Congratulations!

 2025 Susquehanna Annual Conference
Celebration of Ministry

Left to right: Pastor Paul McReynolds (commissioned), Rev. Jennifer Deutsch Thomas (Deacon), Pastor Patricia Hall (commissioned), Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez, Pastor Patricia Shope (commissioned), Rev. Bobby Jones, Jr. (Elder), and Rev. Gary Allshouse (affirmed as Associate Member).  

Rev. Gary Allshouse was affirmed as an Associate Member

Pastor Patricia Hall, Pastor Paul McReynolds, and Pastor Patricia Shope were commissioned as Provisional Members

Rev. Jennifer Deutch Thomas was ordained Deacon

Rev. Bobby Jones Jr. was ordained Elder

2025 Class of Retirees

Back row, left to right: Rev. Edwin D. Seeley; Pastor David A. Walker; Rev. Jon J. Buxton; Rev. Stephen G. Portner; Rev. Brand W. Eaton; Rev. Timothy A. Funk; Rev. Mike A. Bealla; and Pastor Scott A. Ryan.

Front row, left to right: Rev. Brenda K. Leigey; Rev. Judy L. Walker; Pastor Robin L. Fillmore; Rev. Edward J. Preston; Rev. Dennis M. Adams; Pastor Virginia C. Bailey; Rev. Ellen B. Scamahorn; and Rev. JoAnn M. Darrow.

Not Pictured: Pastor John C. Baney; Pastor Rebecca J. Cutchall; Pastor Todd M. Davis; Rev. Bradley J. Gilbert; Rev. Janice F. Hughes; Pastor Margaret “Peg” M. Knapich; Rev. Scott V. McKenzie; Pastor Craig Q. Rose; and Pastor John F. Shaffer.

2025 Susquehanna Annual Conference Highlights

 2025 Susquehanna Annual Conference
May 29-31   Community Arts Center, Williamsport, PA

Highlights from the 16th Session of Annual Conference

Thursday, May 29

The Board of Laity, led by Dr. Joyce Davis, opened Annual Conference with a powerful Laity Session, reminding us that the call to ministry is for all followers of Christ - not just clergy. [Watch the session here.]

Opening Worship, centered on John 11:1-45, explored resurrection not as a past miracle, but as a present call to transformation. Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez challenged us to expand our spiritual vision: “If we believe in resurrection, then we must believe it is a present reality - the new life is possible now.” [Watch Opening Worship here.]

Friday, May 30

Bishop Héctor opened the day with his Episcopal Address, introducing the new UMC vision and its implications for our shared mission in Susquehanna. [Watch starting at 1:16:00.]

The Memorial Service moved to Friday morning, welcoming over 40 family members and friends to honor clergy and spouses who passed this year. Rev. Brenda Leigey, Superintendent of the Mountain Valley District, preached a moving message on discipleship as a spiritual marathon, inspired by Paul’s words in Philippians and 2 Timothy: “We run because Jesus ran. The Holy Spirit is our coach.” [Watch the service here.]

Rev. Kris Sledge and Rev. Rachel Gilmore led a critical session on why younger generations are leaving the church - and how we can faithfully response. [Watch their presentation here.] [Order their book here.]

 That evening, clergy and laity celebrated ministries across the Conference. Joy filled the Community Arts Center as we honored retiring pastors, new ordinands, and commissioned and licensed ministers. Bishop Robin Dease, Resident Bishop of the Georgia Episcopal Area, preached a stirring word of hope, drawn from her experience as a police chaplain and rooted in Acts 4:1-20. She reminded us that in times of crisis, people need hope - and that preachers are called to share the hope of Christ with boldness. [Watch the service here.]

Saturday, May 31

Annual Conference concluded with a Closing Worship service, reaffirming out call to faithful witness and praying over those appointed to new churches. [Watch the service here.] [See the updated list of appointments here.]

All Things Considered

In addition to the usual business of approving the budget and nominations, the body also considered 4 constitutional amendments and 11 resolutions. Information about the constitutional amendments can be found here. Below are the 11 resolutions considered during our 16th Session (all of which were approved). You can read more about them here.

1. Strategic Visioning and Planning Process
2. Call to Respond to Inequality and Injustice
3. Disability Awareness Sunday
4. Increasing Accessibility in Annual Conference
5. Support for Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools
6. Gun Violence Prevention
7. Creation of a Commission on Sacred Worth
8. Support of Conference Advance Specials
9. Involvement in Peace with Justice Ministry 
10. United Methodist Immigration Response
11. Designate a Beloved Community Sunday

Impact Through Giving

We are deeply grateful for the spirit of generosity shown at Annual Conference this year. Together, you gave over $23,000 toward our three special offerings: Building the Beloved Community, Cup of Water, and the Preacher’s Aid Society.

In addition, more than $3,000 was raised for YPMC (Young People’s Ministry Council). We give special thanks to Faith Bellefonte (Mountain Valley District) for their incredible generosity in fully matching those funds - and to our Bishop and the Missional Cabinet, who were inspired to do the same. Your stewardship is making a lasting impact!

Save The Dates For Annual Conference 2026

The dates will be Thursday, June 4 - Saturday, June 6, 2026 and will once again be held at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport, PA. Closer to the time, information will be provided on how to serve as a youth or lay member-at-large, registration, and lodging.

What Else Happened at Annual Conference?

Visit the 2025 Annual Conference Webpage to view the Susquehanna Daily LINKs, the Livestream Archive, and the photo gallery, and keep your eye on future issues of Susquehanna LINK for keynote addresses, stories highlighting churches that received awards, and other Annual Conference highlights. 

AC2024: Ordained & Commissioned Class of 2024

L-R: Rev. Elizabeth Jackson, Rev. Christopher Weems, Rev. Adam Miller, Ordained Elders Class of 2024.

Ordained Elders:

Elizabeth Grace Jackson was born in Red Lion, PA and graduated from Red Lion Area Senior High School. She attended United Seminary. She is married to Gregory. They have two daughters, Sadie and Callie. She was recommended for ministry by the Church of the Good Shepherd, Lebanon PA (Eastern PA Conference) and currently serves the UMC of Wellsboro in the Williamsport District. Her favorite scripture is Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV) 

Adam Wesley Miller was born in Williamsport, PA. He graduated from Jersey Shore Area High School. He attended United Theological Seminary. He is married to Lauren, and they are the parents of a son, Grant, and a daughter, Madeline. He was recommended for ministry by Trinity UMC, Jersey Shore in the Williamsport District. He is currently serving the Catawissa Parish in the Lewisburg District, and will be moving to Clarks Green/Clarks Summit Charge on July 1. His favorite scripture verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) 

Christopher Edward Weems was born in Atlanta, GA and graduated from Pebblebrook High School. Chris attended Interdenominational Theological Center (Gammon). Chris is married to Brianna and is the father of Kamien Jordon Smith. He was recommended for ministry by Balls Mills United Methodist Church in the Williamsport District. He is currently serving Athens UMC in the Williamsport District. His favorite scripture is Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV)

Commissioned as Provisional Elder: 

Christina Diane Moyer was born in King of Prussia, PA. She attended United Theological Seminary. She is married to Michael. They have two sons, Thomas and Alexander. She was recommended for ministry by Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church. She is currently serving the Christ Otterbein Charge in the Harrisburg District. Her favorite scripture is Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (NIV)

View the 2024 Annual Conference Celebration of Ministry Service here.

Congratulations to our 2021 Class of Elders!

Left to right: Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball, Rev. Daniel Wilt, Rev. Jason Schwartzman, Rev. David Layser, Rev. Kristopher Sledge, and Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi.

You can view the Ordination Service at www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyG1NXxrB-I

Daniel L. Wilt was born in Altoona, PA, attending Altoona High School, University of Valley Forge and Wesley Theological Seminary. He was recommended for ministry by Second Avenue UMC, Altoona. He currently serves as pastor at St Paul’s UMC in Lewisburg in the Lewisburg District. His favorite scripture is John 15:15. “My faith begins and ends in relationship; rituals, traditions, songs, services, buildings, and all that are insignificant if I don’t remember the relationship.” 

Jason M. Schwartzman was born in New York, New York; attending St Raymond High School (Bronx NY), Caldwell College, and United Theological Seminary. Jason is married to Michelle and father to Dante and Jahnavi. He was recommended for ministry by Aldersgate UMC in York. He currently serves as pastor at Grace UMC, Lemoyne in the Harrisburg District. His favorite scripture is John 10:10. “This verse is an inspiration and a challenge to each of us to embrace the full spectrum of human experience.”

David N. Layser was born in Harrisburg, PA., attending Hershey High School, Messiah College and Asbury Theological Seminary. David is married to Emily and father to Julia, Edison, Gideon, and Joel. He was recommended for ministry by Fishburn UMC in Hershey. He currently is pastor of Trinity UMC, Danville in the Lewisburg District. His favorite scripture is John 15:5 “It reminds me that the calling of discipleship and ministry—with all its adventures, demands, and challenges—is most basically an invitation to abide in an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus, from which the good fruit of the Kingdom naturally grows. When I am really living like this (and there are many times I am not!), the pressure is off, life is abundant, and ministry is good.” 

Kristopher R. Sledge was born in Lewisburg, PA, attending Selinsgrove High School, Messiah University and Wesley Theological Seminary. Kris is married to Hannah and father to Lydia. He was recommended for ministry by Christ Community Church in Selinsgrove. He currently serves as pastor at The Journey in the Harrisburg District. His favorite scripture is from Romans 8:31. “In the midst of one of the darkest experiences in my life, Romans 8:31 gave me the deep assurance that even in the midst of trauma, God was present, caring, and indeed for me!”