Susquehanna LINK - February 2017


WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS Being an “open door”


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


“Open hearts, open minds,


open doors.” Our past United Methodist slogan leaves us the question of whether this is a description of us or whether “open” is a verb, an action for us yet to do. Yet no matter which way you respond, our life hinges on a bigger question. The question is: “How?”


When we describe ourselves as open, how are we? Is it because of what we show others or the true motivation we know deep in our hearts and minds?


When we “open” hearts, minds, and doors, how do we? Are we talking about doing this to ourselves or others? Or for ourselves and others? How? With great force or a gentle knock? We are called to be open when the cold of the world in weather and news tempts us to huddle in the warmth of our own comfort and community. Instead of self- improvement, we must dream of


church and world improvements too. So many talk about building bridges and taking down walls that they forget to look for a doorway. Look hard and open your heart and mind. Is there a door? Is there a door to that broken relationship or to that new possibility that should be tried first before doing all


that work on bridges and


walls? What doors do you have to open this year? How will you be an open door? As we start Lent, let’s remember January comes from the Latin for “door” and February from the Latin word for “purification.” God calls us to be open to newness and to humility as we march forward into this next holy season. Only he can guide us through our doorways together with him. How?


“Ask, and it will be given to


you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)


For more information contact Phyllis Bowers at (local) 717-766-7343 or (toll-free) 1-877-619-5974 or e-mail pbowers@umstewardship.org


to call for 2019 General Conference Sets forth actions to involve the whole


church in prayer and conversation. St. Simons Island, Ga.: Through an affirmative vote at their fall meeting this week, the United Methodist Council of Bishops expressed their intent to call for a special session of the General Conference in either February or March of 2019 and asked the business manager of the General Conference to move forward with exploring venues and a bid search. The


Constitution of The United PLEASE NOTE


Due to renovations in the conference office and the re-location of Discovery Place, we will be closed for the month of March. All requests for materials needed by April 15 should be sent to us by


February 28, 2017. Please return materials due in March as you finish with them.


We are sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience and understanding. Thank you! Joni Robison


discovery@susumc.org 717-766-7968 or 800-682-2615


OUR HERITAGE


January – 100 years ago On January 30, 1917, five


DR. MILTON LOYER


Conference Archivist


clergy acting with direction from the Central Pennsylvania Conference


of the Methodist


Episcopal Church notarized their application to form a corporation to be known as “The Christ Home” specifically “for the purpose of establishing and conducting an institution for the maintenance and the industrial, intellectual and religious training of children committed to its care.” Because that name was not well received by church members, it was later changed to “The Methodist Home for Children.”


Until funds could be raised to purchase a location in a farm setting, it was decided to establish a temporary Home. In 1919 a large Victorian house at 318 W. Main Street in Mechanicsburg was purchased and refitted to begin the ministry. In 1921 the Rupp farm adjoining the borough of Shiremanstown was purchased, and in 1926 the children were transferred to what was said to be “the first all-cottage home for children in Pennsylvania” and “a model for those to follow.” Today, the United Methodist Home for Children Inc. continues


February – 50 years ago The Board of Evangelism of the


Central Pennsylvania Conference of the Methodist Church organized a spiritual life retreat February 24-26, 1967, at camp Greene Hills. Ernest Logan of the General Board of Evangelism led the gathering and promoted THE TWELVE – a national movement within the denomination where persons “are


disciplined those outside Participants to


proceed beyond prayer and Bible study to witnessing for Christ and visiting church.”


the in THE


TWELVE commit themselves to “attend group meetings, pray daily their


for each other, volunteer services, and share


their


possessions.” Those attending the retreat were trained to present and encourage witnessing in their congregations either within THE TWELVE movement or as part of a local evangelistic thrust.


The


to offer residential care, individual and family counseling, adoption/ permanency services, and other ministries in the name of Christ.


Methodist Church provides that the Council of Bishops may call a special session of the General Conference possessing the authority and exercising all the powers of the General Conference. Business to be considered during such a session would be limited to the purpose defined within the call, which also would include the time and place. The Council’s action stops short of making the actual call for a special session, which is expected to come at some point after the Commission on a Way Forward begins its work. The Council’s Executive Committee brought the recommendation to the full Council for consideration and action after exploring the feasibility of meeting in either 2018 or 2019. “A requirement that materials be in the hands of delegates at least 230 days before such a session makes it unlikely that the Commission could complete its work in time to meet that deadline for a 2018 meeting, so 2019 seemed to us to be the best option,” said Bishop Bruce R. Ough, president of the Council. “The purpose of broadening the time frame to either February or March is to afford more flexibility in finding a suitable and available location.”


Such a special session would be composed of delegates to the preceding General Conference - or their lawful successors - unless a conference prefers to have a new election. The Council received a report from the moderators of the Way Forward about composition of commission membership, a plan for the first meetings and a strategy for communication. The Council also voted to approve


a recommendation from the Executive Committee to initiate a conversational process among clergy and laity within annual and central conferences that would parallel the work of the Commission on a Way Forward. Each bishop would be free to structure the process and timeline according to the specific needs and context of their area, using some suggested questions as a starting point. Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett


and


Bishop Al Gwinn, co-chairs of the Praying Our Way announced


the prayer second during a designated week.


Forward Initiative, phase of the


appeal, which involves each conference making a commitment to come together in


The effort would begin January 1, 2017, and continue into 2018. The first phase involved a commitment from bishops for daily prayer focused on the selection and initial efforts of the Commission. “We want the church and the Commission on a Way Forward to be led by God. This prayer emphasis puts us in a posture where as a church we are asking and listening for God’s leadership,” said Bishop Wallace-Padgett.


“Our prayer


focus is twofold: We are praying that God will help us to more effectively fulfill the mission of the church. And we are praying to be one in Christ.”


She said they are inviting persons to:


pray daily for the church’s effectiveness in fulfilling our mission of making disciples and for the outcome of the work of the Commission on a Way Forward participate in their conference’s week of prayer; fast weekly as they are able for The United Methodist Church and our future Bishop Gwinn said the Council is working in partnership The Upper Room, which has developed a website called UMCprays.org. “The website features many tools and resources to help you to plan your week of prayer,” said Bishop Gwinn. “Each week will feature information about what is happening in the conference that is praying that week, including a prayer-focused blog written by the bishop in that area.”


United Methodist Communications umcpresscenter.org


for that we are very grateful. Yet there are more lives to save and impact in the name of the One who calls us to be His agents in a world that hungers for restoration. Bishop’s Partners in Mission is grateful to those who signed up to be Ambassadors for this life affirming call:


Altoona Schwartzman;


Interested in saving lives and restoring hope? Bishops Partners in Mission is


recruiting ambassadors


Dr. Dilip Abayasekara, Field Coordinator


Bishop’s Partners in Mission churches


and people of the


Susquehanna Conference have responded to the appeal to save lives from malaria (Imagine No Malaria) and restore hope locally, nationally, and internationally by reducing Mission Central’s debt. They have contributed more than $560,000, and


District: Pastor Jason Harrisburg District:


Russell Goodman and Carol Evertts; Lewisburg District: Rev. Strother Gross; Scranton-Wilkes-Barre District: Pastor Fred Snyder and Pastor T.J. McCabe; York District: Larry Speer, Rev. Richard Bowers, and Pastor Lourdes Stevens. Yet in a conference that has more than 900 churches, we need more Ambassadors to raise awareness, educate, and provide leadership to raise funds for BPIM. We are actively searching for lay and clergy members who will step up for this cause. Education, training, and resources will be provided.


If you are interested or for more information, please contact BPIM Field Coordinator, Dr. Dilip Abayasekara at 717-766-7441, ext. 3108 or by email at DAbayasekara@susumc.org.


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Free resources for your local church can be found at www.discovery-place.org


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