Report

Vision: The churches in the cities of Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church are vibrant gatherings where the pew and pavement partner in ministry and in sharing the Christian faith.

Mission : The Urban Office assists the Christ-like partnership between the local church and the community in which it is located through study, planning, funding, training and networking.

Urban Areas Served

The Urban Office partners in ministry with congregations in the following cities: Lebanon , Hazleton , Pottsville , Shamokin, Chester , Coatesville, Philadelphia , Doylestown, Reading , West Chester , Allentown , Bethlehem , Quakertown, Stroudsburg, Norristown , Lancaster , Levittown , Pottsville .

Summary of Ministry

In the 2001-2002 church year, the Office has partnered with ministries through funding in the total amount $183,618.31. These Connectional Ministries dollars have been awarded to churches and group ministries throughout all of the districts of the EPA. Training is vital to the efforts that a congregation or group ministry makes in ministry; therefore, the Office of Urban Ministries has issued scholarships for further skill acquisition in the amount of $2,350.00.

The Kim Award gives affirmation, inspiration, and encouragement to churches and cooperatives which faithfully serve in the urban areas. The 2001 Annual Conference recognized Methodists United in the Shamokin Area (Albright District) for it creative and faithful work in this urban area. Mr. David Crowel serves as the chair and The Rev. Daniel Siddle services as vice chair of this empowering.

Strengthening the Black Church for the 21^st Century is a general church initiative in which predominantly African American churches throughout the nation which are vibrant in worship and ministry (Congregational Resource Centers) offer training to other churches in fields in various areas, e.g. stewardship, worship, economic development, community outreach, etc. In the EPA, work in this area is done under the Fishes and Loaves initiative which has begun during the tenure of The Rev. Herbert E. palmer as director of the Office.

This year concluded a two year monthly training program for selected African American congregations in the Fishes and Loaves work Of the eight which started the study, seven completed the course of study. Workshop leaders were within and beyond the conference. The 16 topics ranged from Tradition and Change to Ministry with Men. The faithfulness of the churches is to be commended.

The Office proudly recognizes the general church Coordinating Committee’s (SBC-21) selection of Eastwick United Methodist Church in Philadelphia as a Congregational Resource Center. This congregation will be available to offer training at their location to African American churches throughout the United States . These and other churches have participated in training trips sponsored by the general office of SBC-21.

Bishop Peter D. Weaver and Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem serve on the Coordinating Committee for Strengthening the Black Church for the 21^st Century. The Office requested of The Rev. Gregory Edwards that he continue to serve as the Shalom coordinator for the conference. The Office is in the process of formulating a monitoring schedule for Shalom Zone groups. These churches along with others participated in training trips sponsored by the general church SBC-21 office.

The Office continues to partner with the Metro Ministries Inc. board, chaired by The Rev. Ralph Blanks, as this body continues to assist churches in non-programmatic areas. An important area of work this year will be efforts in concert with the Camping Office relative to the construction of the multi-purpose building at the Carson Simpson camp site.

Good Schools Pennsylvania is a coalition of grassroots, regional, statewide and national organizations seeking to mobilize parents, students and concerned citizens to advocate for improved public education. Bishop Weaver is among the leaders of this initiative and has committed the conference to 125 groups which will work in this critical area. The Office of Urban Ministries coordinates this effort.

The director of the Office serves as the liaison to the Resource Team: Addressing Community and World Issues and is the representative of the bishop on the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia.

The Office of Urban Ministries expresses appreciation to Mrs. Evangeline Johnson, administrative assistant, and the many churches, groups, and individuals who are partners in this ministry.

	Report of Office of Urban Ministries June, 2001-June 2002 Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem, Director Urban Ministries Vision: The churches in the cities of Eastern Pennsylvania Conference of the United Methodist Church are vibrant gatherings where the pew and pavement partner in ministry and in sharing the Christian faith. Mission : The Urban Office assists the Christ-like partnership between the local church and the community in which it is located through study, planning, funding, training and networking. Urban Areas Served The Urban Office partners in ministry with congregations in the following cities: Lebanon , Hazleton , Pottsville , Shamokin, Chester , Coatesville, Philadelphia , Doylestown, Reading , West Chester , Allentown , Bethlehem , Quakertown, Stroudsburg, Norristown , Lancaster , Levittown , Pottsville . Summary of Ministry In the 2001-2002 church year, the Office has partnered with ministries through funding in the total amount $183,618.31. These Connectional Ministries dollars have been awarded to churches and group ministries throughout all of the districts of the EPA. Training is vital to the efforts that a congregation or group ministry makes in ministry; therefore, the Office of Urban Ministries has issued scholarships for further skill acquisition in the amount of $2,350.00. The Kim Award gives affirmation, inspiration, and encouragement to churches and cooperatives which faithfully serve in the urban areas. The 2001 Annual Conference recognized Methodists United in the Shamokin Area (Albright District) for it creative and faithful work in this urban area. Mr. David Crowel serves as the chair and The Rev. Daniel Siddle services as vice chair of this empowering. Strengthening the Black Church for the 21^st Century is a general church initiative in which predominantly African American churches throughout the nation which are vibrant in worship and ministry (Congregational Resource Centers) offer training to other churches in fields in various areas, e.g. stewardship, worship, economic development, community outreach, etc. In the EPA, work in this area is done under the Fishes and Loaves initiative which has begun during the tenure of The Rev. Herbert E. palmer as director of the Office. This year concluded a two year monthly training program for selected African American congregations in the Fishes and Loaves work Of the eight which started the study, seven completed the course of study. Workshop leaders were within and beyond the conference. The 16 topics ranged from Tradition and Change to Ministry with Men. The faithfulness of the churches is to be commended. The Office proudly recognizes the general church Coordinating Committee’s (SBC-21) selection of Eastwick United Methodist Church in Philadelphia as a Congregational Resource Center. This congregation will be available to offer training at their location to African American churches throughout the United States . These and other churches have participated in training trips sponsored by the general office of SBC-21. Bishop Peter D. Weaver and Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem serve on the Coordinating Committee for Strengthening the Black Church for the 21^st Century. The Office requested of The Rev. Gregory Edwards that he continue to serve as the Shalom coordinator for the conference. The Office is in the process of formulating a monitoring schedule for Shalom Zone groups. These churches along with others participated in training trips sponsored by the general church SBC-21 office. The Office continues to partner with the Metro Ministries Inc. board, chaired by The Rev. Ralph Blanks, as this body continues to assist churches in non-programmatic areas. An important area of work this year will be efforts in concert with the Camping Office relative to the construction of the multi-purpose building at the Carson Simpson camp site. Good Schools Pennsylvania is a coalition of grassroots, regional, statewide and national organizations seeking to mobilize parents, students and concerned citizens to advocate for improved public education. Bishop Weaver is among the leaders of this initiative and has committed the conference to 125 groups which will work in this critical area. The Office of Urban Ministries coordinates this effort. The director of the Office serves as the liaison to the Resource Team: Addressing Community and World Issues and is the representative of the bishop on the Metropolitan Christian Council of Philadelphia. The Office of Urban Ministries expresses appreciation to Mrs. Evangeline Johnson, administrative assistant, and the many churches, groups, and individuals who are partners in this ministry.


	The Eastern Pennsylvania Conference The United Methodist Church Office of Urban Ministries Bishop Peter D. Weaver, Resident Bishop, Philadelphia Area Rev. Dr. Dorothy Watson Tatem, Director Mrs. Evangeline Johnson, Administrative Assistant

	Located at: Simpson House 2101 Belmont Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131-1628	Phone: 215-878-8054 Toll Free: 800-866-6855 Fax: 215-878-8342 E-mail: dorothy@epaumc.org


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