Tag: umc

Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry

2023 Updates from Disability Ministries of the Susquehanna Conference

BeckieWrites

At the time of this writing (March, 2023) I am honored to serve as the chair of the Disability Ministries Task Force of the Susquehanna Conference. This committee deals specifically with disability concerns within our conference. Members of our committee include other clergy throughout our conference and lay members who attend many different churches. I wanted to share the following excerpt from the report I submitted to our Annual Conference because I am excited about our work related disability ministries.

Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Women in Ministry

A Brief Summary of the 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC with Suggestions for Accessibility

BeckieWrites

A Brief Summary of the 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church with Suggestions for Accessibility The Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference (NEJ) of the United Methodist Church was held on November 2-4, 2022 in College Park, Maryland. The theme was “One in Ministry to All the World." Approximately 150 delegates, including both laity and… Continue reading A Brief Summary of the 2022 Northeastern Jurisdictional Conference of the UMC with Suggestions for Accessibility

Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry

Prayers You Can Use for Disability Awareness Sunday! (Inspired by the Lectionary!)

BeckieWrites

The Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church is celebrating Disability Awareness Sunday on October 9, 2022. Here are some prayers that I wrote for anyone who would like to celebrate a Disability Awareness Sunday in their own worship setting! Image shows an inclusive group in silhouette Introduction: What is Disability Awareness Sunday and Why… Continue reading Prayers You Can Use for Disability Awareness Sunday! (Inspired by the Lectionary!)

Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Ministry, Pastoral Life, Stewardship, Women in Ministry

Altoona District UMC Churches Purchase Lifechanging Device for Visually Impaired Teenager in Africa

BeckieWrites

Claudine is sixteen years old and visually impaired. After losing her parents, she found a home with Mama Arlene Brown and Hope Made Real. She dreams of becoming a doctor. In this photo, Rev. Rebecca and her husband, Jeff, stand with mama Arlene Brown. Mama Arlene Brown is originally from Pennsylvania. She started an orphanage… Continue reading Altoona District UMC Churches Purchase Lifechanging Device for Visually Impaired Teenager in Africa

Ministry, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes

Summary of John Wesley’s Sermon, “Almost Christian”

BeckieWrites

I wrote the following summary of “The Almost Christian,” for a class I am currently teaching. I encourage you to read the original, but I understand that many people find Wesley’s language to be somewhat antiquated.  Writing this summary was fun, and I wanted to share it with anyone who might be interested.  I hope you enjoy it and that it brings you closer to God! Wesley is my favorite theologian.

Books, Disability & Accessibility, Diversity, Pastoral Life, Women in Ministry, Writing

My Presentation at the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind’s Virtual Convention and My Next Book

BeckieWrites

Rebecca was born with a complicated eye condition that caused her to be visually impaired. As a young person, her deepest wish was to become a music teacher and share the joy of music with children; however, systemic ableism at the university level prevented her from achieving this goal. She mourned for the loss of her dream, and then she started taking her writing seriously. Telling her story has helped her to reshape her personal narrative and to take back her power. She hopes to share what she has learned with others during this session. We all have a story to tell, and the world needs your story! Our stories shape the world, and together we can make big changes, one story at a time.

Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry

World Communion Sunday: A Recipe for Holy Living (His Encouragement)

BeckieWrites

When we bake bread, we follow a recipe. If we follow the recipe to the best of our ability, we will end up with something delicious and nourishing. In the same way, God gave us a recipe for Holy Living. In the Holy Bible, we can find instructions for how to experience live a good life that will bring us closer to God. When we follow these instructions, even if we expereience hard times in life, we The recipe that God gives us for a good life can be found in Exodus is known as the Ten Commandments.

Ministry, Pastoral Life, Preaching, Preaching, Prayers, and Devotions, Sermons & Sermon Notes, Women in Ministry

Devotion: Family Resemblance (His Encouragement)

BeckieWrites

When people look at me, they can see the face of my mother and my grandmother. The family resemblance is clear. In many ways, I am reflection of her. 

I hope that I am also a reflection of my Heavenly Father. I pray that by the way I live my life and by the actions that I take, people will also be able to see the love of God reflected in me.