This Week in PNEC

This Week in PNEC --- September 22, 2016 - September 30, 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. -

St. John's UCC, 1415 Rising Sun Road, Laurys Station, PA

Gwilym Williams Scholarship Gwilym T. Williams

SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are a college or graduate student who is preparing for a career either as a/an ordained minister, certified teacher or educator,

doctor of medicine then you may qualify for a scholarship grant from the

Gwilym T. Williams Scholarship Fund

This Trust Fund, created over a generation ago by a now deceased PNEC benefactor from Scranton, is administered by the Penn Northeast Conference of the United Church of Christ. The purpose of this Fund is to provide financial assistance for post-secondary students enrolled in accredited institutions of higher learning, and who are preparing to embark on a career either as an ordained minister, a certified teacher or educator, or a doctor of medicine.

Grants are limited by stipulation of the Trust to students pursuing one of these three career options, and who are also currently members in good standing of a PNEC congregation. Financial assistance will be awarded only to help pay the institution-stipulated costs of tuition and/or housing.

You are required to submit to the PNEC office all application materials (your application, certification of an acceptable program of study, your school's financial bill) before your request will be considered. Application materials must be in our office by October 1st in order to be considered for a grant for the (preceding) summer and/or (current) fall terms, and by March 1st in order to be considered for a grant for the (preceding) winter and/or (current) spring terms. Reimbursement checks will be issued directly to successful applicants. Even if you have received a Gwilym T. Williams scholarship in the past, you must reapply in order to be considered for a new grant. Applicants are awarded a maximum ten grants for undergraduate work, and ten (more) grants for post-graduate studies.

Please go to www.pnec.org to obtain the application packet.

Please note: your application will not be processed until all three application materials are received in the PNEC office.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The 2017 Compensation Guidelines are now available for viewing and downloading on the PNEC website at www.pnec.org

MINISTRY DAY

Monday, October 17, 2016

9AM - 4PM

(Registration Begins at 8:30AM)

St. John's UCC (Fullerton)

575 Grape St., Whitehall

TOPIC:

Conversations with

Rev. John C. Dorhauer,

General Minister and President of

the United Church of Christ

Free Will Offering will be taken for lunch

Please email or call Patty Rehrig at the PNEC Conference Office pattyr@pnec.org

or 610-826-3113

to make your reservation

We have extended an invitation to the pastors in the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference

Please get your reservations in early!

Lay Ministry of the 21st

Century has changed its name to PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF MINISTRY (PAM)

to better reflect our educational mission. We are currently in the throes of launching a brand new website with our class schedule, a listing of new class offerings to churches and associations, ONLINE registration for all classes and ONLINE payment, as well as our LIVE BROADCAST and recorded classes for a more flexible attendance.

Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry's new curriculum with brand new GOALS & OBJECTIVES that are matched to the MARKS OF EFFECTIVE MINISTRY can now be fulfilled within a 2 ½ year fast-track option or a 4 year regular rotation. All classes are held at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven with a new pre & post class assignment format.

PAM is a Pennsylvania Southeast, Penn Central and Penn Northeast conference sponsored training program designed to provide an educational foundation for our laity, our churches and our licensed/commissioned ministry programs aimed at helping our congregations thrive as the body of Christ.

Please visit our website and check out the new classes and registration and for more information please call Rev. Steve Hummel, Program Director or email paacademyofministry@gmail.com

UPCOMING CLASSES:

UCC History and Polity-Sept. 7, Oct. 8, & Nov. 19th

Stewardship-Oct. 15th

Biblical Interpretation Dec. 10th

The Chautauqua United Church of Christ Society is seeking nine UCC clergy to serve as Chaplain of the Week during the summer of 2017. Each chaplain serves during one week, Saturday through Saturday, during the regular Chautauqua summer season. For information about schedules and themes, please see www.ciweb.org. As Chaplain of the Week, you are espected to preach and lead worship on Sunday at the denominational service, briefly share your story during a social hour, lead an evening vesper service and participate in community life with our guests. You will receive housing, two gate passes, and a parking pass. Applications are available on our website at www.cuccs.org. The application deadline this year is November 30.

Children's Sermon for

for Sept. 25 (based on Luke 16:19-31) Items Needed: 21 one dollar bills. Beforehand, lay out the dollar bills, long end to end, in a row of three across and making seven rows down. Use pieces of scotch tape to attach them each other, then put this "sheet of money" in a plastic bag. When you call kids up, ask for a volunteer to stand up and apart from the others. Assuming you have a picture of Jesus in sanctuary, turn towards picture and ask kids Who you see when you look that way---Jesus. Then turn towards kid volunteer and ask who you see when you look towards him/her---child's name. Then take sheet of money and hold up for kids to see---"See, how I've stuck all these dollar bills together." Now hold sheet of bills between you and Jesus picture. Ask kids why you can't see Jesus---money blocks out Jesus. Then hold sheet between you and child volunteer. Ask kids why you can't see (child's name) anymore. Money blocks out seeing child. So, money can be like a curtain, which keeps me from seeing Jesus, or other people. Turn towards pic of Jesus, and lay sheet of money on floor. Say: Money can be a curtain, which blocks out Jesus, but money can also be a carpet (Walk on money sheet, towards Jesus) which helps me move closer to Jesus. Pick up money sheet and do same thing with child volunteer---money can be a curtain, which blocks out others, or money can be a carpet which helps me move towards others. In today's Bible reading, Jesus tells a story about a man who makes money into a curtain, that blocks the man from seeing God and people who need help. But Jesus wants us to use money like a carpet (demonstrate again by laying money on floor ), to help us walk towards God and others. When we use money to help the needy, we make Jesus smile (Extra credit joke--You can say to adults, "Now that I've put this cash on the floor several times, I will need to engage in money laundering!")

- Rev. David Quinn

ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLERGY CONNECTIONS

Rev. Jeffrey Kistler will be the interim pastor at Ziegel UCC, Breinigsville starting October 10, 2016.

Rev. David Quinn is the interim pastor at St. John's UCC, Palmerton.

Rev. Christian Creyer, who was elected on Sunday, September 18, as pastor of Chestnut Hill Church, Coopersburg. He will start October 1, 2016.

Rev. Barry Durie had an angiogram on September 14 & the doc noted no blockages and a healthy heart and suggested putting in a pacemaker right away since lines were still in, he was still fasting and in the hospital. He is home recuperating. Restrictions will lift over the next two to four weeks and full recovery 6-8 quite an amazing experience and one of gratitude. Cards may be sent to Barry at 2424 E. Blvd., Bethlehem, PA 180187

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Services of Interest...

October 23 - 3:00PM- INSTALLATION - Sharon Frye - Salem UCC, 330 First St., Weatherly

November 6 - 3:00PM - INSTALLATION - Rev. Teresa Martin - St. John's UCC, 538 E. Thomas St., Coopersburg. The theme of the day is "Passion for Christ and Life" and a tail gate reception/party will follow!

UPCOMING DATES

SEPTEMBER

23-25 - Women's Retreat - Trout Lake

27 - 9:30AM - Ordaining MID Committee - Conference Office

- 9-11:30AM - Joint Conflict Resource Team - PNEC Office

FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF "Upcoming Dates"

Click Here

UCC Resources

2016-2017 UCC Desk Calendar & Plan Book

This popular UCC essential runs from July 2016 - December 2017. Has complete lectionary readings for every Sunday, special mission offering dates, special observances, and National Staff directory. 1-4 copies $16 each; 5+ copies $14 each

Click Here to order

Calling All UCC Youth (Grades 9-12)!

Help Refugees - Win Scholarships - Share your Creativity!

ENTER the SYRIAN REFUGEE ACCOMPANIMENT VIDEO CONTEST

Show your awareness of the response to the Syrian refugee crisis and highlight your local community's plan of action for awareness-raising and welcoming.

Submit videos between October 1 and November 11, 2016.

Three scholarships ($2,000, $1,000 and $500) will be awarded.

Your work will be shared on ucc.org during the month of December as part of the Our Stillspeaking Voice multimedia initiative.

More information and the submission form are on the video contest webpage: http://www.ucc.org/SyrianRefugeesVideoContest

Give a boost to the visibility of a UCC extravagant welcome. Join other congregations in opening hearts and communities to refugees. First Federated Church, North Jackson, OH and Sylvania UCC share their mission trip experience via video walking "Hand in Hand" with Syrian Refugees resettling in Toledo, OH.

Questions?

Contact Mary Schaller Blaufuss, UCC Global Sharing of Resources Team Leader, blaufusm@ucc.org or 216-736-3214.

Invites YOU to the Inaugural Chaplaincy Lectures ALIVE INSIDE: A STORY OF MUSIC & MEMORY with Dan Cohen

September 22, 2016 - 9AM to Noon

addressing topics of interest to chaplains in various settings such as hospitals, colleges, continuing care communities & prisons as well as those in local church and other ministry settings.

For registration and more information please go to

https://secure.moravian.edu/sem/continuingEd/registration.asp

ALSO

Learn About Our Graduate Programs

October 1 * November 5

10AM to 12 Noon

Click Here to Register OnLine

LICENSING/COMMISSIONING MID DAY

(Member in Discernment)

November 19, 2016 - 9AM to 3PM

Penn Northeast Conference Office,

431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, PA

Save the Date...

PNEC Annual Youth Retreat

May 19-21, 2017

Spruce Lake

More information will be forthcoming!

Phoebe - Berks

Assistant Chaplain

Part Time

Phoebe Berks, a premier Continuing Care Community providing skilled nursing, personal care and independent living for older adults is seeking a part time, 24 hrs. per week, Assistant Chaplain to support the spiritual needs of our residents, family members and staff at our Wernersville campus. Responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to conducting a variety of religious activities, volunteer development and community networking. This candidate will provide support for CPE intern chaplains and field education students as well as resident care and counseling as part of the healing team. Pr eferred candidate will enjoy serving a diverse population with varied spiritual backgrounds and beliefs. Candidate will possess Master of Divinity or related degree, two units of CPE and ordination in United Church of Christ or partner denomination. Preferred eligible for certification by Association of Professional Chaplains or moving toward this goal. Please apply

on-line at phoebe.org/careers or forward resume to:

Rhonda Wade, Human Resources

Phoebe Berks, 1 Reading Drive

Wernersville, PA 19565

Fax - 610.927.8400; rwade@phoebe.org

EOE

"WE ARE ONE".... CELEBRATING OUR COMMON HUMANITY

Learning to dialogue for understanding

As our world becomes more contentious and divided, we hope to help people conquer fears of "otherness" by gaining knowledge of others and forging relationships by asking about and sharing issues of concern with serious respect for each person.

Participants are invited to learn and use the tools of dialogue to open ongoing communication throughout our faith and cultural communities. An important part of this dialogue series will be exploring social identities.

We are committed to teaching and learning listening skills that will further respect for the American value of freedom of expression while coming to understand that historical experiences matter... to all people.

Please join us for four initial sessions September 22, October 27, November 17 and December 15, 2016 for the first series of "We Are One" Community Dialogues. Sessions will be held at Muhlenberg College, 6:45 - 8:30 p.m.

RSVP: Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding

at Muhlenberg College, 484-664-3292

There is no cost, but pre-registration is required. Space is limited.