There are six special Sundays throughout the calendar year, and on Sunday, April 7 we will be taking part in One Great Hour of Sharing.   This will happen during communion and will be in be in place of the normal communion offering.  This offering goes to UMCOR where it will help with many projects that they oversee.

One Great Hour of Sharing calls United Methodists to share the goodness of life with those who hurt. The offering provides administrative support for the United Methodist Committee on Relief as it responds to disaster survivors and people in need around the world.  United Methodists relate to One Great Hour of Sharing by supporting UMCOR’s ongoing work, responding in times of disaster and telling the story of UMCOR’s ministry.

We finally have power back at the church.  Heat is on and phones are working properly again.  Normal office hours will commence the rest of the week.

There will also be a Storm Soup Supper later this evening at 6:00pm in Fellowship Hall.  Please bring soup and any other food items from the pantry or cupboard with you tonight.  Please tell your neighbors and invite them to join us as well.

There have been a few committee meetings that have been rescheduled due to time conflicts:

There will be no Trustees Meeting on August 7th.  The meeting date has been moved to Tuesday, August 21st at 7:00pm.
The Spiritual Formation Ministry Meeting will no longer be meeting on August 13th.  It has been rescheduled for Monday, August 20th at 7:15pm.
There will be no Church Council Meeting in August.  The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 26th at 7:15pm.

Please note these new dates for the meetings.

Reminders for upcoming meetings:

As a reminder, there will be a Visioning Session on Wednesday, August 22nd at 7:15pm.

The Annual Charge Conference is approaching.  It will take place on October 1st starting with an SPRC Meeting at 6:30pm followed by the Charge Conference from 7:00-8:30pm.  Reports for the Charge Conference need to be in no later than Sunday, September 9th.  No reports will be accepted afterwards.  Please contact the office for more information.

10:30am -- Worship Service at Carson Simpson Farm in the Graff Pavillion.

11:30am -- Food, Fun, & Fellowship:
                    Food -- (served around noon) burgers, hot dogs, and lemonade will be supplied;  if you plan on attending, please
                                   bring one side dish and/or dessert to share with six other people.  The Food Ministry is supporting the Family
                                   picnic as well.

                    Fun -- the pool will be open for all from 1:00-5:00pm.
                                - volleyball, softball, & horseshoes anyone?  Please bring your own ball, bat, and mitt for some games.
                                - playground & swings for children's use
                                - singing with Rich Carley's guitar accompaniment

                    Fellowship -- come out and enjoy the company of and conversation with your church friends.


Don't forget to bring lawn chairs and sun screen.  There will be van transportation to Carson Simpson Farm if needed from the church.  Trip times to Carson Simpson will be at 10:00am, 11:45am, and 12:15pm.  Return trips will be at 3:45pm, 4:15pm, and 5:00pm.  If you or someone you know would like to use the van transportation, please contact the church office at 215-659-3232.

A new page has been added about our "Life of Jesus" Pageant.  This has been ongoing for a few years now and only recently has it been combined with a Friendship Meal.  So far only pictures have been added, however more information concerning the pageant will be added at a later date.

At Willow Grove we helped change the world by feeding 26 neighbors at our monthly Friendship Dinner on Sunday, May 20.  We were part of a worldwide group of United Methodists in the third annual Change the World event to build community locally and fight malaria globally.

Last year there were projects in 15 countries with 250,000 volunteers. 3 million lives were positively influenced by these projects. 

 New research from United Methodist Communications reveals that churches that provide opportunities to help their communities are viewed much more favorably because of their active, “outside the church” approach.

Change the World is a movement to connect United Methodists by building community locally in service projects and fighting malaria globally with Imagine No Malaria. Local service projects vary and include raising funds for worthy causes, feeding the hungry, planting gardens, advocating for peace and justice and more.  

“Vital congregations are engaged in mission, and Change the World illustrates the power of our interconnectedness,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “Last year, more than 2,000 events took place in 15 countries. Change the World presents an opportunity to transform lives in connection with others.”

And more information is being added.  If you are a committee head or part of one of the various groups listed here on the website, please let Lora in the church office know if there is anything else you want to posted for your particular group(s).  Any pictures are welcome as well!

Fleshing out the site a little more.  Put a little information about some of the church groups and keeping up to date with the weekly schedule.  More to come within the next couple weeks!