Jesus tells us in Luke 3:11, that “whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” In writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells him “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
At least 1.6 million Pennsylvanians live in poverty. They are our neighbors, our friends, and our families.
What can you do? What can your congregation do? What can The United Methodist Church across Pennsylvania do?
Be part of the solution. Be part of United Methodists Uniting: Pennsylvania Anti-Poverty Summit, Oct. 10-11 at Camp Hill United Methodist Church, Camp Hill, PA.
You will learn about effective local poverty ministries. You’ll see what your church can do, not only to help those in poverty, but also to attack poverty’s root causes. You’ll help develop a statewide United Methodist anti-poverty strategy.
Churches are encouraged to send a lay-clergy ministry team to the summit. To register online, click here.
United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania, joined by our three residential bishops, Peggy Johnson of Eastern PA Conference, Jane Allen Middleton of the Susquehanna Conference, and Thomas Bickerton of the Western PA Conference, is sponsoring this important, action-focused summit.
Keynote speaker will be Bishop Felton Edwin May, the “father” of the United Methodist Shalom Zone movement, and former bishop of the Harrisburg and Washington Areas of The United Methodist Church. Bishop May tells it as he sees it. Expect to be prodded, encouraged, and led by the Holy Spirit as Bishop May leads us in creating a vision for action in Pennsylvania. He is appearing courtesy of the Northeast Jurisdiction’s Multi-Ethnic Center, where he serves as executive director.
Here are a few of the topics to be covered:
- Faces of Poverty – People, Not Stereotypes
- Our Poverty Response: Justice or Charity?
- Grassroots Lobbying: A Tool Kit
- Poverty Simulation: Learning Through Experience
Tuesday, Oct. 12, is an optional lobbying day for participants who want to meet with legislators and/or legislative staff in the nearby state Capitol. We’ll meet at historic Grace UMC, just down the street from the Capitol, and then go to offices in the Capitol Complex.
The cost of participating in the summit is $50 per person. That includes dinner Sunday, continental breakfast and lunch on Monday, and a conference workbook. Lodging is available at numerous hotels close to Camp Hill United Methodist Church.
To control our expenses, we encourage everyone to register online if possible. Click here to register.
For additional information, contact: Stephen Drachler, Executive Director, United Methodist Advocacy in Pennsylvania. Email: sdrachler@umadvocacypa.org. Phone: 717.236.6363.
