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Welcome
Welcome to the website of the Eastern Regional Conference, Churches of God. We are a movement of God involving 140 churches in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Our purpose is to grow healthy churches. We are trusting God for the starting of 20 new churches by 2020 (See our 20/20 initiative).
Our membership exceeds 14,000 and we have nearly 300 pastors who are committed to serving Christ and His Church. If we can be of further help to you, please contact our regional office at 717-652-0255.
Dr. Kevin E. Richardson, Executive Director
Eastern Regional Conference, Churches of God
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Towel and Basin Award
The Commission on Church and Pastor of the Eastern Regional Conference will select a lay person to receive the Towel and Basin Award. This award is given to someone who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the local church, the Eastern Regional Conference, and the General Conference.
If you would like to nominate a lay person in your congregation for this award, please fill out the questionnaire and forward it to Pastor Robert L. Bell, Secretary, Commission on Church and Pastor, 8009 Rothford Lane, Harrisburg, PA 17112. You also may e-mail him at: bob8009@verizon.net. Please respond by February 20, 2015.
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Important Changes You Might Need to Make to Your Safe Sanctuary Policy
As you may have seen in the news, Pennsylvania’s Laws regarding Child Abuse and the reporting of it have been updated and tightened since the Jerry Sandusky issues. All of the changes become effective December 2014. Please review the following summary of changes as they will relate to your safe sanctuaries policies. If you have further questions, or do not currently have a safe sanctuaries policy, contact Rachel Neely-Sleasman, neelychic@gmail.com, (814) 931-2487. Thank you, ERC‘s Commission on Discipleship.
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Leadership WARS…A Generational Perspective Workshop January 24, 2015
Do you as a leader, or your church struggle in the development of leaders. Generational perspectives on leadership can cripple or render ineffective the development process. During these times it can feel as though there is a war occurring between the generations. When this happens there are casualties, those who walk away and those who vow never to return. Is there a better way? Is there a way that generations can lead together? These and others are questions that will be addressed during this roundtable discussion.
Come join ERC’s Leadership Commission on January 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Chambersburg 1st Church of God to learn how they can help you in the development of leaders. Registration deadline is January 16th, so click here to download the brochure. |
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VBS Showcase on January 29, 2015
A VBS Showcase at Doubling Gap Center begins with a buffet supper (5:30-6:15) on January 29. The meal, including soups, hot sandwiches, salads, and desserts is $7.50. VBS presentations by several companies begin about 6:25 p.m. Additional VBS courses are displayed for browsing. Reservations for buffet and program or presentations only must be made by January 22 with Neva at Corner Store Call 717.776.4336 or cornerstore@embarqmail.com. The event, which attracts nearly 100 VBS workers annually, is sponsored by Corner Store, Christian Gifts and Books, a ministry store. In its 25th year, the store is located on Route 233, three miles south of Doubling Gap Center. |
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Prayer Event – 2/22/15 - 3/22/15
"God is the happiest being in the universe...And God's intent was that his creation would mirror his joy....Joy is a command. Joylessness is a serious sin, one that religious people are particularly prone to indulge in...Joy is strength. Its absence will create weakness."
~John Ortberg
Over the past few years, the Discipleship Commission has encouraged our churches to have a special time of prayer during the Lenten season. This year we would like to encourage you to have a special time of prayer and celebration in the New Year. Attached are 4 template services that you can use. Please feel free to use them however you wish. And if you take the challenge, the discipleship commission would love to hear about it! Please email Rachel, at neelychic@gmail.com with any questions or to let us know what you are celebrating in this new year!
Click here to download the information:
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Summit for Evangelism and Discipleship at WTS Scotland Campus on February 27-28, 2015
As American civilization has become increasingly secular, many evangelical churches see themselves as cut off from the larger culture. The result is that evangelistic efforts have moved away from actively seeking to introduce lost people to Jesus. Instead, "evangelism" generally has become little more than "rearranging the flock". But the fact is that for the church to be the church, congregations must intentionally act to recover the 1st century church's mind-set.
The Summit was conceived as a way to do that by providing church leaders with proven ways and practical steps that will assist them to end that Isolation and become a positive force for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus. Click here to read more about the Conference-Wide Summit. |
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CGWM Retreat at WTS Findlay, Ohio on March 13-15, 2015
What is…4D Love? In the book of Ephesians, we learn that God's love is immeasurable. Join us at this year's March Retreat to experience the love we all long for at its greatest height, depth, width and length -- that ultimately comes from God! He has called us to seek His love above all else and share His love everywhere we go. Through the teaching, music, fellowship and unique experiences, we hope that you may come to know His love to the fullest and be able to better share that love with others. We are blessed this year to feature some of our very own Churches of God women, as well as His Blank Canvas, a traveling music and art ministry team from Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Your hearts will also be encouraged by our main speakers, Char Binkley and Marie Monville, who have much to share about the power, gravity, and impact of God's love. Click here to download the brochure and PowerPoint slide.
There are two ways to register: Online at http://womenforgod.org/or or mail your form and check to: Rebecca Shrom, c/o CGGC P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839 (513) 478-5546 womenforgodcgwm@gmail.com |
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The IRS has posted the standard mileage rates for 2015.....
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be:- 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, up from 56 cents in 2014
- 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down half a cent from 2014
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
Click here to view the IRS standards. |
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Mission Speakers List
Do you need a guest speaker for an evening event or morning worship in your church? Please consider using someone on the ERC's Commission on Missions speaker list. This is a great way to help those missionaries who are home on furlough and also provide you with a guest speaker when the need arises. Please click here to view the list of available mission speakers. |
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Handbook for Local Church Operations
This is a manual for the governance and structure of local churches of the Eastern Regional Conference. It was approved by the Administrative Council at their meeting on July 9, 2014. There is a wide variety of information in this manual such as, Organizational Structure, Policy and Procedures, Church Membership, Property Issues, etc. If you have questions, please contact Dr. Kevin Richardson at kevin@erccog.org or (717) 652-0255. Click here to download the manual for your perusal. |
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