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| View and download the PDF at susumc.org/link |
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
Friday, May 5, 2023
Remembering Our Heritage
May – 100 years ago
The present sanctuary of Fairview UMC in Altoona was dedicated on Sunday, May 13, 1923. In 1890, members of the First and Chestnut Avenue Methodist Episcopal congregations living in the Fairview area organized and erected a 32 x 50 frame structure at 22nd Avenue and Fifth Street. In 1906, a 32 x 50 addition was built and the original building was refinished. By 1923 the congregation had outgrown its facilities and the present brick structure was erected a block away at 23rd Avenue and Fifth Street – despite warning that the property was unsuitable for building because it was over a spring. By 1951 the underlying water problems could no longer be ignored and, at great expense and commitment, the facility was completely renovated.
Fairview has seen two of its members become ordained ministers, each of whom served congregations in the Central Pennsylvania Conference and had extensive broader ministries: Charles C. Cole (1890-1984) who was instrumental in forming what is now the National Council of Churches, and Judith (DeStefano) Coleman (1942-2005) who was reportedly the second clergywoman in history to be guest chaplain of the United States Senate.
June – 50 years ago
On June 9, 1973, at its annual session meeting in Scranton, the Wyoming Conference officially closed the historic but barely viable Lanesboro church in Susquehanna County. When the Presbyterian congregation in nearby Susquehanna lost their building by fire, it was agreed to join the congregations – with all assets going to the Lanesboro Community Church as a United Presbyterian congregation, which continues to this day.
Lanesboro was once a major transportation hub – boasting one of the few area bridges across the Susquehanna, that stood from 1837 until it washed away in the flood of 1859. The Lanesboro class was formed in 1812, and the church building was complete and occupied in the latter part of 1837, the same year the bridge was erected. Pew rents were charged until 1880, when it was resolved that all seats in the church be free. Lanesboro became a separate charge in 1855 that for many years included Susquehanna County’s nearby Bethel Hill (abandoned in 1991) and Stevens Point (abandoned in 2008) appointments.
Camp Scholarship Fund: Camp is for Everyone!
Have you heard about the camp scholarship fund?
The scholarship fund exists to help send children, youth, and young adults to camp. Generous donors continue to give to the scholarship fund because they believe in the power of outdoor ministry and desire to remove financial barriers so that more youth can experience camp!
We welcome anyone to apply for a scholarship regardless of church affiliation, faith community, and life circumstances. The fund can cover any amount of the listed camp fee. Anyone needing financial assistance simply needs to complete THIS FORM.
Additional resources such as sleeping bags, Bibles, and other packing list items can also be provided. For questions about these possibilities, please contact the Camping Office at 717-766-7395 or email camps@susumc.org.
If you’d like to donate to the Scholarship Fund, click HERE.
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| www.suscrm.org |
All Are Welcome at Camp!
We have received multiple inquiries this spring about whether young people, families, and adults from beyond The United Methodist Church can come to our camp and retreat centers and sign up for summer camp. The answer is an enthusiastic YES!
This includes those who may decide to disaffiliate from membership in The United Methodist Church.
Camp and Retreat Ministry continues to provide places where all are welcome in Christian love. In addition to serving our United Methodist faith communities, we have a long tradition of connection and collaboration with a wide variety of denominations, nonprofit organizations, and seekers who may have no faith community affiliation. This ongoing ecumenical spirit is deeply rooted in the wide embrace of God and the valuing of all as beloved children of God.
As a ministry of the Susquehanna Conference of the UMC, we are blessed to be a blessing.
Find more information about our camps and retreats at suscrm.org
Fulfilling the Law by Putting Love into Action
Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
On Palm Sunday, I listened as the pastor shared a message focused on the reality that how you treat others will have an eternal impact for us and those with whom we interact. During his sermon, he posed a few questions to the congregation. Who is the person you most admire? Who is that person who has left a lasting mark on your life? Is there someone who has invested time in you and made you feel valued? Who was there for you at just the right time to make a difference?
He went on to explain that no matter who each person in the congregation identified, there were similarities in the reasons they were chosen. When someone takes the time to intentionally lift us up, they are humbly showing and sharing compassion while living and loving like Jesus. In addition to taking a personal interest in us, they are allowing Jesus to use them and to be seen in and through them. And, while we benefit from their actions, their reason for becoming involved is to honor Jesus through the use of their gifts and talents.
Romans 12 urges us to humbly offer ourselves in service to the body of Christ, embracing our confidence in Him as we come to the table and put our love into action. In her commentary, Elizabeth Shively clarifies this concept by saying, “let your love be heartfelt; be eager to show each other honor; be set on fire by the Spirit;...literally ‘participate in’ — the needs of the saints, and pursue hospitality….True love is fervent, relentless, and practical.”
In my video message (youtube.com/watch?v=4vudf6JQDEc) on UMCOR Sunday in March, I highlighted the fact that there is a table prepared for us during our times of need. Everyone is welcome at this table. Some are present because they are hungry, thirsty, or need clothing. Others are there because they have been called to serve. It is because of the goodness and merciful acts of those who are called that this table is plentiful.
In 2022, the congregations of the Susquehanna Annual Conference came to that table and generously gave $523,435 directly to Advances that supported the mission and ministry of UMCOR. Through that financial giving, victims of disasters were being fed and clothed. As a result of your acts of service, homes were being repaired. By putting your love into action, hope was being restored and people you did not know were able to see and experience Jesus and the love He has for them.
My pastor concluded his sermon by asking…Is there anyone in your life who needs to know they are loved? Who in your life needs to feel valued or cared for? Who needs you to be there for them in their time of need? As we move through 2023 and beyond, continue to be present at the table. Allow the Holy Spirit to light a fire in your heart and use the gifts you have been given to humbly serve those in need, whatever that need may be. Follow the calling of Romans 13 to fulfill the law by loving your neighbor. And, do so with confidence, knowing that it is holy and pleasing to God and the eternal impact will be far greater than any earthly benefits.
Douglas Hoy
Disaster Response Coordinator
Email: drc@susumc.org
Phone: 717-766-7441, ext. 3402
Website: www.susmb.org
Facebook: @SUSDisasterResponse
Twitter: @UMCDisasterResp
Disaster Response Ministry Blog: susdisasterresponse.blogspot.com/
Discovery Place: Resources to Build the Beloved Community
Discovery Place is open to serve you, and we would love to help you find the perfect resource for your Sunday School class or small group!
FEATURED RESOURCE THIS MONTH: Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts and Outlaws - NEW from Adam Hamilton.
These studies and many other resources may be borrowed from Discovery Place through the online catalog on our website, www.discovery-place.org, or you may email discovery@susumc.org, or call 717-766-7968. Leaving a voice message when you call will send me an email and I will respond as soon as possible.
Come visit our table at Annual Conference! Newer items will be on display at the beginning, and midway through the conference we will convert our table and give away resources that have been donated or that we no longer need. Stop by and see us!
It has been my privilege to assist in Discovery Place since the fall of 2002, and to serve as Director since the spring of 2016. I will be retiring in June 2023, but Discovery Place will remain open! Please refer to the homepage on our website for office hours and other important information. The contact info for Discovery Place will remain the same.
Serving Christ with you,
Joni Robison
Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: Let’s Sow Some Seeds!
It’s almost time to get the garden ready! I’m thinking about what I learned last year in how I laid out my raised beds, and how I will do it differently based on the results! Spinach and lettuce seeds will be first this year, and I can already taste how wonderful they will be!
One of my favorite parables is found in Matthew 13:1-9:
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (NIV)
I love this parable because Jesus is giving us an image of the job we are to do – sow seeds. The seeds will fall in many places, so it is God’s job to prepare for growth (prevenient grace). So often we get discouraged when our seeds don’t fall on receptive hearts, that we forget to keep sowing! Perhaps it would help our seeds of love and kindness if they were rooted in prayer for how God will use them, praying that the hearts are receptive and that we can see some growth! It is also part of our job to provide some water and fertilizer so that the seeds have a better chance. We provide this nutrition through investing in other people, continuing to build relationships, offering the kinds of interactions that can produce disciples for Jesus.
It is my understanding that sowing seeds, investing in their growth, and giving God the glory for the harvest is the work of all believers – lay and clergy. Who we are as we go about our daily lives really are the seeds that God is calling us to sow – everything we say and do is our witness of Jesus, which can be planted in other’s lives! So, as we move into spring, prepare your seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) and sow those seeds – everywhere you go!
2023 Susquehanna Annual Conference
For up-to-date information about the 2023 Susquehanna Annual Conference, and a link to the livestream visit www.susumc.org/annual-conference
Support Tornado Relief Efforts in Mississippi
Widespread atmospheric instability during the evening of March 24, 2023, caused a powerful tornado that was on the ground for more than an hour and traveled at least 170 miles, killing more than 25 people, injuring hundreds and causing damage primarily concentrated in Mississippi. According to weather experts, the supercell that produced the deadly twister in Mississippi also appeared to produce tornadoes causing damage in northwest and north-central Alabama and then Georgia.
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) is currently working with the affected conference and local agencies to assess the damage and determine the needs of the communities affected by tornadoes in Mississippi. Please pray for those communities, the victims, and their families, as well as the first responders working tirelessly to help those who have been affected.
As we wait for updates, please continue to pray and consider donating to UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery Advance.
God Continues to Do New Things in the Susquehanna Conference
In the first article we wrote as your new bishops, we proclaimed and firmly believed that God was about to do a new thing in that new day and time. Since then, God has been faithful in keeping God’s promise of doing many new things!
We have been witness to churches in the Susquehanna Conference that have moved in new ways in faithful service to Christ. While COVID was difficult and devastating, many of our churches were determined to begin new ministries and new online expressions to be in ministry with new groups of people. God is blessing these churches and their efforts.
Since the passage of ¶2553 in 2019, some congregations have had difficult conversations about disaffiliation. The overwhelming majority of our churches and clergy in the Susquehanna Annual Conference are remaining United Methodist. Some members of disaffiliating congregations have already switched their membership to churches that are remaining United Methodist, thus creating new relationships and opportunities for ministry. We are also using this season to look at ways to be in ministry with new people in new places.
As your bishops, in collaboration and partnership with the Cabinet and Conference Leadership, we are following God’s desire for new ways of doing our ministry of supervision. We are experiencing some natural transitions in our congregations and our conference, allowing all of us to dream of new ways of doing our ministry of supervision. Through these transitions, we believe that God is pointing us in some new ways of being an annual conference, districts, and local churches.
As we have prayed and discerned God’s will for doing a new ministry, we are excited to announce that we will begin a new model of supervision for pastors and for churches. With these natural transitions, God is providing a unique opportunity for God’s church to continue to new things – even in supervision.
Reverend Barry Robison is finishing his eight years on the Cabinet and tenure as Dean. He will retire at this Annual Conference. He will be the new Director of Relationships and Stewardship Development for the UM Foundation of PA.
Reverend Cathy Boileau also recently announced her retirement, effective July 1, 2023. Cathy has been a strong supporter of local churches, a tireless worker and a loving, caring superintendent of the York District. She has worked with many churches to help them move out into mission opportunities both in the district and throughout the world. Cathy will spend time in her retirement continuing to be a clergy member of the Susquehanna Conference and spending time with her beloved husband, Mike.
In addition to the transition of leadership openings in the Harrisburg and York Districts, we recognize transitions in church and communities as some churches disaffiliate, which will require a nimbleness in supervision.
Beginning July 1, there will be five Conference Superintendents to provide supervisory care and oversight. To accomplish this new form of supervision, we will be creating five supervisory areas. The supervisory areas will include the areas of the former seven districts. We are not recommending redistricting as part of this supervisory plan. We are simply reorganizing and creating supervisory areas.
The five Conference Superintendents will be: Paul Amara, Brenda Leigey, Judy Walker, Joleen Willis, and Gary Weaver. As already announced, Gary Weaver will also serve as the Dean of the new Cabinet.
The following are the Conference Superintendents and their coverage area:
- Paul Amara will cover churches within the Williamsport District as well as most churches within the Lewisburg District. The office for this coverage area will be the current office located at 2420 Nottingham Road, Williamsport.
- Brenda Leigey will cover churches within the State College District, as well as portions of the Lewisburg and Altoona Districts. The office will continue to be at 1200 Haymaker Road, State College.
- Judy Walker will cover churches within the Scranton/Wilkes Barre District and some churches within the Lewisburg District. The office will still be located in the Trucksville UM Church, 40 Knob Road, Trucksville.
- Joleen Willis will cover churches within the Altoona District and portions of the York District. They will begin to look for office space possibly within a local church in the Altoona Area.
- Gary Weaver will cover the churches within most of the Harrisburg District as well as portions of the York District. This coverage area will continue to utilize the former Harrisburg District Office in the Conference Center. Gary and Cindy will move to what is now the Harrisburg District Parsonage.
As we shift to a new model of supervision, we will also be shifting some district offices. The York office will work toward closure by July 1, 2023.
The Lewisburg Office will stay open only through the retirement of the current Administrative Assistant which will be December 2023. She will also provide support to other coverage areas as needed in this time of transition.
There are some important facts as we begin to move into this new model of supervision.
- These decisions are made with the full understanding that God is expecting God’s church to always be open to change for a new day and for new possibilities. These decisions are made out of a sense of newness and possibility.
- These coverage areas will allow the new number of churches/charges per superintendent to remain similar to the current numbers.
- The boundaries of the coverage areas have been made for the most part around county lines. This will make is easier to do things across former district lines.
- There will be new ways of supervision. One way is to utilize effective local pastors and elders as ministry partners to do some of the ongoing work of ministry in the coverage area.
- Every church and every pastor will have a superintendent with whom they will relate and have direct contact.
- Current district committees will work with the Conference Superintendent to determine what is the best way to accomplish their tasks.
- This current change in supervision will position the Susquehanna Conference well for whatever General and Jurisdictional Conference may decide about number of episcopal areas and number of bishops.
- This new way of doing supervision will also allow us to be nimbler and provide new ways of being in ministry.
We will keep you updated as things progress. In the coming weeks we will release a conference map showing the new supervision areas. Included with that map will be the number of churches and charges in that new area.
We welcome your questions. Feel free to send an email to our office or to your current Conference Superintendent. We will be working on an FAQ sheet to put on the Conference website.
In this season of transitions, we celebrate that God is providing transitions and openings for us to do ministry and supervision in a new way. Now is the time for bold action and ministry – following where God is leading.
In ministry with you,
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
Resident Bishops
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