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Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Mourning the Massacre in New Zealand
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. –1 John 4:18
We awoke to the horrendous news of the mass shooting of Muslims at Friday prayers in two mosques in New Zealand. In the Masjid an-Nur mosque (“Mosque of Light”), Christchurch, and in the Linwood Mosque, 49 people were killed and more than 40 are injured. We hold the victims and their families in prayer. As a Christian community of faith, the United Church of Christ stands with the Muslim community of New Zealand, in the U.S., and around the world, particularly those living with the daily realities of racism, Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment.
Please click here to continue reading...
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Clergy Housing Allowance
The Seventh Circuit ruled in a 3-0 decision that the clergy housing allowance is constitutional. This is terrific news for our clergy. It is likely not the end of the fight, but it is a reprieve. The housing allowance continues.
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Call to the Spring Meeting of the
Penn Northeast Conference
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Church of the Good Shepherd
135 Quarry Road, Alburtis, PA
Theme: Rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord Always
COST: $35.00
Registration Deadline: April 15, 2019
Sorry, there’s no refund of registration fees
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Conversation with the Conference Minister
March 26, 2019
Bonnie Bates is inviting you to a Zoom Conversation with the Conference Minister at 11AM
Join Zoom Meeting
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Dial by your location
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Meeting ID: 253 316 980
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Dear friends,
We are presently in the season of Lent when we focus our hearts on Jesus's journey to the cross,in a spirit of penitent self reflection.
I am writing to churches in the US that have participated in the Christmas Card Project with churches in Japan. It has been eight years since the great disaster of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant explosion. Our partners are wrapping up their tsunami relief programs as of this month with a special service of "Thanksgiving and Remembrance" on March 23rd.
Please know that the nuclear disaster is ongoing - the truth of which is kept far from the public eye. Our partners continue to accompany those who suffer in and around Fukushima. Please keep us in your
prayers.
Jeffrey Mensendiek, CGMB mission co-worker, Tokyo, Japan
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CONVERSATION WITH RETIRED PNEC PASTORS
A conversation with
our retired pastors
about the changes in the Manual on Ministry, the new Exempt Standing requirements, and continuing education requirements is being hosted by the chairs of the working groups of the Committee on Ministry and will be held on
Tuesday, April 2 at 2 pm at the conference office.
Please contact Patty Rehrig at
pattyr@pnec.org
to register for this event. Light refreshments will be served. The group is limited to 40 participants.
Bonnie
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Thank you to the following churches
who contributed to OCWM during the month of February 2019.
Cedar (Cetronia), Allentown..........Christ (Little Moore), Danielsville..........
Christ (Schoenersville), Allentown..........Christ, Jim Thorpe..........Christ Church at Lowhill, New Tripoli....
Emmanuel, Allentown..........Emmanuel, Nuremberg..........Faith, Center Valley..........Faith, Hazleton....
First, Berwick..........First, Nescopeck..........First, Scranton..........First, West Pittston..........
Good Shepherd, Slatedale..........Grace, Allentown..........Grace, Northampton..........Heidelberg, Slatington
Jordan, Allentown..........Morgenland, Orefield..........New Bethel, Kempton..........
St. John’s (Fullerton), Whitehall.........St. John’s (Mickleys), Whitehall..........St. John’s, Laurys Station
St. John’s, Slatington..........St. John’s, St. Johns..........St. Luke’s, Wilkes Barre..........St. Paul’s, Allentown
St. Paul’s, Northampton..........St. Peter’s, Mantzville..........Trinity Cong., Scranton..........
Trinity Great Swamp, Spinnerstown..........Trinity, Bethlehem..........Trinity, Pleasant Valley..........
Union, Neffs
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Interim Ministry Network
Effective Transitional Ministry Training
A One-Day Session
May 24, 2019 from 9AM to 5PM
Penn Northeast Conference Office
Registration Deadline: May 6, 2019
Fee: $200 - cost partially underwritten by OCWM gifts to PNEC
Scholarships available from the Longsdorf Fund
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The Amigos de Guatemala
Don’t leave PNEC’s Amigos de Guatemala out of your congregation’s 2019 schedule! We have the opportunity of a lifetime: You helped build a medical clinic in the hills of Guatemala. We are excited about sharing with you our next steps in this partnership, so invite us to speak at your worship service or other event.
The Amigos de Guatemala
is celebrating the completion of the clinic in Monte Margarita. Please join us for a dinner celebration
April 6, 2019 - 5PM
at Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown
catered by Don Juan Mex Grill and Cantina
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Invitation to the Ready Responders
Boots on the Ground Exercise (RRN BOG)
April 26
th and 27
th, 300 safety minded citizens, Veterans, and faith-based groups, will come together with first responders to practice their skills in the RRN BOG, a simulated disaster response exercise.
Disaster response and management skills will be practiced, including gas and fire safety; volunteer reception center management; mucking and gutting; mold suppression; and emotional resiliency. We hope that you will join us for one or both days of this free event.
Our esteemed list of partners includes Con Edison; the Metro New York Community Veterans Engagement Board; Contingency Planning Exchange; Ready Rockaway; Rutgers School of Public Health; John Jay College; members of FDNY, NYPD, the Jersey City and Upper West Side Community Emergency Response Teams; and many more.
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS...
April 6 - The Amigos de Guatemala
is celebrating the completion of the clinic in Monte Margarita. Please join us for a dinner celebration -
April 6, 2019 - 5PM
at Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown
catered by Don Juan Mex Grill and Cantina
PNEC Spring Conference Meeting will be May 4, 2019
at Church of the Good Shepherd, Alburtis; and the
Fall Conference Meeting will be November 2, 2019
at St. John's (Howertown), 22 Atlas Rd., Northampton
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Resources developed for this year's Break the Silence Sunday
April 28th
Feel free to share as you see fit. We do anticipate a resolution coming to General Synod asking, in part, to name this topic (support for survivors of sexual abuse) in our UCC Liturgical Calendar.
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Disaster Ministries
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
Hazardous Weather and Flooding Preparedness 2019 Course Offerings
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Youth Preparedness Council.
UCC DISASTER MINISTRIES RECORDED WEBINARS
CLICK HERE
for UCC Disaster Ministries recorded webinars, now available to view on demand. Future webinars will be added as they occur. Now available:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stay Updated and Involved: Visit our disaster
website
.
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MINISTRY TRAINING UPDATES (Continuing Education)
ALL Authorized Ministers, please note:
We will be identifying these kinds of continuing education opportunities – The policy is effective January 1, 2019. If you have any questions, please contact the Penn Northeast Conference Office at 610-826-3113.
Thank You!
Click
HERE
for list of current and up-coming opportunities!
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House of Worship Security Seminar - Active Shooter & Security Planning
Saturday, April 13, 2019
St. Luke's Bethlehem - Laros Auditorium
8:30AM - 3:00PM
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Children's Sermon for March 24
(
based on Luke 13:1-9)
- by Rev. Dave Quinn
Items needed: a box of cereal that kids would like, cereal bowl, spoon. (Beforehand, empty the cereal box.) After kids come up, ask them what they had for breakfast. Tell them you have decided to have cereal for breakfast, and bring out box. Bring out bowl and spoon . Open box, and pour out over bowl--nothing comes out! Ask kids how they think you feel-you wanted cereal, but nothing came out!! When you open up a box of cereal, and pour, you want cereal to come out! Just like I am hoping for cereal when I pour a cereal box, God is hoping for some good things to pour out of us---that we do acts of kindness, that we say, "thank you," often, that we try to be patient with others. That's what Jesus is talking about in today's Bible reading. God has blessed us, so we can pour out blessings to others.
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UPCOMING EVENTS...
--
March 27 and March 30, 2019
-
Discover Day events at Lancaster Theological Seminary
.-
This event is
open to all.
For those interested in doing a degree in our
weekend format
, I encourage you to attend on Saturday, March 30. If those who prefer to pursue a degree in our
weekday program
, the Wednesday, March 27 Discover Day will be the better option.Get more information and register for a Discover Day
here
.
--
March 30, 2019 - Registration is now open for the workshop
Faith Communities Addressing Senior Isolation to be held on
Saturday March 30 from 10 am to 1 pm at the
Diocesan Pastoral Center, 300 Wyoming Avenue Scranton. Information vailable at
--The
Amigos de Guatemala
is celebrating the completion of the clinic in Monte Margarita. Please join us for a
dinner celebration
-
April 6, 2019 - 5PM
at Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown
catered by Don Juan Mex Grill and Cantina
--April 11-12, 2019 - Lehigh Conference of Churches - The Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture on Christian Unity - Author Diana Butler Bass will be speaking on the theme "Christian Unity in a Post-Christian Age". The event will begin at 6 PM on the 11th with an hour presentation followed by a book signing. On Friday breakfast will be served at 9AM followed by a 90-minute lecture. For more information and registration contact Dr. Larry Pickens at
lpickens@lehighchurches.org
--
25th Clergy Convocation
! -
Join us for the Silver Anniversary of Convocation - Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund -
"Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness, Family and Church" --
May 7-9, 2019 -
Double Tree by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster...
Click Here
for flyer and registration information.
DEADLINE
to register is April 1.
TO REQUEST FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CLERGY CONVOCATION
Click Here
for Application
.
--
May 8, 2019 -
FREE Training for Faith Leaders & Lay People -
Northampton County Dept. of Drug and Alcohol programs along with collaboration from “Speak Up for Ben”, are hosting a free training for Faith Leaders and lay people of any faith.
WHERE:
Northampton Community College, Fowler Center in S. Bethlehem (511 E. 3rd St, Bethlehem)
Training will begin promptly at 9:00 AM and will conclude by 3:30PM. The County will supply a continental breakfast and lunch for attendees! Registration and breakfast will begin at 8:15 AM. -
Out of the Darkness and Into the Light: Strategies & Tools For Facing the Drug Epidemic For Faith Leaders --
This training will provide information and resources to Faith Based Leaders regarding the current Substance Use Epidemic and specifically address the Opioid Epidemic facing Pennsylvania today. The impact of this epidemic on communities of Faith is significant. This day long training will explore how to intervene effectively, how to locate resources, and discuss how to identify substance use concerns. Faith leaders in attendance will be able to identify the full impact of substances on the community and develop an understanding to effectively support those with these issues in the community. To register, please contact Kathy Dilts at Northampton County Drug & Alcohol by calling 610-829-4720 OR by email
KDILTS@northamptoncounty.org
--
The Lehigh Conference Of Churches--"Valley Over The Edge" --
On June 1 -76 rappelers will be going over the edge at Two City Center in Allentown. Adventurous participants will rappel down an eleven-story building by raising $1,000 or more to secure their spot on the ropes. To request more info, email
valley-ote@lehighchurches.org or contact Becky LeaShomb at 610-433-7220 ext. 6106
--
Registration Open for the 22nd Global Youth Justice Training Youth/Teen/Student/Peer Court Diversion Programs -- June 18, 2019 to June 20 2019
in Las Vegas, Nevada
--Uniting Church & Community Through Music & Art -
June 25-28, 2019 at First Cong. UCC, Madison, WI -- 12th Biennial National Conference of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association
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Alzheimer's Community Forum Invite
The Alzheimer's Association is conducting various Regional Community Forums throughout our 59 county territory. The forum is designed to have between 15-30 select attendees to give input/feedback regarding the impact of Alzheimer's/Dementia and ways to improve services to our community. We will use this forum to develop a plan for future outreach.
The 2 hour session will include a few updates on the association and a brief education piece. The remainder of the time will be spent getting your input! We will have moderators asking questions of the group and we will be listening and taking notes.
We have selected folks from professional, family, faith based and governmental groups to make up our forum audience. I am happy to extend this invitation to you to participate and provide us with this valueable feedback.
NE Regional Forum
Friday
April, 5, 2019
from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Pittston Memorial Library
47 Broad Street Pittston PA 18640
The Forum is free to attend (of course) but we do need you to RSVP to this email as soon as possible and to use the link below to register yourself. Please let me know if you can attend so we can get our numbers in line
https://action.alz.org/mtg/43333335
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Radisson Hotel
no longer owned by the UCC
Effective March 7, 2019, the Radisson Hotel has come under new ownership, and is no longer owned by the United Church of Christ
.
What does this mean for the UCC?
Effective immediately, the UCC’s formal relationship with the Radisson Hotel has ended. A dividing wall will be constructed that will close off the walkway corridor currently in use for pedestrian traffic between the hotel and the UCC lobby area. The corridor, including the meeting room parlors, will remain a part of the National Offices. The UCC constructed the 142-room Radisson Hotel soon after relocating its headquarters to Cleveland in 1990. -Shalom, John C. Dorhauer
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SPRING AROUND THE WORLD
COMMUNITY DINNER
Sunday, March 24
5:00-7:00 PM
Refugee Community Center
Episcopal Church of the Mediator
1620 W. Turner St., Allentown, PA
Food cooked by refugees and friends
Free Will Offering
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A Community Seder
focused around the themes of
Freedom & Social Justice
Saturday, April 20 at 6:30PM
Muhlenberg College, Seegers Union
Meal is kosher for Passover but prepared in a non-kosher kitchen. $25/person, $18/students & children. RSVP by April 10 to
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YOU ARE INVITED..
TO A SPECIAL ART EXHIBIT!
Hope in Hard Times: Prisoners' Art for Social Justice
March 1-April 7, 2019
ArtsQuest’s Banana Factory Arts Center
23 W. 3rd St., Bethlehem
Mondays – Fridays 8:00am-9:30pm
Saturdays & Sundays 8:30am-7:00pm
The Moravian Church’s Eastern District and the Moravian Seminary in Bethlehem invites you to consider how art might engage us in justice and advocacy questions for our time; how do we see the prisoner, and follow Jesus’s call to see him in the lives of the incarcerated?
You are also invited to attend the following special events:
April 5, 6 - 9 p.m., First Fridays at the Banana Factory. Special speakers, projects, and engagements.
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Navigating the River of Grief
Our Conference Minister, Bonnie Bates, has published a book which may be used as a resources for pastors and congregations.
In Navigating the River of Grief, (ISBN: 0788028855) Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates shares the results of her important research into the grief process. Her concept of grief as a river is inspired by several biblical references to water, both its ability to threaten and give life. Bates uses case studies to present grief not as the neat linear progression of stages we'd like it to be; rather, it is a river that sweeps the bereaved along in unpredictable ways. Its choppy waters cause pain and its depths are menacing, but when we understand the flow of its current as a spiritual journey we can better help the bereaved navigate toward new life.
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Responding to the New Zealand Murders
The Islamic Center of Scranton and community mourns the 50 victims of the horrific anti-Muslim attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, an atrocious act of violence committed against a people of faith in the midst of their Friday prayers. As we pray for the families and loved ones of those impacted in New Zealand, we recognize the urgent need to continue tirelessly working in our communities to ensure the safety those impacted by anti-Muslim violence across the globe and here in the United States. We recommit to directly engaging faith leaders in the United States to be strategic partners in countering discrimination and violence against Muslims, taking a firm stand against Islamophobia, xenophobia, and white supremacy fueled by racism and hate.
We call on our nation’s elected officials to denounce hate speech and violence in every form.
Tayyab Yunus, Executive Director of the Islamic Society of North America, says, “In the face of hate, what we need is communities coming together as one humanity for a better world. The best that we can do as one humanity is to go out and do something good. Showing up with others for social good is the living message that will counter hate and bring to life a better world.”
Rabbi Jonah Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism writes, “The massacre in Christchurch pierces our hearts to the very core. To murder people in the midst of worship is the epitome of evil. As we mourn this senseless loss of life, we hold our Muslim family in our hearts and commit to stand with them during this painful time. This violence against minority communities, fueled by anti-Muslim and white supremacist rhetoric, is not new. This horrendous attack on a place of worship represents the darkest forces of humanity, which have been emboldened by a global rise of a grotesque ideology demonizing those who are different.”
To take action in your communities today and beyond, we encourage:
Our fellow Muslims to continue attending prayers at the mosque
For our brothers and sisters from other faiths who wish to stand with us in solidarity, show up to Friday Prayers today and onward. Listen & learn.
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Christian White Supremacy
Monday, June 17, 2019 - 7PM
Metropolitan Community Church
of the Lehigh Valley
1401 Greenview Dr., Bethlehem
Rev. Dr. Gregory Edwards
Free and open to the public
www.mcclv.org
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UCC Disabilities Ministries (UCCDM)
UCCDM has a tradition of presenting awards at the biennial General Synod. These awards recognize the contributions of congregations, other church settings, and individuals who have contributed to the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of the life of the church. Nominations are now open...(
see more)
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Justice & Peace Action Network
Earth Day - April 22 - How we care for God’s creation is intimately intertwined with issues of generational justice. What kind of world are our children presently inheriting? What will the world be like when they get older? The UCC Environmental Justice Ministry joined with the ecumenical Creation Justice Ministries to author and produce reflective materials on generational justice for this Earth Day.
Download a copy of this resource today.
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FREE Workshop on Senior Isolation
We are happy to announce that registration is open for the
free workshop on Senior Isolation which will be held on Saturday March 30 from 10 to 1 pm at the Diocesan Pastoral Life Center, 330 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton.
The workshop is being sponsored by the Ministerium in cooperation with the Office of Parish Life of the Diocese of Scranton, with Financial Support from the Moses Taylor Foundation. Prof. Jim Siberski of Misericordia University will offer an overview of the problem and potential ways faith communities might respond before leading a discussion of local action planning.
Faith communities are encouraged to send teams of 2-4 people who will then be able to mobilize a response for your particular group.
Those who are comfortable on the web can register at
https://www.scrantonareaministerium.org/addressing-senior-isolation
; If you prefer you can call Kay Windels at 570.207-2213 ext 1101. Registration is requested by March 22 so that arrangements can be made for lunch. A flyer is attached to this email to assist with your publicizing the event.
There is no cost for the workshop because of the generous support of the Moses Taylor Foundation.
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A Spring Conference on Addiction
Sponsored by IECPA a Local masjid
TRAPPED
April 5 - 6 from 5:30PM to 9PM
IECPA, 6635 Tilghman St., Allentown
free admission, free dinner, free childcare
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The Lehigh Conference of Churches Condemns Terror Attacks on Mosques in New Zealand,
Calls for End to Violence
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere - Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is with great sadness, despair and deep shock that the Lehigh Conference of Churches received the news that 49 people have been killed and at least 20 were wounded in terrorist attacks at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch and at the mosque in the suburb of Linwood in New Zealand.
Rev. Ray Coster, a pastor from New Zealand said, “We share with sisters and brothers in the wider ecumenical family our pain and grief in one of New Zealand’s darkest hours and crave their prayers for the many Muslim families grieving at this time. Some of these families are migrants and refugees. They are part of us. Many came seeking refuge and safety as Aotearoa New Zealand is perceived as a safe place. As a nation we value compassion, kindness and tolerance. What we have seen today has no place in our culture.”
This mass shooting was a terrible crime against women, men and children at the time of their prayers and serves as an attack on all believers and an assault on the bonds of shared humanity and peaceful coexistence which unite us all. The Lehigh Conference of Churches stands in solidarity with all Muslims at this time, especially the Muslims of Aotearoa New Zealand, and expresses the strongest possible condemnation of these actions and of the hateful and dangerous ideologies that they represents.
The Lehigh Conference of Churches expresses its commitment to dialogue and harmony with our interfaith partners throughout the Lehigh Valley. We affirm to all our Muslim friends and partners that we utterly reject such actions and call on all Christian people to follow in the way of Jesus Christ by seeking to live in peace and respect with all our neighbors, and especially committing ourselves to the protection of the most vulnerable among us.
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