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The fellowship hall of Christ Episcopal Church, on Mulberry Street, was filled with over 70 people celebrating their common faith and the good they have done for Lycoming County over the past year as United Churches of Lycoming County (UCLC) celebrated its 73rd anniversary at a special dinner earlier this month.
"As we look back over the year that has passed … I find I'm filled with gratitude," said Lou Kolb, UCLC president.
He mentioned the fundraisers the UCLC hosted as well as the "dedicated people who carry out these ministries."
Rev. Gwen Bernstine, UCLC executive director, said UCLC "has survived amid constant change, filled with both opportunities and dangers."
Bernstine said she was excited about the previous year, and UCLC continues to move forward with making its presence known on the internet. She said UCLC was able to update its website thanks to a Pennsylvania College of Technology capstone program.
"There are still days of challenge when it takes me too long to figure out how something works, or I run out of time; but there are days of opportunity, too, when I discover something so helpful to us I want to shout it from the rooftop," Bernstine said.
Bernstine said one of the biggest challenges of 2019 was the lack of volunteers in some critical areas.
UCLC celebrated the actions of member Dr. Alexander Nesbitt, who was awarded the Ecumenical Service Award "for the many ways (he has) extended the mission of our churches through your leadership and support, making a more abundant life possible for everyone."
In the proclamation, Nesbitt was praised for "a lifelong compassion for those who are ill" and this compassion inspired him, at an early age, to get into the medical field.
He was honored for "helping to establish, develop and continue the Susquehanna-Shirati Palliative Care Partnership." It was also stated Nesbitt lectured, wrote and taught courses all around the area and the world to "educate medical professionals and the public about hospice, palliative care and (to give) a better understanding of end of life issues."
Nesbitt was called "an example" for those to follow because of his "wholesome Christian family life."
After receiving the award, Nesbitt said he was surprised and humbled.
"We try to reflect God in some really hard times," Nesbitt said.
After the award, past Ecumenical Service Award winner Rev. Kerry Aucker gave the keynote address. He discussed the topic of "stepping out of your comfort zone" and shared lessons he learned running the New Love Food Center in Jersey Shore.
These lessons could be applied in other areas of life, such as inviting "everyone to the table." He explained this gives a variety of opinions, adding the greater the representation, the greater the understanding.
His second point was to "respect everyone's opinion." He said that he watched as some volunteers went from viewing the "food insecure" as "lazy" to seeing these persons with legitimate needs trying to make ends meet.
He thirdly encouraged gratitude and said "thank everyone."
"I can't stress this enough," Aucker said. Thanking everyone for their hard work creates a sense of gratitude and encourages the workers to keep pressing on.
His fourth point was "communicate, communicate, communicate." He said this keeps everyone on the same page and prevents confusion.
After the meeting, Christ Episcopal Rev. Kyle Murphy said the members of the church worked hard to prepare for the event.
"We spent several weeks to prep," Murphy said.
He said that it was estimated over 70 people attended, while the Episcopal church provided 12 volunteers who cooked and served.
"We were more than happy to host. To feed people is part of our mission and we were glad to support the mission of the UCLC," Murphy said.