New Places - New People: Mosaic Community Church, Halifax

At the 2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the New Places - New People Award was given to a church in each district that has experimented with new ways to build relationships and make new disciples. God is calling each of us to be in relationship with others and our churches are commissioned to go to our immediate neighbors as well as the ends of the earth to make new disciples. We celebrate with these churches and the ministries that they are engaging as they offer new places for new people. If you would like to learn more about New Places - New People, there are courses in Portico, our online learning platform that is located on the Conference website. You can access Portico directly here: https://susumc.org/portico/.

Mosaic Community Church, Halifax

River Valley District

Rev. Gary Weaver, Superintendent

The New Places New People award is given to those people who are self-starters, who are visionaries, and who are team builders. Coming out of both COVID and a season of disaffiliation was a confusing time for many of us in the life of the church. Many faith-filled people wandered aimlessly and yet others found their way. 

A handful of people in the Halifax area wandered and then found their way, seeking creative connections to their community, to God, and to the individuals around them. Wanting to be connected in a significant way, with inspiration and energy in their heart, they came together. 

We have always been, since the beginning, a nomadic people. These people were indeed nomadic and coming together, they found and created a home. Under the connection and support of Calvary United Methodist Church in Harrisburg these nomads made the journey each week to nearby Camp Hebron, that was both home but ultimately temporary. Then, these risk-takers sensed that a time had come to put down roots, so now they meet in an elementary school, where all people are invited to be part of the journey. 

As they responded to their changing context, they have been faithful to the opportunities for sharing their faith and those moments of growth with people around them. One of their greatest desires is to continue to be a faith community where people can become who they were created to be, can continue to be followers of Jesus Christ, and know that they are truly welcome no matter who they are. 

The simple definition of a mosaic is a decoration made by inlaying small pieces of varied colored material to form a picture or a pattern and indeed that’s what this new place is; an inlaying of individuals who collectively paint a picture of God’s Kingdom here in the Susquehanna Conference. 

mcc-halifax.com/

New Places - New People: Mainesburg UMC “Messy Church”

At the 2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the New Places - New People Award was given to a church in each district that has experimented with new ways to build relationships and make new disciples. God is calling each of us to be in relationship with others and our churches are commissioned to go to our immediate neighbors as well as the ends of the earth to make new disciples. We celebrate with these churches and the ministries that they are engaging as they offer new places for new people. If you would like to learn more about New Places - New People, there are courses in Portico, our online learning platform that is located on the Conference website. You can access Portico directly here: https://susumc.org/portico/.

Mainesburg UMC “Messy Church” (Williamsport District)

In a small town, a small church felt the call to reconnect with its community. This church longed to better establish and reestablish relationships with families in the surrounding area, especially multi-generational families. This is how Mainesburg UMC began its ministry called “Messy Church.”

If you haven’t heard of Messy Church, I invite you to look online where you can find websites, books, and curriculum to help get this intergenerational experience started.

At Mainesburg, Messy Church meets once a month and engages 40-45 people at each gathering. From newborns to people 88 years old, this is a worship gathering that reflects the community around them. Each month families return because their kids insist that they go to Messy Church. 

It is in a gathering like this that a little child can learn about the cross that God used to save her and that this type of church allows for her to wander through all the spaces looking for the different crosses that adorn the church.

It is also in this Messy Church experience that a woman who has been hurt by a church and denied communion was finally able to find healing and receive this beautiful means of grace. Her journey has taken her beyond just Messy Church—she also connects to a weekday devotional group. 

Mainesburg has found a way to take the Messy Church model and make it their own. Through the activities, the worship, the meals and stepping out into this new place for new people, Mainesburg has been able to answer that call to better connect with their community. 

While churches really can be messy, Mainesburg has found a way to redeem the word messy and to help bring the healing and wholeness of Jesus to their community. In a small town, a small church didn’t let their size or the distance to their neighbors prevent them from creating an experience where people could not only encounter God, but that youngest among them would insist they go to worship at Messy Church. Thanks Mainesburg UMC for stepping out in faith to create New Places for New People.

One Matters Award: Holy Trinity UMC, Troy (Williamsport District)

Every year, Discipleship Ministries partners with annual conferences by offering the One Matters Award (OMA) to one eligible congregation at each annual conference. At the 2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the One Matters Award was given to one church in each of our districts. This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, the individual may experience the personal transformation to potentially engage in the church’s mission for the transformation of the world. While most Discipleship Ministries programs focus on existing members, OMA focuses on new members. After all, ONE Matters. The following congregations received the One Matters Award in 2024: 

Altoona District

Claysburg UMC Charge

Harrisburg District

Fishing Creek Salem UMC

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District

Mehoopany UMC

State College District

Greater Buffalo Run Valley UMC

Williamsport District

Holy Trinity UMC

 

Holy Trinity UMC, Troy (Williamsport District)

Rev. Paul Amara, former Superintendent

There are so many mission-oriented churches in the Williamsport Supervisory Area. It’s always difficult to choose one among the many for recognition for the One Matters Award.

This year, Holy Trinity United Methodist Church, located in Troy, was chosen for several reasons. Pastor Ken Brown is their pastor.

This church is growing! In 2023, nine new adult members joined the church with a profession of faith, including one baptism.

On Pentecost Sunday, the church also confirmed eight young people, six of which received membership in the church. This included baptizing three confirmands.

Kathy, the pastor’s wife, was their confirmation teacher, and at the youth’s request, with parental assistance, they started a youth fellowship program to allow the youth to continue to stay together.

On July 1, 2023, the youth met for their first meeting, and decided they wanted to meet weekly, immediately after worship on Sundays. Each week, they now gather with some of the youth members’ parents, who provide them with a meal and lesson.

This Youth group started with 8 members and at the end of 2023 the group had grown to 12 in participation. As a group, they also take part in conducting worship, often performing duties of reading scripture, as well as ushering, serving as acolytes, and playing music. They led the Tenebrae service on Good Friday.

The fellowship performs service projects and takes fun trips together. They have fundraisers and sales to benefit them monetarily, as they agreed to stay financially independent from the church.

The Youth also participate in several other mission activities.

They provide over 150 bags of food for the children in the Troy School District each week. With these programs, the Holy Trinity church is doing its part to help end food insecurity for the children in the Troy area.

The Holy Trinity church is growing and has become a beacon of hope and leader in the local community. With God’s grace they will continue to grow and bring the message of Jesus Christ to the Troy community and beyond.

May God continue to bless their ministries and missions.

Jesus is on the Move

By Liz Lennox, former Director of Communications 

The Celebration of Ministry Service for the 2024 Annual Conference of the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church was held on the evening of May 31, 2024 at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. This worship service celebrated the plentiful harvest, culminating in the commissioning of one and ordination of three. Newly licensed local pastors and retirees were also honored. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi preached a passionate sermon about the movement of Jesus in the Susquehanna Conference and the tools he has given his people for the harvest. The congregation celebrated Holy Communion, and the service concluded with an invitation for those discerning a call to come forward. 

Luke 10:1-2

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

In a passionate sermon during the Celebration of Ministry service Friday night, Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi heralded the continuous movement of Jesus throughout history and into the present day. She illustrated how Jesus was a “man on the move”, taking us through his journey from Bethlehem to Egypt as an infant, from Nazareth to Jerusalem as a child, from the River Jordan to the wilderness as a young adult.. “From heaven to earth, from earth to the grave, from the grave to the sky, Jesus was a man on the move.” 

The Bishop underscored that Jesus’ mission persists even now. She invoked the hymn, “He lives, He lives. He’s in the world today...He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way,” reinforcing that Jesus continues to move through the world - and here in the Susquehanna Annual Conference. 

In her sermon, Bishop Moore-Koikoi likened Jesus to a migrant worker, “moving from harvest to harvest,” emphasizing that he doesn’t leave any field unharvested and is continuously appointing new laborers to prepare his way. 

Jesus is on the move in the Susquehanna Annual Conference and he is saying this to us today, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” 

Bishop Moore-Koikoi addressed the members of the Conference, acknowledging their role as answers to prayers. “Beloved, you are what we asked for! You are an answer to prayer.” She then spoke directly to those newly commissioned and ordained by name, lifting them up as tangible answers to the prayers of the annual conference. 

“We are sending you into the harvest,” she told them, “ to seek out those new places among those new people to bring to them a word of peace, to heal them, and to declare to all that the kingdom of God is at hand.” 

She emphasized the urgency of this work by sharing a personal story about planting kale in her garden, only to return from a trip to f ind it eaten. “We had missed the opportunity to reap the harvest.” Drawing from this, she warned that distractions and delays could lead to lost opportunities in ministry: “The enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy the harvest...God needs us to stay focused…” 

Bishop Moore-Koikoi laid out Jesus’ guidelines for the harvest, akin to a “Farmer’s Almanac.” She reminded us that Jesus said not to carry a purse, a bag or sandals; basically, to not be bogged down by “stuff.” The metaphorical “stuff,”- like insecurities, cultural biases, pride and arrogance, or righteous indignation—preventing people from going to the places they need to or bringing peace when they arrive. She also advised to “greet no one on the road,” underscoring the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding the distraction of picking up others’ “stuff.” 

Furthermore, she stressed the power of peace in ministry. “Jesus gave us peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a precious gift—a gift that is not to be hoarded, but a gift that is to be freely given to others” She reminded us that peace is not the absence of differences of opinions and does not mandate agreement. Peace, according to the Bishop, transcends differences and disagreements, underlining the importance of positive and constructive communication. “You negate the peace you have spoken...if you don’t have anything positive to say about anyone or any situation.” 

On the subject of healing, she stated, “I believe in miraculous healing” through prayer, touch, or words, while recognizing that healing can manifest in various forms, including mending broken hearts or wounded souls, or the liberation of individuals from addiction. 

“And sometimes… God uses just being in relationship with others— sitting at table with them, listening to them, eating their food, speaking peace to them, just being with them right where they are, being curious about their journeys without judgment —to bring about miraculous healing.” 

Bishop Moore-Koikoi concluded her sermon by emphasizing the importance of declaring the nearness of God’s kingdom. “Tell them the kingdom of God is justice and joy, mercy and grace. Tell them the whole truth. Tell them the kingdom of God is challenge and choice. The Kingdom of God is a gift and a goal.” 

With her sermon, Bishop Moore-Koikoi offered a profound call to action and faith, reminding those gathered that “Jesus is on the move,” urging them to stay focused, live out their faith through peace and healing, and actively partake in the divine harvest with the unwavering hope and determination that “the kingdom of God has come near to you.”

View the Celebration of Ministry Service of Annual Conference 2024 here. (Sermon begins at 43:00)

susumc.org/annual-conference/

Annual Conference Memorial Service: God’s Gleaners

Following is the sermon from the Memorial Service held at the 2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference on Thursday, May 30. You can view this service and sermon (at 36:33)  HERE. 

Ezekiel 37:1-6    Hebrews 12:1-3   John 8:29-32

Rev. Dr. Charles Salisbury

We are here again as the gathering of the family of God and the people called United Methodist. We share a common ministry as people of Jesus and claim our roles as Disciples to bear witness to the Gospel and to do everything in our power to live it out for as long as we have breath. And on this night, we remember those who in their time on earth walked with us as colleagues, served with us as holy laborers, journeyed with us, inspired us and helped to remind each of us of the true greatness of the God we serve.

Their titles may have differed: they were called elder, deacon, associate member, local pastor, CLM, or lay member; but they shared with us a common cause: to help change this world for the good and to testify to the unimaginable strength of God’s love. Now we who follow in that same path of ministry that they helped carve out pause to honor them and honor their families who lent them to us. To those family members gathered here, from the bottom of our hearts and souls, we say thank you!

Ministry is a journey of ups and downs, mountains and valleys…and sometimes in that journey we have watershed moments so profound that they help re-define our call and our purpose. For me it was a conversation that I was privy to 42 years ago when I was a staff member at the United Methodist Home for Children. A fourteen-year-old teenager had been adjudicated delinquent. His mother had made the decision to give up custody since she felt she could no longer deal with him. In a public courtroom, she looked at her son and uttered the words “I don’t love you anymore.” Those words cut through the air of that courtroom like a knife. I believe in the heart of that young man who already felt he had so little…he now believed he had nothing.

From that point forward, I came to strongly believe that the state of being unloved is the most unnatural state of humanity. We were not created to be unloved. We were not redeemed on a cross to be unloved. And I am convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt, we cannot thrive in any way unless we know we are loved by someone. And I believe it is our shared task as the people of Jesus Christ to do everything in our earthly power to be that someone who shows to those who are broken, those who are hurting, and those who feel alone…. that they are loved no matter what.

The prophet Ezekiel spoke to us about a vision of a Valley of Dry Bones. For many of us this never rises above the level of a metaphor, but there is some real truth surrounding Ezekiel’s words. In the history of war that extends much farther back than written history, there was a common tradition that once an army was defeated in battle, the victors gave the vanquished the opportunity to bury their dead, to have some dignity in defeat. But in that rare instance where the victor had nothing but contempt and disdain for their enemy, they did not allow this to happen. The bodies of the defeated remained on the battlefield to decay and yes, turn to dry bones. It was the ultimate insult and indignity.

Ezekiel’s vision depicts God bringing Ezekiel to such a valley where there were bones everywhere. God led Ezekiel through this valley to see the abundance of bones and that they were dry, which meant even after much time no one had given them the dignity of burial; no one said they mattered. In many ways no one could be more forgotten than the people whose bones filled that valley. Basically, It was the end of their story...but not quite.

God asks Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel responds with an answer many of us have employed in ministry more often than we admit…. “I don’t know,” or what he probably was feeling, “Lord you know, ‘cause I sure don’t!”

Then God said, “Prophesy to these bones, these bones that the world has given up on…Prophesy! And prophesy like you believe something is going to happen! And as you tell those bones to hear the word of the Lord, I will put in your mouth the same breath that first filled Adam’s lungs and they will come to life…. the bones, the tendons, the flesh and the skin! These bones will live!” God still addresses that same question “Can these bones live?” to all of us who preach and witness for Jesus Christ. Can we have that same conviction in our answer to God when we face the valleys that our society and culture have created that say certain people don’t matter anymore. Can we love in places where others have given up on love?

It is 2024….and once again Pennsylvania is a purple state…a key electoral state in a bitterly divided nation. We will once again have the dubious honor of more money spent on political ads per capita than anywhere in this nation…. Every time we turn on the TV, listen to a radio, or connect with social media we will hear the negative voices. We will hear about valleys of dry bones…. But the question is: can we the people of Jesus Christ believe that even these bones can live? Can we believe in grace? Can we believe that in this time of constant confrontation, we can be the witness of true peace and love to all people? Are we the people of the resurrection or are we not?

Hebrews 12 speaks to us of a great cloud of witnesses …those who have walked before us…those who have set the example. We gather tonight to honor our colleagues who have become part of this cloud of witnesses. We honor them when we run the race for which they have blazed the trail. When we persevere and when we endure, we tell those colleagues that their dreams and visions are not forgotten but carried on in everything we claim to be as believers in Jesus Christ and witnesses of the Gospel.

And to the precious family members who gather with us tonight: You may not have a title before or after your name but you were called just the same. You prayed to God…You gave up a portion of your life for ministry…You loved your churches like you cherished your loved one. We can never thank you enough for the contributions you made—and most of those contributions we will never know. But in memory of your loved one, we will continue to run the race, we will continue to preach the Gospel, we will continue to honor Christ in all that we do. We shall never rest until every disciple is made and this world is transformed through faith, love, peace and justice. This is our pledge to you!

We know it won’t be easy…. I ‘m not sure it’s ever been easy…. but we have to do the hard work for the sake of the Gospel. As our Conference theme declares “The Harvest is Plentiful’, but we still need to put in the hard work. This is not one of those fishing shows on Discovery Channel where the fish just jump in the boat. We will need to work for the harvest; ….and when the circumstances are most difficult, we have to be willing to glean. When others observe the field and say there is nothing left, we say we are not finished yet! We are the children of Ruth, who demonstrated to us what perseverance really means…. We can’t quit when ministry becomes difficult…. we have to get on our knees and get our hands dirty for the sake of the Gospel….it is who God has called us to be! 

The Bible is full of moments when the people of faith were willing to glean, searching for holy sustenance when the rest of the world has given up. My friends, there are no dry bones in our valleys. Be strong and courageous! Believe in the Good News - the ever-present power of our God to change hearts, change lives and change the world. It’s still the truth that sets us free. It is an old story but it is still the greatest story ever told!

It is time to sing, my friends, but I need help… let’s celebrate our “Victory in Jesus!”

New Places - New People: Christ UMC, Mountain Top, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District

Rev. Judy Walker, Conference Superintendent

Christ UMC in Mountain Top was formed by the union of two smaller churches in the Mountain Top area in 1960. The original building underwent an extensive expansion project in 1981 to support the growth of the congregation.

Their ancestor churches, the Mountaintop and Albert UMC congregations, were formed to offer Christ to the growing community on the mountain. Their union was strategic, focused on being better together at sharing Christ with their neighbors.

Today, Christ UMC continues to share the same calling in their community. 

Christ UMC offers several opportunities to connect with new people in new places:

Adventure Church gathers every Saturday morning for about an hour and a half hike in various locations across the area. They pause on the trail to read Scripture and pray together and continue in conversation as they hike. Four legged friends are invited to hike along as well! 

Pub Church meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Mountaintop Pub and Eatery for fellowship and conversation and Scripture. 

Christ UMC also finds opportunities to intentionally connect with their online community through Living Room Church as those who attend live in the sanctuary and online are invited to interact with one another and the worship leader in the chat.

With a preference to see life unfold, Christ UMC is throwing away the molds and inviting each person to be the person they were meant to be...to be themselves.

In new places, new people come from all walks of life, and are drawn together in community by a new awareness of God’s love. New friends, new purpose, new life. 

The 2024 New Places/New People Award for the Scranton Wilkes-Barre District was presented to Rev. JP Bohanan and Christ United Methodist Church located in Mountain Top.

https://christonthemountaintop.org/

One Matters Award: Mehoopany UMC, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District

Every year, Discipleship Ministries partners with annual conferences by offering the One Matters Award (OMA) to one eligible congregation at each annual conference. At the 2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the One Matters Award was given to one church in each of our districts.

This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, the individual may experience the personal transformation to potentially engage in the church’s mission for the transformation of the world. While most Discipleship Ministries programs focus on existing members, OMA focuses on new members. After all, ONE Matters.

Rev. Judy Walker, Conference Superintendent

Mehoopany UMC is a three point charge along with Jenningsville and Forkston. After several years of receiving zero new members, Mehoopany UMC welcomed two new adult professing members, through baptism and profession of faith in 2024.

Pastor George Price had received an email from the Find-a-Church site (a good reason to keep information updated!) that informed him of a couple seeking information. He contacted them quickly to find out their needs. They told him they were very new in their faith. They were new to the area, and had made the decision to give their lives to Christ. They were very eager to learn about scripture and Jesus. 

Pastor George arranged a meeting with them to discuss the next steps. 

They shared that neither of them were from church-going families and they went only for special occasions. They were never baptized and they felt that it was essential for them to experience this since accepting Jesus Christ into their hearts. 

Their meeting was very informative and honest. In the past, they had experienced some people who went to churches who were not very Christ-like and they were unsure about going to church.

Pastor George spoke with them about baptism and acceptance into the family of God. 

He really wanted them to experience worship and expressed to them the need for a church family that could help them in their new found faith. He encouraged them to give it a try. 

He was very happy on Sunday morning to see them in worship. He met with them the next day to find out what they thought about their experience. 

They were very happy with how worship gave them a new opportunity to experience Christ. They were encouraged by the response of the congregation to welcome them, and it turns out that they knew a few people. “They told me that they felt like they found their home and were ready for baptism and wanted to join Mehoopany UMC,” recalled Price. Two weeks later they were baptized and became members. 

In his conversation about the church, they weren’t sure if they would commit to attending every Sunday. Pastor George and the congregation thank God that they have been faithfully attending every week and also helping at some events. Praise God for bringing them to Mehoopany. 

The 2024 One Matters Award for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District was presented to Pastor George Price and Mehoopany United Methodist Church.

Five District Plan: Moving Forward in Mission and Ministry

The Susquehanna Annual Conference adopted Resolution 6 “Five District Plan; Moving Forward in Ministry and Mission” which effective July 1, 2024, will set the number of districts in the Susquehanna Conference at five. 

The Bishops and Cabinet will continue to balance the newly aligned districts and each new district will hold a District Conference in the Fall of 2024 in order to complete district nominations and to attend to other matters as needed. The assets will be transitioned appropriately as determined by conference fiscal policies in discussion with the Conference Treasurer and Appointive Cabinet. 

By January 1, 2025, all churches will be aligned to their new district and will be instructed with regards to annual reports, etc.

Mission Central: Care Kit Blessings Abound

By Maggie Kissinger, Mission Central Director of Development and Communications

On behalf of the Mission Central staff and our partner organizations, thank you for your overwhelming generosity through Care Kit donations at the Susquehanna Annual Conference. 

I am pleased to report the donations we received filled 6 gaylord boxes in a box truck, plus multiple full carloads. 

While it will take time to inventory the donations, we estimate over 1,000 Care Kits will be assembled as a result of this donation, a value of $12,000 in resources! Each Care Kit will bless up to three individuals, so the impact of this donation will reach up to 3,000 individuals.

You may have seen our Executive Director, Hope Harrison, facilitating a Care Kit assembly station and accepting donations at Annual Conference. The donation drop-off area was overflowing with an abundance of donations, so we had to send our Operations Manager, Roger, to pick up the donations in the Mission Central box truck.

When Roger arrived to pick up the donations on Friday morning, he realized the elevator could not fit a pallet, so the donations had to be transported to the truck by hand. After taking several loads down, the elevator stopped working, so Hope and Roger carried bags of donations down the staircase. A few pastors and laity noticed them carrying bags and stepped in to help, and when Hope went back for the next load, she learned that someone had made an announcement seeking additional help with moving the donations. Within minutes, Annual Conference attendees joined in over their lunch break to help carry the donations to the truck, in another beautiful display of community and generosity.

I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the churches across the Susquehanna Conference for collecting and donating these items. We look forward to seeing the blessings these Care Kits will bring to communities locally, across the country, and around the world.

www.missioncentral.org

New Places - New People: Faith UMC, Bellefonte

At the 2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the New Places - New People Award was given to a church in each district that has experimented with new ways to build relationships and make new disciples. God is calling each of us to be in relationship with others and our churches are commissioned to go to our immediate neighbors as well as the ends of the earth to make new disciples. We celebrate with these churches and the ministries that they are engaging as they offer new places for new people. If you would like to learn more about New Places - New People, there are courses in Portico, our online learning platform that is located on the Conference website at susumc.org/portico/.

Faith UMC, Bellefonte, State College District

By Rev. Brenda Leigy, Superintendent

A few years ago, Faith United Methodist Church, Bellefonte, realized they were well positioned to be intentional to reach people outside the church. The people of Faith Church had a heart for the mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ and they were willing to use their time, gifts, and treasure to help the mission be accomplished. Not only did new people show up every week; they also joined small groups and began serving.

Faith Church states that it is all about living out the love of Jesus in our everyday lives, both in our relationship with God and with others.

One major way they embrace this journey is through serving others. They believe that by investing their time and resources into God’s work and utilizing their unique talents, they embody the spirit of Jesus. 

They intentionally connect and share the gospel with the people around them, and they continually find ways to make the world around them better by spreading the good news and striving to make a positive impact wherever they go.

Moving forward Faith didn’t know what path God might have for them. With the affirmation of the Administrative Council, Rev. Andy Morgan; Pastor David Carter started collaborating with consultants to assess the church, the people, and the needs in their community. 

Ultimately, they decided the best path forward for the church was embracing that God doesn’t want us to “do life” alone - it’s so much better together! 

So, Faith said YES! and started a network of Fresh Expressions - social groups who would meet around a common interest and provide opportunities to connect and build relationships with others.

In the fall of 2023, Faith launched a Fresh Expression Pioneer Cohort with 25 people from the church. As of spring of 2024, they have 10 Fresh Expressions in the works led by lay people. Some are in the early stages of planning, others have specific dates on the calendar, and others have already started.

Some of the Fresh Expressions that are developing and starting are: ATV riding, Softball, Teens who are bored over the summer, Crafts, Doubts, Running, Writing, neighborhood relationships, and nursing home community. The plans are also in the work to start a Messy Church. All these start with strategic efforts to connect with people outside the church. Faith UMC is looking forward to the fruit this will have in the lives of people in the community as they have said YES to God’s leading.

One Matters Award: Greater Buffalo Run Valley UMC

Every year, Discipleship Ministries partners with annual conferences by offering the One Matters Award (OMA) to one eligible congregation at each annual conference. At the 2024 Susquehanna Annual Conference, the One Matters Award was given to one church in each of our districts.

This award has a strong focus on making disciples because, by integrating into the church body, the individual may experience the personal transformation to potentially engage in the church’s mission for the transformation of the world. While most Discipleship Ministries programs focus on existing members, OMA focuses on new members. After all, ONE Matters.

Greater Buffalo Run Valley UMC, State College District

Rev. Brenda Leigy, Superintendent

On December 4, 2014, the Holy Spirit moved through the Buffalo Run Valley and three United Methodist congregations: Buffalo Run, Filmore, and Valley View. The three congregations, after much discussion and prayer, took a step of faith to merge and become the Greater Buffalo Run Valley United Methodist Church. The newly formed pioneering congregation has worked diligently over the years to ensure that Christ’s presence will continue to be felt, heard, and seen in the valley.

The construction of the new church building has been decades in the making, beginning in 1999. With the growth and challenges of a 1930’s sanctuary the need was evident for a new sanctuary that could support the growing number of children, young adults, and the elderly’s needs.

Even though the transition had its challenges, the one church is now stronger, more proactive, and provides more robust programs and outreach into the surrounding community.

The Congregation believes that many years ago, God gave them a vision, not only to merge, but that the valley needed a facility where people could worship, grow in their faith,  and find fellowship and acceptance. The vision and the prompting of the Holy Spirit weighed on the hearts of many of the members and after many years of prayer and seeking God’s will, the time to begin was before the congregation and, as always in God’s perfect timing, the vision started to become a reality. Even, in the midst of a pandemic the congregation continued to move forward in faith.

When the opportunity to purchase land came about, the church members jumped to secure the space.

On April 15, 2023, Greater Buffalo Run Valley United Methodist Church broke ground on the lot for their new church building. Three crosses symbolically bearing the names of the three churches signifying the beginning of the new church where uncovered, while a cross with stones at its base bear the names of the communities in the Buffalo Run Valley and names of the faithful servants who are responsible for leading, directing and inspiring and believing in the vision and where God was leading.

Together, joyfully, and in the rain and some mud, in one accord we sang:

“I am the church! You are the church! We are the church together! All who follow Jesus, all around the world! Yes, we’re the church together!”

Construction began in May 2023, shortly after the groundbreaking. 

Once the shell of the building was built, members of the congregation used their skills, talents, gifts, time, and hard work to begin the necessary work outside and inside, working together as the vision and reality continued to unfold.

Even though the church has numerous traditional outreach programs the congregation is committed and believes that they can reach out and make a difference in the lives of young adults through “out of the box” programs.

A few of these non-traditional “out of the box” programs that the church has implemented is a kids computer club, (a number of ten and 11-year-olds are now developing their own software programs) and this summer a model rocket club will be formed, teaching engineering design and aerodynamics with actual model rocket launches.

It is through programs like these that an 11-year-old young lady started coming to church and to Sunday school.

Shortly after, the holy spirit was on fire in this young lady. Her newfound love of Christ exuded from her and to say the least, was contagious. Her journey can also be attributed to the nurturing and support of the youth leadership. On her baptism day, the Holy Spirit could be felt throughout the church and she continues to be an inspiration to all around her.

The Greater Buffalo Run Valley UMC is continuing to reach out to the surrounding community and it clearly shows because the congregation is growing and even though they just graced the doorstep of moving into a beautiful new church on April 21, 2024, they may need an addition or a second service sooner than later!

 

AC2024: Annual Conference Award Recipients

Congratulations to the Recipients of our Annual Conference Awards!

 The Rev. Dr. Maud K. Jensen/Rev. Dr. Karen E. Layman Memorial Scholarship

Rosalyn Price English

J. Marlene Atanasoff Spiritual Formation Award

Rev. Karen L. Weiss

The Marty Cox Award for Christian Unity

Rev. David D. Biser, CrossPoint UMC

The Howard & Elizabeth Brinton Individual Awards

Lisa Morrow

Rev. Marian E. Hartman

The Flying Dove Church Award

Carlisle UMC

The Harry Hoosier Award

Rev. Dr. Charles W. Salisbury

The Bishop D. Frederick Wertz Award

Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Salsgiver