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A note from the bishop's desk | |
Belonging.
For some of us, simply hearing the word belonging stirs a deep longing within. Others would describe it as sweetly resonating with our current experience. For some of us, a wall immediately goes up because we have been connected before and have known too many broken relationships to trust again in the idea of belonging.
Yet, this word belonging echoes the very heart of the gospel.
We have been created to intimately know and be known by our Creator and Savior. We are called to live out his love in significant relationships of community. We are compelled and propelled toward transformation as we learn to apply God’s principles in everyday life – even as we are being stretched and challenged by one another, supported and encouraged by each other. We understand and demonstrate God’s character most genuinely when our lives are intertwined with others. This is how discipleship comes to life!
At the same time, we acknowledge that with the blessing of belonging, also exists the pain of loss. Many of us have experienced significant grief over losses these past few years: loved ones lost to Covid and other disease, long-time friends choosing another church community, the distancing effect of social media, shifting relationships in seasons of retirement and relocation. The truth is these losses can be deeply painful.
As an introvert who loves people, I find these relational losses particularly difficult. Yet, I have also experienced some of the most powerful God-moments in the restoration of belonging. Moments in which God re-engages me in belonging as he whispers his ever-present love and acceptance to my heart. Moments in which the Spirit works in me to help me love my enemies and forgive those who have hurt me. Seeing God provide new friends - brothers and sisters who can be trusted because I trust their commitment to Christ. Situations in which we give and receive support, encouragement, and other gifts of grace in action have reminded me what a good God we serve.
Belonging. A word reflecting both pain and beauty, heartache and possibility.
My prayer for us in the Susquehanna Conference is that we will be a people committed to living out the hopeful blessing of belonging in the context of community. May we each know sweet communion with Christ. May we work to stay connected when distance and difference divide. May we demonstrate the Good News of the gospel through lives that reflect the goodness and graciousness of God at all times. May we bring God glory as we re-commit to Christlike living and loving expressed in our community of belonging.
Blessings,
Bishop Heather
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Please Welcome our New Pastors! | |
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Jemison Valley BIC welcomes Guy Murray as their new Pastor this August. He and his wife, Lauren, are moving back to Pennsylvania from the mountains of North Carolina. Guy is an ordained minister who has also led a company that provides mental health counseling, Christian counseling and drug and alcohol counseling.
Guy is a former competitive fly fisherman and loves to spend time on the water fishing with Lauren and teaching veterans to fly fish for the Veteran Service Program in Central PA. He and Lauren also enjoy short road trips exploring new areas and sight seeing. The couple has three adult boys living in Washington, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Pastor Guy is excited to be leading Jemison Valley Church into a new season of kingdom growth focused on building disciples and ambassadors for Christ.
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We are thankful God has called David Parry to serve as the pastor at Messiah Village BIC Church. David is a graduate of Eastern University, Southern Baptist Seminary and Ashland Seminary. After many years as a pastor and as a chaplain in Ohio, he served for two years as the chaplain for Wesley Village (CCRC), Pittston, Pennsylvania. During his years of pastoral ministry, David also served in a variety of denominational leadership positions and boards.
Pastor David will be living in Mechanicsburg. He is widowed, but David and his wife, Robin, had three sons. David enjoys spending time with his six grandchildren, walking, gardening and reading.
He feels a special calling to ministry with older adults and celebrates great possibilities of spiritual growth.
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Many of you know our dear sister, Donna Sturr. Donna is fondly known as the faithful front-desk greeter at the Brethren in Christ Grantham offices and overseer of BIC credentialing and coursework. She has permitted us to share a significant update in her life so that you can be praying with us for her restoration.
Some of you may have been aware that Donna has been in the hospital recently. Following many tests, it was determined that Donna is in Stage 4 of Metastatic Breast Cancer. Presently, doctors are saying that surgery is not a treatment. The oncologist has ordered a brain MRI, a skin biopsy, and a PET scan. Following the results of these tests, he hopes to have a better prognosis. At this point, Donna has no pain, but she is on oxygen, and gets very short of breath. She says, "God has provided me with an unbelievable peace, and I want to make each day count." Those of you who interact with Donna know this is how she always engages life.
We would appreciate your prayers for Donna's healing and your understanding as she will be continuing her BIC work as long as possible. Clearly, some days will be easier than others in the months ahead. We love you, Donna, and we are with you in this journey!
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We have quite a few exciting events and new opportunities coming this fall. If you are a lead pastor, please remember that all of the following are part of your work agreement: Annual Meeting, Ministry Development Days, Impact Seminars, and Pastor Clusters. These are important connections for us to continue developing a better sense of community and collaboration as we work together to bring the Good News to more and more people in each of our communities. | | | |
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Those of you who were with us at this year's Susquehanna Conference Annual Meeting know that we are hoping that ALL of our Susquehanna Churches will have laid out and begun to implement a thoughtful and strategic discipleship plan by April 2024. How is the work coming on developing and integrating your congregation's Discipleship Pathway?
This year, we will continue to collectively focus on developing connections and opportunities where we are able to introduce people to Jesus, creating spaces for belonging, and providing consistent and intentional opportunities for developing maturity in our communities of Jesus followers. I have heard many exciting stories about how our Susquehanna churches have begun to engage these conversations.
This fall, our BIC Impact Seminar will focus on Discipleship as we learn together, take next steps in evaluating our church's progress, share ideas, and spend time discussing what is yet to come.
We know that the fall has been filling up and Impact Seminar plans have been delayed this year. So, we are choosing to replace our previously-scheduled Susquehanna Ministry Development Day with the BIC Impact Seminar on Thursday, October 26 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. The registration link and event location will be available by early September.
We encourage all lead pastors to invite staff, board members, and/or other key leaders who are helping you develop and implement the Discipleship Pathway in your local context.
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The Wesleyan Holiness Connection (WHC) represents pastors and leaders from different holiness denominations: BIC, Nazarene, Wesleyan, Salvation Army, and others who meet together for the purpose of pursuing unity between holiness groups. WHC will be hosting the first post-Covid interdenominational event for pastors and leaders in our area on our Messiah University campus on Thursday, August 31, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
At this event, various presenters representing similar but diverse leadership from these holiness denominations will be exploring the topic: Holiness for such a time as this! How do we approach different issues and topics from a holiness perspective as we lead and serve in 2023?
Some of the leaders speaking at the event will include:
- Jo Anne Lyon, General Superintendent-Emeritus, Wesleyan Church
- Bishop Lemuel Thuston, Chairman of General Assembly, Church of God in Christ
- Dr. David Busic, General Superintendent, Church of the Nazarene
There will also be a panel discussion, including at least one BIC representative, and table discussions for everyone to engage.
Registration for this event is free, but space is limited. So, please sign up soon if you would like to attend!
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We are thankful for all of you living in the Susquehanna Conference who have given your lives to the work of the gospel! Some of you have been asking when our retired pastors and missionaries will meet together again, and we are pleased to announce that our first post-Covid gathering will be this fall.
On Friday, October 6, we will be hosting a luncheon and program for all retired BIC ministers and missionaries and spouses at Messiah Village from 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. These are rich times together as we celebrate all that God has done and what he continues to do in our midst, and we look forward to another gathering of the saints this October!
You can register using the link below. When you complete your registration online, you will see that we are including a suggested donation of $15/person to help cover the cost of the event. Donations can be given online at the time of registration or at the event on October 6, but please do not let cost prohibit you from attending. Donations are appreciated but not expected. We want all of our retirees to be able to join us!
So, please put the Retired Ministers and Missionaries Luncheon on your calendar now, register soon, and invite other retired BIC ministers and missionaries living in our conference to join you! We realize that not everyone receives our conference newsletters or emails, so we would appreciate your help in passing the news along.
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August
Theology of the Church
August 14-16 from 8:30 am- 4:00 pm
Location: Mechanicsburg BIC Church
You can register here.
East Coast Wesleyan Holiness Connection Pastors' Day
Thursday, August 31 from 8:30-3:30
Location: Messiah University
Carlisle Pastors' Cluster
Wednesday, August 30 @ 8:00 a.m.
Location: Panera, Carlisle
September
South Central Pastors' Cluster
Wednesday, September 13 @ 9:00 a.m.
Location:
Las Raíces Historia y Valores de los Hermanos en Cristo
September 22-23 and September 29-30
Fridays 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Saturdays 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
You can register here.
Theological Study Zoom Conversation
Thursday, Sept 28 | 10:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Contact Bob Verno to Register:
bob@tmh.church
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October
Northern Pastors' Cluster
Thursday, October 5 at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Country Pride, Milesburg
Susquehanna Impact Seminar
Developing Discipleship Pathways
Thursday, October 26 from 9:00 - 3:00
Location: TBD
November
Carlisle Pastors' Cluster
Wednesday, November 29 @ 8:30 a.m.
Location: Panera, Carlisle
December
Praying for your holiday season!
January
Northern Pastors' Cluster
Thursday, January 4 at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Country Pride, Milesburg
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Susquehanna Conference of the Brethren in Christ US
431 Grantham Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Phone 717-461-2230
Email bicsusquehanna@bicus.org
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