More from Haiti

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One Great Hour of Sharing - Human Trafficking

Alisa (not her real name) fell prey to a human trafficker in her hometown in Armenia. She was just 20 years old and the single mother of a nine-month-old baby. The trafficker forced Alisa into prostitution by threatening to kidnap her young child if she did not do as he said. He kept her enslaved and took all the money she made.

Alisa felt isolated and without recourse, her only defender the grandmother with whom she and her child lived. She was one of the more than 12 million people around the world who today are trafficked into forced labor, bonded labor, or forced prostitution.

One night, more than a year after Alisa’s ordeal began, she happened to catch on a television news ticker the hotline number for a human-trafficking prevention program. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), which runs the program, invited anyone in need to call for information and assistance. Alisa wrote the number on the palm of her hand. It seemed to her a sign, a chance to change her awful life. UMCOR is funded by your generous gifts on One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday, Thank You.

When Alisa finally called the hotline, she was identified as a victim of human trafficking and promptly referred to UMCOR’s shelter. Police officers arrested the trafficker. She was safe. But now she had to deal with the trauma with which her experience had left her. Alisa found it impossible to speak, eat, or sleep, haunted as she was by her nightmarish life. She was unable to interact properly with the child she loved so much and remained fearful that the child would be taken from her. She felt desperate; the light in her eyes seemed to fade.

The shelter’s psychologists worked with Alisa to awaken in her the will to live. They spoke to her about how much her child needed her for support and for the child’s own future. Eventually, Alisa began to feel better, to eat, and even to cook. She started to speak and interact with the child, and, ultimately, the nightmares left her. With medical attention, Alisa’s physical health began to improve, and she was able to take care of her child on her own. She participated in culinary courses. The possibility of finding a job and supporting her child and grandmother brought the light back into her eyes.

Soon Alisa will leave the shelter and when she does, she will take with her the memories of kind people, good treatment, and new skills and knowledge that will help her rebuild her life.
Alisa escaped a life of slavery thanks to UMCOR Armenia’s Anti-Trafficking Project. While the problem of human trafficking seems overwhelming, the project’s staff focuses on each person in need who comes to them for help.

One Great Hour of Sharing - South Sudan

Twenty-one years of war have limited opportunities for education, livelihoods and businesses in South Sudan. Life has been hard. We were poor without a future. After the referendum, there was a new life, we started to rebuild houses and cultivate farms. A program for fish farming was started in Yei County from the neighboring country of Uganda, but it failed due to lack of skill and experience in the community.

In March 2011, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) introduced a new fish farm program to our village by bringing in a consultant to help us. We were a bit worried at the beginning that it would fail, but UMCOR and the consultant were confident. They explained to us the technical aspects of fish farming with minimal water resources. We were happy with the training delivered by UMCOR and the consultant. We were also happy that they provided us with the tools, equipment, and materials that we needed to construct the fishpond. Your gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday offering helps support the the administration costs of United Methodist Committee on Relief.
We selected a site for the pond and began constructing it based on the guidelines we received from UMCOR and the consultant in July 2011. We finished constructing it in October and we stocked it with fingerlings in November.

Our group members, especially the women, are happy with the result. We care for the fishpond daily and now we are preparing to have a poultry program that is integrated with raising fish. The women are also cultivating land close to the fishpond to grow vegetables. We hope that the vegetables will provide income in the short run while the waste from the vegetables will provide food for the fish, which will provide income later. We are confident that we will harvest fish after three to four months. Fresh fish go for a high price in Yei Town and Juba City, so we are confident that we will get a good price.

On behalf of the members of the Worok fishpond group in Kenyi Payam of Lainya County, we are really very impressed and thankful for receiving this program and fingerlings from UMCOR.
--By Malish Joseph, member of the Worok fishpond group in Kenyi Payam, Lainya County

Check out other stories!

Future Farmers and Mission Central

As part of the Future Farmers of America's (FFA) State Legislative Leadership Conference, 400 plus FFA Leaders are participating in volunteer service projects on Monday, March 19th at Mission Central and other mid-state locations. Mission Central is coordinating the program for FFA.

70 of the leaders are scheduled to work at Mission Central. They will dispose of brush, maintain the Memorial Garden, and perform other outside jobs. They will also assist in cleaning and re-organizing part of the 48,000 square foot facility. Students will be seen outside completing yard work tasks, cleaning, stacking, completing disaster response kits, and organizing materials and goods to be shipped to mission projects locally and internationally.

More than 230 ministries and programs have been served through the warehouse/distribution center. Local partners include Bethesda Mission, Computer Ministry, New Digs, and Project C.U.R.E. Mission Central is a member of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Network, the worldwide disaster relief agency of the United Methodist Church.

For more on this wonderful ministry of the Susquehanna Conference of The United Methodist Church, check out the Mission Central website.

Death to People Pleasing (Scandal series)

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Galatians 1:1-17

Apologies for formatting irregularities ... am transferring from a computer without internet access to another that does not have the same software.

First, some background: Last week, we began this series of messages,

“Scandal: The Foolish Grace of God”, with a look at 1 Corinthians 1 and

what could be a theme verse, 1.23, “we proclaim Christ crucified, a

stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

The Greek word translated “stumbling block” is “skandalon”, the root

for our English word “scandal”. The word for “foolishness” is “moria”, the

root for our word “moron”.

Last week, as they opened the series, Curvin said that God’s word to

us “makes no sense”. Chris declared that the “event of the cross” is

“incompatible with human reasoning”.

Part of the reason that the gospel makes no sense is that, in the words of

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”

(

The Cost of Discipleship, 99). So, over this season of Lent, the time of

preparation for Good Friday (Christ crucified) and for Easter (Christ

victorious), we are going to dive into the letter of the apostle Paul to the

Galatians, a letter in which Paul makes clear that following Jesus involves

embracing our own death: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer

live” (Galatians 2.19-20).

Thailand Report

From Sunday, February 19, Blanca's report (listen to audio):
I am so grateful that I was able to visit Thailand and I appreciate the hospitality that the people and the university leaders at the Payap International House provided for us.  Regardless of the fact that I am allergic to the hot and spicy food, the lunch and dinner dishes looked so beautiful and appealing.  The meals looked like something out of a magazine, at least until I took the first bite.
I really appreciated my experience in Thailand and I was determined that I was going to enjoy it and learn as much as I could while I was there. Thailand will be in my heart forever and I would go there again if the opportunity ever presents itself in the future, as long I will be able eat in the western restaurants.

The reason for this trip to Thailand was to learn more about other religions, to have religious dialogue with the Buddhist monks and Islamic Imam, and also I wanted to learn what it would be like to be a Christian in Thailand.  In this country the Buddhist religion is dominant and there are also strong Islamic religion and Animism influences. The people from Thailand have built spirit houses all over their country.

I want to share with you what I learned from our Buddhist and Muslim teachers, and then the impact of this trip on my faith in Jesus, particularly through the Christians in Thailand.

Haiti's Children

Home from the worksite, with a wheelbarrow; one of the children in the extended household of our host; soccer at the local field.

I'm Back!

We're back from our mission trip in Haiti ... and sharing our story this Sunday March 11.

Haitian proverbs

Gary Weaver, who did the orientation for Caleb and me, offered these Haitian proverbs and this picture of a cathedral destroyed by the quake two years ago.

If work were good for you, the rich would leave none for the poor.
Ignorance doesn’t kill you but it makes you sweat a lot.
Poor people entertain with their heart.

Financial Peace University

The video we plan to show on Sunday Feb 19. Come to the preview day on Feb 27. Pray for many folks in the church and community to attend and be blessed.

Haiti Trip

An announcement sent out throughout the Susquehanna Conference:
The Haiti Partnership is sending a group of Volunteers in Mission to Arcahaie, Haiti on February 16th and returning Feb 25th. This group of 10 VIMs will be working with the Arcahaie community building a kitchen, a storage area and security walls but they are most excited about the relationships that they will be building through the construction and music they will be sharing together. With a special offering collected by the Tunkhannock United Methodist Church, the Arcahaie VIMs will be purchasing a keyboard to take to the people of the Arcahaie church. There are several musically talented VIMs who will be assisting their team and the community. This is a diverse group of Methodists from York (PA) Bethany UMC, Tunkhannock (PA) UMC, Lemon (PA) UMC, Clarks Grove (PA) UMC, McKownville (NY) UMC and even a VIM from Maryland. These VIMs will also be working on a sewing project with the ladies of the community. The group is looking forward to their trip with much anticipation for the many projects and relationships they will be able to build. Please pray for their safe travel and success of their mission.


Jodi Crimmel
Haiti Partnership

News

I write this on the day prior to our departure for Haiti. We are so grateful for your generous support and, especially, for your prayerful partnership with Caleb and me. We are proud to carry the name and the gifts of Bethany Church along with us on this journey. And, we look forward to sharing our story on Sunday March 11 in worship.


We’re heading into Lent, the season of preparation for the Great Three Days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter. In the ancient church, this became a time to educate new believers, to prepare them for baptism, and to remind everyone of the central focus of our faith: the cross of Jesus Christ. On Sundays, our message series, “Scandalous: The Foolish Grace of God”, will come from 1 Corinthians and Galatians, around the theme verse of 1 Corinthians 1:23, “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolisness to Gentiles”. A nerd note: The Greek word translated “stumbling stone” or “offense” is the root of our English word scandalous; and the word for “foolishness” is the root of our English word moronic. On Thursdays at our Lenten dinners, we will learn from Craig Groeschel, founding pastor of LifeChurch.tv (yes, a crazy name), in the teaching series, The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living as if He Doesn’t Exist. It is an exciting time to learn and grow together, and it is a wonderful opportunity to invite a friend.

We have another great opportunity beginning mid-March: Financial Peace University, a video and discussion course from Dave Ramsey. Our own Ray Sandy will be facilitating the entire process. The course is designed to teach biblical principles for managing finances – it’s all God’s to begin with! – to move toward financial freedom and peace by reducing debt, expanding savings, and practicing generosity. It is built for anyone – so invite a friend! The preview night is Monday February 27 at 7:00 pm in the Gathering Place.

Finally, a blessing prayer from the apostle Paul, from my recent reading:

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that tin the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11).

Together on the journey!
Pastor JP

In Step

These guys at the last Church Council meeting showed up with the same shoes!

Washed Clean

A lightly outlined message on 2 Kings 5, without full text, a story of pride and humiliation, of a foreigner and the grace of God. Check out the audio. And, have fun with Arnold Lobel's Fables.

Financial Peace University

Coming soon! Check out our preview evening on Monday February 27 at 7:00 pm!

Crafty

The Craft Guild making plans for the Spring/Easter Bazaar. Feel free to join in on Wednesday mornings!

Trolled

The billy goats gruff got the best of the nasty old troll. If you would like to share stories with our Bethany Christian Learning Center, please contact director Wanda.

Polar Bear Bob

Bob and the Blue Line Plungers raised almost $4000 ($546 for Bob) for the Special Olympics by taking a dive in the 34-degree waters of the Susquehanna. The entire event raised over $53,000. Congrats Bob!

The Bishop Visits, 2

From the breakfast reception, and the bishop telling a story with the children during the 11:15 service.

Souper Bowl Results

The Ravens pulled away in the fourth quarter and won our Bethany Souper Bowl of Caring. Thanks to all from the church and learning center who gave to support your teams! The food was delivered to the W.E.L.L., our food pantry partner, today, by Jerry and Joe.

Giants, 81 pounds
Patriots, 107 pounds
49ers, 68 pounds
Ravens, 194 pounds
All others, 18 pounds

TOTAL: 468 pounds

Thanks!

The Bishop Visits

We were blessed to welcome Bishop Middleton to speak in worship and fellowship with us over a breakfast reception, which her husband said was the best church breakfast he had ever had! Check out her message audio! More pics to come.

Nugget

From Cyril of Jerusalem, in his lectures to persons preparing for baptism:

Great is the Baptism that lies before you:  a ransom to captives; a remission of offences; a death of sin; a new-birth of the soul; a garment of light; a holy indissoluble seal; a chariot to heaven; the delight of Paradise; a welcome into the kingdom; the gift of adoption!  But there is a serpent by the wayside watching those who pass by:  beware lest he bite thee with unbelief.  He sees so many receiving salvation, and is seeking whom he may devour.  Thou art coming in unto the Father of Spirits, but thou art going past that serpent.

Timber!

Thanks to Steve O. for taking down the tree hanging over the garage. Two large limbs came out of it earlier this year, fortunately landing on the ground rather than the house. But now it is gone!

Financial Peace

A promotional video for the upcoming Financial Peace University.

A Doubter's Guide to Faith (4): Evidence and Apology

Audio file for listening or download.

Mark 9:14-27
John 20:19-31

“I believe. Help my unbelief.”
“Do not doubt, but believe.”

We are in the final week of our Doubter’s Guide to Faith. Our first week, we asked the question, “How can I KNOW?”. The second week, we explored the experience of pain and the absence of God. Last week, science versus faith, and whether or not evolution can co-exist with Christian faith. This week, we examine evidence for faith and the defense of the faith.

As Christianity was growing up in the Roman Empire, the empire, the culture, the powers fought back – and fought back hard. One of the early ministries in the church was the ministry of the Apologist, someone who made a defense for the faith, who explained what made Christians unique, who did so with two purposes in mind: (1) to win people to Jesus and (2) to reduce persecution.

Justin, born in Samaria, converted as an adult in the city of Ephesus, was the most famous Apologist. He is known as Justin Martyr because he was martyred under emperor Marcus Aurelius about the year 165 (ECF, 9). Perhaps his apology was not adequately effective!

His writing demonstrates some of the accusations leveled against Christians in that early era, as well as some creative, open-minded ideas towards people who do not follow Jesus. Early Christians were called “atheists” because they did not believe in the many gods of the ancient world.

Thus we are called atheists. And we admit that in respect of such supposed gods as those we are atheists; but not in regard to the most true God (Apologia I, vi; in ECF 58).

From his perspective, Socrates was just such an atheist, and, therefore, just such a Christian – without being one in name:

When Socrates tried to bring these matters to light and to rescue mankind from those demons [false gods] by the critical application of sound reasoning, then those very demons [had him executed]. ... Christ ... is the Word [reason] of whom all mankind have a share, and those who lived according to reason are Christians, even though they were classed as atheists (Apologia I, v and xlvi; in ECF 58-60).

Justin was writing his Apology for a different time, but he addresses obliquely one of the big questions today: What about good people in other religions? Aren’t Christians judgmental and narrow-minded? Justin is a resource, just one fine example of Christian people handling the question of diversity with integrity and openness.