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.
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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.
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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.
