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The Susquehanna Conference Camp and Retreat Ministry is offering the following workshops:


HOW TO CREATE A WEB SITE


Individuals wanting to learn how to


create a Web site can take advantage of two opportunities coming in March 2011. During the day-long event participants will have the opportunity to learn how easy it is to create a church Web site that is both informative and inviting, and cre- ate a church Web site that will connect with the community. By the end of the day participants will have a page or two completed for the church.


Tuesday, March 1


Mount Asbury Retreat Center Newville, Pa.


Monday, March 21 Ladore Conference Center Waymart, Pa.


Cost for the event is $40 per person. Deadline for registering is February 21 for the first event and March 14 for the second event. An application form can be down-


loaded from the Camping Web site at www.susumcamps.org. For more information, please contact camping


the office camps@susumc.org 800-874-8474 or


Susquehanna LINK - January/February 2011 BISHOPS - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


build the beloved community because Christ has broken down the dividing walls and ended the hostilities between us. Yet we continue to build walls in the church and in the world which separate us and cause our hearts to grieve. On the continent of Africa, and in many parts of Asia, including the Philippines and India, the historical and contempo- rary impact of colonialism, racism, tribal- ism, and religious persecution continues to affect human relationships. The challenge in the Philippines is to break down the barriers between mainline society and tribal peoples in order to ac- cord equal rights such as land possession and free education to all. Colonialism


in Africa, by nature,


thrives on hostile, violent, and demean- ing human relationships. Racism and trib- alism cut indelible wounds, not only on one’s flesh and blood, but on the soul and the spirit. These kinds of wounds have a lasting impact.


In Europe racism is a growing issue with political parties openly working against minority, ethnic, and religious communi- ties. Prejudice is expressed in the media, in politics, and even in churches.


The church is called to decisively and directly counter these acts and engender and empower a


“perfect love that casts out all fear” 1 John 4:18, NRSV


Through intentional action we can


“overcome evil with Good” Romans 12:21, NRSV


ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS WORKSHOP


March 29 and 30, 2011 Ladore Lodge and Retreat Center 398 South St., Waymart, PA 18472


Calling all Susquehanna Conference administrative assistants and church sec- retaries. Join us for a time to: • Learn and renew •


Connect with ideas


• •


and forms.


We encourage your church to see this workshop as a time of professional devel- opment with others in the connectional system. Leadership will be conference and district staff. Participants will learn skills that will help them in their work in a United Methodist Church office. Cost for the event is $110 per per- son. Deadline for registering is Monday, March 14.


An application form can be down-


loaded from the Camping Web site at www.susumcamps.org. For more information, please contact camping


the office camps@susumc.org 800-874-8474 or others and share


Strengthen your office skills Learn


about conference reports


In the United States there has been an escalation of violence related to race, eth- nicity, sexual orientation, and religious preference. This escalation includes per- sonal attacks, bullying and vicious and criminal acts of violence to the mind, body and spirit of persons. These actions diminish life for the victims, the perpetra- tors, and the total community. They are ultimately insidious and irreverent attacks on the sacredness of God-given life. Globally terrorism, demonstrated by wanton acts of violence against innocent persons, leaves a trail of loss of life, limb, and homes, and creates suspicion across the world. Too often this is the result of religious persecution of every faith, in- cluding Christians, which threatens the capacity for reconciliation and hope. Dis- criminatory treatment is widely practiced against immigrants and refugees around the world.


The church is called to decisively and directly counter these acts and engender and empower a “perfect love that casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18 NRSV). Through intentional action we can “overcome evil with Good” (Romans 12:21 NRSV). It is incumbent upon the bearers of


this vision of a beloved community to do whatever we can today to hasten the day of a just world with peace. This is our hope, our prayer, and our commitment.


A change in the selection of at-large lay members to annual conference


The Committee on Conference Sessions


of the Susquehanna Conference recently adopted a new policy regarding the selec- tion of at-large lay members to annual con- ference.


The number of at-large lay members will be determined by the conference sec- retary and then divided evenly between the eleven districts of the Susquehanna Con- ference. District offices will be responsible for recruiting and filling the allotted num- ber of at-large lay members. No charge within a district shall have more than three lay members, including


those elected by a charge and those re- cruited as at-large lay members. A goal is to have one-third of the at-large lay mem- bers from each district be youth or young adults.


Ministerial candidates and seminary stu- dents will be given high priority as each district recruits and fills at-large positions. Attention will be paid to diversity. Anyone interested in being considered to serve as an at-large lay member to an- nual conference is encouraged to contact their district office.


PHOTO COURTESY OF JODI CRIMMEL


Work begins on the foundation of the new church in the village of Torbeck, near Les Cayes on the southern coast of Haiti. The congregation has outgrown the old church seen in the background.


Haiti Partnership seeks volunteers By Jodi Crimmel The Haiti Partnerships of Upper New


York Conference and Susquehanna Con- ference sent fifteen Volunteers in Mission to Haiti in October and November 2010. Both teams worked in the village of Tor- beck near Les Cayes on the southern coast of Haiti. The Torbeck


Church has outgrown


their building, which is also susceptible to flooding during heavy rains. They had pro- posed a new church before the devastating earthquake last January. Now the work has begun, and they are working alongside volunteers and hired Haitian workers to make this dream come true. The foundation was begun by members


of the church and has continued through the funds brought by our two teams with matching funds provided by UMCOR. A United Methodist VIM team from


Visit the Susquehanna Conference web site at www.susumc.org


another area of the country will continue the work in December. Haiti Partnership anticipates sending a team in January to return to Torbeck. Future teams have also been scheduled for February, March, and May 2011 to continue earthquake relief in Haiti as developed by United Methodist Volunteers in Mission.


The Haiti Partnership of the Susquehan- na Conference is looking for Volunteers in Mission to travel to Haiti in March or May 2011. We are especially looking for male VIMs and medical VIMs. The cost of each trip is $1,200. Please visit www.haitipart- nership.com for more information. We have many speakers available to


speak to your group about the Haiti Part- nership. If you are interested, contact ei- ther Barb Gay at skyhave@epix.net or Jodi Crimmel at rcrimmel@ptd.net.


NEW DS - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


tees including Chairperson of the Wyoming Conference Council on Finance and Admin- istration, Board of Ordained Ministry, and Safe Sanctuaries Committee. She serves as Vice Chairperson of Susquehanna Confer- ence Council on Finance and Administra- tion.


Lori’s master of divinity degree is from Drew Theological Seminary. She also holds a master’s degree in Advanced Technol- ogy/Computer Science from Binghamton University, and her undergraduate degree is from Eastern University, all degrees with honors. Before receiving her call to ministry she was Senior Program Analyst for Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton for ten years. She is married to Theodore (Ted) D. Gabriel Sr. Lori will serve the district which Rev.


Pam Ford has served since 2005. Pam will complete her six-year term as district su- perintendent in June. She has discerned that God is leading her to retire at the end of this appointment year. She has served in many ways during the thirty-five years since her ordination as deacon in 1975. Pam has brought extraordinary gifts to the State Col- lege District and to every appointment in which she has served. She leaves a strong legacy and will continue to serve God and the church in faithful ways in retirement. ------------------------------------------ Prior to the realignments of the annual conferences in the Northeast Jurisdiction, Bishop Middleton graciously invited Wyo- ming Conference pastors to be a part of the Bishop’s Retreat in January 2008. During that time I felt as if I’d come home. That sense of home is what we need to cultivate in our churches. People need to know that they are welcome, safe, encour-


aged, respected, needed. The “homes” will be appointed differently to match the per- sonalities of those who reside there. Some will have photographs, others trophies, paintings, handcrafts or seals, or creative combinations. Some walls will be stark, while others will be crammed with every imaginable work. Each reflecting the hopes and dreams, the faith journeys, of those who are there and, in their own style, point the way to God. These differences are not “right” or “wrong,” rather they are reflec- tions of the wonderful varieties in God’s creation. The trappings are just that, trap- pings. Rather than comparing ourselves, we celebrate each one’s unique call, as we bear faithful witness to the high calling of Jesus Christ. As John Wesley said, “If your heart is as my heart, give me your hand,” it is not the subtle differences that matter. We are called to make a place of grace in God’s house. It only goes “wrong” when there is no room for people to add their own finger- painted masterpieces. When we sadly forget that it is God’s house, not ours, is when the church sins. We need to create a home for those who have been part of the “family” for decades, as well as for those who aren’t here yet.


I see the role of district superintendent as one that encourages churches to make the best home they can, being faithful to who and where they are, and always remember- ing whose they are. The joy of finding a home with Jesus Christ is too fine a gift to keep to ourselves. The love of Christ com- pels us to share, care, and reach out (wor- ship, serve, and witness).


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