Turning the Page: The LINK’s Next Chapter

Matthew Shineman, Director of Communications

For 55 years, The LINK has connected the people and ministries of the Susquehanna Conference through stories of faith, discipleship, and transformation. Across decades and formats - from print to digital - it has served as a thread weaving together our shared witness to Christ’s love at work in the world.

And now, we’re turning the page once again.

This edition marks the final PDF version of The LINK. It’s a change we make not with sadness, but with purpose - because how we communicate must evolve just as our ministry does. This isn’t the end of The LINK; it’s the beginning of its next chapter.

Over the summer, we conducted a communications survey to better understand how clergy and laity engage with the Conference’s communication channels. The results were illuminating. The contrast between readership of the QuikLINK and The LINK was striking: 93% of respondents said they read the QuikLINK every week or most weeks, while only 54% said the same for The LINK. Meanwhile, 24% said they rarely or never read The LINK, compared to less than 2% for the QuikLINK.

These numbers tell a clear story. While The LINK has a loyal readership, it isn’t reaching or engaging people in the ways we hoped. For some, it’s viewed as supplemental - a “nice-to-have” rather than a “need-to-read.” Others shared that they weren’t entirely sure what The LINK was meant to be. Given the significant time and creative energy that goes into producing each PDF edition, the impact simply didn’t match the investment. 

But The LINK’s purpose - to tell stories of God’s work across our Conference - is as vital as ever. If the QuikLINK is our space for news, The LINK is our space for narrative. The QuikLINK delivers headlines; The LINK goes deeper. The QuikLINK tells us what’s happening; The LINK reminds us why it matters.

The survey also confirmed that storytelling is something you want more of - stories that highlight lives transformed by Christ, ministries that make a difference, and people living out our mission of making disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world. You also told us you want more videos, podcasts, and multimedia ways to engage those stories.

So we’re reimagining The LINK for a new era of storytelling. Starting in 2026, The LINK will move from a static PDF to a dynamic, interactive email experience, sent directly to your inbox - where we know engagement is highest. This new approach accomplishes several key things:

It meets readers right where they are - their inboxes.

It allows us to track engagement so we can keep improving.

It opens the door to richer content - embedded videos, podcast links, and visual storytelling.

We’ll also move to a quarterly, thematic rhythm - Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall - that gives us space to explore ministry stories in depth. Each edition will focus on a theme and include interviews, features, and reflections that inspire and equip. We may also create special editions around key moments like Annual Conference, Advent, or Back to School.

This evolution also makes production more efficient. By removing the heavy design work of creating PDFs, we can spend more time creating and curating stories, photos, and multimedia that capture the heart of our connectional ministry.

Ultimately, this isn’t about doing less - it’s about doing better. The LINK will remain the Conference’s home for depth, reflection, and storytelling. It will continue to highlight the people and ministries that embody transformation, build shared identity, and remind us that we are linked together in Christ’s mission.

As your Director of Communications, I want to thank everyone who has made The LINK what it is - from those who contributed stories and photos to those who faithfully read each issue over the years. Since its founding in 1970, The LINK has been more than a publication. It’s been a living record of our faith in action - of who we are and how God is moving among us.

The format may be changing, but the mission remains. We will continue to tell the stories that connect us, that deepen our discipleship, and that shine light on the Spirit’s work across our Conference. In this new form, The LINK will carry forward the same spirit that’s animated it for 55 years - a spirit of connection, transformation, and grace.

Thank you for being part of the story thus far. The next chapter begins soon - and I can’t wait to share it with you.

Two Superintendents to transition out from Cabinet

Dear partners in ministry,  

Recently, Rev. Judy L. Walker, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Superintendent, and Rev. Brenda K. Leigey, State College Superintendent, shared with me their intention to retire from active pastoral ministry. 

Rev. Judy Walker

Rev. Walker has served as a pastor in The United Methodist Church for 19 years. During her six-years as a Superintendent assigned to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District, Rev. Walker has been passionate about parish ministry, especially with small churches. She has faithfully lived her commitment to helping local churches thrive and continue to be in mission and ministry. Rev. Walker served faithfully as the Cabinet Secretary. In 2023-2024, Rev. Walker offered critical leadership engaging pastors and congregations discerning whether to leave or stay in the United Methodist Church. Alongside a team, Rev. Walker helped congregations work through the disaffiliation process. Rev. Walker’s retirement is effective December 31, 2024.  

When Judy retires at end of 2024, she and her husband Dave are looking forward to living close and spending time with the children and grandchildren. 

Rev. Brenda Leigey 

Rev. Leigey has served as a pastor in The United Methodist Church for 35 years. She was appointed Conference Superintendent in 2019, and faithfully and with great commitment served in both the former Lewisburg and current State College district. Rev. Leigey has always shown a commitment to the local church, pastors and churches in the district she serves. She has been a tireless advocate for mission and ministry as well as working to help congregations reach new people. From the smallest, theologically conservative church to the reconciling congregation, Rev. Leigey has encouraged people to be committed United Methodists. Rev. Leigey’s retirement is effective June 30, 2025.  

When Brenda retires June 30, 2025, she is looking forward to spending time with her husband Allen. 

On behalf of the cabinet, I express our deepest gratitude to these two faithful servants for their adaptive leadership throughout the years, especially during their time serving in the cabinet. They have led with integrity, grace, passion, and resilience during an extended season of challenges, conflict, and uncertainty, being agents of hope for those they lead. I look forward to serving alongside them during their remaining time in the cabinet.  

In the coming weeks, I will share next steps regarding coverage for the Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre district after the New Year, and the discernment process for selecting the new superintendents. In the meantime, please join me in celebrating the ministry of Rev. Walker and Rev. Leigey and praying for them as they begin this important transition. 

Thank you for living the gospel, embodying God’s love with your neighbors, and nurturing disciples of Jesus Christ who share faith, love, mercy and justice everyday and everywhere.  

Together in the journey, 

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos-Núñez

Resident Bishop
Susquehanna & Upper New York Episcopal Area
The United Methodist Church

Welcome to Our New Conference Staff

 By Mark Knecht, Conference Treasurer/Benefits Officer

The new receptionist at the Susquehanna Conference Center is Connie Waggoner. Connie came to us from the Carlisle School District and she is a member of Young’s UMC in Mechanicsburg. Our former receptionist, Molleye Inners, is now the Executive Administrative Assistant to the Episcopal Office.

Kathy Group joined the finance team in April as our new Accounts Payable Specialist. Kathy has an extensive background in accounting and was most recently working for Diakon Lutheran Services as an Accounts Receivable Services Manager. She is a regular volunteer at Mission Central and with Pink Hands of Hope, and she is a lifelong United Methodist from Walnut Grove UMC in Newport. We thank Darlene Eisenhuth for her service in this role and wish her well as she relocates to South Carolina.

News from our Bishops

The United Methodist Church:  Harrisburg Area - Susquehanna Conference

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi and Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

Staff Transitions

December 22, 2021

Dear Siblings in Christ,

As we rapidly move toward Christmas Day, we give thanks to God for God’s unfathomable gift of God’s son Jesus the Christ. That first Christmas Day reminds the world that God did a new thing in sending God’s son into this world. We give thanks that God continually does new things – even in this day.

The Susquehanna Conference is in the midst of doing a new thing with the Western PA and West Virginia Annual Conferences. We are starting to explore and discover new ways of working and being The Church.

At the same time God is doing a new thing, we give thanks to God for those staff persons who have served this Annual Conference. As you are aware, Rev. Gary Shockley has discerned that this is the time for him to do a new thing in retirement. Earlier in the fall, Rev. Greg Myers also retired, and Christy Mackey resigned to start a new journey in the world of insurance. Sarah Filizzi, part-time staff in the Episcopal Office, has also decided to submit her resignation. She has accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. We also give thanks to God for Rev. Victoria Rebeck. Victoria will be leaving her position as the Director of Connecting Ministries at the beginning of 2022. Victoria’s last day in the office will be December 31, 2021.

As God continues to move and do a new thing, we know that God will continue to use Victoria, Gary, Greg, Christy, and Sarah.

Please know that as God’s plan for the Susquehanna Conference is discerned and decisions are made, we will keep you informed.

May your spirit be touched and renewed as again you hear the words recorded in Luke:

“Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people; to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2: 10-11)

God’s Christmas Peace,                                                  

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

***

COVID Update 

December 30, 2021 

Dear Siblings in Christ,

Please know that we continue to pray for the health and wholeness of each one of you and for people around the world. In light of the very contagious Omicron variant of COVID-19, we urge you to review your in-person worship and discipleship plans. Keep yourself updated on the latest information for infection rates in your area. Continue to access Center for Disease Control (CDC) and official local health department guidelines for how to best protect yourself, your congregations, and your family. Please know that we support you as you provide on-line worship and gathering experiences. If at any time due to high infection rates, after consultation with the clergy and lay leadership, you determine that the church needs to return to all virtual gatherings until infection rates are lower, we will support your decision.

Laity, we urge you to extend an extra dose of grace to your pastors as they enter the third calendar year of bearing the responsibility of balancing the tension between keeping everyone safe while advancing the mission of the church. Physical and emotional exhaustion is real among our pastors. The best Christmas and New Year’s gifts you can give them are your grace and words of good cheer.

We encourage the following behaviors and procedures recognizing that persons without symptoms can spread the virus. We love our neighbors and need to be intentional about protecting others:

• Please strongly encourage, if not require, mask wearing at all church gatherings and remember masks that do not gap are best. Small children and some persons with particular mental health issues have difficulty wearing masks so exercise good judgment.
• Please encourage members of the church to get vaccinated and boosted when it is time.
• Encourage unvaccinated church and community members to take advantage of on-line worship opportunities.
• Stay away and encourage others to stay away from gatherings if they are not feeling well
• Follow the CDC and local health official quarantine and disinfection guidelines for anyone who has tested positive or been exposed to COVID.
• Practice maintaining distance between persons who are not living together in the same household.
• Pass the peace or greet persons by waving, bowing, a nod of the head. Avoid hugs and handshakes. Do not hold hands for prayer.
• Do not use a Common Cup for Communion. Do not leave water in your baptismal fonts.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces – put sanitizing wipes in your Church bathrooms. Consider pausing childcare and moving children’s ministries on-line when infection rates are high.
• Establish organized ways to check in and check up on persons who become ill for any reason so that your congregation may establish helpful ways of making sure those who are sick or shut in can get access to necessities.

Your Bishops, Conference Superintendents, and Conference staff all desire for all of our church buildings to be places of sanctuary or safety. Please put into practice the actions and decisions – both individually and communally - that will help to keep the coronavirus from spreading.

We join our prayers with yours as we navigate how to share God’s love with the communities we serve in ever-changing circumstances.

Blessings to you,

Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi

Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball

Wandering Through a Pandemic

By Douglas Hoy, Disaster Response Coordinator

As we approach the one year mark since the pandemic forced us all to change the way we go about daily living, I am reminded of the challenges faced by the Israelites in Egypt. While enslaved there, God protected them and provided for their needs. He sent Moses to demand their release. Each time, when Pharaoh refused, God inflicted plagues on Egypt. He turned the Nile into blood, covered the land with frogs, turned dust to gnats, brought flies into the houses of Pharaoh, and sent disease and disaster to kill Egyptian livestock and people and destroy crops. Exodus 12 reveals to us that God then brought about plague to kill all firstborn Egyptian males. Before doing so, He instructed Moses to tell the Hebrew people to cover their door in the blood of a lamb, leaving a sign of protection for their families. After spending more than 400 years suffering in slavery, God, through Moses, led them to freedom.

As they made their way to the “land of milk and honey,” the people began to question if they would survive or die in the desert. Their fear grew as the armies of Egypt pursued them. God provided a miracle by allowing Moses to part the Red Sea. After crossing the sea to safety, the people praised God but soon began to question their supply of food and water. Again, God provided, sending manna from heaven. The Israelites faced war during the exodus, and God provided them with victory. For months, God provided safe passage, eventually bringing them to Mount Sinai. And, during this time, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments and covenanted with the people.

Of course, there is much more that occurred during the Israelite’s trip to the “promised land,” a trip that eventually lasted 40 years. But, each step of the way, God met them where they were. He provided for them in his own time. And, He did not keep them in the desert forever. It wasn’t easy. But, in the end, it was worth it.

As we continue to face the challenges presented by the pandemic, consider looking back over the last year. Think about the trials you faced? Did God meet you there? If you are like me, you certainly had questions. Did you take them to Him? And, did He provide you with answers? What miracles have you experienced during the pandemic?

I pray we do not have to wander through this pandemic for 40 years. The days and months ahead may be difficult at times. And, we will become frustrated and have questions. But, we must rejoice in difficult times “…knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3–4). Remember your covenant and find hope and reassurance that God is with you, just as He was with Moses. He promised “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). Commit to trusting Him every day. He will answer your prayers, provide for your needs, and give you rest. It will be worth it.

***

Contact Doug at drc@susumc.org. Check out the Disaster Response Weekly updates at tinyurl.com/DRweekly