Weekly Update - March 6 , 2019
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

News from Penn Central Conference - NEW!

3 Great Loves - NEW!

Conference Events - NEW!
Generosity - NEW
Clergy News - NEW!

Prayers and Devotions - NEW!


Just a reminder - Today is the LAST Day to Submit Yearbook Information!
OtherResolutionNews from Penn Central Conference
A Message from Our Conference Moderator  -   NEW 
I want to keep you updated as much as possible on what's happening with the Board of Directors and the work we are doing on your behalf in Penn Central Conference.
Right now, as the Moderator, I have taken on the Search and Call duties that were being covered by Rev. Dawkins-Smith. I have been answering e-mails and phone calls, and reaching out to Association Commissions on Ministry chairpersons and other knowledgeable people to help, depending on the situations. I will continue to do that until we have found the person(s) we need to do this for the immediate future. So, please don't hesitate to either e-mail or call me with any questions or concerns you may have.
If you have a Local Church Profile completed, please send it to me for approval before being submitted. Laura Dalton will continue to do the work in the Conference office of submitting Local Church Profiles as they are approved. She will also be forwarding pastor's profiles to search committees as they come in and will be helpful in answering your questions as well. I want to make sure that none of our churches feel left out or do not receive the support they need.
The Board of Directors will be meeting this weekend to begin the process of determining the direction we need for this time of transition. I am feeling very hopeful in the possibilities before us, both for the Conference Minister and the immediate needs for the search and call person.
I have been in touch with the UCC office of the President in Cleveland and they are being very helpful. We will do our best to keep everyone informed as much as we can through all of this. Again, I encourage you to contact me with any concerns or questions as we work our way through this time.
I trust in God's presence with all of us and ask that you continue to keep us all in your prayers. They are making a difference!
Blessings,
Ann
Rev. Ann N. Graves - amngraves@comcast.net - 814-867-3322 (h) and 570-490-3866 (m)
An Ash Wednesday Message from Rev. Nora Foust  -   NEW 
Genesis 2:7 The Voice (VOICE)
7  One day the Eternal God scooped dirt out of the ground, sculpted it into the shape we call human, breathed the breath that gives life into the nostrils of the human, and the human became a living soul.
On Ash Wednesday, I cannot help but think about the dust: the dust from which we came and the dust to which we shall return. I am also reminded of the Breath of Life that fills me each day and beckons me to be in relationship with the source of that Breath. When that relationship is celebrated and lifted up, I can live most fully the life of discipleship I am designed for offering to God.
How will I inhale God, the Breath of Life, in these moments of my sojourn? What areas of your discipleship journey call your attention today? What new ways of living might the Breath of Life animate you toward? How is your soul today?
As I seek new ways of being called in this liturgical season of Lent, I recognize the wilderness of transition that we here in the Penn Central conference again find ourselves journeying. One thing scripture promises us during wilderness seasons is the presence of God and the temptation to lose sight of that fact. Transition wilderness in the church can be a trying time and when the season seems long or holds unexpected turns, we, like the Israelites, often share our discontent, want to turn back, and still continue to journey, continue to follow. Jesus shares an example of journeying full of the Holy Spirit that led him into the next season of ministry in his his life. Let us journey together, connected by this Spirit and fed by the manna of God, that we, Penn Central Conference siblings, might be open to the next season of ministry to which God is calling us in and through this wilderness journey. May God's peace and comfort sustain us.
EventTraining3 Great Loves - Share Your Story This Lent
3 Great Loves: Celebrate and Lift Up Your Story - NEW

3 Great Loves is our denomination wide initiative where we Share God's Love through our Love of Children, Love of Neighbor and Love of Creation.

This Lenten Season, share you story with us!  We are looking for 40 (or more!) stories where churches, congregations and people have shared in 3GL.  

We want to hear from you so we can all celebrate and lift up the work throughout Penn Central Conference.  

Please send your story to Stephanie and look for exciting stories from Penn Central Conference churches to celebrate each week.
EventTrainingConference Events
For Pastors and Laity



Evaluation Form - We greatly appreciate your feedback!



 
Please Save the Date for Our Upcoming Workshops
March 23 - Creating Small Group Ministries at Your Church   - PLEASE NOTE NEW DATE!
September 14 - Being the Church Today
All sessions are 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.    See flyer for additional details.

For Clergy


Please join us on the following dates from 1:00 - 4:00 at St. Thomas United Church of Christ.
  
April 11 - Rev. Jes Kast and Rev. Megan Malick, Back at the Table
May 9 - Rev. Dr. Carolyne M. Call, Emotional Intelligence
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Light refreshments will be served.
 

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Pastor's Lenten Breakfast and Worship
Thursday, April 4
9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon
Please join us for worship and breakfast

EventTrainingEvents and Training
PCC Annual Meeting - NEW

Penn Central Conference Annual Meeting
June 7 and 8, 2019
Susquehanna University

Please refer to our  Web site for additional details.  
(Our Web site will continue to be updated!)


Special thanks to Colleen Franciscus from St. Paul's UCC, West Milton for our beautiful logo!

General Synod - NEW


Matthew 5:16 
"In the same way let your light shine before others . . ."

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 21 - 25, 2019

 In the Executioner's Shadow
March 17, 2019
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg
626 Williams Grove Road - Mechanicsburg

Please RSVP to stpaulstaff@outlook.com. There is no cost to attend; however donations are accepted to cover pizza and speaker costs. Flyer

CalendarofEventsCalendar of Events
 
   
      
Annual Meeting - June 7-8, 2019, Susquehanna University

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

2020 Clergy Sabbath
SAVE THE DATE - January 21-23
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
ResourcesResource Links
 
CJIWebsiteGenerosity
Generosity This Lenten Season - NEW
 
Lent is a great time to focus on our relationship with God and each other. As we enter and are honoring the season, here are a few ideas to focus on generosity and changing behaviors with yourself or at your church:  
  • Review all the ways you are generous - time, ability, finances and look for new ways to share them... liberally
  • Commit to 40 acts of generosity this season and record them in your own "Sparkle Box" - then read them and share them after Easter
  • Create new mission projects to help others and invite folks (inside or outside your church) into this ministry
  • Share your Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation and Love of Children - we would love to hear those stories!
  • Volunteer - find a cause you can support and extend your time volunteering for that ministry
  • Join a PCC Ministry Team... I promise you will find the work and the people inspiring!
  • Consider your environmental stewardship - now is a great time to fully live into our Styrofoam resolution and even look at expanding it (Bringing your own water bottle or mug with you or reducing plastic is a great ones to consider.)
CNWebsiteClergy News
Clergy News and Information - NEW
Clergy News
Even if you are getting the eNews, we have a PCC Clergy distribution list as well.  Please sign up to get the latest news, events and information just for clergy.
Penn Central Conference's Chaplaincy Program - NEW
What You Can Expect From a Chaplain?
 
As you already know, the Penn Central Conference began a chaplaincy program for clergy and clergy families about four years ago, following the recommendation of the Strategic Planning Committee. The program's aim is to provide support for clergy and families as they navigate the myriad transitions that are often part of life.   Transitions are often fraught with stress, discomfort, disorientation, and emotional upset. I know that a hospital chaplain made an enormous difference for me following cancer surgery several years ago.
 
So, what can you expect from a chaplain? First, a chaplain will maintain confidentiality. Relief from stress entails being free to share one's experience about a given situation and it is a comfort to know that what you share is held in confidence. A chaplain will do her best to listen to you and help explore awareness of your feelings, facilitate acceptance, expression and letting go of those feelings. The process helps in coming to peace about the issues a pastor or family may encounter.
 
Often chaplains are called upon during times of loss and grief. A chaplain may assist persons explore options and invite ways in which one's faith can be a source of comfort, peace and clarity during what can be a painful, confusing and difficult time. Chaplains may be able to give useful information and support as you weigh various options and make decisions. A chaplain does not make decisions for people they talk with but can help them find comfort. They do not aim to fix problems but to let you know that you are not alone and find the peace that passes human understanding that comes with knowing that God is with you.
 
Prayer, scripture and sacrament are expressions of our religious tradition and are shared by a chaplain. Our faith can help us to restore hope, peace and the rhythms of wholeness.
 
Scott M. Watts, MS, M.Div., LPC, NCC
Facilitator of Care to Clergy and Clergy Families
Cutting Edge Faith Formation Conference 

April 1 -3, 2019.  Join us at MA-AUCE's annual Cutting Edge Faith Formation Conference and learn more about how to be anti-racist with Dr. Jennifer Harvey!  


HCWebsiteHartman Center
Hartman Center Golf Outing

Hartman Center 12th Annual Golf Outing
May 11, 2019 1:30pm start

Fairview Golf Course,
Quentin (Lebanon), PA 2399 Quentin Road, Lebanon, PA 17042
in memory of Rev. Lee Lawhead

Registration and Online Registration
Hartman Center News
 
Hartman Center Legion

Lots of people committed to many different opportunities to serve in many different ways. And the organization of such a group needs "called out".  And so in 2019, we are announcing a Hartman Center Legion.  For details...

Prayers1Prayers for Penn Central Conference
 
Ephesians 6:18 (NLT): 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Beginning in 2018, we created a prayer list to invite you to pray with us as we pray for all. We will continue this each week in 2019 as we list names of various churches in Penn Central Conference and hope you will add them to your prayers.
 
  • Saint James UCC, Danville
  • Trinity UCC, Danville
  • Saint John's UCC, Denver
  • Dover UCC, Dover
ArchiveArchive
Our Previous eNews
Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
email: srader-titzel@pccucc.org   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
web: http://www.pccucc.org