Annual Conference District Care Kit Challenge

As United Methodist Christians, we have a long history of putting hands and feet to the prayers that we lift. Built into our DNA as a faith tradition are two incredibly important truths: 1) Our faith is never separated from our actions. What we believe about Jesus is lived out in the ways that we seek to make a difference in the world. 2) We believe that we are able to do more together than the sum of our individual contributions. When it comes to the Body of Christ working together – being one with each other and one in ministry to the world, 1 plus 1 always equals more than two.

In order to experience that, the Susquehanna Conference (that’s all of us, friends) is being issued an invitation, or a challenge. Between now and the 2020 session of Annual Conference, to be held at Hershey Lodge next May 28-30, churches in all seven districts are each being asked to collect one item which is used to make up Mission Central Care Kits. Churches are then asked to send those items with their pastor and/or lay member to Annual Conference. During Annual Conference, participants will have the opportunity to work together to tangibly live out our call to work for the transformation of the world by assembling those care kits – which will then be distributed through our partners at Mission Central and UMCOR.

• Altoona District is asked to collect new, adult size washcloths.
• Harrisburg District is asked to collect ¾” to 1” adhesive bandages, banded together in groups of 6.
• Lewisburg District is asked to collect hand towels, good quality, preferably 15X25 – 17X27 inches in size.
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre District is asked to collect new toothbrushes, which should be left in original, individual packaging.
• State College District is asked to collect new combs, preferably those which are sturdy and have 6 inches of teeth.
• Williamsport District is asked to collect bath size soap bars, 3 ounces or larger in original packaging. No Ivory or Jergen’s soap, please.
• York District is asked to collect toenail or fingernail clippers.

There are over 800 churches in the Susquehanna Annual Conference, and we would love to assemble at least one care kit for each church to reflect the power we have when we come together. To reach this goal, each district is challenged to collect 1,000 of its designated items and see what God can do when we act as one with each other in ministry to the world.