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| This Week in PNEC --- May 10, 2018 - May 18, 2018 |
| TO CONTACT US OR TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA18071; www.pnec.org website 610-826-3113; FAX 610-826-5464 Bonnie Bates bonnieb@pnec.org Gilberto Garcia Rodriguez gilbertor@pnec.org Christian Creyer christianc@pnec.org Barbara Jennings barbaraj@pnec.org Patty Rehrig pattyr@pnec.org IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO INCLUDE IN "THIS WEEK IN PNEC" PLEASE EMAIL IT TO pattyr@pnec.org |
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Strengthen the Church
Many of you are aware that there are four special offerings in the United Church of Christ, in addition to the primary offering through Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM). These special offering are: Neighbors in Need, the Christmas Fund, One Great Hour of Sharing and Strengthen the Church. The PNEC congregations continue to be generous with their giving, but by far the smallest donations come in for the Strengthen the Church offering usually gathered around Pentecost Sunday. It is this offering about which I am writing.
As noted on the UCC.org website, "The Strengthen the Church offering supports the expansion of ministry and growth of UCC local congregations." What you may not know is that one-half of the donations received in this offering stay in the Conference for our use. As we move into working on revitalization of churches through our Vitality Days training, the use of our Coaches, and leadership training for congregational leadership and consistory members, these monies become even more important to the conference.
Pentecost this year falls on May 20, 2018. Perhaps your congregation will use the special worship materials provided by the national setting (find these at http://www.ucc.org/stc). You will also find a video and Facebook and Twitter posts on this page. Perhaps, your congregation will honor its confirmation candidates through a special offering or special donations to this fund. Perhaps, you will tithe fund raising activities from the spring to this offering. Perhaps, individuals will want to make special gifts, either through the offering envelopes provided or directly to the conference. No matter how you and the congregation decide to contribute to this special offering, our conference appreciates your support. Together, we really can strengthen the church.
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|  2018-2019 Vitality Days with Michael Piazza
What: 4 one-day training sessions with Michael Piazza of Agile Church Monthly gatherings for church leaders with trained coaches to assist them in maintaining positive momentum. When: Session 1 - Transformational Worship - September 22,2018 Session 2 - Structure and Stewardship - November 10, 2018 Session 3 - Craft Church Evangelism - March 23, 2019 Session 4 - Vintage Church Renewal - May 18, 2019 Each Session will run from 9AM - 4:30PM Locations to be determined based on applications. Cost: $1,000 - all four days of training for church teams (up to 10 people from each congregation) and the monthly coaching session. $15 per person for lunch on training days. Process for participation: 1. Complete a Congregational Assessment 2. Complete the Application for the Vitality Days 3. Once he application is accepted, process your payment 4. Identify the members of your team and get ready o begin |
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| VERY IMPORTANT...Please read...
Dear Authorized Ministers of PNEC,
Changes have been suggested through MESA and the Habakkuk Group regarding the structure of Committees on Ministry. We as the Ordained Church and Ministry Committee are responsible to oversee those who have been authorized for ministry for and on behalf of the United Church of Christ. We as the Ordained Church and Ministry Committee are called to ensure that all criteria for maintaining authorized ministers' covenant with the United Church of Christ and Penn Northeast Conference are complete.
We have been informed that it is the responsibility of each authorized minister to assure that their professional portfolio is kept current which includes the following: an annual information form with the authorized minister's current address, telephone number, mobile number, email address, current place of ministry, Area Mission Council and/or other authorized collegial support groups you attend on a regular basis, any changes in continuing education and a copy of most recent boundary training certificate.
This is a gentle reminder of the covenant made when becoming authorized ministers in the United Church of Christ when we accepted God's call to ministry. It is not meant to be an inconvenience along one's spiritual journey, but a way to remember we are not alone, as well as to protect ourselves and those we serve from abuse and misuse of our positions that have been entrusted to us.
We are currently reviewing how periodic support consultations are conducted. In the past we have triennially had peers meet with one another in groups of three to discuss their ministries and "sign-off" for one another. We are hoping to change this model with an interview process with authorized ministers meeting with a member of the Ordained Church and Ministry Committee to discuss the authorized minister's concerns for their local setting as well as other concerns that the authorized minister might have.
We pray that you take the time to fill out the attached/enclosed documents (they can also be found on PNEC website at www.pnec.org under the Ministry tab) and return them immediately by mail or email to:
Patty Jo Rehrig,
Conference Secretary
Penn Northeast Conference, 431 Delaware Ave, Palmerton, PA 18071
Please respond by May 15, 2018.
- The PNEC Ordained Church & Ministry Committee
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Amigos de Guatemala 
want you to stay in the know!
We want to share our excitement and our hope. The roof is going on for the clinic and we are building lists of supplies we will need and of medical people who would like to go to Monte Margarita, starting in 2019.
If we have never been to your church, we have beautiful handicrafts to sell and an updated Power Point with lots of photos to share in your worship service or a small group.
For more information
contact Roger or Karen Heim at rksdheim@rcn.com or 610.481.9704 or the conference office.
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A recent resignation has created a position opening on the Penn Central Conference staff for a part-time
Facilitator of Care for Clergy and Clergy Families
. Interviews will begin after the May 18 deadline for applications. Please apply or refer someone who might serve well in this position. You can find job description and further information here.
Blessings and Peace,
Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith,
Conference Minister and President
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Registration for the Eastern Regional Youth Event at California State Universtiy is still open!
Have you registered? If not, click the link below!!
The PNEC planning team is discussing transportation to the event, paperwork needed and a pregathering!
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| PENTECOST CELEBRATION of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the Diocese of Scranton May 19, 2018 from 9AM to 3PM Diocesan Pastoral Center, 330 Wyoming Ave., Scranton free registration...free light lunch (hoagie & beverage) Must be pre-registered by phone for lunch...please leave your name, phone number and Hoagie selection (choice of tuna, turkey or Italian, vegetarian special order) free will offering will be taken Highlights: Spirit-filled Prayer & Praise, Inspiring Music & Anointed Worship, Challenging Teaching, Prayers for Healing Speakers: Pastor Dave Twiss, Theresa Dinunzi, Bob Valiante, Ted Mike (Witness) For Reservations, Contact: Jim Roberts (570-267-1614)Joyce Hudak (570-735-1068) CCR Office (570-344-2214) Cookie Ruppert (570-595-9327) email ccrenewal@comcast.net (specify type of hoagie when registering) |
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New Special Spring Issue -- Global Youth Justice Newsletter
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2018 Boundaries Workshops
"Essential Boundaries for Wise Leaders"
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Essential Boundaries for Wise Leaders training program is designed to enrich both our opportunity and responsibility as leaders for Christ's church.
2018 Workshops will be held:
Tuesday, May 22 - Bern Lutheran, Leesport
Wednesday, May 23 - Faith Evang. Lutheran, Whitehall
Tuesday, October 23 - St. Paul's Lutheran, Dallas
Wednesday, October 24 - Christ Hamilton United,
Stroudsburg
God's Blessings,
Rev. Mary W. Gade, Associate of the Bishop
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod/ELCA
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ONLINE UCC History, Theology and Polity Course
June/July 2018
A UCC History, Theology and Polity Course that meets the requirements as set forth by the UCC Polity Teacher's Network will be offered online in June/July 2018. 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 on the following dates: June 16, 23, 30 and July 7. The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing (
zoom.us
) The tuition will be $475. For more information contact course administrator, Ms. Diana Pelletier, at dkluscombe@msn.com
This polity course is sponsored by the Oneida Association of the New York Conference. Payments should be sent to: Diana Pelletier, 114 Munro Dr., Camillus, NY 13031. Make checks payable to Oneida Association UCC.
A syllabus is available upon request. Laity, Members in Discernment and Privilege of Call candidates are all invited!
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On-line Polity Classes
geared towards Ministerial Authorization
2.
New York Conference: contact Conference Minister Rev. David Gaewski at
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 IN SEARCH OF...
For the complete list of churches who are searching for organists, choir directors sextons, pianist, etc., etc., and also churches who are giving away items, please CLICK HERE |
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What's Happening in Our Churches
(PLEASE NOTE: We love advertising the "happenings" in our churches, however the list is getting too long for this publication.)
FOR THE COMPLETE LISTING of
"What's Happening in Our Churches"
CLICK HERE |
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The Penn Northeast Conference is pleased to announce that the position of Search and Call Associate has been filled by the Rev. Christian Creyer. Christian will be assisting with the search and call process throughout the conference, providing additional support to search committees. Christian currently serves as the PNE Conference Treasurer and as a pastor for Chestnut Hill United Church of Christ. We welcome his skills and enthusiasm to this important role within the conference.
As part of the monthly Creation Justice Webinar series, the UCC has teamed with GreenFaith to offer a webinar designed to assist churches who are interested in going solar. On May 30th, the Rev. Fletcher Harper will address issues related to technology, finance, physical plant, communications, and more. 
