QuikLINK – September 1, 202


Alive in Christ together we embody the beloved community of disciple-making congregations

Friday, September 1, 2023

LEVEL UP! NEW PLACES, NEW PEOPLE
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO SEPTEMBER 8
Are you ready to take your ministry to the next level?
You and a team from your church/charge are invited to Christ UMC in Bethel Park (near Pittsburgh) on November 10 and 11 to attend Level Up! New Places, New People sponsored by the Western PA, West Virginia and Susquehanna Conferences.
This two-day learning and equipping event is designed to be a catalyst for your ministry as you discern and take your next steps in 2024 and beyond. You will have the opportunity to hear from Rachel Gilmore, Luke Edwards, and Michael Beck during our group sessions and attend three different workshops with these keynote speakers and other leaders, all real-world practitioners of the ministry concepts they teach.
Additional resources will be available to you and your team before, during, and after the event and CEU’s are available
For more information on the event, workshop presenters and to register please visit susumc.org/level-up/
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CAMP & RETREAT MINISTRY (CRM) IS SEEKING A PROJECT MANAGER
The Susquehanna Conference Camp & Retreat Ministry is now hiring a Vision Forward Project Manager to help implement a new strategic plan.
This position will work with our directors and the executive board to manage communications and timelines for working groups, develop stories and promotional pieces highlighting our efforts, and establish strong relationships with new partners who will help expand the reach and impact of the ministry. This work is expected to take approximately 18 months and candidates with project management software experience are preferred.
For more details, see our job description. Interested candidates should send an application and resume to apply@susumc.org. Interviews will be performed on a rolling basis.
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RETIRED MINISTERS’ FELLOWSHIP MEETING
The Retired Ministers’ Fellowship of the Susquehanna Conference will meet on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at Otterbein UMC, 647 Forge Road, Carlisle.  There will be coffee fellowship at 9:30 a.m; devotions, a program and a business meeting at 10; and lunch at noon.  The program will be a soloist, handbells, and a piano-organ duet. Reservations may be made with Rev. Myron Jones, 669 Asbury Lane, Altoona, PA 16601-8710.
DOWNLOAD RSVP FORM
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REFRESH YOUR PLAN
Saturday, September 30 at Christ Community UMC (3939 Park Rd. Selinsgrove, PA 17870).
We are especially pleased to have Ken Willard, Director of Congregational Vitality for the West Virginia Annual Conference, lead us in a training around how to develop a strategic focus to ministry planning.
Ken will also be discussing how to create and/or refresh your ministry plan. He will also offer training around how to have a strategic ministry focus. This event is open to both clergy and laity, and we especially encourage ministry teams to attend this training together!
Do you want to make a difference in your church and community, but don’t know where to begin or how to make a plan? This event is for you!
Cost – $10.00
.6 CEU’s are available
REGISTER TODAY
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BOUNDARIES TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
All clergy, CLM’s and laity (including church staff) who function in a pastoral role are required to take Boundaries every four years.  This is the required course that fulfills the initial Boundaries requirement and also satisfies the 4 year renewal requirement.

  • A Boundaries Training will be held on October 10, 2023 (9 am – 3 pm) at Christ Community UMC, 5715 Roselawn, Altoona PA  16602. Bring your own lunch (it will be a working lunch).  Instructor will be Rev. Marian Hartman. REGISTER HERE

View Boundaries Training webpage for all course currently scheduled
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UPCOMING WEBINAR SERIES
Glimpses of the Beloved Community and How to Achieve It
CEU’s are available
Laity and Clergy, please join us on Thursday, October 12 (6:30 – 7:30pm) for the fourth in a series of webinar conversations hosted by The Beloved Community Commission. This webinar will be with Rev. Luther B. Felder, Campus Pastor and Assistant Professor of Theology at Paine College in Augusta, Georgia; speaking with us about Glimpses of the Beloved Community and How to Achieve It.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER TODAY
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2024 HEALTH & PENSION RATES NOW AVAILABLE
Once again inflation and increased utilization has conspired to increase our health insurance costs, AND thanks to the United Methodist Connection, Wespath has capped all rate increases at 12%.
Knowing that our local churches are struggling, the Board of Pensions has worked diligently to reduce costs and ease the burden of an increase.Therefore, the 2024 composite health insurance rate will be $18,360 (up 11% from$16,500 in 2023). Pastor’s contributions may be found at susumc.org/health-pension-benefits/ under the 2024 Health Insurance tab.
For questions, please contact the Conference Benefits Administrator, Jason Mackey at jmackey@susumc.org.
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FULL-TIME PASTORS! UNDERSTAND YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE
Rates are going up and there are changes coming to your health insurance…maybe now is the time to learn about your options. The Wespath Benefits Education team will be leading two training sessions to help pastors understand their health plan options, how to navigate annual enrollment, and to learn the difference between an HSA, HRA, and FSA.
Join us: Tuesday, October 17, 1-3 pm at Carlisle UMC or Wednesday, October 18, 10 am – 12 noon at Wesley UMC, Bloomsburg
Please sign up for one of these sessions here.
For questions, please contact the Conference Benefits Administrator, Jason Mackey at jmackey@susumc.org.
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CONFERENCE BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES GRANTS
The Conference Board of Global Ministries offers grants to help churches in the Susquehanna Conference grow in their discipleship capacity in relation to loving their neighbors. Areas of particular focus are disaster relief, volunteers in missions, missions, justice, evangelism, advocacy, and training related to these topics. Grants can be applied for on a rolling basis. Our next application deadline is September 30.
LEARN MORE & APPLY TODAY
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YOUTH WORKERS’ RETREAT
Just like a youth retreat…but without the youth!
November 3-4, 2023 at Wesley Forest Camp & Retreat Center.
Come for a time to connect with other youth leaders from all over the conference and find renewal for your life and ministry.
Opportunities include a workshop on using creative dislocation to foster faith formation in your community, one on one coaching, and information sessions on how conference connections can support your local ministries!  There will also be optional renewal opportunities including a guided prayer walk, yoga, and time for rest.
This year you are invited to come early on Friday to enjoy time at Wesley Forest before our gathering begins
Cost $25 Childcare is available and is included
Register by October 15

Please pray for the people of Maui as they recover from the devastating wildfires.
If you wish to contribute financially to the relief and recovery efforts,  go to The California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church they have set up a link to give financially; or financial contributions can also be given and designated for “Hawaii” by going to UMCOR’s US Disaster Response page.

For the weeks of September 3 – 9

LaAnna UMC, Cresco
Woodvale UMC, Wood
Hope UMC, Port Trevorton
Mount Pleasant UMC, Morris
Williamstown UMC, Williamstown
Mount Pisgah Trinity UMC, York
McVeytown UMC, McVeytown
Athens UMC, Athens
St. John’s UMC, Hegins
Lamar UMC, Lamar

View Future Lists

 

 

MORE RESOURCES:

  • Attract visitors to your church with new Find-A-Church updates – Local United Methodist churches have an opportunity to share what their church is all about with those who are searching for the right church home. Thanks to new, expanded search options on UMC.org’s Find-A-Church online directory, visitors can filter results to identify a church that matches their needs and preferences. But first, churches need to update their profiles to make that information available.

  • Floods, Fires, and Thoughts of Kids – What steps can we take to theologically process through natural disasters with children? Tiffany Hollums has some tips. Find Encouragement