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| Susquehanna LINK, September 2025 Read or download the PDF at https://susumc.org/link/ |
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Susquehanna LINK, September 2025
Thanks & Giving: An Evening with Mission Central
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Thanks & Giving: An Evening with Mission Central
Saturday, November 15, 2025 | 5 p.m. | Central Penn College
This November, Mission Central invites you to join us for an evening of gratitude, generosity, and community impact. Our annual fall fundraising event - Thanks & Giving: An Evening with Mission Central - is more than just a night out. It’s a chance to gather in fellowship, celebrate what God has done through this ministry, and ensure that vital resources continue reaching people in need here in Pennsylvania, across the country, and around the world.
Set in the beautiful Conference Center at Central Penn College, the evening will feature a delicious meal, inspiring Mission Moments, and opportunities to connect with others who share a heart for service. Guests will also enjoy both silent and live auctions filled with unique items, experiences, and gifts - perfect for early holiday shopping while supporting a great cause.
The funds raised at Thanks & Giving make a real, tangible difference. Every ticket purchased, every auction bid placed, and every sponsorship secured helps us equip our 200+ community partners with the resources they need to meet urgent needs. Whether it’s providing Hygiene Kits for families displaced by disaster, Cleaning Buckets for communities rebuilding after floods, mobility equipment for seniors, or school supplies for children, your generosity fuels every shipment that leaves our Mechanicsburg warehouse.
In 2024 alone, the Mission Central warehouse supported 8.7 million people with more than $23.5 million in resources. None of that happens without the faithful support of friends, churches, and organizations who believe in our mission: Connecting God’s Resources with Human Need. This dinner is our single largest fundraising event of the year, and it is essential to sustaining our work in 2026 and beyond.
There are many ways to be part of this special night:
Attend: Gather friends, family, or members of your congregation for a memorable evening together.
Sponsor: Businesses, organizations, and individuals can support at levels starting at just $500, with recognition in our program and across our communication channels.
Donate: Can’t make it in person? Consider donating an auction item, underwriting part of the event, or making a direct gift to help us reach our goal.
We hope you’ll mark your calendar for Saturday, November 15, and join us for an evening that truly embodies the spirit of Thanks & Giving. Together, we can celebrate what has been accomplished and look forward to all that is possible when we come together in faith and generosity.
For tickets, sponsorship details, or more information, please email missioncentral@missioncentral.org or call 717-766-1533.
Remembering Our Heritage
By Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
September – 100 years ago.
The Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Districts of the Wyoming Conference were severely hampered when the area coal miners began a strike on September 1, 1925, that lasted for six months. As reported in the conference journal: “The strike, the longest in the history of the coal industry, brought its usual animosities, bickering and divisions. Every branch of trade was affected. Stores put clerks on reduced time. Hotels closed their dining rooms. Farmers had little market for their produce. It was inevitable that this paralysis of business should affect our churches. Services were grouped, and in some instances auditoriums were closed. One preacher reported that 30 per cent of his men were idle.”
October – 50 years ago
In 1975, the Wyoming Conference dissolved the four-point Alderson charge near Harvey’s Lake. Alderson became a station appointment, and Kunkle became a part-time appointment to be supplied. The October 1975 Wyoming United Methodist announced the pulpit would be filled by Michael Bealla, a student at the Lehman campus of PSU. “Mr. Bealla, who has served as a guest preacher in the area and has now received his preaching license, and his new bride of one month, Miss Bonnie Shillabeer, will begin serving immediately.”
Noxen and Ruggles became a two-point charge and constructed a new parsonage next to the Noxen church, which was dedicated October 5, 1975, by district superintendent Rev. Edgar F. Singer for use of Rev. Edward F. Sebring.
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
One Matters Award: Faith UMC, Hallam - River Valley District
In partnership with Discipleship Ministries, the Susquehanna Conference presents the One Matters Award to one church in each of our districts at Annual Conference.
This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, an 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 2025:
Freedom Trail District
Salem Guldens UMC
Mountain Valley District
Covenant UMC, Lockhaven
North Central Rivers District
Eatonville UMC & Evans Falls UMC
Northern Wilds District
Millerton UMC
River Valley District
Faith UMC, Hallam
Faith UMC, Hallam
River Valley District
Each summer, Faith UMC partners with three neighboring
churches in Wrightsville to host a vibrant Community Vacation Bible School.
Their preschool, serving 85 children, helps young learners build a strong
foundation for elementary education. The church's G2 Youth Group shares
Christ's love through simple acts of kindness - offering cookies during their
annual Cookie Walk and serving hot chocolate and candy at the community
Christmas Tree Lighting.
But their care for the community doesn't stop there. This
congregation is passionate about feeding the hungry, hosting monthly food
distributions that draw long lines of cars, and delivering food boxes to local
seniors. In the past year, they have welcomed 9 new members and celebrated one
baptism - clear signs of lives being touched and transformed.
One Matters Award: Millerton UMC, Northern Wilds District
In partnership with Discipleship Ministries, the Susquehanna Conference presents the One Matters Award to one church in each of our districts at Annual Conference.
This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, an 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 2025:
Freedom Trail District
Salem Guldens UMC
Mountain Valley District
Covenant UMC, Lockhaven
North Central Rivers District
Eatonville UMC & Evans Falls UMC
Northern Wilds District
Millerton UMC
River Valley District
Faith UMC, Hallam
Millerton UMC
Northern Wilds District
In the small town of Millerton, nestled near the border of
New York, Millerton United Methodist Church may be modest in size - but it
overflows with life, faith, and love. This welcoming congregation is led by
Betsy Huels, a Certified Lay Minister who serves three churches while working
full-time. Her dedication to nurturing faith and community is inspiring.
Recently, Millerton's church family joyfully expanded. On Vision Sunday, two adults received the sacrament of baptism and six others became new members. The day was filled with celebration, dreaming about the future, and coming together to serve others by assembling food packages for those in need.
Moments like this remind us that hearts are still turning to
Christ, discipleship is growing, and leadears like Betsy - and congregations
like Millerton - are keeping the light of the Church burning brightly. Let us
celebrate their faithful witness.
https://www.facebook.com/millerton.umc
One Matters Award: Eatonville & Evans Falls UMCs, North Central Rivers District
In partnership with Discipleship Ministries, the Susquehanna Conference presents the One Matters Award to one church in each of our districts at Annual Conference.
This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, an 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 2025:
Freedom Trail District
Salem Guldens UMC
Mountain Valley District
Covenant UMC, Lockhaven
North Central Rivers District
Eatonville UMC & Evans Falls UMC
Northern Wilds District
Millerton UMC
River Valley District
Faith UMC, Hallam
Eatonville & Evans Falls UMCs
North Central Rivers District
Nestled along Bowman's Creek in rural Northeastern
Pennsylvania, just south of Tunkhannock, the Eatonville and Evans Falls United
Methodist Churches are two small, historic congregations rooted in Christ's
promise of abundant life. With average attendances of 26 and 17, these
senior-age churches remain vibrant in spirit.
Despite the challenges of a shifting local economy and
changing demographics, these congregations embody an "Attitude of
Gratitude." They faithfully steward their resources, engage joyfully in
misison, and remain connected to the wider Church. Their outreach includes
weekly meal deliveries through the Endless Mountains Cooperative Ministry and
Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen.
Rather than retreat, they're innovating. Last August,
Eatonville UMC hosted its first-ever Vacation Bible School for Seniors. Modeled
after children's VBS, it included worship, songs, crafts, games, and snacks -
drawing participants from ages 17 to 85. The three-week event averaged 18
attendees and led to two professions of faith and a youth confirmation at Evans
Falls.
One idea. One invitation. One life. In God's economy, every
"ONE" echoes into eternity.
One Matters Award: Covenant UMC, Lock Haven Mountain Valley District
In partnership with Discipleship Ministries, the Susquehanna Conference presents the One Matters Award to one church in each of our districts at Annual Conference.
This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, an 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 2025:
Freedom Trail District
Salem Guldens UMC
Mountain Valley District
Covenant UMC, Lockhaven
North Central Rivers District
Eatonville UMC & Evans Falls UMC
Northern Wilds District
Millerton UMC
River Valley District
Faith UMC, Hallam
Covenant UMC, Lockhaven
Mountain Valley District
Covenant United Methodist Church in Lock Haven is becoming a beacon of light in its community. Since Pastor Justin Frear's appointment in July 2022, the church has embraced a renewed vision rooted in prayer, discernment, and relationship. With a new discipleship pathway, members are growing more confident in sharing their faith - through both actions and words.
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Their outreach began with a local work camp, One Family at a Time, which is now a cluster-sponsored ministry that helps neighbors with essential home repairs. This inspired a Toolbox Ministry, offering year-round support for small home projects. The church also brings worship beyond its walls with an annual service in the park, creating space for those not yet ready to enter the sanctuary.
New minsitries are emerging organically - a grief support group launched by a visitor (now becoming a member) and the Covenant Cafe, offering care for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Several connected through these ministries now attend worship. In this seaon of growth, the church has celebrated two baptisms and continues to bless the community by providing food to 60 local schoolchildren through Blessings in a Backpack.
Covenant is living its mission - one relationship, one neighbor, one life at a time.
One Matters Award: Salem Gulden’s UMC - Freedom Trail District
In partnership with Discipleship Ministries, the Susquehanna Conference presents the One Matters Award to one church in each of our districts at Annual Conference.
This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, an 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 2025:
Freedom Trail District
Salem Guldens UMC
Mountain Valley District
Covenant UMC, Lockhaven
North Central Rivers District
Eatonville UMC & Evans Falls UMC
Northern Wilds District
Millerton UMC
River Valley District
Faith UMC, Hallam
Salem Gulden’s UMC
Freedom Trail District
One matters. One life is beloved by God, a soul previous in God’s sight. At Salem-Guldens United Methodist Church in Gettysburg, PA, that truth has come to life in powerful ways.
What began as a practical effort to raise funds for stained glass window repairs became something much more. “A few years ago, the windows needed repair and maintenance,” shared Rev. Mick Dawes. But the fundraisers turned into outreach events, and those who came were invited into the life of the church. Fundraisers became friendraisers, and friendships blossomed into faith.
In time, some of these new relationships grew into something deeper. After holding a Mission Possible workshop, the church set a goal to increase membership by 10%. They offered a Lenten membership class, welcoming visitors to explore the United Methodist Church’s history, beliefs, and practices. On Pentecost Sunday, four individuals professed their faith in Jesus Christ and became members.
In 2023, the church recorded no baptisms or professions of faith. In 2024, they celebrated four professions of faith and two baptisms - evidence of spiritual renewal. And yes, the stained glass windows were restored without taking a single loan. God is clearly at work in this beloved congregation, one person at a time.
A Season of Possibility
Dear Friends,
As a new school year approaches, we at Everstand (formerly United Methodist Home for Children) are inviting you to help us launch a season of possibility—for young people who need it most.
With some school supply categories rising more than 20% in cost since the pandemic, for the students we serve, many of whom face significant financial hurdles, this growing burden can make back-to-school season feel overwhelming.
Your support can be the difference between a student simply returning to school and truly thriving. With your generosity, we can provide the tools, support, and stability that pave the way for lifelong success. All donations make an impact—for example:
- $25 could help to offset the cost of essential school supplies, ensuring every student has the basics to start the year with confidence.
- $50 could sponsor one individualized tutoring session, building a strong academic foundation for a struggling learner.
- $100 could provide access to engaging enrichment opportunities like art, culinary, or horticulture programming.
- $250 could supply multiple students with backpacks fully stocked with appropriate grade-level materials.
- $500 could underwrite calming kits or sensory tools to support students coping with trauma or anxiety.
You have the power to ensure that the youth in our programs start this school year ready to succeed—inside the classroom and beyond. You can visit www.everstand.org/backtoschool to make a fast, secure contribution today. No matter the size of your gift, it will create a lasting impact on a young person’s life. If you prefer to support our youth by purchasing supplies directly, please use the link provided to access our Amazon wish list. https://a.co/3OcNDH6
Thank you for being part of the Everstand family. Your support makes all the difference—and we’re so grateful to have you with us as we begin a new school year full of hope and promise.
Warmly,
Laurie Anne “LA” Spagnola, MSW
President & CEO, Everstand
Welcome Sara Shaver – New Disaster Response /Volunteers in Mission Coordinator
Matthew Shineman, Director of Communications
The Susquehanna Conference is delighted to welcome Rev. Sara Shaver as our new Disaster Response/Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Coordinator.
With a background in education, Sara first earned a degree in special education before being drawn into church ministry. When the Director of Christian Education at her church moved away, Sara was invited to apply. That open door eventually led her to pursue an M.Div. at Candler School of Theology. She was ordained in the South Alabama Conference, where she went on to serve seven congregations, one church in our conference (Camp Hill, PA) and later as a District Superintendent. After officially retiring on June 30, Sara felt God calling her to continue ministry in a new way.
Having lived through hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding in South Alabama, Sara brings firsthand experience of the urgent need for disaster response. “This is a way to be the hands of helping that the community needs,” she shares. “Much of my work as a DS and pastor was administrative. Now, I’m excited for the chance to be more hands-on and see the fruits of the labor.”
Sara prefers to think of them not as “mission trips” but as mission journeys — opportunities that deepen faith as much as they provide help to others. Her favorite scripture is Romans 8:28, reminding her that God can make good of all things.
When asked what wisdom she would share with the Conference, Sara reflected: “Remember that David didn’t put on Saul’s armor. God has created you to be what he wants you to be.”
Outside of ministry, Sara is a hiker who stays grounded through daily devotions and walking. She’s an “extroverted introvert” who enjoys coffee over tea, is a morning person, and loves ’80s and ’90s pop music. Her favorite book is “To Kill a Mockingbird”, her favorite season is fall, and she imagines Sandra Bullock playing her if a movie were ever made about her life. Recent travels took her to England (her favorite place so far), and she hopes to visit Alaska and Greece one day.
Sara brings a unique perspective to the Susquehanna Conference, having served in multiple contexts and seen many different ways of doing ministry. “I love the challenge, and I love to learn,” she says. Her first priority will be to get organized and build strong foundations for this vital ministry of connection and response.
Please join us in warmly welcoming Rev. Sara Shaver to her new role as VIM/Disaster Response Coordinator.
Sara can be contacted via email at drm@susumc.org or by calling 717-766-7441 x3402.
A Charge Picnic to Remember
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Pastor Fred Rudy (center) had the privilege of baptizing (l-r) Jesse, Kacy, Gage, and Cooper Rhoads... and cousins Levi Morgan, Owen and Vance Brofee at a recent Charge Picnic.
Jill Seaman, Millerstown Charge Secretary
It’s not every day that 5 teenage friends are baptized on the same day, let alone an entire family! One of the biggest personal decisions in their lives and these seven individuals chose to share their growth as Christians at their Annual Charge Picnic!
In early July, Pastor Fred Rudy, Millerstown Charge (Donnally Mills, Millerstown, and Pfoutz Valley UMCs), announced the Annual Charge Picnic would be at held at the Millerstown Community Pool. Following this announcement, Pastor Fred was contacted by a mom asking if he would consider an immersion baptism of her teenage son during the picnic, since it was being held at the pool. Pastor Fred readily agreed! Shortly afterwards, the mother of two teen brothers, and friends/cousins of the first boy, reached out to have her sons included!
It should be noted that the last immersion baptism officiated by Pastor Fred was these boys’ older brothers a few years ago at another local pool!
The following Sunday during worship, Pastor Fred offered the invitation to anyone who had not been baptized to reach out to him if they were interested. Before he knew what was happening, an entire family (Dad, Mom, and their two teenage sons) asked if they could be included in the baptism opportunity! This quickly became an exciting event and turned into a picnic some will never forget!
Congratulations to those who were baptized at the Millerstown Charge Annual Picnic.
Sunday, September 7, 2025
Speak and Alternative Word!
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Bishop Robin Dease, Georgia Episcopal Area
Celebration of Ministry Service, Friday May 30, 2025
Susquehanna Annual Conference
Scripture: Acts 4:1-20
I remember serving as a Police chaplain in the Charleston area of South Carolina. As a police chaplain, I would do late night ride-a-longs with law enforcement and we would be called to shootings, suicides, vehicle fatalities, and other life-threatening situations.
One night we were called to a car accident, and the EMS rushed this gentleman to the hospital. The officer and I had to go and inform the family. As we escorted them to the hospital, I asked the officer to give me some time to spend with this waiting family as they had no relationship with a pastor or a church.
The officer said he would continue his beat and come back for me in an hour or two. The family and I waited. And waited. They knew the situation was dire. This family’s eyes stayed glued to the emergency room doors as they waited to hear some hope from the doctor.
Then the doctor appeared telling them it was a very bad situation, but their loved one would live and the road to recovery would be a long one. As a police chaplain, I learned that many people live their lives this way. Each day they confront some crisis, some unexpected life event, some calamity. and in the face of it feel powerless.
They sit watching and waiting for a word that will make a difference. And the only thing that will give some relief, or help them to place one foot in front of the other is an authoritative word that will proclaim some Good News. For people in pain, the preacher has the chance to make a difference.
In this pericope [from Acts] read for your hearing, Peter and John are confronted by the religious leaders after healing a man and preaching Jesus’ resurrection. They arrest them, hoping to silence them. Though threatened, they boldly declared that they could not stop speaking about what they had seen and heard.
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You must understand after the ascension of Jesus; the people were spellbound at the preaching of Peter. And in response to his preaching, they wanted to know, “What shall we do?” For the first time those who listened to Peter believed they could change. Maybe they believed they could live transformed lives in meaningful ways.
People actually pay attention to what we say in a manner that is qualitatively different from how they listen to entertainment and the mass media. And they listen to us without the cynicism and skepticism that they hear in the news, watch on the screen, or receive from political leaders. We must then tell the story with authenticity and with our own true voice.
Today, as in the days of Jesus entrusting the truth to his apostles, the government officials are saying, keep silent. The leaders tried to silence them, but they declared, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” When God calls us to share His truth, obedience must outweigh fear.
Peter, once afraid (denying Jesus three times), now speaks courageously before the same authorities that condemned Christ.
It wasn’t just Peter’s words that empowered the people. I think it was also his presence. Because the people began to bring their sick and lame into the marketplace in hopes they could be healed just by Peter’s shadow resting on them. And then one man is healed. He is restored.
We need to live the Gospel daily, showing others what love and justice look like in practice.
You and I must speak an alternative word to what we are hearing today. We have a serious challenge to speak a relevant word in a nation that seems to tolerate millions of people being unemployed, uninsured, mentally [ill], lacking adequate housing, health care, and education. In the midst of national tumult, in the medium of international violent uproar, these are issues of justice. Decisions which result in the profit of the few at the expense of many cannot and will not stand.
There seems to be a complicity of voicing hate and cruelty toward people of color in the town square, schools, sports, restaurants, stores and town hall meetings. People are being openly despised and abused every day.
The pastor must confront and empower those to whom they have been sent to remember that they too are made in the image of God.
Notice, I said speak, not preach. Because the preached word is relegated to Sunday worship by the Pastor, but by virtue of our baptism, clergy and laity alike are ministers of the Gospel and are called to witness!!! Because the Power of the Church is in our witness and the blood of Jesus Christ.
God in God’s infinite wisdom has seen fit to ordain those who have been rejected in this world to lead the revival of love, justice, and mercy that we so desperately need. We have an alternative to religious nationalism, and racism, and sexism when we join God in this work.
God calls you and I to be bold. Boldness in faith doesn’t mean the absence of fear—it means choosing obedience to God despite fear. Peter, once afraid (denying Jesus three times), now speaks courageously before the same authorities that condemned Christ.
In this beloved UMC, I am seeing United Methodism has become too comfortable with its politically correct norm and too timid with its mandate to preach love where there is hatred, peace where there is want, and sow seeds of unity where there is division. In times of division, speaking an alternative Gospel calls us to embody the teachings of Christ in ways that promote healing, unity, and hope.
Their courage came from their relationship with Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, not their own ability.
People are dying for God’s Word. Now remember, no one was ever saved by a speech. Something more than a good message is needed.
Remind people that God is in the neighborhood. That the Jesus that went through a rough Friday got up on Sunday and is able to heal and save. You can do it for you have been called for such a time as this.
May it be so in your ministry and may it be so in mine.
Watch the Celebration of Ministry Service HERE.
Running the Race of Life
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Memorial Service, Friday May 30, 2025.
Susquehanna Annual Conference.
[Edited] Watch HERE.
Susquehanna Annual Conference.
[Edited] Watch HERE.
We join our hearts with family members and friends and remember fondly their loved ones who were pastors, colleagues, friends, parishioners among us. We give thanks and praise for these beautiful souls.
We could share many things in these moments about those we are remembering. We could speak about how they loved their family and their dedication to the church. We could speak of their prayer life, their compassion, their passion to share the love of Jesus with others. We could speak of their inspirational preaching, inspiring worship services, teaching, pastoral visits, leadership with children and youth; their love of music and singing and their community involvement; of how they encouraged us to truly live out the gospel as disciples.
And there is so much more we could share as we remember fondly how they made a difference in our lives.
There is a reason we remember those who dedicated so much of their time in being faithful to their call. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that, “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses...” And we are. Witnesses of the faith and new life. People we have walked alongside, shoulder to shoulder, deep in the mire and muck, and to the deep valleys and to the mountain tops to be beacons of light to the world. All in the name of Jesus!
Hebrews refers to all of the people who have run the race of faith before us. If we go back to Hebrews chapter eleven, we are reminded of the faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and others, and how they endured suffering, and overcome obstacles, and ran the race of faith which was before them.
We all know what it is like to have obstacles in our personal lives and in the life of the church. But you and I are not the first to run the Christian race; others have gone before us. And we thank God for them.
The book of Hebrews, not only talks about the “cloud of witnesses” it also uses the metaphor of running, urging believers to persevere in their faith with endurance.
Hebrews 12:1 continues:
“...let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (ESV)
I would like to draw your attention to the following words from this passage in Hebrews:
“...and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...”
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While the scriptures may not always directly address the act of running as a physical exercise, its metaphors involving running provide valuable insights into the Christian journey, emphasizing perseverance, discipline, and fixing our eyes on Jesus.
The Apostle Paul used the analogy of a runner in a race many times in his letters. It was one way he could connect with his listeners who were familiar with the ancient Olympic Games and competition.
When I started dating my husband, Allen, I learned he had a passion for running road races. Often on a Saturday morning in the spring, summer and fall, we would drive to a town hosting a 5k or 10k race.
I did not run. I was the cheerleader, bag and water bottle holder who would be standing at the finish line. (If you know me well, I would rather have been participating in a 5k or 10k on horseback!)
When we lived in the Benton and Nescopeck communities, Allen’s new goal was running in the “Run for the Diamonds.” Allen ran in this race for 20+ years. It is a nine-mile race, where a runner faces a long and steep hill which tested the runner’s strength and endurance. The winner in the male and female categories would win a diamond.
I am here to bear witness that Allen never won a diamond! But for Allen it wasn’t necessarily about the diamond. For him, it was about the completion of the course and how well he personally ran the race.
Allen’s ambition grew from running a 5k or 10k and the 9-mile race to running a marathon: 26.2 miles. And not just any marathon, his goal was the Boston Marathon, which he had to qualify for by running in other marathons. He has run a total of around 26 marathons so far in his life.
I didn’t get it. Who in their right mind would run 26.2 miles in the heat, the rain, the cold? Who in their right mind would run for 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours, and beyond? Who in their right mind would run to the point of exhaustion and dehydration and collapse at the finish line?
I just didn’t get it.
A marathon is definitely a strenuous test of fitness, perseverance, and endurance.
As Christians we run a different race with perseverance, faithfulness, and fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.
When we run the race of life in Jesus’ name, we must concentrate on attaining the goal of Christlikeness and not get distracted by worldly attractions and temptations. The race God set out for us is a lifelong marathon, we must commit ourselves to run to the very end.
Emily Schankweiler has been credited with saying, “The Christian life is not a sprint; it is a marathon.” The idea is that the Christian life is a long-term process of growth and development, requiring daily effort and commitment.
Paul in his letter to the Ephesians writes about running a race – a race set before us as followers of Jesus. And we run this race because Jesus prepared and ran faithfully. We run this race because of the “the cloud of witnesses” who persevered and ran faithfully to share the love of Jesus with others.
The whole metaphor of running a race is a metaphor for our lives. God has called us to run the race of this life. Sometimes the race is short; sometimes it is long. But no matter the distance and time, God has called us to finish the race faithfully!
Paul was longing to finish his life well. When speaking to the Ephesian leaders for the last time, he told them, “I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.” —Acts 20:24
Paul lived his life as a race to be run. He lived it as a race to be finished, being faithful to Christ. Walking in His way. Trusting in His word.
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul writes: “Beloved, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ.”
At the end of Paul’s life, the good news was this: he finished. And he finished well. He told Timothy,
”For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” —2 Timothy 4:7-8
I don’t believe that Paul was referring to his upcoming itinerary here, but rather to eternity. God had called him to share the gospel, and that is what his focused was on. Paul’s energy was devoted, not to making a name for himself, or preparing for retirement, or trying to be successful in this life; but rather to win the prize that God had set before him. And he was not going to let anything get in the way of that, neither his past nor his present.
So, by declaring “I have finished the race,” Paul is telling Timothy that he had put every effort into the work of proclaiming to all the Gospel of salvation. He had completed the course set before him; he had left nothing undone. He was ready to cross the finish line and receive his eternal reward.
And with the completion of his race, Paul was expecting the reward as he proclaimed, “...in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day...” —2 Timothy 4:8
Paul emphasizes the necessity of running our race with purpose and intention. He invites us to reflect on the very core of Christian living, striving for spiritual growth, fueled by personal discipline, and guided by God’s hand. It’s a vivid reminder that the way we run the race of faith matters.
In our spiritual race, we’ll face hurdles and obstacles, the demands of our training will be intense, and we’ll need extreme discipline and endurance to persevere. But we don’t face these challenges on our own. It’s the Holy Spirit who steps in as our coach.
No matter how long the race may be, we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, “the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” because Jesus perfectly finished His race.
May we be diligent in our “race,” may we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and may we, like the ones we remember, finish strong and finish well.
To the family members who may have been on the sideline or at the finish line, cheering your loved one on, offering words of support encouragement, prayer, and a listening ear, running in your own way the race with them, we thank you.
Thursday, July 10, 2025
Remembering Our Heritage
Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
July – 100 years ago
Groundbreaking for York’s new Second United Brethren Church at 401 South Queen Street was held July 12, 1925. The congregation began in 1873 when Rev. William B. Raber, pastor of York First Church, acting on his own, purchased the plot of ground at the southeast corner of Duke and South Streets. Before the end of the year, the quarterly conference of First church elected trustees for the property, 26 members of First Church became the charter members of Second Church, and a frame church building had been erected at the site.
In 1892 a brick structure replaced the original chapel, and in 1906 an addition doubled the size of the building. In 1926 the congregation relocated to its new building a few blocks east to the southeast corner of Queen and South Streets. Following the 1968 union to create the United Methodist Church, the congregation was renamed Faith, and in 1969 they joined with Wesley Memorial [the former Duke Street Methodist Episcopal Church which had relocated to Tyler Run Road in 1964] to form Aldersgate UMC. The building at 401 South Queen now houses the Small Memorial AME Zion Church, and the York Aldersgate congregation disaffiliated from the UMC in 2023.
August – 50 years ago
The Central Pennsylvania Conference’s annual Schools of Christian Mission took place at Lycoming College in August 1975, with the week-end school August 1-3 and the week-day school August 4-8. Fees for registration, rooms, board and insurance were $24 for the week-end portion and $42 for the week-day event. Presentation on the theme “One World Under God” featured conference pastors, conference UMW leaders, missionaries and General Church staff members. In addition to the presenters and organizers, a total of 97 persons registered for the schools.
On August 18, 1975, Rev. John Dromazas of the five-point Whitneyville Parish in Tioga County helped bring Christian Missions to life in the Wellsboro area when he and other pastors and lay persons worked together to provide the eleven-member Dong Nhieu immigrant family from Vietnam with clothing, jobs, English lessons and a nine-room house completely furnished “from light bulbs to beds.” Within six weeks the family was self-sufficient.
Everstand - Give Our Youth a Chance to Laugh, Learn ... This Summer
Summer is here!
Would you join us in creating a season full of fun, learning, and connection for the youth at Everstand (formerly United Methodist Home for Children) by supporting our summer enrichment and recreational programs? Your support makes it possible for the young people on our Mechanicsburg campus to enjoy enriching summer programs that boost confidence, teach new skills, and foster lasting friendships. Our inclusive and welcoming programs ensure that every child feels safe, supported, and celebrated all summer long.
Help us kick off summer with a purpose.
Our Mechanicsburg campus offers a unique setting with beautiful scenery but lacks some of the recreational amenities found at our other campuses, such as a pool or skate park. To enhance the youth’s experiences, we rely significantly on the generosity of donors and are especially grateful to those who help us create memorable experiences despite having fewer built-in recreational features.
Endless possibilities begin with YOU!
When you donate, you give us the chance to thoughtfully plan impactful activities that bring joy, learning, and community to the youth in our care. As we seek grant funding for music and equine therapy, we’re also seeking funds for a potential pickleball court and a wide range of summer activities, including: outdoor adventures, sporting events, arts and crafts projects, teambuilding exercises, amusement park, bowling, and movie outings, and so much more! Having the funding to provide these experiences for our youth would be such a blessing, and you can help! Every gift matters—and together, we can build a summer full of meaningful memories for the kids in our community.
You can support Everstand’s incredible youth by visiting www.everstand.org/summer to give. You can make an even greater impact by joining us as a monthly Impact Maker and fuel enrichment and recreation all year long. Together, let’s build brighter futures and transform communities. Thank you for standing with us, as we stand by, stand for, and stand beside the youth we serve!
Immigration Immersion Journey 2025
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| Humane Borders, an organization dedicated to placing jugs of water out in the desert, speaks to our group about their work. |
In a powerful journey of witness and learning, six pilgrims from the Susquehanna and Upper New York Conferences of the United Methodist Church traveled to Tucson, Arizona, for an immigration immersion seminar designed to deepen understanding of the realities faced by migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Over the course of five days, the group engaged with humanitarian organizations, faith leaders, community leaders and individuals directly involved in the immigration system. What they encountered was not just a political issue—it was a profound humanitarian crisis that calls for moral leadership and moral courage, particularly from the Church of Jesus Christ…and even more specifically, United Methodists in Central and Northeastern Pennsylvania as well as Upper New York.
The immersion seminar, originally coordinated through Michelle Schwartzman, the Susquehanna Conference’s former VIM director, offered participants a firsthand look at the complex layers of migration. From visiting desert aid stations with Humane Borders to touring migrant shelters such as Casa Misericordia in Nogales, Mexico and the Pima County Medical Examiner’s office, the group listened to stories of hardship, hope, and survival. They met with advocacy organizations like Border Community Alliance, Salvavision and Arizona Justice for our Neighbors, whose work on the ground sheds light on the perilous journey migrants face and the legal and systemic obstacles they endure upon arrival.
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| Casa de la Misericordia in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico is an organization that houses migrants as they await their asylum hearing, something very much under threat as a result of recent US immigration policy. |
One member of the group recounted a sobering visit to a courtroom where migrants—some fleeing violence and persecution—were processed in rapid succession, possibly without adequate legal representation and certainly, under current U.S. policy, without a chance to apply for asylum. “It felt like a conveyor belt of despair,” they said. “These are human beings, not case numbers. The system treats them as disposable.”
Throughout the immersion journey, the participants were struck by the many injustices migrants face: dangerous border crossings in deadly desert conditions, family separations, prolonged detention, and the criminalization of those seeking a better life. Volunteers shared stories of finding water jugs slashed or shot in the desert—lifesaving supplies intentionally destroyed. Advocates spoke of migrants deported into unfamiliar and unsafe cities, often without resources or contacts.
Rev. Jason Schwartzman, a trip participant, commented “Immigration is not just a matter of national policy— or political preference. It is a moral issue that demands compassion, justice, and urgent action.” The group emphasized that the Church cannot remain silent in the face of such suffering.
“The Gospel calls us to welcome the stranger, to protect the vulnerable, and to stand with the oppressed,” Schwartzman continued. “If we ignore this, we are ignoring Jesus Himself.”
The group hopes to be a voice of advocacy, education and truth within their own communities, urging churches to move beyond charity to justice—to not only provide aid, but to speak out against the systems that cause suffering. They hope their journey will inspire others in the Church and beyond to recognize immigration not as a political problem to be solved, but as a humanitarian crisis that demands our empathy, our advocacy, and our faith in action.
Rural Life Sunday Worship on a Farm
Jill Seaman, Holy Cross UM Charge
Holy Cross UM Charge, made up of three churches: New Buffalo, Hill, and Bucks United Methodist Churches, worship together as one with our minister, the Rev. Gregory Myers. We enjoy meeting together in one worship service on a rotating schedule at one of our three locations each week.
However, for Rural Life Sunday on June 1, we held an absolutely incredible outdoor worship service at the farm of one of our members, the M. W. Smith Farms in Bucks Valley. THANK YOU is not enough to express our gratitude to the most humble hosts, Hunter and Kathy Smith, for opening their generational family farm and their hearts to our congregation and guests!
Our congregation grew to well over 110 with members sharing the day with family and friends, along with invited clergy who had filled our pulpit in early 2024 when we had no assigned minister. Pastor Greg’s service only added to the spirituality of the day and having our former “guest” ministers (all fresh on the heels of attending the Susquehanna Annual Conference for the previous three days) participate in the service was inspiring. Those guests were: District Superintendent Rev. Gary Weaver and his wife, Cindy Weaver, Executive Assistant to the Bishop; Rev. Kathy Kind, Director of Connectional Ministries, her mother and her sweet pup, Periwinkle; Rev. Debbie Heisley-Cato and her husband Randy; Rev. Marian Hartman, Assistant to the Board of Ordained Ministry; and Rev. Pat Woolever, widow of one of our former ministers, Rev. Bruce Woolever.
After the worship service, Hunter shared the family history of the farm and how it grew over the generations to what it is today. Afterwards, a light picnic lunch was served before folks enjoyed tours of the farm. There were also games for the children which culminated in an egg hunt.
Despite the dust and smells of a true working farm, those congregated enjoyed the fellowship and special time of worship with one another.
Together, We Did More: Susquehanna Conference Exceeds Goal for Mission Central Activity Kits
Lisa Landis - Fickes, Mission Central Director of Development and Communications
At this year’s Annual Conference, the churches of the Susquehanna Conference set out on a mission: to gather enough supplies to assemble 1,000 Activity Kits for Mission Central. These kits, filled with school and art supplies, are distributed to children facing hardship - both locally and around the world - offering hope, encouragement, and a sense of care during difficult times.
Thanks to the incredible generosity and coordination across the Conference, that goal wasn’t just met, it was exceeded.
Churches from all five districts rallied to collect specific items - pencils and sharpeners, pens and erasers, notebooks, rulers, scissors, crayons, and colored pencils. In addition to gathering thousands of these essential tools, many congregations stepped up to sew handmade fabric bags to hold the kits, following a shared pattern. The result was an outpouring of support that filled and overflowed four massive Gaylord boxes, each capable of holding up to 5,000 pounds.
The items poured into the Grand Ballroom at the Genetti Hotel during the Conference, creating a vibrant visual reminder of the collective impact churches can have when they unite around a shared purpose. From smaller rural congregations to larger suburban churches - and communities in between – we saw every district show up. Pastors and lay delegates arrived with carloads of donations. Volunteers and staff from Mission Central were on site to help receive, sort, and begin preparing for what came next.
The first wave of kit assembly began immediately. Volunteers from Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Enola, Pa., were among the first to roll up their sleeves and begin packing kits. Their joyful energy reflected the heart of this mission - service rooted in love and a commitment to putting faith into action. Dozens more churches and groups will follow in the coming weeks, helping turn this mountain of supplies into hundreds of neatly packed kits ready for distribution.
Each Activity Kit will go on to serve a child who might otherwise go without. Whether used in disaster response, refugee outreach, or local school partnerships, these kits become more than just supplies - they become tools for healing, creativity, and connection. They let a child know that someone cares.
Mission Central is deeply grateful to the Susquehanna Conference for its overwhelming dedication to this cause. As a mission hub, Mission Central relies on the partnership and support of communities of faith like yours to meet urgent needs both near and far. This was a true Conference-wide effort - and a testament to what’s possible when we come together in service.
To everyone who donated items, sewed bags, encouraged participation, or drove supplies to the Conference - thank you. Your efforts are already making a difference and will continue to ripple outward in ways you may never fully see.
And as we look ahead, we invite you to mark your calendars for our biggest event of the year. Thanks & Giving: An Evening with Mission Central will take place on Saturday, November 15th. This annual gathering is our largest fundraiser - and a celebration of the impact we create together. More details will be shared soon, but for now, we hope you’ll plan to join us for an evening of gratitude, generosity, and shared mission.
Together, we did more. And together, we’ll keep connecting God’s resources with human need.
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