May – 100 years ago
United Brethren minister William H. Washinger (1862-1928) was born in Walnut Bottom PA and pastored churches in Harrisburg and Chambersburg before serving as the Pennsylvania Conference superintendent 1902-17 and as a bishop beginning in 1917. As bishop he published an article in the May 1919 issue of the denomination’s THE EVANGEL elaborating on the following four reasons for the shortage of young men entering the ministry.#4 “the commercial spirit has drawn many young men into its net who ought to have dedicated their lives to the ministry.”
#3 “prevailing worldliness, lack of the old-time revival” and that “today with many sin is only half-sin.”
#2 “lack of spiritual atmosphere in the churches” in “not preparing their young people for the service of the Gospel”
#1 “the decadence of piety in the homes of Christian people.”
June – 50 years ago
The Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church met June 9-12, 1969, at Lebanon Valley College in Annville PA with Bishop Hermann Kaebnick presiding. The report of the Board of Missions included the following items/recommendations.1. Selling the Bethlehem church property at 610 Wallace Street in York. This congregation (former Evangelical) merged into Ridge Avenue (former Methodist).
2. Selling the St. Luke church property at 610 West King Street in York. This congregation continued until 1999, when the church closed and the building sold.
3. Selling the Faith church property at 401 South Queen Street in York. This congregation (former United Brethren) merged into Wesley (former Methodist) to form Aldersgate UMC.
4. Selling the Willowbank Street church property in Bellefonte. This congregation (former Evangelical) merged with Grace (former United Brethren) to form Faith UMC.
5. Initiating a study involving the Mechanicsburg area Del Brook and Salem congregations. Del Brook (former EUB) and Salem (former Methodist) later united to form Hope UMC and sold the Del Brook building.
