Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center

08/27/2026

Save the Date!!

Saturday, December 5, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (light lunch will be provided)
Germantown Church of the Brethren
Leader: Dr. Drew G.I. Hart
The Introduction to Theology

This session will provide a basic introduction to theological reflection. Additionally, Dr. Hart will focus on elements of Anabaptist theology and Black theology, introducing a combination of all three in his concept of Anablacktivisim. This session will help people who take Anabaptist theology and Black theology seriously.

This continuing education session is part of Building and Empowering Lay Leadership (BELL), a new program sponsored by the Germantown Church of the Brethren, designed to strengthen and support lay leaders. BELL is a two‑year program consisting of seven units—four in the first year and three in the second. The cost is $25 per year. To enroll in the full BELL program or to request more information, please contact:

Pastor Richard Kyerematen — [email protected] or 215‑906‑3128 (text preferred)
Jeff Bach — [email protected] or 717‑725‑8782 (email preferred)

Register below.

Email from Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center Part of Building & Empowering Lay Leadership (B.E.L.L.), a new program to strengthen lay leaders     Please join us for a Continuing Education session spo

08/20/2026

Save the Date!!!

Community Gifts – Discerning the Spirit Together

October 31, 2026 • 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren (No Zoom available, light lunch included). Led by Josh Brockway & Stan Dueck.

The New Testament writers described the gifts of the Spirit as grace given to followers of Jesus for the ministry of the church. In this workshop, participants will explore scriptures outlining the gifts of the Spirit, practice discernment together, and engage a new denominational resource for gifts discernment. Light lunch will be provided.

Register below!

Email from Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center Community Gifts - Discerning the Spirit Together   Please join us for a Continuing Education session sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center:

08/13/2026

Lay Leaders... Save the Date!!!

Supporting Congregational Members with Chronic Health Conditions (Specifically for lay leaders; no CEUs available)

October 29, 2026 • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Zoom • Led by Julie Guistwite.

An interactive workshop on compassionate ministry with congregants living with chronic illness. Learn best practices from Idler’s “doing” and “being” framework and build practical skills—through discussion and vignette analysis—for offering presence, nurturing connection, and supporting spiritual growth amid ongoing disruption.

Register Below.

08/06/2026

Save the Date!!

Caring for Congregational Members with Chronic Health Conditions

October 6, 2026 • 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM Zoom • Led by Julie Guistwite.

An interactive workshop on supporting congregants living with chronic illness. Learn evidence‑informed strategies that foster meaning, purpose, connection, and spiritual well‑being, with practical skill‑building through discussion and vignette analysis.

Register Below

Email from Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center Caring for Congregational Members with Chronic Health Conditions     Please join us for a Continuing Education session sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley

08/04/2026

Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (light lunch will be provided)
Germantown Church of the Brethren
Leader: Dr. Stephen Breck Reid (bio below)
Introduction to the Bible and Biblical Interpretation

This session provides an introductory overview of the Bible. Dr. Reid will lift up themes important for Anabaptist understandings of the Bible and Brethren insights.

This continuing education session is part of Building and Empowering Lay Leadership (BELL), a new program sponsored by the Germantown Church of the Brethren, designed to strengthen and support lay leaders. BELL is a two‑year program consisting of seven units—four in the first year and three in the second. The cost is $25 per year. To enroll in the full BELL program or to request more information, please contact:

Pastor Richard Kyerematen — [email protected] or 215‑906‑3128 (text preferred)
Jeff Bach — [email protected] or 717‑725‑8782 (email preferred)

Register below.

Email from Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center Part of Building & Empowering Lay Leadership (B.E.L.L.), a new program to strengthen lay leaders     Please join us for a Continuing Education session spo

08/04/2026

Check out the Fall Ventures in Christian Discipleship Series: https://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures/

Ventures is a partner of SVMC. Their mission is to equip lay people of all ages and education levels with skills and understandings for faithful and dynamic Christian living, action, and leadership with special emphasis on small congregations.

07/30/2026

Save the Date!!!

Congregational Ministry to Members Navigating Divorce Experiences

September 9, 2026 • 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Rescheduled from June 3) Zoom • Led by Dr. Julie Guistwite.

An interactive session on strengthening divorce ministry through three research‑informed approaches that nurture belonging, healing, hope, and spiritual meaning. Participants will practice applying these approaches through dialogue and scenario‑based discussion.

Register below.

Email from Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center Congregational Ministry to Members Navigating Divorce Experiences     Please join us for a Continuing Education session sponsored by the Susquehanna Valle

07/28/2026

If you’ve ever served in ministry, we want to hear from you!

Every person who works in ministry works with people. And when we work with people, we end up with stories that are strange, funny, and downright ridiculous!

The SVMC office is collecting short stories from ministers who have odd stories to tell. Maybe you remember a wedding mishap or a funeral-gone-awry; a hospital miracle, a bizarre Sunday morning experience, or an unbelievable moment at camp.

What are the head-scratching moments you’ve encountered in your calling? Take a moment, type them up, and send them in to us.

Please do not share stories that would embarrass another or betray confidential information. Keep names anonymous and change some details of the story if you think it would embarrass someone.

Submissions should be no more than 500 words and must be submitted by September 1, 2026.

If you’ve ever served in ministry, we want to hear from you! Every person who works in ministry works with people. And when we work with people, we end up with stories that are strange, funny, and downright ridiculous! The SVMC office is collecting short stories from ministers who have odd stories...

07/27/2026

Today's "Tiny Retreat," produced by the Church of the Brethren, Inc., features the scripture for this year's SVMC Sunday. Take a break from your day and enjoy this brief moment of sacred space.

A tiny retreat is a chance to take a break from the day and, just for a moment, lay down all you are carrying. Retreat to a sacred space of beauty, scripture, and meditation. Be blessed.

06/25/2026

See you soon at Annual Conference. Visit our table in the Bethany Theological Seminary Booth to get your limited edition SVMC sticker and show your SVMC pride on your nametag!