On November 3, 2025, members of the Strategic Visioning Task Force gathered in Corning, NY, to continue the vital visioning work the Susquehanna Conference committed to earlier this year.
The gathering also provided an opportunity to meet alongside colleagues from the Upper New York Conference for a shared time of learning and reflection with consultants Mike Bonem, Daniel White, and Tod Bolsinger. While both conferences are walking parallel paths of discernment, each is engaging in its own unique visioning process, developing distinct statements and strategies shaped by the Spirit’s movement within their particular contexts.
The day opened with a powerful session led by Tod Bolsinger, who deepened the team’s understanding of the adaptive challenges and opportunities ahead. Many will recognize Tod as the author of Canoeing the Mountains, a book that has guided many faith communities through seasons of significant change.
Following the morning’s shared learning, the Susquehanna team turned its focus to the next phase of our conference’s visioning journey, reflecting on insights drawn from the conference-wide survey conducted earlier this fall. One thousand six hundred people – including clergy (active and retired), CLMs, Lay Supply pastors, Lay Members to Annual Conference, Local Church Lay Leaders, and those elected through the nominations report – were invited to participate. Over 200 respondents shared their voices and perspectives, offering valuable input to help shape this process.
Early analysis of the data is already revealing key themes that the team will explore further in the coming months. During the week of November 16, focus groups will gather to listen more deeply and expand understanding of what emerged from the survey. Insights from these focus groups, combined with the survey results, will form the team’s work through December and January as they discern the next faithful steps for the Susquehanna Annual Conference.
We invite you to continue praying for God’s wisdom and the continued movement of the Holy Spirit in this work. Hope and anticipation are growing among the team as glimpses of God’s unfolding vision begin to take shape.
Stay tuned for the next update in late January, as we continue walking together toward the future God is preparing for us.