Susquehanna LINK - April 2016
WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS Going beyond “C.A.M.P.” stewardship
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
In this early spring season, we are excited to get outside and enjoy the wonders of all that God has given us. This is the time we start reminding parishioners not to forget their offering when they are away from us on Sundays. We share the reasons we need our “C.A.M.P.” in church. Yet Capital, Annual, Missional, and Planned giving are all different in focus, use, and timing. While capital campaigns are short-term goals to make improvements, annual giving sustains our ministries. Missional giving reaches outside the church while planned giving are gifts or bequests that reach outside our lifetime to make a difference. We need them all at church for all we do and support. God blesses us by providing much in which to offer thanks. Yes, in this early spring season
we are excited to get outside and enjoy the wonders of all God has given us. We can go also beyond our base “C.A.M.P.” if we think of stewardship differently.
instance, the diocese in Wichita, Kansas, has “four
pillars
For of
stewardship — hospitality,
For more information, contact Phyllis Bowers at (local) 717-766-5376 or (toll-free) 1-877-619-5974 or e-mail
pbowers@susumc.org
prayer, formation, service.” They remind us that what we give is not just time and treasure. It is also a generosity of inclusiveness, relationship, helpfulness.
learning, and Stewardship this year — let’s
start reminding ourselves not to forget our offering wherever we are on Sundays and throughout the week. In what ways can we improve, sustain, reach, and go beyond what we have to offer? We need not just to know, but also to do a generosity of “hospitality, prayer, formation, and service” to get outside of ourselves. May you enjoy the wonders of all that God has given us, including a refreshing spring in our church. P.S. Want to learn other ideas about stewardship? Come hear from Rev. Dr. Clayton Smith, Executive Pastor of Generosity, for the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. He will be speaking at Country Cupboard in Lewisburg on April 23, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register now at
www.umstewardship.org/ events.
JODY ROBINSON Director Discovery Place
Awaiting Pentecost ...
Just a few short weeks ago we all celebrated the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and we now find ourselves in Eastertide, awaiting the celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Many churches across our denomination use the celebration of Pentecost to bring in new members or to confirm youth. Some churches will even have a birthday party to recognize the birthday of the Christian church. All of this celebration is centered on the coming of the Holy Spirit. But what do we know about the Holy Spirit? Discovery Place has resources to help you explore this question. Here are just a few.
When God’s Spirit Moves: What
happens
when the Holy Spirit moves powerfully within a church? In this six- session DVD study, you’ll not only learn about the
person of the Holy Spirit, you’ll also learn: How to make room for the work of the Spirit in your life and in your church; How the Spirit empowers you to be creative and honor God with your gifts and talents; How to listen in prayer and apply the Word of God; How the Spirit is active in the work of healing your body, your emotions, and your relationships; How your personal
Effective January 1, 2016
The United Methodist Stewardship Foundation’s investment management fees are as follows:
1.45% for accounts up to $1,000,000 1.2% for accounts between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000 1% for accounts between $3,000,000 and $5,000,000 0.75% for accounts over $5,000,000
This is a flat fee so that once an account reaches the listed level the discount applies to all of the funds, not just the amount above that level.
For more information, email
sfcpa@susumc.org
DR. MILTON LOYER
Conference Archivist of believers; How
the message of the gospel is heard and people experience the life-giving power of a grace-filled community. Jim Cymbala shows us how to experience a fresh sense of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic
Neglect study, Francis of
the Holy Spirit: In this dynamic
seven-session Chan
reminds us of the true source
of the church’s
power — the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we’ve ignored the Spirit for far too long, and that without Him, we operate in our own strength, only accomplishing human-sized results. This resource offers a compelling invitation
to understand,
embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives.
Basic: Holy Spirit: BASIC is a seven-part series of short films that challenge us to reclaim the church as Scripture describes it to be. #3: Holy Spirit: God gives each of us the gift of
transformation
leads to greater transformations in your community and around the world through the changed lives
your church can become a place where
the Holy Spirit, our source of supernatural power. But today, the church acts neither “super” nor “natural.” How do we join the move of what the Spirit is doing? Maybe once we understand who the Holy Spirit is, the church can stop being so ordinary and can start being the agent of change in the world that God designed us to be.
OUR HERITAGE Central
March – 100 years ago The
Conference Episcopal
Church
of the Methodist met
Pennsylvania March
15-20, 1916, at the Eighth Avenue Church in Altoona. In 1972 Eighth Avenue received the members from Faith (former Evangelical) and became Faith UMC. In 2010 Faith merged into Wehnwood (former United Brethren) UMC. Among the 1916 business conducted was the receiving of $150 in proceeds from the sale of the Opp church on the Washingtonville
charge
– a building with an uncertain history. It was erected about 1845 (the oldest readable date in the cemetery) in Moreland Township, Lycoming County, because
union church “were thrown open for all
the doors of the old denominations
except
the Methodists.” Services were discontinued for a number of years, but re-instated in 1898 and held at least until 1913. The structure was dismantled in 1938 and the wood and windows used in buildings on a nearby farm.
Susquehanna Conference 303 Mulberry Drive, Ste. 400 Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
1-800-682-2615
e-mail
discovery@susumc.org OPEN : Monday - Friday 9am - 2:15pm web
www.discovery-place.org
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The site is presently marked by a small cemetery and a sign reading “Moreland
Methodist Burying
Grounds” – but only about one- third of the original gravestones remain.
April – 50 years ago The 12th Annual Methodist
Men’s Mass Rally of the Central Pennsylvania Conference
of
the Methodist Church was held April 1, 1966, at First Methodist Church in Lewistown, Mifflin County. The program opened with a 30-minute gospel hymn-sing led by Ned S. Bly of Watsontown. Featured speaker for the evening was 1962 inductee into baseball’s Hall of Fame, Jackie Robinson. Also participating in the program was Bishop Newell Booth. Some churches chartered a bus, and others organized car caravans to transport their attendees. It was reported that 1,837 men “jammed First Church for this outstanding event” as “the largest group of men ever to assemble in one place at one time in our Conference.”
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
Free resources for your local church can be found at
www.discovery-place.org
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