Susquehanna Conference 
October 2017 Newsletter

Bishop's Desk

This fall seems to be rather full with travel and speaking appointments.  The end of September found me in California.  The 1st weekend in October in the Philadelphia area, and this past weekend in Florida for the Hispanic Convention, along with other members of Leadership Council.  I am then scheduled to speak at Messiah Village for their Missions Conference and will be leading a group to India November 1 - 15.  This trip is focused on Radio Ministry and I am looking to connect with our team in Thailand who are also coming for the event.  The Lord is good in bringing things together.  Your prayers will be appreciated.

Bishop Ken
In This Issue
MDD Day

November 9th
Save the Day!

Open Hands Ministries








A ministry of spiritual direction and faith coaching for pastors.

If you would like to learn more about spiritual direction or faith coaching, I am willing to pay for coffee, a breakfast or a lunch to explore their benefits for your ministry.  Please call or email me using the contact information below. Or visit our website,
Openhands.us.  In the meantime, I am praying for you and your congregation.

Eldon Fry
(717)385-3980

Renovate 2017
It was wonderful to spend time with some forty-two different people at our ministry retreat at the Christian Retreat Center.  Our theme was Renovate, as we looked at our own life experience and what God wants to do as next steps in our life and ministry.  The theme was broken down into three processes of Evaluate, Demolish and Rebuild.  It was great to spent time together and work on our lives.  We also had plenty of time to experience the beauty of CRC, their great retreat facilities, and their wonderful hospitality.  God has blessed us with a great resource for activities for youth and adults.

Bishop's Search
Bishop Ken Hoke will be coming to the end of his term of service at General Conference next year.  The search process for the next person to be the Bishop of the Susquehanna Conference is moving forward under the able leadership of our National Director, Alan Robinson.  We aren't ready for any announcements, but the interview process and other activities are moving forward.  Continue to pray for God's leading in all that happens through this process.

Save the Day - MDD Day!
The next Ministry Development day is November 9, 2017 at Grantham BIC. Details for this event will be coming the beginning of next week. Save this date!
All congregations need to take action:
Please be sure to process the material you received from the denominational office in September.  We decided together at our last General Conference (now General Assembly) to consolidate the statements of the Constitution and the Bylaws as we move forward.  This requires all congregations to take action on this material in your congregational council.  Please see the  material that was send to you.
 

2017 Brethren in Christ study conference
   
Friday, Nov. 10, 2017
Messiah College

"Prophetic Mission: Being the Church in a Post-Church Age"
 
Online registration is now open for the 2017 Brethren in Christ study conference hosted by the Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan Studies at Messiah College.
 
The full-day conference requires a pre-registration fee of $30.

Participants who do not wish to register online can download the conference brochure and follow the instructions for registering via postal mail.
 
Visit the  sider institute website for more information.

Honor the Past: Build the Future Campaign

Imagine $1 Million Raised in 1 Year - Honor the Past: Build the Future Campaign

At General Assembly 2018, we seek to celebrate having raised $1 million in 1 year for the Honor the Past: Build the Future campaign. We are inviting individuals, congregations, and businesses to prayerfully consider giving to this special 1-in-1 effort. Find out more details here!

Pastors and Church Boards
Plans are in place for a great day on February 17, 2018.  The Atlantic and Susquehanna Development Teams are planning for a training day for Church Boards.  We are delighted that Dr. Tim Elmore will be with us.  See the  promo piece  to get more details.  Plan now to participate.  Registrations are due a month ahead of time.  This will be our MDD for the winter quarter.

Directed Study Courses - Spring 2018

The Brethren in Christ U.S. is providing ministry training opportunities for 2018:  registration is now open for Spring Term 2018 DSP courses and 2018 core courses. 

Directed Study Courses  - Spring term begins January 8 and runs through April 20.

To check out these courses and/or to register go to https://bicus.org/training/directed-study-program/  

Core Courses

Theology of the Church - Taught by Dr. Terry Brensinger
   Hollowell BIC, Waynesboro, PA                         June 11-13, 2018                  8:30 am - 4:30 pm
 
BIC History and Values - Taught by Dr. John Yeatts
   Elizabethtown BIC, Elizabethtown, PA               July 30-August 1, 2018         8:30 am - 4:30 pm
 
Theology of Salvation - Taught by Dr. Alan Robinson
   Fairview BIC, Englewood, OH                            August 9, 2018                     7:00-9:30 pm
                                                                              August 10-11, 2018              8:00 am - 4:00 pm
 
Leadership and Structure Within the Brethren in Christ Church - Taught by Dr. Layne Lebo
   BIC U.S. Church Offices, Mechanicsburg, PA    August 13-15, 2018              8:30 am - 4:30 pm
 
To check out these courses and/or to register go to https://bicus.org/training/core-courses/

If you have any questions, contact Donna Sturr, Registrar at  [email protected]  or 717.697.2634, ext. 5435.
 
Blessings!
 
Donna Sturr
Assistant for Leadership Development