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| PDF available to view and download at www.susumc.org/link |
Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Remembering our Heritage
Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist
May – 100 years ago
The Scranton District got its first district parsonage 100 years ago this month when incoming superintendent Edward Martin “spent two or three days hunting for a suitable place of shelter, but without success.” The district stewards met at Elm Park May 2, 1922, and “after a free and frank discussion” decided a district parsonage was “not only desirable but a necessity.” Just four days later they met again at Elm Park and voted unanimously to purchase 919 Sunset Street for such purposes for $14,600. That remained the district parsonage for 59 years, until 132 Edgewood Drive in Clarks Summit was purchased during the superintendency of James Wert in 1981.
June – 50 years ago
Among the items approved June 3, 1972, by the Wyoming Conference meeting at Elm Park UMC in Scranton was the directive that each minister under appointment submit in writing to the annual charge conference and to the Board of Ministry statements of:
- “his long-term and short-term educational goals.”
- “his plans for a four-week period of intensive continuing education within the quadrennium.”
- “his plans for a week of resident study for continuing course work to be taken in the year ahead.”
The gender-specific language in the Board of Ministry report continued in the details about approved course offerings and available scholarship monies with the statement that “retired men are also eligible for the $50 per-year scholarship for continuing education.” That language was used even though the Conference had at least one female elder, Ruth L. Underwood – who had retired in 1971 after serving 28 years, 16 as a local pastor and 12 as a full member of conference.
Prayers For Peace In The Ukraine
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Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
As United Methodists in Pennsylvania, we join in prayer with those all around the world who are entreating God for peace in the Ukraine. In a Facebook post in early March, Bishop Eduard Khegay, who oversees Russia and Ukraine, urged us to pray for the community in Lugansk, Ukraine, who, as they pray, hear the “sounds of guns. Mass mobilization of men under 55 is going on. “The situation is complicated and disturbing.”
As Methodists, it has always been part of our tradition to pray and work for peace. In our most current Book of Discipline, we find these words:
We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ. We therefore reject war as an instrument of national foreign policy. We oppose unilateral first/preemptive strike actions and strategies on the part of any government. As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict…We believe that human values must outweigh military claims as governments determine their priorities; that the militarization of society must be challenged and stopped; that the manufacture, sale, and deployment of armaments must be reduced and controlled; and that the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons be condemned. - ¶ 165(c) The Book of Discipline 2016
As his colleague and sister in Christ, I affirm Bishop Khegay’s conclusion that the situation in Ukraine is complicated. Those of you who have connections to that part of the world have a much better understanding of the situation than do I. I am grateful to Nordic-Baltic Area Bishop Christian Alsted, who issued a pastoral letter helping us to understand some of the dynamics of that region of the world.
I do understand the tension that comes in simultaneously calling for peace while supporting the Ukrainian people in their “fight” for freedom. We can do both. We can applaud Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s declaration in a recent address to the European Union Parliament that every square in Ukraine is “Freedom Square.” We can pray for the safety of soldiers on both sides of the war as we affirm Bishop Alsted’s statement that “War and violence are evil and always entail considerable human costs.” We can also pray that Ukrainian and Russian officials continue to try to negotiate a peace.
Further, we can and must pray for peace and act to combat the impact of war. Both the Western Pennsylvania and Susquehanna Annual Conferences have familial and missional connections to Ukraine. Because of our connection we have mechanisms to put our prayers into action.
First United Methodist Church in Hershey, PA, has been involved in mission projects in Ukraine for nearly 30 years. They have partnered with Raising Hope Ukraine,” the ministry of missionaries Archana and Ruslan Tkachuk, since 2007. Archie, an American, and Ruslan, a native Ukrainian, have been ministering to those on the ground by providing food, fuel, and other supplies as well as a safe place to sleep for those who are displaced by the war. You can read more about their current situation on the Raising Hope Ukraine Facebook page (facebook.com/raisinghopeukraine). You may support their efforts by donating online at raisinghopeukraine.com/partner-with-us/financial/ OR by mailing checks made out to “Raising Hope Ukraine” to 836 Appenzell Dr., Hummelstown PA 17036.
Although United Methodist Global Ministries currently does not have missionaries on the ground in Ukraine, UMCOR is communicating with partners in the region to coordinate a humanitarian response. We can support UMCOR’s international disaster response efforts by making a gift to Advance #982450. Global Ministries’ Advance #14053A supports pastors in Ukraine and Moldova.
The Western Pennsylvania Conference credit union, Common Roots, is part of a global network of credit unions whose humanitarian arm, the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions, has established the Ukrainian Credit Union Displacement Fund, to directly support credit union members and employees in the short term and the credit union system in the long term. You may donate online here.
“ they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword
against nation,
neither shall they learn
war any more.”
- Isaiah 2:4b
Peace and blessings,
Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi
Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball
Mission u 2022: Building Communities of Hope and Joy
What’s New?
This year, for the first time, Mission u 2022 is going to focus each of its various study tracks on the same Scripture passage (Luke 13), to foster intergenerational learning. The changes to the Mission u format will allow attendees to examine Scripture and theology within a social justice frame and with the global ministry of the church in mind. Under the new lesson format, the Mission u curricula is now also adaptable to be used by local churches.
Instead of relying on a single author for each subsequent year’s study, 2022 and future studies are being developed by a lead author who works with a team of diverse contributors. Each study team met together for biblical and theological reflection and the studies and related materials are focus group tested in various church settings before being adapted based on the feedback received from those sessions.
Why Luke 13?
Luke 13 covers several different themes including the Parable of the Fig Tree, Jesus’ Healing a Woman on the Sabbath, the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast, the Narrow Door, and Jesus’ Sorrow for Jerusalem. So, what makes this passage so important for 2022?
We find ourselves in a period of incredible disruption and uncertainty. In the midst of a devastating pandemic, a divisive political climate, and economic turmoil, we are turning to stories of Jesus that have anchored Christian communities in challenging times for over two millennia. Some of these stories of Jesus are found in the 13th chapter of the gospel of Luke. The chapter opens and closes with a community trying to make sense of and navigate their way through times of turmoil and tragedy.
In Luke 13, we find Jesus on the sabbath and a woman in need of healing. Jesus makes the choice to “set [her] free from [her] ailment” (Luke 13:12) which causes a great deal of commotion among the leaders and crowd gathered there. It’s in this story that Jesus likens the kingdom to a mustard seed and yeast. Our new curriculum will explore what those images evoked for Jesus’ first-century Jewish audience as well as what possibilities that same seed and yeast might hold for us in a time of incredible disruption and uncertainty.
Who’s our Study Leader?
Jay Godfrey is the Transformative Education and Training Specialist for United Methodist Women. In this role, he provides leadership in the development and production of Mission u curricula and training events.
Jay began attending Mission u as a teen with his church in York, Pennsylvania, and is excited to be returning to his home conference for Mission u 2022. Jay’s foundational experiences led to a life of service in the church including spending five years as a young-adult missionary with the Board of Global Ministries in Alabama, Bosnia and Herzegovina and New York City.
Since joining staff of UWFaith (formerly UMW), he has served as a study leader trainer with Mission u for more than ten years and written 4 youth studies. Jay holds a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Church and Community Ministries from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University.
What about our venue?
Pastor Jerry Schmidt, Mission u 2022 Dean, and the rest of the planning team are aware of the imminent closure of Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, PA. While the team will consider alternate locations for future years, the owners of the Country Cupboard are currently making contingency plans to honor the long-standing reservations which have been in place for Mission u 2022. We will continue to update you as necessary in the event of a change in venue.
Save the Dates!
The first Mission u Express Day is: July 14 (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) at Country Cupboard, Lewisburg, PA.
The full Mission u school is scheduled for: July 15 – 17 at Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, PA.
The second Mission u Express Day is: July 30 (9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) at Chambers Hill UMC in Harrisburg, PA.
Registration HERE
We can’t wait to begin Building Communities of Hope and Joy by discovering Who We Can Be, Together.
Discovery Place: Stand Alone Bible Study Lessons for Summer Flexibility
Summer is often the time when folks are away on vacation quite often. It is important, therefore, to offer lessons that are self-contained in one session. There are many options that fit this description.
Nooma – This series is comprised of 24 different DVDs, each with one-word titles and lasting 15 minutes or less. Each includes a study guide with thought-provoking questions and Scripture verses. Visit our online catalog at www.discovery-place.org and search by title “Nooma.”
36 Parables – Labeled by color, each DVD contains three parables.
Lime: “Charlie” - Parable of the Mustard Seed; “Wise/Foolish” – Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders; “Together” – Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds.
Cyan: “Spilt Milk” – Parable of the New Wine in Old Wineskins; “A Few Weeks Later” – Parable of the Rich Fool; “Beyond Beautiful” – Parable of the Two Sons.
Yellow: “Found” – Parable of the Lost Coin; “Buried Talent” – Parable of the Talents; “Buen Vecino” – Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Purple: “Out of Reach” – Parable of the Friend at Midnight; “The Car Lot” – Parable of the Shrewd Manager; “Sean” – Parable of the Barren Fig Tree.
Amber: “After Life” – Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus; “Tractor Safety Tips” – Parable of the Leafing Fig Tree; “The Good Shepherd” – Parable of the Good Shepherd.
Blue: “The Music Box” – Parable of the Hidden Treasure; “Like Father Like Son” – Parable of the Two Debtors; “Gnobody’s Gnome” – Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.
More complete descriptions with Scripture references are in our online catalog.
Both Nooma and 36 Parables are relatively short DVDs and are suitable for both youth and adult groups. Nooma study guides are in a separate booklet; 36 Parables study guides have been downloaded from their website, and printed copies are in the box with each DVD.
Deeper Connections Series – These visually stunning DVDs are written and taught by biblical experts – six professors with specialized areas of knowledge. Don’t let the word “deeper” scare you. These engaging and accessible studies are for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of God’s Word and apply it more faithfully and effectively.
There are six books in this series, each containing six lessons: The Prayers of Jesus, The Parables of Jesus, The Miracles of Jesus, The Forgiveness of Jesus, The Life of Jesus, and The Last Days of Jesus. The video portion of each lesson is 25-30 minutes, with breaks for discussion. Included is a leader’s guide and a participant’s guide. For further details on each study, search our online catalog by title Deeper Connections.
You may place an order through our online catalog at www.discovery-place.org, email discovery@susumc.org, or call 717-766-7968. (Your voicemail will send me an email.)
Discovery Place will be closed for much of the month of June (OPEN ONLY June 13-16), so please place orders as soon as possible for anything needed in June or early July. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you!
Serving Christ with you,
Joni Robison
Susquehanna Conference
303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
717-766-7968
email discovery@susumc.org
web www.discovery-place.org
Camp & Retreat Ministry: Creation Speaks, Are You Listening?
Each year, the Camp and Retreat Ministry team selects a summer curriculum that staff and volunteers at each center and summer event utilize to teach campers about God, self, and others. We are so excited to announce that Creation Speaks is our 2022 Summer Camp Curriculum! As a curriculum intentionally designed to draw campers closer to the natural world, we know our beautiful outdoor camp settings will bring this nature-inspired curriculum to life for campers!
Creation Speaks invites us to look to God’s Creation, including each other, as we listen for God’s voice in the world today. By taking a fresh look at the Creation story, campers will imagine what each part might teach us about God and our place in the world. Light, water, earth, seasons, animals, humans, and even a day of rest will invite campers to listen for God, still speaking to them today.
Through our new understanding of the interdependence of all creatures and responding to our call as caretakers of Creation, we are moved to awe and wonder at the gift of Creation and the Creator.
If the people of God stop and listen to Creation, what might we hear? Shhhh, listen. Creation Speaks!
Disaster Response Ministry: When Blue Skies Turn Gray
Douglas Hoy, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator
In emergency management circles, references are often made about an organization’s status in “blue skies” and “gray skies.” The term “blue skies” refers to how that organization conducts its normal, day-to-day operations without the direct threat of an emergency or disaster. Those operations involve building and maintaining capabilities for when disasters, or “gray skies,” strike. In carrying out their responsibilities, emergency managers utilize a four-phase model to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. The phases include mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
Mitigation involves taking steps to avoid or minimize the cause and consequences of disasters. Preparedness involves planning and training for those things that are not able to be mitigated. The response phase takes place immediately after the disaster occurs and focuses on the personal safety and wellbeing of those in the community. The duration of the response and its effectiveness is directly related to the amount of mitigation and preparation that has occurred. And, in the recovery phase, efforts are made to restore our lives and communities. The important thing to keep in mind about this cycle is that it is never ending and communities are always involved in at least one of the phases.
Similarly, we all experience the “blue skies” and “gray skies” of life. Just as natural disasters impact our communities; personal disasters can have a negative effect on our lives.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Like the emergency manager, we can implement a spiritual four-phase model—to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover—to develop our spiritual maturity and find …the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, [that] will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Using spiritual emergency management, we can take the mitigation steps necessary to remove the causes and consequences of disaster from our lives. For those things that we cannot mitigate, we turn to prayer and Scripture to prepare us. And, when we find ourselves suffering in the middle of a crisis, we respond and recover by focusing on Christ.
1 Peter 4:12–13 tells us we should not be surprised by the ordeals we face and encourages us to rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. God will use the trials we face to cultivate our character and grow our ministry. And, in turn, we can minister to others during their “gray skies.”
Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator
717-766-7441, ext. 3402
drc@susumc.org
Website: www.susmb.org
Facebook: @SUSDisasterResponse
Twitter: @UMCDisResp
Disaster Response Ministry Blog: susdisasterresponse.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
Nurturing Spiritual Gifts: in Ourselves and Others
By Audrey Stanton-Smith. Reprinted with permission.
This is the third of a series of articles that will help you learn more about spiritual gifts, how to discover yours, and how they might be used to benefit the church and community.
We celebrate that we are each called and claimed by God. We have a better idea of why spiritual gifts are important. And using the assessment tools available, we know how to discover which gifts God has bestowed upon us. The next step as we grow as a disciple is to nurture our gifts to the glory of God and for the benefit of others.
And that’s something that requires help from a church family — not only to carry out God’s work within a church but to carry out his work throughout the world.
“Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12 that ‘the body does not consist of one member, but of many,’ ” said Kim Matthews, CLM, vice president of the United Methodist Foundation of West Virginia and chair of Lay Servant Ministries for the WVUMC. “So it is with spiritual gifts and the church. Spiritual gifts are important because, together, they equip us to BE the church in the world, and to do God’s work among God’s people.”
When one is baptized, a congregation promises to use “prayers,” “presence,” “gifts,” “service,” and “witness” to increase that person’s faith, confirm her or his hope, and perfect that new part of the body in love. The church enters into a covenant to help that person live into his or her spiritual gifts — or “grace gifts,” as writer Christine Harman calls them in “For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts.”
“The granting of these grace gifts has a twofold purpose — one being personal and the other being corporate,” Harman writes. “On the personal side, the grace gifts we are given enable us to serve God through the uniqueness God granted at our creation. They enable us to live the Great Commandment (see Matthew 22:36-40) and fulfill the Great Commission (see Matthew 28:19-20). On the corporate side, the grace gifts enable us to work for the common good, to band together with others for the betterment of our congregations and the communities in which they are located — our mission field.”
In other words, the gifts of individuals work together to transform our broken and hurting world as well as our churches. “Studying spiritual gifts, learning to work with them, and letting them work for the church can open up and expand fruitful ministry,” Harman writes.
It is the mature members of the body who help newer Christians recognize that being a believer and accepting that God has called them are linked, as stated in “The Call to Ministry of All the Baptized” in The Book of Discipline. Then, they may help one another grow into their various gifts. That’s how Shea James, director of Young Disciples and Outdoor Ministries for the WVUMC, began to grow into her gifts.
“I’ve been a part of different Christian communities over the years, and my teachers, church members, professors, coworkers, and camp supervisors identified my gifts before I did,” Shea said. “Once they told me, ‘you’re a gifted leader,’ I could see it. When they said, ‘you mentor others and help them grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ,’ I believed them. Christian community is central to understanding our spiritual gifts, we’re gifted for the benefit of the community, and others often see these gifts before we’re aware of them.”
It’s also important to recognize that those gifts may shift over time, Director of Leadership Formation Rev. Bonnie MacDonald pointed out. Her own gifts of administration and teaching, with a variety of additional closely aligned gifts, take turns coming to the forefront depending on her focus.
“God flexibly uses our spiritual gifts to equip us for the ministry to which we are being called at the present time, whether that be as a faithful engineer or a pastoral leader,” Bonnie said. “The specific use and framing of our gifts and calling may change throughout our lives and ask for new skill levels and learning. But our vocation as disciples of Christ will remain the same.”
She thinks of spiritual gifts as “natural abilities, given freely by God, that help us live out God’s purpose for us, for the benefit of others.”
“In one of my favorite descriptions of spiritual gifts, ‘Eighth Day of Creation,’ Elizabeth O’Connor describes the value of spiritual gifts for the individual and community,” Bonnie said.
“The Church is ‘a gift-evoking, gift-bearing community,’ Bonnie said, paraphrasing O’Connor. “Through our giftedness, God is calling each of us into the fullness of our own potential. ‘No one enters into a fullness of being except in community,’ and ‘no community develops the potential of its corporate life unless the gifts of each of its members are evoked and exercised on behalf of the whole community.’ ”
“By joining with God in discovering and developing our gifts and the gifts of others, we are joining in God’s ongoing work of creation, as growing disciples who participate in the transformation of the world,” Bonnie said.
Article source: www.wvumc.org/2021/10/nurturing-spiritual-gifts-in-ourselves-and-others/
United Methodist Women now United Women in Faith
United Methodist Women is now United Women in Faith! The move is part of a refreshing of the organization that includes a new logo and an array of new and improved programs to nurture current members and welcome new women to join to put their love in action on behalf of women, children and youth.
The organization announced the new operating name in the March-April edition of response, its bimonthly magazine for members.
The new programs are fruits of research conducted over the past five years with more than 24,000 United Methodists and women of other Christian traditions participating in the surveys, focus groups and interviews. This input informed the prayerful discernment of staff and elected leaders.
The changes are designed to address the different needs and life stages of current members and new women and expand options for membership and engagement. The new name also aims to welcome current members whose local churches may choose to disaffiliate from The United Methodist Church as well as women of other faith traditions who want to join.
New and innovative programs will be rolled out throughout 2022, including:
A new, easier to navigate website with a homepage designed to pique new women’s interest in United Women in Faith and a special portal set to come online later this year where members can log in to access additional resources.
A new “All-Access” National Membership Option enabling women to join United Women in Faith via the new website and participate online or in person at local units or larger events
Soul Care Retreats, a pilot recruitment program for members and their nonmember friends and new women focused on nurturing women’s bodies, minds, and spirits.
Innovations to Mission u, the organization’s longtime spiritual growth and transformative education program. Beginning in spring 2022, Mission u will introduce new curricula each year—one for children, one for youth and one for adults—all focused on a shared biblical theme. The new Mission u curricula will be more adaptable for use in small groups, local churches, vacation Bible schools, retreats, and other settings. Through these vibrant, relevant, justice-oriented, and biblically centered curricula, Mission u will continue its commitment to learning together for the transformation of the world and expand its impact.
“This is an exciting time for our organization!” said Harriett Jane Olson, CEO of United Women in Faith. “Looking back, we see the through lines for our organization—faith in God, love for each other and commitment to putting our faith into action supporting women, children and youth. These commitments have been expressed in different ways at different times using different names, always calling women to world changing action. This combination of a new look, more accessible resources for members and new ways to participate positions us for impact in our own journeys and in how we engage the world that God so loves.”
The organization remains incorporated in New York as United Methodist Women and is doing business as United Women in Faith.
Read full press release HERE.
Susquehanna Annual Conference - YSF Silent Auction Basket Donations Needed
Thank you to those who committed to provide baskets for the Youth Service Fund Silent Auction to be held at the 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference! It is not too late to participate in this vital fundraiser that will help equip and train young leaders within our church.
Basket donations may be brought to the conference office from May 23 - 31 or to the YSF Booth at the Hershey Lodge on the morning of Wednesday, June 1. For more information, connect with Alex Raser c/o kshockley@susumc.org.
2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference - Special Offerings
Annual Conference Special Offerings
There will be three offerings received at Annual Conference. There will be an opportunity for people to give during the Annual Conference Session or checks may be sent to the Conference Office or churches can submit with their remittance report.
An online donation option will be available soon.
BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY FUND (BBCF) - #9300
The Beloved Community Fund is a ministry to help our Susquehanna Conference to:
- resist racism
- promote diversity
- connect churches to their neighbors
- support cross-racial appointments
- build strong race relations
The money received from our people, our pastors and our churches helps to fund projects by churches and conference organizations to accomplish these goals.
This offering will be received during our Opening Celebration Service.
THE CUP OF WATER FUND - #8160
This special fund is a way for we in the Susquehanna Conference can provide help for laypersons and their families. This fund was established to help those persons and families in our local churches who are struggling financially with overwhelming bills, expenses and situations beyond their control.
Laypersons with a great need can talk to their pastor who will confidentially make a request to the District Superintendent. In this small way, together we can support our laity who are struggling.
This offering will be received during the Memorial Service.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MINISTRY - #7770
The Young People’s Ministry (formerly known as CCYM) is a conference ministry that encourages AND empowers young people to lead in their churches, their communities, their district and the Annual Conference.
This ministry provides ministry grants through the Youth Service Fund. It also helps youth find their leadership and discipleship voice. Anyone who has been to Annual Conference knows the commitment and power of the youth.
This offering will be received during the Ordination Service.
Or, please make checks payable to the Susquehanna Conference and mail to:
Susquehanna Conference
Attn: Finance Office
303 Mulberry Dr.
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
On the memo line please indicate the offering to which you are giving along with the Advance special number as given above.
Connecting Ministries: Annual Conference - Face-to-Face!
It feels like forever since we’ve met together, doesn’t it? While being able to meet online for Annual Conference for the past two years has helped us to care for the business of the annual conference while keeping each other safe, it just wasn’t the same as meeting in-person.
With the 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference only a few weeks away, we will soon see each other face to face. It will be good to catch up with old friends, swap stories of the ways we’ve been navigating through this season, and share best practices for sharing Jesus with our communities. Additionally, we will be able to worship together, pray with and for each other, and prayerfully care for the business of our annual conference.
As we prepare to gather this year at Hershey, I encourage us to hold our Annual Conference event in prayer. Specifically, let’s pray for our bishops and their leadership; for the work of the annual conference; for one another and our churches; for those who will be caring for us at Hershey Lodge; and for the movement of the Holy Spirit so that we will be a people transformed because of our time together.
I look forward to being together and seeing what God is doing in our midst!
Welcome to Our New Conference Staff
By Mark Knecht, Conference Treasurer/Benefits Officer
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