MISSION CENTRAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HARRY OVERHOLTZER, TENDERS RESIGNATION

Mission Central Chair-Elect George Sackandy announced today, that at its regularly scheduled meeting last evening, March 27, 2008, the Mission Central Board of Managers accepted with heavy hearts the resignation of Executive Director, Harry Overholtzer to be effective no later than June 7, 2008. ?In recent months, Harry has been experiencing the symptoms associated with an exacerbation of his multiple sclerosis, a disease that he has successfully managed for nearly 30 years. The motion to accept Harry?s resignation was made with love and concern for his health and a desire to move quickly to remove him from the stress that may be affecting his health,? stated Sackandy.

In his letter to the Board of Managers Harry said, ?As we look forward to a future of new and exciting intentional additions to the ministry of Mission Central, I am caught between the desire to see these come to fruition and my need to protect my energy, time, and stress levels due to the multiple sclerosis.

?Mission Central has been a remarkable journey for me! Never have I experienced so many people coming together of one mind in mission, to explore and respond to all the need that God has shared. I can only say ?thank you? for the opportunity to have played a role in the development of Mission Central, and I will forever continue to pray for its work in the world. I also ask that you pray for me as I seek to find where, and how, God would have me serve Him.?

?Mission Central has experienced an extraordinary blessing through the leadership of Harry Overholtzer for the past five years,? Bishop Jane Allen Middleton said. ?Harry?s decision to resign for health reasons has come through prayerful discernment. God blessed us from the beginning as Bishop Irons led the Conference through the establishment of this amazing gift to the world! There is no doubt that God will lead us in identifying a leader so that our resources can continue to bring hope and healing where it is needed. The Mission Central Board has developed a plan for a Spirit-led transition.?

?The executive committee of the Board of Managers will be moving to enact several action steps? , continued Sackandy. ?First, any responsibilities Harry has that are extraneous to the day to day operations of Mission Central will be identified and removed immediately from Harry?s area of responsibility. Second, the executive committee will meet to formulate a succession plan that will include the development of a position vacancy announcement and an invitation to interested candidates to submit their qualifications. Throughout the five year history of Mission Central we have relied heavily on the guidance that God has provided for us in the creation and implementation of this ministry. We believe, that if it is God?s will that Mission Central continue in its ministry to the broken in His family, He will provide us with the leadership and resources needed to provide for and empower others to be His hands and His feet in their lives. We covet your prayers for Harry and his family, for Mission Central and its leadership, staff and volunteers and for those that God has called us to serve,? concluded Sackandy.

CONTACT:        Gerald F. Wolgemuth, Director of Communication

                        Central Pennsylvania Conference, The United Methodist Church

                        303 Mulberry Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA  17050

                        cpcumc.org

                        717-766-7441

                        jerry@cpcumc.org