On January 1, 2026, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Bethlehem will reunify to become the Diocese of the Susquehanna. As we approach this milestone, leaders from both dioceses are working diligently to plan how our ministries will merge and evolve to meet the needs of our new diocese. The Transition Leadership Committee meets monthly to review progress on our path to reunification.
Several working groups have been tasked with planning the future of specific administrative and ministry areas within the Diocese of the Susquehanna. These include:
- Branding and Shield
- Clergy Life and Ministry
- Constitution and Canons
- Diocesan Offices
- Finance
- Legal Process
- Ministry of the Episcopate and Staffing
- Mission Granting Process
- Ordination
- Social Justice
- Title IV
Each month, we will share highlights from a few of these working groups as they plan for our life together as the Diocese of the Susquehanna.
Finance
A draft version of the Chart of Accounts was presented to the joint Finance Working Group for review and discussion. The 2026 budget will follow a similar structure to the layout used by the Diocese of Bethlehem, with expansions to include programs unique to the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, such as the Stevenson School for Ministry. The diocesan staff is also in the process of selecting an accounting system for 2026 that will meet the needs of the newly reunified diocese.
Regarding benefits, the Church Pension Group will require both the Diocese of Bethlehem and the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania to offer the same enrollment and benefit packages for diocesan staff and clergy during the 2025 open enrollment period. This alignment will ensure consistent benefits across the diocese upon reunification in 2026.
Social Justice
The Social Justice Working Group has been working to determine how best to support the various social justice ministries across our dioceses. To do this, twelve subcommittees have been created to focus on specific areas including community organizing and advocacy, racial justice, indigenous ministry, and prison ministry. Each subcommittee is led by a chairperson, and under their leadership, the groups are working to build a network of churches currently engaged in these ministries. The goal is to strengthen and expand these ministries as we move toward reunification.
Mission Granting Process
The Mission Granting Process Working Group met for a day-long planning retreat last month. During their time together, the team identified key elements for recognizing strong grant candidates and ways to support the ministries of local churches. Central to the committee’s work are five guiding themes and strategic values that will shape the granting process, such as mutuality, stewardship, and transparency. The group also identified eight core grant categories that will guide future grant opportunities in the Diocese of the Susquehanna, including areas such as community engagement and support, regional parish partnerships, and youth ministry grants.