Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Letter from Bonnie Bates
Friends, As we approach All Saint’s Day on Sunday, we remember the saints of the Church and the saints within each of our congregations. It is good to remember, to celebrate and feel the nurture of our common sadness and grief. Yet, even in these days of pandemic, we are not people without hope. We are people who believe in the presence of God, in the presence of Jesus and Spirit, and in the resurrection life yet to come. These are the beliefs in which our hope lives.
This year we remember not only our personal friends and family members, but we also remember the nearly 9 million Americans and the 44.6 million individuals world-wide who have contracted COVID-19. Of those more than 231 thousand Americans and 1.2 million individuals worldwide have perished. We remember and mourn for all those individuals whose lives were cut short, whose families are grieving, and whose faith communities are mourning their loss.
Yet, there is hope. We can count on God’s presence in this pandemic, in whatever state we find ourselves, no matter the struggles. I was known as the minister of hope while I was in seminary, but my hope is not without a basis in faith. There have been many losses in my life, my brothers, my parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Through all these losses, I have known and felt the presence of God. Sometimes I have angrily cried out in lament to God. Sometimes I have wept in despair. Sometimes I have felt numb. Yet, God was there, is there in all those moments.
As you remember and celebrate the saints of the church, I ask that you remember to remember with love and hope. Love is our gift from God and to one another. Hope is the gift we have been given through the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Our strength to remember and engage in love and hope comes through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Desmond Tutu spoke of hope saying, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” This All Saints Day, my prayer is that you feel the hope that is our faith.
Blessings, Bonnie
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Suggested Guidelines for Local Church Gatherings in the Fall, 2020
October 29, 2020
Greetings to all in the Penn Northeast Conference:
We are now entering the eighth month of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. I give thanks for the ways you have faithfully served God during this difficult and stressful time. Throughout this tenure, I have been impressed with the diligence with which each Church has discerned how to minister through the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are a few examples I celebrate:
- You have developed COVID-response teams with members who share their medical and technical expertise for the health and safety of your church and community.
- You have developed and implemented guidelines regarding when and how you will return to in-person gatherings.
- You have learned how to joyfully worship online using various forms of technology and lots of patience when things go awry!
- You have generously given your money to ensure that your Church will continue to serve the community and each other during this time.
- You have creatively utilized the warm weather to safely gather your church outside for worship, fellowship, and ministry endeavors. Thank you!
Unfortunately, the COVID cases are rising again. This past weekend (October 23-25) there was a national record of 228,264 new cases reported.[1] Yesterday alone cases in Pennsylvania increased by 2,332 and deaths by 29. Overall, PA numbers are 205,852 cases and 8,789 deaths. One more death is one too many.
Please consider the Suggested Guidelines for Immediate Closure of In-Person Worship and Gatherings which follows this letter. This may mean virtual Advent and Christmas worship. I know this feels like another loss in these difficult days, but I urge us to act for the safety of all in our midst.
Please note that these guidelines are suggestions as I prayerfully respect that each Church must discern for itself what the most appropriate plan of action is for your Church. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns from the information in these guidelines.
I want to thank my Conference Minister colleagues for their resource sharing which are a part of this message.
May God’s compassionate wisdom renew our spirits as we continue to be the Church through this COVID-19 pandemic. Blessings, Bonnie
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PNEC is searching for new homes for the following:
- Two two-drawer file cabinets with a safe and card file (1 with no key)
- One large heavy wooden desk in good shape
- Two Christmas tree stands
- An assortment of metal bookends and pamphlet boxes (plastic and cardboard)
- Two bulletin boards
ALSO
Hand Sanitizer Available - Thanks to the effort by Rev. Karl Jones, PNEC/PSEC Disaster Response Coordinator, we have 25 gallons of liquid (not gel) hand sanitizer to give to churches who need it. Please contact the Conference Office (610.826.3113) or email (BarbaraJ@pnec.org) to arrange for pick up here in the Conference Office
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Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America have filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy largely due to the number of sexual molestation claims they are facing. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Office of General Counsel, in consultation with the legal offices of Formula of Agreement partners including the UCC, have prepared the attached document. It contains information about the proof of claim process, should Local Churches who had or have a charter with the BSA want to protect any claim that they may have against BSA. While the proof of claim process is not difficult, Local Churches may want to consult an attorney for assistance. In line with FAQ #5, United Church of Christ Local Churches are not represented by the Office of General Counsel or by Conference Attorneys in this matter.
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Care for the Caregiver!
A Workshop for Faith Based Caregivers
November 17, 2020 from 10AM to 11:30 AM - virtual training
contact Patty Rehrig at the Conference Office to register -- pattyr@pnec.org
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Mourning the Saints
It has been a year of abundant grief. On top of the pain and loss we experience collectively in what we used to call “normal” times, this year has added 205,000 (and counting) Saints to the numbers of those who have gone before. This year has added trauma and pain and loss in ways that continue to hold our hearts captive. This year has called a reckoning of systems towards Justice, and the slow pains of growth and awareness and the impact of struggle on people trying to hold it together. And this year has called us to cling fast to faith with clarity and strength and prayer.
So in calling on our faith that all those who have gone before are in community with All Saints, you are invited to join us in honoring those who have passed, especially to COVID-19, for a service of All Saints with music, prayer, and lifting of names. We will gather via Zoom on November 1st at 6pm ET / 5pm CT / 4pm MT / 3pm PT / 1pm Alaska & Hawaii.
To contribute a name to the visual list of people in memoriam, simply fill out this form and the name will be included. Additionally, if your congregation has done a communal memorial, you are welcome to send photos to UCCPhotos@ucc.org and have them included in the national service.
With prayer, faith, and hope, The United Church of Christ
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Resources on Voter Intimidation and Armed Presence
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"Growing Up On The Gridiron:
Football, Friendship and the Tragic Life of Owen Thomas"
This book may be of interest to others in the Penn Northeast Conference because it is about Owen Thomas, the son of the late Rev. Tom Thomas and the Rev. Kathy Brearley. "Growing Up On The Gridiron: Football, Friendship and the Tragic Life of Owen Thomas," published by Beacon Press, chronicles Owen's life and his importance in the emerging issue of brain trauma and football. It is also a book about the love of football among young men. Tom and Kathy are both a significant part of the book and I had their full permission and cooperation in writing it. I've attached the news release that my publisher prepared about the book.
I spoke at Union UCC, Neffs on Sept. 13 and my topic was "Writing A Book As An Act of Faith." I also am leading two discussion groups about the book at the church. If any churches in the conference have book groups and would be interested in having me speak or participate in a discussion, I'd be open to do that -- but I will admit that I am only willing to do that if social distancing is observed or it is done virtually.
Vicki Mayk, Author of Growing Up on the Gridiron: Football, Friendship and the Tragic Life of Owen Thomas (coming Sept. 1, 2020 from Beacon Press), Writer, Editor and Teacher -- 610-248-8929
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Call to attend our Penn Northeast Conference Fall meeting
Saturday, November 7, 202
We will gather at 9:00 a.m. Our Meeting will be a Virtual Zoom Meeting and run from 9 am to 2:30 pm.
The Meeting’s Theme is Moving Forward
Scripture: Isaiah 43:19
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is!
I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.
The meeting will begin with the Celebration of Installation of our Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates. The Service will include the UCC Conference Ministers from the other five Conferences in the Middle Atlantic Region with special music. The Installation will finish approximately at 10:15 a.m. and the Business portion will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Business Items will include:
· Vote on the 2021 Conference Budget
· State of the Conference Address
· Vote on a slate of Nominees for Conference delegates for General Synod
· Recognition of Committee and Board members and the Moderator who are completing their terms
· Recognition of Pastors’ Anniversaries of their Ordination, New Pastors, & a Time of Remembrance
· Recognitions of Church’s Gifts to OCWM and Five for Five
Hope you can virtually join us! -- Doug Taylor, Moderator
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Wearing a Mask Is an Act of Love
A year ago, the concept of a pandemic would have been inconceivable for the vast majority of Americans. Smallpox, once a common, deadly disease, has been eradicated. Other diseases like polio, measles, and seasonal flu viruses that tend to spread over the winter months are mostly kept under control through the widespread use of vaccines. Zika, Ebola, and several SARS viruses are mostly far away and have been controlled relatively quickly. The last pandemic of any great proportions was the 1918 flu. Many have believed that a pandemic like that of 1918 could never happen again, so this year’s SARS-CoV-2, or novel coronavirus, and the illness it causes, COVID-19, took us by surprise.
Rev. Sandra L. Strauss
Director of Advocacy & Ecumenical Outreach
Pennsylvania Council of Churches
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Zoom Presentation on
"Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States"
As part of a celebration of the release of the new book, Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States, a special Zoom presentation will be sponsored by the Sigal Museum of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society on Saturday November 21, at 2 PM. The author, the Rev. Richard H. Taylor, will speak on the origins of the German Reformed Church, its entry into Northampton County, recalling some early leaders, and will conclude with a few remarks about the book itself. It will conclude with a question and answer time for participants. All are welcome.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 820 1019 6460
Passcode: 586501
[The book begins with a social and organizational history of the denomination, including six maps, charts, and illustrations. A useful tool for genealogists, its over 700 pages also note about 1,300 Lutheran churches that were in union arrangements with Reformed congregations. The author is the Rev. Richard H. Taylor, who attends Forks UCC near Stockertown, and is the former Chair of the Historical Council of the UCC. He is the brother of Douglas Taylor, current Conference Moderator. To buy a copy of the book contact Rev. Taylor at 610-438-3771 or pilgrimrht@rcn.com. [A discount price of $31.50 is available before the end of the year, including PA Sales tax. Shipping is an additional $5.00.]
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Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center for
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones to COVID-19
A virtual team of specially trained mental health, spiritual care and health services Red Cross
volunteers are standing by to provide compassion, comfort and
American Red Cross - Virtual Support for Frontline Workers:
Free Individual & Group Sessions
Frontline and essential workers are experiencing extreme stress as they perform their routine duties helping others in the midst of the COVID-19 environment. A combination of stressful working conditions, long hours, insufficient resources, read more...
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Youth Ministry Opportunity
November 12-14, 2020
National Virtual Gathering for everyone serving in youth ministry. Participants will be able to select workshops and small groups, as well as other items that speak to their individual needs. Registration is now open and will close November 10th. More information, as well as the link for registration can be found here https://www.ucc.org/youth
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UCC Congregations for Mental Health Fall 2020 Webinar
In Partnership with Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the UCC
November 13 - 14, 2020
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Crossroads Program
CULTURE AND CHANGE
(8) Mondays & Thursdays
November 5 - December 3
6:00-9:00pm - Price: $240
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Young Adult Summit: Intersections of Faith and Advocacy: A Focus on Peacebuilding in Israel-Palestine
Saturday, November 14
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. EST
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Christmas Card Project Request from Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek
I am writing to inquire whether you are interested in participating in the Christmas Card Project with our partner churches in Japan this year. This year, given the global COVID-19 pandemic, we know that churches on both sides of the Pacific are faced with unprecedented challenges. Even as we might feel overwhelmed by our own predicament, God calls us to reach out to care and connect. Read More...
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The Story of Worship
(open to both Pastors & Lay Worship Leaders)
November 14, 2020 from 9AM to 4:30PM via Zoom
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos - Cost: $50/person
(This will count for 7 hours of continuing education)
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Discovery Days - Lancaster Theological Seminary
November 7 & November 11 Virtual Discover Days event.
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Invitation - Webinars
each webinar will be one hour and will include 5 minutes of introduction, 45 minutes of presentation, with 10 minutes reserved for Q&A. Register now for these:
Did you miss the first webinar, Planning the Annual Communications and Development Calendar?
Peace,
CYNTHIA BAILIE, Director
Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity and Communication (OPTIC)
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Pastor's Conversations
Bonnie Bates is inviting you to a scheduled semi-monthly Pastors’ Conversations Zoom mtg, held on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 2 pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 829 4709 0481
Password: 235909
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,82947090481#,,,,0#,,235909# US (New York)
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Moravian Seminary - Have You Registered??
LGBTQ Suicide & Care for the Souls of Queer Folk
Friday, November 13 • 3:00-5:00pm
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2020 Advent Resource Guide
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Webinars and Resources
-Resources for Faith Based Organizations & Houses of Worship
-Administration on Children, Youth & Families
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