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Susquehanna Conference
June 2018 Newsletter
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Bishop's Desk
Daily Discipline
What are the things that are part of your daily routine? Running through a day you may think of brushing your teeth, drinking a morning beverage, reading communications, caring for work, caring for family, consuming food, and the list can go on as we look at our routine. Does your daily discipline include prayer and Scripture? Some of you know that I read the Bible through every year, and portions of it twice during the year. Along with this, I have a discipline of writing daily prayers. They focus around the day ahead, and sometimes around the Scripture read. One thing about my written prayers is that the first word in almost every prayer is Father. I love to worship God and adore God in prayer. Thanking God for the blessings of life and praying about the reality of life are a natural conversation. Reading the story of Scripture, again and again, locks it in my mind. I have been doing it for some forty plus years. The thing that I enjoy most about this daily discipline is that it is about my walk and relationship with my Father. God is with us. God loves us. God shows the way. As we soon celebrate our earthly fathers, make sure that you are also celebrating your heavenly Father. What a privilege!
Bishop Ken
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Bishop's Desk
tran·si·tion
tranˈziSH(ə)n,tranˈsiSH(ə)n/
noun
1. the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
Transition is a part of life. Walking. Driving. Graduating. Moving locations. Changing jobs. And along the way there are indicators of transition even if we forget or are unaware: Gray hairs. Less hair. Wrinkles. Extra pounds.
When we have the time to recognize transition, to sit in the space between what has been and is to come, there is a gift of opportunity provided to reflect and dream. To reflect on all that God has done. To recognize his merciful hand that has provided a way forward through every failure, pain, and loss. To praise him for his faithful presence in times of wandering, questioning, and confusion. And to remember his might as he provided victory, blessings, and hope.
In addition, we are given space to dream about whatever it is that is in front of us. It is a blank canvas of opportunity to anticipate new works of God. Because of his faithfulness in the past, we are assured of his presence and goodness in the days ahead. We seek his vision for what could be as we devote our lives to his leading. It is in this transition space that we're given time to set up piles of rocks, just as the Israelites did in the desert, as we remember God's faithfulness. In doing so, the hope of our future is solidly given over to the wonderful, powerful, mighty hand of God. The future may be unclear, but the One who leads us into the future is never in question.
The last 8 months have provided an extended transition time to both reflect and dream. In these times of reflection, I've thought a lot about the amazing people who have influenced my life over the last 19 years of ministry and reflected on the wonderful leadership Bishop Ken has provided the Susquehanna Conference. During my times of reflection, I have often paused to thank God for the gift he's given in people and the relationships that he has provided through them. I am a better husband, pastor and human being because of the many men and women who have influenced me and provided friendship and provided an environment where I would be challenged and encouraged.
As Bishop Ken has graciously invited me into the life of our conference, I've been reflecting on the good work of God throughout the Susquehanna Conference family. As I've viewed websites, listened to sermons and watched from a distance the activity of our conference, I thank God for all of you who are passionately and faithfully partnering with God to make the message of Jesus known in our world.
There is also the dreaming that transition allows. We are so excited for the opportunity to walk alongside all of you, as we expectantly watch for the power of God to move throughout central-Pennsylvania, Maryland and beyond. Because we know God's heart to bring all people to himself, we trust his goodness to use those of us in the Susquehanna Conference to take the hope of Jesus throughout our cities and neighborhoods until every person has been given countless opportunities to respond to the name of Jesus. We can anticipate God calling us to try things we've never tried, go to places we've never been and take godly risks like never before. Then, we watch expectantly to see what God will do.
We are getting closer and closer to the culmination of this time of transition. We are looking forward to the 2,600 mile journey that will begin on June 25th and conclude in Dillsburg on July 5th. We are so excited to start the next leg of the journey with you, seeking God's direction, praying for him to pour our his Spirit and preparing to celebrate the great things he will do among us.
With great anticipation,
Bob Beaty
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General Assembly
July 13 - 16, 2018
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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.
In the meantime, I am praying for you and your congregation.
Eldon Fry
(717) 385-3980
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As we come to the end of June there are several pastoral transitions taking place. Bob and Luanne Verno are completing their years of service at the West Shore Church. Dennis and Joanna Ritchey are completing their service at the Pleasant Valley Church. And at the beginning of the month, John and Nancy Melhorn completed their service at the Faith Church. Every situation is different, but I am so very grateful for those who serve among us as our pastors and leaders. We pray the best for each of these families and their congregations in this time of transition.
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June 27
Vision Team and Cohorts Meeting at McBiC at 11:30 a.m.
July 13
Awaken One Day Retreat
July 13 - 16
General Assembly at Messiah College
Sept 23 - 25
Ministry Enrichment Retreat at CRC
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The registration deadline for General Assembly 2018 and the Awaken Seminar is nearly a week away:
Sunday, June 17, 2018, 12:00 a.m. PST.
Register for General Assembly or
Awaken Seminar now. One lifelong BIC learning credit will be awarded to ministers who participate in the Awaken Seminar.
- Have you registered for General Assembly and did not sign up for breakout seminars? Contact Bridget Nace, registrar, at (717) 697-2634 ext. 5437 or via email before the June 17 registration deadline to ensure attendance space is available.
- Have you registered for Awaken Seminar or General Assembly and did not receive confirmation? Contact Bridget Nace, registrar, at (717) 697-2634 ext. 5437 or via email, as several reports show complications with our registration module.
We look forward to seeing each of you at General Assembly 2018, being held on the campus of Messiah College from Friday, July 13, through Monday, July 16, 2018!
Sincerely,
General Assembly 2018 Planning Team
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August 1 - Antonio Gonzalez
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BIC U.S. World Missions is bringing
Antonio Gonzalez, pastor of our church in Hoyo, Spain, to PA to speak at Roxbury Holiness Camp Meeting on Missions Day, August 8, and at several other venues.
You are invited to a meeting with Antonio and his wife Aida on Wednesday, August 1, from 9 to 11
at Grantham Church. They will share their personal faith stories, and Antonio will talk about his journey of coming to appreciate and embrace an Anabaptist understanding of the gospel.
If you plan to attend this meeting, please send a brief email to World Missions to let them know. If others are coming with you, indicate the total number of persons coming
. Send your message
to:
[email protected]
.
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Night of Worship - August 10
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Directed Study Courses - Summer 2018
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The Brethren in Christ U.S. is providing ministry training opportunities for 2018: registration is now open for Summer Term 2018 DSP courses and 2018 core courses.
Directed Study Courses
- Summer term begins May 7 and runs through August 10.
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
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
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