SHAMOKIN - A program of carrying out its purpose of support and ministry in the community for 2012 was discussed by the Shamokin Area Ministerium of Churches during the initial meeting of the new year at St. John's United Church of Christ with the Rev. John Silliman as host..
Presiding at his first meeting as president, the Rev. David Byerly of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, led discussions of several proposed projects during the coming months, including an effort to raise funds for assisting the needy in purchasing heating oil, participating in an annual observance of Souper Bowl Sunday for Manna for the Many, continuation of a soup and sandwich Bible study during the Lenten season, and possibly holding a retreat for all members sometime in the late spring.
Welcoming 13 other members to the meeting, Byerly entertained a motion to commend Rev. Silliman for his successful leadership as president during his two-year term that ended Dec. 31.
With a limited balance in its emergency fund, the ministerium will continue to explore ways of obtaining donations to continue a project that offers some financial help to low income families in need of heating oil during the winter season. One suggestion, according to the Rev. Jean Eckrod of Salem United Church of Christ, is to solicit businesses and civic organizations for financial help. Oil distributors also would be asked to participate by offering discounts and for this particular project relaxing a minimum gallonage requirement for delivery.
A detailed letter explaining the emergency fund and asking recipients for financial help has been drafted and will be sent, Eckrod said.
Donations of food and cash will also be sought through congregational participation in "Souper Bowl Sunday," a program coordinated each year with professional football's Super Bowl. All proceeds from that event in February will be earmarked to supplement food supplies distributed to the needy in this area. Additional information will be forthcoming.
A report by the Rev. Betty Ford, of Immanuel United Methodist Church, president of Manna's board of directors, indicated that food supplies at the pantry are always needed to augment an inventory reduced because of heavy demand by families in need during the Christmas holiday period. Ford said there are more than 700 clients now registered to receive commodities and the number continues to grow because of high unemployment and the economy.
A committee consisting of lay representatives Frank Stoshak of Our Lady of Hope Church, and Margaret Conrad, of Pregnancy Care Center and the Rev. Richard Earl of Mountainside Church, will explore a resumption of an annual retreat for ministerium members. Stoshak listed a possible date either in May or June, plans to hire an organizer and presenter, a possible site and a tentative itinerary for the proposed retreat.
Members said resumption of the retreat is a "very good idea because it will promote the Holy Spirit in us as we walk together to inspire others in the community."
Guest speaker for the meeting was Marc Varano, a representative of Life Geisinger, 1100 Spruce St., Kulpmont, who spoke about a program that offers alternatives to nursing home living through on-call medical, therapy and around-theclock services to elderly individuals in need of nursing home care. There are 80 individuals representing four counties in Central Pennsylvania receiving personal care through an all-inclusive program, Varano said.
Silliman provided devotions and refreshments for the meeting. The next meeting will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 5 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Zach Hopple as host.
Members attending the January meeting were the Revs. Byerly, Ford, Eckrod, Silliman, Earl, Hopple, David Hauck, Kay Painter, Richard Hazzard, Karyn Fisher, and David Wildoner and lay members Stoshak, Conrad and Harry J. Deitz.