PDF File - Susquehanna Conference

February 2016
THE CHURCHES
OF THE SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE, THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
A WITNESS TO MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD
This graphic is the 2016-2017 (fourth and final) installment in the “Alive in Christ” quadrennial theme of the Susquehanna Annual Conference. The four themes were ,“Alive in Christ
...” (1) “On a Journey of Faith”; (2) “Raising up Transformational Leaders”; (3) “Equipping Vital Congregations”; and (4) “Creating New Places for New People.” Designed by
Stacy Eckert, LINK Communications.
Leland named Lewisburg
District Superintendent
B
PHOTO: JERRY WOLGEMUTH
The Susquehanna Conference Delegation for the 2016 General Conference and / or the
2016 Northeast Jurisdictional Conference.
A word from your delegation
By Lisa Bender, Head Lay Delegate, and
Rev. Larry Leland, Head Clergy Delegate
Thank you. Each of us is honored
to have been elected to represent
Susquehanna
Conference
General
Conference in Portland, Oregon, May 1020 and/or at the Northeastern Jurisdictional
Conference in Lancaster, Pa., July 1115. We are committed to faithfully serve
as delegates and to connect you and the
entire annual conference with the life and
work of the United Methodist Church.
What have we been doing? Our main
task as a whole delegation of 20 plus four
alternates is to discern who God may be
calling our jurisdiction to elect as new
Episcopal leaders in the Northeastern
Jurisdiction. That process begins with
the delegation going through a process
of inviting, interviewing, and deciding
whether or not to endorse potential
episcopal candidate(s), which would
then come to the Annual Conference for
endorsement. Each Annual Conference
goes through a similar process, and just
prior to Jurisdictional Conference we
will receive biographies of all those who
were endorsed across the Northeastern
Jurisdiction. These are the people we
will interview and ultimately elect during
Jurisdictional Conference. The number
needed will be decided at General
Conference.
What about preparing for General
Conference? The ten General Conference
delegates and four alternates are learning
all we can about what to expect in Portland,
where the theme is “Therefore Go.” We
selected our legislative committees. We
will each read thick volumes of legislation
and an avalanche of mail requesting us to
vote this way or that way. We are studying
the key topics we expect will help shape
the 2016 General Conference as we look
to the future. Some of them are: church
ishop Jeremiah J. Park is pleased
to announce the appointment of
the Rev. Larry L. Leland Jr. as
Superintendent of the Lewisburg District
effective July 1, 2016. He will succeed
the Rev. Dr. Thomas L. Salsgiver,
who finishes his eighth year of district
superintendency.
Rev. Leland has been serving as
the senior pastor of Faith United
Methodist Church, Montoursville, since
July 2010. During his tenure in his
current appointment, Faith Church has
experienced remarkable growth. His
outstanding leadership and commitment
to sharing the gospel with the larger
community has brought a contagious spirit
of vitality to the church as it continues to
expand its presence, ministry, and witness
in the community. He understands what it
takes to be a church alive in the mission of
Christ for such a time as this.
Leland’s other appointments include:
senior pastor, Christ Church, Selinsgrove
(1999-2010), associate pastor, Manchester
St. Paul’s (1995-1999), and pastor, Dover
Bethany, 1994-1995. He is a graduate of
York College and Lancaster Theological
Seminary.
Leland also serves the connectional
church in very significant ways. For the
past few years Leland has served as the
Susquehanna Conference Secretary. He
has also served in numerous areas of
leadership. As the first clergy person
elected, he leads the delegation of the
Susquehanna Conference to the 2016
General and Jurisdictional Conferences.
“Larry is a person of deep faith. He is
endeavoring to lead a holy life entirely
committed to God,” said Bishop Jeremiah
Park. “In addition to his exceptional
gift of leadership, Larry’s gentle
PHOTO COURTESY REV. LARRY LELAND
Rev. Larry Leland
demeanor, his discerning spirit, his strong
administrative skills, his listening ear, his
pastoral heart, and his love of God and the
church will serve him and the churches
of the Lewisburg District well. Larry’s
ministry has been greatly appreciated by
each of the congregations he has served.
He is deeply respected by his colleagues.”
Larry is married to Barbara. They
are the parents of Henry. “I solicit your
prayers for the Leland family and the
Faith congregation during this time of
transition,” said Bishop Park.
“We look forward to our new common
journey with Rev. Larry Leland. Please
join me in welcoming him to the ministry
of superintendency.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
susquehannalink.blogspot.com
2
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
We Are
Deeply Grateful
for Your Gifts and Support!
Thank you for providing safe housing,
nutritious food, necessary medicine, and
loving care for our residents.
Your generous gifts in 2015 help the
Benevolent Homes of the Susquehanna
Conference continue to be in ministry to
some of the most vulnerable among us.
Please continue to keep us among your
giving priorities in the new year.
United Methodist Home for Children
Quincy Village
Bethany Village
RiverWoods Senior Living Community
umhcservices.org
bethanyvillage.org
Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community
NormandieRidge.org
quincyvillage.org
RiverWoods.org
United Methodist Homes Wesley Village Campus
Unitedmethodisthomes.org/location/Wesley-village-campus
For the latest news and event information visit the Susquehanna Conference Web site at www.susumc.org
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
3
Vital Congregations
a dialogue to inspire churches with ideas for ministries of vitality
The following is the final installation in a five-part series based on a dialogue begun at the 2015 Susquehanna Annual Conference around stories and
experiences of congregational vitality. The team that presented included Pastor Janet Durrwachter, Rev. Rich Morris, Rev. Dr. Randy Willis, and Jaime
Carpenter. The video of this session (held Friday morning, June 12, 2015) and a full transcript can be found at tinyurl.com/susumcAC2015.
Passionate Connection
Jaime Carpenter, Laity
Christ UMC, Selinsgrove
edited transcript
I
am the director of lay ministries at
Christ United Methodist Church in
Selinsgrove. I’ve been a part of the
church for thirty years, but I’ve been
employed there for eleven. I am also the
chairperson for the lay servant ministries
of the Lewisburg District. God has exactly
called me to lead high-level leadership
ministries as a lay person in these roles
and for this time.
Organizing and teaching “Equipping
God’s People” modules 1 and 2,
organizing the lay speaking courses, and
helping people understand the major shift
in all of that, has been solid work. It’s true.
I know that good local church leaders
need education. And so our districts have
implemented the two modules, and are
creating other courses to follow. Many of
you are familiar with this. The feedback
has been positive, and awareness is
growing.
Today I bring along with me Grace
Dunagan, a sixteen-year-old youth who
has fulfilled her high school requirements,
and will begin college in the fall. I have
personally mentored her for the past year
-and-a-half in church leadership, and
truth be told, she has taught me a thing
or two. She has been beside me as we
organize courses, correspond with lay
speakers in the district, and lead trainings
in other local churches. As a member of
our administrative council, she is a bright
spot in our church’s leadership.
And today Grace and I are here because
loud]. Some Monday mornings get pretty
emotional for us. But if there is something
that the church staff or care teams need to
follow up with, we follow up no later than
Wednesday of that week.
First- and second-time visitors receive
hand-written cards or emails; then a
letter from the pastor; then a visit from
one of our ministry staff members. In
addition, thanks to the church’s awesome
hospitality leader, Jinny Harnum, our
ushers and greeters are well-trained.
Ushers stand by, available to assist.
They walk worship attendees to their
seats — they actually do that! I know
that’s what they are supposed to do and
it feels like I shouldn’t even have to say
that, but sometimes we get involved in our
side conversations, and we kind of miss
a golden opportunity. The greeters try to
remember the first names of the people
on the first introduction. Their stations are
located just inside the door and out on the
street, helping drivers find a parking spot.
From that excellent training, our culture
began to shift. The leadership and worship
attendees began to care for one another,
not simply just for the sake of caring. Not
simply for the sake of saying we care, but
actually honestly caring. And I know how
that sounds. And if I would be [reading
this], I would be wondering, ‘Really, it’s
really that good?’ But you know, we all
have things in our churches, and we have
issues in other areas. But in this area of
passionate connections, our church is
really nailing it.
Taking it up a level, the church is
connecting with community agencies,
schools, and businesses. We are helping
in classrooms, encouraging teachers,
feeding hungry schools students on the
Passionate connection is active. It is well within your budget.
It requires true care, which may require deep change,
which is hard work.
— Jaime Carpenter
we want to share a characteristic of
Christ United Methodist which has been
identified as a vital congregation. And I
feel the same way as some of the others
up here about that. But the characteristic
that we’ve chosen to talk about today is
called passionate connection.
Eight years ago, the pastor of our church
encouraged a few of us to read a book,
entitled, “Fusion: Turning First-time
Visitors into Fully-engaged Members of
Your Church,” by Nelson Searcy. Are you
familiar with that book?
We took that book to our hears. We
removed the pew pads, and our staff added
connection cards to the bulletins. We
received lots of good information from
our worship attendees. Not only updates
to their contact information, which of
course is important for our attendance, but
also specific ways that worship attendees
planned to respond to the message that
they heard on Sunday morning.
We included a prayer, joys, and
concerns line, and cannot believe what
people write on those lines [when we read
them] on Monday morning. They move
us to tears. People will write things on
those cards that they will never say [out
weekends, and donating our gently-used
shoes and so much more. All along we
have earned the right to be heard, and
we’ve built solid relationships through
the community on all levels. I say this
boldly and with confidence.
Again, you may be sitting there
wondering, ‘How do you know that. How
do you measure the trust earned in the
community, school, and agencies?’ And
again, I’d be asking the same thing.
But here is how we know. On Monday
night, May 4, at 9:45 p.m., a report came
to the 911 center that Christ United
Methodist Church was on fire. Nine
companies responded to the scene. The
whole community gathered beside us as
we watched our beloved church building
burn until nearly 2 a.m. Neighbors brought
out tables with bottled water. Community
leaders came out, even while the church
was still burning, to offer classroom and
worship space for our preschool and
church. The days and weeks after the fire
were going to be critical to our recovery.
Even those of us who have felt the
heaviness of the loss and were beginning
a full out grieving process, had a solid
understanding of the following things:
PHOTO: SANDII PEIFFER
The last thing is never the worst thing.
The church is the people. God gives us
beauty for ashes and a future with hope.
So we were publicly grieving. We
accepted the help of others. And we
faced our struggles with transparency.
We invited others to walk with us through
one of the most difficult times of our
leadership ministry, and we continue
intentional connection and care for people
of the church.
The Sunday after the fire we included
blank pieces of paper which served as
connection cards. Actually, it came from
a desk drawer of some scrap tables that
were in one of our member’s homes.
They served as connection cards, and
we included those in a bulletin that was
graciously printed for us by another
church in Selinsgrove. And we connected
with the new people, our guests.
We had a copy of our directory and a
database of contacts saved on the Cloud
and a thumb drive with our servant keeper
records saved to it. Are you guys backing
your stuff up? You should!
While the pastor, trustees, and finance
committees did work with insurance,
investigating, and inventory, the ministry
team leaders gathered to make plans
for ministry. An emergency care team
meeting was called, and I had photos
printed and copied so that we could take
them to our home-bound members and
show them the pictures while saying the
words, “The church burned. The fire was
accidental and electrical. It was nobody’s
fault. But it did happen.”
We immediately rebuilt the website
to show pictures to tell the story, and
designed a blog that gave daily updates
from our pastor and staff. The entire
community is invited to this story — you
are invited to this story.
But here’s the shift I really don’t
want you to miss. The community
contacted the church to see how we
could do ministry together. Susquehanna
University, the Selinsgrove Borough, the
school district, the county offices, all the
local churches reached out. Hundreds of
offers came from small businesses, civic
organizations, our friends. And the people
of the church are being cared for by the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
Alive in Christ Together
4
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
THE JOURNEY
EDITORIAL
Welcome new readers
If you are reading this issue of
Susquehanna LINK it is possible that
you picked up this copy at a display
area of your church.
Welcome!
Beginning with this issue your church
is receiving a number of complimentary
copies of this bi-monthly periodical
that is one of the principle means of
communicating the activity of United
Methodists in central and northeastern
Pennsylvania. It carries a sampling of
the most newsworthy stories of what is
going on in this annual conference of
the United Methodist Church.
This is the first issue of Susquehanna
LINK with a circulation of 20,000
copies rather than the usual 11,000
copies that we have been mailing bimonthly (every other month).
Why?
We 900 United Methodist congregations believe ourselves to be part of a
connectional church; that we are better
together in the mission of bringing the
transforming gospel of Jesus Christ to a
broken world. Therefore, it is imperative
that we share our lives together through
engaging communication media.
We hope the Susquehanna LINK
will be a welcome visitor in your
world to help you better understand
the vital ministries of the Susquehanna
Conference, and that it will be a
gateway to learning more through other
convenient media. Each issue will
refer you to other media resources that
will connect you to news of the global
United Methodist Church.
If you would find it more convenient
to have Susquehanna LINK delivered
to your home address you may use the
convenient subscription form on page
14 of each issue. The top-right quadrant
of page 15, called “Communication
DNA in a Capsule,” presents the variety
of communication media available to
everyone.
Questions about the new distribution
can be directed to 1-800-874-8474.
JW
REV. MIKE
BEALLA
Director of
Connectional
Ministries
Grace and peace to you in the
name of Jesus Christ!
It was about six years ago that
I first floated a Connectional
Ministries survey via the internet
asking our local church leadership
to tell us about how we could
best resource them in the areas
of mission and ministry. Many
of you (some 300+) responded
to that survey. The survey was
an intentional effort to help us
fulfill the purpose of the annual
conference to “help equip local
churches with effective tools and
resources for effective disciple
making.” Your responses were
very helpful in charting the
formation of our new conference
structure including our five major
ministry teams and helped to
guide our work over the last few
years.
As we now enter the new
quadrenium, (the fancy name for
the next four years of ministry
which begins with the gathering
of General Conference), it felt
wise to ask you all again how
we are doing, and how can we
continue to provide you with
relevant and effective resourcing
for your local church. The
Discipleship Resource Team,
chaired by Pat Bollinger, went
to work and put together a recent
“Survey Monkey” asking church
leaders to respond to where they
felt they were most effective in
ministry and where they could
use some help. Your response
was simply amazing! Almost
500 surveys were completed and
the information gathered will
help guide our work in the years
ahead. Thank-you. Thank-you.
Thank-you!
Since the mission of every
local church is to make
disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world, you
have told us that the areas where
you felt the most need of tools
and resources are: Developing
and maintaining small groups as
a foundational piece of disciplemaking, Christian Education and
Bible study. You indicated that
ministry with 19 - 35 year olds is
a challenge.
Although the information
was not a huge surprise, it has
confirmed we are on target with
our current and future resourcing
development. Our E-Tours for
2016 are focusing on each of
these needs and we will certainly
reinforce that direction as we
approach future E-Tours. Come
and check out why folks are
loving E-Tours!
Please feel free to contact
me ([email protected]) or
any of the staff at any time if
you need support or direction in
these or other areas of mission
and ministry. Through our own
resources, the networking of
others who are effective in their
work, and through the larger
connection, we can partner with
you to increase the vitality of
your church for the living out
of God’s purpose for each and
every one of our local churches.
As a connectional church, we
truly believe that we are “Better
Together!”
Bealla appointed to Elm Park UMC
B
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2016
ishop Jeremiah J. Park has
announced the appointment of
the Rev. Michael A. Bealla as the
new pastor of Elm Park United Methodist
Church, Scranton.
Rev. Bealla has served for the past eight
years as the Director of Connectional
Ministries for the former Central
Pennsylvania Conference and now the
newly created Susquehanna Conference.
Mike played a key leadership role in
helping to bring together the former
Central Pennsylvania and Wyoming
Conferences to create the Susquehanna
Conference. “He has served us well
during this time of much transition,” said
Bishop Jeremiah Park.
“It was an unfrozen time when as a
new conference many decisions had to be
made; and it required a lot of time spent
listening and reflecting upon where God
was leading us in the future. Mike has
been a vital part of that vision casting. We
have come to respect his keen insights and
thoughts that enlighten what it means to
be a church alive in Christ together raising
up transformational leaders and equipping
vital congregations on a journey of faith.
His ministry and leadership among us as
the Director of Connectional Ministries
has made many significant contributions
to the churches and people of the
Susquehanna Conference and is greatly
appreciated and celebrated.” reflected
Bishop Park.
Mike began his ministry as a member
of the Wyoming Conference before
assuming the position of Director of
Connectional Ministries. He has served
pastorates at Alderson/Kunkle, Skinner’s
Eddy, Factoryville-Nicholson, Endwell
(New York), and Trucksville United
Methodist Churches. Over the past eight
years he has been a vital part of the
Extended Cabinet and has provided many
opportunities for our congregations to
learn more about their faith, ministries, and
the connectional system through diverse
programs including E-Tours (which is
being modeled in other conferences).
He will serve at Elm Park United
Methodist Church in Scranton as of July
1, 2016. Elm Park has a rich history,
including being the site for many of the
worship services for the former Wyoming
Conference. Elm Park is located at the
edge of the University of Scranton.
“I am sure that you join me in praying
for Mike, his wife Bonnie, and their
family, including their youngest son
Wesley, as they enter this new journey
with God and with the congregation of
Elm Park United Methodist Church,” said
Bishop Park.
Alive in Christ Together
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
SUSUMC paid 100% of 2015 Shares
“We always pray for you, and we give
thanks to God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your
faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all
of God’s people ... This same Good News
that came to you is going out all over the
world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by
changing lives, just as it changed your
lives ...”
Colossians 1:3-6 selected portions-+
New Living Translation
D
ear Sisters and Brothers of the
Susquehanna Annual Conference
— How do I even begin to
offer my thanks to you with enough
joy and celebration? Once again, now
for the second year in succession, the
Susquehanna Conference has paid one
hundred percent of our General Church
Shares of Ministry. Praise be to God!
Shares of Ministry are ultimately about
the mission, ministry, and witness of our
church. Because of your generosity and
faithfulness in sharing and spreading the
love of God, the Good News of Jesus
Christ is “bearing fruit everywhere by
changing lives.” There is no way that any
one of us can imagine and comprehend
how many lives will continue to be
touched, served, and transformed because
of your giving out of your love for God.
God’s people of the Susquehanna Annual
Conference represent a mission-loving
church at its best.
Thanks be to God that our conference
continues to make progress each year
in honoring the Shares of Ministry. It
represents the continuous expansion of
God’s movement by spreading the good
news of Jesus Christ. Together, we will
keep moving toward the goal of honoring
the Shares of Ministry by each and every
congregation.
I don’t take it for granted. I realize that
it takes commitment, faithfulness, and
sacrifice to meet the challenge of honoring
the Shares of Ministry that has been
assigned to every church. In partnership
with you, your district superintendent,
your conference office staff, and the
Conference Council on Finance and
Administration, we will do our best to
help our churches meet their connectional
covenant with financial responsibilities.
Once again, with joy, I would like to
say thank you, and thank you, for all that
every church is doing to share the love of
God by honoring the covenant of Shares
of Ministry. To God be the glory that
we are a church alive in Christ together
making disciples and transforming the
world for such a time as this.
—Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
5
PHOTOS BY STEVE GODFREY
The $3 million new addition (at right) to Muncy First UMC was built to make the
community feel more connected and welcome in the church.
New Community Celebration Center in Muncy
By Kristina Papa, WNEP
Reprinted with Permission
MUNCY — At a time when many
churches are consolidating, a Methodist
church in Lycoming County just
completed a more than $3 million addition
to its building.
“It’s just amazing that it is so large,”
said Pastor Arlene Beechert. “We’ll so
easily fill it up with ministries and with
people.”
A year and a half and $3.2 million later,
First United Methodist Church in Muncy
has a brand new addition.
“It’s been a journey to get to this place
but great to have finally arrived,” the
pastor said.
There are two floors, six new
classrooms, bathrooms, a brand new
kitchen, and of course, a new celebration
center.
Pastor Beechert gave us a guided
tour of the new space before an official
dedication ceremony [in January.]
“We grew out of some of our old space.
We didn’t necessarily grow out of our
sanctuary. We grew out of room for our
youth ministries and our young adults,”
said Pastor Beechert.
While they may hold services in the
new giant room, it wasn’t actually built to
replace the sanctuary they already have.
Some members say it was built to make
the community feel more connected and
welcome in their church.
“This will offer us an opportunity to
reach wider, to offer this space to more
persons to come in to become part of our
ministries, but to also to interact with the
community in a new way.”
“I’ve seen it change a lot but it’s always
been a very busy part of the community,”
said Donna Armstrong of Muncy.
At a time when other churches are
consolidating, Armstrong is glad to see
this church is growing.
“One of my Catholic churches I used
to go to joined with another church in
Williamsport,” said Armstrong. “It does
your heart good to see community at a
church and to have a parking lot be full.”
First United Methodist Church
welcomes the community to check out its
new facility this Sunday in Muncy.
View the WNEP News video at tinyurl.
com/hvvulc7.
PHOTO: SANDII PEIFFER
Rev. Giovanni Arroyo (standing at screen), staff member of the General Commission on
Religion and Race, led Conference and Mission Central staff and leaders in Cultural
Sensitivity Training at Mount Asbury Camp and Retreat Center in February.
Conference leadership engages in
Cultural Sensitivity Training
By Rev. Mike Bealla
Director of Connectional Ministries
T
he
Susquehanna
Conference
continues to strive for more
diversity among its congregations,
pastors, and conference leadership.
At a recent training event held
at Mt. Asbury Retreat Center, the
entire conference center staff and the
Extended Cabinet attended training to
better understand and practice cultural
sensitivity.
The training was led by Rev. Giovanni
Arroyo and Rev. Michelle Ledder, staff
members of our General Commission
2016
Above: The new celebration center at First UMC in Muncy will expand ministry
opportunities in the community.
Below: The new youth room at Muncy First has a casual and comfortable atmosphere.
on Religion and Race. Michelle is also
a white pastor serving in an African
Methodist Episcopal church, living out a
cross cultural appointment.
Cultural Sensitivity Training is aimed at
better understanding how our own cultures
influence who we are and what we believe,
as well as appreciating and understanding
other cultures and ethnic groups.
Time was spent describing racism,
how it works, and sensitizing us to what
it means to live in a culture of white
privilege. The Cabinet also spent time
talking about cross-cultural appointments
and how best to encourage and support
this growing area of need.
Prepare the next quadrennial plan and theme
Propose the plan to this year’s Annual Conference for adoption
Plan should include a review and adjustment of our structure as needed
6
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
Andra Haverstock named conference treasurer / comptroller
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Grace to you in the name of Jesus
Christ, Prince of Peace, Healer of Our
Brokenness and Hope of the World!
Several months ago I shared that the
Council on Finance and Administration
would initiate a search for a new
Conference Treasurer / Comptroller.
According to the “Book of Discipline,”
CFA is responsible to conduct this search.
A committee, which was comprised of
members of CFA and the Appointive
Cabinet, initiated a nationwide search.
The Conference Treasurer / Comptroller
also serves as a member of the Extended
Cabinet. The job description was sent
through the various communication
channels of the United Methodist Church
as well as to the general public.
The committee was ultimately
committed to finding the best person
possible who could help the Annual
Conference move forward in its
commitment to help congregations
strengthen their financial health and
well-being for the sake of the mission
of making disciples of Jesus Christ for
the transformation of the world. They
desired to locate an individual who had
the necessary financial and accounting
expertise, an ability to visualize the big
picture, strong interpersonal skills to
work with congregations, Conference
staff and the Cabinet members, and a
significant faith commitment to Christ
and the church.
I am pleased to announce that the
candidate selected is Mrs. Andra
Haverstock, who is currently employed
as our Pensions and Benefits Officer.
The committee unanimously agreed
that Andra’s deep spiritual life along
with her excellent financial background
presented her as the most qualified and
best equipped person to be named as our
new Conference Treasurer / Comptroller
Andra received her Bachelor’s Degree
in Business Administration/ Professional
Accountancy from the Pennsylvania State
University in Middletown, and her Master’s
Degree in Business Administration from
Lebanon Valley College. Andra has held
Award nominations open for AC
D
o you know an outstanding
United Methodist clergy or lay
person or a congregation who
you think should be recognized and
honored at Annual Conference for their
discipleship and achievements? You
have the opportunity now through April
15 to submit nominations for the 2016
conference awards. Those selected will
attend a special Awards Luncheon at
Annual Conference in June. Use the
information below to request award
nomination forms or find them at tinyurl.
com/susumcAC2016.
J. Marlene Atanasoff Award
Sponsored by The Center for Spiritual
Formation, this award recognizes
outstanding advocates of John Wesley’s
principles of mercy, justice, and piety.
Contact Rev. Dr. Russell Hart at 717-2400678 or [email protected]
Bishop’s Award for Christian Unity
and Inter-Religious Concerns
The Bishop’s Committee on Christian
Unity and Inter-Religious Concerns has an
award for a lay or clergy person who has
demonstrated outstanding involvement in
ecumenical ministry. Contact Rev. Marty
Cox at 570-226-4065 or mcox@susumc.
org
Howard and Elizabeth Brinton Award
Given by the Conference Missional
Board in memory of former missionaries,
this award is given to an individual who
shows excellence in mission support and
practice. Contact Rev. Lenore Hosier at
570-324-2671 or [email protected]
Mission Excellence Awards
Given to one church from each of
the seven districts of our Susquehanna
Annual Conference. These churches are
chosen according to their commitment
to and faithful support of United
Methodist mission both here and abroad,
the Advance, missionary support,
and active involvement in hands-on
mission. Churches need to exhibit good
stewardship in being faithful to paying
their Shares of Ministry in full. Contact
Rev. Lenore Hosier at 570-324-2671 or
[email protected]
Harry Denman Award
The Foundation for Evangelism
sponsors this award in three parts – for
one clergy, one lay person, and one youth
who show outstanding achievement in
evangelism. Contact Mike Bealla at 717766-7441 or [email protected]
The Flying Dove Award
The Conference Peace with Justice
Team presents two awards. One is to
recognize the church that contributed the
most financially to the Peace with Justice
Fund and the other to a person or church
striving to work for peace with justice in
their community. Contact Michelle Bodle
at 814-342-3060 or [email protected]
Harry Hosier Award
Our Commission on Inclusiveness gives
this award to an individual or congregation
that moves people from dependence to
independence; works with people who are
downtrodden and empowering them; and
helps a congregation move from inactivity
to lively worship. Contact Yvette Davis at
717-238-6739 or [email protected]
Bishop D. Frederick Wertz Award
Given by Lycoming College in
memory of Bishop Wertz, this is given to
a clergy or lay person who has rendered
exceptional service to God through the
church. Contact Jeff LeCrone at 570-3214112 or [email protected]
Discipleship Resource Team wants to know!
T
he Discipleship Resource Team cares about the needs of the local churches in our
conference. We are here to help our churches be faithful to our mission statement.
We thank all of you who answered our survey. It has helped us see where the
general needs lie. The data showed us that churches face the most challenges in making
disciples through small groups, Christian education and Bible study. We also learned
that a majority of our churches are facing the challenge of reaching 19­- to 35-year-olds.
We are encouraging you to talk with us at our table at the 2016 Annual Conference,
where we will have information about ways to address the needs in the local church in
discipleship and formation.
Thank you for allowing us to walk with you as we walk with Jesus together. If you
have any thoughts, you can contact me, Pastor Pat Bollinger, at [email protected].
2017
several accounting positions such as staff
accountant and then payroll supervisor
at a regional utilities company, business
manager at a large church, and a staff
accountant at an international company.
She resides in Mechanicsburg and is
an active member at Aldersgate United
Methodist Church.
Mrs. Andra Haverstock is initially
employed as the Interim Treasurer /
Comptroller, effective immediately,
until Annual Conference when she
will be formally introduced to the
Annual Conference. By virtue of the
“Book of Discipline,” the selection of
the Conference Treasurer/Comptroller
must be approved quadrennially by the
Annual Conference. In the meantime, I
know that you join me in extending our
appreciation for her willingness to accept
this challenging position. I would ask you
to uphold Andra, her husband Douglas,
and their children in prayer.
With You in Christ’s Ministry,
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park
PHOTO: SANDII PEIFFER
Andra Haverstock
New for 2016: E-TOUR VI:
Equipping Vital Congregations
E
quip your church with exciting
ministry resources ... Empower
your leaders for today’s mission
field ... Engage in transforming workshop
experiences ... Connect with other church
leaders ....
Seventeen different workshops are being
offered as the Conference Connectional
Ministries Team and Conference Leaders
bring resources to you. From missions
to hospitality to Christian education to
communications, this event is designed
to help leaders and future leaders in
local churches discover the wealth of
resources available to them through our
United Methodist connection and the
Susquehanna Conference. Through an
offering of workshops, displays, media,
and interactive learning experiences,
participants will learn new ways to make
disciples and will receive a disc packed
with helpful tools and resources.
Saturday, March 5, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
at Shavertown United Methodist Church,
163 N. Pioneer Ave, Shavertown PA 18708
Saturday, March 19, 9:30 a.m. - 3
p.m., First United Methodist Church, 801
Allegheny St., Hollidaysburg PA 16648
Saturday, April 2, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.,
Pine Street United Methodist Church,
441 Pine St., Williamsport PA 17701
Saturday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.,
Wesley United Methodist Church, 130
W. 3rd St., Bloomsburg PA 17815
Workshops and leaders:
Reaching the People in Your
Neighborhood, Rev. Mike Bealla,
Director of Connectional Ministries
What’s Happened To My Church?,
Rev. Mike Bealla, Director of
Connectional Ministries
Communications for Small
Congregations, Jerry Wolgemuth,
Director of Communications
Faith Across Generations, Jerry
Wolgemuth, Director of Communications
Cultivating Community, Anne Horton,
Director, Camp & Retreat Ministry
Is the Character of Hospitality
Working in Me?, Anne Horton,
Director, Camp & Retreat Ministry
From Newcomer to Disciple,
Lisa Bender, Executive Secretary,
Connectional Ministries
What’s Your Story?, Lisa Bender,
Executive Secretary, Connectional
Ministries
Faithful Witnesses: Not ‘to’ or ‘for’
but ‘with’, Lenore Hosier, Conference
Secretary of Global Ministries
Mission Around Town, Curt Knouse,
Director of Volunteers in Mission and
Outreach
Are You Ready for the Next Disaster?
(District Disaster Response), Ron
Salsman, Disaster Response Coordinator
Mitakuye Oyasin: We are All Related,
Larry Siikanen, Co-Chair, Committee on
Native American Ministries
Find Your Story in Mission Central’s
Unfolding Story, Rob Visscher,
Executive Director, Mission Central
VBS Showcase, Jody Robinson,
Director, Discovery Place Resource
Center
You Teach Weird!, Audrey Wilder,
Director, Young People’s Ministry and
Christian Education
You Learn Weird!, Audrey Wilder,
Director, Young People’s Ministry and
Christian Education
Tough Crowd: Reaching Out to Youth
through Small Groups, Audrey Wilder,
Director, Young People’s Ministry and
Christian Education
Lunch is included in the $5 registration
fee. CEUs (.4) will be available for clergy.
The deadline to register for each event
is the Friday one full week before the
event.
For all the details, including brochures,
online registration, and workshop
descriptions, go to: www.susumc.org and
click on the E-Tour logo.
For more information, contact
Conference Director of Connectional
Ministries, Mike Bealla, at mbealla@
susumc.org, or Lisa Bender at lbender@
susumc.org, or call 1-800-874-8474 or
717-766-7441.
Implement the new Ministry Plan and Initiatives as adopted by the 2012 Annual Conference Session
Adjust the structure as necessary to achieve desired results
Begin regional deployment of resources to empower local churches to respond to the plan’s focus
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
Camp & Retreat Ministry
welcomes new site staff
Continue your mission at
Albright Care Services
By Anne Horton,
Director of Camp & Retreat Ministry
T
he Camp & Retreat Ministry
office would like to introduce
the conference to two new staff
positions.
Joe Sprenkle, Director of Program
for Camp Penn. Joe is a native of
Pennsylvania and grew up attending
Camp Penn. He brings a wealth of
experience from camper, counselor,
instructor, program coordinator, to site
director for a technology-based camp. He
has taught everything from environmental
studies, to backpacking, rock climbing
and canoeing. Joe is excited about this
new adventure in programming for Camp
Penn. He looks forward to meeting and
working with campers, staff, camp deans,
and parents who have a huge heart for
Camp Penn.
Russell (Rusty) Gift Jr., Director of
Facilities and Operations, will be serving
two sites, Camp Penn and Mt. Asbury.
Rusty is a native of Pennsylvania and
presently lives in Waynesboro. He and
his wife have two grown children. Rusty
has a strong background in hospitality and
facilities and operations management. He
at one time worked with Rhodes Grove
Retreat Center in Chambersburg. Thus,
he is familiar with the impact camp and
retreat ministry has in the lives of people
of all ages.
Joe and Rusty look forward to meeting
you. Whether you are at Camp Penn or
Mount Asbury, exciting times are ahead.
Come be a part of the fun.
PHOTO: SANDII PEIFFER
Joe Sprenkle
PHOTO: ANNE HORTON
Russell (Rusty) Gift Jr.
‘Dr. Dilip’ named field representative
for Bishop’s Partners in Mission
“There are different spiritual gifts but
the same Spirit; and there are different
ministries and the same Lord; and there
are different activities but the same God
who produces all of them in everyone.
A demonstration of the Spirit is given to
each person for the common good.”
(I Cor. 12:4-7)
Dr. Dilip Abayasekara
T
hrough a monetary grant from the
General Church, the Susquehanna
Conference has secured the
services of Dr. Dilip Abayasekara to be
the field representative for the Bishop’s
Partners in Mission, effective January 1,
2016. “Dr. Dilip,” as he is known, will
work closely with Bishop Jeremiah J.
Park’s office as well as with the Director
of Connectional Ministries.
“Please know that no gifts from
churches and / or individuals to Bishop’s
Partners in Mission will be used in
any manner for these administrative /
personnel costs,” said Bishop Park. “The
entire amount of the gifts received will be
7
used to support Imagine No Malaria and
Mission Central equally, except for when
those gifts are designated.”
Dr. Dilip brings many gifts to this parttime position. He is a professor at Penn
College and also serves on the staff at
Middlesex United Methodist Church
in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He recently
graduated from Wesley Theological
Seminary with his Masters of Divinity
degree. Many pastors, and thus churches,
in our conference have been assisted by
Dr. Dilip’s coaching course, “Preaching
with Power.” He is an excellent
communicator and he demonstrates very
strong administrative skills. In this new
temporary position he will help develop
and implement a strategy to promote both
Imagine No Malaria and Mission Central
through the Bishop’s Partners in Mission
initiative.
Dr. Dilip will be a great asset to our
conference and to our individual churches
as we continue to be a church alive in
mission. He serves on the Board of
Directors for the Stewardship Foundation
and previously served on the Conference
Congregational Development Team.
Bishop Park requests your prayers and
support for Dr. Dilip and his new task.
“Your partnership with him in mission
would be greatly appreciated,” said Bishop
Park. “My heart overflows with joy and
love for the outpouring of gifts and support
for the Bishop’s Partners in Mission.
Thanks be to God for the generous people
of Susquehanna Conference. To God be
the glory that together we continue to
make a difference in our community and
the world for such a time as this.”
When Bob and Carol Peel joined
Albright Care Services by moving
to Normandie Ridge Senior Living
Community in 2009, they made the
decision based on comfort and security.
The Peels were attracted to knowing they
did not have to worry about things such
as property maintenance or receiving
skilled care if necessary. Years later, the
couple shares the story of how Albright
provides a home that allows them to keep
doing what they love — serving others.
The Peels got involved in mission work
over a decade ago and have been going
on annual mission trips ever since. They
chose Red Bird Mission Conference
in southeastern Kentucky as the place
to make a difference. Historically, this
region of the Appalachian Mountains
has had high unemployment and few
opportunities. The mountains cause
isolation, making basic needs difficult to
access. An hour drive to the grocery store
is usual, and there are few industries.
Chronic poverty, poor housing, and
rugged terrain make assistance essential.
Bob and Carol Peel wanted to lend a
helping hand.
On their first visit, the Peels were
introduced to every aspect of volunteer
work at Red Bird Missionary Conference,
from education to housing needs. They
were able to select a project based on
interest and skills, and found their calling
in the office assembling newsletters.
The 10,000 newsletters are mailed to
conference supporters throughout the
nation and abroad, sharing good news
of progress made and opportunities to
help. The Peels now plan trips based on
newsletter distributions.
Although assembling newsletters can
be hard work, the Peels consider their
trips rewarding. “I go to help others
and I feel good about that,” said Carol.
“There’s something I can’t describe
about being able to help someone else
in need.” Bob finds that his mission
work helps him to grow as an individual.
“When you’re put into a different
environment and give your time and
efforts toward helping others, I believe
you become a better person,” he said. “I
might not be the person that I am today if
I hadn’t learned to give of myself.”
The Peels agree that they could not
help others without receiving a little
help themselves. Normandie Ridge
Senior Living Community provides
them with the assistance they need to
take mission trips without having to
worry about leaving. “It’s reassuring to
know that we can go away and that our
place will be safe. We find peace of mind
knowing that safety is provided when
we are away, with a team to take care of
problems that may arise in our absence,”
Bob said. “That’s what has allowed us
to book two trips this year. We accept a
little help, and in return give a little help
to others.”
The Peels are shining examples
of being called to serve and we are
proud that they are part of our Albright
family. Albright, celebrating its 100
years of service to the Susquehanna
Valley, invites you to continue your
mission by joining us at one of our six
locations. Visit www.albrightcare.org
for information on senior living, day
programs, volunteering, or giving.
PHOTO: JERRY WOLGEMUTH
Preaching with Power 2015 participants: (standing left to right) Pastor Cheryl Eyster,
Pastor David Keyworth, Pastor Jon Morningstar, Rev. Dr. John Godissart, Pastor Betty
Secrest, Pastor Brian Myfelt, and Pastor Richard Fluke Jr. (Seated left to right) Rev.
Fred Hickok, Rev. Beth Stutler, Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, Altoona District Superintendent
Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kind, and Pastor Julie Rosensteel.
Graduates ready to Preach with Power
T
he 12-week “Preaching with Power” course was developed by professional
trainer and speaker (and pastor) Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, who serves at Middlesex
UMC. The course, aimed at clergy, covers The Philosophy of Preaching, Sermon
Preparation, Sermon Construction, Sermon Delivery, and Putting It All Together
— all based on the foundation of Scripture and God’s power. Course topics explore
the differences between preaching, public speaking, and Bible study; knowing your
audience; behavioral styles, mind mapping, and creativity; use of multi-media; storytelling; and much more, including the opportunity to deliver and evaluate sermons.
The next course will begin March 8, 2016, at Middlesex UMC in Carlisle, Harrisburg
District. To register, contact Candi Shaffer at [email protected] or call 800-89748474 ext. 3200 by February 26, 2016.
Connect with the Susquehanna Conference on Facebook. www.facebook.com/susumc
10
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
Men Under the Influence ... of God
By Rebeca Berdar, Valley Log Editor
Reprinted with permission
W
hile some came looking for
fellowship or for a respite from
the daily grind, attendees at
this weekend’s men’s conference in Hill
Valley were united in their quest for a
closeness with God and for a path to take
an active, visibly and positive role in their
community.
“Men Under the Influence … of God,”
hosted by Singers’ Gap United Methodist
Church, was the ecumenical work of a
group of men whose home churches differ
but whose mission to get their fellow
fathers, grandfather and sons to “stand in
the gap” is unified.
For Kevin Sechrist of Hill Valley the
conference provided an opportunity
to get better acquainted with his more
immediate community.
“I came to see people from the
neighborhood I don’t see often, and to
meet some new people,” he said.
For seminary student Jim McNair of
Mill Creek, the conference delivered a
much needed “break” from day-to-day
stresses.
“Two weeks ago, my father-in-law
called me us and asked me if I’d like to
go,” McNair said, adding his various
obligations and pressures raced through
his mind as he contemplated his answer.
He decided “I need a break and some time
where I can relax and fellowship, to have
time with God.”
Sechrist and McNair were among the
roughly 80 men and teens who attended
the event.
Speaker Matt Hooper, who recently
moved to the Mount Union area to
assume duties as pastor at the Mount
Union Wesleyan Church said he’d hoped
to see more faces in the crowd who don’t
regularly attend church services — the
members of the community who aren’t as
easily reached any given day.
“But I’m mostly encouraged,” Hooper
said, noting he adapted his hopes for the
young men, the Mount Union community
assembled for a town hall type gathering
to learn more about addiction, how it was
affecting the community and how to fight
against it.
Francis Crouse, member of Singer’s
Gap UMC and one of the event’s
coordinators, said the experience at the
town hall meeting, coupled with his own
work through the church helping families
in need, propelled him into action and the
idea for the conference gradually came
into view.
“It’s the influence, it wasn’t just
drugs,” he said leading up to Saturday’s
conference. “We don’t have the men in
this community where we need them.
We need to be the men God wants us to
be. If we don’t seize this moment, this
generation won’t have any idea where to
go and that makes my heart cry.”
Rev. Marcus Mills, pastor at Jaggard
First UMC and Lakemont UMC in
Altoona, said the conference spoke to
issues he’s seen arise and gladly accepted
the invitation as speaker.
“God has ordained man in a certain
position, headship,” Mills said. “That’s
not to say that woman is inferior in
any way, but the fellowship of man is
important to the plan God has and to who
we are in Christ.”
Mills says he believes in the
transformative power of faith and that
faith will have a crucial role in healing
communities. He said that it was his hope
that conference participants would leave
transformed for the better.
“I believe in the transformative power
of the holy spirit, that the Holy Spirit will
transform continuously,” he said, adding
that along the way, the negative influences
that have brought strive to families and
communities will fall away.
“The holy spirit will expel a lot of this
stuff that doesn’t glorify Him,” he said.
‘Hooper and Mills were joined at
the conference podium by Rev. Rich
Morris, pastor of Hicks Memorial UMC
in Duncansville and former pastor at
Above: Pastor Marcus Mills, right, and Francis Crouse, talk Scripture during the Men
Under the Influence … of God conference Oct. 3 at Singer’s Gap United Methodist
Church. Mills was one of the event’s guest speakers and Crouse was one of the
conference’s organizers.
Below: Organizers and speakers join in prayer at the start of the Oct. 3 Men Under the
Influence … of God conference at Singer’s Gap United Methodist Church.
Thank You DENTSPLY!
I
PHOTOS BY REBECCA BERDAR
Guest speakers at the Oct. 3 men’s conference were, from the left, Matt Hooper, Mount
Union Wesleyan Church; Pastor Marcus Mills, Jaggard First UMC and Lakemont
UMC, Altoona; Rev. Rich Morris, Hicks Memorial UMC, Duncansville; and Monsignor
Michael Becker, St. John the Evangelist, Altoona.
conference. “This is how we’re going to
mobilize our guys to reach out into the
community.”
Hooper focused his time with the
conference audience on “building up the
community, how to be real men of faith
and how to be a father to the fatherless.”
The conference was planned over
the past several months, but took its
inspiration from further back, to the
winter of 2014 when, reeling from the
drug-related deaths of a half-dozen
Singer’s Gap UMC, and Monsignor
Michael Becker, Roman Catholic priest
and pastor of St. John the Evangelist,
Altoona.
In addition to the four guest speakers,
the conference featured testimonials from
local men and musical performances
by the Mount Hope Missionary Baptist
Church men’s choir, among others.
Organizers of the men’s conference say
plans are underway to hold similar events
for women, couples and youth.
n November 2015,
Chris Marinelli of
D E N T S P LY
presented a check for
$2,107
to
Lena
Cordero, York City
Day Camp Director,
and Ebony KennedySantiago,
YCDC
Board Member, for
use in the York City
Day Camp July 2016
ministry.
York City Day
Camp’s mission is to
share Jesus with the
kids of York City. It
is entering its eighth
year this summer
at Messiah United
Methodist Church in York, Pa. An energized, passionate director and fabulous
campers in first through sixth grades all combine to provide a fun, faith-based, fourweek summer experience for all.
The future is bright for this camp as the YCDC Board of Directors looks ahead
to 2016 and growing the number of children that it can serve. Look for more
information on this year’s camp on the yorkmessiahumc.org website.
PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVE MCLAUGHLIN
DENTSPLY International Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of dental
and other consumable healthcare products, headquartered in York, Pa.
Become a DISCIPLE IN MISSION - www.missioncentral.org “How You Can Help”
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
Rev it Up!
By Rev. Michelle Bodle
W
hen I told people I was heading
to Rev It Up! in Chicago in
October 2015, I was commonly
asked, “What exactly is this conference
you are going to about?” My most
common response was, “How to be able
to retire someday,” but truly this event
offered by the General Board of Pensions
and Health Benefits was about so much
more.
As a young clergy person with decades
before I will be able to retire, the idea
of investing for the future was far from
the forefront of my mind. But upon the
recommendation of several other young
clergy who attended this conference I
decided to attend, if for no other reason
than to prepare myself for a lifetime in
ministry. Once at the event GBOPHB
explained that they created this event
for clergy and their spouses under the
age of forty, because they were finding
that the majority of their conferences
were attended by those clergy nearing
retirement instead of starting out their
carriers in healthy and holistic ways.
The topics presented were broken
down into three categories - personal,
financial, and leadership skills, all of
which presented vital information for a
life in ministry. The first day opened with
Rev. Mike Slaughter talking about having
momentum to stay in ministry for life.
Slaughter pointed out that we are called to
give our very lives for the greatest story
and mission every told, which meant
that we had to be prepared physically,
spiritually,
emotionally,
rationally,
and mentally. The day continued with
teaching from certified financial planners
and lawyers around personal finances and
clergy taxes. Each evening those present
were given the opportunity to sign up for
personal consultation opportunities in the
areas Rev. Slaughter presented in opening
worship.
The second day offered ten classes
to choose from, ranging in topics from
strength-based leadership, to church
finances, and personal health. These
classes gave us opportunities to learn
from the insights of the presenters, but
the insights of fellow clergy and clergy
spouses as well, around issues that many
of us struggle with, including the pace of
ministry and failing to observe the Sabbath
with regularity. By having these open
and honest conversations about personal
wholeness, we were able to support each
other in our joys and struggles.
The closing day was comprised of three
core classes with topics such as creating
a will, managing cash and dissolving
debt, and the benefits provided for clergy
persons in the United Methodist Church.
I commented to the other young clergy
attending Rev it Up! from the Susquehanna
Conference, that I felt overwhelmed by
the amount of information, but at the same
time I was walking away with action steps
and a plan to work toward truly living into
a lifetime in ministry.
Rare is the opportunity when you can
sit down with folks from general boards
and agencies who you know deeply care
about you and your ministry. Even rarer
is the opportunity to have consultation
and discussion sessions led by them with
the purpose being to help you sustain
your ministry in a vital way. Now, even
days after the event has concluded, I
find myself returning to their words of
wisdom, knowing that I truly am “rev-ed”
up for ministry for such a time as this.
11
Happiness is ...
another way to help pay off
Mission Central’s mortgage!
“The Secrets of Jesus’
Happiness” is an easy, lighthearted celebration of Jesus’
greatest teaching from His
Sermon on the Mount. It can
be read for personal enjoyment
and it can also be used for
a small group or Bible study
using the study questions
at the end of each chapter.
It would make an excellent
Lenten study.
AND all proceeds from the
sale of “The Secrets of Jesus’ Happiness”
will be donated to Mission Central to help pay off its
mortgage.
“I have to warn you that once you start reading
[The Secrets of Jesus’ Happiness] you won’t
want to put it down until you finish it. Down
to earth and to the point. You will be inspired,
instructed, and amused.”
— Bishop Jeremiah Park
You can purchase the book online at www.amazon.com or
barnesandnoble.com and all proceeds from the sale of this
book ($9.99, Tate Publishing) will be dedicated to Mission
Central to help pay off its mortgage.
Remove the sting – help them sing!
By Dr. Dilip Abayasekara
How can your congregation live out the
mission of the church that impacts your
community, country, and the world? There
is no escaping the fact that we are called
to a holy calling, to be transformative
agents in the world in the name of Jesus
Christ. Whether your church is small,
medium, or large, whether it’s urban
or rural, whether it’s members are old,
young, or in-between, there is something
that your church can do that can be hugely
significant: become a Bishop’s Partner in
Mission (BPIM).
When you become a partner in
mission, you automatically help drive
two huge endeavors to success: Mission
Central, where “God’s Resources Meet
Human Need” and Imagine No Malaria,
where you join the fight to reduce and
ultimately eliminate the needless deaths
of thousands of people from malaria, a
disease that is preventable, treatable, and
beatable. Although an individual church
might feel that it’s contributions are too
small to make an impact, the truth is that
when the Susquehanna Conference’s
900-plus churches all work together and
pull together, we can make our ripples
combine to create a huge wave of blessing
to others.
Our conference has made a commitment
to wipe out the $1 million mortgage of
Mission Central and to raise $1 million for
the global fight against malaria. Reaching
those goals mean that once released from
the burden of a huge mortgage, we can free
up dollars for Mission Central’s amazing
missions locally, nationally, and globally.
It also means the difference between life
and death for tens of thousands of people
annually afflicted by malaria, most of
2018
them in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008
when Imagine No Malaria was launched,
a child died every 30 seconds due to
complications from the disease. Now,
a child dies every two minutes. That’s a
significant drop in rates of death but still
unacceptable, especially when the disease
is preventable and treatable.
We are grateful for the generous
contributions of quite a few churches
already. BPIM brochures and pledge
cards have been distributed to most of
the churches. Consider inviting your
congregations to roll up their sleeves,
tap their creativity, and get involved in
BPIM that will lead to healing the sick,
reaching out in missions, and giving
hope to those in need. We are happy to
receive donations from churches as well
as individual donors. However, never
underestimate the impact that small but
consistent efforts can create: Oak Hill
UMC (in another Conference) raised
over $100,000 in small active community
engagements, beginning with lemonade
stands.
I am looking for fellow believers in
churches in each of our seven districts
to become points of light for this effort.
For more information or to join me in
this exciting endeavor, please contact
me at [email protected]. Please
watch for announcements about regional
or district training events. Let’s remove
the sting of the mosquito and the sting of
a mortgage over Mission Central as we
Imagine No Mortgage and Imagine No
Malaria!
tinyurl.com/BishopsPIM
Connect with General Conference
through redesigned app
United Methodist Communications
G
eneral Conference, in the palm of your hand - a redesigned 2016 General
Conference app is now available. A helpful way to stay connected and learn more
about all aspects of the conference, the app will feature news, photo and social
media feeds, video and audio archives, live streaming of worship and plenary, the DCA
and ADCA, and petition tracking.
For delegates and others at the conference on May 10-20, there are also some features
to make the experience easier: legislative committee assignments, conference schedule
with the option to build a personalized calendar, a delegate discussion board, a daily
devotional, and an interactive map of the convention center and Portland, Oregon.
“United Methodist Communications seeks to provide useful tools that connect
the church and make it quick and easy to get information, whether it’s from your
computer or your smartphone,” said Dan Krause, chief executive of the denomination’s
communications agency.
The app is free to download and is available
for Android and Apple devices. You can search
for “United Methodist General Conference” in
your app store or visit the general conference app
website for a link.
“While we know not everyone has a smartphone
or readily available Internet access, this app is one of
many channels United Methodist Communications
is developing for members to access information
leading up to and during General Conference,” said
Krause.
###
About General Conference: The General Conference
is the top policy-making body of The United
Methodist Church, and meets once every four years
to determine the denomination’s future direction,
consider revisions to church law, and approve plans
and budgets for church-wide programs. The 2016
meeting will take place May 10-20 at the Oregon
Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.
Continue implementation of the quadrennial plan and adjust where necessary
Offer specialized training to the places of greatest potential
Resourcing continues and is adjusted for regional needs
12
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
Coat drive a growing ministry
By Karen Sadowski
E
PHOTO COURTESY OF KAREN SADOWSKI
lm Park Church in Scranton, through
its Mission Team, completed its
seventh annual coat and other
winter outer-wear drive and distribution
this past November, distributing 568 coats
and 1,402 additional items (hats, scarves,
gloves, mittens, shoes, boots, and more)
in just three days. Some hats and scarves
went to the Red Bird Mission, others were
given to EOTC’s Parents as Teachers
program by the youth group as random
acts of kindness. Remaining coats were
delivered to other local helping agencies
for further distribution.
The annual event began as a “coats
only” drive seven years ago when Jeanne
Gordon, retired director of the local Girl
Scout Council and chair of Elm Park’s
Mission and Outreach Work Area, saw a
need in the Scranton area for those who
came to Elm Park’s Breadbasket (food
ministry) inadequately dressed for winter.
Gordon, Diana Powell, and friends went
to work and started collecting coats. The
event has grown and evolved to include
many other warming items.
The generosity of the community is
overwhelming. Elm Park receives bags
and bags of warm clothing from other
churches, friends, neighbors, relatives,
and total strangers who discover our need
through various print and media formats.
In 2014 Eagle Scout Kevin Sompel
personally collected one hundred coats
for us to distribute for his Eagle Scout
project. The connectedness for a cause is
infectious and astounding.
Each new year starts with a twinge of
doubt, and three questions: “Does anyone
out there still have coats to give?” “Will
there be enough help carrying, sorting,
sizing, and displaying everything?”
and most importantly, “How will we
make sure we reach the people we can
help?” Each year we realize the worry is
unfounded. New sources of goods arise,
volunteers sprout up, and the smiles and
words of gratitude from the homeless, ill,
and hurting assure us that God provides
and works out the details.
One hundred ninety-five volunteer
hours were recorded for the project, with
many, many more hours “behind-thescenes” in construction of display racks,
communications, collection of items, and
more.
Top photo: Community generosity is a vital part of the Winter Coat and Outer Wear
Drive held at Elm Park UMC, Scranton. Pictured are members of the Scranton chapter
of UNICO National, an Italian American Service Organization, who brought in donated
coats.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RON BALEWSKI
A word from
your delegation
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
structure and governance; the church’s
approach to ministry to and with LGBTQ
persons; and the way we live out our call
to be the church universal, especially in
our denomination and global connections.
We invite you to also become educated
about these important issues and to follow
the process our denomination uses to
make decisions.
What will happen in Portland?
Intense committee work for the first
week will help us to meet other United
Methodists from around the world. Forty
percent of delegates come from outside
the United States. Everything we do will
be translated into eight languages. Lasting
friendships will be formed. The days will
be long, the work often difficult and
painful, but we trust the Holy Spirit will be
present to lead us to a new place through
inspiring worship and celebrations of
our mission and ministry. We have been
warned to take care of ourselves - to get
enough sleep, to drink lots of water, to get
some exercise, and to eat right. When we
need a break, our alternates will step in
for part of a day or for a full day.
We covet your prayers and
connections. Some of you have shared
that you are praying for us as we pray for
each other. We need those prayers! Others
have asked how to contact us. We want
to hear from you. Our email addresses
are on the Conference website. While we
represent Susquehanna Conference, each
one of us is encouraged to make our own
informed and prayerful decisions, and
your thoughts are welcome. Our prayer is
that decisions we make will help our great
denomination remain vital and whole as
we reach out to an often hurting world
to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world.
2019
Bottom photo: Volunteers are another vital part of this ministry effort. After coats and
other winter wear have been collected, they are sorted by size and type, and arranged
neatly on tables and racks, some of which were built by the volunteers.
Forum, ideas for childrens ministry
By Jodie Dodson
Director of Children’s Ministry,
Aldersgate UMC, Mechanicsburg
M
any thanks to both the
Susquehanna
Conference
and to Aldersgate Church in
Mechanicsburg for affording me the
opportunity to attend the Children’s
Ministry Forum in Little Rock, Arkansas,
November 17-19.
All excited on day one, I attended
my second workshop, “Connecting and
Equipping Families.” Here we took
time to look at the Baptismal Covenant.
As parents vow to “nurture their
children in Christ’s holy Church” and
the congregation vows to “nurture one
another in the Christian faith and life” as
well as pray for the children; how do we
as a church equip families to hold true to
this vow?
This workshop provided the most
discussion of any that I attended through
the next two days. The ideas were as vast
as the churches that were there ... from
California to Pennsylvania ... churches
with hundreds of children and churches
with 50 on a “good” day ... Children’s
directors that have been in service for
three days to ten years.
It is best to present these ideas in bullet
points so that they aren’t lost among
the words. Perhaps an idea or two will
resonate with you and it will be something
your church will begin doing.
• Bringing a baby blanket to the hospital
when children in your congregation
are born
• A monthly family outing coordinated
by the church
• Resources for “How to Pray with Your
Child”
• Communication through stickers on
the child’s body (It won’t get lost in
the car)
• A closed Facebook page featuring
upcoming activities and then pictures
following events
• Intergenerational connecting of the
moms and retired women in the church
body
• Following Christmas: A Blessing of
the Toys where children bring one toy
they received
• Advent Festival of Family Activities
• Bless your children
• Luncheon Expo for Children and
Youth highlighting the curriculum,
special events and expectations for the
coming year
Most of us know you learn so much more
by talking with other participants. As I
move forward in my calling, the ideas that
were shared and the friendships I made
will have an impact on the children in the
church I call home. Let us all remember
that Jesus called the little children and
they are each a Blessing. Continue to
bless and pray for the children in your life
and the life of your congregation.
By Cassandra McCachren,
First UMC, Hershey
C
hildren’s Ministry Forum 2015
focused on renewal, discovering,
and responding. Time was spent
on personal spiritual practices and served
as a reminder that ministry workers
need to take time out of our schedules to
experience renewal.
“Family Faith Formation” and
“Children in Worship” were just two
of many workshops that offered an
opportunity to discover new information
and ideas for local churches to equip our
families.
Kara Lassen Oliver’s book, “Passing It
On,” gives families practical ways to be
together and aid in children and youth’s
faith formation through four different
seasons of their lives. Using the Wesleyan
approach to spiritual formation, Oliver
showed how that through family meetings
and symbols we can help our families
form their children spiritually. By pointing
to God in our everyday experiences,
creating a culture of hope, making time
to pray together, and participating in the
community and kingdom of God, families
have seen changes in their children’s
lives. Even if parents are just telling their
children where they see God in everyday
life, they are making a huge impact on their
children’s spiritual lives. However, Kara
points out that daily and weekly times
spent praying and in family devotional
gatherings is extremely beneficial to our
children’s faith development as well.
Having children in worship is one
of the key ways that their faith can be
formed, but too often we put up barriers
to them. Both Mark Burrows and Rev.
Melissa Cooper discussed how the things
that we should do in worship for children
are elements that would benefit the
adults as well. Intergeneration worship
also fosters mature disciples and allows
important relationships to form. They
discussed how our children can serve
in the church in more ways than just as
acolytes, with Mark saying that children
serving communion can be a very holy
experience. When we plan our worship
services it is important that we think of
incorporating sensory connections into
the service along with increasing the
amount of participation of all members of
the congregation.
Through worship, keynote speakers,
and workshops, renewal was achieved,
much was discovered, and now we
must respond with our work at our local
churches.
Begin the process of evaluating the results of the current plan
Design a strategy to listen to our churches and their needs
Develop the appropriate guiding adaptive questions to be considered as we look ahead
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
13
WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS
REV. PHYLLIS
M. BOWERS
Executive Director
United Methodist
Stewardship
Foundation
Do not store up
for yourselves
treasure on
earth, where
moth and rust
consume and
where thieves
break in and
steal; but
store up for
yourselves
treasure in
heaven...for
where your
treasure is,
there your
heart will
be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Face to face: We are distinctive by our
connectionalism
We are pleased to have a guest
writer for this month, Rev. Dr.
G. Edwin Zeiders, who is also a
capital campaign consultant at
The United Methodist Stewardship
Foundation. Please read and
reflect upon this contribution by
our brother in Christ. Blessings,
Rev. Phyllis M. Bowers
By Rev. Dr. G. Edwin Zeiders
The United Methodist Church
is
collegial,
collaborative,
Episcopal, itinerant, global, and
always connectional. While we
have a reasonable grasp of what it
means to be all of these things, the
“connection” seems more elusive
now than ever! Well, many factors
do mitigate against an effective
“Connectionalism” these days,
but I remain convinced that the
United Methodist Church is not
only correct in affirming our
connectional life and polity, but
we are likely the best at it.
I remember when Billy
Graham wrote that the United
Methodist Church was most
poised to proclaim the Gospel
world-wide. That is actually
correct. While “independent”
congregations and other Christian
movements lay claim to mission
and outreach here-and-there, we
United Methodists lay claim to a
global network of missionaries,
mission projects, education,
health ministries, partnerships,
advocacy, community-building,
and a global investment in real
dollars and people unparalleled
by most. I am willing to stand
corrected on this, but my
experience and years working
with church leaders makes the
claim believable and not empty
rhetoric.
The “face” of the connection
consists of everyone who
participates in the life of the
local congregation. We serve in
congregations that are associated
with other congregations and
agencies by design and for greater
impact and effectiveness. We
itinerate our clergy from place to
place so that laity are empowered
to serve in every place. Our
clergy serve to tell and re-tell the
amazing story of God’s grace and
to equip the church for the work
of ministry. Our “conferencing”
opens the door for thousands
upon thousands of our laity and
pastors to walk alongside a global
constituency that we cannot even
measure.
By the power of the Spirit,
United
Methodists
are
strategically placed to make a
difference in the smallest village
or the largest metropolis here
and around the world. My own
journey and that of countless
others serves to validate the
connectional nature and impact of
the church. The holy influence of
our commonly held faith, values,
and sacred covenant is real,
transformational, and equally
exciting. God is in this, and when
at our very best, we can see and
experience the goodness and the
glory of it all.
United Methodists make a
difference by giving, too. While
I was a superintendent and then
conference director I heard
any number of critics protest
the connection and our Shares
of Ministry. That critique is
usually unfounded because the
“Connection” is, by its very nature,
larger than the local church and
the emerging parochialism. We
invest our resources of all kinds
in both anecdotal and systemic
ways, and reveal the love of God
across the world and for millions
of people.
I, too, am the personal
benefactor of the Connection. The
ministry of the local congregation
and the ministries of our caregivers and witnesses in the harsh
places of the world are all possible
because the “Connection” opens
doors, enables us to walk into
the human suffering world-wide,
stands alongside the broken and
wounded, equips leaders for
excellence and effectiveness, and
proclaims in word and deed the
hope for the world only found in
Christ our Lord.
Yes, I affirm and believe in the
Connection. I do because I am
living it, celebrating it, and have
been deployed for leadership
within it for 48 years. Thanks
be to God for the witness of
the United Methodist Church.
Just Thinking.
For more information contact Phyllis Bowers at (local) 717-766-5376 or
(toll-free) 1-877-619-5974 or e-mail [email protected]
Authentic Space is a video resource created by the
Young People’s Ministry to equip local congregations
to engage young adults in meaningful conversation
and inspire faithful young adult ministry.
Find it at www.igniteyoungpeople.org
Susquehanna Conference
303 Mulberry Drive, Ste. 400
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
1-800-682-2615
OPEN : Monday - Friday 9am - 2:15pm
e-mail [email protected]
web www.discovery-place.org
JODY ROBINSON
Director Discovery Place
Are you looking for some encouragement?
At times, all of us could use a little
encouragement as we seek to live a life
worthy of the title Christian. A great
way to receive that encouragement is by
meeting regularly in small groups or Bible
study classes. I’ve recently catalogued a
handful of new resources that might help
as your group grows closer to each other
and to God.
Simplify
Unclutter
Your Soul: “Exhausted.
O v e r w h e l m e d .
Overscheduled.” Today’s
velocity of life can
consume and control us
until a breakneck pace
begins to feel normal and expected.
That’s where the danger lies: When we
spend our lives doing things that keep us
busy but don’t really matter, we sacrifice
the things that do. If you crave a simpler
life anchored by the priorities that matter
most, roll up your sleeves: Simplified
living requires uncluttering your soul.
In this four-session study, author Bill
Hybels identifies the core issues that lure
us into frenetic living, and offers practical
steps for sweeping the clutter from our
souls.
Too Busy Not To Pray
- Slowing Down to Be
With God: The urgent
need for prayer in today’s
broken world is clear, but
busyness still keeps many
of us from finding time to
pray. So Bill Hybels offers us his practical,
time-tested ideas on slowing down to
pray. In this four-session study Hybels
conveys that each of us can become a
person of prayer and calls both young and
old to make prayer a priority, broadening
the vision for what our eternal, powerful
God does when his people slow down to
pray.
Satisfied - Discovering
Contentment in a World
of Consumption: Why
is a contented, satisfied
life so evasive? What
deep hungers drive the
reckless purchasing habits,
out of control accumulation, and crazy
consumer lifestyle for so many of us?
And why are we often driven more by
what our neighbors own than what will
truly make us happy? In this six-session
study, Jeff Manion provides an inspiring
and transformative vision for living a
deeply contented life in the midst of our
consumer-driven, materialistic, and often
shallow culture.
Ask - Faith Questions in a
Skeptical Age: We live in
a skeptical age. People —
especially young people
— express doubts about
Christian faith. In this
thoughtful eight week
study, Bishop Scott J. Jones partners
with his son, Rev. Arthur Jones, to
address hard questions that all of us face
when considering faith, religion, and the
church. OUR HERITAGE
DR. MILTON
LOYER
Conference Archivist
January – 100 years ago.
Evangelist W. E. Biederwolf
was a slightly more refined
contemporary of the more noted
Billy Sunday. Although a graduate
of Princeton Theological Seminary,
he played college football and
shared Sunday’s passion for
athleticism,
prohibition,
and
patriotism. As reported 100 years
ago in Methodism’s The Christian
Advocate:
“The
Biederwolf
Evangelistic Campaign at York met
expected and designed opposition
in certain ecclesiastical quarters
that dominate that community, yet
the results are felt widely in the
churches. On January 2 [1916]
some of the subjects of this effort
were gathered in – First Church
received 59 members, Duke
Street received 30, Ridge Avenue
received 30, West Street received
28, and Epworth received 7.” Four
of those five former Methodist
Episcopal congregations now
exist within vital York area United
Methodist churches. First is
now Asbury UMC. Duke Street
relocated and is now Aldersgate
UMC. West Street and Epworth
united to relocate from the present
Calvary UMC.
February – 50 years ago
The Methodist and Evangelical
United Brethren denominations
joined to form the United
Methodist Church in 1968 – but
the churches in Centre County’s
Penns Valley were ahead of
the curve. On February 22,
1966, the Methodist and EUB
congregations in Spring Mills
voted overwhelmingly to become
the Faith United Methodist Church
– taking the name of the former
EUB congregation and worshiping
in the former Methodist building.
This was actually the final of
three actions agreed upon by area
congregations. Previously, the
Tusseyville EUB congregation had
voted 28-3 to become the Bethany
Methodist Church of Tusseyville.
Each of those actions was prompted
by an earlier re-organization
of efforts in the community of
Centre Hall – where the former
Presbyterian
(45
members),
Methodist (85 members) and EUB
(125 members) congregations
came together to form Grace
United Church of Centre Hall.
The new congregation would be
part of the EUB denomination and
worship in the former Presbyterian
building. The final result of this
ecumenical endeavor was a more
efficient arrangement of two
spread-out three-point charges and
a struggling Presbyterian church
into one EUB station appointment
(Centre Hall) and one compact
three-point Methodist charge
(Spring Mills, Tusseyville, and
Sprucetown).
Free resources for your local church can be found at www.discovery-place.org
14
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
Vital
Congregations
On to Glory
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3
Rev. Edward K. Furman, Retired, of
Roberts Road, Pittston, Pa., died January 4, 2016, at Wesley Village, Pittston,
Pa. Memorial services were held Friday,
January 23, 2016, in Mehoopany United
Methodist Church, Mehoopany, Pa. Interment was in Union Hill Cemetery,
Mehoopany, Pa.
Mrs. Laura Roberta Hess, of Normandie
Ridge Senior Living Community, York,
Retired Diaconal Minister, died November 25, 2015. Memorial services were
held Wednesday, December 9, 2015, in
Aldersgate United Methodist Church,
York, Pa.
Mrs. M. Charlene (Taylor) Hogue, of
Ameret Street, Fredericksburg, Va., wife
of Rev. R. Wayne Hogue, Retired, died
Tuesday, December 22, 2015, in Mary
Washington Hospital, Fredericksburg,
Va. Memorial services were held Mon-
day, December 28, 2015, in St. Matthias
United Methodist Church, Fredericksburg, Va. Interment was in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fredericksburg, Va.
Mrs. Joan E. (Strang) Strader, of Apple
Way, Chambersburg, Pa., wife of Rev.
Ronald K. Strader, Retired, died Friday, December 18, 2015. Memorial services were held Wednesday, December
23, 2015, in Thomas L. Geisel Funeral
Home and Cremation Center, Chambersburg, Pa. Interment was in Edenville
United Methodist Cemetery, Chambersburg, Pa.
Rev. Harold Warren Wheeler, Retired,
of Wesley Village, Jenkins Township,
Pa., died Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
Memorial services were held Monday,
January 25, 2016, in Anthony P. Litwin
Funeral Home, Factoryville, Pa. Interment was in West Lenox Cemetery, Pa.
Thomas Cartwright Scholarship
(for young ordination candidates)
T
he
Thomas
K.
Cartwright
Scholarship will be granted
annually by The Susquehanna
Conference of The United Methodist
Church. The granting agency is the
Enlistment & Interpretation Committee
of The Board of Ordained Ministry. The
Scholarship honoring the memory of
The Reverend Doctor Thomas Kevin
Cartwright, who contributed heavily to
establishing “The Culture of the Call,”
encouraging men and women and young
people to listen to the call of God to
them in the former Central Pennsylvania
Conference.
This scholarship has been established
to support young adults as they respond to
the call to ordained ministry. The recipient
will be announced during the awards
presentations of the Susquehanna Annual
Conference. Qualities of the recipient
will include demonstrated leadership in
the church and the community, academic
excellence, and a clearly articulated sense
of call to ordained ministry in The United
Methodist Church.
Additionally, applicants must be
certified candidates for ministry in The
Susquehanna Conference of The United
Methodist Church who are currently
enrolled or accepted into college or
seminary and under the age of 35 years as
of December 31 of that same year.
Applications are available online at
tinyurl.com/TCscholarship and are due
by March 10. Submit applications typed
(no handwritten application please) and
send electronically in a pdf file directly to
Carol Diffenbaugh at bcad2005@gmail.
com.
SUBSCRIBE TO SUSQUEHANNA LINK
people of our community. And this is a
true connection.
So it’s been asked of us, ‘If your church
would disappear would the community
notice?’ I know that the church has
built systems, followed through with
excellent practices, but we could
never really measure the influence, the
difference that the church was making in
the community. Through the experience
of this fire, we found out.
And as it turns out, all of it mattered
and none of our resources were wasted.
Passionate connection is active. It is well
within your budget. It requires true care,
which may require deep change, which
is hard work.
The fire, although devastating and
heartbreaking, provided an opportunity
for heightened emotion, and a reentry point for momentum. Does this
sound familiar to anybody who took
“Equipping God’s People” module 1,
Session 3, when we studied Bob Farr’s
book, “Renovate or Die”? That’s what
we talk about there.
The fire, like any other tragedy that
may have happened in your community
or in your churches, can open the
door to conversation with people who
otherwise would not care to connect
with you or the church. It opens doors
to reconciliation from previously broken
relationships. It allows for deposits to
strengthen relationships. Tragedies also
pique people’s curiosity. That’s OK, too.
We are all part of the story.
The feeling of the longing is the fruit
of passionate connections. Transparency
of our vulnerability is a connecting force.
Once connected, we share the stories of
our faith and point others toward God. It
is all about Jesus.
My prayer is that our church
leadership, our clergy and laity, continue
to be teachable, vulnerable, transparent,
and hungry to passionately connect. My
prayer is that you are earning trust and the
right to be heard in your communities.
Stay the course.
Sometimes the church’s influence
cannot be measured. God is with us. He
calls us in big ways to point each other
toward Christ. And together we agreed,
and all God’s people said, “Amen.”
Home Subscription $7.00 per year - 6 issues
Name:_________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
City/State/Zip:___________________________________________
Phone:_________________________________________________
I would like to send Susquehanna LINK to a friend
Friend’s name:__________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________
City/State/Zip:___________________________________________
Phone:_________________________________________________
Mail together with a check made payable to
Susquehanna Conference to
Susquehanna LINK, PO Box 2053,
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-2053
Susquehanna LINK is available to churches by bulk subscription,
delivered by mail, at a minimum of 5 copies of each issue.
Please call our office at
1-800-874-8474 if you are interested in purchasing
Susquehanna LINK as a bulk subscription.
CONFERENCE CENTER
PHONE NUMBERS
AREA CODE (717)
NUMBER
CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES
766-7441
Toll Free
800-874-8474
Fax
766-5976
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION 766-5275
Toll Free
866-227-6529
Fax
766-5976
EPISCOPAL OFFICE
Fax
766-7871
766-3210
DISCOVERY PLACE
Toll Free
Fax
766-7968
800-682-2615
766-5976
HARRISBURG DISTRICT
Toll Free
Fax
766-8124
800-317-7745
766-3887
GROWING EFFECTIVE CHURCHES 545-0525
STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
766-7343
766-4383
Toll Free
800-272-0113
P. Bowers
766-5376
P. Bowers Toll Free
877-619-5974
Fax
766-1673
MISSION CENTRAL766-1533
Fax
796-9582
PHONE EXTENSIONS
NAMEEXTENSION
EPISCOPAL OFFICES
Christy Mackey
Bishop Jeremiah Park
Greg Myers
Kristin Sample
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Nate Smith
Larry McCleaf
GROWING EFFECTIVE CHURCHES
Peggy Spengler
Dennis Otto
HARRISBURG DISTRICT
Candi Shaffer
Karen Atanasoff
Barry Robison
STEWARDSHIP FOUNDATION
Terri Cartwright
Dolly Marzullo
Bonnie Young
Phyllis Bowers
DISCOVERY PLACE
Jody Robinson
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Jane Rosborough
Ann Watts
TBD
Andra Haverstock
Sue Adams
CONNECTIONAL MINISTRIES
Amy Wynn
Curt Knouse
Lisa Bender
Mike Bealla
Patricia Frye
Anne Horton
Audrey Wilder
Jerry Wolgemuth
Sharon Keebaugh
Stacy Eckert
Ashley Brooks
3100
3100
3103
3104
3107
3106
3111
3112
3200
3201
3202
3300
3301
3305
3307
3400
3500
3501
3502
3503
3504
3000
3402
3600
3601
3602
3603
3604
3607
3608
3609
3613
Staff e-mail addresses at www.susumc.org
Do you know about
Volume 6
Number 1
QuikLINK?
USPS 763-160
Periodicals postage paid at Mechanicsburg, PA
and additional mailing office.
QuikLINK is a regular e-mail
broadcast service for clergy and
laypersons of the Susquehanna
Conference that highlights
breaking conference-related news,
events, job and classified
postings, and more.
Susquehanna LINK is published bi-monthly by
Connectional Ministries, Susquehanna
Conference, The United Methodist Church,
303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Phone 800-874-8474 (toll-free)
or e-mail [email protected]
_______________________________
Get connected. Join QuikLINK.
_______________________________
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to Susquehanna LINK,
PO Box 2053, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-2053
Regular Subscription
$7 per year, 6 issues
SUBSCRIPTION FORM on page 11
*Bulk subscription rates available by request
by calling 1-800-874-8474.
*A minimum of five copies of each issue
If you would like to subscribe to
this FREE service or post a
message, email Jerry Wolgemuth
at [email protected]
Visit the Susquehanna Conference Web site at www.susumc.org
Send address changes and subscriptions to
Susquehanna LINK, PO Box 2053,
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-2053
Bishop
Director of Connectional Ministries
Editor
Assistant Editor/Layout Designer
Web Manager
Operations Manager
Video Editor
Printed by
Jeremiah Park
Mike Bealla
Jerry Wolgemuth
Sandii Peiffer
Stacy Eckert
Sharon Keebaugh
Ashley Brooks
Susquehanna Printing
Susquehanna LINK - February 2016
15
find us on
www.facebook.com/susumc
Check us out on Facebook for the latest news,
resources, classifieds, events, and more ...
We’re using social media to engage and equip
the local church in making disciples of Jesus
Christ for the transformation of the world.
Greene Hills Wesley Forest
e
n
O
e
c
n
e
i
r
e
Exp
er�
m
m
u
S
g
n
i
z
a
Am
amps.org
www.susumc
Register online:
2016
Mount Asbury Camp Penn
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World
Postage
February 2016
Periodicals
Lancaster, PA
PAID
2015-2016
THE CHURCHES OF
“And then
[Jesus] told
them, “Go
into all the
world and
preach
the Good
News to
everyone.”
Mark 16:15
New Living Translation
*In an effort to
share the good
news of God’s work
through the United
Methodists of central
and northeastern
Pennsylvania, the LINK
will now be delivered
to every church in
the Susuquehanna
Conference
Photo by Sandii Peiffer
“like” us on
www.facebook.com/susumc
THE SUSQUEHANNA CONFERENCE, THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
February 2016