Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: Thanks, from a Grateful Heart

By Kim Shockley, Coordinator of Lay Excellence

As I move steadily toward retirement at the end of 2023, I want to reflect with you about how much I have enjoyed working throughout the Susquehanna Conference as your Coordinator of Lay Excellence. Most of my time has been invested in re-ordering how our Lay Servant Ministries function throughout the Conference. That has included working with the District Chairpersons and updating all of the certification processes for Lay Speakers and Lay Ministers. It has been a joy to see how many of our lay people are engaged in significant leadership roles throughout all of our Districts.

Developing and mentoring Goal Companions in a coach approach to ministry has also been quite fulfilling. As an International Coach Federation credentialed coach, I have helped to train and mentor this process in others. Right now, we have an active group of Goal Companions who will come alongside you as a leader, or your leadership team as all of us live into how God is calling us now. Goal Companions will help to focus, navigate through obstacles, and provide healthy accountability to the goals that you establish. There is a page dedicated to our coach approach through the Grow-Equip-Connect web presence: susumc.org/gec-coaching/

My greatest joy has been working with our Goal Companions to lead Clarity Days for local congregations. We help to clarify the foundation of why a church exists, how it behaves, what it does, and how it will be successful. This new foundation is used as a strategic focus for all decisions, planning and evaluation of the ministry. Thank you to those who have participated in this process!

Several times I have been asked what our congregations should be doing to make a difference today. There are three things that I would like to share with you:

Find ways to talk about how we see God at work in our communities. This is more than seeing a lovely bird or flower—it is about how we see the changes for good in our communities. Is there a teacher or community leader that is making a positive influence on others? Where do we see people gathering for positive conversation? Who is leading an effort to make other people’s lives better? These may not be overtly Christian endeavors, so look to see if the behaviors and values match your own for potential partnerships.

Encourage each person in your congregation to see every person they meet as a person who is loved by God. This is particularly hard in some communities where the hurt and pain from difficult experiences color our perceptions of the people we meet. These people are still loved by God and have value, so seeing them in that way may be helpful to overall transformation of our community and God’s redemption in their own lives. 

Remember, who we are is more important than what we do, and what we do is an opportunity to show who we are. Our behavior matters—everywhere we go! If I am grumpy with my server or don’t offer a gratuity, that affects my reputation. If I am a rude driver, that hurts my witness of Jesus. Everything we do, everything we say, is our witness of Jesus’ work in our own lives. Galatians 5:22-23 gives us the best formula for living like there is evidence of God’s Spirit within us: The Holy Spirit produces a different kind of fruit: unconditional love, joy, peace, patience, kindheartedness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. You won’t find any law opposed to fruit like this. (The Voice) Our behavior matters!

I want to leave you with this blessing that I discovered a few years ago. It comes from Brian as his gift offered at Burning Man in 2015.

The world now is too dangerous,

And too beautiful for anything but love.

May your eyes be so blessed you see God in everyone. 

Your ears, so you hear the cry of the poor.

May your hands be so blessed,

That everything you touch is a sacrament.

Your lips, so you speak nothing but the truth with love.

May your feet be so blessed you run,

To those who need you.

And may your heart be so opened,

So set on fire, that your love,

Your love, changes everything.

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: From My Heart to Yours

Kim Shockley, Coordinator of Lay Excellence

I am writing this article today as a lay person who serves within the Susquehanna Conference as the Coordinator of Lay Excellence. 

In recent weeks I have continued my work among you as a coach, consultant, and facilitator/trainer. I have been concerned that we—lay and clergy alike—could do a better job of seeing the big picture of who we are together as the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church. I realize that when I speak or write, sometimes my internal judge comes out and folks feel judged or scolded. Please know up front that is not my intent in writing today. My heart is heavy and it seems to me that I can speak a truth from my perspective that may help us to move forward together in a way that will be winsome to the people around us.

So, here it is: the most discouraging phrase that I hear from some folks in local churches is an angry, blaming line that says something like, “The Conference did this to us.” I usually hear this during the appointment season when your beloved pastor is being appointed to another congregation, even though it is clear that pastor’s appointments are for one year at a time. And I’ve heard it in every Conference that I’ve served, throughout the United States! I know that these words come from your grief in losing this pastor, and your grief is often expressed early on with anger and blame. Here are some thoughts to consider:

1. We are “The Conference.” All of us together make up the Susquehanna Conference of the UMC! We pay Shares of Ministry to support “The Conference.” We send your pastor and lay people to represent you when “The Conference” meets every year. We are “The Conference!”
2. When we are blaming a change of appointment, we are essentially blaming the difficult work of our Cabinet and Bishops. It may help us to put these faces with the words. The appointment season for 2023 was the most difficult ever. With 141 churches and quite a few pastors disaffiliating, and 25-30 pastors retiring, the work that our Cabinet and Bishops had to do to make sure that churches have pastors was daunting to say the least. They already know that our itinerate system will be difficult for some and many will experience grief. Are we praying for the work that these dedicated men and women of God do on our behalf every year? Could we send them notes of encouragement? A friendly voice in their email inbox would be a welcome experience! Now with increased territory to cover, our prayers and encouragement will be the best part of their day! This also applies to our Bishops, who manage three different Annual Conferences— imagine what their days and nights are like times three! I interact with each of these people in my work. I know they are trying their best to do a nearly impossible task. They need our prayers and encouragement!
3. Let’s talk about the math—if we retire 30 pastors each year and only ordain or commission a handful, how long will we have pastors to send? If our churches or charges doesn’t have a person in the “pipeline” toward professional ministry, that is a real problem for us all! Consider someone who may be called to be a Certified Lay Minister—folks who want to be able serve congregations or live out a specialized ministry either within or beyond their local church. Consider those who may be called to be a Local Pastor—who are the hands and feet of Jesus in a multitude of our communities. Consider those who may be called to Ordained Ministry as Elders and Deacons—they take the extra steps of training and accountability to lead our churches well. All of these people come first from a local church within our connection. They are our people! How are you praying for God’s voice and God’s call to be heard among the people of your congregation?
4. Finally, consider the work of your congregation. How are you praying for and partnering with your pastor? Are you actively looking for the next people to invite to your church? Are you planning special events (mission, fellowship, fun) specifically to invite others to get to know you and your congregation? How do you welcome newcomers? It is everyone’s responsibility to provide that warm and friendly greeting to each other, as well as those who you meet throughout the week – they are your neighbors, and God has told us to love our neighbors! Even a church with a few folks can do the work of being salt and light in their community by being a place of prayer and hospitality.

A friend shared an image that helps me to grab hold of these concepts and put them back together again. Consider the work of our conference today like a wagon wheel. The goal would be to move, like the spokes of the wheel, into the hub where we are closest to God. The one thing that often keeps us from getting closer to one another is our inability to forgive. If we can’t get closer to one another, then we can’t get closer to God. I encourage you to find ways to move through grief and anger toward forgiveness so that you can embrace the new opportunity that has come your way. As a preacher’s wife, I’ve been in this mix many times, but I discovered that God always provides the next right answer, especially if I had an attitude to be able to search for it and embrace it. I pray that you can do the same. God is with us, always!

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: New and Improved Opportunities for All!

By Kim Shockley, Coordinator of Lay Excellence

After my experience with our Annual Conference in May, I came away with a renewed sense of hope, especially for the lay people of the Susquehanna Conference. I spoke with many of you about our Lay Servant Ministry processes and felt great enthusiasm from you about discovering how God wants to use you now! While I continue to be the Coordinator of Lay Excellence, this is what gets me out of bed each morning - connecting lay people to mission and ministry!

We are offering a third Coach Approach Training on August 26, 2023 at First UMC Muncy, 602 S Market St, Muncy, PA 17756-1628, for $15 which includes lunch. The instructors for these 6-hour training events are ICF Certified Coaches in our Conference who are currently active members of our Susquehanna Coaching Network – Ron Doverspike and Kim Shockley. The purpose of Coach Approach Training is to learn the skills of coaching and how to put it into practice. Anyone who leads a group or team will benefit from this training because the end result of a coach approach is greater accomplishment of goals and engagement of people in those goals. 

The posture of a coach approach is curiosity, listening well, and asking powerful questions that lead to committed action steps. Come join us as we learn the basics and several different ways that a coach approach can be used within your local congregation’s ministry. .6 CEU will be offered. The flyer and registration can be found here: https://na.eventscloud.com/ereg/newreg.php?eventid=754045

The third opportunity in our Refresh series happens on September 30, 2023 at Christ Community UMC, 3939 Park Rd, Selinsgrove, PA 1787). Ken Willard, from the West Virginia Conference Development Office, will be with us to Refresh Our Plan! Our time with Ken will be to discuss how to create and/or refresh your ministry plan. He will offer training around how to have a strategic ministry focus. This event is open to everyone, and we especially encourage ministry teams to attend this training together! .6 CEU will be offered. The deadline to register for the third experience of Refresh is Saturday, September 23, 2023: https://susumc.org/refresh/

Don’t forget to check the Lay Ministry page on the SUSUMC website - https://susumc.org/lay-ministry/. Throughout the summer our District Lay Servant Ministry Committees will be developing their roster of courses for Fall 2023. Remember, Lay Servants and Lay Speakers must take 1 CEU (10 hours of instruction) every three years to stay certified. Certified Lay Ministers need 1 CEU every other year to stay in compliance. 

Our District Committees are working well to encourage and keep our laity engaged in mission and ministry! The One Matters Awards presented at Annual Conference showed us how fruitful this work is as we developed new and improved ways of seeing our communities and building relationships!

God is with us all!

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: Let’s Sow Some Seeds!

By Kim Shockley, Coordinator of Lay Excellence

It’s almost time to get the garden ready! I’m thinking about what I learned last year in how I laid out my raised beds, and how I will do it differently based on the results! Spinach and lettuce seeds will be first this year, and I can already taste how wonderful they will be! 

One of my favorite parables is found in Matthew 13:1-9:

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.” (NIV)

I love this parable because Jesus is giving us an image of the job we are to do – sow seeds. The seeds will fall in many places, so it is God’s job to prepare for growth (prevenient grace). So often we get discouraged when our seeds don’t fall on receptive hearts, that we forget to keep sowing! Perhaps it would help our seeds of love and kindness if they were rooted in prayer for how God will use them, praying that the hearts are receptive and that we can see some growth! It is also part of our job to provide some water and fertilizer so that the seeds have a better chance. We provide this nutrition through investing in other people, continuing to build relationships, offering the kinds of interactions that can produce disciples for Jesus.

It is my understanding that sowing seeds, investing in their growth, and giving God the glory for the harvest is the work of all believers – lay and clergy. Who we are as we go about our daily lives really are the seeds that God is calling us to sow – everything we say and do is our witness of Jesus, which can be planted in other’s lives! So, as we move into spring, prepare your seeds of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23) and sow those seeds – everywhere you go!

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders - Ministry of Lay Excellence

Kim Shockley, Coordinator of Lay Excellence

It has been my great joy to work with wonderful lay people throughout the Susquehanna Conference to grow spiritual transformational leaders who engage others in abundant Christian love that transforms lives wherever they go! This has been evidenced through the testimonies of those who have completed “GROW! Living as Spiritual Transformational Leaders.” Each person is able to articulate a growing sense of personal calling for the work that God has for each to do, and awareness of the needs within everyone's communities. God is doing great work through our Lay People!

In the past two years our Lay Servant Ministries throughout the Susquehanna Conference have experienced quite a transformation! Each district now has an active Committee on Lay Servant Ministries that is planning and implementing regular training courses for Lay Servants, Lay Speakers, and Certified Lay Ministers. The chairpersons of each District Committee have joined together to become the Conference Committee on Lay Servant Ministries, and are responsible for final approvals for Lay Speakers, Certified Lay Ministers, and curriculum development beyond what is offered through Discipleship Ministries. To learn more about Lay Servant Ministries, click on this link to our Lay Ministry page: https://susumc.org/lay-ministry/. Right now we are adding new information regularly about Lay Servant Ministry classes that are available in Spring 2023!

Our annual Certified Lay Minister School has started and looks forward to two more weekends of training at Wesley Forest! This year seven participants are working toward their CLM status and the possibilities of serving local churches as lay ministers. We are learning about our United Methodist history and theology, how to build a covenant for the work we are called to do, and leading worship. In March we look forward to learning more about congregational care, faith formation and discipleship! As a participant myself, it is so exciting to see and hear how God is working through each of these persons! 

What is God placing on your heart? Have you been hearing the still, small voice that is nudging you to a closer walk with Jesus, or a way to use your skills to the benefit of your local church and community? How do you see God working among others in your family or congregation? How will you share an encouraging word to help them take their next faithful step? It takes all of us to pray for and support each other as we make disciples of Jesus Christ who will transform the world!

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.

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: What Do the Ninety-Nine Have to Say?

Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership

Sometimes during a meal, my husband, Gary, and I will have a lively conversation about Jesus’ stories and parables and what they may mean for us today. Recently, we were caught up in Luke 15: 1-7 where Jesus tells the first of the “lost” parables. 

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” (Luke 15:1-7 NIV)

Granted, there are lots of sermon-making thoughts in this short parable, but considering that the sheep who was lost was originally part of the flock, causes me to reflect on what I’m often hearing from our congregation’s leaders now. The topic most often heard around the leadership table these days seems to be about how we get folks back into our worship services on Sunday morning. So, I thought it would be fun to unpack what the ninety-nine are talking about in regard to those who are considered lost.

The set up to this parable, verse 2, gives us some hints as to what the ninety-nine were talking about – the Pharisees and teachers of the law were grumbling – putting Jesus’ actions in a bad light, stirring up trouble, and generally sabotaging what Jesus was all about. Today, we hear statements like – “where is the pastor going, they haven’t visited me?” “Why aren’t these people back to worship? They spend too much time on their cell phones, and sports, and the convenience of online worship!” “Why can’t it be like it used to be?” While reminiscing, blame, and anger toward things we can’t control are all part of the grieving process, if we stay there, we will miss what God is doing around us! When the grumbling becomes the regular talk of the ninety-nine, then I wonder who needs to repent?

I’m thinking about another Old Testament story that is similar – when Moses went up the mountain to talk with God – he was gone for enough time for those “ninety-nine” to rebel and convince Aaron that a new god needed to be born. When Moses returned with God’s desires – those ten commandments – the people had formed a golden idol and completely sabotaged what God was doing. Instead of rejoicing over what had been found, Moses smashed the tablets and had to start over again!

So, what if we turned our thoughts and potential to action toward rejoicing! How can our ninety-nine begin to see that God is doing a new thing, and figure out how God wants to use us now? A big part of this shift will have to be what we talk about when we gather. First, who should be out looking for the lost? It is just the shepherd’s job now? Remember, we all have gifts that God wants to use to build up God’s Kingdom – is God calling you to action as a “sheep finder”? This would be rejoicing!

What if we understood that an on-line experience of worship is the right answer for some of our folks, and even other community people? What are the other opportunities for people to engage in the work of your congregation? What if a person is passionate about service, or small group study, or a prayer ministry – can we consider those things as valid expressions of Christian life and work, and an expression of their gifts! This would be rejoicing! 

What if our conversation took us out to our community to discover our own reputation? What might we discover about the quality of our relationships within our community? If we are brave enough to ask, would we find out that we are known for grumbling or rejoicing? Are we known for the way we love and care for others or ourselves? Could we be brave enough to change our reputation by focusing on abundant Christian love that transforms lives wherever we go? This would be rejoicing!

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders - What To Do?

By Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership

At a recent God’s Call event our presenter shared information about the ongoing decline of Christianity. It was supported from an article in Patheos—Is Christianity Declining in Numbers by Alonzo Gaskill PH.D. This article shares the three reasons why, yes, indeed, Christianity is in decline. 

First, fertility rates are sharply declining. People simply are not having as many children. And for many of our communities in the Susquehanna Conference, those who are having children often have to leave the area in order to find work. There is not much we can do about that. 

Second, evangelism is not widely practiced by institutional churches in the United States and the average Christian is not comfortable speaking openly about their faith or living it in very public ways. 

And third, some people outside Christianity and many former practicing Christians find the faith (and church) to be unattractive and irrelevant. One point is often made that Christians seldom live the teachings of Jesus. Fortunately, there is something we can do about these second two reasons – and by “we” I am speaking to every person who considers themselves Christian and attends a local congregation. By the way, the information we glean from Mission Insite Ministry Priority reports verifies these two statements in our communities and around our churches. 

Evangelism is a really scary word! Does it conjure images of standing on street corners with a bullhorn? Do you think you have to know everything the Bible says and be able to quote chapter and verse? Are you concerned that you would have to lead someone through a “sinner’s prayer”? These are our own created perceptions of evangelism that keep us from being healthy faith sharers, and are NOT what other people want from us anyway!

To be a faith sharer, having a story to tell about what Jesus means in your life is important. Being able to lean into listening to others share their stories is even more important! What is your story about an answered prayer? Tell it, and ask – have you ever experienced answered prayer? I bet the other person has a story too! Before long, you are connecting your faith to actual living! Today, evangelism is about relationship and authenticity. No one expects you to have all the answers, but a real story about your relationship with God through Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit can be an exciting, authentic witness that other people want to hear. 

“Unattractive” and “irrelevant” are words that hurt us because we have invested so much of our lives into what we have now as “church” and we simply can’t understand how other people don’t want what we have. Unfortunately, these perceptions that others have about Christianity often come from one experience with one Christian during one part of their lives—and it simply (like prejudice) spreads to all who call themselves Christian. This is what we are up against when we move out from our pews into the community around us. We are called to be more like Jesus (loving, kind, graceful, etc.) everywhere we go in order to help other people realize that their perceptions may not be true about every church and Christian. 

A few weeks ago, while lunching at Olive Garden with a friend, our server came to our table flustered and concerned because we waited too long. We greeted her with smiles and said, “all is well.” During our interaction with her I noticed a lovely feather tattoo on her forearm, so I asked her to tell us the story of that art work. She quickly shared how it was a representation of a special relationship she has with her sister and was so grateful that we asked and were interested in her story. We all experienced an authentic conversation and felt a significant connection with another human being. 

My spiritual practice lately has been to see each person in front of me as a loved Child of God – no matter what. I’m hoping that our server felt that during our time together. We did the work of planting “love seeds” so that God can continue to grow them—that is evangelism—as we share abundant Christian love that transforms lives wherever we go!

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: God is on the Move through Youth Ministry

Rev. Kevin Witt, Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders
Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership

Youth ministries in many congregations have felt a profound impact from COVID resulting in a major disruption of what used to work and a significant change in the future landscape for youth ministry. Yet, we sense that God is on the move, so 2022 will be an exciting year of listening and retooling the Young People’s Ministry Council to come alongside our youth, youth workers, and congregations more broadly. Leadership will be expanded from across the Susquehanna Conference. 

Focused teams are being established to strengthen Youth Workers and Congregational Youth Ministry, Youth Discipleship, Young People in Mission, and Equipping Youth for Active Leadership Now. We will be focusing on deep listening and sharing of stories about what is happening and promising possibilities that are growing. If you want to learn more or help YPMC and its work in the coming years, don’t hesitate to contact our co-chairs: Alex Raser (rasergirl2@outlook.com) and Ryan Craig (ryan.craig@millgreenumc.org), or staff liaisons: Kim Shockley (kshockley@susumc.org), or Kevin Witt (kwitt@susumc.org)

On February 25-27, our Young People’s Ministry Council (YPMC) sponsored a “Rest and Renewal” retreat for youth workers at Wesley Forest. Kenda Creasy Dean, professor of youth ministry at Princeton Seminary, came to stir our imaginations about refreshingly new avenues for youth ministry. She spoke passionately about the centrality of love and the many forms it can take in re-imagining youth ministry. 

We used a wonderful game, Ripple Effect, to identify real challenges our youth and youth ministries are facing, then broke them down into specific impacts and repercussions. Next, we gave attention to very concrete ways we could bring love to these specific situations and how that might change the form youth ministry can take. Many of the emerging opportunities shared in dialogue with each other did not depend upon a congregation having a typical “youth group model” to implement.

During our retreat we offered a meditative walk in the woods and spiritual direction conversations. In these deeply reflective times, an idea was born in Brien McChesney, the youth director at Lake Winola UMC. He is feeling a call to develop a process for how local churches can “reboot” or start new youth ministries. We could easily provide coaches to walk alongside congregations as they do this work. These are the kinds of ideas directly from leaders in local churches that become sparks of inspiration for collaboration and the work of the Young People’s Ministry Council as we journey and explore together. 

When I arrived home from the retreat, I had a message from our SUSUMC Cabinet that one of the offerings of Annual Conference 2022 will be in support of new initiatives that will certainly arise as the restructured Young Peoples Ministry Council forms and does its work. I immediately saw the potential of linking these funds to Brien’s idea and other ideas that will come forth! God is on the move in this!

Send us your ideas and possibilities so they can be in the mix as we discern God’s lead. Your gifts to the Annual Conference offering and many other forms of support will be needed in discovering new ways to build relationships of love with young people in our communities. Whatever you can contribute to the joint effort - talent, time, inspiration, or financial gifts will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for supporting your youth locally and beyond. We are all in this together!

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders

Rev. Sarah Voigt Receives the Francis Asbury Award!

Rev. Kevin Witt, Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders

Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership

The Francis Asbury Award recognizes and encourages outstanding support of higher education and campus ministries within The United Methodist Church; named for Bishop Francis Asbury, as one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the U.S. Perhaps because he only had six years of formal schooling himself, Asbury charged the people called Methodist to erect a school in the vicinity of every church. “We must,” he said, “…give the keys of knowledge to your children, and those of the poor in the vicinity of your small towns and villages.” 

Each year, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry invites Annual Conference Boards of Higher Education and Campus Ministry to submit nominees based upon extraordinary leadership above and beyond basic responsibilities in United Methodist higher education ministries. Rev. Sarah Voigt is the Wesley Foundation Ministry Director for the University Park Campus of Penn State.

In a recent interview with Kevin Witt, we get to know Sarah:

1. How would you describe your calling into ministry?

It was through the church that I first experienced a call to ministry. During my time in college, I had two pastors and campus chaplains who saw gifts in me and asked hard questions about passions, callings, and vocation. Their questions, conversations, and countless meals around the table gave me confidence to take the next step in vocational ministry. It was around tables in a soup kitchen that I felt my heart and soul come alive, as I experienced a desire to love and serve my community. That God-given passion has led my family and I to various tables around the world to join God in creating spaces of welcome, community, and service -- and for that I am grateful. I am ordained an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene, in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Interesting aside, I was ordained in Scotland on St. Patrick's Day 2014 while serving as a missionary in Ireland. 

2. What do you love most about campus ministry and what are some significant impacts of the ministry?

I love having conversations with students and the opportunity to hear their questions, wonderings, and passions. I give thanks that now I am gifted with the role of walking alongside students as they journey through questions of vocation, passion, and calling. I love that with students we are able to be creative, playful, and also have meaningful conversations, often all at the same time. And most of our times for connection happen around food! I am continually grateful for the opportunity to intersect with students' lives in the midst of this time period and the reciprocal impacts that are shared because of these relationships. While students will move on after four (or more) years and their lives will take them in other directions, we, those who work in campus ministry, will continue to remember the impact students have had on us personally as well as our ministries. 

3. Describe various dimensions of the Wesley Foundation ministry at Penn State.

The Wesley Foundation at Penn State is connected with St. Paul's United Methodist Church in State College, PA, only one street away from the main campus of Penn State University. Through St. Paul's UMC and the Wesley Foundation, we seek to connect with students in various ways. Our vision and mission is: Be Fed, Be Known, Be Loved, Welcome Home. For decades, the Wesley Foundation has been known as a "home away from home" for students; it is our mission to continue to live into this calling. We run a free student coffee house called Abba Java, which is open to students five days a week as a study space and a place to connect with friends, offering free coffee/tea, snacks, pastries, and more. The Wesley Foundation also gathers weekly with students for a meal and a time to connect with each other as we share prayer practices, questions, and art finding ways to grow in faith together. We also offer opportunities to gather with other mainline campus ministries for times of conversation, events, and service. 

4. What else would you like readers of Susquehanna LINK to know? 

The most important thing would be a request asking pastors/parents/readers to let us know if they have students at Penn State, University Park campus. It is the only way I have to know of our United Methodist students on campus. This is true for every campus ministry throughout the Susquehanna Conference.

***

The honorees of the Francis Asbury Award represent the breadth of United Methodist campus ministry from laity, university chaplains, Wesley Foundation Directors and administrators, and the episcopacy. The recipients have demonstrated exceptional local, multi-generational, international, ecumenical, and interreligious educational Christian ministry with students, faculty, staff, and colleagues.

List of 2021 award recipients 

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders - Youth Ministry Listening Posts – What Did We Learn?

Youth attending Youth Rally at Lake Winola UMC

Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership, Staff Liaison to the Young People’s Ministry Council

On October 22 and 23 I partnered with Kenda Dean and Trey Wince from Ministry Incubators to talk with youth workers from around the Susquehanna Conference. Considering that we met by Zoom, we had an energetic conversation that helped us to learn what is changing in youth ministry from the perspective of those who are leading.

All of the youth workers (paid and volunteer) were able to name young people who are recognizing God’s presence in their lives and have some sense of their giftedness and how God may want to use them daily. Even the pandemic has not stopped the movement of God through our young people!

There are several ways in which youth ministry and a local churches ability to impact young people is changing. Most of our youth workers have indicated that the number of students and adult volunteers has lessened. We all know this and recognize it in the participation of all church events. That doesn’t minimize the discouragement that our youth workers feel! In some ways, this lessening has been happening before the pandemic as families have fewer children and younger families struggle with the demands of raising children in our hectic society.

One of the most significant changes that many of our youth workers noticed is that their students are mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted. One even suggested that there should be a social worker who comes to meetings to help keep an eye on the health of the students. Where are the support systems for helping our young people thrive in today’s world? Helping our youth workers practice a listening ear and a caring attitude is one of their best ways of doing ministry.

Youth at Spry UMC, York

Some of the more positive changes that our youth workers are noticing is that students love the opportunity to serve their communities – building sheds, serving meals – young people show up for these events more often and more consistently than they come to youth group meetings and worship. These event help youth workers to build relationships with their students and the students among each other. Adding a brief lesson and conversation to these events seems to work well! Just because we may not see these young people in worship on Sunday morning doesn’t mean that they aren’t actively being Jesus’ presence in the community!

Also, students will bring their friends when they are doing the kinds of activities that are helping them to develop as persons. One youth worker shared their emphasis on understanding personalities and giftedness as being a very positive experience for their teens.

In order for the Susquehanna Conference to offer youth ministries that thrive into the future, we all need to be praying for our youth workers and the young people they minister to. If you have a school in your community, then you have young people for which to pray!

 For those of you who have active prayer lives, consider this daily prayer:

“Holy God, watch over our young people. Keep them safe from the chaos of life during these strange times. (Name those young people whom you know!) I ask that Your Holy Spirit breathe inspiration into the lives of our youth workers, pastors, and church leaders (Name those you know) so that we can courageously make decisions that uplift our young people as leaders for today! Help me to see how I can be a positive influence on the life of a young person today. Amen.”

As you pray, listen for God’s message, and share it with your church leaders. Share it with me – kshockley@susumc.org or 407-276-5114. Every renewal of any kind always starts with prayer and recognizing the work of the Holy Spirit among us. Let’s continue the conversation as we look for ways to actively support our youth workers and our young people! 

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: Let’s GROW!

Article by Leah Williams

Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church, Lewisburg — For a very long time, I was afraid of going to the doctor. Just the thought of having to share intimate information with a stranger made me feel extremely vulnerable. In fact, I would walk into the office with the mindset of “surviving ” my appointment which equated to me sharing less, smiling more and checking the boxes. The idea of needing to survive, consequently kept me from being open and honest with my doctor. These subdue survival tactics subsequently transformed into life-sucking barriers that kept me away from two things I needed most; growth and care. I needed to grow comfortable in being vulnerable with my doctor in order to receive the medical care that I deserved. In truth, growth was not only needed but it was necessary for my survival. In time, I grew to understand the value of sharing oneself with those who are equipped and willing to foster growth in our lives. 

That is why I have decided to become a champion for the GROW! curriculum that was created and faithfully led by Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders Staff Team of the Susquehanna Conference. The GROW! Curriculum is “ designed to address best practices for leading in liminal spaces – caught between what used to work and what we don’t know will work yet.” Typically designed for lay leaders, Kim Shockley who works as the coordinator for spiritual pathways for spiritual leadership, graciously agreed to lead the congregation of Beaver Memorial and St. Paul’s UMC through an eight- week evening session of the GROW! Curriculum. Truth be told, the GROW! course was absolutely amazing! On a bi-weekly basis, parishioners from both congregations gathered via ZOOM to discuss how we could grow together and individually to transform as spiritual leaders. The topics include: 

Practicing the Presence - Staying in Love with God 

A Generous Gratitude - Gratitude and Extravagant Generosity 

Discipleship as Relationship - Inviting Others into Discipleship Relationships 

Living as Spiritual Transformational Leaders - Personal Discernment, Vision, Strategic Focus 

Change Makers (for God) 

Mentors that Multiply 

Reach: Love in Witness and Action 

Community and Collaboration in the Commons

Simultaneously, Kim challenged and encouraged us; always allowing the Holy Spirit to be the guide. There were times when we were asked to complete an activity that led us outside our comfort zones. This movement set forth our individual strengths and vulnerabilities which ultimately propelled us to experience God in a new kind of way. Similar to my doctor visits, the participants had to be open and willing to receive new tools for spiritual growth. Overall, the feedback from GROW! was positive and transformative. I have had a few members express to me how the GROW! curriculum has elevated their lives ultimately strengthening their connection with God and others. Therefore, if you are searching for a resource, a spiritual gift, that would uplift and encourage spiritual growth with your congregation, I would absolutely recommend GROW!

For more information about using GROW! Living as Spiritual Transformation Leaders as a small group offering for your congregation, contact Kim Shockley at kshockley@susumc.org or 717-766-7395 x 3604 (leave a voice mail – it will be answered!) 

Connect with other Transformational Leaders at facebook.com/groups/growsus

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: A Great Collaboration is Bringing Summer Camp Back for 2021!!

Rev. Kevin Witt, Director of Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders

Meister Eckhart, renowned 14th Century Christian teacher, said “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” The spiritual practice of gratitude notices the good, trusts in God’s love, and participates in new possibilities. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 offers some counter intuitive wisdom encouraging us to rejoice, pray, and give thanks in all circumstances (not necessarily for all circumstances). Thanksgiving helps us avoid quenching the Spirit’s work within and among us. 

Camp and Retreat Ministry noticed something amid the mass cancellations due to COVID, the financial hardship, furloughing of staff, and the illness and suffering many of our camper families and local churches went through. Amid all that struggle, an outpouring of love and stunning generosity emerged. We see the good and thank God for YOU! 

You turned a time of hardship into a fountain of blessing. Many individuals and congregations stepped up as donor partners and volunteers to create a different outcome by contributing to the vitality of our 5 Camp and Retreat Centers. You make it possible to offer sacred spaces and experiences that transform so many lives. People need faith journeys in community that become milestones of inspiration in their life with Jesus. In 2020, you provided over $170,000 in gifts for the Camp Comeback Campaign, scholarships, and much needed projects. In addition, thousands of volunteer hours improved the centers. Your generosity makes all the difference for those served by a ministry we all have a part in as United Methodists across Central PA.

Summer Camp is coming back in 2021 with your help! We thank the many volunteers who will play pivotal roles as leaders with the campers this summer. They are now preparing diligently along with the Center staff. Pray for all those who will live the way of love as Christian mentors for the children, youth and families attending this summer. It will be a more complex and demanding summer due to additional health protocols. At the same time, it promises to be one of the most meaningful summers ever for campers who really need to connect with God and each other as they grow in discipleship. Children and youth long to regain a sense of adventure, joy, and fun, which camp also offers in a big way. For information on Summer Camp in 2021 and to register go to: www.susumcamps.org

Donor support is crucial again this year! We deeply appreciate every gift you will give to the 2021 Camp Comeback Campaign, and we want to be sure you realize how much it is needed. Almost all groups cancelled again this Spring due to COVID restrictions and concerns. Summer camp will operate at ½ of our normal capacity this summer. We will need to bring additional staff back on for the summer, but our revenue will be much less than normal. Outdoor canopies will need to be purchased so groups can spread out, food service operations will be more costly in providing meals differently, more equipment will be required, etc. Families where parents have been furloughed or lost jobs will need scholarship help from all of us who can give. Together we can reach the $100,000 goal for 2021.

Give Online: www.susumcamps.org and click on the donate button in the upper right corner. 

Donate by Check: Make payable to “The Susquehanna Conference UMC” and on the description line indicate Camp and Retreat Ministry. Send to: SUS Camp and Retreat Ministry, 303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050.

Thank you Everyone! We cherish being in ministry with you!

Growing Spiritual Transformational Leaders: Courageous Conversations are Possible!

Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership

One of my blessings during this pandemic and the resulting consequences of working from home, lots of Zoom meetings, and some opportunities for introspection has come through a new focus on the last statement of Micah 6:8 “...walk humbly with God”. The Courageous Conversations course became an avenue in which I learned more about how walking humbly is tied to listening to understand and even picking up the adage that, ‘I could be wrong.’ The humble statement about being wrong allows me to be more present with people as I learn from them and expand my understanding. Even if we disagree, we are able to preserve our relationship because we understand each other, without having to convince the other person that I am right. 

The Grow, Equip, and Connect ministry areas of the Susquehanna Conference are partnering with Discipleship Ministries to present Courageous Conversations, a four-session online course that will help us to gain confidence in how we have hard conversations. The instructor (and creator) of Courageous Conversations is Rev. Scott Hughes. Scott is the Director of Adult Discipleship and Executive Director of Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship for Discipleship Ministries, an agency of the United Methodist Church. Our partnership with Discipleship Ministries will allow participants to use the course – a special edition that will be only available to the Susquehanna Conference – and offer CEU credits for taking it. 

Registration for the course is now open at: https://susumc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Courageous-Conversation-flyer.pdf. Be sure to use the special code that allows 100 participants to take the course without cost. 

The course is organized in four sessions which include a video teaching from Scott, additional articles to read, and an opportunity to answer questions in a format that will allow you to interact with Scott and others taking the course. There is a downloadable booklet that accompanies the course. This material embodies the Fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control in order to have Courageous Conversations! Against such things there is no law! (Gal 5:22-23) 

GROW: Let’s Have a Courageous Conversation!

By Kim Shockley, Coordinator for Pathways of Spiritual Leadership

We all know that we are living in unprecedented times that are characterized by our diversity of opinion, interpretation of information, and melatonin. Because of the COVID pandemic we have been staying at home and much of our interaction with others, especially face to face conversation, has been minimized to the point where at best we can tolerate opposing views, and at worst, demonize each other. And the issues that fuel our conversations are becoming more diverse and difficult from day to day! How will we function when we can be together again?

The Grow, Equip, and Connect ministry areas of the Susquehanna Conference have realized that we have a great opportunity to create better ways of communicating with one another, and there is a tool available to us for this purpose at no cost to you or your congregation. Coming this winter, we are partnering with Discipleship Ministries to present Courageous Conversations, a four-session online course that will help us to gain confidence in how we have hard conversations. Our partnership with Discipleship Ministries will allow participants to use the course – a special edition that will be only available to the Susquehanna Conference – and offer CEU credits for taking it. Registration for the course will open in January – watch QuikLINK for more information. 

The ultimate hope in providing this course is that clergy and lay people throughout the conference will have the skills and confidence to hold Courageous Conversations in their local areas. These types of conversations are a witness to our local communities that we can experience harmony of purpose even when we have different ways of understanding issues. 

The instructor (and creator) of Courageous Conversations is Rev. Scott Hughes. Scott is the Director of Adult Discipleship and Executive Director of Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship for Discipleship Ministries, an agency of the United Methodist Church. Scott and I created an informational video that you can watch here: tinyurl.com/ybbqfy6z

The course is organized in four sessions which include a video teaching from Scott, additional articles to read, and an opportunity to answer questions in a format that will allow you to interact with Scott and others taking the course. There is a downloadable booklet that accompanies the course. I found the course to be extremely helpful to me as I seek to understand before I expect to be understood. This material embodies the Fruit of the Spirit – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control” in order to have Courageous Conversations! “Against such things there is no law!” (Gal 5:22-23)