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Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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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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Bonnie Bates is inviting you to a Zoom Conversation
with the Conference Minister
Join Zoom Meeting
One tap mobile
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Meeting ID: 833 840 118
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Easter Checklist
Whoo, boy, Easter is coming. You can feel the pressure ratcheting up as the big day gets closer. Do you have everything under control? Will you get it all done? What are you forgetting?
That last question may prompt waves of panic—sorry about that. But we can help! We’ve got a
free Easter checklist
of things you need to consider as you approach the final weeks and days before Easter. Take a look, check some things off, and rest easy knowing you aren’t forgetting.
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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
Parking and shuttle bus for the Campbell lectures sponsored by the Lehigh Conference of churches. There will be parking available at St Johns UCC Fullerton with shuttle service to Dubbs community center. Would you please advertise this in the Penn Northeast Conference this week along with the news about the event. There is no cost for the parking or shuttle. It is a courtesy of Phoebe.
Schedule for Thursday, April 11:
Leave St Johns UCC Fullerton (pick up)
5:30 p.m.; 6:00 p.m.; 6:30 p.m.
Leave Dubbs Community Center (return)
9:00 p.m.; 9:30 p.m.; 10:00 p.m.
Schedule for Friday morning April 12:
L
eave St Johns UCC Fullerton (pick up)
8:00 a.m.; 8:30 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.
Leave Dubbs Community Center (return)
10:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.
We will have a sign to indicate where folks should park at St. John's (Fullerton), Whitehall
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Addressing Poverty in America
Meet Pulitzer Prize winner Matthew Desmond, keynote speaker of General Synod 32 and author of the book chosen for the UCC’s 2019 All Church Read.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond, winner of numerous awards for his book which chronicles the lives of several families in the poorest neighborhoods in Milwaukee, will be the keynote speaker at the the United Church of Christ
General Synod 32 in June. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, a New York Times Bestseller, will also be the subject of the denomination’s 2019
All Church Read.
For the full article,
click here
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Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Annual Meeting Evening Presentation - June 1
PSEC is having Brian McLaren as their facilitator for their annual meeting and are opening his Saturday evening presentation up to individuals outside of their conference. Brian is
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”.
If interested an individual should simply use this link
https://psecannual19.eventbrite.com and select option 16. The fee is $15.00.
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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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Lehigh Conference Of Churches
Better Nutrition, Better Tomorrow and the Jobs Challenge
Saturday, April 13, 2019, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 3231 Tilghman Street, Allentown
The Justice and Advocacy Committee of The Lehigh Conference of Churches, Bread for the World and the Second Harvest Food Bank invite you to a day-long workshop to examine how hunger can be eliminated around the world. Speakers will include
Margaret Tran
, regional organizer for Bread for the World, and
Congresswoman Susan Wild
.
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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...
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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Disaster Ministries
The April ReadyPA newsletter provides information on being financially prepared if a disaster strikes and how to be on the lookout for scams when disasters strike. The April Action Sheet provides information on preparing an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit.
Spring has Sprung! Now that threats of winter hazards are over, springtime severe weather begins. The State Meteorologist provides tips on how to prepare for sever weather.
Did you know April 7
-
13, 2019, is National Volunteer Week? There are approximately 20 million volunteer hours of service per year. Look for opportunities in your community to volunteer.
Please pass this valuable information on to your church, your family and friends. Remember, both the ReadyPA Monthly and the Action Sheet are available at
www.Ready.PA.gov
.
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The Chapel of Four Chaplains invites you to the
3rd Annual Veterans Mental Health, Opiod & Suicide Prevention Symposium
Keynote Speaker: Lisa Thomas Laury - "An Opiod Conversation"
Free & Open to the Public...to read more
click here
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Stop the Bleed: Bleeding Control Training
Event Description: Stop the Bleed is a national awareness campaign and call-to-action. Stop the Bleed is intended to cultivate grassroots efforts that encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped, and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives.
April 2, 2019 9:00 am – 10:30 am or April 18, 2019 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (only need to attend one class)
Location:
Chester County Public Safety Training Campus, 137 Modena Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
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Introduction to Self-Care
Event Description:
This Introduction to Self-Care training will explore the physical and emotional aspects of workplace stress, including working in high stress situations for extended periods of time. The course will also discuss and identify self-care and wellness practices with participants, begin to establish self-care plans, and discuss resources and support options.
This course is 3 hours, and includes small group discussion and interactive exercises. This course is appropriate for anyone who would like to begin to practice self-care in any setting.
Date:
May 21, 2019
Time:
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (dinner will be provided)
Location:
Chester County Government Services Center, 601 Westtown Rd, West Chester, PA 19380
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Disaster Recovery Challenge: A Poverty Simulation
April 29 from 9AM to 12 Noon
Norristown State Hospital, Building 33 Multipurpose room
Intended Audience: Emergency managers, VOAD & Community Partners
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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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Theology Matters: Curriculum Resources for ALL Ages
Friends in Ministry,
Have you ever had questions about Faith Formation in your congregation? The PNEC Faith Formation Ministry Team is sponsoring a SPECIAL EVENT for YOU! Please see the flyer below and share it with your Faith Formation team. This event will be geared to assist with planning the 2019-2020 year in the following ways:
- Adult Small Groups, Confirmation, Children, and Youth, and will include multicultural resources, as well!
Continuing Education hours are available for attending.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact your Faith Formation Ministry team. If you have an interest in helping with the event and others, we welcome your input.
Yours in Christ,
Janet Newett, for the Faith Formation Ministry Team
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Children's Sermon for April 7
(based on
John 12:1-8)
- by Rev. Dave Quinn
Items needed: one fresh lemon. Beforehand, cut the lemon in half. After kids come up, ask for a volunteer. Ask the volunteer to hold out a hand. Take the half a lemon and squeeze a little juice onto their hand. Then ask them to rub their hands together, and smell them--see how good it smells!! Then point out to the other children that you can't see the lemon juice on the volunteer's hands, but it's there. Just like you don't see a person's love for Jesus, just by looking at them, with your eyes. In today's Bible reading, a woman named Mary loves Jesus so much, that she puts some nice-smelling ointment on Jesus's feet, like I put nice-smelling lemon juice on (volunteer's name) hands. Mary's love for Jesus made the whole house smell good. Our love for Jesus is not something people see when they look at us, but our love for Jesus should bring sweetness into the world. (Close by squeezing a little lemon juice into each child's hand, have them rub hands together, and smell.)
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UPCOMING EVENTS..
--
Sunday,
April 7 from 2:30-5PM - Lehigh Valley Welcomes Immigrants! RALLY AND MARCH
-
7
th
& Hamilton, Allentown - Rally Our Officials to Adopt H.R.6 Including The Dream Act of 2019, AND American Promise Act of 2019 - HELP US STAND AGAINST INHUMANE TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS EVERYWHERE! For more info contact
Ashleigh.strange@maketheroadpa.org
--
Saturday, April 13 -
House of Worship Security Seminar - Active Shooter & Security Planning
St. Luke's Bethlehem - Laros Auditorium - 8:30AM - 3:00PM -
--
April 20 -
A Community Seder focused around the themes of Freedom & Social Justice - 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
amhaskalahdirector@gmail.com
610-435-3775
--
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.
--
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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Book of Letters & Acknowledgements
The Rev. Dr. James A. Moos has decided that he will not seek re-election as Associate General Minister for Global Engagement and Operations and Co-Executive of Global Ministries.
Because of this, there is a plan to create a book of memories with letters, cards, and acknowledgements for Jim to show our appreciation, respect, and admiration for him. If you would please be so kind as to send me your thoughts of fond memories, a card, or share a funny moment that the two of you may have had, I am sure that Jim will appreciate it.
If you decide to participate, please forward to me via email. Or if a card, at the address below so that I may receive it by
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
.
Let’s make this a memorable moment for him, as he departs the National Setting.
Linda Long,
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
UCC,
Wider Church Ministries
700 Prospect Ave. East
Cleveland, OH 44115
216.736.3202; 866.822.8224 x3202 (toll free)
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UCC Cornerstone Fund Offering FREE Webinar
Join us for this FREE, 1-Hour webinar
How cool is your congregation?
Learn 25 ways under $25 to transform your church into a greener space
Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 2PM EST
Join us for this Free interactive webinar for a discussion with Sarah Paulos, Program & Outreach Coordinator for Interfaith Power & Light. For more than a decade Sarah has trained nearly 500 green teams at churches across the country to help them reduce their energy use as an act of faith.
This year, we are sponsoring a year full of learning with free one-hour webinars that are designed exclusively for clergy and lay leadership of UCC congregations and ministries. Topics will include expert discussion and information on a range of subjects, including church finances, building projects and renovations, and more! Pastors, church administrators, and lay leadership are invited to attend.
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ONLINE UCC History, Theology and Polity Course June/July 2019
This Course meets the requirements as set forth by the UCC Polity Teacher's Network and will be offered online in June/July 2019. The instructor will be Rev. David Gaewski, Conference Minister of the New York Conference, UCC. Classes will begin at 9:30am and end at 3:30pm EST on the following dates: June 8,15,29 and July 6. The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing (zoom.us) The tuition will be $495. For more information contact course instructor, Rev. David Gaewski,
davidgaewski@uccny.org
Payments should be sent no later than May 31st to: UCC Polity Course, Attn: David Gaewski, 5575 Thompson Road, Dewitt, NY 13214. Make checks payable to David Gaewski.
A syllabus is available upon request. Laity, Members in Discernment and Privilege of Call candidates are all invited! The course will be cancelled if we do not obtain seven registered students. A student is considered registered when full payment has been received. Students who cancel enrollment will receive reimbursements up until June 3rd. Please note several recent courses reached maximum capacity.
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Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future Webinar on May 2
When your church’s future is uncertain, it’s time to have courageous conversations and make faithful decisions.
Facing Your Church’s Uncertain Future
is a NEW resource that offers good practices for discerning, discussing, and making decisions that concern a church’s future. Pastors and congregational leaders are invited to join this online zoom webinar presenting theological, liturgical and helpful insights for discussing future options, including closure and legacy. Webinar presenters are: Rev. Quentin Chin, author of the
Worship Resources on Discernment, Decision-Making and Closure
; and Rev. David Schoen, author of
Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future: Helpful Practices for Courageous Conversations & Faithful Decisions.
Registration includes option of receiving the new resource.
$10 Registration includes receiving the resource,
Facing Your Church’s Uncertain Future
(digital download or print version). Register by April 18th to receive the resource before the webinar. $5 Registration Webinar only
Register now for this online Webinar for Pastors and Congregational Leaders.
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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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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, Bonnieshares 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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