Susquehanna LINK - May 2025

 

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Remembering Our Heritage

Dr. Milton Loyer, Conference Archivist

May – 100 years ago 

     The new social room at the Mont Alto United Brethren United Brethren Church was dedicated May 31, 1925.  The congregation had grown out of prayer meetings held in private homes 1843-44.  They erected their first building in 1847 on “Back Street” – a one-room brick structure that was enlarged and improved in 1881.  In 1874 a number of members withdrew to organize a Methodist Episcopal congregation.  The existing sanctuary at the present site, to which the social hall was added, was erected in 1905.  

     In 1971 the Otterbein UMC (formerly United Brethren) and Wesley UMC (formerly Methodist Episcopal) congregations became a two-point charge and in 2009 they united to form the present Mont Alto United Methodist Church, worshiping in the former Methodist building.

June – 50 years ago 

     The trustees of the Central Pennsylvania Conference met June 4, 1925, at the Lewisburg United Methodist Home in a meeting dominated by discussions of closed churches.  “Because of lack of value to the Conference” insurance was dropped for two buildings: Colley (Sullivan County) and Egg Hill (Centre County).  The former was sold to the Cemetery Association in 1982 and has since been razed.  The latter was transferred to a Conservancy Association in 1980 and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

     Approval was given to sell two buildings: Needmore (Fulton County) and Fairview (Perry County).  The former was sold to the Needmore Bible Church, which subsequently relocated and sold the building to the Southern Fulton School District.  The latter was sold to the Historical Society of Perry County.

    Report was made that two previously approved sales had now been completed: St. John’s [Sheeps] (Montour County) and Akersville (Fulton County).  The former was sold to St. John’s Bible Church.  The latter was sale involved only a schoolhouse on the property, and the remainder of the property was sold to the Cemetery Association in 1992. 

Everstand: FORE the Kids!

Save the date of Monday, September 8th, 2025, for the annual Jim Young Memorial Golf Tournament. We hope you will join us for a day of fellowship and fun on the beautifully manicured greens of the Carlisle Country Club.

The tournament is held in loving memory of Jim Young, who grew up at the United Methodist Home for Children (now Everstand) with his brothers, Don and Randy. Jim remains a true inspiration to us all, and he is dearly missed by those who knew him. Proceeds from the Jim Young Memorial Golf Tournament will benefit Everstand’s youth and programs in Mechanicsburg, PA.

The tournament is a Better Ball Scramble with a shotgun start and challenging on-course contests. The outing is open to individual golfers and men’s/women’s/mixed foursomes. Participants may assemble their own foursome or request placement. Registration is limited. Sponsorships and foursomes are encouraged.

Sponsorships opportunities are available! Please click HERE to become a sponsor or e-mail Caitlin Christ, Senior Director of Marketing and Development, at cchrist@everstand.org.

Registration is now open! You can register by clicking HERE. Alternatively, you will receive an invitation in the coming months to register and return payment by mail. Please contact golf@everstand.org if you have any questions at all!

A Bold Step Forward: The Journey Church and The Neighborhood Center Forge Historic Partnership

Matthew Shineman, Director of Communications 

In the heart of Harrisburg, a bold new chapter is unfolding. Two long-standing institutions in the city, The Journey Church and The Neighborhood Center, are embarking on an unprecedented strategic partnership that promises to revitalize the 1801 N. 3rd Street property, reinvigorate community life, and build a future of hope and belonging for all.

Read the FULL ARTICLE HERE.

A Ministry of Growth: Honoring the Legacy of Seedling Financial Ministry

For more than a century, a quiet but powerful ministry has been at work in our Conference – helping churches grow, expand, and live out their callings with courage and faith. Seedling Financial Ministry, formerly known as the Loan Fund, has officially concluded its ministry, but its impact lives on in worship spaces, classrooms, pavilions, kitchens, and Family Life Centers across our region.

Read the FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Communications: Making Our Values Visible: The Susquehanna Conference Branding Initiative

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Matthew Shineman, Director of Communications

As Director of Communications, I’ve been leading a rebranding initiative designed to reflect our theological identity, shared values, and collective mission more clearly and consistently. This process has not been about reimagining ourselves from scratch, but rather about faithfully expressing what already exists - our identity rooted in Christ, discerned in community, and shaped by our Wesleyan heritage. At its heart, this initiative is about witness.

Wrestling with Words: Faithful Language for a Faithful Purpose

Throughout this journey, I’ve heard some honest concerns about the term “branding.” One colleague put it plainly:

“I hate the words ‘branding’ and ‘brand identity.’ Jesus didn’t care about marketing—he cared about truth, relationships, and transformation.”

I understand the concern - “branding” can sound corporate or manipulative, clashing with the gospel’s call to humility and authenticity. Here’s my “yes, and”: When done with theological integrity, branding can be a form of faithful witness - Spirit-led communication that expresses who we are in Christ and invites others into that journey.

Jesus didn’t use the word “brand,” but he was intentional in how he communicated - through parables, symbols, and relationships. The early Church developed a recognizable identity that helped spread across cultures.

So whether we call it “Expression of Mission” or “Branding,” what we’re really doing is making our values visible - clearly, consistently, and in ways rooted in faith and discipleship.

A Theologically Grounded Identity

Our identity is, first and foremost, rooted in Christ. But it is also shaped in community - discerned through our theology, our context, and our collective call. The rebranding initiative has sought to express that identity with clarity and coherence - not to reinvent our values, but to live into them more fully.

Part of this expression includes naming what makes us distinctly United Methodist. It’s not about being better than other denominations - it’s about being clear. How do we understand grace, community, discipleship, and justice in ways that are uniquely shaped by Wesleyan theology? How do those values guide our ministries and mission?

When used thoughtfully, tools like branding can help us answer those questions. Not in opposition to our witness, but in service of it. Thoughtful communication isn’t a threat to discipleship - it’s part of how we embody it.

An Inclusive and Discernment-Led Process

This rebranding initiative has been deeply collaborative. Rather than a top-down directive, it’s been a journey of listening and dialogue. We’ve gathered insights from:

• Key Staff and Ministry Leaders – to understand how different parts of the Conference perceive our current identity.
• The Missional Cabinet – to ensure alignment with our strategic vision and the needs of our congregations.
• Clergy Focus Groups – to capture on-the-ground perspectives from those leading local churches.
• The Board of Laity – to center the voices of lay leaders who embody our mission in everyday discipleship.

All of this has shaped the development of brand guidelines that are not about control but about coherence. When our communications - from email newsletters to social media posts - share a common tone, style, and look, we build trust and clarity across our connection.

Why Brand Guidelines Matter

While it is mostly an internal tool, our brand guidelines will help us:

• Enhance recognition – so people can easily identify and trust communications from the Conference.
• Support engagement – by creating a consistent and welcoming presence across platforms.
• Reflect our mission – so our materials speak authentically to who we are and what we stand for.
• Evaluate programs – by offering a framework to test whether new initiatives align with our values and identity.

Moving Forward with Integrity

This isn’t about adopting a corporate mindset. It’s about committing to clear, consistent, and faithful communication - so that the mission of the Susquehanna Conference is not just heard, but understood. When we make our values visible, we open the door to deeper connection, more effective ministry, and a more compelling witness to the world.

Together, we’re not just branding—we’re bearing witness. And that makes all the difference.

Read the FULL ARTICLE HERE.