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Susquehanna LINK - February 2017


Rev. Ho Shik Kang


Pastor Jerry Schmidt


Pastor Wanda Minnick


Preaching with Power Fall 2016 concludes with sermons, certificates, songs, and celebration


By Dr. Dilip Abayasekara D


ecember 13, 2016, witnessed the culmination of the seventh Preaching with Power program in the Susquehanna Conference. Held at Middlesex UMC in Carlisle, Pa., the 12- week program, taught by Middlesex UMC associate pastor Dr. Dilip Abayasekara and co-facilitated by speech coach Tony Crocamo, was completed by six pastors: lay servant Eugene Emerick of Neidig Memorial UMC, Harrisburg District; Rev. Ho Shik Kang of Wesley Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg District; Pastor Ruth Liples of Mt. Zion/Orange, Scranton/Wilkes- Barre District;


of Oval UMC, Williamsport Pastor Jerry


Schmidt Parish, Williamsport


Pastor Wanda Minnick District;


of Tri-County District,;


and


Pastor Jay Saldaña of Unity Parish, State College


District. Chief guests


were Bishop and Mrs. Jeremiah Park. In addition to a delicious luncheon, the event included short sermons preached by the six PwP graduates and addresses by Bishop Jeremiah Park and Harrisburg District


Superintendent Rev. Barry


Robison. Also present were Rev. Marian Hartman, Scranton Wilkes-Barre District Superintendent, and Rev. Beth Jones, Williamsport District Superintendent. Bishop Park spoke on the meaning of proclaiming God’s word and shared some personal reflections that highlighted the power and joy of the preaching ministry, which naturally led to singing by all. Rev. Barry Robison rose to the occasion of giving “a few appropriate remarks” in a manner reminiscent of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, which suited the occasion and inspired the


Rev. Jan Hughes, Host Pastor, Middlesex UMC


audience, which included spouses, mentors, and friends of the PwP graduates and visiting Bishop Jerry Diggs of the Pentecostal Conference in Baltimore. The PwP graduates received certificates of completion and continuing education credits as well as the personal congratulations of Bishop Park and the three district superintendents present. Fittingly, the event was concluded by singing Sent Forth by God’s Blessings. Preaching


with Power is grounded


on four pillars: biblical theology, the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the aim of giving spiritual


sustenance and guidance to the congregation, and the PHOTOS BY: JERRY WOLGEMUTH Dr. Dilip Abayasekara


use of effective approaches to sermon construction, organization, and delivery. The next Preaching with Power program will be held fall 2017. The location is yet to be decided. Any interested preacher (clergy or lay) is invited to contact Dr. Dilip Abayasekara at 717-648-1080 or DAbayasekara@susumc.org.


Eugene Emerick


Pastor Jay Saldaña


Pastor Ruth Liples


Preaching with Power graduates Pastor Wanda Minnick and Pastor Jay Saldaña being congratulated.


Seated, left to right: Rev. Beth Jones, Williamsport District Superintendent; Bishop Jerry Diggs; Bishop Jeremiah J. Park; Rev. Marian Hartman, Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre District Superintendent; Dr. Dilip Abayasekara.


Standing: Rev. Barry C. Robison, Harrisburg District Superintendent;


Pastor


Wanda Minnick; Rev. Jan Hughes; Pastor Ruth Liples; Pastor Jerry Schmidt; Mr. Eugene Emerick, lay servant; Rev. Ho Shik Kang; and Pastor Jay Saldaña.


Bishop Jeremiah J. Park


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