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| View or download PDF at www.susumc.org/link |
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
Monday, July 12, 2021
Remembering Our Heritage
Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
July – 100 years ago.
The Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church hosted its annual Dickinson College Summer School of Religious Education July 11-21, 1921. Of the 280 paid registrants, 111 were men – and 73 of those were ministers. There were 193 certificates presented to those completing their third year of course work. Noted among the instructors was the Superintendent of Teacher Training from the state of Florida. Noted among the courses was one on “Epworth League Methods.”
Bishop William F. McDowell preached the Sunday morning service – and in response to his invitation, 19 young people dedicated themselves to full-time Christian service. Over 6,000 people from Carlisle and the surrounding area turned out to witness the impressive closing pageant, “The Deliverance of Moses.”
August – 50 years ago
August 1971 brought to conclusion a three month summer ministry by Rev. Robert Vowler and the Baughman Memorial Church in New Cumberland. Each Thursday night during June, July and August, worship services were held in the sanctuary – with bulletins, ushers, greeters, special soloists and all the other components of the traditional Sunday morning service. Like many other congregations, Baughman Memorial noticed that many families were using their summer weekends to take mini-vacations. The prime motivation of the program was to give opportunity for worship to those who would be out of town the following weekend. The sermon was the same as that of the following Sunday morning. The average number attending throughout the summer was 80, with local church members comprising about ¾ of each service’s attendance.
Discovery Place: New Resources for Building the Beloved Community
Discovery Place Resource Center is open and ready to serve the people and churches of the Susquehanna Conference! Our resources are FREE for you to borrow; your only cost is the return postage.
As we live into the vision of Building the Beloved Community, Discovery Place has recently purchased several resources. We have two DVD studies, which can be borrowed for the duration of your study:
Vital Conversations: Racism and the U.S. Church – Subtitled “Vital Conversations on Race, Culture, and Justice,” this was published by the General Commission on Religion and Race (GCORR) of the United Methodist Church.
Holding Up Your Corner: Video Stories About Race – Accompanied by a book of the same title by F Willis Johnson, this study will equip churches to begin addressing issues of race and justice in their communities.
In addition to these videos, we have several books that your small group or Sunday School Class may want to consider studying. Since we have very limited copies of each, these may be borrowed for a 2-3 week preview:
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin DiAngelo
White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White, by Daniel Hill
Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, by Monique W Morris
I’m Black. I’m Christian. I’m United Methodist, by Rudy Rasmus and 9 others
Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity, by David W Swanson
Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, by Drew G I Hart
Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation, by Latasha Morrison
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, by Austin Channing Brown
Copies of these books for your group study may be purchased from Cokesbury (www.cokesbury.com).
Full descriptions of each of these resources can be found in the on-line catalog on our website, www.discovery-place.org. You may place an order directly on-line, call 717-766-7968 (your voicemail will send me an email), or email discovery@susumc.org.
Looking forward to serving you!
Joni Robison
Progress Not Perfection: a story from Breezewood Trucker Traveler Ministry
Rev. Bruce B. Maxwell, Chaplain, Breezewood Trucker Traveler Ministry
God is Still at Work
In the midst of all the masks, social distancing and fear, God is still moving in the hearts and lives of people. This article attests to His continued presence and concern for His creation. God still saves, keeps, and moves among those living and working in these times; He also protects and guides those who desire it.
The Breezewood Trucker/Traveler Ministry is still operating in this transient area to aid those who need assistance – whether it be spiritual or material. The Chaplain has been meeting with people, lending assistance, providing housing and counsel among his sundry duties. We are so thankful for those who have not forgotten this work of love for those in need – God bless you all.
Billy and his Mom can’t live together. Billy is rough around the edges and knows how to move on when the staying is too much. Billy loves his Mom; she lives in St. Louis and gets a visit from Billy every few years. She gave birth to Billy at age 15 and was dealing with her own adolescent issues. Billy nearly died as a toddler, being poisoned with hair dye. Fortunately there was a hospital across the street; his stomach was pumped and his life saved. He was raised as an only child and recalls a memory of attending his first music concert with his Mom (the Beatles in 1966 at the St. Louis ball field), but most of his early years were with Great Grandma, who lived off contrived but profitable legal settlements with large St. Louis area corporations. Mom was out sowing her wild oats, and eventually brought home the step-Dad from hades.
Billy was surrounded by a dysfunctional family and a social circle of gangsters, mobsters, drinkers, and drug users. He became a user himself, and joined the family business of lawlessness, ending up in jail for a total of 27 years (that doesn’t include 3 years in juvenile). His offenses were armed robbery and auto theft. There was a brief window in his 20’s when he lived in an apartment and worked for a paycheck, but it was short lived. He eventually ended up on the streets of Sunset Strip (Hollywood) and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous (June Pointer, Jim Carrey, Andy Gibb, etc.) back in the 80’s when cocaine use was part of the status. He was a hardened man with a hard heart.
He moved from place to place living in motels; the life style choices and addictions eventually brought great damage to his body. In 2010, two drug dealers in Houston pinned his legs with a car and beat him badly. He spent 4 weeks in ICU, but declined further surgeries to put his bones back together, and hence his leg strength can only handle about 10 minutes out of the wheelchair. Fast forward to 2013 at age 58, he was continuing his free-wheeling motorized chair journey of “any town” USA and found himself in Alabama receiving a Bible tract from a young family as he sat in his wheel chair on the street corner. The two young children in this family were innocent and tender; his usual brash dismissal was silent. He received the salvation tract, and began reading it. The evil one tried to get him to put it down; but Billy didn’t. He said the sinner’s prayer, and then found himself enveloped in a cloak of warmth and protection and security, knowing at that moment “everything is going to be OK.” He thought: “is this LSD” or some other drug induced state of mind, but he wasn’t on any drug! Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit made a home in his heart. It changed his life.
Spiritual progress can show itself in many ways; for Billy staying out of the bars and living clean is a huge step. His wandering wheel chair journey of America included Breezewood for 5 weeks in a motel room and an occasional lapse into old habits, but I celebrated his progress not his
(im)perfections. No one but Jesus is perfect; we are all a work in progress. Encouragement begets more courage and affirmation begets more determination for a Savior worthy of His promises. I thank God for His love that meets Billy right where he is. That’s a promise God made to all.
Find out more about this ministry at breezewoodtruckertraveler.org or email Maxwell.bruce@gatewaytravelplaza.com
Volunteers In Mission is for All Churches in Mission!
United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) is the short-term mission agency of the United Methodist Church. An UMVIM volunteer is any United Methodist who engages in outreach as a member of a United Methodist Church in service of their neighbors near and far.
Any local church serving in missions is eligible for additional accident insurance through United Methodist Volunteers In Mission (VIM) free of charge.
All VIM teams should carry travel insurance. This insurance is a supplement to each team member’s personal insurance.
If your church is serving the neighborhood, out of state, or out of the country contact Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator, for more information.
You can submit a volunteer roster in order to receive the insurance card and information for your time of service with others.
Michelle can be reached at vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105. More info on the insurance can be found at www.susmb.org/insurance/. You can download the volunteer roster here: Volunteer Roster.
VIM offers training and connections to opportunities too. Check it out at www.susmb.org/vim/
How Do You Like Your Coffee?
Doug Hoy, SUSUMC Disaster Response Coordinator
In the fall of 2020, as I was delivering hand sanitizer around the Conference, I found myself listening to a podcast about doing ministry and mission. The presenter compared ministries of the church to coffee. As a coffee drinker myself, I listened closely as he explained there are many kinds of coffee: roasted, blended, cappuccino, espresso, mocha, and traditional— the list went on and on. He pointed out that the selection of a coffee is followed by the method by which it is prepared — brewed, filtered, poured over, French pressed, cold brewed, or percolated. Once brewed, some prefer to drink it directly without any enhancements, while others chose to mask the “bitter” taste with sugar, milk, or a flavored creamer. And, adding to the story, he noted that some enjoy a nice cup of “Joe” to start their morning, while others enjoy it throughout the day or while relaxing after the evening meal.
As the presenter continued, he explained that community ministry is very similar. There are many different kinds of ministry in the church. Congregations then develop, prepare, and offer those ministries based on the preferences found within their communities, offering them at the convenience of those who will benefit the most. As I listened, I was reminded of a church I attended for several years that operated a coffee shop. We literally used coffee to reach the community. It provided us with a platform to connect and share the love of Christ with people who would otherwise never set foot in a church building.
Scripture tells us “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).
Grace UMC in Lemoyne recently opened its doors to host a community vaccination site. Pastor Jason Schwartzman explained, “Our church is in a great location to meet this need because we are very close to Route 83, near a local bus stop, and right in the middle of our community.”
After multiple e-mails with state officials, they were partnered with a pharmacy and set up a date. They opened their doors shortly after services on Sunday, June 27, and Schwartzman waited outside to greet those who came for their vaccination.
“From the start of the pandemic, Grace has been looking for ways to serve,” Schwartzman said. “This was a great way to reach our community and let them know we care. And, it gives us an opportunity to show and share the love of Christ.”
It is just one of many examples of the church using its gifts in service. You have been faithful stewards and used the gifts God gave you to engage others. You shared the love of Christ in your communities. Over the past 18 months, the people of the Susquehanna Conference have served their “coffee” and continued to “brew” for Christ. You opened your churches to support on-line and home-school learning. You supported students as they continued to pursue the arts. You fed essential workers on the pandemic front lines. You made and delivered blessing boxes filled with cookies. And, you volunteered your time and resources to support COVID-19 vaccinations sites.
As you move forward in mission and ministry, serving in your communities, continue to look for the kind of “coffee” your community needs. Then, put your love into action by brewing and serving it. “Never be lacking in zeal, keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need” (Romans 12:11-13). Practice “caffeinated” zeal and hospitality.
Visit the Disaster Response website: www.susmb.org/drm
Friday, July 9, 2021
Hearts Strangely Warmed: Jeffery D. Holland
“While the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.” — John Wesley, May 24, 1738
God calls us to tell our story so that others may come to know Jesus Christ. “Hearts Strangely Warmed” was created to share these stories about transformational encounters with the Living God.
Jeffery D. Holland
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, NIV
On March 20 of 2020, I experienced one of the worst days of life. I was furloughed from my job as a sales rep due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I had worked for over fifteen years to build a career and suddenly it was just gone. Without my job, I lost my sense of self-worth, I felt lost.
I had a lot of time to sit and reflect on my life. I sat at my desk in my home office and looked out the window while I considered my future. I was frustrated with the business practices of my former employer. They didn’t treat people with dignity. Their focus was only on making money. It made me sick to my stomach when I saw them taking advantage of customers. I enjoyed working with people and wanted to help them.
I was surprised to find that being laid off was actually a blessing in disguise. It gave me the space and the time I needed to reflect on my life.
I would not have had the courage to quit my job. I did not want to lose my income or all the effort I had put into building my career. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything and I took being furloughed as an opportunity to think. I began to realize that it was not just an ending—it was a new beginning!
I feel God urging me to take a new direction in my life. I believe God is calling me to a new beginning and a life of service to Jesus Christ. Throughout my life, I have many times felt a little push toward serving God but I always said to myself, “No—not now.” Due the pandemic, I finally had the opportunity to really hear God and come to the realization that I want to get away from always thinking about producing a profit at the cost of other people and instead focus on serving God and truly helping others.
I feel Christ calling me to dedicate myself to a life of service. I want to help others to find the same feeling of completeness I found within my church family. I’m excited to announce that I am now on the path toward becoming a certified candidate for ministry.
I know this past year has been hard for everyone. A lot of people are out of work and many people have lost someone they love. Our world will never be the same. I don’t know when the pandemic will end, but I do know that God can turn tragedies into blessings. I hope that you will take some time to sit and listen to the voice of God. Look at a tree, a flower, or a bird and admire how Spring comes again every year. What is God saying to you? Where is God calling you? Take time to stop and listen!
Getting to Know Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
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| Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball |
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I am excited, honored, and humbled to be called to come alongside you in the mission and ministry of Christ as together Bishop Moore-Koikoi and I serve together as episcopal Spiritual leaders for the Susquehanna, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia Conferences. I look forward to this collaborative journey with you as God does a new thing! I can already sense the movement of God’s Spirit as Bishop Moore-Koikoi and I have our weekly meetings to pray and prepare together, for new relationships with clergy and laity, and journeying together in new ways to become even more effective in making Disciples of Jesus Christ, growing vital congregations and leaders, and Building God’s Kingdom.
My vision for the Church is to be a dynamic network of faith communities passionate about sharing the hope, love, and life of Christ. What I envision is a group of collaborative followers of Jesus Christ who truly capture the meaning of what it means to “Go!” I envision a group of followers of Jesus Christ who understand that they have a gift so great in Christ that they cannot keep this gift to themselves; a community that understands that the Church’s most critical mission is to reach out, go out, and genuinely, authentically, connect with and invite those who are not yet part of the faith community. This vision will only be fulfilled as we discover and learn how to better equip and empower leaders to fulfill, and to lead others to fulfill, both the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
How do we do this? Equip and Empower for the current, post pandemic and future generations? We give opportunities to grow. We connect people with new ways of fulfilling the Gospel story. We explore and test new strategies and structures and learn how to delegate, empower, collaborate, and share. We break down walls, build bridges, and work to make the artificial boundaries we have erected between peoples, districts, conferences, licensed, ordained, and lay, more porous. We engage scripture. We model our own lives after the example of Christ. We celebrate and share the story of Christ wherever we find ourselves, without apology. We do the work of God. We point out where God is already at work and join God there – no matter where “there” is. We constantly ask the question: “How will [this] make disciples of Jesus Christ?”
As I join with Bishop Moore-Koikoi and with you in this exciting adventure with Christ I pray that each of you, clergy and laity, will be open to what God is saying to you about your call and responsibility for making Disciples of Christ and building God’s Kingdom. I pray that you will allow the river of God’s Spirit to flow through you and overflow from you to your local church, community, and the world. I am praying and invite you to pray with me for God’s transforming power to be experienced and received in ways that will bring resurrection to your lives individually, the churches where you worship, and to the larger community of faith!
Thank you for the warm and wonderful welcome you have given to both Bishop Moore-Koikoi and to me, as we have begun some of the transitional work and meetings! Thank you to all those persons who are prayerfully preparing for this new opportunity and way of ministry and leadership. Thank you for all your prayers in the midst of transition! I would especially like to thank Bishop Park. I am grateful for the time he spent with your two new bishops sharing the gifts, the mission, and ministry of this Conference.
Please keep both Bishop Moore-Koikoi and I in your prayers as we continue to transition, listen, and to discern God’s voice and God’s Will. God is doing a new thing! It is exciting! It is renewing and invigorating! Yes, it is a bit anxiety producing – however – that just means that God is in the midst of this. When God gives us a vision that seems greater than we are, we do not have to fret. God has assured us that the bigger the vision God gives (and we embrace), the more power God promises will pulsate through us, so that in Christ, we become more than able to fulfill the vision. Our prayers, our searching should never be for small visions, but for great ones. Big visions are not occasions for doubt and discouragement. No, big visions are occasions for joy and rejoicing because the power is on the way!
Susquehanna Conference, God’s power is already moving among you! I am looking forward with joyful anticipation to joining with you and with Bishop Moore-Koikoi in that movement.
Grace and Peace.
Getting to Know Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
In March 2021, the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops announced that Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi will provide episcopal leadership and coverage of Susquehanna, West Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania Conferences during the interim period of September 1, 2021 through December 31, 2022 due to the postponed General and Jurisdictional Conferences. Get to know our new bishops by viewing this video and through the following letters.
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| Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi |
The first Pentecost Day was so astonishing it almost overwhelmed the thousands of people who were gathered together. Indeed, God did a new thing as God, through the rush of the wind, poured out God’s Holy Spirit over thousands of diverse people; and the church was born. That rush of wind was such a seminal experience in the life of the church that 2,000 years later, not only do we commemorate that singular day, but we spend an entire season celebrating God’s gift of the Holy Spirit for the work of the church. Pentecost extends from May through the start of Advent in November.
Sometimes as a result of the typical summer programming lull in many churches, we don’t take full advantage of this time in the liturgical year to really celebrate and praise God for the new thing that God did for the church. This year, I am going to be more intentional about celebrating Pentecost in my personal devotion time, and I invite you to do the same. I encourage you to commit to praying, throughout this season, prayers of thanksgiving and praise to God for Pentecost.
Here is one of my prayers for us all:
Almighty God, the only One who can impart the Holy Spirit like a rush of violent wind and tongues of fire, we thank you for all you have given to your church. We praise you for the gift of diversity that you blessed and made holy on that first Day of Pentecost. Thank you for the times that your Spirit breaks through our humanness and causes persons who come from different backgrounds, experiences, cultures, and perspectives to speak to one another in ways that lead to understanding, commitment to a common mission, and the conversion of others.
Forgive us for the times we have sneered at and judged those whom you have gifted with the desire and ability to listen to and understand the other. Forgive us for the times we have squandered, ignored, been afraid of, mistrusted, or otherwise misused these and other gifts you have given us for the building up of your church. We thank you for your patience with us, God.
O God, we ask that you ignite in us the same level of joy and awe those first churchgoers felt because of the presence of your spirit among them. Help us to continue to be or to become overwhelmingly, obnoxiously, astoundingly excited about being members of the United Methodist Church. Help us to feel the same urgency felt by those early converts who were “cut in the heart” and asked Peter and the apostles what they should do in response to their experience with your Holy Spirit.
God, to You we give all honor, glory, and praise. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
One reason I want to be more intentional about celebrating this year is because I believe it is the providence of God that we will be embarking on our experiment in episcopal coverage for Susquehanna, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia during Pentecost. Bishop Steiner-Ball and I come to Susquehanna from different regions with diverse experiences, distinct expectations, and - because of all of the acronyms that we United Methodists use - different languages. We will need a little Pentecost to do this to work.
Because of my faith, I expect God’s Holy Spirit will come to us and we will be able to understand one another, be in awe and wonder of God, get excited about discerning what God would have us to do, and commit to doing God’s will. Bishop Steiner-Ball and I already experienced a little Pentecost when all three cabinets gathered in Hershey the second week in June. We were encouraged and invigorated by our connecting and planning. We are anxious to do God’s will.
So I will intentionally be praying for Pentecost to be fully experienced in these three annual conferences so that thousands might ask of us, “What must we do to be saved?”
To God be the glory.
Three Conferences, Two Bishops
Jackie Campbell, Communications Director, Western Pennsylvania Conference UMC
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. — Isaiah 43:19 (ESV)
United Methodist leaders in the Susquehanna, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Conferences are preparing to move forward in faith, cooperating in ministry and mission across geographic boundaries as two bishops share leadership of all three areas beginning September 1, 2021.
Bishops Sandra Steiner Ball of West Virginia and Cynthia Moore-Koikoi of Western PA have been assigned by the Northeastern Jurisdiction College of Bishops to provide coverage of the Susquehanna Conference, in addition to their current areas, as Bishop Jeremiah Park moves into vocational retirement.
While it is common in the United Methodist Church for one bishop to lead more than one annual conference, this model for leadership is new. The two bishops have met weekly on-line and a few times in person to prepare for the launch of this experimental model for episcopal leadership.
“I am excited because we are going to be able to work out of our own gift sets, our own passions, so that we can resource these three conferences and we can move forward together to be where God wants us to be in mission and ministry,” said Bishop Moore-Koikoi.
“There’s nothing I like more than collaborating in ministry,” Bishop Steiner Ball said. I am just very excited that we have this new opportunity to work with three conferences and to be able to see what the movement of God’s spirit is going to bring about!”
“It’s exciting to work out of our own passions, but also to ignite passions of others in these three conferences so that they awaken to opportunities to work together in new ways and also to discover what God is already doing in these three conferences,” said Bishop Steiner Ball. “It’s just a creative moment a chance to be intentional about where
The experimental model is going to necessitate that “we grow and develop strong laity leadership in order to do what needs to be done,” Bishop Moore-Koikoi said. Groups of leaders will be asked to help the bishops discern and develop ways to support leadership development, better deploy laity leaders, share revitalization strategies, and support mission and ministry.
“We have an opportunity...to dream God-sized dreams, to see where Christ is at work and see where we can move alongside” to meet the physical and spiritual needs, Bishop Steiner Ball added.
“This is not a forerunner to merging annual conferences!” Bishop Moore-Koikoi said. “We are NOT trying to do that. BUT what we can do is strip away some of the human-made boundaries.
“We are going to keep episcopal areas, keep Annual Conference boundaries for some things we need to do around polity, around leadership development and those kinds of things. But the boundaries are going to be more porous in order that we can deploy resources where they are most needed,” she explained.
“It’s about multiplication of ministry and resources and congregations,” Bishop Steiner Ball added. “It’s biblical...to multiply life in every way.”
The extended Cabinets of the three Conferences met together in Hersey, PA in early June to get to know each other better, learn about leadership practices and organization in each area and share ideas. Participants shared their concerns and what excites them about the possibilities for reinvigorating ministry.
Since then, there have been follow-up conversations and sharing of ideas and resources. Some aspects of the collaboration are not yet known. Additional details of the experiment will be announced in August and September.
“God has planted a seed with us and with these annual conferences. And, you know, when you plant a seed, you can’t see what is going to come up,” said Bishop Steiner Ball. “You can have an expectation, but you can’t see exactly where the branches are...or the fruit is going to look like. That’s the exciting adventure. But I am thankful that God has planted with us in our call to mission and ministry to work together to make Christ known and to bring the transforming power of Christ to these three annual conference in new and vibrant ways.”
As the bishops and leaders watch the experiment, they’ll see what has worked and what has not and be able to share those things with the Jurisdiction and the denomination. The bishops said they hope to get good factual information and data from this experiment to help the denomination discern the role of a bishop in the life of the Church.
“God does these new things so that we can learn … and help lead others into learning and thereby multiplying how we do ministry even better tomorrow and for future generations than we do it today,” said Bishop Steiner Ball.
The experiment will last for at least a year and the Lewis Center for Church Leadership, based at Wesley Theological Seminary, will help to evaluate the model.
Day 2 Recap: 2021 Susquehanna Annual Conference
Janelle Walker, Director of Communications
On June 19, 2021, the 2nd day of the 12th Session of the Susquehanna Annual Conference was called back to order by Bishop Jeremiah Park. (Plenary 3) The day began with a Juneteenth worship service. Rev. Kris Sledge started the service with a brief history of Juneteenth and the importance of the holiday. Rev. Sledge was followed by members of the connection singing “Oh Freedom”. The poem Juneteenth by Noah Griffin was then recited. Bishop Park then introduced Bishop Jane Middleton, formerly of the Susquehanna Conference. He noted her many accolades and great history of ministry. Bishop Middleton, then took time to offer her appreciation for the conference and the honor of speaking on this day. Rev. Mindi Gochnaur, then read 1 John 4:11-16, 19-21 and Luke 10:25-37.
Bishop Middleton began her message with words of love for all, no matter your difference, no matter how hard it is. “The kind of love Jesus is calling for is a profound love in which the Christ in me sees the Christ in the other, every other. The power of love Christ requires of us is its all-inclusiveness. The most impossible reality of that love is its all-inclusiveness. How can we love knowing our own frailties? We cannot love in this radically inclusive way through our own power. Only by surrendering our will, our idiosyncrasies, our dysfunction, our prejudices to God can we even begin to love with radical inclusiveness. Perhaps even most important, if we can accept with every part of our being that we ourselves are unconditionally loved by God, perhaps then we can truly love,” she said.
Bishop Middleton, went on to talk about the Tulsa Oklahoma Massacre in 1921 and the effect it had on generations. She closed with thoughts on 1 John “The words of first John remind us that the source of this love is God in Christ Jesus. We can’t do this by our own power but by God’s gift. It’s a wondrous circle of love. ‘If we love each other, God remains perfect in us.’ Only by God’s grace can we even hope to live a life of love. The proof of our capacity to love is in our relationships with the near one and the far one, with those closest to us as well as those who are unlike us, our opposites. ‘If anyone says I love God and hates their brother or sister he or she is a liar.’ We must love with every fiber of our being. We must love because God first loved us. How can we do this? By allowing the Christ in me, to recognize the Christ in you,” Bishop Middleton said.
Following Bishop Middleton’s message, Rev. Catherine Boileau, spoke about the Cup of Water Fund. Next came the song “We Shall Overcome”. Rev. Kris Sledge closed the service.
The Trustees report was the first business of the day. Rev. Mark Shover, President of the Board of Trustees presented the report. The Trustees motions and actions are as follows:
Convene corporate session. The motion was approved.
Approval of the minutes from the October 2020 meeting. The motion was approved.
The adoption of the reports of the Board of Trustees and the Property & Casualty Committee. Rev. Shover had 3 corrections to the Trustees’ report. Rev. Barry Robison, confirmed and affirmed those corrections. The motion was approved.
Disaffiliation of Bethel-Marysville church. Motion to call for the question was approved. The motion was approved.
Confirmation of the new trustees just elected in ecclesiastical session. The motion was approved.
Adoption of the full report of the trustees. The motion was approved.
A resolution to approve all acts of the board of trustees from October 3, 2020, to and including June 19, 2021. The motion was approved.
Adjourn corporate session. The motion was approved.
Motion that in ecclesiastical session, the conference approve the actions taken at the 2021 meeting. The motion was approved.
Next was Rev. John Overman, Chair of the Commission on Equitable Compensation, who delivered the Commission’s report. Motion to amend line 23: 2022 minimum salary increase from 2% to 3% was not approved. The report was approved.
Following that was the 2nd part of the Leadership Report. The ministries featured today exemplified the conference’s mission of growing transformational leaders, equipping vital congregations, and connecting with each other and the world. Rev. Kevin Witt and Kim Shockley, spoke about the Grow Curriculum. Then the conference got a look inside how one church used the curriculum and how impacted the congregation. The Camp and Retreat Ministry followed. They talked about coming back to camp after the pandemic and how it was made possible through donor support. Next, was some insight into Fresh Expressions through the experience of First UMC in Williamsport and Camp Hill UMC. Then the conference learned more about multi-site churches with Linglestown Life/ Rockville UMC and Spry/Pine Grove UMC. Following that, Disaster Response Coordinator, Doug Hoy. He talked about what Disaster Response does and how churches can get involved. Michelle Schwartzman, Volunteers in Missions Coordinator, then spoke about the different things that missions do and how it impacts people.
Next, there was a motion to return to Resolution #5 from day 1 of session. The motion was approved. The resolution was as follows: Unity in Mission: It calls for four actions. The first, asks the conference to resolve to desire to be an Annual Conference that lives out unity in diversity for the sake of our mission and as an answer to Jesus’ prayer that we may be one. The second, asks the conference to resolve to desire to stay in relationship with The United Methodist Church and in mission together. The third, asks the conference to resolve that, if the United Methodist General Conference amends The Book of Discipline, we aspire to become an Annual Conference that protects diversity of conviction and practice among our local churches and our clergy, including that we would hope to become an Annual Conference which permits, but does not require, performing of same-sex marriages. The fourth, requests that the leadership and local churches of the Susquehanna Annual Conference work towards practical frameworks for living together in connection as The United Methodist Church continues to discern its future path. The resolution was approved.
Next, the Young People’s Ministry Council presented their report. They talked about the program Lead Now, which is an internship program for senior high students that helps them develop their gifts and learn leadership skills that was piloted at Aldersgate UMC in Mechanicsburg. The students worked with Vacation Bible School, built websites, and video production for their churches. They are also mentored by church staff.
Bishop Park, then took time to recognize conference chancellor Ray Hamil, who will be retiring later this year. Bishop Park then recognized Bob Force who has been committed to the conference for 30 years in the finance ministry, he will be retiring this year but will still serve on the Seedling Financial Board. He then recognized Rev. Greg Myers, for his service on conference staff, cabinet, and Board of Ordained Ministry, he will be retiring this year. Bishop Park then recognized Christy Mackey, who served as the Executive Assistant to the Bishop for many years. Christy will be leaving in July.
After the lunch break, the conference heard from those who will be ordained as elders this year through Wesley’s historic questions. Those examined were Rev. David Layser, Rev. Jason Schwartzman, Rev. Kristopher Sledge, and Rev. Daniel Wilt.
Following that we took time to honor those who will be retiring this year, by members of Cabinet reading the names. Followed by honoring those who have passed away since the last Annual Conference, through members of Cabinet reading the names. Bishop Park then set the appointments for 2021.
Then came a time to honor Bishop Park, who will be retiring effective on August 31. Members of the Transition team Rev. Barry Robison and Lisa Bender spoke on the team’s behalf. They thanked Bishop Park for his ministry. As well as shared that many people have donated the Beloved Community Fun on his behalf raising thousands of dollars. Then a video was played of many across the conference connection thanking Bishop Park.
Bishop Park then went on to thank members of the staff, the cabinet, clergy, and laity who worked to plan this year’s conference session. He then made some important announcements: Conference session will come to order again on Oct. 5, 2021, for a special called session. The conference will be voting on the budget at that time. The next Annual Conference will take place in person on June 1-3, 2022, at the Hershey Lodge. We then entered a time of worship.
Closing worship was opened by Rev. Grey Myers. He thanked Bishop Park, talked about his ministry, and praised his steadfast service. Next was the song “How Great Thou Art”. Bishop Park delivered the message for this service. He began by recounting being assigned to the Susquehanna Conference. He went on to thank the conference, “Please accept my ‘Thank you! Thank you! And Thank you!’ from the bottom of my heart for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. God’s people of the Susquehanna Conference, clergy, and laity alike, your commitment to discipleship and stewardship, dedication to mission and outreach, and diligence in ministry and service are truly exemplary and exceptional; and you remain committed to all of these things even in the midst of an unprecedented season of multiple challenges. Your faithfulness is outstanding and exemplary. No wonder I was told that the Susquehanna Conference was number one among all annual conferences in the United States for 2019 [apportionments] collection. You honored the general church [apportionments] 100% even last year, the most financially challenging year! Mission Central, Seedling Ministry as a loan fund, and the Stewardship Foundation are all in a much stronger place, ready to serve more people and congregations! Thanks, and praises be to God!
No matter what, our people are determined to continue to touch and serve and transform lives with the love of God in the name of Jesus Christ. In the midst of the unprecedented challenges all around us, we see our pastors and congregations continue to offer new and creative ministries as they expand their presence and connection with the people in the community and beyond with determination, courage, and grace for the sake of the good news of God. Indeed, our people remain steadfast and serve with their time, talents, and treasurers to represent the presence of healing and hope for such a time as this. Thanks be to God for you!”
Bishop Park then went on to say goodbye, “So with confidence, I commit you to God and God’s grace for such a time as this. Indeed, the God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 1:6) He continued to talk of his love for worship, “I have been most richly blessed to have traveled the hills and valleys, the farmland, and the rural areas, small towns, suburban, and the cities of the Susquehanna Conference to visit our churches and people. Lisa and I immensely enjoyed the times we had in worship and fellowship all over the place in our conference. Wherever I visited I shared with our people a message that we are a church alive in Christ together. We worship and serve the living God. As God’s people, there is no other way to be, but alive!”
He then went on to take a moment of personal privilege, expressing his love for his wife, “Lisa, you’re the best dance partner I can ask for. I am privileged to have the best wife and you are the best mom for Cathy and Matthew, and their spouses George and Joyce, and you are the best grandma Gemma, Penelope, Eugenie, and Eli can have, you are a blessing to all of us beyond description. Lisa, how can I thank my God enough for the joy I have because of you? With you, I know that the best days of our lives are yet to come and am looking forward to our common journey ahead in joy and peace with gratitude.” He closed his message by singing the song “For I Have Touched the Hem of His Garment”.
Bishop Park then spoke about the Mongolian Mission fund and some of the history of the mission. Next came the song “Great is Thy Faithfulness”. Rev. Matthew Lake then offered a prayer for our Bishops during the transition. The Chi Rho singers then led a time of worship. Rev. Mindi Gochnaur, offer the benediction to close the service.
Closing out the live portion of the session, Rev. Barry Robison, motioned to adjourn the conference session. The motion was approved.
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Annual Conference altar design by Amy Wynn, Executive Administrative Assistant, Connecting Ministries. |
Day 1 Recap: 2021 Susquehanna Annual Conference
Janelle Walker, Director of Communications
The 12th session of the Susquehanna Conference began on Friday, June 18, 2021. Bishop Jeremiah Park opened the session (Plenary 1) with a greeting and spoke of the theme for this year’s Conference: A Vision of the Beloved Community. Bishop Park went on to say, “Our world, our nation, and our church are going through a profoundly liminal time with lots of uncertainties and anxieties. We hear seriously concerned voices of frustration, despair, and fear from all over the place. However, this unprecedented time we are living through could be a once in a lifetime moment for God’s people to catch up with the new things that God is doing among us and in the world. This may be a revolutionary moment of opportunity when history and hope and dreams meet together.” Bishop Park continued with a message of love, community, and Christ. “This is the time and we are the people to be a living witness of ‘A Vision of the Beloved Community of Christ’. Once again, we are the people of a vision of the Beloved Community: ‘Alive in Christ together, Susquehanna Conference will embody the Beloved Community of disciple-making congregations.’ Amen and Amen.”
The Conference Session continued with worship, opening with youth from across the connection reciting “Cultivating Beloved Community” adapted by Rev. Nathan Decker, then followed by a rendition of the song “The Gift of Love”. The sermon was delivered by Bishop Peggy Johnson of the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and Peninsula-Delaware Conference. Continuing the message of love and community, Bishop Johnson said, “Jesus saw the heart of people: The woman at the well, Nicodemus at night, Peter by the charcoal fire after the resurrection. He patiently listened, engaged and looked at them with the eyes of God’s love and kindness…Sometimes we are so busy or so sure we know what a person is like ahead of time that we don’t really see them, hear their hearts and understand their backgrounds. Pope Francis recently wrote, ‘This haste, this everything-right-now, does not come from God. If we get worked up about the right-now, we forget what remains forever, and we follow the passing clouds and lose sight of the sky.’ Love has patience and sees the sky.” After Bishop Johnson, Rev. Kris Sledge, Rev. Anna Layman-Knox, and Rev. Paul Amara spoke about the Beloved Community Fund. Followed by the song “High Above”. The service was closed by Rev. Larry Leland.
After the opening business of the Conference, we viewed part 1 of the Leadership Report. The report featured churches throughout the connection and their various ministries that serve their congregations and communities. These ministries included a growing on-line ministry, vibrant youth ministries, and impactful community service.
The first report of the day was the Council on Finance and Administration, led by Council Chair Rev. Timothy Baer. It is noted that this report does not include the 2022 financial plan, which will be voted on in a Special Session in the fall of 2021. The report included Benevolent Goals, Special Sunday Offerings, and General Recommendations. The motion to accept the report was passed.
Next, Joyce Davis, Conference Lay Leader, delivered the Lay Ministry Report. Davis, spoke about the new Laity Board, which includes five young people to bring new ideas to the table. She expressed her excitement about the new Laity Board and the new collaboration with the Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia Conferences. And offered words of encouragement to our conference laity and urging them to be valuable resources for their clergy and congregations.
Bishop Park then introduced Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball. He voiced his excitement for this new vision. And, he spoke of the great ministry of these Bishops. Bishop Moore-Koikoi said “To the Annual Conference, in case you haven’t yet heard, I am excited beyond measure that Bishop Steiner Ball and I will be working together to provide episcopal coverage for the Susquehanna Conference, Western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia Annual Conferences. We believe that through the words of Isaiah 43:19, God is saying to our three annual conferences, ‘Today, I’m about to do a new thing. Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?’” She went on to talk about her love for the Annual Conference theme and the importance of the beloved community. Bishop Steiner Ball said, “I think of you Susquehanna Conference, and the opportunities, the new thing that God is bringing forth among the West Virginia Annual Conference, the Western Pennsylvania Conference, and the Susquehanna Conference. Indeed, the world is our parish, and I am looking so forward to getting to know you better and to being in mission and ministry alongside you.”
Then, Rev. Nick Keeney, Associate Director of the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation, gave the report for the foundation. The report consists of 2 resolutions. The first resolution was the United Methodist Stewardship Foundation merger with United Methodist Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. The second resolution set the parameters of agreement and plan of merger. Both resolutions were passed.
The Nominations Committee report was next and was given by committee Chair, Teryl Cartwright. The Nominations report was approved. After the Nominations, Rev. John Bondhus, from the Conference Board of Global Ministries presented the Advanced Specials. The motion to accept the Advanced Specials was approved.
Following the reports, a video of a conversation between Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball was shared. The conversation included parts of the new vision, encouragement of collaboration, and opportunities for innovation.
(Plenary 2) After a break for lunch, Rev. Michelle Bodle, Chair of the Board of Pension and Health, presented the Board’s report. There were 5 motions presented: 1) Annuity rate for pre-1982 years of service, 2) Retirement approvals, 3) Rental/housing for disabled or retired clergy, 4) Comprehensive benefit funding plan, 5) Discontinuation of retirement HRA for those retiring after June 30, 2021. All motions were approved.
Next were the resolutions, presented by Rev. Andrew Burd-Harris, Chair of the Conference Board of Global Ministries.
Mental Health: It includes three actions: The first, asks members to observe Mental Health Awareness Month on the third Sunday in May. The second, asks the conference to recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month and National Recovery Month. The third, asks the conference to observe Mental Illness Awareness Week during the first week of October and to hold a day of prayer on Tuesday, October 5, 2021. Amendment vote to remove lines 7 and 12, not approved. Amendment to add reference to the resolution accepted by Rev. Evelyn Madison. The resolution was approved.
Disability Awareness Sunday: It asks for this action: that members of the Susquehanna United Methodist Conference celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday as the second Sunday in October (October 10, 2021). The resolution was approved.
A Call to Work Toward Unity: It calls for five actions: The first, asks the members to work toward unity and creating space for every church, lay person, and clergyperson to live out their convictions, as we wrestle with different understandings of human sexuality and sin. The second, asks conference members to commit to do no harm in words or actions toward our fellow United Methodists in the Susquehanna Conference in the midst of our disagreements. The third, asks conference members to commit to do the most good possible through words and actions toward our fellow United Methodists in the Susquehanna Conference in the midst of our disagreements. The fourth, asks conference members to that we commit to attend to the ordinances of God together with intention as a witness to our faith in Jesus. The fifth, calls conference members to commit to undertake our work towards unity with charity and grace where possible and without malice when not. Amendment vote to change line 9 to remove “their convictions as we wrestle with different” and replace with “the ordinances of God on the” was not approved. Motion to call for the question vote was approved. The resolution was approved.
Reaching People with the Good News of Jesus Christ, Hope of the World: It calls for this action: which begins on line 41: that we, the people of the Susquehanna Conference of The United Methodist Church, renew our commitment, for such a time as this, to reach people with the good news of Jesus Christ, Crucified and Risen from the dead, the Living Lord of history and the Hope of the world. Amendment to add the word “all” to resolution so it would state “to reach all people” accepted by Rev. Andrew Burd-Harris. The resolution was approved.
Unity in Mission: It calls for four actions: The first, asks the conference to resolve to desire to be an Annual Conference that lives out unity in diversity for the sake of our mission and as an answer to Jesus’ prayer that we may be one. The second, asks the conference to resolve to desire to stay in relationship with The United Methodist Church and in mission together. The third, asks the conference to resolve that, if the United Methodist General Conference amends The Book of Discipline, we aspire to become an Annual Conference that protects diversity of conviction and practice among our local churches and our clergy, including that we would hope to become an Annual Conference which permits, but does not require, performing of same-sex marriages. The fourth, requests that the leadership and local churches of the Susquehanna Annual Conference work towards practical frameworks for living together in connection as The United Methodist Church continues to discern its future path. Motion to table Resolution #5 was approved. Point of order was called. Parliamentarian, Rev. Jennifer Williams, ruled that the ruling stands.
A Call to End Conversion Therapy: It calls for the action that members of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church urge the Pennsylvania State Legislature to ban conversion therapy in the state of Pennsylvania to protect and uphold the dignity, rights, and liberty of LBGTQA+ persons in this commonwealth. Motion to table Resolution #6 was not approved. Motion to call for the question was approved. The resolution was approved.
The Susquehanna Declaration: It calls for five actions: The first action, asks the conference to apologize to the LGBTQ+ persons in this conference and its predecessors who felt God’s call to ministry but were unable to pursue it due to discriminatory church laws. The second action, calls the conference to apologize to LGBTQ+ persons 40 who have felt marginalized within their own churches, including those denied the blessing of a church wedding. The third action, calls the conference to pray that God would forgive our straying away from the Greatest Commandment, where Jesus commands us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” The fourth action, asks the conference to pledge to engage in processes that require active engagement and a commitment to showing grace rather than expressing anger, given that not all in the United Methodist Church embrace LGBTQ+ equality. The fifth action asks the conference to commit to work towards a future church, here in the Susquehanna Conference, and in the broader United Methodist Church that is fully accepting of our LGBTQ+ siblings in all aspects of church life, including ordination, as well as marriage officiated by United Methodist clergy persons in United Methodist churches. Motion to table Resolution #7 was not approved. Motion to call for the question was approved. The resolution was not approved.
After the resolutions, we moved into a time of worship. Rev. Brenda Leigey opened the COVID-19 Memorial Service with words of grief and comfort. Essential workers and youth then read scripture and gave brief messages of hope. Rev. Barry Robison delivered the sermon “Mending the Nets of God”.
“The nets of our lives, individually and congregationally, have been torn and the task of mending them is before us. COVID has torn the nets of our lives in different ways. It has affected the physical, mental, and spiritual health of some people in ongoing ways. It has affected others through loss of income or employment. It has caused folks to feel isolated through the loss of relationships, both personally and congregationally. COVID has torn the nets of the ways we live life, at home, in public, and at church” said Rev. Robison. He talked about the time it takes to mend and finding hope in Christ to help us through that time. Rev. Robison, went on to speak about how when the net is mended it will not be the same and how our churches and their ministries will never be the same. He called on churches to embrace these changes. “And so today, as important as mending nets can be, I encourage you to resist the temptation to think that all you can or should do at this time is mend your nets by trying to put your lives back together the way they were. God may be calling all of us away from those efforts to some other purpose” said Rev. Robison.
The service continued with a time of prayerful reflection. The service concluded with the song “New Wine” and a benediction from Rev. Barry Robison.
Thanks be to God for You
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
It is hard to believe that it has been 9 years since I received a phone call that said, “Welcome to the Susquehanna Annual Conference”. After the last Bishop is elected at the Jurisdictional Conference, the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy spends long hours praying and discerning about where Bishops could and should be assigned. Bishops do not have a say in their assignments. We do not apply, nor do we lobby for a certain Annual Conference assignment. In fact, we do not know where we will be going until 6:00 am Friday morning, the last day of Jurisdictional Conference.
For some it is simply a welcome back. For others it begins with an introduction of who is calling and their Annual Conference. It was then that we were told we would be leaving the New York Annual Conference and coming to the Susquehanna Conference. While Lisa and I knew we could be assigned anywhere in the Jurisdiction, the Susquehanna Conference was not on our radar. But God and the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy had a plan for the Susquehanna Conference and for Lisa and me.
What a surprising and amazingly blessed journey it has been! It is hard to believe that the past 9 years have gone by so quickly. In the blink of an eye, we have moved from the gracious and spirited welcome at the Williamsport Arts Center to now this, my last Annual Conference, where I say farewell to my beloved sisters and brothers in Christ.
The 3rd chapter of Ecclesiastes is entitled, “Everything has its season.” Some of the words that resonate at a time like this are: “a time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to keep and a time to throw away…” and so on.
What time is it now for me as we depart?
First, this is a time for me to say, “Thanks be to God for you!”
My heart is overflowing with gratitude as I am having this moment with you.
Two passages truly reflect what’s in my heart for you. The first comes from Philippians 1:3-5. “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now....” The second passage comes from First Thessalonians 3:9. “How can I thank my God enough for you in return for all the joy I have in the presence of our God because of you?”
Please accept my ‘Thank you! Thank you! And Thank you!’ from the bottom of my heart for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. God’s people of the Susquehanna Conference, clergy and laity alike, your commitment to discipleship and stewardship, dedication to mission and outreach, and diligence in ministry and service are truly exemplary and exceptional; and you remain committed to all of these things even in the midst of an unprecedented season of multiple challenges. Your faithfulness is outstanding and exemplary. No wonder, I was told, that the Susquehanna Conference was number one among all annual conferences in the United States for 2019 shares of ministry collection. You honored the general church shares of ministry 100% even last year, the most financially challenging year! Mission Central, Seedling Ministry as a loan fund, and the Stewardship Foundation are all in a much stronger place ready to serve more people and congregations! Thanks and praises be to God! No matter what, our people are determined to continue to touch and serve and transform lives with the love of God in the name of Jesus Christ. In the midst of the unprecedented challenges all around us, we see our pastors and congregations continue to offer new and creative ministries as they expand their presence and connection with the people in the community and beyond with determination, courage, and grace for the sake of the good news of God. Indeed, our people remain steadfast and serve with their time, talents, and treasurers to represent the presence of healing and hope for such a time as this. Thanks be to God for you!
My sincere thanks also extends to the Cabinet, conference leaders and staff in the in my office, the conference office and the district offices who constantly, conscientiously, and so freely offer themselves to the ministry of our church. Thanks be to God for all of you! I am truly privileged and humbled to serve our beloved church with such exceptionally gifted leaders and dedicated servants like you. With humbleness and gratitude, I claim that I have had the best cabinet and conference that I can ask for.
We know that it hasn’t always been easy. There have been difficult decisions and hard choices to make and troubled waters to wade through. But God’s people like you sustained my ministry and kept me going with a profound sense of joy and privilege. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done and will continue to do for Christ and His Church.
Second, this is time for me to commit you to God’s grace.
The time has come for me to say goodbye, my friends. I regret that I depart when our beloved church is going through a very challenging time. Besides the various pandemics to face and cultural and societal environments that are not conducive to the church, our denomination is having a time of profound uncertainties and is likely to take a painful journey toward a potential denominational separation. It breaks our hearts as our sisters and brothers in Christ are facing a prospect of choosing separate ways of being a church.
In the 20th Chapter of Acts, from Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. Knowing that it would be his last time to see them, he wanted to have a personal moment with them before his trip to Jerusalem. As he is saying his farewell to the leaders of Ephesus, he leaves them with some parting words from his heart. While the times and contexts are completely different, Paul’s words as paraphrased in Acts 20:32 by Eugene Peterson speak eloquently to what I have in mind for a moment like this. He wrote, “Now I’m turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what God wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.”
My sisters and brothers, with the utmost confidence, I am turning you over to God and to the word of God’s grace.
I have observed and heard of many annual conference sessions throughout the connection that can get very intense where people often do harm to each other by their words and actions. But as your Bishop I have found that you have shown a consistent pattern of being kind, considerate, and thoughtful to one another and are spiritually focused and prayerful as you discern and decide on critical matters of the church with the mission of the church in mind as your top priority. You do not shy away from your differences, but you continue to show that you love one another by the way you discuss and debate issues that are close to your heart. Indeed, you so faithfully demonstrate what it means to be a church alive in Christ together for the sake of the mission of making disciples and transforming the world.
While your passion is evident for what you believe, what is more evident is the presence of grace. You always try your best to demonstrate a benevolent spirit and actions even in the midst of struggles. Grace never leaves the room.
Paul said to the Elders of the church, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there…. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:22)
Paul’s journey after his conversion was about testifying to God’s grace. It’s no wonder that his last word to them was “grace”.
We are God’s people who are redeemed by grace. To say grace saved me isn’t enough. Grace saved even me. Like Paul, we know that our journey in the faith is about testifying to the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ.
We are compelled to take the journey to the unknown future.
But the grace of God is far greater than our thoughts and surpasses our understanding. Grace will continue to lead you and me into God’s preferred future.
So with confidence, I commit you to God and God’s grace for such a time as this. “Indeed, the God who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the Day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
Third, this is time to dance
I have been most richly blessed to have traveled the hills and valleys, the farmland, and the rural areas, small towns, suburban, and the cities of the Susquehanna Conference to visit our churches and people. Lisa and I immensely enjoyed the times we had in worship and fellowship all over the place in our conference.
Wherever I visited I shared with our people a message that we are a church alive in Christ together.
We worship and serve the living God. As God’s people, there is no other way to be, but alive!
Jesus said, “I came to give you life, an abundant life.” (John 10:10) There is no other way to be in Jesus but alive.
The Church is the living Body of Christ. There is no other way to be a church but alive.
We want every one of our churches to be a church alive as a vital congregation in the most exciting, vibrant, and blissful way.
What does a church alive in Christ look like?”
A singing church is a church alive. I am a singing Bishop. What do you expect?
The Hymn sing was an integral part of my faith formation and spiritual development. I grew up with many Gospel songs that were sung frequently at the revival meetings or camp meetings. Singing hymns and praises feeds my soul and uplifts my spirit. Indeed, when I sing, the spirit comes alive within me. I feel energized and blessed. It’s no wonder that I love to sing!
A praising church is a church alive
A praying church is a church alive
A giving church is a church alive
A church that goes into the Word and into the world is a church alive.
A church in mission is a church alive and so on…
However, wherever I went I lifted up one of the fruits of the Spirit to illustrate a church alive in Christ: The fruit of the spirit I lifted up was joy. A joyful church is a church alive!
We are the people of the gospel of the good news of great joy for all people. If we don’t have joy, what’s the point?
Church is not a building, not a steeple, not a resting place but people.
Joyful people make a joyful church.
The joy we are talking about is not what the world can give nor take away from us.
It’s the joy that comes from the love of God in Jesus Christ.
That we are God’s beloved, that God’s love for us is unconditional, steadfast and everlasting, that God never ever grows weary of loving us, that God’s love is far greater than our understanding, and that God loves us not because of who we are but because of who God is, makes us a joyful people, a joyful church. Joy comes from a love like that.
We remember Jesus’ words in John 13 verses 34-35:
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples. If you love one another.”
Two chapters later Jesus says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
The message for us? There’s no other way to be God’s people but to love one another.
Our theme for this Annual Conference is “A Vision of the Beloved Community.” I really see in you a glimpse of the beloved community of Christ. That gives me a reason for the joy that I have.
The biblical and lasting image of joy is dance. God chose to put you and me together for 9 years. It was in God’s wisdom that we would make good dance partners in and through the ministry of the Susquehanna Conference. In humbleness and with gratitude – I believe we made great dance partners.
Indeed, memories of my 9 years here among you will continue to flood my soul with joy and thanksgiving.
So I will keep dancing.
My dear sisters and brothers of the Susquehanna Conference, you have my prayers and best wishes as I commit you to God’s grace. I am confident that you are in good hands as capable, gifted and grace-filled Bishops Sandra Steiner Ball and Cynthia Moore-Koikoi will lead and serve you. May God continue to richly bless and honor you and your ministry and your journey ahead, all to God’s glory. Amen and amen.
Let me have a moment of personal privilege.
Lisa, you’re the best dance partner I can ask for. I am privileged to have the best wife and you are the best mom for Cathy and Matthew, and their spouses George and Joyce, and you are the best grandma Gemma, Penelope, Eugenie and Eli can have, you are a blessing to all of us beyond description. Lisa, how can I thank my God enough for the joy I have because of you? With you, I know that the best days of our lives are yet to come and am looking forward to our common journey ahead in joy and peace with gratitude.
So, “I will go dancing, I will go dancing, I will go dancing in my soul …”
AC2021 - A Vision of the Beloved Community
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
Once again, we gathered virtually because of circumstances beyond our control. I hope and pray and trust that this is the last time we will need to meet as an annual conference this way. As far as the pandemic of COVID is concerned, thanks be to God, we are turning the corner. Please know that we secured the contract with Hershey Lodge to meet there in-person for annual conference next year.
Virtually or in-person, we gather as the Susquehanna Conference to give witness to the world that we are a church alive in Christ together.
The theme of our gathering this year is: “A Vision of the Beloved Community”. It reminds us of the vision statement of our conference: “Alive in Christ together, Susquehanna Conference will embody the Beloved Community of disciple-making congregations.”
Our world, our nation, and our church are going through a profoundly liminal time with lots of uncertainties and anxieties. We hear seriously concerned voices of frustration, despair, and fear from all over the place.
However, this unprecedented time we are living through could be a once in a lifetime moment for God’s people to catch up with the new things that God is doing among us and in the world. This may be a revolutionary moment of opportunity when history and hope and dreams meet together.
We are lifting up a vision of the beloved community for such a time as this.
The vision is about the coming of the Kingdom of God.
What will the world look like when the reign of God is realized as Jesus envisioned it?
My answer? Beloved community. The Beloved Community of Christ, to be more precise. I believe that is the closest thing that Jesus had in mind when he talked about the Kingdom of God.
Jesus proclaimed, “The time has come. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” The coming of the Kingdom is inevitable.
We are here as a church to enhance and expand the Beloved Community of God’s reign.
The vision is about the common destiny of the human community.
Martin Luther King, Jr. made that point when he said: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”
No matter what race or ethnicity we may have, we are one family of God. No matter what different geographical location we live in, we share the common destiny as one human race. All must be in the journey together toward the world we want to live in where God’s love, justice, and peace prevails for all and true reconciliation among all creation is realized like the vision of the peaceable kingdom of Isaiah.
The vision is about love.
It’s about the greatest commandment: “Love God and love others as yourself.” It’s about the new command from Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).
It’s about the perfect love of God in Jesus Christ as 1 John says:
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God…. since God so loved us, we also love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and God’s love is made complete…. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God lives in him or her…. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…We love because God first loved us.” (selected verses from 1John 4:7-21)
The Beloved Community of Christ is about a love like that.
This is the time and we are the people to be a living witness of “A Vision of the Beloved Community of Christ”. Once again, we are the people of a vision of the Beloved Community: “Alive in Christ together, Susquehanna Conference will embody the Beloved Community of disciple-making congregations.” Amen and Amen.
Equipping Vital Congregations: I Dare You to Read This! (It may change your church’s life!)
Rev. Gary ALAN Shockley, Director of Equipping Vital Congregations
Many years ago, in a different annual conference, I was sent to meet with a church in a “sketchy” part of the city notorious for drugs, gang violence and decline. I was given the unenviable task of guiding them toward closure. Seated around the table with me were seven adults all of whom were in their 70’s and 80’s and white. Half of them lived outside of town and commuted in for worship.
The council chair described his church as “in its final steps” of their 100+ year journey as a community of faith and wanted to know what was next. Questions emerged like, “Why did this happen? Why have people stopped coming to church? How could the community abandon us? Why hasn’t the conference fixed this?” I listened. In time the questions shifted. “How do we turn this around? What should we be thinking about? Is there still a mission for us?” I could not help but notice the “shiny eyes” of some the people around me. I leaned forward with a twinge of excitement.
“Tell me about the people who live around here,” I asked. They essentially described themselves. “There’s just a bunch of old people like us. No younger families. No kids.” Now, as I drove into town earlier that day, I could not help but notice the projects that bordered two sides of their building. As was my custom, I drove through the area and away from the main drag. I stopped at two parks where a dozen or so teenagers were shooting hoops. All of them people of color. I saw young mothers sitting on the stoops of their apartments in the projects with small children on their knees. Again, mostly people of color. I visited a convenience store and acted as though I was lost and looking for the church. I got shrugs and expressions of confusion. One young man pointed away from where the church was (which was within easy walking distance and on the main drag) and said, “I think it’s down there but closed years ago.” My tour of the area yielded a vastly different picture of the community than the folks around me had painted.
I suggested a few simple things for them to do between this meeting and the one we had scheduled in two weeks. “First, get out and visit parts of the town you never frequent. Stop and observe who you see and what is happening around you. Take notes. Second, eat at other places you would normally never go to and vary the times you dine out. Stop and visit a bar even if it is just to have a Coke. Pay particular attention to the people right around your building. Sit outside. Walk the block (in pairs!). Say “hi” to the people you see. And, as you are doing these things, PRAY for God to give you the eyes and hearts you need to SEE your community.” You get the idea.
Between meetings I did a pretty thorough demographic study of the area. When we gathered again there was a noticeable buzz of energy in the room. There were three new people at the table. They could not wait to share with me what they had learned. I listened and often had to choke back tears. When they were finished, I shared what I had learned from my study. The largest population group right around their church (which was in the projects) were twenty-two-year-old single mothers. Over 80% were people of color! We sat with this information for several minutes. “There IS your mission field!”
We then had a conversation about their assets. Not just financial but human assets. What gifts, experiences, heart, and passions had they received from God for such a time as this. I will never forget the statement made that changed the course of their lives and their church. “These young women have no families, no support for their children, no opportunity to work because they can’t afford child-care. WE can be their surrogate parents and grandparents. WE can watch their children. WE can teach them how to cook good food on a tight budget. WE can be with them!”
Fast forward. This group of seventy and eighty-year-old men and women opened and staffed a day care. They held cooking classes and regular meals for their neighbors (and ate with them at the table). They hosted birthday parties for the children and managed to create Sunday School classes which allowed the mothers to attend worship.
Instead of the church closing, they received a new pastor (the former part-time pastor was retiring for the second time) and when I was invited back to preach a year later, I was stunned to see a sanctuary filled with young women of color and their surrogate family members who beamed with joy at the new life they and their church had experienced.
First, they had to SEE the people. Second, they had to LEARN of their needs. Third, they had to make an ASSESSMENT of what God had provided them to meet those needs. Fourth, they had to STEP UP, try something new and TRUST God to guide and provide.
What about your church?
The office of Equipping Vital Congregations is interested in having a conversation with you. Call 717-545-0525 or email evcoffice@susumc.org.
Find tools and training to equip your church at facebook.com/EquippingVitalCongregations
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