2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference Summary

 

The Susquehanna Conference delegation to the 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference and our episcopal leaders, Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball (center left), and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi (center right). Photo by Liz Lennox

By Liz Lennox, Director of Communications

The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church met November 1-4 to worship, elect and consecrate a new bishop, celebrate retirees, hear reports, and vote on various legislation. While there were many moments worth celebrating, such as the election of the jurisdiction’s first Hispanic bishop and the retirement of four bishops, the delegation grappled with dead-locked voting during the election of a second bishop and a vital but difficult discussion about racism. The specter of COVID lingered as evidenced by masked participants and legislation regarding the future of online conferencing. Full inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community was at the forefront of discussion and featured heavily in the questions asked of the endorsed candidates. A resolution entitled, “Queer Delegates’ Call to Center Justice and Empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ People in the UMC” passed with 75% support.

The Susquehanna Conference actively participated in the various happenings, with numerous delegates speaking to a number of motions during the plenary sessions. The Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Salsgiver provided guidance and organization throughout the entire conference as the NEJ secretary. He was subsequently elected to continue in this role.

Alongside other Directors of Connectional Ministries from the Northeastern Jurisdiction, Rev. Dr. Kathleen E. Kind delivered a report on progress made on the Call to Action (CTA) adopted by the NEJ in 2016, which charges the conferences of the NEJ to “engage in the important work of creating an anti-racist, diverse, equitable and inclusive United Methodist church.” Progress throughout the jurisdiction was celebrated throughout this report and demonstrated the work being done to dismantle racism. A plan was laid out for the NEJ as it seeks to live into anti-racism work, including progress reports, learning opportunities, and a platform for discussions.

A discussion on racism emerged from this presentation and many BIPOC people shared the hurt and trauma they have experienced as part of the church and society and the racism they still see every day. Systems of oppression were examined, and white people were called upon to examine these systems and their own privilege.

Bishop John Schol delivered the State of the NEJ Address. “As the Northeastern Jurisdiction, we gather together to be in ministry with the world. Yet there are those who are troubled among us,” he began.

“There are United Methodists among us today and in our congregations who feel harmed, unheard and unseen. They feel the United Methodist system oppresses and devalues their gifts, their calling and their service. There are United Methodists among us today and in our congregations who are seen and yet feel their income, race, sexual orientation, gender, ableness, theology, nation of origin, have relegated them to second class status or even no status. There are United Methodists among us today and in our congregations who are pandemic exhausted, anxious, burned out, fearful of whether or not their congregations will come back. There are United Methodists among us who are tired of the fight, of the continual push and pull, of rulemaking, rule bending and rule breaking, who would rather disaffiliate or feel the church is trying to push them out. We are turning on each other, rather than turning to each other and turning together toward God in ministry to all the world. Let us be honest: the state of the church, of ministry, of our people is beaten down. We are weary, anxious, frustrated and some are angry.”

His address held some optimism for the present and future of the church, however. He highlighted a number of ministries throughout the jurisdiction, including the recent Civil Rights Journey embarked on by the Susquehanna Conference Cabinet, along with clergy and laity.

Bishop Schol closed by saying, “Emerging from a pandemic, ending the sin of racism, living with differences and raising up and developing leaders is hard work, deep work. Deep work, hard work can lead to making judgements, or it can lead us to be more curious and seek to discover the signs all around us that God is ready to do a new thing. It will take the mind of Christ Jesus and humble hearts to see others as better than ourselves and to move into our communities together…to truly be in ministry with all the world together. Yes, together. Let it begin with us?”

Read his full remarks in the November 3 edition of the Daily Christian Advocate.

Election of Bishops

Endorsed candidates interviewed with delegates all day Tuesday, November 1. After the conclusion of interviews, the delegations convened to discuss their impressions. The Susquehanna delegation met for some time to gather their thoughts and express their hopes for the future bishops in the Northeastern Jurisdiction.

Initially, the body reaffirmed the October 15 decision to elect two bishops after a motion to increase that number to three failed.

In only a few rounds of voting, the delegates elected Rev. Hector Burgos to be consecrated as a bishop in the Northeastern Jurisdiction. As the room erupted in cheers around him, he sat quietly with his eyes closed before standing and celebrating with his colleagues and family.

When later asked about this moment, he shared that he heard the voices of his mother and grandmother and the encouragement they had given him in the past during hard times. The atmosphere in the room was joyous as people clapped and danced in celebration.

“Dios es bueno,” Burgos spoke to the crowd. “Todo el tiempo. God is good, all the time, and all the time, God is good.”

The election of Bishop Burgos was historic, as he is the first Hispanic bishop to be elected in the NEJ and the first Puerto Rican in the entire denomination. He was the endorsed candidate of MARCHA, the Hispanic/Latino Caucus of The United Methodist Church.

The election of the second bishop was less fruitful. Rev. Dr. Jay Williams from the New England Conference, while not an endorsed candidate, had enough votes to allow him to circulate his biography. In subsequent votes, he and Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn from Western Pennsylvania alternated for the most votes but neither achieved the necessary majority. Multiple endorsed candidates removed themselves from the ballot over the course of voting. Other candidates vied to be elected, including a write-in, but it became apparent after 18 rounds of voting that the body was dead-locked.

Various motions explored to address this issue were explored but not passed. Ultimately, delegate Rev. Matthew E. Lake from Susquehanna put forth a motion to suspend the rules in order to postpone the election of a second bishop until 2024. This motion ultimately passed, and a second bishop was not elected.

Rev. Alyce Weaver Dunn, Rev. Dr. Jay Williams, and Rev. Cristian De La Rosa gave heartfelt speeches from the floor after this decision.

A consecration service was held early Friday afternoon for Bishop Burgos.

 Episcopal Coverage

On Friday, Bishop LaTrelle Easterling announced the assignments for episcopal leadership. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball will continue to provide shared coverage for the Susquehanna Conference. Bishop Moore-Koikoi will also continue to serve the Western Pennsylvania Conference and Bishop Steiner Ball will continue to serve the West Virginia conference. See the full list of episcopal assignments:

Baltimore-Washington: Bishop Latrelle Easterling

Eastern Pennsylvania: Bishop John Schol

Greater New Jersey: Bishop John Schol

New England: (servant leader to be announced very soon)

New York: Bishop Thomas Bickerton

Peninsula-Delaware: Bishop Latrelle Easterling

Susquehanna: Bishops Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Sandra Steiner Ball

Upper New York: Bishop Hector Burgos

Western Pennsylvania: Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

West Virginia: Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

Newly elected Bishop Burgos will serve the Upper New York Annual Conference. The New England Conference has not been assigned a bishop yet, but discernment is under way to find coverage for that conference.

Approved Resolutions

The body voted on and approved legislation during the plenary sessions over two days. The resolutions can be read in their entirety in the Daily Christian Advocate. Summary of passed legislation:

APPROVED: Resolution #1: Relating to Child Care during Jurisdictional Conference Sessions The resolution was brought by Bethany Amey of the Greater New Jersey Conference, who said that safe, affordable, accessible childcare during the session is needed in order not to disenfranchise delegates who are parents of young children, particularly women and younger people

APPROVED: Budget Delegates approved the jurisdiction’s budget after hearing from Treasurer, the Rev. David W. Simpson, who offered an update to the balance sheet printed in the ADCA to $1,141,016.26.

APPROVED: Boundaries Committee budget request for proposed Task Force.

APPROVED: Apportionment structure (outlined in the ADCA).

APPROVED: Resolution # 2: Endorse Christmas Covenant (with amendments). This resolution calls for the Northeastern Jurisdiction to endorse the Christmas Covenant legislation, including the creation of a U.S. Regional Conference, and urges all Northeastern Jurisdiction delegates to General and Jurisdictional Conference, including alternates, to support the Christmas Covenant and to make such legislation a priority for the delegation; and

APPROVED: Resolution #3: Leading with Integrity. This resolution reads, in part, “The Northeastern Jurisdiction expresses both respect and gratitude to those who have voluntarily stepped away from positions of leadership as they journey away from membership in The United Methodist Church … as we continue this period of transition the Northeastern Jurisdiction calls upon every United Methodist, as a disciple of Jesus the Christ, to move forward in fairness and with integrity.”

APPROVED: Resolution #5: Queer Delegates’ Call to Center Justice and Empowerment fo LGBTQIA+ People in the UMC. This resolution supports and amplifies the queer delegates’ call to justice and empowerment for the LGBTQIA+ community in the jurisdiction, within and beyond our churches and agencies, amongst other resolves.

This article summarizes the major events of the Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference. However, please note that this summary is not all-inclusive and detailed information about the events of each day can be viewed in the Daily Christian Advocate, which was published each day of the conference. View here.

You can view the photo gallery from Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference here.

Communications Ministry: Using Social Media as Christians

By Liz Lennox, Director of Communications SUSUMC & WPAUMC

In 2019, I had the opportunity to speak at the Lay Academy in Zimbabwe held at Africa University about how to use social media as Christians. I recently dug out my notes to remind myself of what I presented and I was pleasantly surprised (and in some ways disheartened) to find much of my discussion still relevant today. This article has been adapted from that talk from 2019. I will cover the positive and negative aspects of social media, how churches can use social media to reach people, how you can individually be a positive role model on social media, and what you can do if it gets to be too much.

What are some dangers of social media?

It is important to talk about how to use social media as Christians in a time when our online words and actions have a serious impact on the lives of others. Social media is a very useful tool, but there are definite negative aspects that we must contend with. 

1. People can become addicted to social media and spend large amounts of time scrolling through content. When they aren’t on social media, they feel like they should be. This can affect their work productivity, their relationships, and their overall health and wellbeing. Often people will isolate themselves from their loved ones, favoring the feeling they get from being online instead. 

2. People often become jealous of their friends and family and envy the lives they see others leading. If a person who doesn’t have the opportunity to travel often sees others posting about all the fun and interesting things they do, or someone who doesn’t haven’t have a family sees endless photos of their friends' children, it may make them feel down about their own life and feel resentful towards others.

3. It’s very easy to forget that what people post on social media isn’t representative of what everyday life is actually like. Yes, a mother may post the smiling photos of her peaceful and happy children, but odds are she isn’t sharing photos of the very real struggles of motherhood, of sick children and tantrums and exhaustion. Social media does not equal real life.

4. On the flip side, people often post on social media to brag about their own life and to seek validation and praise. This too can lead to dissatisfaction in one's life, especially if they are not receiving the validation they feel they deserve.

5. Social media is a convenient platform for bullying. It allows people to hide behind a screen and say things that they would never say in real life to a person's face. This can be very damaging to a person’s mental health and self-esteem. Refrain from talking about people, but instead talk to them.

6. People and groups with less than noble intentions often use Facebook to deliberately spread disinformation to cause division. They will post lies in order to deceive or to cause people to react in certain ways. We often think of this tactic being used in politics, but unfortunately we in the United Methodist Church see this happening regularly as talks about disaffiliation ramp up. Misinformation damages not just the perception outsiders may have of our denomination, but also harms the relationships between people within the church. Social media is a great way to spread untruths and many believe everything they read on social media, especially if it confirms a bias they may already hold. Social media is also a great way to correct untruths. 

7. Finally, social media is a breeding ground for fighting and conflict. It is very easy to say something hurtful to a person when you are not face to face. Especially contentious topics, like politics or disaffiliation, can lead to anger and indignation and people will often find themselves reacting without thinking. This can happen not just between strangers, but between friends and family and church members. In my opinion, this is the worst and most prevalent aspect of social media use. The instantness of social media gives people the opportunity to immediately react, rather than taking a moment to rationally think. Proverbs 17: 27 reads, “whoever restrains their words has knowledge, and they who have a cool spirit is one of understanding.”

Why Use Social Media at All?

Now that I’ve properly alarmed you about the dangers of social media, I now must answer, “why use it at all?” Social media, when used in positive ways, can truly advance ministry and bring love and joy to the world.

Social media allows people to build connections and encourage each other in their faith. By sharing favorite verses from the Bible, or posting about a particularly godly moment you experienced, you are showing others that it’s okay to outwardly profess your faith and your love for Jesus Christ.

Social media also allows you to stay connected to friends and family who may be far away. Young adults who have left their communities for college can still be a part of the family, even if they are not physically there. The same goes for staying connected to their church. If a young adult is able to see what is going on at their church while they are away, they are likely to feel a deeper connection.

When I gave this talk in 2019, I never could have imagined how critical online ministry would become in the next year. I highlighted how churches can use social media to highlight important events and activities in their church to reach their members and nonmembers. I talked about how social media allows Christians to collaborate in mission, service, and prayer. I mentioned that social media can be used not only to share information about big events or global happenings in the church, but also for joys and prayer concerns of people in the church. I emphasized that Facebook is also a great way to lift up those who are doing good in the community and show the world who we are as United Methodists.

I even mentioned that social media allows churches to reach people unable to attend a service by live streaming their worship, with the caveat that not all churches are capable of doing so and many don’t. If the COVID pandemic taught us anything, it was that amazing things can happen in online communities. 

Finally, social media allows churches to connect globally. The United Methodist Church is a global denomination and we strive to build lasting and meaningful partnerships with people from other countries. We have the ability to learn so much about other cultures and the lives of people we are in ministry with.

How Can Christians Use Social Media in a Loving and Respectful Way?

Individuals can personally live into being good Christian witnesses while using social media. What might this look like?

1. Strive for connection and not attention. Your social media should be just that- social. Don’t throw content into the abyss without receiving feedback or conversation. Be transparent and honest on social media, but don’t feel the need to share every aspect of your life.

2. When interacting with people online, remember that there is actually a person on the other side. Treat people like they are actually people, and not just a screen. With every interaction, ask yourself, “would I say this to somebody in person?” Treat them how you would want to be treated.

3. Avoid causing conflict and division. This doesn’t mean you should avoid critical conversations or not speak up against injustice. Rather, take the time to reach out and actually listen to the other person. You may be surprised at what you find out and the kind of connection that can be built

4. Don’t be tempted to only engage with people who think and believe like you. To loosely quote Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi who said, “I wouldn’t want to be part of a church with people that only believe exactly the same things I do”. Social media is rife with disagreeing viewpoints and arguments and on occasion, the posts and comments became hurtful. It is my hope that conversations between those with opposing viewpoints are respectful and open and if possible, taken offline. Don’t bully others or try to strong arm them into feeling what you want them to feel. It will never work out the way you want it to.

What Can You Do When Social Media Becomes Too Much?

Over the Lenten season, it became popular to abstain from social media. A coworker of mine stayed off Facebook for the entire duration of Lent. When she felt tempted to scroll, she read her Bible instead. At the end of her time, she felt like the social media break gave her some distance to reflect on how she used it and how to fix the unhealthy behaviors she didn’t realize she had. I would recommend fasting from social media periodically to anybody. When you feel that negativity is overwhelming, turn off Facebook for a day and spend that extra time in prayer, or reading your Bible, or walking in nature. It will strengthen your relationship with God in unexpected ways. 

When used in a positive way, social media can be a wonderful way to connect. Be aware of the pitfalls and actively do what you can do becoming ensnared in all the noise.

“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)

Licensed Local Pastors and Certified Lay Ministers ‘22

The following people were recognized at the 2022 Susquehanna Annual Conference for completing their respective courses of study:

Licensed Local Pastors

(back row) W. Brian McTavish, Jeffrey Holland, Todd Davis, Justin Frear, Robert Paire, Justin Keel

(front row) Kelly Groves, Mary Forshey, Christina Moyer, Melia Garrett, Lucy Obrzut, Michele Galloway 

(not pictured)  Eric Light, Calvin Phillips II, Resa Schrack, 

Certified Lay Ministers

(pictured) Elizabeth Kostelnik and Ray Bailor

(not pictured) Norman Saylor, Sylvia Smith

Camp Hill UMC Strengthens Ties in Panguma, Sierra Leone

By Beth Notarfrancesco

Recently, a team from the Camp Hill United Methodist Church returned to their sister church, Lower Bombara UMC, in Panguma, Sierra Leone, West Africa to rejuvenate the relationship that suffered a 3-year break due to the COVID pandemic. The relationship between the two communities was developed from the partnership the church had with the Sierra Leone Initiative www.susmb.org/sierra-leone-initative/) and grew with yearly voyages to the village. 

The five-person team for 2022 consisted of Jim Clahane, Marsha Curry-Nixon, Beth Notarfrancesco, Denise Paran and Mark Vickrey. Confirming the commitment to the community was the primary focus for the trip although they were also able to spend time with the church, schools, hospital, and dedicating a community market. 

The dedication of the community market was a highlight of the trip for many as the project’s origination started back in the fall of 2015. Camp Hill UMC partnered with Community Empowerment for Livelihood and Development (CELAD) to work with the community-at-large to determine what they most needed. It was decided by the Panguma community leaders and elders that a market structure would be of greatest benefit to the entire community. In 2018 physical construction began and the market came to completion just prior to the team’s arrival in 2022. Two widely loved and respected leaders, Bishop John K Yambasu and Amadu Ndoeka Sr went on to rest with their Lord and Savior during the building of the market and so the dedication of the Amadu Ndoeka Memorial Market became as much of a day of memory and honor as joy and commencement.

The team also spent time revisiting a long-standing scholarship program in which the church has raised and invested more than $340,000 over 12 years to assist in the education of students within the UMC schools in Panguma. Changes in educational funding in recent years as well as changes in leadership determined the need for this re-evaluation. With the wisdom and assistance of Josepha Pormai, Secretary of Secondary Education for the Sierra Leone Annual Conference, the team was able to gather the information necessary to bridge the educational partnership between the two communities into its next season. This partnership is helping to improve the education and opportunity for education to children living in Panguma with the hope of bettering the lives of families one child at a time. 

The team returned home encouraged by the many ways they saw God at work throughout their journey and credits the Sierra Leone Initiative for opening the door of opportunity for the development of this relationship which has changed lives on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to and for the glory of God. 

God is good all the time. All the time God is good! 

For the Transformation of the World: Meditations from the Civil Rights Journey

Rev. Kevin Witt, Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders

In June, 41 leaders from the Susquehanna Conference visited key sites within the Civil Rights Movement. We spoke with people directly involved and heard first-hand the struggles and suffering they willingly endured to dismantle racism and transform the world through the power of love. Repeatedly, we discovered the active role of people of faith inspired by God. 

Powers confronted were not simply individual acts of racism against people of color. With non-violent resistance and creative alternatives, they challenged structures and perspectives weaved into the very fabric of community life. They called for new ways of relating by doing good and avoiding harm. They shed light on and resisted laws unequally and unfairly applied, disparity in access to health care, devaluing of people of a different race, efforts to hinder economic and educational opportunities, blaming victims for brutality and injustice inflicted upon them, and denial of voting rights for vast numbers of African Americans. 

Courageous, everyday people asked what love calls for, spoke truthfully, marched peacefully, went to jail, worked to build Beloved Community in America, risked ridicule and beatings, and even died side by side with others suffering. Stiff opposition came not only from those wanting to maintain the status quo but also from those uncomfortable with any discord, difficult conversations, or targeted reactions by people bullying others into submission. Fear and conflict avoidance impeded love and justice. 

What wisdom can we glean as we tackle racism and injustices in our own time and join God in the transformation of the world? 

 Jesus clarifies the core of faith and life. 

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-39

Let us not relegate justice to law and politics, as if it has nothing to do with spiritual practice. Cornel West says so well – “Justice is what love looks like in public.” Remain keenly aware that love involves more than compassion – “feeling with or for people”. Justice, also, calls for intentional relationships with people being harmed. It means suffering with those who suffer at some level to bring about change. There is no way to love and work for justice without giving and sharing of ourselves in some real way. It can be joyful, but it isn’t passive.

For perspective, here is a quote from Rev. Martin Luther King

“We shall match your capacity to inflict suffering by our capacity to endure suffering. We shall meet your physical force with soul force. Do to us what you will, and we shall continue to love you. We cannot in all good conscience obey your unjust laws, because noncooperation with evil is as much a moral obligation as is cooperation with good. Throw us in jail, and we shall still love you. Bomb our homes and threaten our children, and we shall still love you. Send your hooded perpetrators of violence into our community at the midnight hour and beat us and leave us half dead, and we shall still love you. But be assured that we will wear you down by our capacity to suffer. One day we shall win freedom, but not only for ourselves. We shall so appeal to your heart and conscience that we shall win you in the process, and our victory will be a double victory.” 

Hearts Strangely Warmed - Pastor Elizabeth Jackson

“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.

Pastor Elizabeth Jackson
Commissioned as a Provisional Elder in 2022

I always grew up in the church, but never liked going. When my grandfather died and I lost my best friend, I questioned everything in life, including how a loving God would take him away. I couldn’t believe a loving God would do something like that, so I gave up on God. Yet, God never gave up on me. God kept sending people into my life who showed me more of who God is. 

When my friend in high school invited me to youth group, everything changed. It brought me to a place where I accepted God as my Savior. A year later when I lost my grandmother, it brought me to a very dark place. But through my pastors at Bethany UMC in Red Lion, Charlie Salisbury and Cathy Boileau, I took that first step out of that dark place and started to believe that God had something better for me. 

Memorial Day weekend of 2003, the high schoolers of the youth group held a special event for the junior high youth. It was at this event, that I knew God was calling me to serve him, I was just unsure of how. In college, I realized that God was calling me to pastoral ministry. I started the process, but it terrified me. I had great examples of pastors, but felt that I couldn’t be like them, so therefore, couldn’t be a pastor. 

I dropped out of the candidacy process, convinced God made a mistake, and instead pursued the career of mental health counseling. My goal was to become a licensed professional counselor and serve as an outpatient therapist. Through years of hard work, I arrived. The work I was doing was valuable and necessary, but I felt unfulfilled. It felt like something was missing, but I couldn’t put it into words at the time. 

When I attended Bible study around that time, at Church of the Good Shepherd (Lebanon, PA), discussion with a retired UM pastor made me realize something; I had been neglecting my call to ministry. 

Over the years my call had never changed, even though almost a decade had passed. Still, God used this time to further prepare me and equip me to serve him. When I started the process over again to become a pastor, there was a calm reassurance that I was doing exactly what I needed to be doing. While I still questioned if I had what it would take, I held firm to the words of Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

God has grown me in ways I could have never imagined possible, and I am excited to continue serving God as pastor. It is my hope that I can help those who struggle with mental illness to feel a sense of belonging, welcome, and understanding in the church. Like I experienced in my youth, I hope to help others to find hope in the midst of whatever darkness they are facing. After all, the church is a place where we can go with all our hurts, and lay them at the foot of the cross, experiencing the healing only Jesus can bring.

Susquehanna LINK, May 2022

 

PDF available to view and download at www.susumc.org/link

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.

Save the Date Flyer

Event Information Flyer

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!

www.susumcamps.org

Connecting Ministries: Annual Conference - Face-to-Face!

By Rev. Dr. Kathleen E. Kind, Director of Connecting Ministries

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!

Susquehanna LINK, March 2022

 

PDF available to view and download at www.susumc.org/link

Volunteers in Mission

In case you missed it, VIM has a new website under the Conference Board of Global Ministries (CBGM). Go to www.susmb.org/vim to check it out! You can find what VIM is all about, see photos of teams from the past year, find a project to work on or a training that would suit you, and Mission resources. These pages are constantly being updated with new materials and projects so check it out regularly.

Keep an eye out for upcoming VIM Training, sessions are scheduled regularly or by request. VIM Training prepares us to have a positive impact in mission whether it is a few hours or weeks; local, national, or global. It is open to those who have led teams and those who have never served on a project. Taking this training does not require you to lead a trip but equips you for service. Topics covered include Best Practices, Cultural Awareness, Health & Safety, Team Orientations, Useful Forms, Insurance and Fundraising. If you, your mission committee, or mission team are interested in the VIM Training, contact Michelle at vim@susumc.org or 717-766-7441 ext. 3105.

A gem that the Susquehanna Conference VIM provide is supplemental accident insurance for your teams FREE of charge. If you’re serving in your local community or sending teams out further into Pennsylvania, other states, or other countries, contact Michelle for information on how to acquire this insurance. It’s another way we care for our teams and all the work you do.

What to look for in 2022??? 

Right now, the Susquehanna Conference VIM offers a grant for VIM team’s material costs. Check it out at https://susmb.org/resources/. We’re creating a new grant that will debut later this year to help the journey costs of new missioners. But we can’t continue to offer these grants without the help of generous donors! You know that it all adds up and any amount donated helps tremendously! The grants come from United Methodist Advances and that means that 100% of the money donated is used for the grants, not administrative fees! 

Please consider a donation to VIM, here’s how to donate to our VIM Advances

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Advance Special (#4055)

VIM is a grassroots movement of United Methodists who seek to put their “Christian Love in Action.” VIM offers a connectional framework through which disciples can engage in short-term mission journeys locally, nationally, and globally. VIM provides training, resources, insurance, and support to our VIM teams.

Volunteers in Mission (VIM) Materials Advance Special (#7010)

This ministry helps with the costs of materials for VIM work including local mission, domestic and international VIM Journeys.

Make checks payable and send to:

“Susquehanna Conference UMC” - Memo line: Advance and number
303 Mulberry Dr. Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

VIM is the short-term mission agency of the United Methodist Church who seek to put their “Christian Love in Action”. I celebrate all our Conference Missioners and those who support us with your prayers, monetary gifts, and relationship. I’ll leave you with one of our core values from John Wesley: Do no harm, do good, and stay in love with God.

Michelle Schwartzman, VIM Coordinator 

vim@susumc.org  •  717-766-7441 ext. 3105.