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Susquehanna LINK - July/August 2011 Faith in Action at Halifax


By Gayle Lau, Church Administrator Halifax Untied Methodist Church


PHOTO: ANNE HORTON Campers at Greene Hills Elementary Music Camp


Campers learn to be a hero and live like Jesus


By Anne Horton, Director Camp & Rereat Ministries


It has been an amazing summer for over 1,500 children and youth, and over 475 adult volunteers. All four sites have been abuzz with activity all focused around “Be A Hero, Living Like Jesus,” the theme for the summer. I believe all who have attended have experienced the love of Christ, have learned ways they can be in ministry with and for Christ. In all the weeks of camp the love that I observed and felt being shared was amazing.


Some of the comments I have heard: “I never want to leave.”


“This has been one of the best weeks of my life.”


“I have never felt this close to God than in this place right now.” “I’m so glad my friend encouraged and invited me to come.”


“I have made some great friends.” “God is such an awesome God.” “I can’t wait until next year.” There will be more information coming to you in late August or early September. Thanks to all the churches that have sent children to camp. Thanks for providing scholarship funds for children, youth, and adults to attend. You have helped to touch a life for Christ.


Faith in Action is a month-long cam- paign that Halifax United Methodist Church participated in during July. Dur- ing these four weeks, our worship and study centered on the biblical call to put our “faith in action” by modeling Jesus’ example of service and sacrifice. Faith in Action Sunday, held July 31, was the culmination of this journey in which we left the doors of our sanctuary to serve in the streets of our community. Over 160 children, youth, and adults served at 21 different project sites. Service proj- ects included weeding sidewalks of the Halifax Borough, work on the grounds of Camp Hebron, painting in the Halifax High School, painting playground equip- ment for Enders-Fisherville Elementary School, cleanup at the little league base- ball fields, residential work at homes throughout the community, and more. We have been embracing the slogan,


“Don’t go to church, be the church,” in the hope that we will begin to see ourselves as the body of Christ and ask ourselves what Jesus would be doing and where he would be in the community. We hope that this will not simply be a one-time event, but an on-going attitude we have as a church.


PHOTOS COURTESY OF GAYLE LAU


Vital congregations Web site empowers churches


A new Web site aims to equip and em- power local churches to become vital and healthy congregations. UMVitalCongre- gations.org is designed to help churches move through a process of evaluation and assessment as they begin to set goals and then find key resources to help them achieve those goals. “While all congregations have some as- pect of vitality, highly vital congregations grow over time, engage more people in ministry, and are more generous in giving to mission,” said Bishop John Schol, team leader. “The Vital Congregations Project is designed to equip annual conference leadership, clergy and lay leadership in local congregations to reach their goals and fulfill the vision of becoming more vital and healthy congregations.” Three main components help congre-


gations see their church history, assess their current church health, and develop and set-goals for their future. Throughout the Web site are descriptions of vital con-


2014


gregations and resources to help congre- gations become more vital. Churches are encouraged to share their stories of suc- cess and achievement on the site. In Octo- ber, another component will be added that includes resources to help congregations reach their goals, and in November, a best practices component will be added. The Vital Congregations Project was authorized by the Council of Bishops and the Connectional Table in response to the Call to Action research, which indicated a lack of measures and accountability within The United Methodist Church. The research identified a vital congregation as being one that has:


· Inviting and inspiring worship · Engaged disciples in mission and out-


reach


· Gifted, equipped, and empowered lay leadership · Effective, equipped, and inspired cler- gy leadership


· Small groups and strong children’s programs and youth ministry Part of the evaluation process involves looking at the history of the congregation and how the past has affected where they are at today. A key feature of the Web site allows every congregation to see their “health history” based upon their past 5-10 years of experience, using church profiles research from the General Board of Global


Ministries. Congregations


would then assess their current health in order to set feasible and attainable goals. After reviewing their history and as- sessing their current health, each congre- gation is asked to set goals to reach the vi- sion of becoming a more vital and healthy congregation based upon five measurable indicators of vitality: worship attendance, professions of faith, number of small groups, persons in mission, and missional giving.


Congregations that need help, encour-


agement, and support in moving toward health and vitality will have resources available to assist them in achieving these goals. Resources will be available to ad- dress the areas of worship, evangelism, small groups, missions, and stewardship. A report of every congregation’s goals will be compiled by district and by con- ference. Conferences will be invited to set goals based upon the congregational goals, and conference goals will be col- lected and reported at the 2012 United Methodist General Conference. The Web site was developed by the


Vital Congregations Project Team, which includes United Methodist Communica- tions, the Connectional Table, the Gen- eral Board of Discipleship, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, the General Council on Finance and Ad- ministration, and the Council of Bishops. For more information, visit UMVitalC- ongregations.org.


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


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