So That...

“Using the two important words “so that” has the power to change the way [church] leaders work... so that everything that God’s people do is shaped toward mission and results in fruitfulness.” 

— Lovett H. Weems, Jr. 

Recently, the Connectional Ministries staff of the Susquehanna Conference assessed our work areas to refocus on why we do what we do... 

Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kind

The Director of Connectional Ministries exists to be part of and lead the Connectional Ministries team so that we can resource and support clergy, laity, and congregations in being followers of Jesus who are making new followers of Jesus.

Amy Wynn

I serve as the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Connectional Ministries so that I can assist the director to provide resources and make connections to help pastors and laity to transform their lives, and those that they come into contact with, by sharing the love of Christ.

Connie Waggoner

As the Receptionist, I am here to greet, investigate, answer, help, and smile so that people know we are a loving, giving, and faithful community.

Liz Lennox

As Director of Communications, I strategize with and direct the Communications Team to share pertinent information with clergy and laity so that they remain well-informed and fully connected to the conference and one another. Stories and experiences are chronicled so that we can celebrate our transformative ministries while educating the public about who we are not just as United Methodists, but as followers of Jesus Christ. 

Stacy Eckert

As a Communications Specialist (Web/Graphic design) for the Communications Team, I help resource our Conference through effective and consistent communications in a variety of communication outlets, so that by witnessing God’s work and inspiring new ideas through these communications we can Grow, Equip and Connect in an ever-changing world.

Sandii Peiffer

As a member of the Communications Team, I publish the news of God’s work in and through United Methodists in the Susquehanna Conference and throughout the world so that our readers can understand and feel part of the powerful connection we have as a global church and be inspired to join us in making disciples and transforming the world. I also maintain a presence for the Susquehanna Conference on Facebook so that we can reach and connect with even more people about God’s work in and through United Methodists and portray a positive Social Media presence.

Rev. Kevin Witt

Age Level and Beloved Community Ministries provide opportunities for the wide diversity of people in our communities to experience the embrace of God so that all understand their giftedness and more deeply value each other; so that together we join Jesus in making the way of love our way of life; so that the world increasingly embodies the Beloved Community of God

Cindy Weaver

Our ministry area (Age Level Ministries, Equipping Vital Congregations, Building the Beloved Community) provides resources and learning opportunities to pastors, laity, and local churches so that they become energized and excited (as their next faithful steps occur) in creating new places for new people, revitalizing their ministries, bringing young people to know Jesus, and building the beloved community.

Kim Shockley

I serve as the Coordinator of Lay Excellence so that lay people throughout the Susquehanna Conference have the tools needed to engage others in abundant Christian love that transforms lives wherever they go.

Tricia Frye

I perform administrative tasks for the Camp & Retreat Ministry so that our camps and retreats are places where participants can be themselves, form new relationships, experience personal growth, appreciate nature, and encounter Jesus in new ways.

Douglas Hoy

We do Disaster Response Ministry so that members of the Susquehanna Annual Conference can be equipped and empowered to answer the fundamental calling to be missionary communities and missionaries in the community, share the love of Jesus with and be a caring, Christian presence in the lives of those suffering from disasters in their lives.

Michelle Schwartzman

As the Volunteer in Mission Coordinator for the Susquehanna Conference, I cultivate connectional relationships, and I train and mobilize volunteers so that we in the local church can put our “Love into Action.” We act in love with intentionality and awareness so that we enter into service as a partnership and uphold the dignity of our partners.

Joni Robison

Discovery Place provides free Bible study and spiritual growth resources, guidance, and support so that churches have access to a wide selection of materials from a variety of authors and viewpoints to nurture spiritual growth; so that study participants can grow in their faith or meet Jesus for the first time; so that Sunday School teachers will have access to a variety of teaching resources; so that teachers of children and youth have access to a myriad of creative ideas; so that people can find deeper meaning in seasonal studies such as for Advent and Lent; and so that churches can save money to fund other outreach and ministry programs.

Connectional Ministries: The Role of DCM in This Season

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

From time to time, since the beginning of my appointment as the Director of Connectional Ministries, people (like my family and friends) have asked me what I actually do. For me, a concise summary of the role of the DCM is to help resource congregations, clergy and laity to be disciples of Jesus who are making new disciples of Jesus. And, my office does that by focusing on clergy and lay excellence, church vitality and encouraging the connection of the Church to the wider Church and the world. As I write this, I can almost hear the voices of my family and friends say, “yes, but what does that really mean?” 

What that means is, my role (and this is something about which I am quite passionate) is to partner with you (as a congregation, as clergy, as laity) and help you take next faithful steps in ministry. 

We are in an interesting season in the life of the Church. The impact of COVID has been significant. We do Church differently than we did in 2019. We see this in worship, small groups, age-level ministries, missions, and even the formerly ever-present food ministries (really, prior to 2020 how often did we come together and not have some sort of food—whether that was cookies or a covered dish?). And, as we move forward, we are going to continue to do Church differently. 

So, in my church vitality portfolio I am excited to equip congregations for vitality as we explore ways to build relationships in our communities that lead to sharing our experiences of Jesus in our lives. In my lay excellence portfolio, Kim Shockley is working very closely with Lay Servant Ministries including Certified Lay Ministers to not only fulfill the Book of Discipline requirements, but to also help raise up new Lay Servants and CLMs. Kim has been helping Lay Leaders to know and understand their role in the local church and has been helping congregations explore why we exist, what we value, and what God might be calling the church to do next. 

Even though people and positions within the annual conference have shifted in this season, our commitment to our mission and vision to grow spiritual transformational leaders, equip vital congregations and create new places for new people, and connect with each other and the world so that alive in Christ together, the Susquehanna Conference will embody the beloved community of disciple-making congregations remains unwavering. 

Sometimes, at the end of a day when I’ve been busy but haven’t really gotten anything done, I have quietly wondered, what does the Director of Connectional Ministries do? And yet, I do know this; my job is to help all of us live into our mission to be followers of Jesus who help others to be followers of Jesus.