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This Week in PNEC --- December 11 - 19, 2014
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TO CONTACT US OR TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS
431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA18071; www.pnec.org website
610-826-3113; FAX 610-826-5464
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PNEC's 2014 Closing Date will be Friday, January 16, 2015.
Please plan your closing so that your final 2014 remittance will be received in the Conference Office by Friday, January 16, 2015. Receipts received after the 16th will be credited to 2015. Do not include 2014 remittances with 2015 and make certain remittance slips are marked for either the year 2014 or 2015.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
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 This message is forwarded from... The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss, Director of Advocacy and Ecumenical Outreach Pennsylvania Council of Churches regarding changes to the requirements for PA Background Checks: Friends, I was just made aware of some concern and confusion over background checks required under HB 435, which was signed into law on October 22. This legislation requires background checks for anyone who works in direct contact with children and increases the frequency of background checks from every 36 to every 24 months. The question has to do with whether or not clergy are subject to these checks. Here is what I have learned from Cathleen Palm, director of the Center for Children's Justice (http://www.c4cj.org/): - There is no legal mandate for clergy to have checks (in terms of their profession unless they are also a foster parent, adoptive parent, working in a child care agency, etc)
- If a clergy-person is employed where there is also a church-based child care program then I would have comprehensive checks done given the potential for interaction with children
- If a clergy-person is a volunteer and they aren't having regular contact with children (remember volunteers are about direct contact which means "routine" and about being responsible for the child(ren) then I think you could say the law might not apply and even if you are doing checks they don't need to be done until July.
In all of this there is how best to know the background of a person and balance child safety with costs, etc. I would think that any employees that are in regular contact with children (day care workers, Christian educators, etc.) probably should undergo such checks to be on the safe side. It might also be good for clergy that work regularly with children in Sunday school, confirmation classes, etc.-again, to be on the safe side. Click HERE for a summary and click here for a Power Point presentation that contain more information about this law and its requirements. Hoping this helps. Blessings, Sandy The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss Director of Advocacy and Ecumenical Outreach Pennsylvania Council of Churches 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 211A Harrisburg, PA 17109-5024; 717.545.4761 |
| Disaster Response Ministry - Lehighton Project
 Disaster Response Ministry" is
Calling All Volunteers...
A work BLITZ is being planned for the following three days:
Thursday, December 4
Friday, December 5
Saturday, December 6
All work days will begin at 8AM. Grant Field, project manager, will be on-site all 3 work days. Painting, installation of new flooring, and general cleanup is planned for the work blitz. The plan is to complete all work on Saturday, December 6 and then take a break for the winter. Work on the home will resume in spring 2015.
To volunteer, please e-mail Donna Zangari, Coordinator of Volunteers, at [email protected] or call 610-262-1557 (please leave a message). Volunteer release forms and orientation packets are needed to volunteer.
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Lenten Penny Donations 
for the
PNEC Amigos de Guatemala Mission
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. At least that's the norm in Guatemala, where many illnesses are caused by contaminated water. We ask our PNEC congregations to join us in donating a penny each time you use water from February 18 through March 1 or as long as you would like during Lent.
Your donations will be used to build a multi-use facility/medical clinic in the village of Monte Margarita, Guatemala, which will also include a demonstration water-treatment project. Since 2011 PNEC's Amigos de Guatemala have been working with the people of that village to improve their well being.
Be creative! Collect pennies in decorated coffee cans or mayonnaise jars. Have the children participate as part of their mission work. Hold a penny counting party. For even more water awareness, ask families to "spend a penny" each time they use water at home.
Choose someone from your congregation to collect and count the pennies. Then ask your treasurer to send a check for the total amount collected, attention the PNEC Guatemala Building Fund, to the Conference office.
We are SO fortunate not to have to boil our water before it is safe to drink. We even bathe and flush our toilets with potable water. Please help us in our water awareness fund raiser.
For more information contact Roger or Karen Heim at [email protected] 610.481.9704. May God bless our congregations and our sisters and brothers in Guatemala.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS &
CLERGY CONNECTIONS
2015
May 16, 2015 - Dinner & Town Meeting with Rev. Geoffrey Black, General Minister & President of the United Church of Christ - Place & Time TBA
May 17, 2015 - 10:15AM - Sunday Worship at Faith UCC, 5992 Route 378, Center Valley with Rev. Geoffrey Black, General Minister & President of the United Church of Christ and Rev. Alan Miller, PNEC Conference Minister.
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2014 UPCOMING DATES
DECEMBER
16 - 9:30AM - Ordaining Member in Discernment Committee
16 - Noon- JCRT Christmas Luncheon - Morgan's
16 - Noon - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - Villa Lentini Ristorante, 2700 Balliet St.,Ballietsville
17 - 9:00AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
17 - 6PM - Board of Directors - Conference Office
19-20 - Lay Ministry in the 21st Century - Preaching II - Jesuit Spiritual Center, Wernersville
24- January 5 - PNEC OFFICE CLOSED - Christmas & New Years' Holidays
2015
JANUARY
1-2 - Conference Office Closed - New Year Holiday
6 - 11:30AM-1PM - Southwest AMC Clergy - Place TBA
6 - Easton AMC Clergy - St. Peter's, Tatamy
7 - 10AM - GEM Fund Committee (December 18 deadline for GEM Fund requests)
10 - 9AM-4PM - Lay Ministry in the 21st Century - Part 3 UCC History & Polity Class - First UCC, Schuylkill Haven
12 - 10AM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Committee
17 - 10AM - Pre-Synod Gathering - Conf. Office
20 - 9:30AM - Licensed/Commissioned Ministry Committee
20 - Noon - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - China House, 4515 Route 309, Schnecksville
21 - 9:00AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
22 - 10:30AM-2PM - PNEC Educators' Gathering - Union UCC, Neffs
22 - 6PM - Search & Call
23-24 - Licensed Ministers Convocation - Place TBA
27 - 9:30am - Ordaining MID Committee
FEBRUARY
3 - 10AM-2PM - Southwest AMC Clergy - St. John's UCC, Fogelsville
3 - Easton AMC Clergy - Place TBA
5 - 2015 MINISTRY DAY (Cameron Trimble) - Northampton Community Center, 1601 Laubach Ave., Northampton
9 - 10AM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Committee
12 - SNOW Date - 2015 Ministry Day - Northampton Community Center, 1601 Laubach Ave., Northampton
13-15 - Winter Youth Retreat - Blue Mountain Christian Retreat Center, New Ringgold
17 - 9:30AM - Licensed/Commissioned Ministry Committee
17 - Noon - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - Susie's Shady Nook, 7115 PA Route 873, Slatington
18 - 9:00AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
19 - 6PM Search & Call - SNOWDATE from January 22 if needed
24 - 9:30AM - Ordaining MID Committee
25 - 10AM-12Noon - Confirmation Study/Support Group - PNEC offce
MARCH
1 - Deadline for Gwilym T. Williams Applications (in order to be considered for a grant for the preceding winter and/or current spring terms)
3 - 11:30AM-1PM - Southwest AMC Clergy - Solomn's, Macungie
3 - Easton AMC Clergy - Place TBA
9 - 10AM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Committee
17 - 9:30AM - Licensed/Commissioned Ministry Committee
17 - Noon - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - Schleicher' Family Restaurant, 6937 Route 309, New Tripoli
18 - 9:00AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
21 - Youth Ministry Leadership Consultation - Place TBA
24 - 9:30AM - Ordaining MID Committee
APRIL
7 - 11:30AM-1PM - Southwest AMC Clergy - Place TBA
7 - Easton AMC Clergy - Place TBA
13 - 10AM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Committee
15 - 9:00AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
15 - 10AM - GEM Fund Committee (April 1 deadline for GEM Fund requests)
18 - PNEC Annual Meeting - Northampton Community Center, Northampton, PA
21 - 9:30AM - Licensed/Commissioned Ministry
Committee
21 - Noon - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - Country View Diner, 6210 PA Route 873, Slatington
24 - 9:30AM - Gwilym T. Williams Scholarship Fund
27-29 - MAAUCE Event - Black Rock Retreat, Quarryville, PA
28 - 9:30AM - Ordaining MID Committee
MAY
5 - 11:30AM-1PM - Southwest AMC Clergy - Longswamp UCC, Mertztown
5 - Easton AMC Clergy - Place TBA
5-7 - 21st Annual Clergy Convocation - DoubleTree Resort by Hilton, Lancaster
7 - 10:30am - 2pm - PNEC Educators' Gathering - Place TBA
11 - Time TBA - Licensing/Commissioning MID Committee
16 - Dinner & Town meeting with Rev. Geoffrey Black, General Minister & President of the UCC - Place & Time TBA
17 - 10:15AM - Sunday Worship at Faith UCC, 5992 Route 378, Center Valley with Rev. Geoffrey Black, UCC President & Rev. Alan Miller, PNEC Conference Minister
19 - 9:30AM - Licensed/Commissioned Ministry Committee
19 - Noon - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - China House, 4515 Route 309, Schnecksville
20 - 9:30AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
26 - 9:30AM - Ordaining MID Committee
JUNE
2 - Easton AMC Clergy - Place TBA
8 - 10AM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Committee
16 - 9:30AM - Licensed/Commissioned Ministry Committee
16 - Noon - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - Di Fiore's Pizzaria & ItaliaRestaurant, 5608 PA Route 873, Neffs
17 - 9:00AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
23 - 9:30AM - Ordaining MID Committee
26-30 - General Synod 30 - Cleveland, OH
SEPTEMBER
24 - 10:30AM-2PM - PNEC Educators' Gathering - Place TBA
OCTOBER
1 - Deadline for Gwilym T. Williams Applications (in order to be considered for a grant for the preceding summer and/or current fall terms)
2016
JULY
26-29 - National Youth Event (NYE) - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
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MINISTRY DAY
Thursday, February 5, 2015
9AM to 4PM
Registration begins at 8:30AM
(Snow Date: Thursday, February 12)
Northampton Memorial Community Center
1601 Laubach Avenue, Northampton, PA
610-261-1113
(PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IN LOCATION FROM PREVIOUS YEARS)
Free will offering will be taken for lunch
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Cameron Trimble 
(Cameron was scheduled for our Ministry Day 2014 but the day was cancelled due to inclement weather!)
Cameron was the Keynote Speaker for our 2013 Annual Meeting of the Penn Northeast Conference. As the Annual Meeting was Cameron's first visit to our Conference, she spent most of her time outlining the current theological and sociological challenges facing
congregations as they seek to renew and re-envision their ministries. Her presentation at Ministry Day will be aimed at discussing strategies for overcoming these challenges and revitalizing the local congregations of our Conference.
Please email or call Patty Rehrig at
the Conference Office
[email protected] 610-826-3113
to make your reservation for Ministry Day 2015
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The Penn Northeast Conference Presents...
the 10th Annual Winter Youth Retreat
Believe it...
... or not
"Unraveling the mysteries of our Faith"
Limited Space - Register Early!!
All youth in grades 7-12 are invited 
February 13-15, 2015
Check-in Friday 6:30 - 7:00PM
Pick-up Sunday at 1:00PM
Blue Mountain Christian
Retreat Center
1 Christian Lane, New Ringgold, PA 17960
Cost $130/person
includes meals Saturday & Sunday and a tee shirt
*This is a technology friendly event -
cell phones, IPads, tablets, etc. are welcome!
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TO DOWNLOAD A
REGISTRATION FORM FOR
PNEC 10TH ANNUAL WINTER YOUTH RETREAT
click on the text below
Winter Youth Retreat Registration Flyer
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Along with this form, please send a non-refundable $50 deposit ( per person) BY JANUARY 9, 2015 to:
Penn Northeast Conference
ATTN: Patty,
431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, PA 18071
After registering you will receive forms and information pertaining to the "PNEC Annual Winter Youth Retreat."
Final payment and forms will be due
January 30, 2015
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 Guatemala Building Fund
Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation. We speak of the Christmas Spirit. Often we forget to express that Spirit while shopping for gifts we want but don't necessarily need.
For the past 3 years our friends in Guatemala have been waiting and anticipating the building of the multi-use facility/clinic. They have been very patient. This is a gift they not only want but need. The closest medical facility is 10 miles from their village. That may not sound far to you because we can drive our car and be there in 15 minutes. However the villagers have to walk those 10 miles because they cannot afford bus fare. Imagine having to walk 10 miles while sick. Or not having insurance to cover the cost of the doctor visit.
Please consider making a contribution to the Guatemala Building fund perhaps as a Christmas gift in honor or in memory of a someone special in your life. Checks should be made payable to PNEC with Amigos in the memo line.
May God bless you in your lives.
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UCC Scholarships for CROSSROADS...
Through the generosity of someone connected with the CROSSROADS program, we are pleased to announce some limited, partial scholarships available for UCC members. These scholarships are for people taking their first course or for existing participants who express a financial need. Scholarships can be applied to courses in the Winter 2015 semester (Missional Leadership or Traditions) or the Spring 2015 semester (Culture & Change or Creative Worship). For more information on these courses see our website at www.moravian.edu/crossroads or contact Jill Peters at [email protected]. Also contact Jill Peters to apply for aid. This is a limited scholarship so consider this opportunity as soon as possible.
Dr. Jill Peters, Missional Leadership Developer
Moravian Theological Seminary
www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads
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 Cutting Edge Faith Formation: Learn it, Lead it, Live it Middle Atlantic Association of United Church Educators 2015 Faith Formation Event for Pastors, Staff, & Volunteers in Faith Formation for Children, Youth, & Adults Monday, April 27 1pm - Wednesday, April 29 1pm Black Rock Retreat Center - 1345 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, PA 17566 For more information & registration for this event click on the link below. http://pnec.org/news/ministryEvents.html |
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WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR CHURCHES....
Christ Church UCC, 75 East Market Street, Bethlehem (www.christucc.org) will have an opening for the position of Director of Music.
The position is
part time, and could possibly be shared, depending on area of expertise. The ideal candidate(s)
will: (1) Provide a broad array of musical styles for all age groups, (2) Be proficient with a musical accompaniment instrument (preferably piano and/or organ), (3) Be able to lead and develop one or more adult, youth, or children's musical groups, and (4) Understand the role of music to enable faith formation and a spiritual worship experience. Christ church has an updated Allen Digital MIDI / Moeller Pipe organ. Please send application, including resume and salary
requirement, to [email protected] or directly to the church, Attn. DOM Search.
St. Matthews UCC, Kunkletown is looking for a Coordinator of Spiritual Formation
This position includes leading our Youth Group (twice a month), coordinating our Sunday School for children and youth, and directing our Summer Vacation Bible School. The Coordinator will recruit teachers, youth advisors, organize our Sunday School supplies and publicize all Christian Education and Youth events.
If you are interested, please submit resumes to [email protected] or mail them to St. Matthews UCC, 102 Church Road, Kunkletown, PA by January 9, 2015. This is a part time, 10 to 15 hour a week position. Salary will be commensurate with experience and education.
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December 13 - "Cookie Walk" - Old Zionsville UCC, 5981 Fountain Rd., Old Zionsville - 8AM to Noon - homemade Christmas cookies and candy will be for sale by the pound - light lunch available - for more information please call 610-966-5115 or 610-966-5220.
December 13 - Community Breakfast - Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Rd., Allentown - 8 to 11AM - suggested donation of $6.00, which will benefit the 275th Anniversary Committee - for more information, please contact the church office at 610.797.4242. or 610.791.4979 or go to our website, www.jwsunionchurch.org
December 13 - Pancake & Sausage Breakfast with Santa - Morgenland Church from 8 am- 11 am.
December 14, 20, 21, 26, 27 - Lowhill Lights of Wonder (featuring over 10,000 Christmas lights synchronized to music - includes a Christmas hymn sing and light refreshments - 6 to 8:30PM - Christ's Church at Lowhill, 4695 Lowhill Church Rd., New Tripoli - For more information call 610-298-2527 - the light show will start approximately every 20 minutes - free.
December 14 - "Blue" Christmas Service - Friedens UCC, 7227 PA Route 837, Slatington - 2pm - all are welcome - for more information call the church office at 610-767-7099
December 20 - All You Can Eat Breakfast Buffet - Old Zionsville UCC, 5981 Fountain Rd., Old Zionsville - 7 to 11am - for more information call Darlene Schmeltzle at 610-966-5115
December 20 - Christmas Craft and Vendor Fair - Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Rd., Allentown - 9AM to 2 PM - food available - also baked goodies at our "Bake Sale"- proceeds benefit the 275th Anniversary Committee - for more information, please call the church office at 610.797.4242 or go to www.jwsunionchurch.org.
December 20 - "A Pennsylvania German Christmas" Church Tour - Jerusalem Western Salisbury Church, 3441 Devonshire Road, Allentown - 1:30PM - participants will learn about the almost 275 year history of the church, with a special focus on the Pennsylvania German celebration of Christmas - refreshments will be served following the tour - donations will be accepted benefiting the 275th Anniversary Committee of the church -for more information, call 610.797.4242. or 610.791.4979 or go to www.jwsunionchurch.org
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