NEJ Conference Summary: The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church met November 1-4 in College Park, Maryland to worship, elect and consecrate a new bishop, celebrate retirees, hear reports, and vote on various legislation. While there were many moments worth celebrating, such as the election of the jurisdiction’s first Hispanic bishop and the retirement of four bishops, the delegation grappled with dead-locked voting during the election of a second bishop and a vital but difficult discussion about racism. Read summary.
Wrona Named New Coordinator of Ministerial Services: The Rev. Sara Wrona has been named the new Coordinator of Ministerial Services and BOM registrar. In this role, she will assist candidates and BOM to ensure that all required paperwork and actions have been completed as persons move towards ordination. Read more.
Schott joins program staff as Communications Coordinator: Jeannie Schott has been selected to join the Conference program staff as the new Visual Communication and Social Media Coordinator. She will begin December 1, 2022. Read more.
Quilts, teddy bears being made to benefit Wounded Warriors program: The Courier Express published an article about the one-of-a-kind blankets and bears made to benefit the Wounded Warriors program by the Women of Works (W.O.W.) group of volunteers from Brookville area churches. This group was founded by a group of woman from Evangelical United Methodist Church in Brookville. Read news article from the Courier Express.
Methodists find joy in working together: The McKeesport Area Shared Ministry success with a Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiative has proven to its members that a merger of several Methodist churches in the McKeesport area is turning out to be a success. This article published by the Mon Valley Independent requires a subscription to read online but a scan of the print copy can be downloaded.
Spark early bird registration extended: To get the discounted rate for your group for Spark 2022, register before November 25.
Northeastern Jurisdiction elects Burgos-Núñez in a first: History was made in the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference when the Rev. Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez, the superintendent of the Central District in the Greater New Jersey Conference, was elected as bishop in The United Methodist Church’s Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference. With his election, he became the first Hispanic/Latino bishop elected in the jurisdiction. Read more.
Jurisdictions see shift in bishops, more cooperation: The five jurisdictional conferences — meeting simultaneously across the U.S. — elected a new class of United Methodist bishops that includes a higher percentage of women and people of color than previous election cycles. Read UM News story.
US bishops receive assignments: After electing 13 new bishops during their Nov. 2-5 meetings, the denomination’s five U.S. jurisdictional conferences announced episcopal assignments effective Jan. 1. Jurisdictional leaders recommended electing 14 new bishops; however, the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference voted to suspend its rules and delay the election of a second bishop until the 2024 jurisdictional conference. Read UM News Story.
United Methodists to meet in Charlotte for Worldwide Conference: The Commission on the General Conference announced today that the 2024 United Methodist General Conference will be held April 23 – May 3, 2024, at Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read more.
Partnership offers 2022 Advent devotional: United Methodists in Eastern Germany and Western Pennsylvania have released their 2022 Advent Devotional in English and German, which can be downloaded and copied. Advent begins on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.
Ideas for a meaningful Thanksgiving: With the term “thanks” appearing 100 times in the King James Version of the Bible, it’s fair to say gratitude is a biblical concept. Tricia K. Brown has suggestions for worship, mealtime and other ways churches can reach out during Thanksgiving in the U.S. See ResourceUMC article.
UMC Advent resources: During Advent, we prepare for, and anticipate, the coming of Christ. Whether you are inviting the community to Christmas worship or promoting special events, this collection of information, outreach and liturgical resources will help make for a more meaningful Advent and Christmas season. Download resources.
2023 Music & Worship Planning Calendar: This resource is the full music and worship planning calendar for each Sunday in 2023, as well as special days and times throughout the year. It is helpful for pastors, worship leaders and planners, musicians, choirs, committees, Sunday School teachers, and more. Download.
2023 Revised Common Lectionary: The Revised Common Lectionary is a three-year cycle of scripture texts following the liturgical year and is designed to be used in worship week by week. Download.
Online Q&A set on clergy housing allowance: A housing allowance is a benefit to clergy that lowers the amount of income subject to federal income tax. Bryan Mills, general counsel for the General Council on Finance and Administration, will lead a question and answer session online at 2 p.m. U.S. Central time Nov. 14. Learn more or register.
Taking Back Advent: Moving Toward the Miraculous: This online course is the perfect way to keep the miracle of Christmas in our days. The course and companion book will help incorporate your own family traditions into suggested activities, and let you savor an intentionally short and easy-to-understand devotional. You will find it convenient to fit into even the busiest of schedules, yet it will help you experience the peace and joy of this special season. Learn more.