This Week in PNEC --- November 10, 2016 - November 18, 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
PNEC-UCC Penn Northeast Conference will be hosting a
Pre-Retirement Seminar sponsored by The Pension Boards United Church of Christ on
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
at Jordan United Church of Christ
1837 Church Road, Allentown.
Registration and additional information will be mailed by The Pension Boards approx. two months before the event.
 
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.
 
ONLINE UCC History, Theology and Polity Course
Winter 2017
 
     A UCC History, Theology and Polity Course that meets the requirements as set forth by the UCC Polity Teacher's Network will be offered online during January 2017. Classes will begin at 9:00am and end at 4:00pm on the following dates: January 7, 21, 28 and February 4. The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing (zoom.us) The tuition will be $465. For more information contact the instructor, Reverend David Gaewski, NY Conference Minister, at  davidgaewski@uccny.org
     This polity course is sponsored by the Oneida Association of the New York Conference. Payments should be sent no later than December 20th to: Diana Pelletier, 114 Munro Dr., Camillus, NY 13031. Make checks payable to Oneida Association UCC.
     A syllabus is available upon request.  Laity, Members in Discernment and Privilege of Call candidates are all invited!   Class size is limited to the first twelve to register.  The course will be cancelled if we do not obtain seven registered students. A student is considered registered when full payment has been received. Students who cancel enrollment will receive reimbursements up until January 6.
 
Greetings from the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry;
On December 10, 2016 from 9am to 4pm at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven, the PA Academy of Ministry will be conducting its BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION (Advanced) CLASS for Licensed Ministry Students, current Authorized Ministers and laity that want to expand their understanding of the Bible.  This is a great refresher for current ministers and is the PRE-REQUISITE class for the upcoming Preaching series in February and April.  Click Here for the registration form or you can go to our website ( www.paacademyofministry.org) and register online.  All necessary documents for the class can be found on the student page of our website.
     Our instructor for the class is Erika Fitz who holds an M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in New York and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Emory University.
 
Creating Opportunities to Secure the Future of Our Church...the UCC has a wealth of scholarships for individuals in the denomination who are engaged in education, leadership, and ministry.  Please Click Here to see the scholarships that are currently available.
 
Children's Sermon for
        for  Nov. 13 (based on Luke 21:54-19)  Items Needed: one brand-new box of crackers (some kind that kids like.) Ask kids who likes whatever kind of crackers you have bought.  Whoever has raised their hand, pick out one of them, ask them to stand apart from the others, and tell them you are going to give them this box.  Before you hand the box to the child, you open up top of box, take out the whole packet of crackers inside, and then you hand them the empty box.  (To child,)  that's not what you had in mind, is it?  What's important to you is not the box, but what's inside.  It's the same way with Jesus.  In today's Bible reading, Jesus and His followers are in the Temple---the Temple was kind of like a very big and very beautiful church.  Jesus' followers all looked at how big and how beautiful the building was, kind of like looking at how brightly colored this cracker box is.  But, to Jesus, what was important was not the building, but what was inside(hold up packet of crackers)-- the faith of the people inside the hearts of the people inside the Temple.  What is most important to Jesus is not how our church looks, or  how we look on the outside; what's most important to Jesus is the faith and the love we have on the inside.  Open up packet of crackers and give each child some as a reminder that  it's the love inside us that is most important to Jesus
- Rev. David Quinn
 
CROSSROADS
 
Crossroads Info Session
    As a Lay Person, do you have a sense that God is calling you to something more - a deeper relationship, a specific mission, an expanded leadership role within your faith community?  Crossroads Lay Leadership is a great place to explore your call and gain the skills you need to live into that call.
     Join us Saturday, November 12 at 10 am at Moravian Theological Seminary, 60 W. Locust Street, for a presentation on the program and an informal Q&A to follow. Now is a great time to explore the intersection of your life and God's mission!  Real Time Distance Learning will also be a topic.  If you want to attend the Info Session by distance, please contact Jill Peters at jpeters@moravian.edu as soon as possible. Crossroads: Great people sharing faith, working hard and having fun!
  
Dr. Jill Peters, Missional Leadership Developer
Moravian Theological Seminary
              
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CLERGY CONNECTIONS

Susan Lishman has announced her resignation as Minister of Christian Education and Assistant Minister of First UCC, Hellertown, effective December 31, 2016. Susan served First for over eleven years 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  
Services of Interest...
 
November 20 - 3:00PM - INSTALLATION - Rev. Kris Snyder-Samuelson - Union UCC, Neffs. Clergy and ministers are invited to process, please meet in the back of the sanctuary before the service.  Wear your favorite stole (it does not have to be red). EVERYONE is invited to a reception following worship. Preacher:  Rev. Thomas N. Thomas, Pastor Emeritus

 
calendar
UPCOMING DATES            

NOVEMBER
11 - PNEC OFFICE CLOSED - Veterans Day
15 - 9AM - Licensed/Commissioned Ministry Committee
15 - 11:45AM - Blue Mountain AMC Clergy - Katie's Family Restaurant, New Tripoli
16 - 9AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee - Conf. Office
19 - 9AM-3PM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Day - Conf. Office
20 - 3PM - INSTALLATION - Rev. Kris Snyder-Samuelson - Union UCC, Neffs. Clergy and ministers are invited to process, please meet in the back of the sanctuary before the service.  Wear your favorite stole (it does not have to be red). EVERYONE is invited to a reception following worship. Preacher:  Rev. Thomas N. Thomas, Pastor Emeritus
22 - 9:30AM - Ordaining MID Committee - Conference Office
22 - 9-11:30AM - Joint Conflict Resource Team - PNEC Office
23 - PNEC OFFICE CLOSED 1/2 DAY - Thanksgiving Holiday
24-25 - PNEC OFFICE CLOSED - Thanksgiving Holiday
28 - DEADLINE for GEM Fund Applications

      FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF "Upcoming Dates"

The Spiritual Renewal Partners 

of the Penn Northeast Conference UCC

invite YOU to join them for an Advent Retreat 

Saturday, December 3, 2016

9Am to 3PM

St. John's UCC, 139 North 4th St., Emmaus, PA

Please click here for flyer & registration

DEADLINE - November 30 
 
Call for UCC Chaplains for the 2017 Boy Scouts of America Jamboree
     The UCC Scouting Working Group is seeking qualified persons to serve as Chaplains for the 2017 Boy Scouts of America Jamboree. 
     Every four years, the Boy Scouts of America hold a National Jamboree that brings together Scouts from all over the country and world. In the summer of 2017 over 30,000 Scouts and adult leaders will gather at the Summit in West Virginia, the permanent home for Jamborees, for 8 days of outdoor fun and fellowship. Integral to the staff are a corps of 120 Chaplains who represent all of the faith groups that sponsor Scouting Units. The UCC has been sparsely represented in the last few Jamborees, but with the new Memorandum of Understanding between the UCC and the BSA we have the opportunity for several UCC Pastors and Authorized Ministers (of any gender) to serve as chaplains.  Chaplains are involved in the day to day life of the youth and adults who participate in this event. They provide emotional and spiritual support to them around the natural phases of life.  Chaplains have also been involved in hospital visitation and death notifications. Above all the chaplains model healthy spiritual practices to young people and their leaders.
     Interested persons must be:  1) an authorized minister in good standing with the UCC; 2) registered (or become registered) as an adult leader in the Boy Scouts of America, and; 3) willing to serve young people and participate in a fun, meaningful & challenging event. 
     UCC Chaplains have the responsibility to:  1) participate in an online Chaplaincy Training/Orientation; 2) follow the guidelines of the BSA National Jamboree; 3) wear prescribed BSA uniforms; and 4) pay their own registration fees & travel costs.  (We are seeking ways to help those who need financial assistance.)
     Find out more about being on staff at the 2017 National Boy Scout Jamboree at http://www.summitbsa.org/events/jamboree/overview/ 
and click on Staff Volunteers.  If interested contact Rev. Lev Reynolds at LeveringR@aol.com
 

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.  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
 
IN SEARCH OF...

CHURCH SEXTON P/T 16 hours/week, $10/hour.
Maintain Church Building and Grounds; Provide Support to Church Sponsored events. Send resume, including previous experience, skills, and personal references to:  For an application, call Trinity UCC, Bethlehem at: (610)691-8200 or email: trinityunitedchurch@rcn.com

Longswamp UCC is currently searching for a Director
to lead our Children's Learning Center. A successful director will be on the cutting edge of early childhood education trends, have a passion for children & their development, and possess the skills to inspire, motivate and manage a small team. In addition, this individual will help our Church's leadership team imagine, create, motivate, manage, and communicate - compellingly, passionately and clearly - a future-focused vision for the Longswamp Learning Center. For more information, please visit this link: https://longswamp-learning-center.workable.com/jobs/351935
 
St. John's UCC, Palmerton is donating two organs     from their church to good homes.  (1) Wurlitzer by Bell & Howell Century Deluxe Organ with Orbit III Synthesizer and bench; (2) Carousel Organ with stops and complete set of pedals and bench.  If interested, call the church at 610-826-2050 and if no answer, please leave a message and someone will return your call.

CHURCH CUSTODIAN needed for United Church of
Christ, Greenawalds in Allentown. 
General cleaning duties, trash, floor care and sidewalk snow removal.  30 hrs/week, experience preferred.  Send resume to churchoffice@uccgreenawalds.org  or mail to UCC Greenawalds 2325 Albright Ave. Allentown, PA 18104
  
Hand Bell Choir Director:  St. John's UCC, Nazareth,
PA seeks a director for two hand bell choirs.
The church owns two sets of five octave hand bells and one set of three octave hand chimes.  Responsibilities include: Recruiting players as needed, rehearsing and directing two Bell Choirs, selecting and purchasing music, coordinating requests for use of the bells outside of the building with the Director of Music; and maintaining the hand bells and related supplies as needed.
Qualifications:  Play piano, previous directing experience, and the ability to work well with people. Pennsylvania and FBI clearances required for employment. Salary determined by experience. Call 610.759.0893 for application or e-mail us at sjuccnaz.org.

Church of the Good Shepherd UCC, 135 Quarry Road,
Alburtis, PA 18011, is seeking either an Organist/Choir Director; or an Organist; or a Choir Director.   See our church website:
The sanctuary is equipped with a Fritzsche, two-manual, pipe organ.
Our Senior Choir currently has 5 women and 10 men members.
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

 
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