Weekly Update - May 15 , 2019
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

News from Penn Central Conference - NEW!

Conference Events - NEW!

Community and Justice Issues - NEW!
Events/Training - NEW!
Generosity - NEW!
Clergy News  - NEW!

Prayers and Devotions - NEW!
LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR ON CAMPUS HOUSING FOR ANNUAL MEETING IS FRIDAY, MAY 17!
OtherResolutionNews from Penn Central Conference
Innovation Grants - NEW 
Six (6) new  Innovation Grants  were awarded in November 2018 to support new ministries in the Conference: 2 in Central Association, 1 in York Association, 1 in Mercersburg Association, 1 in Northern Association and 1 in Lancaster Association. Grant awards ranged from $1,600 - $5,000. Thanks to the Board of Directors Finance Committee for their work in creating this new initiative for the Conference!

We look forward to seeing the work of Zion (Stone Valley) UCC, Grace UCC, Starview UCC and Wisdom's Table at St. Peter's UCC throughout the year.  Read more about Northern Association and New Covenant UCC's use of their Innovation Grants below.

Additional grant information can be found on our Web site.  Grant applications are accepted July 1 - October 30.
Northern Association RISE Above Hunger - NEW 
Thank you to Northern Association for your work on hunger!!

"The energy and mission-mindedness this project brought to the Northern Association Community far exceeded our expectations.  Even though the project was a one-day event, many people came together to plan, fundraise, and organize to ensure everything flowed smoothly.  Our goals of encouraging community and church involvement, raising hunger awareness, and generating enthusiasm and connection to the wider church were achieved in ways we never expected."  Read more...


New Covenant UCC, Williamsport - NEW 
New Covenant UCC has had a Little Free Library and they wanted to expand upon this to include non-perishable food items and hygiene items for people in their neighborhood.  This Food Pantry (a.k.a. "Blessing Box") allowed options for those with limited means and allowed others to donate if they had a little extra. Members of the congregation and community will work to keep it stocked.

Now, it is installed and ready to be filled. The Penn College Women in Construction Club installed it.  The hope of New Covenant is to alleviate some of the food/hygiene burden for their neighbors.

Thank you, New Covenant UCC for this important ministry!

EventTrainingConference Events
 Annual Meeting - NEW


Online registration that includes staying on campus closes on May 17 -- this Friday!  Annual Meeting information is being updated daily.  Please see our  Web site for additional updates . 

A Few New Additions to Our Web Site This Week:
  • Advanced Reports
  • Final Agenda
  • What You Need to Know..
  • Necrology
  • Church Anniversaries
  • Clergy Bios
Agenda:
Here is our agenda.  Annual Meeting kicks off at 12:00 Noon on Friday, June 7.  We start with lunch and move right into workshops before plenary, worship and our evening activity.

Workshops:
This year, we have 5 sessions that can be attended before Annual Meeting even starts!   ONA workshop  -  Creation Justice workshop  -  Orientation for Annual Meeting  -  Financial Hearing  - Boundary Training. Robust workshop offerings are available both Friday and Saturday. This year, sign up will be on site in Degenstein.

Children's Annual Meeting:
Children's Annual Meeting is back for its second year!  UCC Homes will be sponsoring this program and Pastor Nate and Kara Druckenmiller are once again running it.  

Mission Project:
Our  mission project   is school supplies for Snyder County Children and Youth Services.

Evening Fellowship:
Thanks to a CHHSM sponsorship, our Friday evening experience involves more of what you have been asking for!  Feedback from prior Annual Meetings has stressed the need for additional opportunities for fellowship.  This year, we will have games, music and fun on the back lawn (and in Degenstein) to give us all a chance to visit, share and engage with one another.

Help Still Needed:
We are in need of a photographer, additional stage managers and desperately in need of someone to coordinate our golf carts and golf cart drivers.  We have 1 driver right now and are in danger of not providing them at all.  If you are willing or able, please send Stephanie an email.
Morsels of Excellence - NEW



Morsels of Excellence (April) Your Church Mission
Morsels of Excellence (April) Your Church Mission


Evaluation Form - We greatly appreciate your feedback!



 
Please Save the Date for Our Upcoming Workshops
September 14 - Being the Church Today
All sessions are 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.    See flyer for additional details.
EventTrainingCommunity and Justice Issues
Creation Justice - NEW
 
Please take a minute to review this interactive  quiz.  It's about ranking possible solutions to the climate crisis.
 
If the quiz annoys you too much, just take a look at this ranked chart of the 100 best solutions.  The list is also very interactive, with links to definitions of their terms and and with info on the pros and cons of the solutions.  Lots of good information about a very complex subject.


DR&R - NEW
 
Are you ready for Hurricane Season?  Prepared to Stay Safe Near Dams?  Looking forward to National Building Safety Month?  Read more in  Ready PA Monthly Newsletter
EventTrainingEvents and Training
PAM - NEW
The Ministerial Institute of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary is designed for lay ministers, individuals in discernment, and other church leaders. This is an  ecumenical program of theological education focused on  leadership in the local congregation . 
 
The Ministerial Institute is a three-year, non-degree program with classes in adaptive leadership, Christian theology, church history, biblical interpretation, financial and strategic health, and more. Classes are taught by experienced pastors, each of whom brings expertise and passion to their teaching. Classes are offered online September through April and in-person at Lancaster Seminary for one week each July. Students may sign up for the entire program or take classes a la carte. Participants in the full program also participate in a facilitated, covenant peer group and serve a concurrent ministry placement. 
 
If you or someone you know is seeking education for church leadership, this may be the program you've been looking for! The documents linked below can be used as an article or graphic for your church newsletter and other communications with your community.
 
For more information, please see the attached documents and reach out to Lancaster Seminary at [email protected] or (717) 290-8741.
Pathways - NEW
Pathways has a new Facebook page in addition to some great new courses that coincide with their new Certificates starting August 2019.  

CERTIFICATE OF FOUNDATIONAL THEOLOGY

BIBLICAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES CERTIFICATE

PREACHING CERTIFICATE


UCC Church Building and Loan - NEW

The UCC Church Building & Loan Fund has been helping churches transform their communities for over 160 years.

The Regional Mission Interpreter can help your congregation:
  • Dream and explore your future through a guided Visioning Process
  • Fulfill your mission and raise funds with a guided Capital Campaign
  • Grow generous givers with a guided Stewardship Campaign
  • Ensure your resources match your mission Repurposing Consultation
  • Provide loans for purchasing land and /or structure, construction, and other capital projects
To learn more about these services, contact your Regional Mission Interpreter, Jill White, [email protected] or (216) 736-3820.
Parish Resource Center - NEW

Founded 26 years ago, Kairos Contemplative Spiritual Direction Training is a two-year certificate program that teaches the art and practice of spiritual direction. 

A new class is registering now, to start Fall 2019!  An early bird discount is available for registration by June 1.  

Insurance Board Webinars 
There are many Insurance Board webinars for training and information, including Church Management, Church Property, Church Transportation, Safe Conduct Workbench, Youth Activity and Insurance Board Services.
Mercersburg Convocation at LTS 
Registrations are open for the 2019 Mercersburg Convocation at Lancaster Seminary "Mercersburg: Does It Matter?". For more information go to https://mercersburgsociety.org/ and click on Convocation. On-line registration can be accomplished with Windows 10.
"Won't You Be My Neighbor?" - NEW

 
PSEC Invites You to See Brian McLaren 

Brian an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good.  His presentation will be based on his book: "The Great Spiritual Migration - How the World's largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian".

Cost $15. To register, select option 16.

General Synod 


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

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 21 - 25, 2019


Great News - Trinity, Waynesboro and Creation Justice's resolution on Plastic Foam is headed to Synod!  Thank you to Kathy Brown, Gail Landers, Bill Lochstet, Wendy Anderson, Tom Hocking and Libby Loser for all your work on this!

Walking with Joy 
Walking with Joy
Giving Thanks for the Healing Ministry of Gestalt Pastoral Care

HOST CHURCH: Zwingli United Church of Christ
350 Wile Avenue, Souderton, PA 18964

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Registration/Gathering: 9:00 AM, Program: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Suggested Donation: $65/person
Tea with MOM (Manual on Ministry) - NEW, DATE CHANGE
Due to low registration and another event in the life of the Lancaster Association, the Tea with MOM scheduled for Sunday, May 19th at LTS has been postponed until August 25th at 3pm in the LTS Refectory.
August 25th: How Shall We Approve Individuals for Ministry?
3:00-4:30 PM at Lancaster Theological Seminary Dietz Hall Refectory (Gypsy Kitchen)
 
Join us for a facilitated discussion about how the preparation for authorization might be changing in light of the new Manual on Ministry. We will explore the possibilities of multiple paths and how they work. We will also discuss the potential new assessment committee to be formed at the Conference setting for assessment of all Members in Discernment. 

We promise great food from the Gypsy Kitchen and stimulating dialog with colleagues! Please register in advance and we look forward to hearing your reflections on this critical topic for the church. 
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
ResourcesResource Links
 
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
CNWebsiteGenerosity
Generosity - NEW
He concluded by asking,  what does it mean to be fully generous?  It's more than abundance; instead, it's abounding. God's generosity is abounding - always moving, always including. We have to learn to stand up against what seems impossible because if we don't do it, God will find someone who will. We must be willing to be changed, to push against the status quo, to be transformed in a way that welcomes all into the conversation, just as God planned from the beginning.  Read more...

Questions for Reflection
  • "God's abundant generosity." Replace abundant with abounding. How does that change the phrase for you?
  • In what ways is your congregation adapting to the fast cultural changes in cash flow and exchange?
  • Does your congregation talk about money? If so, how? If not, why?  
CNWebsiteClergy News
Installations 
May 26 - Installation of Rev. Dr. David Stewart at New Hope (Fissel's) UCC, Glen Rock - 3:00 PM
June 2 - Installation of Rev. Brian Damrow at Penbrook UCC, Harrisburg - 3:00 PM
June 9 - Ecclesiastical Council of Garrett Brook at Christ UCC, Annville - 3:00 PM
July 20 - Ordination of Rev. Scott Siciliano at Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg - 3:00 PM
HCWebsiteHartman Center
Hartman Center Snacks Needed 

Once again we are hoping to provide all our camper snacks through your generous donations. 

Suggestions: cookies, brownies, rice crispy treats, Goldfish crackers, cheese puffs, salty snack mix, pudding cups, 100% juice drinks.

Bulk packages are preferred as they create less trash.
Also needed - Gatorade powder

Gift cards to Weis, Giant or Dollar General are also greatly appreciated

**PLEASE note: Hartman Center is a nut-free facility 

Summer Camp 

It's Time to Register for Summer Camp at Hartman Center



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.

This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
 
  • Zion UCC, Herndon
  • Church of the Redeemer, Hershey
  • Emmanuel UCC, Jacksonville
  • Hummelstown UCC, Hummelstown
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Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
email: [email protected]   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
web: http://www.pccucc.org