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Hearts Strangely Warmed CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1


multiply faster, too. Emma has created a media presentation to help her share about her project and gain the funding needed to put it into action. “Some of what I have been doing comes from my love of farming. I want to go to Penn State and learn about agriculture. I want to own a farm someday.” “The Zimbabwe project is Emma’s attempt to solve a real-life problem,” said her dad, Matt Dickinson. “I


love seeing the expression on


people’s faces when something that is really needed is taken care of.” She hopes that the chicken farming in Zimbabwe will help generate enough income to help those living with HIV/AIDS “to thrive instead of just survive.” And in the midst of it all she hopes it will provide an opportunity for them to learn more about God and build their faith. Emma is looking forward to starting confirmation classes at Trinity UMC soon. And perhaps missions are in her future too? “I’ve never been to Zimbabwe. I would love to see all of this in action.”


introduces a new scholarship to address “Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders”


By Ebony Lincoln


Director of Communications, GBHEM NASHVILLE, Tenn., December 6, 2016


– The Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) today announced the creation of a new scholarship that launches January 3, 2017, for students enrolled in United Methodist seminaries. The Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship was created to help entering United Methodist clergy avoid excessive educational loan debt, minimize financial stress and build financial acumen. Wespath Benefits and Investments (formerly the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits), GBHEM and the National Association of United Methodist Foundations collaborated on a proposal and were awarded a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The proposal included implementing half of the grant as a “loan avoidance” scholarship for United Methodist seminarians pursuing elder or deacon ordination. To


be in eligible Clergy for the Leadership


Excellence Scholarship,


PHOTO BY: JERRY WOLGEMUTH


Emma is joined by sister, Annie, for a musical number after Emma’s interview.


applicants must be enrolled full-time as a Master of Divinity student at one of the 13 United Methodist seminaries/schools of theology, and be pursuing certified candidacy or a certified candidate for ministry (elder or deacon) in The United Methodist Church.


In addition to the Lilly grant, the scholarship


is funded by matching


March 31, 2017 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.


Faith United Methodist Church 700 Fairview Drive Montoursville, PA 17754


Fresh Expressions Visioning Day is a one-day interactive training that can help your church to realize the opportunities in your community to expand your mission field. Discover how a “fresh expression” of church can develop and grow in and through your church community and your role in releasing these new ministries/ missions.


The cost for the day is $20.


For more information and to register, go to


http://tinyurl.com/hbg-vision-day or call 717-545-0525


or email gecoffice@susumc.org


This Visioning Day is sponsored by the Susquehanna Conference of UMC.


2020


contributions from GBHEM, the 13 United Methodist seminaries/schools of theology, and participating United Methodist annual conferences or foundations. The matching contributions offer selected applicants an opportunity to receive scholarship award amounts ranging from $2,500 to $12,500. Seminary students are encouraged to apply for the scholarship even if their annual conference is not participating because other donor funds may be available. “The work we do in the Office of Loans and Scholarships is much more than financial dealings with students. We are committed to providing students with the resources they need to gain an education


and become difference makers in our church and in the world,” said Allyson Collinsworth,


executive director of


the Office of Loans and Scholarships. “With the announcement of this new scholarship, we reaffirm our commitment to educational


access and ministry


excellence for our future clergy leaders.” An additional benefit of the scholarship program is the required financial wellness curriculum offered through EY Financial Planning Services. EY (formerly Ernst & Young) has provided financial planning services to retirement plan participants in Wespath-administered plans since 2005. Scholarship awards will be contingent upon the completion of a financial wellness curriculum, valued at $2,500 to $3,500 to the student. The curriculum through EY includes assistance with cash flow; personal savings and debt management; retirement savings strategies; investment allocation decisions; understanding tax issues; and estate and insurance planning. Scholarship recipients


will complete


a financial wellness assessment, a comprehensive and customized financial plan, and a personalized


consultation with a licensed planner. Those interested in the Excellence in


Clergy Leadership Scholarship may apply with the Office of Loans and Scholarships at www.gbhem.org/scholarshipapplication. Scholarship applications will be open between January 3 and March 1 of each year. Interested students should indicate that they are applying for the “Excellence in Clergy Leadership Scholarship” on the first page of the application. For more information on the Office of


Loans and Scholarships, visit http://www. gbhem.org.


About GBHEM: As the leadership development agency of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education


and Ministry’s


mission is to prepare global leaders for a global church and the world. Every elder, deacon and licensed local pastor benefits from our training and candidacy programs. Many young adults find help in clarifying their vocation and God’s call on their lives through our leadership and discernment programs. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: @GBHEM.


guidance


Susquehanna LINK - February 2017


Conference students earn college


scholarships from UM Higher Education Agency


Congratulations to the following


students who were awarded college scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville. Beth Pyles - Wolfsburg UMC, Bedford, Pa., Evangelical Theological Seminary Jessica Sivers - Fairdale UMC, Montrose, Pa., Lycoming College Nicalus Harclerode - Second Avenue


UMC, Altoona, Pa., Lycoming College Emily Thoman - Christ UMC,


Yorkana, Pa., Lebanon Valley College Matthew Houck - Grace UMC, Hummelstown, Pa., Lebanon Valley College Abigail Stoner - Camp Hill UMC, Camp Hill, Pa., Lebanon Valley College Alexandra Miller


- Baughman


Memorial UMC, New Cumberland, Pa., Lycoming College Brooke Barrett - Christ UMC,


Yorkana, Pa., Arcadia University Emma Musto - Lenoxville UMC, Lenoxville, Pa., Albright College Cassie Harrison - First Williamsport UMC, Williamsport,


Pa., Houghton


College Rachel Shaffer - Donnally Mills


UMC, Millerstown, Pa., Lebanon Valley College Taylor Pfaff - Camp Hill UMC, Camp Hill, Pa., Duke University Divinity School Adam Evanko - Park Forest Village


UMC, State College, Pa., Lebanon Valley College Dennis Wilt - Wehnwood UMC, Altoona, Pa., Juniata College Christine Hallman - Fishburn UMC, Hershey, Pa., Lebanon Valley College Margaret West - First Mansfield UMC, Mansfield, Pa., Allegheny College Lisa Aronson - First Mechanicsburg UMC, Mechanicsburg, Pa., Evangelical Theological Seminary Aaron Wink - Christ UMC, Selinsgrove, Pa., Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania


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


United Methodist Church students may apply for a Fall 2017 GBHEM scholarship online between January 3 – March 1, 2017, at http://www.gbhem.org/ loans-and-scholarships. Student loans are also available at interest rates as low as 3.75% with a credit worthy co-signer. Thank


recognizing United Methodist Student Day, World


Sunday, and Native American Sunday, which


help fund a portion of these loans and scholarships. The remaining funds for these awards come from gifts, annuities, and endowments GBHEM has invested and administered for decades.


Susquehanna LINK belongs to the churches of the Susquehanna Conference. You are free to reprint any of our content —with the exception of reprinted material. Graphics, posters, and photos are available by request; please email seckert@susumc.org


Prepare the next quadrennial plan and theme


Propose the plan to this year’s Annual Conference for adoption Plan should include a review and adjustment of our structure as needed


you for your support in Communion


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