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.

Sara brings with her a wealth of experience in ministry and a heart for serving as the hands and feet of Jesus in practical, meaningful ways. Born in Los Alamos, NM, Sara grew up in a Methodist family — her great-grandfather was a Methodist pastor. Her father worked as a chemist in Los Alamos before taking a position in Oak Ridge, TN, and her mother was a World War II war bride. Sara jokes that she doesn’t consider herself “southern” because she’s lived all over the country, moving almost every four years of her life.

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.