Each year, Bishop Devadhar hosts a Pre-Lenten Gathering as a time of preparation for Lent. The day includes two sessions: a daytime session open to clergy and an evening session open to all laity.
The 2012 Pre-Lenten Gathering will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Calvary Korean UMC in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Rev. John Edgar, Executive Director of the faith-based community development organization, Community Development for All People (CD4AP), will be the guest speaker at both services.
Clergy are invited to attend the day gathering from 8:30am - 2:30pm. Please register with your District. Cost is $10. Lunch will be provided.
SPECIAL NOTE: There will be a meeting of the Order of Elders immediately following the Clergy Pre-Lenten Gathering.
Laity are invited to attend the evening gathering starting with dinner at 6:30pm. The service will start at 7:30pm. The Laity session will also be held at Calvary Korean UMC in East Brunswick, New Jersey.
About Rev. John Edgar and Community Development for All People:
CD4AP is a multifaceted community development corporation with the mission of improving the quality of life with persons living on the Southside of Columbus, Ohio.
The Free Store, a flagship ministry of CD4AP, provides free clothing and household items to more than 25,000 persons each year. CD4AP is a developer of affordable housing. In partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital and the United Way of Central Ohio, CD4AP is working to purchase and renovate all of the vacant blighted houses in a 35 square block area. Last year, CD4AP was involved in $5 million worth of affordable housing redevelopment. CD4AP provides a variety of direct services, and partners with Mt. Carmel Hospital to operate a primary care health station at the ministry center.
CD4AP has recently assumed responsibility for carrying forward the social service programming of the former South Side Settlement House that closed its doors at the end of August, 2011.
Rev. Edgar is the founding pastor of the United Methodist Church for All People that is closely affiliated with CD4AP. This remarkably diverse congregation is comprised primarily of low income persons. An ordained pastor for over 30 years, he has previously served as a district superintendent and dean of the cabinet in the West Ohio Conference.
Rev. Edgar has a Master of Divinity degree, cum laude from Harvard University and a Bachelors degree in sociology, magna cum laude from Miami University.
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World