| What happened at the 2025 Susquehanna Annual Conference? Visit the 2025 Annual Conference Webpage to view the Susquehanna Daily LINKs, the Livestream Archive, and the photo gallery. |
| Highlights from the 16th Session of Annual Conference Thursday, May 29 The Board of Laity, led by Dr. Joyce Davis, opened Annual Conference with a powerful Laity Session, reminding us that the call to ministry is for all followers of Christ – not just clergy. [Watch the session here.]Opening Worship, centered on John 11:1-45, explored resurrection not as a past miracle, but as a present call to transformation. Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez challenged us to expand our spiritual vision: “If we believe in resurrection, then we must believe it is a present reality – the new life is possible now.” [Watch Opening Worship here.] The first plenary session began with a refresher on the rules of holy conferencing, acceptance of the agenda and reports. The first report was from the Committee on Nominations presented by the chair, Pastor Theresa Heiser. [Watch her report and all that followed here.] Friday, May 30 Bishop Héctor opened the day with his Episcopal Address, introducing the new UMC vision and its implications for our shared mission in Susquehanna. [Watch starting at 1:16:00.]The Memorial Service moved to Friday morning, welcoming over 40 family members and friends to honor clergy and spouses who passed this year. Rev. Brenda Leigey, Superintendent of the Mountain Valley District, preached a moving message on discipleship as a spiritual marathon, inspired by Paul’s words in Philippians and 2 Timothy: “We run because Jesus ran. The Holy Spirit is our coach. [Watch the service here.]Rev. Kris Sledge and Rev. Rachel Gilmore led a critical session on why younger generations are leaving the church – and how we can faithfully response. [Watch their presentation here.] [Order their book here.]That evening, clergy and laity celebrated ministries across the Conference. Joy filled the Community Arts Center as we honored retiring pastors, new ordinands, and commissioned and licensed ministers. Bishop Robin Dease, Resident Bishop of the Georgia Episcopal Area, preached a stirring word of hope, drawn from her experience as a police chaplain and rooted in Acts 4:1-20. She reminded us that in times of crisis, people need hope – and that preachers are called to share the hope of Christ with boldness. [Watch the service here.] Saturday, May 31 Annual Conference concluded with a Closing Worship service, reaffirming out call to faithful witness and praying over those appointed to new churches. [Watch the service here.] [See the updated list of appointments here.] |
| ALL THINGS CONSIDERED In addition to the usual business of approving the budget and nominations, the body also considered 4 constitutional amendments and 11 resolutions. Information about the constitutional amendments can be found here. Below are the 11 resolutions considered during our 16th Session (all of which were approved). You can read more about them here. Strategic Visioning and Planning Process Call to Respond to Inequality and Injustice Disability Awareness Sunday Increasing Accessibility in Annual Conference Support for Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding Schools Gun Violence Prevention Creation of a Commission on Sacred Worth Support of Conference Advance Specials Involvement in Peace with Justice Ministry United Methodist Immigration Response Designate a Beloved Community Sunday |