 |
| A PDF of the September 2020 issue of Susquehanna LINK can be viewed and downloaded at https://susumc.org/link/ |
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Remembering Our Heritage
Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
September – 100 years ago
The September 1920 issue of The Evangel, monthly publication of the Women’s Missionary Association of the United Brethren Church, included two different articles by women hailing from the small Hopewell church of the Newburg charge. Miss Florence E. Clippinger (1886-1977), brother of Bishop Authur R. Clippinger who represented the United Brethren Church in the famous 1946 handshake creating the EUB denomination, contributed a book review on the allegory Mr. Friend-O’-Man. Miss Clippinger went on to a 30-year career as a high school biology teacher, and becoming head of the Biology Department, in Dayton OH.
Miss Lillian Kendig (1890-1982) submitted a report on her return visit to Pennsylvania on behalf of the mission work in New Mexico. Educated at Shippensburg Normal School and Bonebrake Seminary, Miss Kendig was licensed to preach by the Pennsylvania Conference in 1917. She served on the faculty at the McCurdy School in Espanola NM from 1916 to 1925, including 3 years (1918-21) as its superintendent. In 1925 she married a Mr. Harry V. Cole and settled in Fort Wayne IN, raising a family and continuing active in the United Brethren Church.
October – 50 years ago
On October 11, 1970, Bishop Hermann W. Kaebnick presided at the consecration service for the new facilities of Faith UMC in Montoursville. The 800 member congregation relocated to the 8 acre site on edge of town because of a need for more space. The original downtown 1866 Methodist Episcopal sanctuary, including the 1932 educational unit, was sold and converted into apartments. The new property was in a developing area “with a new Middle school under construction directly across the road.”
In addition to a sanctuary seating 450, the new facility included a spacious narthex that can be used for overflow seating, fourteen classrooms, a large fellowship hall, offices, a kitchen, and paved parking for 120 cars.
Discovery Place - Fall Resources Available Now!
As groups begin to meet, even on a limited basis, folks will be hungry for the fellowship of small groups. Here are two resources I would suggest that would help folks through these uncertain times. Multiple copies of each are available.
Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times, by Adam Hamilton.
Jesus said, “Do not be afraid.”
For anyone struggling with fear, worry, or anxiety, or who wonders how families and communities can live as peacemakers in troubled times, Unafraid offers an informed and inspiring message full of practical solutions.
In this five-week study based on his book, Adam Hamilton explores the worries and fears that all of us experience. Your small group can learn to identify fears and discover practical steps for overcoming them, all in the light of Scripture.
This DVD contains five videos featuring Adam Hamilton, based on the book’s five parts. Each video begins with Hamilton presenting and discussing his ideas in a round-table format, then closes with him interviewing a subject-area expert. All video sessions are closed captioned.
Session titles are:
1. Understanding and Countering Fear (16:47)
2. Crime, Race, Terrorism, and Politics (16:06)
3. Failure, Disappointing Others, Insignificance, and Loneliness (17:59)
4. Apocalypse, Change, Missing Out, and Finances (15:09)
5. Aging, Illness, Dying, and Fear of the Lord (15:22)
Includes DVD, leader guide, and hardcover book.
Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World, by Max Lucado
Do you feel weighed down with worry? Does the uncertainty and chaos of life keep you up at night? Are irrational fears your constant companion? Could you use some calm?
In this five-session video Bible study, Max Lucado explores God’s promises in Philippians 4:4-8 and shows that while anxiety is part of life, it doesn’t have to dominate life. As you follow God’s prescription for worry -- celebrate his goodness, ask for help, leave your concerns with him, meditate on good things -- you will experience his peace. You can stop letting anxiety rule your day and find true calm and contentment in Christ.
Sessions include:
1. Rejoice in the Lord Always (21:00)
2. Let Your Gentleness Be Evident to All (20:00)
3. Present Your Requests to God (21:00)
4. The Peace of God Will Guard Your Heart (21:30)
5. Meditate on These Things (21:30)
Includes DVD, study guide (with additional resources for group leaders in the back), and hardcover book.
God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and its Aftermath, by N. T. Wright. This 76-page book looks at our current situation through the lens of the Old Testament, Jesus and the Gospels, and the New Testament.
There are also many other resources in Discovery Place on a variety of topics. Consult our on-line catalog at www.discovery-place.org to search by author or title, or do an advanced search by subject using the drop-down box.
Discovery Place is open on a limited basis, with no set office hours. However, until further notice we remain closed to walk-in visitors. You may place an order through the on-line catalog on our website, www.discovery-place.org, by calling 717-766-7968 (voicemails will send me an email), or by emailing me directly at discovery@susumc.org. I will respond to your request as soon as I’m able.
I hope to hear from you soon! Stay safe and healthy!
Serving Christ with you,
Joni Robison
Disaster Response Ministry Opportunities
By Douglas Hoy, SUSUMC Disaster Response Coordinator
When disasters happen, it is generally the local churches that provide the most immediate response to those in their communities who have a need. This basic understanding – that disaster response is local – forms the foundation for UMCOR’s U.S. disaster training and response efforts. Building on that foundation, the Susquehanna Conference utilizes a multi-faceted approach to aid in any response or relief efforts, both within the Conference and abroad.
The goals of the Conference’s disaster response plan include promoting READINESS through planning, training, and equipping congregations and individuals, well in advance of a disaster, to prepare them to respond. This phase involves providing training opportunities including:
Connecting Neighbors - A disaster response 101 course that guides and equips congregations as they prepare for disasters in their community.
First Aid and CPR – Courses designed to teach the basics of first aid to train volunteers how to address emergencies.
Early Response Team – A program designed to train volunteers to fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster. Those needs include cleaning out flood-damaged homes, removing debris, placing tarps on homes, and preventing further damage.
Spiritual/Emotional Care Team – The course helps volunteers understand the inner emotional and spiritual turmoil that survivors, emergency responders, and UMC volunteers experience as they face the outward physical challenges of disaster recovery.
Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Team Leader – This course prepares the individual to lead an UMVIM Team locally, nationally, or globally.
The RESPONSE is the next phase of the plan. In brief, this phase brings together the connection system of the United Methodist Church to support a response to a disaster. During the response phase, individuals generally feel and immediate call to support the affected area. And, there are many opportunities to become involved. However, the most important thing to understand is that there is a process in place to organize the response in such a manner that every person, group, resource, and donation is used appropriately and effectively.
UMCOR and the local Conference Disaster Response Coordinator (CDRC) collaborate with non-profit organizations and local, state, and federal agencies in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. As part of that process, assessments are accomplished, needs are identified, and the area is determined to be safe to enter. When these tasks are completed, the information is shared with UMCOR and the local CDRC. At this point, an invitation will be communicated outlining exactly what resources are needed, where they are needed, and an organized response can begin. Without this process, confusion and disorganization can occur. For these reasons, United Methodist volunteers are asked to wait for the invitation and not self-deploy.
In anticipation of an invitation, the Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and the VIM Director may attempt to identify potential interest in filling needs by reaching out to congregations and trained individuals. When the invitation is received, the details will be conveyed through numerous communication channels including Conference e-mail, QuikLINK, and social media outlets as well as District and local church newsletters. Those details will include identifying the specific need, the location of that need, what type of volunteers are required, and a general time frame for meeting those needs.
In the early days following a disaster, these invitations generally ask for Early Response Teams, which are specially trained, and FEMA credentialed, to preform short-term response work. This work could last a few weeks or more. As the response and recovery phase expands, invitations are then extended to include VIM Teams for support with the long-term clean-up and rebuilding.
While waiting can be difficult, there are other opportunities to serve. Of course, the first is to PRAY. Spend time, individually and collectively, praying for those who are affected. This can be a powerful tool in the immediate and long-term aftermath of a disaster. Petition God for direction and guidance on how you can be involved. And, ask God to provide R.E.L.I.E.F. for the affected community.
- Revealing God’s protections
Psalm 20:1 - Embracing a community in need
James 2:16 - Loving unconditionally
John 13:34 - Introducing compassion
2 Corinthians 1:3-7 - Emphasizing hope
Romans 15:13 - Fostering restoration, physically and spiritually
1 Peter 5:10
Another way to become involved in the response while waiting for an invitation is to GIVE. The financial need after a disaster is great and there are many needs that can be met through generous giving. And, giving through and Advance will ensure 100% of the donation reaches your chosen designation. If a congregation wishes to receive an offering, those funds can be submitted through the Conference Treasurer’s Remittance Report in Section A and mailed to the Conference Office. Checks should be made payable to the Susquehanna Conference, with the designation for the appropriate Advance: UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery (Advance # 901670), or UMCOR International Disaster Response and Recovery (Advance # 982450). If you wish to allow UMCOR to determine where to use the funds, the offering can be designated “Where Most Needed” (Advance #999895). For individual giving, these same options are available and can be accomplished on-line by CLICKING HERE.
The Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response Ministry Advance (Advance # 8055) provides another opportunity to support disaster response. Funds designated to this Advance will support response and relief efforts within the Conference as well as support Conference teams when they mobilize to other areas.
There are also multiple opportunities to VOLUNTEER. Congregations can provide relief supply kits to help care for the most vulnerable during times of crisis. UMCOR collects school kits, cleaning buckets and hygiene kits assembled by United Methodist volunteers for distribution after disasters in the United States and its territories. Information about those kits and how to assemble them can be found by CLICKING HERE.
Volunteers are also needed at UMCOR’s two relief-supply depots, UMCOR Sager Brown (Louisiana) and UMCOR Depot West (Utah) as well as at Mission Central (Mechanicsburg, PA). When kits are assembled and donated, volunteers at these locations will assemble, verify, and pack the kits until they are needed.
For more information on volunteering at an UMCOR Relief Supply Depot, CLICK HERE.
For more information on volunteering at Mission Central, CLICK HERE.
Find out more about Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response at:
Website: www.susmb.org
Facebook: @SUSDisasterResponse
Twitter: @UMCDisasterResp
Email: drc@susumc.org
Hurricane Laura Response
 |
| Hurricane Laura photo by NOAA |
By Douglas Hoy, SUSUMC Disaster Response Coordinator
As many of you know, Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana last week and has affected many communities in states throughout the region, including Mississippi and Texas. Initial reports indicate most of the destruction was created from wind shear, not storm surge, which damaged many roofs. UMCOR is on the ground and working with the local disaster response coordinator as well as local, state, and federal officials to provide assistance. And, UMCOR will be there to support them during the long road of recovery ahead.
Responding to a disaster can bring together the connectional system of the United Methodist Church and allow us to be actively involved in supporting the affected area. While we wait for assessments to be completed and plans to be established, please PRAY. Spend time, individually and collectively, praying for the victims, leaders, and emergency responders in these communities. This can be a powerful tool in the immediate and long-term aftermath of a disaster. As you pray, petition God for direction and guidance on how you can be involved.
One way to become involved in disaster response is through SUPPORT. The financial need after a disaster is great. UMCOR provides funding to meet immediate needs and continues to work with disaster response coordinators to coordinate the delivery of supplies, equipment, and PPE. Your generous giving makes this possible. And, clicking this link and giving through the UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery Advance will ensure 100 percent of the donation reaches the affected area, supports the work of UMCOR and its partners, and meets the needs of the community.
Another way to support disaster response is through The Susquehanna Conference Disaster Response Ministry Advance (#8055). Funds designated to this Advance will support response and relief efforts within the Conference as well as support Conference teams when they mobilize to other areas.
There are also multiple opportunities to ACT. They include assembling school kits, cleaning kits and hygiene kits. Information about those kits and how to assemble them can be found on the UMCOR website, calling Mission Central, or contacting your local Mission Central HUB. Of course, in the early days and weeks after a response, there will be a need for Early Response Teams (ERTs). Eventually, the response will expand to include Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams to support the long-term recovery process. And, when those needs are identified and communicated, the Conference Disaster Response Coordinator and the Director of Volunteers In Mission & Outreach will forward that information and start making plans to support teams interested in serving.
Churches help students during pandemic
Chambersburg First UMC
By Rev. Steven Livermore
First United Methodist Church in Chambersburg, in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Shippensburg and Chambersburg, has opened its doors to children who need internet access to do virtual learning for their classes. The Club is providing the staffing monitoring, the students, and providing before and after school care for children whose parents must work.
The tuition for the school is on a sliding scale and First Church, its members and friends, along with donations from other organizations are paying the weekly base tuition for all the students. Most students attend free. The Chambersburg School District supplies school lunches for the children.
The impact this ministry is having is significant to the children and their families. One church member shared the following story with the church’s pastor, Steve Livermore.
Today I was at church to meet a friend from the clothing mission. I arrived to see our church staff, Gail Vaughn, Toby Hamsher, and Pastor Steve Livermore moving furniture to accommodate the children from the Boys and Girls club program. The children sat quietly and listened to direction from their teacher, Arcadia.
As they were getting ready to work, I wandered to the door to meet my friend. While I was standing there, a gentleman arrived with his daughter. I asked him to wait for the teacher and he cheerfully agreed. After his child’s temperature was taken and she joined her classmates, I couldn’t help but hear his conversation with the director.
With concern on his face and in his voice he asked, “How much do I owe?” “How expensive is this program?” She smiled and reassured him that he didn’t owe anything. He couldn’t believe it and his face showed his relief. He went on to explain that he was a single dad and worked nights. He was concerned that his daughter would not be able to do her schoolwork alone and shouldn’t be alone during the day but he needed to get some sleep. He went on to tell us that he had prayed the night before for a solution to this situation. “God put this program here,” was his conclusion; and also mine. He thanked her sincerely and her parting comment was “Now go home so you can get some sleep.”
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Journey Church
By Pastor Kristopher Sledge
The Journey Church is thrilled to partner with several organizations across the city of Harrisburg to provide Community Classrooms for elementary school students starting school fully on-line this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Community Classrooms is an initiative to provide safe spaces for students to have access to the internet and complete their schoolwork in a helpful, supportive environment. At the end of August, the Journey staff and volunteers decorated and re-purposed the fellowship hall of our building with 15 working spaces so students enrolled in the program have a consistent space to learn in every weekday from 8-11am.
At The Journey, we are incredibly excited to open our doors and use our building to love our families, students, and city in a tangible way. The pandemic has affected so many and we are thankful to be a church that can say “yes!” to our community when it needs us! We are eager to grow the program and find more ways we can be the hands and feet of Jesus to the families in our city throughout the coming months and beyond.
If you would like to enroll your student in a community classroom at The Journey or elsewhere in the city, you can find information at https://www.communityclassrooms.org.If you would like to volunteer as a part of our team, please contact Pastor Kris Sledge at ksledge@thejourneyhbg.org.
----------------------------------------------
Aldersgate UMC
By Sandii Peiffer
Aldersgate UMC in Mechanicsburg held a drive-in Blessing of the Devices/Backpacks on the evening of August 24. Families were invited to bring their children along with school devices and/or backpacks, and park in the parking lot of the church where Rev. Jan Hughes, Children’s Ministry Director Melanie Feldner, and other friends interacted with them at a safe social distance before broadcasting a prayer over the radio for the students, families, teachers, devices, backpacks, and the school year ahead. Additionally, classroom cleaning and PPE supplies were collected to donate to the local school district when live-learning resumes.
The items most requested by teachers for when they resume live classes are:
- disposable masks
- disposable non-latex gloves
- heavy duty paper towels or washable
- microfiber cloths
- disinfecting wipes
- hand sanitizer
- antibacterial hand soap
- gallon zipper bags for organizing student school supplies and keeping them separated
- tissues
Please contact your local school district before you collect or donate any items, as school board permission for donations may be necessary.
Continue Your Mission
Dottie Page, Central Supply Supervisor at RiverWoods, celebrated her 50th year work anniversary in June of 2020. Dottie is from the Montandon area and graduated from Milton High School in 1970. While she was in high school, she started a job at RiverWoods at age 16, working as a “tray girl.” Dottie said her job was to help take trays around to the rooms, delivering snacks and drinks, assisting with putting residents to bed. She also did other unique tasks, such as helping to braid hair, take off resident’s shoes, and even tied corsets!
Dottie said she considered leaving after high school due to the challenge of getting emotionally attached to the residents who died. When she was offered a position in Central Supply and assisting with Physical Therapy, she decided to stay. She worked in PT for a while, then became full time in Central Supply and has been in that department ever since. She says she still gets attached to the residents, but is better able to cope. “I realized that to live, you have to die and sometimes it’s much better for residents to have someone that really cares about them in their final years.”
Over the years, Dottie has had a variety of other responsibilities, serving as the president of the RiverWoods Wellness Committee and organizing the annual health fair. She also started the campus-wide annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Dottie also assists with activities on campus as needed. She said, “I love spending time with the residents, so I enjoy the activities. I’m not very knowledgeable about crafting, so I read to them and play bingo and help where ever I am needed.”
When asked why she has stayed RiverWoods for so many years, she explained, “When I was in high school I was going to be a nurse, but I decided that I enjoyed what I was doing and didn’t want to leave RiverWoods. I’m a firm believer that you treat people the way you want to be treated. I love all the residents and I gear everything to meeting their needs. There isn’t one resident that you could name that I didn’t care about. This is like my home.”
Dottie Page is a shining example of being called to serve, and Albright Care Services is proud that she is part of our family. Albright invites you to continue your mission by joining us at one of our six locations. Visit www.AlbrightCare.org for information on senior living, day programs, giving or volunteering.
COVID-19 School-Age Ministry Considerations
With COVID cases still rising in parts of the country and the start of the school year fast approaching, many school districts are adopting some kind of hybrid face-to-face/distance learning model. In many cases that means student are home three days per week or more, putting stress on working parents who now need to find childcare. Some of our churches are helping to fill the gap. If your church is thinking about some kind of school-age program, there are some things you should consider:
Safe Sanctuaries – whenever we have children (anyone under 18) and vulnerable adults in our care we need to have proper Safe Sanctuaries guidelines in place. This includes compliance with background checks, training, and two-deep leadership for all volunteers and paid personnel.
Funding & Compensation – while we may want to provide this service free of charge, not everyone can volunteer. When we start talking about compensation, it opens a plethora of other considerations. What is a fair tuition rate? Who is going to track the necessary accounting? How much should teachers be compensated (hourly/day rate)? What of the Fair Labor Standards Act is applicable to your setting and employees? Can they be considered independent contractors or are they truly employees for whom the church must withhold and remit appropriate taxes? These are all questions that should be reviewed with an attorney or other HR expert.
Employee Handbook – if you are going to be hiring people for this new ministry, you will want to be sure that you have a clear employee handbook to address any potential issues before they become problems. Things such as time & attendance, time off, compensation, dress code, internet and electronic use policies should all be addressed ahead of time in writing.
Insurance – while our Conference Property & Casualty insurance covers most church ministries you will want to report any major church improvements to be sure they’re covered. Also, it is important to understand that volunteers are not covered under workers’ compensation, and all church employees must be reported on the end of year EZRA statistics to be included for workers’ compensation coverage. Keeping clear records will be helpful for reporting purposes.
Regulation – although your program may only be temporary, you should probably reach out to your state and local municipalities to be sure you are in compliance with any licensing and inspection requirements. For instance, do you have enough indoor play space? If you’re serving lunch, does your kitchen require a Serve Safe certificate?
If you are considering some kind of COVID-related school-age ministry, that’s great. It’s important and it’s an excellent opportunity to be the hands and feet of Christ. At the same time, do your homework to ensure you will be able to continue doing ministry for years to come! There may be additional issues to consider as this document is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather to help you start thinking, planning, and praying about how you and your church can help meet a vital need.
Volunteers in Mission
Things have certainly looked different this year. 2020, will be remarkable for years to come. In living out this new reality, Volunteers In Mission continues to be “Christian Love in Action”. VIM usually is very broad from local neighborhood events to 2 week trips across the globe. For the past five months, that broad realm seemed to narrow….but did it? What have you and your church been doing in missions? I’d love to share your story in future LINK editions for others to celebrate with you and to gain new ideas! Many have reached out to local organizations with donations or in person volunteering (with safety precautions). I’m sure there are many creative service ideas you have worked out. Virtual Missions has become a new term and a new practice! Teams are gathering over ZOOM and experiencing as much as the VIM Journey they possibly can, connecting with site staff, viewing photos of the site and side excursion locations. The teams are reading about the area, ministry, culture, history and related social justice issues. They are spending time in devotion and prayer together. This is all still global! Way to go VIM for your flexibility and adaptability! I ask that as you read the following VIM accounts, you think about your story as a VIM! Let’s get that in the next LINK! I celebrate all of you and the work you do in love!
Stay well and do no harm,
Michelle Schwartzman
vim@susumc.org
717-766-7441 ext. 3105
All in to Serve!
United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth (U.M. ARMY) is a national youth mission organization that typically holds “away from home” mission weeks across the U.S each summer. Because of the pandemic, the organization had to “re-imagine” mission work for this summer. They felt strongly God was still calling them into the mission field amid the uncertainty. After prayerful consideration, U.M. ARMY created a LOCAL option for churches to do mission work safely in their own communities, while allowing the participants to connect with other churches through virtual activities and worship. U.M. ARMY provided prerecorded worship materials, which involved youth and adults across the U.S. in reading scripture, giving messages and offering prayers. The theme for this year was ALL IN and utilized Matthew West’s song by the same name. Matthew West even provided a personal message to the U.M. ARMY participants to kick off the week and encouraging them to be ALL IN for God as we serve! (NOTE: All participating churches followed social distancing guidelines set forth by the state as well as their local church conference/district.)
Several churches from the Susquehanna Conference participated in this LOCAL model this summer. Christ UMC of Mountain Top participated the week of July 12th, along with two other churches from New Jersey and New York. They worshiped virtually each morning and evening with these other churches. They also participated in virtual fun, “get to know you” activities throughout the week. During the day, each church served in their respective communities doing various projects for homeowners and social service organizations. Christ UMC made a lasting impact on a local community park by doing major clean-up, painting buildings and benches, and creating a beautiful mural for the community to enjoy for years to come (see attached picture).
The week of July 19th, a group of 18 youth and adults from New Creation UMC (Dover) and Shiremanstown UMC joined forces to serve people and organizations in their respective communities. They worshiped together each morning and evening, alternating between the two churches each day. This group volunteered at Mission Central, New Hope Ministries, Susquehanna Service Dogs and York City Community Gardens. In addition to helping various homeowners with outside projects such as yard work, painting and demolition work, this group provided a meal to local families in need in partnership with the BICC ministry outreach of Fishing Creek Salem UMC. The meal was a cookout prepared ahead of time and served in individual self-service bags. They provided toys for the children such as bubbles, glow sticks, balls and stuffed animals. What a beautiful way to show God’s love to this group of families. (See pictures)
What a wonderful experience this was!!! To be able to gather, in a socially responsible way, and still serve others provided a much-needed week of renewal for the youth and adults. We praise God for guiding them into the mission field. To quote one of the youth who participated…. “even though we didn’t know what to do in the midst of a world crisis, God showed us what to do…” Praise God for these volunteers who followed the theme this year by being ALL IN to serve God and their communities.
U.M. ARMY is praying they will be able to gather in their usual “away from home” models next summer. Even if they aren’t, God has opened the door for alternative models for mission work even when the world throws them a curve ball.
For more information on U.M. ARMY, please contact Darlene Thomas (Shiremanstown UMC), Regional Director @ darlenethomas@umarmy.org or 877-771-9484 ext. 1108 or visit the website at umarmy.org.
Missions during a pandemic
By Pastor Jason Schwartzman, Grace UMC, Lemoyne
Like literally everyone else around the conference, Grace Church in Lemoyne was kind of scrambling to figure out what to do in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to incredible volunteers and some very forward-thinking pastors that occupied this chair before me, transitioning to on-line worship was not quite as daunting as it could have been. However, I struggled to imagine what mission looks like in this new world.
Before the pandemic, Grace Church was scheduled to send three mission teams out during the months of June, July and August. There was a trip scheduled to South Carolina, one to India and one to New Mexico. Of course, each of these trips was canceled. However, the call to “go and make disciples” persisted, even in these difficult moments. In a very mission-minded church with a tremendous history, I knew it was important to do something meaningful with the congregation during this time. Enter Church World Service.
Church World Service was also struggling to deliver their life-changing work to the people of Central Pennsylvania due to the pandemic. Supplies were limited and although the volume of refugees entering the community was greatly reduced, there were plenty of people already here who needed some help. We worked with Church World Service to identify the most crucial of those needs. CWS told us what they could really use were some specific “kits” that they offered and some gift cards for their “blessing baskets”. We kind of arbitrarily set an audacious goal. 500 dollars in gift cards and 50 different kits. In a world in which we weren’t even sure about church attendance or offering coming in, setting that kind of goal seemed a bit outrageous, even to me, the one who set the goal! But we put it out there and the generosity of God was once again made evident through the people of Grace Church in Lemoyne. Further, the work of building the kingdom of God persisted! In helping Church World Service fulfill their goals, Church World Service was helping Grace Church fulfill OUR goals!
What happened after the goal was set was remarkable. Because people couldn’t really go out, we met the gift card goal almost immediately. Further, financial donations from older members of the congregation came in specifically asking the younger members of the congregation to go shopping for supplies for the kits, because they couldn’t (but they still wanted to be involved). The results? We have ALREADY met our 50 kit goal (we have 56 kits as of this writing, with two weeks to go!) and we have almost DOUBLED our gift card goal (the goal was $500, we have collected $950 to this point). I am reminded over and over again to stop thinking so small when God is thinking so big.
The main takeaway of all of this for our church is this: First, never underestimate what God can stir in the hearts of the people in our congregations. Secondly, relationships, relationships, relationships. Had our church not had an established relationship with CWS, we might still be looking for a place to unleash the unrelenting generosity of God and this congregation. I’m so proud to be the pastor of this great church and I’m so proud that they continue to listen and respond to God’s call on their lives. We are still building the Kingdom!
A Prayer for Teachers
By Bishop Ernest Lyght*
God of wisdom and knowledge, we enter into your school house with a deep and abiding concern for our children whose education is at risk because of the coronavirus pandemic. Please grant wisdom and courage to school boards and administrators who are grappling with the decision as to opening their schools on time, or postponing the start of the school year.
Holy Teacher, as we struggle to educate our children, our hearts are full of thanksgiving and praise for their teachers. Enlighten these women and men as they strive to impart wisdom and knowledge to their students. Grant them an artistic potter’s skill as they labor to shape the lives of their students into meaningful and beautiful expressions of their potential. We pray that you would rekindle their love for the children, and stoke their students with a renewed passion for learning and a sense of wonder. Resource their pedagogy with imagination and creativity in this season of virtual reality.
God of Comfort, because we truly care we pray for the safety and well-being of the classroom teachers and all the people who support the educational enterprise – principals, teacher aides, administrative staff, custodians, cafeteria workers, nurses, bus drivers and their aides, school crossing guards, and volunteers. We pray that all schools – public, parochial, private, college – will be a safe haven for the students and faculty, free from all diseases.
Parenting God, we pray for the parents of school children, for they too must make decisions about the education of their children. Help them to make informed and sound decisions about the welfare of their children. Teach us to appreciate and love the work that our teachers engage in with their students. Bless our teachers and children so that they might be safe while they continue to engage the educational process in this Covid-19 environment. AMEN.
News From Bishop Jeremiah Park
Mission Central, Inc
August 5, 2020
It is with great joy and thanksgiving to God that I write this letter. On Wednesday, August 5, 2020 Mission Central officially became a ministry of their own [operating as Mission Central, Inc., a nonprofit registered with the IRS under section 501c3 and with the PA Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations.] The papers were signed, the ownership of the property was turned over to Mission Central and the loan to Seedling Ministries was paid in full.
Like a child that has grown, Mission Central is now ready and able to take their next faithful step in God’s vision for transforming the world. By the action of our Annual Conference and the accomplishment of Wednesday’s closing, Mission Central will now have accessibility to greater financial resources beyond our conference. They will be able to apply for grants and financial resources which heretofore were closed to them.
What a journey it has been to come to this time in the history and life of Mission Central. We remember with thankfulness the leading of God’s spirit through Bishop Neil Irons, whose vision and inspiration started what Mission Central is today.
Only God could envision the unbelievable future of this ministry. From its humble beginning with the vote of the former Central PA Conference, Mission Central has become known as the hands and feet of Christ locally, nationally, and globally! God, with the help of you the people of the Susquehanna Conference, has done and continues to do amazing and miraculous ministry. Millions of lives are served each year, hurts are healed, flood ravaged places are made whole, and many of the corners of the world have been touched because of Mission Central.
What a blessing to be part of this incredible ministry. Mission Central and the Susquehanna Conference will keep the partnership in mission and ministry in many ways. The people and churches of our Annual Conference will continue to volunteer and provide resources for the ongoing ministry of Mission Central throughout the world. Mission Central will still be an Advance Special of our conference. And, there will be representatives from the Susquehanna Conference to the Mission Central Board. Clearly Mission Central and our conference can continue together to be one in ministry to all the world.
I am so thankful to Bishop Irons, the people of the Susquehanna Conference and many partners and friends for your ability to allow God to lead Mission Central and us into God’s preferred future. Your continued prayers and support for Mission Central would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks be to God for God’s leading. Thanks be to God for the hard work of the staff and board members of Mission Central. Thanks be to God for your willingness to take this next step in the life and ministry of Mission Central. Praise be to God!
In Ministry With You,
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
Find out more at missioncentral.org
Death of Bishop John Yambasu of Sierra Leone
August 17, 2020
“Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live, and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Because I live, you shall live also.” (John 11:25-26)
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)
In profound sadness, disbelief, and shock I share with you the death of Bishop John K. Yambasu, Resident Bishop of the Sierra Leone Area of the United Methodist Church. Yesterday, Sunday, August 16, Bishop Yambasu was on his way to the funeral of one of the pastors when he was killed in a car accident just outside of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Bishop Yambasu and the people of Sierra Leone are no strangers to the people of the Susquehanna Conference. There is a long and proud history of our people working for health, wholeness, and financial support for the pastors of Sierra Leone Conference in and through the Sierra Leone Initiative. Our people have been instrumental and extremely generous in support of the Initiative. Many of our churches and individuals engage in various projects with churches in Sierra Leone. Inspired and encouraged and prompted by Bishop Yambasu the mission partnership between the Susquehanna and Sierra Leone Conferences continues to be strengthened and makes a difference. While we are joined together with the people of Sierra Leone as ministry partners, we are also now joined by sadness because of his death.
Bishop Yambasu was an outstanding episcopal leader. His spirituality, his faith, his devotion to the mission of the church, and his visionary and passionate leadership made him a giant in our denomination. His commitment to the unity of the United Methodist Church propelled him to be instrumental in bringing together an extremely diverse group of people representing the diversity of the United Methodist Church. This group of people, who have contrasting and diverse views about the future of our church, met several times in 2019 for historic discernment and decision. In part because of Bishop Yambasu’s leadership, integrity and belief in God’s plan for our church, the group forged an agreement now known as the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace Through Separation. His work and legacy in this area will be considered at the General Conference set for 2021.
Born in southern Sierra Leone, Bishop Yambasu studied at United Methodist mission schools and graduated from Candler School of Theology. Prior to his ordination and serving as a pastor, he taught in several schools in Sierra Leone and also served as the Sierra Leone Conference’s director for Christian education and youth ministries.
Bishop Yambasu was elected to the Episcopacy in 2008 and continued to serve the Sierra Leone Conference and the United Methodist Church with distinction until his untimely death. Bishop Yambasu also served as the President of the Africa College of Bishops. He was the newly elected Chancellor of Africa University.
Bishop Yambasu is survived by his wife, Millicent and their children – Rebecca, Adima, John, Emmanuel, and Elizabeth.
Please join me in praying for Millicent, their children as well as the United Methodists of Sierra Leone and the global community as they grieve his untimely death. May God’s love and abiding care surround Bishop Yambasu’s family and all those who mourn his death.
We take solace, comfort, and hope in these days because our God is a God who provides for us in this life. Our Living God also provides for us an eternal home in and through Jesus the Christ who is the resurrection and the life. In the midst of sadness for the sudden loss of Bishop John K. Yambasu, we give thanks and praises to God for his faithfulness till the end and for his amazing legacy as he now shines brightly in the Church Triumphant.
Praying with you,
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
Equipping Vital Congregations: Resilience
Director of Equipping Vital Congregations
re·sil·ience
/rəˈzilyəns/
noun
- the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
- the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity.
What comes to mind when you think about resilience? You might think of a rubber band that stretches and stretches yet snaps back to normal when you let it go. Perhaps you picture a willow tree, bending in a strong gust of wind but not breaking.
I picture someone who gets knocked down again and again by hardships yet manages to get back up again to face yet another challenge on another day. We probably all know people like that. People who face unbelievable pain and heartache and yet show great resilience. And we wonder, “How do they snap back from that?” or “what keeps them from breaking?” and “Where do they find such resilience?”
Our current common struggle with COVID-19 gives us a window into resilience. Never before have we seen such global human suffering. Loss of jobs, quickly depleting finances, failing health, death of loved ones and friends, diminishing hopes and dreams for the future all lead to a universal experience of grief. And yet, we seem to find a way to plow through and rise above this!
I want to suggest that resilience is the human heart’s ability to struggle and suffer greatly and grow from it. I believe resilience is a gift of God inside each of us. I know, there’s evidence around us that some people have never learned how to foster or nurture this gift of resilience and so it remains dormant. But we can choose to be resilient and it has to be received and exercised daily.
What keeps us from just giving up on ourselves and the world? Resilience. What keeps us from sliding into despair? Resilience. What makes us want to reinvent ourselves and the world around us? Resilience.
The Bible is full of encouragement about resilience. To reinvigorate resilience within you, sit and soak in these words as you think about your life, loved ones, the world and your church.
“Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” (James 1:2-4 NLT)
“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”(Romans 8:38-39 NLT.)
My favorite passage of scripture encourages resilience. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, don’t depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Trust. Seek. Follow.
The time to nurture God’s gift of resilience in you and your church is NOW! Consider these three exercises:
Trust that God is still the Giver of Life and fully present with you! Name your specific concerns and even visualize yourself placing these in God’s hands. Trust that God receives these things from you and will see you through this.
Seek to see God’s presence in this time and look for the ways God is at work within and around you. Sit in a comfortable space and be attentive to your breathing. Still yourself as you remain open to God. Consider the ways and places God has been present in and around you. Keep a journal to make a record of these God-sightings. Offer gratitude. Share these experiences with others as a way to encourage their resilience!
Follow where God is leading ESPECIALLY when it is outside of your comfort zone. Be bold. Be courageous. And when God provides direction---move!
When times get tough the resilient person (and congregation) will rise to the challenge by trusting, seeking and following God. I pray this will be true for you and your community of faith.
May the burdens of this day rest lightly upon you. And may God enfold you in the mantle of His love!
Help Your Students get Connected with a Campus Ministry
This coming year, as universities and campus ministries begin, amidst unprecedented changes within university education and campuses, we need your help as we seek to connect with students. We do not receive student contact information from our campuses, so we need local churches and families to send us incoming student contact information. Students are meeting new challenges and the need for a faith community and connection among our students is ever-present.
In the United Methodist Church, we believe in the spirit of the connection and the continued care of our young adults so much, that it was written into our Book of Discipline as part of our Charge Conference duties to “receive a report on the names and addresses of college students to send to the United Methodist campus ministers and chaplains,” para 247.16. We need your help! Please visit our on-line form to submit student names and contact info along with the campus they will be attending. We will send the contact information to the campus ministry or congregation closest to their campus. If you wish, you may also request and submit a paper form to be mailed to the conference office c/o Kevin Witt, 303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050. kwitt@susumc.org
Receiving a personal invitation from Campus Ministry will encourage your college student(s) to begin their new life chapter in discipleship and fellowship. In addition, your student(s) will have opportunities to meet campus ministers, along with others who can become friends and community for them. Thank you for your help connecting campus ministries and students for the coming year!
In our conference, you will find the presence of United Methodist ministries and ministers at eight different university campuses; all of whom are engaging with students, serving their communities, and modeling lives of faith & love in their unique settings. These campus ministries & ministers serve to guide and walk alongside students during this unique time in their lives, providing opportunities for community, conversation, and faith formation.
Let us introduce you to some of our campus ministers:
Mitch Marcello
First UMC Williamsport
Lycoming & Penn College
MMarcello@firstchurch.cc
The college ministry at First Church Williamsport seeks to live life together as believers in Christ as we connect with students. Dinners together Sunday evenings, Bible studies on campus, worship in a local coffee shop, and hikes and trips into nature are central parts of our ministry here in Williamsport.
Sarah Voigt - DirectorWesley Foundation at Penn State -- University Park
Abba Java Coffeehouse
svoigt.wesley@gmail.com
Weekly gatherings, times for reflection, & opportunities for community service
Pastor Tammey L. Aichner
Pennsylvania College of Technology
United Campus Ministry
ucm@uclc.org
United Campus Ministry is an ecumenical student organization at PCT. Area pastors facilitate weekly Bible Studies for students and faculty on campus. We distribute free coffee, baked goods, and daily devotions at Jesus and Java. Our prayer group gathers to lift up campus and community joys and concerns. Join us. There is a seat for you at our table. Come and be fed.
Rev. Jill Young & Rev. Kelly Kocher-Ross
Bloomsburg University
Protestant Campus Ministry
jyoung@bloomu.edu
kkocher-Ross@susumc.org
Protestant Campus Ministry (PCM) at Bloomsburg University is a multi-denominational Christian fellowship organization that has been serving Bloomsburg University since Fall 1970. We are a supportive community that gives students, from across the spectrum, a safe place to explore and grow in the Christian faith. In addition to our fellowship group, we offer to the BU community vocational and spiritual wellness programs through our Vocation Exploration Initiative in partnership with other programs and departments on campus.
Other Campus Ministry leaders in the Conference:
Rev. Jan Bye
Shippensburg University
United Campus Ministry
jmbye@ship.edu
Mara Wilcox
Mansfield University
United Campus Ministry
mwilcox@mansfield.edu
There are also Campus Ministries at Lock Haven University and Dickenson College.
Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders
Thinking Through Christian Education Options For Children and Youth this Fall
By Kevin Witt, Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders
and Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership
As schools and families ponder the best way to proceed this fall, children and youth ministry leaders are also exploring prudent possibilities. Following the way of Jesus is relational, thus creating a dilemma. Amid a pandemic when people in the community can become ill or even die if we gather unwisely, how do we nurture young people to go deeper in love for God, others and themselves? (Matthew 22:36-40)
Overarching Principles:
Establish some basic core values that will guide your decision making. Our Wesleyan tradition offers three guides: Do No Harm. Do All the Good You Can. Stay in Love with God.
What does love and ‘do no harm’ require of us relative to the guidance of health experts during the COVID 19 outbreak?
What are imaginative ways we can do good by engaging children and youth to continue growing in faith and loving relationship with God?
Surveying families, children and youth can identify their preferences. Melanie Feldner, Director of Kids Ministry at Aldersgate UMC in Mechanicsburg, shares a prime example of how listening can enhance faith formation opportunities.
“We held Vacation Bible School this year very differently. In lieu of gathering large groups of children, which wasn’t recommended by health authorities, we shifted to a home based VBS experience. We developed it collaboratively with other congregations so we could share ideas and mutually benefit. We heard from families that young people missed relationships with their Church leaders.
How could we bring relationship back into the experience when we could not safely gather them in a large group setting to be with the teachers? We let our imaginations run free and realized that leaders (adults and youth) could still connect with the children to let them know they are loved and valued. We decided to create a really fun drive-through experience in the church parking lot. Leaders safely handed out activity packets for the week to the kids as their parents drove through. We recorded greetings from leaders and put short clips on-line for parents who could not drive-through. It may seem like a small thing, but it made all the difference. New relationships were forged and existing relationships were strengthened. People of all ages were able to experience joy and learn more about Jesus!”
You can find some of the resources and brief video related to VBS @ home here: http://aldersgatechurch.net/vbs-home/
Fall is another great opportunity to survey families and get creative. Consider these possibilities:
- On-line: Cokesbury, for example, has Christian Education resources in on-line formats. You can also teach from physical curriculum and use Zoom or Google Hangouts where students can see each other and be in dialogue. Many churches have been utilizing tools for worship and devotions that could be adapted for Christian Education. Cokesbury On-line Sunday School
- At Home: You can prepare or offer materials that equip families to engage their young people in faith formation at home where they can apply it in daily living.
- Pods: Pods limit gatherings to small numbers of persons (10 or less) who come together safely and adhere to masking, sanitizing, and social distancing protocols. The key is keeping the same group together and not shift the participants or leaders. This way the chance of spreading COVID to larger numbers of persons is greatly reduced.
- Outdoors: Gathering outdoors reduces the concentration of virus particles in the air. Often, there is enough room outdoors for multiple small groups to gather at the same location. Avoid close contact between the small groups. It is a good idea to wear a mask anytime students will be in close proximity to one another. Be sure to follow or exceed all protocols for group gatherings that are recommended by the CDC and health authorities.
- Indoors: This can be very challenging unless you have large enough spaces to maintain social distancing, especially if you include activities involving physical movement. It is important to measure the square footage of usable space in each room to determine the number of leaders and students who can meet in that space. It is recommended to maintain 6 feet between persons. You also need to follow safe sanctuary policies in adult supervision ratios.
- Alternative Spaces: You may arrange the private use of larger spaces such as a properly sanitized gymnasium or a community center. Keep in mind, it is still wise to use a “pod” strategy even if a larger number of young people can be accommodated in that space. Limit physical exertion, singing, shouting and other rigorous breathing activities which can project the virus greater distances. Masks make a real difference.
Finally, Deb Port, a pastor with The Journey, suggests another possibility. “We provide a Facebook group called ‘Parenting through Social Distancing’. This support group provides ideas on what families need and has been an “on-ramp” for new families.” For more information email dport@susumc.org or join the group here.
Connecting Ministries: United Methodists Are Confronting Racism
You probably remember this day: May 25, 2020. That day, George Floyd, suspected of passing a forged $20 bill in a neighborhood convenience store, was killed under the knee of an arresting Minneapolis police officer. As the nation—and world—reacted with several nights of demonstrations, The United Methodist Church recognized that it, too, needed to express a moral voice.
As the Susquehanna Annual Conference announced through its QuikLINK e-newsletter, the Council of Bishops and several denominational boards and agencies announced a “plan of action” to help all United Methodists to work to end racism. The emphasis began on June 19, known as Juneteenth, the anniversary of enslaved African Americans in Texas learning from a Union general that the war had ended and the enslaved were freed.
Susquehanna Annual Conference is joining this denomination-wide movement.
The annual conference’s Inclusiveness Commission is meeting and recommitting to the Northeastern Jurisdiction’s “Call to Action for Racial Justice.” You can find that here: bwcumc.org/text-of-the-call-to-action. An Anti-Racism Collaborative has emerged in our conference and has already begun identifying ways for us to address systemic racism and improve inter-cultural understanding. They will be working alongside the Inclusiveness Commission as well as other conference groups so that we can all participate.
The United Methodist agencies produced several resources to help churches and individuals to join this effort. Regardless of how you perceive racism or what interactions you’ve had with people of another race, you will find something helpful for you and your church at umc.org/endracism.
You will find at this site links to:
- on-line Town Hall meetings that explore various expressions and responses to racism
- video series for group discussion
- suggestions on how to talk with children about racism
- prayer resources
- a message for laity
- preaching and worship resources
Resources are added regularly, so you will want to check back weekly to see what’s new.
The Susquehanna Conference cabinet is reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin DiAngelo. This book, published two years ago, has been strongly recommended by many readers.
You’ve likely heard the phrases “systemic racism” and “institutional racism” a few times. Both refer to discrimination and imbalances in society or in an organization. It can lead to discrimination in the areas of criminal justice, employment, housing, availability of health care, political participation, and education, among others. These injustices are deeply embedded in our society, stemming from complex historical forces.
Discrimination, belittlement, or outright hatred by individuals is an obvious form of racism. Systemic racism is more insidious. Even those of us white people who are well-meaning and enjoy positive relationships with people of color may be benefiting from systemic racism, even if are not aware of it. This is partly because we are not harmed or limited by this imbalance of justice.
Combating racism is not a new idea for the church. Both the Old Testament law and Jesus taught us to care about our neighbors. This biblical commandment prompts the church to work for a world where people of all skin colors and cultures make intentional efforts to understand each other and appreciate how varied God created us to be as the body of Christ.
One of the founders of Methodism, John Wesley, was an outspoken advocate for the abolition of slavery and for the inherent worth of all human beings. During one of his trips to the American colonies, in the mid-18th century, Wesley baptized two enslaved black women. These women went on to become missionaries in Antigua. African Americans also appeared on the rolls of some of the early Methodist meetings in the American colonies. Harry Hosier, a black man, was known as a powerful preacher who traveled with Francis Asbury to a number of Methodist gatherings.
Today, we can find in our United Methodist Book of Resolutions the entry “Annual Conferences’, Districts’, and Local Congregations’ Responsibilities for Eradication of Racism.” It instructs, “Therefore, be it resolved, that every annual conference, district, and local congregation within the US have a strategy and program which educates and supports systemic and personal changes to end racism and work multi-culturally.”
We are taking this seriously. We know that this will be a focus for many years to come. Watch for announcements on the Susquehanna Conference Facebook page and in QuikLINK for opportunities to get involved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)