By Liz Lennox, SUSUMC Director of Communications
Every year at Annual Conference, the Susquehanna Conference Coordinating Cabinet delivers a Leadership Report highlighting the past year while looking towards the future. This year, they focused on what it means to say “YES” — and encouraged a commitment to collaboration, creativity, community outreach, and discipleship.
Rev. Daniel Wilt began the report by asking everyone to consider all the ways they say “YES” — from personal joys to participating in the life of the church. He emphasized that all pale in comparison to saying yes to “the healing, wholeness, and abundant life that Christ continuously offers us.” Rev. Wilt then painted a picture of current challenges and broader issues requiring a creative and spirit-filled response.
“YES can be looking at the current landscape and owning that we are in unique and unsettled times once again,” he explained. “AND yet friends… people need to be fed, communities need to heal, and Christ needs to be proclaimed.” This can and should be done through collaboration and reimagination.
Rev. Judy Walker continued on this theme, stressing the importance of looking beyond the routine to imagine new possibilities. She spoke about the need to dream and visualize together, extending an invitation to venture beyond comfort zones and explore new forms of church community and outreach. Rev. Walker offered a vision for a new future in the Susquehanna Conference of The United Methodist church, one of collaborative and ecumenical efforts tackling important issues like food scarcity, poverty, and injustices.
Rev. Kevin Witt focused on the vital role of youth in the church, highlighting the numerous opportunities for young people to lead and serve. From internships at Aldersgate UMC in Mechanicsburg to campus ministries providing support and fellowship, Witt celebrated the proactive engagement of youth across the conference.
Mark Knecht, offering insights into the administrative aspects of ministry, discussed the importance of effective management in facilitating the church’s mission. He underscored the role of administration in stewarding resources wisely and ensuring organizational effectiveness.
Rev. Dr. Gary Weaver expressed gratitude, praising the invaluable contributions of the Susquehanna Conference staff, while Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kind championed the educational initiatives and collaborative events designed to foster connection, revitalization, and educational and spiritual growth.
“Church — we say YES to the opportunities that help us to be faithful to the mission of the church,” said Rev. Dr. Kind. “[Opportunities] that help us to be faithful to be followers of Jesus who are making new followers of Jesus.
Lastly, Rev. Dr. Tom Salsgiver and Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis spoke to the foundational aspects of connectivity and relationship-building within the church and beyond. Rev. Dr. Salsgiver elaborated on the concept of being connected and connectional, saying, “When we are connected to other United Methodist Churches in our community, in our cluster, in our county, in our district and in our Annual Conference, we are saying YES to being involved in life giving ministry that we could never do solely by ourselves.
Rev. Dr. Joleen Willis then shared a personal testament to the challenges and rewards of developing and fostering relationships with people outside our church circles, emphasizing the importance of expanding one’s schedule and comfort zone to fulfill Christ’s mission. She extended an invitation, saying, “Today, I invite you to say YES, to be intentional about showing and sharing God’s love, whether it be in relationships you develop along your daily routine, or in new places you strategically place yourself, or the unexpected prompting of the Holy Spirit … Today, let’s say YES, and offer ourselves to God to spread the love of God.”
Together, the Coordinating Cabinet of the Susquehanna Annual Conference painted a picture of a deeply interconnected community, committed to innovation, inclusion, and initiative. As they look to the future, their united “YES” speaks not just to acceptance but to an eager anticipation of the transformative work ahead, grounded deeply in faith, collaboration, and dedicated service.
This vision cannot be fulfilled without the gifts and talents of our laity. Joyce Davis made clear that the church “cannot be the light of the world without an engaged, excited, enthusiastic, and energized laity.” She continued on, “We must say YES not only to be good and faithful followers of our anointed clergy, but to be inspiring leaders in our churches and communities.”
Rev. Brenda Leigey and Rev. Dr. Paul Amara uplifted One Matters” award winner Faith Bellefonte and “New Places, New People” award winner Holy Trinity as examples of faith communities transforming their communities through mission and discipleship. These churches are reaching people in unique ways, going beyond the church doors and meeting people where they are at.
This report not only reinforced the core values of the United Methodist Church but also set a proactive agenda for our Conference to explore and implement throughout the upcoming year. The call to action was clear: to embrace the spirit of “YES” in every facet of life and leadership as we move forward together as the Susquehanna Conference. Incoming superintendent Rev. Dr. Lillian Smith concluded the report with a word of prayer.
