This Week in PNEC --- March 9, 2017 - March 17, 2017

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
In My Weakness, You are My Strength!          By Alan C. Miller
  
My book has finally arrived.  Book is a bit of an exaggeration; it is more of a devotional.  It is my journal written during the first eight months of my treatments for thymic carcinoma.  It is the story of finding the grace of God in the midst of cancer.  All proceeds from the book are going to Sloan Kettering Hospital for rare cancer research.  You can pick one up at the Conference Office for $10.00, or call  (610-826-3113) or email us ( barbaraj@pnec.org ) and we will send you one for $11.00; make sure you include the shipping address.
               

                             

MARK YOUR CALENDARS....

PNEC SleepOut for Homelessness

September 23-24, 2017

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

More information will be forthcoming!!

 
Daybreak Update
Here's what's going on & how you can help!

Hello everybody!
     I would like to update all of you about what is going on with Daybreak, and also put out a call for help. 
On Wednesday, March 1, Daybreak officially reopened at Dubbs Memorial Community Center (457 W. Allen Street, Allentown). Unfortunately, our new Daybreak space remains under construction. It is expected to be completed in 2 to 3 weeks (although the kitchen renovations may take longer). In the meantime, we are making the best of the situation, and meeting in Flag Hall on the first floor. Since we do not have a kitchen, we have been serving a cold continental breakfast, and then a cold lunch that we prepare at our Soup Kitchen.
     Last week, we were blessed by a man named Jim who just happened to win a catered lunch for 20 from Chipotle that he donated to us. Like the "bread and the fishes," it turned out to be plenty of food! The members enjoyed the huge spread of steak, chicken, pork, beans, and more. The timing could NOT have been better, as we are without kitchen facilities
     Jim's generosity gave me the idea to ask if anyone else would be willing to donate a lunch to Daybreak. We thought about things like a "doggy pack" from Yocco's because we have big slow-cookers we could use to heat that type of food. Sandwiches and salads would also be a great help. I know that some of you have certified kitchens at your churches, so if you like, we could accept any food that you prepare there.
     Please note that we do not have a stove to heat things up, but we could use our slow-cookers. I am open to any of your ideas or donations.
     You all have always helped make Daybreak possible and just WONDERFUL!
     Thank you for all of your support! I look forward to when we can all be together-and cook together-once again!
Becky Latshaw
Daybreak Kitchen Coordinator
610-820-5049
 
 
INFO NEEDED FOR ANNUAL MEETING
 
Attention all PNEC Congregations:  
     -What One Mission Project do
 you do at your church that 
 everyone gets excited about?  
     -What Mission Project are you
 known for in your community? 
     -What Mission Project does your congregation do
 so  well that if you didn't have it, it would not get
 done?  
    Whatever you come up with, please write a few words about it and email this info, including the date of your next event, your church's name, and location (with a pic if possible - but not necessary) to Jane Hess so that she can make a  Power Point presentation for our Annual Meeting.  jdhess@frontiernet.net     Please call her if you have a question: 570-401-2239. This Power Point will run continuously as folks are coming and going from the main meeting room at the Annual Meeting!  Thank you from the bottom of our socks - because the bottom of our hearts aren't deep enough.
 
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
is proud to announce its
2017 Licensed Minister's Convocation
to be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017
from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
at St. John's UCC (Hain's Church)
at 591 N. Church Road in Wernersville, PA 
 
Our Keynote speaker will be Dr. Robert Fogal on Practicing Generosity: How to communicate with clarity and grace.  Two additional workshops will be provided by Rev. Ann Graves on Hymnody: A historic & creative look at the hymns we sing and by Rev. Heather Kurtz on Ordinary to Extraordinary: A new look at Ordinary time.  Refreshments and lunch will be provided.  This is a great way to network with your peers while fulfilling continuing education for your ministry.  We hope to see all our Licensed Ministers for this annual event.  For more information please contact our Program Director: Rev. Steve Hummel at paacademyofministry@gmail.com or call him at 484-239-5578.  For the full brochure and registration CLICK HERE
 
Children's Sermon for
         for March12 (based  on John 3:1-17)  Items needed:  toy car; toy airplane; long table (or the top of the piano)  Show the car-explain the car has an engine and wheels.  Show the plane-the plane also has an engine and wheels.  Now, have both the car and the plane go along the table (or the piano) towards the edge.  What happens to the car when it goes over the edge--it falls(let car fall.)  What happens to the plane when it gets to the edge-it rises up.  Why does the car fall down, but the plane rises up.  The plane has wings that  catch the wind and move the plane up, up, up.  In today's Bible reading, Jesus says that God's Spirit is like a blowing wind.  Our faith is like the wings on the this plane.  Our faith can catch the wind of God's Spirit, and lift us up towards God.
- Rev. David Quinn
 
Happy 20th Anniversary to Faith UCC, Hazleton
 
On March 5, Faith UCC started its celebration 
the 20th anniversary of the four UCC Hazleton congregations uniting to become one - Faith UCC: "Serving the Community and Changing Lives."  Conference Minister, Alan Miller, preached and Rev. Ghulam Nasrani, a member of Faith, offered the history of the merger.  Also pictured here is the pastor of Faith, Jane Hess, and Assistant Pastor, Ron Schnell. 
 
  ANNOUNCEMENTS &
CLERGY CONNECTIONS
 
Emmanuel UCC, Nuremberg has decided to leave the "Nuremberg Charge" which consisted of Emmanuel UCC, St. Peter's (Shumans), Bloomsburg and Trinity UCC, Rock Glen.

St. Peter's (Shumans) and Trinity UCC, Rock Glen have renamed the Nuremberg Charge since Emmanuel UCC has decided to leave.  Their new names is: The New Beginnings Charge
 ***************************************************
Services of Interest...
April 30 - 3PM - ORDINATION - Michael Lonergan - Christ UCC, Bethlehem
 
May 7 - 3:00PM - INSTALLATION - Licensed Minister Sandy Murphy will be installed as pastor at Christ UCC, Conyngham
 
May 7 - 3PM - INSTALLATION - Rev. Michael Lonergan will be installed as pastor at Salem UCC, Pocono Pines
 
calendar
UPCOMING DATES            

MARCH
11 - 12:15PM - PTIM AMC Clergy - PJ Whelihan's at Platz's,
Lehighton
12 - 5-7PM - PNEC Memorial for Rev. Dr. Kim Johannessohn
Moor - Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd.,  Allentown
14 - 10AM - Licensing/Commissioning Member in
Discernment Committee - Conf. Office -  (Sub-Committee working on L/C MID Manual meeting from 10AM to 1PM) -  (Rest of the L/C MID Committee meet at 1PM)
14 - 12:15PM - PTIM AMC Clergy - PJ Whelihan's at Platz's,
Lehighton
14 - 6PM (supper) - Annual Meeting Planning Team - Conf.
Office
15 - 9AM - Ordained Church & Ministry Committee - Conf.
         Office
16 - 6:30PM - PNEC/PSEC Transition Team - First UCC,
Quakertown (Room 3)
 
FOR THE COMPLETE LIST OF "Upcoming Dates"



        SAVE THE DATE...                           

Retirement Party

for our Conference Minister

Rev. Alan Miller

Sunday, July 23

Time TBA

Northampton Memorial Community Center

Northampton, PA

 
PNEC 12th Annual Youth Retreat
"GOD First"
May 19-21, 2017
All youth grades 7th - 12th are invited!
Check In Friday 6:30-7:00PM
Pick Up Sunday at 12 Noon
Spruce Lake
5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA
DEADLINE for REGISTRATION & $50 deposit due April 3rd 2017
CLICK HERE for registration flyer and detailed information
 
     The Phoebe Mini Messenger is now available to view online! Please visit Phoebe.org/Messenger to learn about the latest news and developments at Phoebe Ministries.
     The Mini Messenger is a quarterly newsletter of Phoebe Ministries, published in tandem with the Phoebe Messenger. If you would like to be added to our email or mailing list, please contact Peter McConnell at 610-794-5124 or pmcconnell@phoebe.org
 
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (formerly Lay Ministry of the 21st Century) has instituted 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.
 
April 8, 2017
PREACHING II
Advanced Class (Prerequisite is Preaching I)
Students explore the nuances of preaching funerals, weddings and other special circumstances that broadens ones' ability to transform, motivate and inspire the congregation to follow Christ's teachings in the world.

For more information & REGISTRATION VISIT
OUR WEBSITE AT
 
Three Important Opportunities in One Day 
On Monday, March 20th, Heather Kimmel, General Counsel of the United Church of Christ, will be joining us to lead three educational opportunities
 
#1 10:00 am - "Best Practices for Boards and Councils" - She will help us understand what are the primary responsibilities, the legal obligations, and best practices for governing boards.
#2  2:00 pm - "The New PA State Child Abuse Laws" - This session is designed to speak to pastors, Christian educators, and youth ministers who are employees of a church. Heather will review both the new child abuse reporting obligations and the required background checks for employees. Lay leaders are welcome to attend, however there will be a special event for them in the evening.
#3  7:00 pm - "The New PA State Child Abuse Laws for Volunteers" - This session will be similar to the afternoon session but will address the same issues as they pertain to local church volunteers.
     There is no cost for these events. We are going to try and hold them at the Conference Office, unless we have more register than we can accommodate at the Office. In that event we will move to a local church Fellowship Hall. Thus to help us please register early by calling or emailing either Barbara Jennings ( barbaraj@pnec.org) or Patty Rehrig ( pattyr@pnec.org), 610-826-3113.
     Heather E. Kimmel is the General Counsel of the United Church of Christ. She has been serving in that capacity since December 1, 2015. Prior to that, she served as Associate General Counsel of the United Church of Christ. Before joining the Office of General Counsel, she practiced in the areas of white-collar defense and complex civil litigation at Jones Day and Baker & Hostetler, as well as serving as a federal judicial clerk. She also served as an adjunct professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law.
 

 PNEC Boundary Training Workshops

October 4, 2017

Rev. Diane Wheatley, Presenter

8:30AM Registration

9:00AM to 3:00PM Workshop

St. John's UCC, 183 S. Broad St., Nazareth

Host Pastor:  Rev. Jeff Brinks

Cost:  TBA

AND  

October 5, 2017

Rev. Diane Wheatley, Presenter

8:30AM Registration

9:00Am to 3:00PM Workshop

Faith UCC, 21 Faith Drive, Hazleton

Host Pastor:  Rev. Jane Hess

Cost:  TBA

To register for one of these events, please email Patty Rehrig at pattyr@pnec.org  or call the Conference Office 610-826-3113

 

Boundary Training needs to be done once every 4 years

If the above dates do not work for you, please

 CLICK HERE

for other opportunities for 2017.

 

23rd Annual Clergy Convocation

May 2-4, 2017

Double Tree by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster

     Guest Speaker, Rev. John C. Dorhauer

    General Minister & President of the UCC

For full flyer and registration information

CLICK HERE

TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE

 
IN SEARCH OF...

 

For the complete list of churches who are searching for organists, choir directors sextons, pianist, etc., etc., and also churches who are giving away items, please CLICK HERE

 
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"

Please Click Here