This Week in PNEC --- July 28, 2016 - August 5, 2016 

TO CONTACT US OR TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS

431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA18071; www.pnec.org website

610-826-3113; FAX 610-826-5464

Alan Miller    alanm@pnec.org                            Gilberto Garcia Rodriguez   gilbertor@pnec.org   

Barbara Jennings   barbaraj@pnec.org             Patty Rehrig     pattyr@pnec.org

 

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO INCLUDE IN "THIS WEEK IN PNEC" PLEASE EMAIL IT TO   pattyr@pnec.org

               
2017 Annual Meeting of the Penn Northeast Conference will be
Saturday, April 29, 2017, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  - Place TBA.
REMINDER... For those PNEC pastors who have not returned their Periodic Support Consultation Questionnaire - Please fill them out and return to the Conference Office by the deadline of July 31.  Thank you!
               
MORE INFO ON Church Volunteer Clearances
Please  Click Here  to read about further information about church volunteer clearances.
- Sandy
The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss
Director of Advocacy and Ecumenical Outreach
Pennsylvania Council of Churches
717.545.4761; Fax 717.545.4765
Cell 717.350.0165
 
PNEC Sleep Out For Homelessness
at St. John's UCC, Fullerton
575 Grape Street, Whitehall
Saturday, Sep 17 at 6pm to
Sunday, Sep 18 at 9am
The idea:
- To be the eyes, hands, and heart of Jesus in our community and the world.
- To spend a night learning about what it might be like to be homeless.
- To raise money for VALLEY YOUTH HOUSE which helps abandoned, abused and homeless youth.
 
Children's Sermon for
for July 31 (based on Luke 12:13-21)   

Materials Needed:  Opened bag of Hershey Kisses,  concealed in a shopping bag.   Garbage can. 
     Ask the kids who wants to get a kiss from you.   They will flinch-- at least they always do when I ask who wants a kiss!  Then pull out the Hershey Kisses and ask, "NOW who wants me to give them a kiss?"   Give one to each child.   Then,  tell them you still have some left.  Go out to congregation and keep handing out kisses until they're all gone.   Come back to kids and throw  (now empty)  Kisses wrapper in garbage can.   After you do that, show kids your hands, and ask what you have now.  They'll answer, "Nothing!"  Tell them that they're right, there's nothing in your hands, but (point to heart) that NOW you have the joy of giving in your heart.  Explain that, in today's Bible reading, Jesus invites us to have the joy of giving in our hearts, by giving what's in  our hands to God and other people.
- Rev. David Quinn
 
What Makes Your   Sing?
 
Let's find out and let's do it together!
It's happening...the PNEC Women's Retreat and you are invited to be a part of it!    
Friday, September 23 - Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Trout Lake
 
(Click HERE for registration form for details) 
 
Please share this good news among
your sisters in faith.
 
-- The Planning Team
            Becky Beckwith, Jane Hess, Susan Kuder &
Barbara Jennings
 
CROSSROADS
CROSSROADS Info Session
Saturday, August 13 at 10 am 
Moravian Theological Seminary, 60 W. Locust Street, Bethlehem 
     Do you feel a God nudge every once in awhile?  Would you like to explore your sense of call?  As a layperson, what are the skills you need to live out the purpose that God has for you?  
     CROSSROADS offers a variety of courses in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. Maybe it's the right time for you to jump in and take the courses to build skills or deepen your faith and get ready for the next chapter.
     Our Fall schedule includes Compass (a great place to start and to explore your sense of call), Missional Leadership (real, practical skills to help you lead in your congregation or in community ministry) and Culture & Change (how does our church culture hold us back and why is it so hard to change?)  Missional LEadership and Culture & Change will be offered in a Distance Learning format for those who do not live in the immediate area.
Join us on August 13.  Register for classes online.  Check out our website at  www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads
    
Or Contact Jill Peters,CROSSROADS Director at jpeters@moravian.edu to answer any of your questions.  Come and join us!  We promise that you will work hard, learn much and have a good time doing it!
  
 

MINISTRY DAY

Monday, October 17, 2016

 9AM - 3PM

(Registration Begins at 8:30AM)

St. John's UCC (Fullerton)

575 Grape St., Whitehall

Keynote Speaker:

Rev. John C. Dorhauer,

General Minister and President of

the United Church of Christ

 

Watch for Registration Information Coming Soon! 

 
                   2016 BOUNDARY TRAINING
This year the Lehigh Presbytery is sponsoring
the Boundary Training on the following date:
 
October 10  (deadline to register is September 30)
9AM to 3PM
Pennside Presbyterian Church, Reading
 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLERGY CONNECTIONS
 
Rev. Curt Kemmerer's last Sunday at St. John's, Nazareth is July 31.  He plans to devote more time to his counseling business.

Joanne Haney, 83, died on Saturday, July 23, at Manor Care, Allentown. She was the wife of the Rev. Morgan Haney who died in December 2012.  Services will be held on Monday, August 8, in Gnaden Huetten Cemetery, Lehighton, PA.

Rev. Teresa Martin from the Penn Central Conference was elected pastor of St. John's, Coopersburg, on Sunday, July 24.  She will start on August 1, 2016

Service of Interest... INSTALLATION - October 23 - 3:00PM- Sharon Frye - Salem UCC, 330 First St., Weatherly
 
JULY       calendar
26-29 - National Youth Event (NYE) - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF "Upcoming Dates"
                    CLICK HERE
 

IF YOU ARE A LICENSING/COMMISSIONING MID (Member in Discernment) 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

November 19, 2016 - 9AM to 3PM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Day - Place TBA

 
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (formerly Lay Ministry of the 21st Century) is beginning its NEW curriculum with ALL classes being held at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven on specified Saturdays below from 9am to 4pm with each class being LIVE-STREAMED and recorded. We begin our Fall curriculum with:
 
CARE GIVING
Part of Christian discipleship, both within and outside the church, revolves around sharing Christ's care with others. This session will consider ways to develop listening skills, visitation guidelines, and compassionate presence .
 
and THEN
a 3 Session Series
September 17, October 8, and November 19, 2016
UCC HISTORY AND POLITY
       "Who are we? Where did we come from? What do we value? How do we work together?
Participants in this class will not only journey through the founding and history of the United Church of Christ, but will develop an understanding of how we live in covenant together, from the local church to Associations and Conferences to General Synod."
 
and on October 15, 2016
STEWARDSHIP
As God's stewards, we are called to make use of all God's gifts for the growth of God's reign on earth. How do we deepen our own sense of stewardship and encourage good stewardship practices within our churches?
 
VISIT OUR WEBSITE for registration information (that is under construction) BUT CONTINUING AT www.lm21c.com.
 
Opportunity for Outreach in Bethlehem
 
     During Musikfest some of the homeless are not fed in the Bethlehem area.  If your church is looking for an opportunity to do outreach in August, here's a great way to help!  Needed are 50 bagged lunches that can include non-perishable items.  Dates that are available to help are:  August 11.
     Please email Rev. Heather Kurtz at revgraceucc@rcn.com  with the date you are available to take the bagged lunches to Christ Church UCC, located at 75 E. Market Street, Bethlehem.  The bagged lunches will be handed out at 12:00 Noon.  Please have your lunches delivered to the church at 11:45.  If you have any questions please contact Rev. Kurtz.  
 
Save the Dates... 
PNEC Sleep Out for Homelessness
St. John's UCC  (Fullerton)
Saturday, September 17-Sunday, September 18
More information will follow in a few weeks...
 
AND
 
PNEC Annual Youth Retreat
May 19-21, 2017
Spruce Lake
More information will be forthcoming!
 
     The PNEC will host a day of Education
with Martha Spong. Save the date on February 14th with a snow date of February 21st. We will gather at St. John's Fullerton from 9 a.m. until 3.
     Power and Place in Women's Stories" will take a deep and wondering look at the stories of the women who anoint Jesus, as well as where we figure in our own stories.
     Mark tells a story in the macro; the woman has revolutionary social courage, performing a political action with global implications. Why, then, in Luke, is her nature changed, her act reduced to subservience, her action's place in the gospel changed entirely? Here we learn what the powers do by misdirection. Then in John, written later, we find the story in the micro - a family story, still subversive, with the previously anonymous act carried out by a known quantity. And what of Matthew's villain?
     We will look, too, at our own lives and place ourselves in our stories.  Where have we been subversive? When have we needed courage? Who do we call villains? Why do we let others tell our stories for us?
     Martha Spong is the Executive Director of RevGalBlogPals and a pastor in the United Church of Christ. A writer and a clergy coach, she has served churches of various sizes and situations as both an interim and settled pastor. The editor of There's a Woman in the Pulpit: Christian Clergywomen Share Their Hard Days, Holy Moments and the Healing Power of Humor (SkyLight Paths, 2015), she is currently at work on a book telling her story of living faithfully with a chronic illness.
 
secretary
Dear Parish Secretaries,
Administrative Assistants, Business Managers, or Office Assistants:
 
You are cordially invited to join us this October 4 and 5 for the annual Parish Secretaries' Seminar, which will again be held at the Bird-in-Hand Family Inn, located in Bird-in-Hand, PA.
 
For a full explanation flyer and registration form,
 
IN SEARCH OF...

Part-time Sexton Needed:  Hope U.C.C., Wind Gap is in
need of a part-time Sexton.  Resumes may be mailed to the church at P.O. Box 425, Wind Gap PA  18091 or call the church office for more information (610)863-4474
Free - a new Alb for a pastor of about 5'8"; light in color,
includes cincture.  Call John Hoff at 610.928.0082
Westminster Village in Allentown - 
a continuing care retirement community is seeking a PT Chaplain/Pastoral Care Coordinator. For more information and to apply-go to their website:
                www.presbyterianseniorliving.org
Friedens UCC, Slatington, is looking for an
Organist/Pianist (part-time and or full-time).  For more information, please contact Karlene Laub at 610-760-1170
Church of the Goo d Shepherd UCC, 135 Quarry Road,
Alburtis, PA 18011, is seeking a Choir Director to accompany and lead our Senior Choir of 15 adults; 5 women & 10 men.  Contact the Rev. Scott M. Sanders at the church office: 610-966-2991 or Email: gsucc71@ptd.net.
ORGANIST or PIANIST NEEDED: St. Mark's UCC,
Allentown is in need of an organist for Sunday service and special services throughout the year. Approximately 90 minutes per service. Salary is negotiable. Please respond to smucc@ptd.net or mail to:  St. Mark's UCC, 52 East Susquehanna St., Allentown PA 18103;  Att: Consistory Elders
UCC, Greenawalds, 2325 Albright Ave., Allent own, PA
18104  is seeking a Director of Music Ministries to serve as church choir director, organist and/or pianist. This is a part-time position, to play for one worship service at 10:30 am on Sundays, direct weekly choir rehearsal, and play for special services. Pay is based on experience. Resumes may be submitted to Grant Field at dgfield67@yahoo.com or mailed to the church office at the above address.  Additional information can be obtained by calling 610-395-0821
 
What's Happening in Our Churches
 
(PLEASE NOTE:  We love advertising the "happenings" in our churches, however the list is getting too long for this publication.)
 
FOR THE COMPLETE LISTING of
"What's Happening in Our Churches"

CLICK HERE