New staff meet changing needs of conference

By Rev. Jason Mackey, incoming Director of Connectional Ministries

On June 8, Lisa Bender will retire after eighteen years of leadership and service to our conference as the Executive Administrative Assistant for Connectional Ministries. (See commentary, page 9.) We offer thanks to God for her ministry among us.

We are excited to announce that Amy Wynn will be the new Executive Administrative Assistant beginning in June.

Amy, who currently serves as the conference receptionist, has shown amazing customer service and dedication to solving problems for anyone who walks through our doors or calls the office. With her ten years of experience here at the conference office, Amy will provide the continuity we need.

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By Kay Kotan, Director of Equipping Vital Congregations

It is an exciting time. The office of Equipping Vital Congregations has grown and transitioned in this past year, and the needs for administrative support have changed.

Rev. Peggy Spengler will retire as the EVC Administrative Assistant June 28, 2018. Peggy has been pivotal in the transition of this office. I am so very grateful for her hard work, support, and encouragement during my first year in the Susquehanna Conference. Though Peggy is retiring from the office, she is not retiring from ministry and is already planning her new ministries around prayer, fresh expressions, and spiritual direction. Please join me in thanking Peggy for her ministry here in congregational development.

We are excited to announce that Cindy Weaver will fill the role of administrative assistant in the office of Equipping Vital Congregations beginning July 2. Cindy comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and experience from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District Office. Cindy’s husband, Rev. Gary Weaver, was recently appointed to serve at Camp Hill UMC beginning in July.

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By Rev. Larry L. Leland Jr., Lewisburg District Superintendent

I am excited to share with you that Rev. David Dearing and Rev. Jennifer Parks-Snyder will begin serving as the assisting elders in the Lewisburg District. Revs. Dearing and Parks-Snyder will each continue to serve in their local churches, while sharing the responsibilities of the 20-hours-per-week assisting elder position, held for five and one-half years by Rev. Dick Leonard.

The assisting elders serve as an extension of the Office of District Superintendent. They will provide administrative support to churches and pastors, presiding over charge conferences, answering questions, and offering resources for particular situations, including questions of vital mergers, church closures, etc. They will assist with providing pastoral care to both active and retired pastors and their families as needs arise and their time allows. They may offer leadership development and teaching opportunities.

Using their God-given gifts, training, knowledge, and ministry experiences, Revs. Dearing and Parks-Snyder will work with me to continue moving forward in our vision of building a culture of vitality, in which all churches are moving toward their disciple-making potential, and pastors and laity are being equipped as transformational leaders.