 |
| Susquehanna LINK can also be viewed and downloaded from https://susumc.org/link/ |
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Remembering Our Heritage
Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
March – 100 years ago
On March 2, 1924, the Otterbein United Brethren Church in Harrisburg dedicated its new parsonage on 220 Harris Street. The first floor of the old parsonage adjoining the Reily Street sanctuary was converted into a room for the men’s Bible class, and the second and third floors were made into apartments. This was part of the congregation’s long-range relocation plan. In 1928 they erected a new facility at Third and Peffer Streets. Designed as a Sunday School unit, the building proved so adequate for worship, education and fellowship that the once envisioned sanctuary was never added. The congregation’s membership and attendance peaked at 1164 in 1959, and the church was closed in 2003. The Reily Street building is now the United House of Prayer for All People church, and the Peffer Street building is now the New Day International Kingdom Ministries church.
April – 50 years ago
On April 7, 1974, the youth of Uriah UMC in Cumberland County turned a bike hike into a money-raising project for the Conference’s benevolent homes. Accompanied by their advisors and pastor Rev. Mel Bole, the teens rode 15 miles from the church to Laurel Lake and back. The 2½ hour journey netted over $500. The top money raiser with $86.25 was Kathy Bream, while her 13-year-old cousin Sid Bream netted $45.50. Sid Bream went on the play major league baseball 1983-94 and is best known for his bottom of the 9th inning 1992 slide in game 7 of the NLCS that won the game for the Atlanta Braves and sent them to the World Series. Two of the girls, Lynn Weigle and Jessie Waggoner accomplished the ride on a bicycle-built-for-two. While everyone got a little saddle sore, the youth agreed that “it was a small sacrifice for the elderly folks in our Homes compared to the sacrifice that Jesus made.”
The Archives of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church are located at Lycoming College, Williamsport. For more information and to arrange a visit to the archives, visit https://umarch.lycoming.edu/, email loyer@lycoming.edu or call 717-766-0977.
Discovery Place Resource Center
Studies about Pentecost and the Early Church
1. Capernaum: Jesus Binds the Evil One
2. Decapolis: The Other Side -- Jesus and the Man from the Tombs
3. Crucifixion: The Coronation of a King
4. Ascension: The King Takes His Throne
5. Pentecost: God Changed His Address
5 Sessions:
1. Everything to Lose, Nothing to Gain-Caesarea Philippi
2. The Salt Of The Earth- Sardis
3. Where Satan Lives-Pergamum
4. The Mark Of The Beast-Ephesus
5. Hot Or Cold-Laodicea
You can find many more FREE spiritual growth resources by searching the Discovery Place catalog.
2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference
Mark Your Calendars for Annual Conference
Thursday, May 30 – Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Community Arts Center in Williamsport, Pa.
The theme for 2024 is: The Harvest is Plentiful.
Donations for 2024 AC Stage Decoration
Amounts of $15 or more may be given toward the purchase of decorations for the stage in honor of or in memory of person(s) and will be listed in the online Susquehanna Daily LINK.
Please complete the following Google form:
https://forms.gle/PHFpwVvQKup7z7Y39
and mail your payment to:
Susquehanna Conference UMC
Attn: Amy Wynn
303 Mulberry Dr
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050-3179
Please submit Google form and payment by March 31, 2024.
Questions, please contact Amy Wynn at 717-766-7441ext 3600 or by email at awynn@susumc.org.
Find out more at https://susumc.org/annual-conference/
The United Methodist Foundation of PA: Laity Leadership Academy
In 2019 the United Methodist Foundation of Pennsylvania launched a Laity Leadership Academy designed to empower laity to lead the churches of our region in the ever-changing landscape of congregational life. Participants read some of the greatest books currently available on the topic, experience seminars led by the finest leaders in our conference, engage with one another in dialogue, and build relationships that provide support for the journey.
Each one of the Academies is structured around two modules. The first module is one year long, experienced together in several weekend retreats held at Mount Asbury in Newville. During these retreats, topics relevant to congregational leadership in the current culture are covered.
The second module is custom designed for each participant, allowing her or him to explore an area of leadership individually for which she or he is especially well equipped. That determination is made after an assessment of the participant’s spiritual gifts and strengths. That module is open-ended; it can be accomplished at whatever pace makes sense to the individual participant.
In total, the entire experience provides 100 hours of training.
Through her participation in Module I, JoAnne became convinced of the need of the church to encourage laity to be more involved in caring ministries, especially in hospitals and nursing homes. During the Laity Leadership Academy, her spiritual gift assessments pointed out that God has called her to a life of faith with a positive approach to living. And she heard in the Academy that the church needs to live out our mission, vision, and core values more intentionally; and that the day is upon us when we need to rethink the ways in which we recruit, train, and deploy volunteers.
All these dynamics came together as JoAnne planned her project for Module II. It took two forms. First, she enrolled in a training program at a hospital in Harrisburg to become a chaplain’s assistant, a course that was supervised by the hospital’s full time, professional chaplain. She not only completed the training, but also attended several additional meetings and workshops offered by the chaplain’s department. By so doing, she far exceeded the number of hours required by the Laity Academy.
But she still was not done. JoAnne designed a four-hour course for church lay volunteers which introduces the process of hospital and nursing home visitation. The course provides a general overview of the visitation process, with special consideration for issues that emerge at the end of life. The course draws not only from JoAnne’s vast experience and insight, but also from resources used by professionals in the field.
JoAnne has been on quite a journey. Not only has she heard to call to serve and to empower others to serve, but she did so at a time when congregational life has been disrupted by cultural change, the pandemic, and the dynamics within our denomination. But she realized, amid all that change, that our call to serve the least among us needs to be paramount; that Jesus himself reminds us that our care of those on the margins reflects our faith in him. Many aspects of the Christian church have changed and will continue to change, but our call to care will not.
Through her participation in Module I, Betty Ann became convinced of the need for congregations to be more fully in touch with their unique vision, mission, and core values. So often, congregations seek to be like every other congregation, without being aware of the ways in which the Holy Spirit gives them, as a group, a very specific role to play in the Body of Christ. And so, Betty Ann developed a project that would help folks be more aware of the work of the Spirit, especially focused on the gifts that the Spirit gives.
But Betty Ann also learned clearly that leaders in the current season of congregational life need to be ready to adapt and adjust on a moment’s notice; that the same Holy Spirit who gives us spiritual gifts also calls us to new ventures as the needs of the church change over time. The Holy Spirit spoke to Betty Ann, and she listened. She became convinced that pastors in the church of today are dealing with profound stress. She became convinced that she needed to use one of her own spiritual gifts, the gift of encouragement, to find a way to encourage pastors who are serving in these difficult days.
Each one of the participants in the Laity Academy is asked to submit a report to the Dean of the Foundation School of Leadership summarizing their project. For her project, and her report, she wrote a devotional book designed to give courage to those who serve. It offers devotional thoughts for 52 weeks, an entire year of encouragement! And while Betty Ann intended to support the work of pastors, it could also be helpful to anyone who needs a word of encouragement to face the week ahead.
But the Holy Spirit was not quite done with Betty Ann. Through this journey, the cabinet of the Susquehanna Conference recognized that her gift of encouragement could be used in a broader context as a pastor. They approached her about that possibility and invited her to serve as the pastor of Lincoln Chapel United Methodist Church. Betty Ann recognized the voice of the Holy Spirit calling her to yet another new venture and accepted their invitation!
On December 31 at Mifflinburg UM C, Rev. Barry Robison, Director of Relationships and Stewardship Development at the Foundation presented Betty Ann with a Certificate of Completion on behalf of Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and the Board of Directors. Her pastor, the Rev. Bob Rice, also took part in the presentation.
The Laity Leadership Academy has been retooled to meet the needs of congregations who are experiencing hardship in this season. Now known as the Empowered Church Project, the program is designed to assist churches who struggle due to cultural shifting, the effects of the pandemic, and the dynamics within our denomination. Recruitment for the 2025 cohort will begin soon. If you would like to enroll your congregation, or if you simply want more information, please contact the Dean of the Foundation School of Leadership, Dr. Joseph Patterson at jpatterson@umfoundation.org.
To find out more about the funds management, education, and strengthening ministries provided by The United Methodist Foundation of Pennsylvania, visit umfoundation.org.
Spring Grants
The UM Foundation awards a limited number of grants to local churches and affiliated agencies of the Western Pennsylvania and Susquehanna Conferences of the United Methodist Church. These grants are intended for (but are not limited to) funding for ministries, programs, consultant and auditing services, stewardship resources, conference or meeting attendance or hosting costs, and emergency needs, among others.
Applications for funding may come from any church or ministry of or related to the Western PA or Susquehanna Conferences of the United Methodist Church and must be for a need consistent with the mission of the UM Foundation. Grants are made possible by funding from the Stewart Endowment and the Paul D. Taylor Ministry Opportunity Fund. Before completing an application, please carefully review both our Grant Guidelines and How to Apply to ensure that the ministry or need for which you are applying meets the requirements of the Foundation’s grant program. Applications must be received during the grant application window: February 23 - March 18. All applications for Foundation grants must be submitted electronically via email to grants@umfoundation.org using the Grant Application Form. Be sure to watch the on-demand webinar called “Ten Tips For A Successful Foundation Grant Application.”
“God Always Provides”: The Power of Donations
Maggie Kissinger, Director of Development and Communications, Mission Central
In my first two weeks as a Mission Central employee, I heard one sentiment repeated over and over from staff members and volunteers alike, “God always provides.”
I have listened to some amazing stories over these last few weeks: the story of the community member recently diagnosed with an illness who needed a specific piece of medical equipment that Mission Central did not have in their inventory, only to have one delivered later that same day; the story of the volunteer struggling to create auction baskets with a limited supply of items, only to receive a surprise shipment from a major shopping brand with items that were perfect for the auction; the story of a partner who was in need of suitcases to transport medical equipment for a mission trip overseas, and a thoughtful community member just happened to drop off 20 suitcases right before the trip; and the story of the truck driver who was en route to deliver a large shipment of UMCOR kits to a warehouse, receiving a call to re-route and deliver the kits directly to a community that was hit by disaster just as he was approaching the interstate split to head West or South. In each story you see the faithfulness of God’s people; those who are trusting that the Lord will provide what is needed, and those who are obeying the command to give freely of their resources. Yes, God indeed always provides, and He uses His people as His hands and feet.
Mission Central is able to provide abundantly to our community, our partners, and to people around the world, because of the individuals, businesses, churches, and groups that provide their time and resources to us. While we know at Mission Central these resources are an answered prayer, we recognize that the people who donate their items to us are often unaware of these stories and the end result of their actions. I am here to tell you that one small act of donating can be the catalyst to the next “God always provides” story. We want to continue sharing these stories of provision with you, so we ask for your partnership in being the first step in our donation process and the first step in the next “God always provides” story.
In the year 2024, we are seeking church partners who are willing to set up a donation box that will follow a monthly donation collection calendar. Mission Central will provide a calendar and bulletin with the list of items we are seeking for that month, and we will coordinate a pick up or drop off of those items at the end of each month. While we continue to accept all of the items on the list throughout the year, we are requesting specific items each month for two reasons:
- Our volunteers will have a consistent supply of the items they need to create kits throughout the year.
- Our community members and partners will have more access to highly-requested items throughout the year.
Mission Central wants to have another year filled with “God always provides” stories, and we hope that the next story will start with you.
If you are interested in partnering with us in this monthly donation drive, please contact Anna Harris, Volunteer Coordinator, at aharris@missioncentral.org for more information. You can also give us a call at 717-766-1533. We are so grateful for your continued support.
Looking Ahead
We also want to share an exciting in-person event we will be hosting on May 4, 2024: Grow With Us - Plant and Vendor Fair. Mission Central will be hosting an outdoor plant and vendor fair in our parking lot, and we will be opening our doors to offer warehouse tours to the community. With Mother’s Day and gardening season approaching, we look forward to welcoming community members and Mission Central supporters to shop local and learn about the sustainability practices within our warehouse that make Mission Central unique. For more information on this event, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter, here: MissionLink.
Embody Compassion, Serve as God’s Light, and Be Love in Action
Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
In John 3, we learn that Nicodemus came to see Jesus during the night because he was afraid or ashamed to be seen with Him. Nicodemus questioned Jesus and the two had a candid discussion about spiritual matters. Jesus welcomed Nicodemus in the darkness and provided him with the understanding he needed to develop his own faith. As part of that conversation, Jesus tells Nicodemus that “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
According to Pastor Rick Warren, a life without meaning “has no significance or hope.” Without hope, our lives would be empty. It can be difficult to find hope after a disaster. Those affected by disasters are left with feelings of pain, despair, and loneliness. At a time when it may feel like they have lost so much, survivors need to know there is hope. That’s where UMCOR comes in.
UMCOR and its volunteers embody compassion and serve as God’s light for people who feel caught in the storms of life. UMCOR comes alongside those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters to help relieve suffering. They provide a loving, caring, Christian presence during those dark times of need. They share the light of their faith so that others can see and eventually enter the kingdom of God.
Forrest White, director of missions for the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland, Florida, said it best after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole devastated his state. “Scripture tells us that we are called to nothing less than to show our Christian love in action. If we show up for people affected by disaster…we are tangible reminders of God’s love and God’s presence.”
On Sunday, March 10, we will celebrate UMCOR Sunday. Please consider giving generously so that UMCOR can focus on providing compassion, healing, and hope to communities and individuals going through crises and disasters. To give online, visit UMC.org/SSGive. To give by check, mail your checks to: GCFA, P.O. Box 340029, Nashville, TN 37203. Please include “UMCOR Sunday” in the note section.
When you support UMCOR, you become part of something much larger than yourself, help that light shine even brighter in the dark shadows of disaster, bring hope to those in need, and allow the church to be a living example of God’s love in action.
Disaster Response Coordinator
Email: drc@susumc.org
Phone: 717-766-7441, ext. 3402
Website: www.susmb.org/drm
Facebook: @SUSDisasterResponse
Twitter: @UMCDisasterResp
Disaster Response Ministry Blog: susdisasterresponse.blogspot.com/
New Strategic Directions for the Future of Camp & Retreat Ministry
.JPG)
Dear friends and supporters of Susquehanna Conference Camp & Retreat Ministry,
The Susquehanna Conference Camp & Retreat Ministry Board has been working diligently for the past two years studying, assessing, prayerfully discerning, and developing strategic direction. The goal of this in-depth process is to provide the best way forward for the future of the overall ministry, its growth, and its missional impact among a widening circle of people in our congregations and communities. Central to it all has been a deep cherishing and valuing of the importance of camp and retreat experiences and the unique benefits and life transforming opportunities they provide.
As many of you know, the past several years have been very challenging and the landscape in which we all do ministry has changed significantly. It is a great responsibility to steward this ministry forward so that it can be responsive and thrive within the changing dynamics, and re-orient to address the emerging needs of our congregations and communities. The Board of Camp and Retreat Ministries will be bringing key recommendations to Annual Conference this year that include strategic realignment to enhance the programs, leadership preparation, outreach, and facilities.
This recommendation also involves reducing the number of facilities we manage, and reinvesting resources and re-aligning staff focus to enhance the fruitfulness and impact of the overall ministry. The plan is to transition programs to Wesley Forest, Camp Penn, and Sky Lake (our Upper New York partner to serve northern tier churches closer to this center.) The recommendation is to sell Mount Asbury and Greene Hills and reinvest the resources for improvements and growth of the overall ministry.
We encourage all of you to attend one of the upcoming regional gatherings to learn more about the background, details, and important reasons for these recommendations. This will also be an opportunity to ask questions and be in conversation together.
Important: These recommended changes do not affect 2024. Camps and Retreats will proceed as normal this current year. Implementation of changes will begin in 2025.
Two gatherings have already taken place. Remaining gatherings are as follows:
Harrisburg Supervisory Area –
Sunday, March 3, 3 – 4:30 pm
Fishing Creek Salem UMC, 402 Valley Rd, Etters, PA 17319.
Scranton Wilkes-Barre Supervisory Area –
Sunday, March 10, 3 – 4:30 pm
Trucksville UMC, 40 Knob Hill Road, Trucksville, PA 18708.
(in the Education Building.)
State College Supervisory Area –
Saturday, March 16, 10 – 11:30 am
Park Forest Village UMC, 1833 Park Forest Ave, State College, PA 16803.
One Matters Award: St. Paul’s UMC, Berwick
(L-r) Pastor Bill Klebe and Lay Member Katrina Gilbert receive the One Matters Award for St. Paul’s UMC, Berwick, from Superintendent Rev. Dr. Gary Weaver at the 2023 Susquehanna Annual Conference.
Rev. Dr. Gary Weaver, Superintendent
As it often is...this is a relational story. A story where one makes a difference.
In the past 20 years St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Berwick (an extended ministry of First UMC, Berwick) has received only three new members through Profession of Faith and no adult baptisms have been recorded in their history for the memorable past.
Imagine a local church, like many of yours, that has an annual yard sale and bazaar. People come in and out buying your junk—their soon to be treasures—a simple cash-business transaction. Yet over time there just might be a relationship formed. That happened at St. Paul’s. A woman, whose only interaction with church was the yard sale, was inspired to attend a worship service and the relationship grew.
She began attending the church just before COVID hit because she felt she needed something more in her life; that something was missing. She came to St. Paul’s UMC in Berwick because it was the only church that she knew.
God opened her heart and she realized there was more to following God than just hearing a sermon, and helping out with church activities. She met with the pastor to talk about it and learned about the meaning of baptism and church membership.
Pastor Bill Klebe and the woman agreed that she should go home and pray about it for a few months to make sure she was ready to make a commitment. In February, 2022, she decided that God was calling her to be baptized and become a member of St. Paul’s.
During the service on March 6, 2022, something rare happened at St. Paul’s: an adult, initially attracted by a yard sale, became a seeker and chose to be baptized and become a member through profession of faith.
The woman has since connected to the four-church food distribution, she has embraced neighbor and community, and as a follower of Jesus Christ she is making a difference. Her mother and a friend of her mother have begun to attend. She brings two of her grandchildren on a regular basis and her mother’s friend has a teenage granddaughter joining her many Sundays as well.
One relationship, one person, makes a difference. I am excited to award the 2023 Lewisburg District One Matters Award to St. Paul’s UMC in Berwick.
Your Church Mission Team is a Volunteers in Mission Team
Attention Churches!
Did you know that your church mission or outreach team is a Volunteers in Mission team?
Any of our local church mission teams that are sent out in our neighborhoods, our state, our country, and all over the world are considered Volunteers in Mission (VIM).
An exciting benefit of our connection between our local church teams and the Susquehanna Conference VIM is that Susquehanna Conference VIM provides supplemental accident insurance FREE of charge to our teams serving domestically. We contract with AIG through the Northeast Jurisdiction United Methodist VIM to offer you a medical and accident insurance policy with $50,000 coverage for Domestic teams.
In order to receive this insurance for your domestic journey you simply submit a Team Roster. Simply complete the form and hit the submit button. Your form will be processed, and you will receive notification of your insurance from Susquehanna Conference VIM. Please be sure to submit the roster two weeks prior to your mission unless prior arrangements have been made.
For international journeys, we ask that teams register with the Team Roster and purchase low-cost supplemental insurance from UMVIM-NEJ.
For more information on the domestic AND international insurance go to https://www.umvim.org/nej-insurance.
Another benefit of the Susquehanna Conference Volunteers in Mission is that we love to celebrate you and your mission partnerships. Articles of VIM teams can be found here in the LINK, on the VIM website, and our Volunteers in Mission Facebook page.
The Volunteers in Mission Conference Coordinator, Michelle Schwartzman, provides VIM training. VIM Training prepares us to have a positive impact in mission whether it is a few hours, days, or weeks, local, national, or global. It is open to those who have led teams and those who have never been on a mission trip. Taking this training does not require you to lead a trip but equips you for service. Topics covered include Best Practices, Cultural Awareness, Health & Safety, Team Orientation, Useful Forms, Insurance, and Fundraising.
For questions about resources for our Susquehanna Conference Teams, please contact Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator: vim@susumc.org. Also, contact Michelle to set up a VIM training that’s convenient for you.
Michelle Schwartzman
VIM Coordinator
vim@susumc.org
Web: www.susmb.org/vim/
Facebook
God is Doing a New Thing Through Staff Transitions
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball have appointed Rev. Dr. Paul Amara to the Trucksville United Methodist Church in the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Supervisory Area, effective July 1, 2024. Paul has many gifts for ministry. The cabinet and the Williamsport Supervisory area have been blessed by those gifts for four years. The bishops believe that Paul’s gifts are particularly needed during this new season to help the community of Trucksville UMC take its next faithful steps in ministry. Paul will be replacing Rev. Jay Jones who will retire after having faithfully served Trucksville for the past 6 years.
Paul has a heart and love for the local church. In addition, he is passionate about bringing people of all ages into the church. He is able to connect with a large population of individuals, especially those who are not currently relating to any local church or faith community. His commitment to an inclusive church, we believe, will help expand the mission and ministry of Trucksville UMC. In addition, he will be able to make important connections and develop relationships with those who are not yet in the church, especially those in the surrounding community. Paul is a charismatic preacher, talented teacher, and he has a heart for mission. These are all gifts that the Trucksville UMC leadership identified as critical gifts for their next pastor.
We give thanks for Paul’s commitment to the United Methodist Church, for his service to the Susquehanna Conference as a Superintendent, and to his passion for ministry. He will be greatly missed around the cabinet table. And we know that the people of the Trucksville community will be just as blessed as the cabinet has been through his ministry. We invite you to be in prayer with us as Paul begins his transition and enters this new chapter in ministry.
-------------
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball have appointed Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis to First United Methodist Church, Hollidaysburg effective July 1, 2024. First Hollidaysburg is in the Altoona Supervisory Area.
Joleen has many gifts for ministry. Her gifts have been so appreciated both by the Cabinet and also by the Altoona Supervisory Area. The Bishops believe that the gifts for ministry that Joleen has will be a blessing and a gift to First Church, Hollidaysburg.
Joleen has a heart and a passion for ministry. Her passion has been shown throughout the Altoona Supervisory Area. Her care and commitment to the churches and the people of her supervisory area will be of great benefit and importance to First Church Hollidaysburg as they look forward to God’s preferred future. Rev. Dr. Wesley Jacob, current pastor at First Church will return to ministry in the Wisconsin Annual Conference. Pastor Elizabeth Jacob, spouse of Dr. Jacob will also return to Wisconsin Annual Conference.
Joleen’s passion for ministry in the local church and throughout the community has been exhibited not only in her ministry with the Altoona Supervisory Area, but also in the churches she has served. Joleen’s enthusiasm as well as her commitment to evangelism and reaching the least, the lost, and the lonely have been clearly exhibited in her former local church appointments both at Manor Hill and also at West Side UMC, Clearfield.
Joleen’s passion for music is integral to her faith. Her gift of singing, playing piano, and in the past directing the Chi Rho Singers is one tangible example of how she uses God’s gifts for ministry.
We give thanks for Joleen’s commitment to the United Methodist Church and her commitment to being part of the Appointive Cabinet. Her enthusiasm, her commitment to our denomination and her understanding of ministry in the Altoona Supervisory Area will be missed around the Cabinet table. However, we know that First Church, Hollidaysburg and the people surrounding First Church will be blessed and energized by Joleen’s ministry among them. We know that you join us in prayer for Joleen as she begins this transition and her new ministry in Hollidaysburg.
-------------
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball have appointed two new Conference Superintendents effective July 1, 2024. The two new Superintendents bring a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to effective ministry in the United Methodist Church with clergy, laity, and local churches.
Lillian served as the Director, Connectional Ministries and Executive Director of Congregation Transformation with the Eastern PA Conference. While on staff, part of her portfolio was working with “High Potential Churches”, “Large Church Initiative” and “Next Level Ministries.”
Lillian has served as Associate General Secretary, Division on Ministries with Young People with the General Board of Discipleship. She also held the position of Director, Ministries with Women and Persons of Color with the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry.
Lillian is the author of “Words to Live By: Wisdom Keys that Can Change Your Life.” She recently contributed a chapter to the book, “I’m Black, I’m Christian, I’m Methodist.” Her most recent book is “Rooted Again: Re-Establishing Forgotten or Abandoned connections with God and God’s Kingdom Mandate.”
She received her Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary and her Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. Lillian will be on loan to the Susquehanna Conference from the Baltimore-Washington Conference.
Daniel has been and continues to be very active in the life of the Susquehanna Conference. Daniel has served on the Bishops’ Committee on Unity and Interreligious Concerns.
Daniel has spent three years as a church camp counselor and an additional four years as Dean. For the past four years, he has been serving on the Camping & Retreat Ministries Board.
Daniel is currently serving on the Equipping Vital Congregations/Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders Committee. He has been serving on this team since 2018.
Daniel is also the Chair of the Lewisburg District Committee on Ministry. With the realignment of Supervisory areas, this DCOM encompasses former Lewisburg District churches now in the State College, Williamsport, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Supervisory Areas.
Daniel is the co-chair of the Annual Conference Worship Team along with Mindy Gochnaur. Daniel is a graduate of Valley Forge Christian College and earned his Master of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary.
While their appointments will officially begin July 1, 2024, as they are able, they will begin meeting with the Appointive and Coordinating Cabinet.
We know that you will be praying for these new Conference Superintendents as they prepare for their new ministry opportunity. We invite you to welcome them and their leadership when they officially begin serving among the people and churches of the Susquehanna Annual Conference.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Susquehanna LINK: January 2024
The January 2024 issue of Susquehanna LINK can also be viewed and downloaded at https://susumc.org/link/
Remembering Our Heritage
Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
January – 100 years ago
United Brethren pastor Rev. Zephaniah Colestock died January 19, 1924, just 2 months shy of his 100th birthday. Born in Littlestown PA in 1824, he served the Church for 66 years (including 4 terms as district superintendent) before retiring in 1912. He is most remembered for giving his house in Mechanicsburg to the Pennsylvania Conference in 1893 to become the Colestock Old People’s Home – the first such benevolent institution in the entire United Brethren denomination. Now a private residence, that Marble Street building, immediately east of the town cemetery, is an official historic site of the Conference and the United Methodist Church. It was used until 1915 when the guests (including Colestock himself) were transferred to the newly acquired facilities at Quincy. Colestock is remembered today as the namesake of the Colestock Health Center at Quincy Village and by a stained glass window in the sanctuary at First UMC in Mechanicsburg. His grave in the Mechanicsburg cemetery is marked by a tall obelisk within sight of his former home.
February – 50 years ago
The February 1974 edition of THE LINK announced a new technological breakthrough for the Central Pennsylvania Conference: “Due to the installation of a telephone-answering machine, you are able to call the Conference Program Office at any time and get your message through. Regular office hours Monday through Friday are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you desire to call at any other time, no matter what the hour of the night – or weekend – please do so. Leave any message you wish and your request will be heard and answered at the beginning of the next working day. Please do not hesitate to use this newly added convenience. It is with you in mind that this service has been created and made possible.”
That same issue encouraged participation in the Harrisburg Audio-Visual Institute featuring such state-of-the-art sessions as “How to use projected audio-visuals with Youth.”
Mission Central
Throughout 2023, Mission Central sought to serve all those in need. Thank you for your assistance in helping us connect God’s resources with human need. We look forward to continuing to do the same in 2024. We often encounter confusion about the difference between Mission Central and UMCOR. In order to make thing clearer, we wanted to provide answers to some of the most frequent questions we receive.
Mission Central & UMCOR Questions Answered
Is Mission Central UMCOR?
No, Mission Central is its own 501c3 organization. We are not run by the United Methodist Church or UMCOR. We were started by and have a close relationship with the United Methodist Church, but we are ecumenical in nature, working with all those, no matter who they are.
How is Mission Central Funded?
Mission Central is funded almost entirely by contributions from individuals, churches and corporate sponsorships. We receive some private grants as well. We do not receive money from the government or from the United Methodist Church. When you give to UMCOR, you are not giving to Mission Central because we are separately funded organizations.
Mission Central is an UMCOR Affiliate Warehouse. What does that mean?
Mission Central has committed to being a part of the UMCOR Relief Supply Network. There are eight warehouses in the relief supply network. UMCOR Sager Brown is the only warehouse owned, funded, and operated by UMCOR. We pledge to build, verify, collect, warehouse and ship UMCOR kits at our own expense. The network works together in times of disaster to resource kits. Mission Central is ready to send supplies where there is a need. Again, this is at our expense.
We are stronger together - if one of us is down, the others are there to help with supplies, but no money is exchanged. For example, during COVID, UMCOR Sager Brown closed in March 2020 and didn’t reopen until June 2023. During that time, they sent some of the supplies they had on hand to our location since we remained open and continued to operate to keep up with the increased demand around the world and domestically. When supplies were completed, we would send them where inventory was needed.
What are UMCOR kits?
In 2018, UMCOR decreased to three kit types: Cleaning Kit (Flood Bucket), Hygiene Kit, and School Kit. At the end of 2023, they discontinued with the School Kit due to a lack of requests during a disaster. They instituted a disposable Feminine Hygiene Kit instead.
All other kits we talk about are Mission Central kits that we distribute both nationally and internationally. These are completely separate from UMCOR.
Who decides what an UMCOR kit is?
UMCOR decides what is in their kits and often works in collaboration with Church World Services. The items in these kits do not change and are not under our discretion.
When do UMCOR kits get sent?
When a request is put into UMCOR, the kits are sent. UMCOR kits are sent only within the U.S. and mostly in response to disasters.
Should I give money to Mission Central or UMCOR in a disaster?
During international disasters, UMCOR sends relief in the form of monetary grants. UMCOR no longer ships supplies internationally because shipping can be expensive and not as immediate. Because of the way UMCOR is set up, this is the best way for them to steward your donation.
Mission Central, alternately, ships supplies both in the U.S. and internationally because we do not pay for international shipping. We work with partners to receive information on the requested items needed for a disaster. Many times, these are items they are unable to find near the disaster site. Mission Central lets you know what the needed items are, and you can purchase them or send monetary donations to us to facilitate this process.
Every dollar donated to a disaster through Mission Central will be spent towards that disaster. We want to steward your resources well and make sure you are given the proper information to give where is most appropriate for you so that we can all work together to send hope and empowerment in times of crisis around the world and around the corner.
Thank you for your generous support!
Find out more and give at www.missioncentral.org.
Board of Child Care Offering FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Trainings
Board of Child Care in Mechanicsburg, PA (formerly United Methodist Home for Children) understands the vital role that churches and church groups play in nurturing the well-being of our young community members. It is with great pleasure that we announce the availability of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training at no cost to our church and community partners, thanks to a generous grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
What is Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)?
YMHFA is an 8-hour training program designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders in youth aged 12 to 18. Our aim is to empower you to reach out and provide initial help and support to young individuals who may be navigating mental health challenges or experiencing a crisis.
Why is this Training Crucial for Church Communities?
Churches and church groups often serve as pillars of support for youth in our community. The YMHFA training introduces common mental health challenges faced by youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and provides a 5-step action plan for both crisis and non-crisis situations. Armed with this knowledge, you can play an even more impactful role in the lives of the young people you encounter.
The Board of Child Care (BCC) Advantage:
As a proud YMHFA training site, we are committed to creating a comfortable and respectful learning environment. Our courses, led by certified instructors, maintain an intimate class size of 30 people or less, ensuring a personalized experience for all participants.
What Will You Learn?
Topics covered in the training include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders with potential psychosis, disruptive behavior disorders (including ADHD), and eating disorders. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to empower you with the insights needed to make a positive difference in the lives of the youth you encounter. After completion of the training course, participations will receive a 3-year certificate from the National Council of Wellbeing.
How to Register:
In-person training is available to any organization or location within a 1-hour drive from our Baltimore (MD), Martinsburg (WV), or Mechanicsburg (PA) campus locations. Alternatively, we are happy to host your training at any of these three locations. Please visit the Contact Us page to see our specific location addresses. To get started, please visit the Youth Mental Health First Aid Training page of our website, or complete the YMHFA Community Partner Training Application.
Thank you for your dedication to the well-being of our community’s youth. Together, let’s create a network of support that ensures every young person feels heard, understood, and valued.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Coordinator
dphillips@boardofchildcare.org
(443) 615-3151
Discovery Place: Lenten Bible Study Resources
Filmed on location in The Middle East, Faith Lessons is a unique video series that brings God’s Word to life with astounding relevance. By weaving together the Bible’s fascinating historical, cultural, religious, and geographical contexts, teacher and historian Ray Vander Laan reveals keen insights into the Scriptures’ significance for modern believers. These illuminating “faith lessons” afford a new understanding of the Bible that will ground your convictions and transform your life.
Faith Lessons: The Path To The Cross by Ray Vander Laan. Five sessions include:
1. The Way of the Essenes
2. The Way of John the Baptist3. Into the Desert to be Tested4. The Last Passover5. The Fifth Cup–Our Way of Hope
Faith Lessons: The Death & Resurrection Of The Messiah by Ray Vander Laan. Nine sessions include:
1. When Storms come2. Piercing the Darkness3. Gates of Hell4. City of the Great King (Parts 1 and 2)5. The Lamb of God6. The Weight of the World7. Roll Away the Stone8. Power to the People9. Total Commitment
Who Needs Christmas/Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley. In Why Easter Matters Andy looks at the lives of several key people in the story of Jesus’ crucifixion. The circumstances they faced are different than ours, but their actions and mistakes are, unfortunately, not different at all.Four sessions:
1. The High Cost of Following Christ
2. The Risk of Surrendering to God
3. The God Who Can Be Trusted
4. The Foundation of Our Faith
Because of Bethlehem/He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado. In He Chose the Nails, a five-session DVD Bible study, Max examines the gifts that Christ gave at his crucifixion. These include not only the gift of the cross, but also the gift of the thorns, the nails, and the empty tomb. The cross is rich with God’s gifts of grace, and as we unwrap them, we will hear him whisper, “I did it just for you.” The session titles are:
1. He Chose to Be One of Us
2. He Chose to Forgive Us
3. He Chose to Invite Us into His Presence
4. He Chose to Love Us Forever
5. He Chose to Give Us Victory
You can find many more Lenten study resources by searching the Discovery Place catalog using the keyword “Lent.”
Discovery Place Resource Center
303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
717-766-7441
email: discovery@susumc.org
web: www.discovery-place.org
717-766-7441
email: discovery@susumc.org
web: www.discovery-place.org
Planning for Disaster Response Victories
Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
In most sports, the coach prepares the team for a game by developing a plan. This blueprint outlines the strategies and tactics to which players will adhere and execute during competition. Using a plan clearly defines roles and responsibilities, establishes goals, and guides the team toward success. When disaster strikes, it is equally important to have a plan and allow God to bless it for success.
This was particularly evident when major flooding swept through the Clarks Summit area (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District) on September 9, 2023, catching many people off guard. As a result, nearly 300 individuals and/or families in and around this community just outside Scranton found themselves wondering how to address their wet basements and damaged property. And, when the call for help went out, the response to meeting this need mirrored the work of a well-practiced team entering competition.
In the hours immediately following the flood, Rev. Mike Bealla and the congregation at Elm Park UMC opened its doors. It’s not the first time they’ve come to the rescue of their neighbors in need. They worked with the American Red Cross to open a temporary shelter at the church. And, because of this witness in the community, those who were displaced by the flooding were able to find refuge and experience the love of Jesus in action.
As the weeks passed, PA VOAD partners planned for and started responding to the needs of the Clarks Summit community, specifically providing basement cleaning/muck out and debris removal. Requests for Conference teams were made. Pennsy Waltman and a team from Mt. Calvary UMC (Harrisburg District) answered the call. And plans were made for the team to spend a week in Clarks Summit. Countryside Community Church offered to host the team, providing lodging and a kitchen. Ministry partners from the Baptist Resource Network provided a shower trailer. Tom Meyer, South Gibson UMC, offered to do some property assessments in advance of the team’s arrival so they could be prepared to start work on their first day.
Mt. Calvary team was joined by volunteers from Countryside Community Church that week. Five homeowners were blessed. This joint team cleaned/sealed basements, removed debris, accomplished landscaping, removed/repaired drywall, and replaced flooring.
God’s promise is clear. As we plan for and pray about doing what He has called us to do, He will guide us toward success. In Psalm 20 and 21, we are told He will give us those things we desire in our heart and grant us success. And, when that success comes, we can be thankful and rejoice in the victory.
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/
Phone: 717-766-7441, ext. 3402
Website: www.susmb.org
Facebook: @SUSDisasterResponse
Twitter: @UMCDisasterResp
Disaster Response Ministry Blog: susdisasterresponse.blogspot.com/
One Matters Award: Forty Fort UMC
Every year, Discipleship Ministries partners with annual conferences by offering the One Matters Award (OMA) to one eligible congregation at each annual conference. At the 2023 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the One Matters Award was given to one church in each of our districts.
This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, the individual may experience the personal transformation to potentially engage in the church’s mission for the transformation of the world. While most Discipleship Ministries programs focus on existing members, OMA focuses on new members. After all, ONE Matters.
The following congregations received the One Matters Award in 2023:
Altoona District
Cove Forge UMC, Williamsburg
Harrisburg District
Wesley UMC, Marysville
Lewisburg District
St. Pauls UMC, Berwick
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District
Forty Fort UMC
State College District
Trinity UMC, Bellefonte
Williamsport District
State Road UMC, Cogan Station
York District
Barts-Centenary UMC, Littlestown
 |
| Rev. Judy Walker (right), Superintendent of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area, presented the 2023 One Matters Award to Forty Fort UMC. Receiving the award were Lay Member Bill Davis (left) and Pastor Richard Bradshaw (center). |
Rev. Judy Walker, Superintendent of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Area
During the 2021 appointment season, Forty Fort United Methodist Church in the Scranton Wilkes-Barre District was appointed a new pastor, Pastor Richard Bradshaw, right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Once a busy church, Forty Fort UMC over the decades had experienced significant decline. During the spring and summer of 2021, the attendance was in the 60s weekly, with zero children. Many ministries and events had ceased, a scary new COVID surge had arrived, and the morale in regard to the future was tempered at best. Forty Fort UMC needed new life — something to give some hope, energy, and a new beginning.
They also realized they needed to begin to work together — pastor, leadership and the congregation — to have a greater impact and to create a vision that would bring unity of purpose. They established a task force with the purpose of sharing ideas and seeking what moves the hearts of this congregation. The task force was supplied with information from the mission insight report, and prayerfully came to the decision that their vision would be to become “A community that reaches the community.”
This simple vision, driven by a heart for their neighbors, has become fruitful. Forty Fort has seen measurable growth in numbers and excitement as they continue to follow Christ in word and deed. This goes beyond Sunday service and beyond their doors. Over the past year, they have had a number of outreaches, both individually and corporately, that continue to focus on their vision and have ongoing impact.
Every opportunity for outreach meets a goal of showing love to their neighbors and intentional sharing of God’s Word with all those they meet. The ministerium and cluster are beginning to shake off the dust of “the same things we’ve always done” with dwindling numbers, and are working together, in connection, on future projects that share the gospel in new and meaningful ways.
Their vision this year is to have 100% of their membership involved in the mission and ministry of the church. They are also beginning the process of evaluating committees and looking to a future where everyone can be involved. Members who have held the positions for years will share their experience and knowledge with new members and build foundational strength. All of this enriches the church as they continue to reach the not-yet-churched and those lost in the margins.
Forty-Fort UMC is pleased to share that they are growing in faith and are part of the greater connectional mission to lead others into a beautiful relationship with Jesus Christ, resulting in “transformation in our world.”
In 2022, their weekly attendance averaged over 90 attendees (up from 60 in 2021) and went from zero professions of faith over at least the past 5 years to 20 professions of faith in 2022. They are excited that there is new life and a purpose in their congregation and a greater realization that everyone is loved, and every one matters.
VIM: Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus
By Darlene Thomas
Shiremanstown United Methodist Church (SUMC) just celebrated seven years of their HANDS & FEET ministry. Over these seven years, we have completed over 300 projects and served over 100 households in the surrounding area.
Hands and Feet volunteers are comprised of not just members of SUMC but include youth and adults from several area churches. They meet monthly on a designated Saturday and form teams comprised of adults and youth to serve the community. The workday starts with a hot breakfast for the volunteers, followed by a worship service to help us focus on why God has called us into missions.
The projects are identified through various referral sources and each site is assessed for viability prior to the workday by our Sites Manager. Materials, tools and supplies are organized ahead of time, so each team is ready for work at the beginning of the day. Each team has a lead who is experienced in the Hands & Feet procedures. Various leadership team members visit the sites throughout the day to ensure the teams have what they need and do any trouble shooting needed. We undertake projects such as: painting, yard work, repair, clean up/organization, small construction, etc.
We feel the work is important; however, we know God calls to each of these homes for a purpose that sometimes isn’t visible to the human eye. We trust God has us there for a reason! Building relationships with the people we serve is part of what God calls us to do. We invite them to share lunch with us and have a devotional during that time. This is a wonderful time of fellowship for the team and the neighbor they serve.
If your church is within the local community of SUMC, we invite you to join us on an upcoming Saturday. Adults and youth are welcome!
If you know of someone who could use our help, and they are within approx. 20-30 minutes drive of SUMC, please contact us. We would love to show God’s love to these neighbors.
If your church is outside of our designated radius and you are interested in starting up a similar ministry, we would be happy to share our processes to help you build a similar ministry in your area.
We look forward to being in service with your church in whatever capacity God has planned! There is plenty of need in this hurting world. Won’t you partner with us to serve others and share God’s love??
For more information, contact: Darlene Thomas, Director Hands & Feet at gabrielt0303@gmail.com or call Shiremanstown UMC at 717-737-6621.
This ministry is a certified Volunteers in Mission (VIM) ministry recognized by the Susquehanna Conference. Leadership positions of the ministry participated in VIM training several years ago and we report our monthly workday information to the conference for record keeping.
VIM Immigration Immersion Journey
Painting of a Humane Borders water station by Janet Gyekis, VIM Immigration Immersion Journey participant.
Michelle Schwartzman, SUSUMC VIM Coordinator
The impact of a mission journey is diverse. Impact can be providing a ramp for a new wheelchair user. It can be listening to someone who lost their home in a flood. It can be the feeling we get when we are able to help someone. It can be learning about immigration. It can be providing dental work. It is experiential.
Missio Dei, “the mission of God”, is at the center of our theology. We are called to be a community, called to be one. It’s not a stagnant, one-time event but it is moving. We continue to relate, continue to learn, and continue to live the message with the community. This community and this desire to give and love one another is where work camps and mission trips often start. It’s where UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) was born.
In UMVIM we now say “Mission Journey” instead of “Mission Trip” because it’s not just about the week-long trip or project, it’s part of the Missio Dei, it’s moving and a continual part of our life, not a one-time event.
Western culture is goal-oriented, stereotypically. That makes it hard for us as individuals, for our churches, for our society to not have a specific task or project to complete. When I began promoting the VIM Immigration Immersion Journey I was asked repeatedly, but “what will you DO while you’re there?” The participants of the journey even expressed that churches asked the same or the participants themselves were asking the same. The answer was that this was an educational journey. We would travel to Arizona and Mexico and meet with different organizations to learn about their experience and work with immigration. We would learn to be advocates for immigrants and put that into practice when we got back.
Six other women joined me for the Journey in September. Since we’ve been back, they each have continued this journey; speaking at their churches, to local civic organizations, to boards and writing articles. They’ve raised funds and signed petitions. I hope that you’ve read our Director of Communications’ article in the November 2023 LINK issue. It gives an account of the different organizations we visited and the dire need for more advocates. Please take a few minutes to read it if you haven’t.
Consequently, the “DOing”, the task that is in question, comes after the actual trip to Arizona/Mexico and lasts a lifetime. Our “DOing” is what Jesus calls us to do. When Jesus talks about the Good Samaritan, at the end, he says that the neighbor was the one who showed mercy and that we should go and do the same.
The Mexico/USA border wall in Arizona and a child’s sweatshirt by the border wall.
What story does this garment hold?
What story does this garment hold?
Dotsy Baiza, VIM Journey participant writes in her church newsletter, “We also assisted 60 women with small children, who had been picked up and immediately sent back over the border. A shelter, La Casa de la Esperanza in Sasabe, Mexico is run by volunteers who give the immigrants food, water, and a shower before they must return to Mexico. This was so heart-wrenching, after all they had been through. The Inn of Southern Arizona, a shelter run by a UMC offers beds, food, water, and clothing. The Inn helps immigrants connect with their sponsor, provides transport to the airport, bus, etc. I met a young mother with a 2-year-old son. For 30 days, she walked to the Mexican border from Guatemala. With a small child. How intolerable her life must have been to even consider the journey.”
Michelle Schwartzman
VIM Coordinator
This is a complex issue but we must not lose sight of what is at the core: humanity. When we talk about “Issues”, we often label to the point of dehumanizing people. That cannot be what Jesus is asking us to do. Studying the Good Samaritan, we learn that the others that pass him by are following policy or practices that they are holding above the suffering of a human. In our journey, we can listen to the experiences of immigrants and to the experiences of those working with them. We can tell the story, and fight for mercy to be shown. To learn more about the organizations we met with you can see them in the November LINK or contact me.
What we experienced (saw, smelled, tasted, felt, learned) in Arizona and Mexico was heavy. It was a lot to take in; one, just because we visited so many different organizations and two, for the gravity of it all. Returning home, it took some time to process it all. When we have experiences like this with Mission Journeys, it’s important to take time for this. It might be playing with your children, going on a hike, reading a fun book, laughing with friends, getting sucked into a TV series, or cuddling with your pets or all the above. The seven of us that went on this journey are spread throughout Pennsylvania and we talked about this through email after we got back. We also will meet on Zoom to catch up in February. We will talk about how our journey reflects us doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God (paraphrased Micah 6:8).
I’m looking to lead this journey again for our Conference in the future. If you’re interested, please reach out. Once plans are in place I will advertise.
Michelle Schwartzman
VIM Coordinator
vim@susumc.org
www.susmb.org/vim/
Facebook
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)