May 30-June 1 in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park presided over the 10th session of the Susquehanna Annual Conference held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, May-June 1. This year’s theme: “Better Together: One with Each Other” takes the words of our Communion liturgy and uses them to speak to and encourage the clergy and laity of the Susquehanna Conference to work together to find common ground and to work toward the goal of unity as the Conference moves forward.
Guest speakers and memorable points or quotes by speakers
Laity Session
“Do you really believe that prayer makes a difference? If we do, then prayer can change everything.” – The Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
Kibbey also distributed a small card to the laity session, called the ‘Pickaxe Prayer Card.’ She said: “Jesus told his followers to keep praying and to keep asking and the door would be opened to you. Pray like you are using a pickaxe at rock.” — The Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
Opening Celebration
“We are a church alive in Christ together,”… “God’s people continue to demonstrate what faithful discipleship is about as they constantly offer so freely their gifts and graces to the ministry of the church… Thanks be to God for you!” “I am calling you to remember that we are called to walk with boldness. Fear not! The risen Christ is with us! The challenge before us is never greater than the power behind us.” — Bishop Jeremiah J. Park.
Leadership Report
The Leadership Team of the Susquehanna Conference invited all in attendance to be “one with each other in Christ” during the Leadership Report of the 2019 Annual Conference. As the Hershey Symphony Orchestra were featured in a video introducing the concept of being in tune with one another, playing different notes, scales and sounds, until the conductor raises their baton, and leads them on. In this way, all are called to be one with each other as we follow the direction of Christ. To continue the theme, several ‘Stories of One’ were shared by congregations throughout the Susquehanna Conference. New beginnings were part of The Open Door at Calvary United Methodist Church in Dillsburg; a vital merger brought together Bethany and Christ Unite Methodist churches to become The Beacon; and Christ Community United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove nurtured new services that have now grown to be vital parts of their ministries.
The leadership report concluded with an Act of Service, all attendees to annual conference were asked to bring a new backpack along with them; and together, over 1,000 backpacks were filled with school supplies; which then were donated to Mission Central, who will distribute them to children and families in need throughout the region.
Memorial Service
Incoming State College District Superintendent the Rev. Brenda Leigey brought the Memorial Service sermon, “A Life That Matters.” In her sermon she spoke of the impact her parents and family had on her life to bring her to the place she is in today. “That word,`Legacy’ encompasses what you leave behind with the people you are closest to, the impact you have made of others’ lives, and the fact that each of us leaves a legacy. The question is: ‘What kind of legacy do you intend to or want to leave?’”
Leigey also used the Casting Crowns song “Only Jesus.” The song speaks of worldly legacy as “make it count, leave a mark…dream your dreams.” Her father left a spiritual legacy that looked like this: Have a good work ethic, go the extra mile and take pride in your work, love your family no matter what, be kind, forgiving and compassionate; talk to people, and lastly – pray and depend on God for all your needs.”
Celebration of Ministry Service
The Rev. David Stough, Susquehanna Board of Ordained Ministry vice chair, helped link multiple testimonies together through worship titled “Different Calls, One With Each Other.”
The Rev. Doug Posegate, a retiring elder, recalled a time when a colleague said to him “Please pray for me, as I pray for you.” He also recalled the force with which Bishop Felton May had pulled down forcefully on his stole at ordination, telling him that God wasn’t messing around!
Pastor Tina Hawkins said in her testimony: “We can care for the masses together in a way we could not do alone,” recalling the differences that were put aside by former Methodist and EUB representatives so that The United Methodist Church could be created. There was also a sense of lament as she recalled a time when pews and Sunday school rooms were filled to overflowing, but “we have gotten lost. The world has changed but we have not. We got hung up on our needs and forgot that we are disciples.” She went on to say that “We may be a dysfunctional family, but dysfunctional families can love.”
Certified Lay Minister Patty DeCapria recalled the two times in the life of her church that pastors tragically lost sons. She recalled crying out to God, seeking guidance on how to serve in the midst of the crisis. She finally realized that the answers were not in theology, but in community. “We were better together” she recalled. “We are better together because we allow God to make us who we were called to be.”
Ordination Service
The Black College Fund was represented by Philander Smith College student Russell R. Williams III. He is studying Political Science, and has a passion for social justice and community involvement. He said: “Strength can be defined as the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure. Power is the ability to do something or act in a particular way. I stand before you today to express that one should have knowledge and experience in dealing with both.”
The Rev. J.C Park, president of the World Methodist Council brought the Word during the Saturday morning Bible study; specifically highlighting John Wesley’s view of Romans chapter 8; “Together we confess: By grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit…” His message for the morning focused on moving ‘Together Towards Life’ as the Bible study concluded.
Bishop Ivan Abrahams, top executive of the World Methodist “It is a singular honor to greet you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I bring greetings on behalf of the global Methodist family… Whether you are a prince or a pauper, whether you are black or white, male or female, gay or straight, through the waters of baptism we are one family. We are children of God, who loves us and cares for us.” Specifically addressing those being commissioned and ordained saying “the most important thing, is that we insert ourselves in the story so that it becomes our story…My friends you can only do this if you have met the Shepherd and He has touched your life.” As a shepherd in The United Methodist Church, Abrahams continued, you too must guard the proverbial door.
Main actions enacted by the Conference
RES-1 Mental Health, submitted by the Rev. Evelyn Madison, Mission and Outreach Team of the conference Mental Health Task Force, was approved.
RES-2 Disability Ministries Task Force and Disability Awareness Sunday, submitted by the Rev. Rebecca L, Holland, Disability Ministries Task Force, Chair; the Rev. Mitch Galloway, retired elder, the Rev. Craig Gommer, Dallas and Firwood United Methodist Church, Scranton/ Wilkes Barre; the Rev. James C. House, Simpson Temple Parish- Altoona; the Rev. Jennett Wertz, Lewisberry United Methodist Church -York; the Rev. Rev. Robert Stump, Duboistown, Third St. & Trinity- Williamsport; the Rev. Carol Gathagan, retired elder; and The people of Christ Community United Methodist Church. The motion was approved.
RES-3 Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investments was submitted by the Rev. Paul Amara, Lisa Bender, the Rev. Wayne Bender, Allison Francesco, Becca Hosier, the Rev. Lenore Hosier, the Rev. Sue Jamison, the Rev. Dorothy Killebrew, Georgeanne “Dusty” Knisely, the Rev. Mark Terwilliger, and the Rev. Patrick Walker. The motion was not approved.
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership, and average age:
Eight in total, four commissioned, four ordained.
Commissioned: Average age – 36 years old.
Ordained: Average age - 31 years old.
Clergy delegates for 2020 General Conference: The Revs. Matthew E. Lake, Janice F. Hughes, Thomas L. Salsgiver, Dr. Kathleen E. Kind, Jason R. Mackey and Kenneth M. Loyer.
Lay delegates for 2020 General Conference: Christina McDermott, Kaytlynn Hughes, Dr. Milton Loyer, Craig Brennecke, William Leight and Spencer Ross.
There was a push to elect younger delegates? Delegates under 35 and their ages are:
Rachel Wong, 31; Rebecca Torres-Holland, 31; Kaytlynn Hughes, 32; Spencer Ross, 17; Shawn Gilgore, 30; Madisyn Bennett, 15, and Alexander Clark, 18.
The conference passed no resolutions related to General Conference 2019 or 2020 and developed no plans or policies for churches interested in leaving the denomination.
The bishop addressed church unity in his opening sermon.
Bishop Park began his Opening Celebration sermon saying, “This is the first time we have gathered since the 2019 General Conference in February,” acknowledging that “this is a ‘painful’ moment in the journey of our church.” He then read an extended quote from a letter which was sent to him from the parents of children who identified part of the LGBTQ community. “Many parts of society are difficult for LGBTQ people,” read the bishop. “As the parents of two such children, we are keenly aware of this. We have always wanted church to be a place where our children could find a balm for the harsh cruelty of the world… the results of the special General Conference 2019 have brought the cruelty of the larger world sharply into focus. We are wondering what the right answer is for our family.”
After reading these words, the bishop stated, “The hurt is real and deep. To our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, and to you the parents of LGBTQ children, I want you to hear from me that I am sorry. I am sorry for the hurts and pains that you live through because you and your loved ones have been made to feel less than God’s beloved children. You are of sacred worth to God. You are God’s beloved. My prayers will continue to be with you for the grace of assurance, strength, perseverance, healing, and wholeness.”
“Tribal unity seems to prevail over denominational unity at this time,” said Park, “but Christian unity should be heightened and enhanced…One-ness is not exact likeness. It is unity and diversity and one-ness out of many…Harmony comes alive when everyone in the community understands that each one has a part in the larger picture – and each one has sacred worth.” Park used Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 to remind all who were gathered that there are many parts but only one body. “Our church must be a witness to the harmony that Christ makes in and through us. No matter what the path of our church may be, God’s people, keep harmony in mind.”
Park continued to emphasize that the theme of “one-ness” and unity was clearly evident in his selected scripture passage, Ephesians 4:1-6. “We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God,” he said. Park noted that our unity with Christ is emphasized seven times in this brief section of scripture. “Seven is a perfect number that signifies completion… Christians, God’s people, what more do you need to be convinced that you are one as the followers of Jesus Christ? As the church you cannot be anything else but one.” The bishop spoke about the sacrament of baptism as the foundation of our unity. “Regardless of how our future journey may be shaped, each one of us should carry in our hearts a biblical truth that we are made one in our baptism…. Baptism confirms that we are one people who have a common identity.”
“The love that matters most, no one can take it away from any one of us… We all want to be loved. We have an innate insatiable appetite to be loved.” “God’s love is not dependent on anything that we can be or we can do.” “You are mine and I am yours. We are not what the world says we are. We are what God says in our baptism. We are God’s beloved yesterday, tomorrow, and forever.” “In this world where so many people are searching for their identity and seeking love. There is no greater thing that one person can do for another than assure them that they are accepted by God… and formed by God in their sacred worth… Each one of us is loved by God unconditionally with God’s infinite love now and forever. There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God and Christ Jesus.”
Number of clergy retired: 25
Membership stands at 138,082; down 3,249 from 2017.
Worship attendance stands at 50,686; down 2,668 from 2017.
Church school attendance stands at 18,048; down 33 from 2017.
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2018 1,754; down 189 from 2017.
Adults and young adults in small groups for 2018 26,086; down 1,763 from 2017.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2018 869; down 158 from 2017.
— Shawn Gilgore, director of communications, Susquehanna Conference
Bishop Jeremiah J. Park presided over the 10th session of the Susquehanna Annual Conference held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, May-June 1. This year’s theme: “Better Together: One with Each Other” takes the words of our Communion liturgy and uses them to speak to and encourage the clergy and laity of the Susquehanna Conference to work together to find common ground and to work toward the goal of unity as the Conference moves forward.
Guest speakers and memorable points or quotes by speakers
Laity Session
“Do you really believe that prayer makes a difference? If we do, then prayer can change everything.” – The Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
Kibbey also distributed a small card to the laity session, called the ‘Pickaxe Prayer Card.’ She said: “Jesus told his followers to keep praying and to keep asking and the door would be opened to you. Pray like you are using a pickaxe at rock.” — The Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
Opening Celebration
“We are a church alive in Christ together,”… “God’s people continue to demonstrate what faithful discipleship is about as they constantly offer so freely their gifts and graces to the ministry of the church… Thanks be to God for you!” “I am calling you to remember that we are called to walk with boldness. Fear not! The risen Christ is with us! The challenge before us is never greater than the power behind us.” — Bishop Jeremiah J. Park.
Leadership Report
The Leadership Team of the Susquehanna Conference invited all in attendance to be “one with each other in Christ” during the Leadership Report of the 2019 Annual Conference. As the Hershey Symphony Orchestra were featured in a video introducing the concept of being in tune with one another, playing different notes, scales and sounds, until the conductor raises their baton, and leads them on. In this way, all are called to be one with each other as we follow the direction of Christ. To continue the theme, several ‘Stories of One’ were shared by congregations throughout the Susquehanna Conference. New beginnings were part of The Open Door at Calvary United Methodist Church in Dillsburg; a vital merger brought together Bethany and Christ Unite Methodist churches to become The Beacon; and Christ Community United Methodist Church in Selinsgrove nurtured new services that have now grown to be vital parts of their ministries.
The leadership report concluded with an Act of Service, all attendees to annual conference were asked to bring a new backpack along with them; and together, over 1,000 backpacks were filled with school supplies; which then were donated to Mission Central, who will distribute them to children and families in need throughout the region.
Memorial Service
Incoming State College District Superintendent the Rev. Brenda Leigey brought the Memorial Service sermon, “A Life That Matters.” In her sermon she spoke of the impact her parents and family had on her life to bring her to the place she is in today. “That word,`Legacy’ encompasses what you leave behind with the people you are closest to, the impact you have made of others’ lives, and the fact that each of us leaves a legacy. The question is: ‘What kind of legacy do you intend to or want to leave?’”
Leigey also used the Casting Crowns song “Only Jesus.” The song speaks of worldly legacy as “make it count, leave a mark…dream your dreams.” Her father left a spiritual legacy that looked like this: Have a good work ethic, go the extra mile and take pride in your work, love your family no matter what, be kind, forgiving and compassionate; talk to people, and lastly – pray and depend on God for all your needs.”
Celebration of Ministry Service
The Rev. David Stough, Susquehanna Board of Ordained Ministry vice chair, helped link multiple testimonies together through worship titled “Different Calls, One With Each Other.”
The Rev. Doug Posegate, a retiring elder, recalled a time when a colleague said to him “Please pray for me, as I pray for you.” He also recalled the force with which Bishop Felton May had pulled down forcefully on his stole at ordination, telling him that God wasn’t messing around!
Pastor Tina Hawkins said in her testimony: “We can care for the masses together in a way we could not do alone,” recalling the differences that were put aside by former Methodist and EUB representatives so that The United Methodist Church could be created. There was also a sense of lament as she recalled a time when pews and Sunday school rooms were filled to overflowing, but “we have gotten lost. The world has changed but we have not. We got hung up on our needs and forgot that we are disciples.” She went on to say that “We may be a dysfunctional family, but dysfunctional families can love.”
Certified Lay Minister Patty DeCapria recalled the two times in the life of her church that pastors tragically lost sons. She recalled crying out to God, seeking guidance on how to serve in the midst of the crisis. She finally realized that the answers were not in theology, but in community. “We were better together” she recalled. “We are better together because we allow God to make us who we were called to be.”
Ordination Service
The Black College Fund was represented by Philander Smith College student Russell R. Williams III. He is studying Political Science, and has a passion for social justice and community involvement. He said: “Strength can be defined as the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure. Power is the ability to do something or act in a particular way. I stand before you today to express that one should have knowledge and experience in dealing with both.”
The Rev. J.C Park, president of the World Methodist Council brought the Word during the Saturday morning Bible study; specifically highlighting John Wesley’s view of Romans chapter 8; “Together we confess: By grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit…” His message for the morning focused on moving ‘Together Towards Life’ as the Bible study concluded.
Bishop Ivan Abrahams, top executive of the World Methodist “It is a singular honor to greet you in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. I bring greetings on behalf of the global Methodist family… Whether you are a prince or a pauper, whether you are black or white, male or female, gay or straight, through the waters of baptism we are one family. We are children of God, who loves us and cares for us.” Specifically addressing those being commissioned and ordained saying “the most important thing, is that we insert ourselves in the story so that it becomes our story…My friends you can only do this if you have met the Shepherd and He has touched your life.” As a shepherd in The United Methodist Church, Abrahams continued, you too must guard the proverbial door.
Main actions enacted by the Conference
RES-1 Mental Health, submitted by the Rev. Evelyn Madison, Mission and Outreach Team of the conference Mental Health Task Force, was approved.
RES-2 Disability Ministries Task Force and Disability Awareness Sunday, submitted by the Rev. Rebecca L, Holland, Disability Ministries Task Force, Chair; the Rev. Mitch Galloway, retired elder, the Rev. Craig Gommer, Dallas and Firwood United Methodist Church, Scranton/ Wilkes Barre; the Rev. James C. House, Simpson Temple Parish- Altoona; the Rev. Jennett Wertz, Lewisberry United Methodist Church -York; the Rev. Rev. Robert Stump, Duboistown, Third St. & Trinity- Williamsport; the Rev. Carol Gathagan, retired elder; and The people of Christ Community United Methodist Church. The motion was approved.
RES-3 Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investments was submitted by the Rev. Paul Amara, Lisa Bender, the Rev. Wayne Bender, Allison Francesco, Becca Hosier, the Rev. Lenore Hosier, the Rev. Sue Jamison, the Rev. Dorothy Killebrew, Georgeanne “Dusty” Knisely, the Rev. Mark Terwilliger, and the Rev. Patrick Walker. The motion was not approved.
Number of people ordained, commissioned or received into associate membership, and average age:
Eight in total, four commissioned, four ordained.
Commissioned: Average age – 36 years old.
Ordained: Average age - 31 years old.
Clergy delegates for 2020 General Conference: The Revs. Matthew E. Lake, Janice F. Hughes, Thomas L. Salsgiver, Dr. Kathleen E. Kind, Jason R. Mackey and Kenneth M. Loyer.
Lay delegates for 2020 General Conference: Christina McDermott, Kaytlynn Hughes, Dr. Milton Loyer, Craig Brennecke, William Leight and Spencer Ross.
There was a push to elect younger delegates? Delegates under 35 and their ages are:
Rachel Wong, 31; Rebecca Torres-Holland, 31; Kaytlynn Hughes, 32; Spencer Ross, 17; Shawn Gilgore, 30; Madisyn Bennett, 15, and Alexander Clark, 18.
The conference passed no resolutions related to General Conference 2019 or 2020 and developed no plans or policies for churches interested in leaving the denomination.
The bishop addressed church unity in his opening sermon.
Bishop Park began his Opening Celebration sermon saying, “This is the first time we have gathered since the 2019 General Conference in February,” acknowledging that “this is a ‘painful’ moment in the journey of our church.” He then read an extended quote from a letter which was sent to him from the parents of children who identified part of the LGBTQ community. “Many parts of society are difficult for LGBTQ people,” read the bishop. “As the parents of two such children, we are keenly aware of this. We have always wanted church to be a place where our children could find a balm for the harsh cruelty of the world… the results of the special General Conference 2019 have brought the cruelty of the larger world sharply into focus. We are wondering what the right answer is for our family.”
After reading these words, the bishop stated, “The hurt is real and deep. To our LGBTQ brothers and sisters, and to you the parents of LGBTQ children, I want you to hear from me that I am sorry. I am sorry for the hurts and pains that you live through because you and your loved ones have been made to feel less than God’s beloved children. You are of sacred worth to God. You are God’s beloved. My prayers will continue to be with you for the grace of assurance, strength, perseverance, healing, and wholeness.”
“Tribal unity seems to prevail over denominational unity at this time,” said Park, “but Christian unity should be heightened and enhanced…One-ness is not exact likeness. It is unity and diversity and one-ness out of many…Harmony comes alive when everyone in the community understands that each one has a part in the larger picture – and each one has sacred worth.” Park used Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 to remind all who were gathered that there are many parts but only one body. “Our church must be a witness to the harmony that Christ makes in and through us. No matter what the path of our church may be, God’s people, keep harmony in mind.”
Park continued to emphasize that the theme of “one-ness” and unity was clearly evident in his selected scripture passage, Ephesians 4:1-6. “We have one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God,” he said. Park noted that our unity with Christ is emphasized seven times in this brief section of scripture. “Seven is a perfect number that signifies completion… Christians, God’s people, what more do you need to be convinced that you are one as the followers of Jesus Christ? As the church you cannot be anything else but one.” The bishop spoke about the sacrament of baptism as the foundation of our unity. “Regardless of how our future journey may be shaped, each one of us should carry in our hearts a biblical truth that we are made one in our baptism…. Baptism confirms that we are one people who have a common identity.”
“The love that matters most, no one can take it away from any one of us… We all want to be loved. We have an innate insatiable appetite to be loved.” “God’s love is not dependent on anything that we can be or we can do.” “You are mine and I am yours. We are not what the world says we are. We are what God says in our baptism. We are God’s beloved yesterday, tomorrow, and forever.” “In this world where so many people are searching for their identity and seeking love. There is no greater thing that one person can do for another than assure them that they are accepted by God… and formed by God in their sacred worth… Each one of us is loved by God unconditionally with God’s infinite love now and forever. There is absolutely nothing that can separate us from the love of God and Christ Jesus.”
Number of clergy retired: 25
Membership stands at 138,082; down 3,249 from 2017.
Worship attendance stands at 50,686; down 2,668 from 2017.
Church school attendance stands at 18,048; down 33 from 2017.
Professions or reaffirmations of faith for 2018 1,754; down 189 from 2017.
Adults and young adults in small groups for 2018 26,086; down 1,763 from 2017.
Worshippers engaged in mission for 2018 869; down 158 from 2017.
— Shawn Gilgore, director of communications, Susquehanna Conference
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