WELCOME to the Swarthmore United Methodist Church webpage. Since 1901, our congregation has provided a faithful witness to the love of God as expressed through the Methodist tradition. Our congregational community is comprised of many ages, single persons and families. We heartily seek to include all who want to put faith into action for the greater glory of God.
Sunday Worship service begins at 9:30 AM
Hymn Sing before the service at 9:20 AM
Childcare provided
(Our 9 AM Adult Sunday School, 10:15 AM Worship, and 10:30 AM Children's Sunday School schedule we begin again on September 7, 2008)
Chester Coop members and members of
our congregation serve together.
We are a congregation in the center of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, USA. Our church is close to the campus of Swarthmore College, about 20 minutes from downtown Philadelphia on the R3 commuter rail line of the South Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority. Go to Directions on the menu column at the left of this screen to find a map to our church.
Sunday Worship service begins at 9:30 AM
Hymn Sing before the service at 9:20 AM
Childcare provided
(Our 9 AM Adult Sunday School, 10:15 AM Worship, and 10:30 AM Children's Sunday School schedule we begin again on September 7, 2008)
We seek to understand God's claim on our lives and grow in faith. This is a formidable task, but we are blessed to have each other in this life of discipleship at Swarthmore United Methodist Church. We guide and assist one another in the important work of living as faithful people. There is an old prayer that is particularly fitting for our life together:
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with your most gracious favor,
and further us with your continual help, that in all our works,
begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name,
and finally, by your mercy, obtain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
In this spirit we gather, proclaim the Good News, and support each other in lives of faith. It is a blessing to toil in this vineyard with you all.
In thanksgiving and hope,
Russell J. Atkinson, pastor
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May Peace Prevail Upon the Earth
Our Peace with Justice Sunday this year was May 18, and perhaps no date on the church calendar was more appropriate to honor the memory of Wilma Mosholder. For many years Wilma's quiet presence in our midst was a witness to the alternative of peace and justice over-against the destruction of war and violence. A Peace Pole bearing the inscription "May Peace Prevail Upon the Earth" in twelve languages was installed in our church yard and dedicated to Wilma's memory on that day, attesting to all who pass by to the biblical witness of the holy purpose of God for a world in which peace and justice prevail.
Those wishing to contribute to this memorial may do so through the church office.
The Chancel Choir sang the traditional Latin
Dona Nobis Pacem before the Benediction.
The Peace Pole Project Peace Poles are handcrafted monuments erected the world over as international symbols of peace. Their purpose is to spread the message "May peace prevail on earth" in a different language, one on each side.
Members of the congregation join in the dedication, "that our children may play under this prayer and grow into adulthood contemplating its meaning."
When ordering the Peace Pole, a choice was given regarding languages to be placed on your pole. The languages on our pole are Turkish, Spanish, Russian, Lenni-Lenape, Chinese, Arabic, Hebrew, Urdu, Albanian, Greek, French and English. Some of these have real significance for Wilma, such as Turkish, because she taught in Turkey and Spanish, because she was a librarian in Puerto Rico at a Protestant seminary. The Biblical languages are Greek and Hebrew. Other languages chosen are Lenni-Lenape, the language of the local native Americans in our area; Albanian, our sexton, Skender Elbansani's native language; Urdu, because parishioner Alexander Daniel and his family are Pakistani; and Arabic.
Dr. Andrew Mosholder reads selected
passages from his Aunt Wilma's
Christmas letters.
We hope each person passing the Peace Pole will think peace in their heart and carry that message with them.
