January/ February 2011


THE RIVER FLOWS A WITNESS TO MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD


PHOTO COURTESY OF REV. LORI STEFFENSEN


Bishop to appoint Rev. Lori J. Steffensen as District Superintendent of State College District


Bishop Jane Allen Middleton I am pleased to announce that Rev. Lori J. Steffensen will be appointed as District Superintendent of State College District on July 1, 2011. Lori brings a passion for ministry, many gifts, and a willingness to serve God in this special ministry. She is currently the pastor of Trucks-


ville United Methodist Church in the Wil- kes-Barre District. She has been active on many conference boards and commit-


STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Staying focused


Recently I was asked to lead a New Consecration Sunday stewardship experi- ence in one of our churches. During the Sunday morning worship experience I asked the congregation if they could re- cite the mission of every United Meth- odist Church, including their own. How pleased I was to hear a powerfully sym- phonic response with “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!” Church vitality experts tell us that healthy, growing churches are those whose congregations can express the pur- pose for which the church exists. I once asked a pastoral colleague of mine who had been a successful farmer before heeding a call to ordained ministry, how farmers were able to plow seemingly perfectly straight lines across huge fields. He explained that the important thing was to look across the field and focus on one thing, a tree, for instance. As you begin to plow, never take your eyes off that tree and you will be amazed at how easy it is to stay on target. I truly believe that while it might seem a simple thing for our con- gregations to be able to state the mission of the church, it is a witness to a move- ment of the Holy Spirit among us. To clearly understand our mission and stay


PHOTO: DAPHNE ORR Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the staff of Connectional Ministries,


the Episcopal office, and the Stewardship Foundation - Susquehanna Conference UMC Front row (l-r): Jane Rosborough, Ann Watts, Kaye Anderson, Lisa Bender, Kris Sample, and Zedna Haverstock. Middle row: Gary Smith, Mike Bealla, Phyllis Bowers, Sandy Rollason, Joni Robison, David Norris, Sue Adams, Bonnie Young, and Amy Wynn. Back Row: Jerry Wolgemuth, Sharon Keebaugh, Jody Robinson, Bishop Jane Allen Middleton, Stacy Eckert, Anne Horton, Larry McCleaf, and Nate Smith. Absent: Warren Bevacqua, Kathy Lemkelde, Dolly Marzullo, Bill Fordney, Sandii Peiffer, Ashley Brooks, and Brittany Spriggle.


Call for church to renew commitment to compassion, love, peace, and justice in the world


United Methodist Council of Bishops Grace and peace in the name of Jesus


Christ!


We the bishops of The United Meth- odist Church are compelled to pledge ourselves and to issue a call to the whole church for a renewed commitment to truly be the beloved community of Christ. We as a council desire to deal more honestly with the issues of racism and the need to honor the sacredness of every human be- ing. We commit to speak the truth in love in public and private discourse, to act with compassion, and to work for peace and justice in the world.


STAFF PHOTO Rev. Mike Bealla


Director of Connectional Ministries Susquehanna Conference, UMC


fixed upon it will keep the church moving in the right direction. (See poster) When we become distracted, we soon lose our way. I invite you to read and think with me further on page 3 and to also read again a parable I shared a couple of years ago called “Bread.”


STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 3


We call on all churches to engage in dialogue and respectful and honest conversation so that others might declare “see how they love each other.”


We call on all churches to engage in dialogue and respectful and honest con- versation so that others might declare “see how they love each other.”


In order to


transform animosity wherever it exists, we must model respect and kindness. We as people of faith are charged to


STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD A UMNS FILE PHOTO BY MIKE DUBOSE


Bishop Linda Lee, Wisconsin Confer- ence, The United Methodist Church, and president of the General Commission on Religion and Race


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