Grace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of our Brokenness, and Hope of the World!
Shares of Ministry Paid in Full
January 16, 2020“How can I thank my God enough for you in return for all the joy that I have before our God because of you?” (1Thessalonians 3:9)
As I write this to you, my heart is full of joy, gratitude and thanksgiving for you and all of the congregations of the Susquehanna Conference. Your generosity and sacrificial giving make it possible to share the Good News with the world that God loves them and cares for them as we continue to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. As your Bishop, I am honored to tell you that once again, the Susquehanna Conference has been able to pay our General Church Shares of Ministry in full for 2019!
Honoring our Shares of Ministry means that the churches of the Susquehanna Conference join hands with churches around the world so that we can do much more together than we ever could do alone. Your support for the World Service Fund serves, transforms, and saves countless lives locally, nationally, and globally. The fund for Africa University helps to transform Africa through the training and education of Christian leaders and pastors who are sent out to all parts of Africa to serve Jesus Christ. In this country part of the funds are being used towards our commitment to raise up church leaders to be a vital presence in the world. The Ministerial Education Fund not only goes to support the work of seminaries and seminarians, 25% of what we give to the fund stays in our Annual Conference. Your support of the Black College Fund offers hope for a better future to so many. Through your generosity of giving, each of you as part of the United Methodist connection is able to work in partnership with ecumenical agencies to bear witness to our common Christian Faith. I could go on and on about all the ways your sacrificial giving is making a difference in the world. Truly, we are “Better Together” especially in ministry to all the word!
I understand that there are more demands and competing voices for your giving, which makes your gifts and sacrifices even more special. You continue to hear the call of God for mission and ministry and respond with such faithful stewardship for such a time as this. Indeed, you have been generous beyond all measure in your giving! I cannot thank my God enough for you and the congregations of the Susquehanna Conference. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thanks be to God for you!
I hope that you will share my gratitude with your congregation.
Appointive Cabinet Changes
January 26, 2020I want to share with you a new transition of the Appointive Cabinet. After some deep conversations and with much prayer and discernment, I am announcing that District Superintendent Larry Leland will be the lead pastor of Faith United Methodist Church, Montoursville PA, effective July 1, 2020.
Rev. Larry Leland has faithfully served the Lewisburg District with distinction since July 1, 2016. The clergy and laity under Larry’s supervision and pastoral care have been richly blessed by his outstanding gifts and graces. His presence, leadership and ministry as a District Superintendent have made a positive impact and brought transformation to many congregations and church leaders in the district and beyond.
Larry has been an intricate part of the Cabinet team. His contribution to the Cabinet with his talent of administration and serving as Cabinet secretary has been significant. He will be greatly missed.
Though Larry has been fruitful in superintending ministry, his love and heart is in the local church. He has expressed a strong calling to return to a local church as pastor and was led that this is the right time. As Larry had done it so effectively before, his serving as pastor of Faith Church will continue to bless the church, the Montoursville community and the larger mission field.
I covet your prayers for Larry, his wife Barb, his son Henry, the Lewisburg District, and the Faith UMC congregation as they go through this transition.
May God continue to richly bless and honor all of us as we serve our beloved church with faithfulness for such a time as this.
New Lewisburg DS Announced
February 16, 2020
Rev. Weaver graduated from Lycoming College with a BA in 1996 and Eastern Baptist Seminary in 1999 where he received his MDiv. He earned his DMin from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2011.
Rev. Weaver is currently serving as the Lead Pastor for Camp Hill United Methodist Church where he has served since 2018. Under his pastoral and spiritual leadership Camp Hill continues to thrive in ministry and expand its mission locally and globally. Prior to serving Camp Hill, Rev. Weaver served Bloomsburg Wesley, Hershey First, Red Lion St. Paul’s Chapel, Lawrenceville Calvary, Warrensville and Heilmans, Bethel and Mill Creek.
Gary has a heart for shepherding as he so faithfully follows the Good Shepherd. His care for people comes from his deep spirituality as he seeks to walk the walk. He is an excellent listener who is open to persons of diverse backgrounds and theological perspectives. He also has a proven gift of administrative leadership as he is completing his second quadrennia as Chair of the Committee on Conference Sessions. Gary was elected a delegate to the 2020 Jurisdictional Conference and is the second clergy alternate delegate for 2020 General Conference.
During this time of cabinet transitions, I give thanks to God for the discernment that Rev. Gary Weaver shall serve as District Superintendent. As a gifted and grace-filled pastor and effective and experienced servant leader, as well as a talented preacher, teacher, and administrator Gary will do well in his new role. His leadership and ministry for the district as well as his presence at the Cabinet table will enable Gary to use his gifts to help us live out our Conference mission to Grow, Equip, and Connect to embody the beloved community of disciple making congregations.
Gary’s wife Cindy is serving as Conference Secretary and Administrative Assistant to the Office of Equipping Vital Congregations. Gary and Cindy have two sons, Isaac and Aaron. Aaron is married to Mary and they have two children, Rose Ellen and Isaac.
Please join me in praying for the Camp Hill congregation and the Lewisburg District, as well as Gary, Cindy, and the family in this time of transition. May the gifts and graces that Gary will bring to his new role help our church enhance God’s reign for such a time as this.
New Director of Connecting Ministries
February 27, 2020
Rev. Rebeck comes to our conference with a wealth of skills and experience for such a time as this. She has been involved in all levels of the United Methodist Church. She has served on Conference staff in her home conference in Minnesota. While serving on the extended cabinet, she led the communication strategy for the Minnesota Conference. In addition, as a Deacon in full connection, Victoria served as co-chair of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. She earned a Master of Theological Studies from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Northwestern University.
Rev. Rebeck also served for six years on the staff of the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry as Director of Deacon Ministry Development, Provisional Membership Support, and Certification programs. Her experience also includes working as the Assistant Editor for the United Methodist Publishing House where she worked on the 2000 Advance and Daily Christian Advocates, the Book of Discipline, and Newscope. She has worked at every General Conference since 2000 and was elected a delegate to the 2008 General Conference.
With her vast and varied experiences in the United Methodist Church, Victoria brings significant resources to the Susquehanna Conference as we continue to strive to fulfill the conference mission of growing spiritual transformational leaders, equipping vital congregations and creating new places for new people, and connecting with each other and the world. Keenly aware of the times in which we live as a denomination, Victoria also brings with her a spirit of collegiality, a creative approach to ministry, and a collaborative engagement in ministry together with others, so that the Susquehanna Conference can continue to live to fully embody the beloved community of disciple-making congregations.
Please join me in welcoming Rev. Victoria Rebeck and praying for her smooth transition and most rewarding ministry in our conference. I am confident that her presence and leadership among us will be a rich blessing to our church as we serve our beloved church together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
In Ministry with You,
Jeremiah J. Park
