— Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
“We expect that God can radically change our communities into spaces where the Good News is shared and our neighbors are loved. People are more ready to receive God’s grace than you might think!”
— Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
“Today the congregation of Annual Conference and I repented on a large scale before representatives from the Committee on Native American Ministries on behalf of the Native American community. We repented not only for our church’s role in past atrocities, but also for current ignorance and injustice inflicted upon Native Americans.”
— Morgan Robinette, teen writer for the Daily LINK
“When you volunteer at Mission Central you get far more than you give.”
— Jean Norris, recipient of the Harry Overholtzer Volunteer of the Year Award.
“You are Mission Central. We, the board, just coordinate your efforts.”
— Bob Ryder, President of Mission Central Board of Directors
“Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania nearly 700,000 children live within the margins with little or no chance to succeed. The demographics are real; the children are out there. Now is the time for the church to step in and step up. All of you have children’s ministries waiting to be born."
— Rev. Dr. Ed Zeiders
for the Commission on Child Advocacy
“Imagine the door of your church. Imagine taking the handle and trying to open it. Is it locked? Is there a need to find an alternate entrance to the church other than the main one? Now open that door and cross the threshold. Sadly, people don’t pass through our doors in the same number that they once did.”
— Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kind, Altoona District Superintendent, in the Leadership Report
“Stories engage and draw us in. By exchanging life stories, we get to know and influence one another. The world’s greatest storyteller was Jesus, and with his death and resurrection, his disciples went out to share their stories of how Jesus changed their lives.”
— Sand artist Joe Castillo, a semi-finalist for television’s America’s Got Talent competition
“We live in the place that society sees as a contradiction. These contradictions resonate within us as we moan the loss of brothers and sisters in Christ who are yet united with us as members of Christ’s body. (Romans 12:4). Unlike the cold, lifeless stones that adorn gravesites, the faithful remain forever ‘engraved on the palm of God hand.’ ”
— Rev. Lori Steffensen, State College District Superintendent
“There are several ways to support the community of young persons in your church: take an active interest in the lives of young people, support vital youth groups, and encourage meaningful participation in church-wide initiatives.”
— Members of the Young People’s Ministry Council
“We are determined to continue our connectional commitments to be of the greatest possible usefulness to Christ and His church, continuing our long-standing commitment to stewardship education and discipleship, building effective networks and partnerships as we share our work with you.”
— Rev. Nick Keeney, Finance Chair and Assistant Treasurer, Stewardship Foundation
Offerings Annual Conference 2016*
Youth Service Fund $8,086.20
Cup of Water Fund $23,455.61
Mongolian Mission $20,247.44
Bishop’s Partners in Mission
Partners in Mission $49,035.18
Mission Central $1,684.00
Imagine No Malaria $850.00
*As of publication date
Conference Statistics
Membership:2014 - 150,436
2015 - 146,171
-4,265
-2.8%
Worship attendance:
2014 - 61,015
2015 - 57,065
-3,950
-6.5%
Church school attendance:
2014 - 20,213
2015 - 18,815
-1,398
-6.9%
Professions of Faith:
2014 - 2,096
2015 - 1,898
-198
-9.4%
