AUGUST 18, 2007 pm. We can look forward to hearing JUNE 17, 2007 Servant Ministry website: www.gbgm- Making Disciples Training Series - new music from Danny, who released umc.org/csm or the Conference Summer Camp Begins at all Camps Ways to Increase Your Church Atten- his most recent CD, “Breath It In”, in website: www.epaumc.org. If you JULY 20-22, 2007 dance. See page 10. April. Danny Oertli’s 2005 perfor- have questions, you may contact SEPTEMBER 15, 2007 mance in Hopewell’s outdoor amphi- EPA Conference United Methodist Verna Colliver, Dean of the Academy United Methodist Day at Hershey theater was one of the most memo- Women School of Missions - Read- for Laity at [email protected] or Park. Christian Music Day at the rable performances in our five-year ing Inn; Reading, PA. See page 12. 215 855 0797. Concert Series history. For tickets, JULY 20-22, 2007 AUGUST 4, 2007 Park. More information will be forth- please contact Hopewell, 610-269-1545 coming. Contact Jim Wilkin at 1-800- While history may have cast him in A Day of Imagination EPA Confer- 828-9093 ext. 225 or (http://www.HopewellUMC.org). the shadow of his brother John, it ence Young Adults Academy - Valley JUNE 13-15, 2007 [email protected] was Charles Wesley who set Forge. Young adults are invited to par- OCTOBER 7, 2007 Annual Conference - See page 6 & 11. Methodism to music and gave the ticipate in launching an exciting new World Communion Sunday JUNE 13-15, 2007 church a song to sing. The writer of venture in ministry with “A Day of an estimated 9,000 poems, Charles For information: www.umcgiving.org Making Disciples Training Series - Imagination.” The Rev. Chris Brady, a Wesley’s works and legacy will be ”Living as Christian Disciples: The young adult, himself, will be facilitator OCTOBER 13, 2007 explored during his 300th birthday Means of Grace and the Ordinances for the event.
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