An Invitation to
Rebecca Sausser's Ordination
Rebecca is the pastor at
New Bethel Church, Kempton
if you are planning to attend and you will be sent the Zoom link
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Letter from Bonnie
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you” (John14:15-17).
These words that Jesus spoke to the disciples, Jesus also speaks to us. In these days of pandemic, racial tension, protests and looting, it can be hard to feel and find the presence of God. The solution, however, is not to shrink from our call to love God with our hearts, minds, souls and strength, nor from our call to love our neighbor as ourselves. Our call is to move into these challenges to love with the knowledge that we are not alone – we are never alone.
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Suggestions for Vigils for Racial Justice and Peace
Wake Me Up Lord
Wake me up Lord, so that the evil of racism
finds no home within me.
Keep watch over my heart Lord,
and remove from me any barriers to your grace,
that may oppress and offend my brothers and sisters.
Fill my spirit Lord, so that I may give
services of justice and peace.
Clear my mind Lord, and use it for your glory.
And finally, remind us Lord that you said,
"blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God."
I Seek Forgiveness and Reconciliation to Act Justly
It is written in Ezekiel 36:26: "I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Pope Francis reminds us that the Lord "calls each of us by our name: he knows us by name; he looks at us; he waits for us; he forgives us; he is patient with us."[5]
Receiving God's grace and forgiveness requires a response. Pope Francis encourages the believer: "Whoever experiences Divine mercy is impelled to be an architect of mercy among the least and the poor."
[2]
Now let us do what God requires:
"Only to do justice and to love goodness
and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).
[1]
This prayer is from
For The Love of One Another
(1989), a special message from the Bishops' Committee on Black Catholics of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of the Pastoral Letter,
Brothers and Sisters to Us
, the U.S. Catholic bishops' Pastoral Letter on Racism (1979).
[2]
[6] Pope Francis, Homily during Celebration of Penance. . . , March 28, 2014.
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PNEC Outdoor Gathering Guidelines
The holding of outdoor services, vigils or other events on the church’s or pre-approved public property can be held provided the appropriate social distancing and masking guidelines are followed. There is a limit of up to 100 individuals, provided you have the social distancing space to hold that many individuals, for each event.
- Social distancing requirements require a minimum six-foot separation between all individuals in all interactions and at all times. The exception to this is that families may be closer to one another provided the family grouping maintains the six-foot separation with others.
- All employees, members, and visitors in attendance shall wear face coverings before, during, and after the service (whether indoor or outdoor).
- There may be no direct physical contact between servers and members or visitors.
- No choirs shall perform during the service. Singing is permitted, but individuals must not remove their face coverings to sing – it must stay on for the duration of the service.
- Organizations are strongly encouraged to keep a log of attendees at each gathering, and to retain that log for at least two weeks. If an outbreak occurs, this information may be critical to help save lives.
All organizations (including religious and faith-based organizations) have a general obligation to keep a safe and healthy facility in accordance with state and federal law, and comply with the following COVID19 organization-specific safety practices.
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A Pastoral Call to Dismantle Racism & End Violence Against People of Color
Below you will find a statement from the Pennsylvania Council of Churches calling to dismantle racism and end violence against people of color. It is posted on their website at
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Health Equity Response Team is looking to develop strategic partnerships across the state with religious organizations, churches and leaders
(shared by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches)
The PA Department of Health is looking to form strategic partnerships with churches across the state to take on some tasks that are described below. They are looking for interested congregations/faith organizations, and hope to pull this together quickly. Could you share this among your congregations? Also, if there is interest, could you let me know so that I'm aware for future communications with Ms. McClinton? From Tirzah McClinton at the PA Department of Health:
Read more...
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Installation of Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, PNE Conference Minister
Bonnie’s installation date has been moved from June 28 to November 7 – as part of the fall conference meeting
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PNEC Recommendations on When to Resume In-Person Worship
It feels strange to make a recommendation about when to resume in-person worship to our beloved congregations. Nevertheless, we feel it is our covenantal responsibility to offer the following recommendations knowing that each of you may well have different considerations and pressures which guide your decision-making process. We offer these in prayerful encouragement as you discern your congregation’s future, knowing that your decisions may include struggling with your future ministry.
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Cleaning Guidelines based on CDC recommendations:
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General Synod 33 to be a Virtual Experience - UCC
For the first time ever, the United Church of Christ General Synod will gather virtually in 2021. The biennial gathering is moving entirely online next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click to read
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