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Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Dear Refugee Ministries Friends and Supporters,
Finally, while UCC Refugee Ministries has been a bit quiet the past month, but stand-by for an exciting
Advent resource
to be released next week.
Voices of faith that remind us of our biblical call to offer care and safety to the sojourner are critical now more than ever. Thank you for raising yours.
Yours in Christ, A
manda K. Sheldon, Program Associate, UCC Refugee Ministries & UCC Disaster Ministries --
United Church of Christ
www.ucc.org --
1 (216) 736-3210
700 Prospect Ave. E., Cleveland, OH 44115
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Bethany Children's Home...2018 Bethany Christmas Wish List
Click Here
and you will see a flyer about Bethany Children's Home's Christmas Wish List for their kids. As an alternative to material gifts, please consider monetary gifts to the Brighter Futures Annual Fund, which provides gifts that create smiles all year long! Mail donations to: Bethany Children's Home, Brighter Futures, 1863 Bethany Road, Womelsdorf, PA 19567
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Transgender Day of Remembrance
A Gathering in Memory of Those Lost and Victimized by Anti-Tans Violence
Monday, November 19 - 7PM - Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem
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Communities of Practice for Authorized Ministers and MIDs
The Penn Northeast Conference will begin offering Communities of Practice to authorized ministers, and those preparing for authorization, in January 2019. Communities of Practice are support, accountability and learning groups for ministers based either on geography or on a topic. Participation in Communities of Practice qualifies as credit for ½ the 25 hours of continuing education. The cost for a year’s participation is $250 which reimburses the facilitators. Congregations are encouraged to support this fee for their pastors. Scholarships are also available.
At the fall Conference Meeting, Rev. Nora Foust provided an overview of the process and the ways of participating. We also encouraged those present to sign up for groups. Noted below are the Community of Practice groups, facilitators and spaces available. If we need more groups, we will work to train more facilitators.
Facilitator
Topic
Spaces Available
Rev. Dennis Schappell Lic./Com. Minister Mentor Group 3
Rev. Cliff Herring Retired Ministers Full
Rev. James Robison Newly Called or Placed Ministers 2
Rev. Nancy Hardy General Ministry Full
Rev. Jeff Brinks Engaging the World Through Faith Practices 2
Rev. Dave DeRemer Church Downsizing 3
Rev. Karen Yonney General Ministry 2
Rev. Heather Kurtz Creative Worship Lab Full
Rev. Dave Quinn Book/Theological Study 4
Rev. Jane Hess A Variety of Ministry Topics 5
Please let us know if you are interested.
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Check out these webinars for churches on the ONA journey!
November 13
-- 1-TO-1 CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONA is a key step for congregations beginning their journey towards on ONA covenant. It's a great way to gather information about your members that will be helpful in planning your ONA process. This webinar will include a practice session in virtual break-out rooms. Led by Kim Graff.
December 4
-- ONA 101 shares best practices for designing an ONA process that builds consensus in your church and reduces the danger of conflict. A well-planned ONA journey can leave a congregation feeling more united and with more energy and passion for the Gospel! Led by Andy Lang.
December 11
-- ONA and the BIBLE shows how the Bible can be foundational for a successful ONA process. We'll explore the eight verses from scripture that are often a roadblock for some Christians, but we'll also discover how basic biblical values can help you on our ONA journey. Led by Andy Lang.
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Awareness of Mental Health Services Survey
Please find a link to a very short survey that I am hoping you all can assist with. We are trying to gauge the awareness of mental health services in our communities and wanted to roll this initiative out with our Faith Based communities…Please feel free to share. We will then be forwarding to our local schools…
Again…it is a very brief survey and would so appreciate any responses you can offer. Thank you all again and please feel free to contact me with any questions and/or should you ever have any need of information or assistance with navigating our ever cumbersome, MH system.
Connie J. Hammann, The Advocacy Alliance, External Advocate Project Manager, Community Support Services -744 N. 19
th
Street, Allentown
http:ch@theadvocacyalliance.org
610-435-4323 610-737-9718(cell)
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Collaboration - A Live Stream Workshop
Greetings! The Conference has purchased access to a live stream workshop called "Collaboration" that
focuses on clergy/musician understanding, skills, working relationship and process. We hope you will take advantage of your free access provided by this office. When clergy and musicians work together well, it makes a big difference to the worship life of a congregation as well as the quality of life and longevity for all involved. Whether you have a well-oiled process or need some help, this workshop will deepen your conversations and help you reflect on fine-tuning your work. Dr. Marcia McFee and Chuck Bell bring decades of experience and collaboration to this conversation.
--Bonnie Bates
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Disaster Response Ministry
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Stay Updated and Involved: Visit our disaster
website
.
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PNEC Presents... the 14th Annual PNEC Youth Retreat
"#REALTALK"
"Sexuality and our Faith"
All youth in grades 6th - 12th are invited
February 22-24, 2019
Blue Mountain Christian Retreat, 1 Christian Ln., New Ringgold, PA
$145 per person (includes meals Saturday & Sunday)
Limited Space...Register Early
!
Click here
for Registration Flyer.
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MINISTRY TRAINING UPDATES (continuing education)
ALL Authorized Ministers, please note:
We will start identifying these kinds of links as continuing education opportunities – even though the policy doesn’t go into effect until January 1. If you have any questions, please contact the
Penn Northeast Conference Office at 610-826-3113. Thank You!
Click
HERE
for list of some upcoming opportunities!
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UPCOMING EVENTS...
--
Beginning December 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019,
Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (BES)
provides a meal and overnight sheltering daily to our homeless neighbors at Christ UCC, 75 E. Market St., Bethlehem, opens Sunday through Saturday 5PM and closes at 7AM (the following morning). It is volunteers who make this important ministry possible. If you are interested in volunteering for this outreach, call the shelter at 484-379-6694 or visit
http://www.bethlehememergencysheltering.org/
They will host a volunteer training session. If you plan to serve as a volunteer this season, please attend this session.
- Saturday, Nov.17: 9am to noon - Star of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 514 Third Ave., Bethlehem.
To register, visit the BES website (listed above) and click on BES TRAINING SESSIONS PAGE.
--
We ThirstTM - Christian Reflections on Addiction.
Join us for a five-part series beginning in January on the epidemic of addiction and our Christian response. This series is presented by author and facilitator, Nina Marie Corona, M.A., C.R.S. On
Thursday evenings from January 29th through February 26, 2019
, these multi-media presentations will explore the importance of mercy, faith, and love.
These sessions are particularly useful for clergy, counselors, nurses, and educators, but all will benefit from the tools and resources that are provided.
Click here to register today
!
--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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Spread the Word... PNEC and PSEC are sponsoring two mission trips to
Puerto Rico
April 28 - May 4, 2019
&
May 12 - 18, 2019
Penn Northeast Conference, UCC, 431 Delaware Avenue Palmerton, PA 18071
Checks should be made payable to Penn Northeast Conference.
*The deposit is not refundable.
Deadline is November 15, 2018.
Please complete a form for each person.
Here are some possible expenses expected per person, including airfare, food, transportation and other expenses: We are considering that the total cost per person will be $1,000.00 for all the expenses. This is a basic estimate so we can plan individually. Other topic discussed was the different documents that every person will need for the project: passport, health insurance, medication rules and releases from UCC. Since is the beginning of the coordination, we are identifying elements needed so everyone can start deciding and clarifying their decision of been part of the project.
If you want additional information, please contact Gilberto Garcia-Rodrigues, PNEC Associate Conference Minister at
hispanicucc@rcn.com.
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Creating Sustainable Communities in Puerto Rico (AMANESER) 2025
We want communities to be prepared for another hurricane, like Maria, without depending on someone else to come and impose what they want to do, says Juan Rosario of AMANESER 2025. Most citizens are trying to solve their problems. We are sharing how they can collaborate, so that each community decides what they want to do.
In celebration of the Caribbean Initiative, Global Ministries is highlighting the work of two partners in the Caribbean for a special giving focus during Alternative Christmas. While any gift to Global Ministries can be shared as an Alternative gift in honor of a loved one, Global Ministries is lifting up the work of AMANESER 2025 in Puerto Rico as one of the two special giving focuses for 2018.
Continue reading about Global Ministries Alternative Christmas here.
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Children's Sermon
for November Nov. 18
(based on
Mark 13:1-8
)
-
Rev. David Quinn
Items needed: hard-boiled egg. When kids come up, show them egg, and ask what it is. Tell them you've hard-boiled the egg, and explain what that means. Let's say I wanted to eat this egg now, as a snack. What would I have to do first? (Whack egg on hard surface, and start peeling shell away.) Before I can eat the egg, I have to peel away the shell. In today's Bible reading, Jesus talks about how, sometimes in the world, and sometimes in our lives, things need to be "peeled away" before what needs to happen can happen, just like I need to peel away the egg shell before I can eat this egg.
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Ecumenical Advocacy Days!
Registration for the 2019 Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice Annual Conference is now open! Join us for this important gathering of Christian clergy and laypersons from across the country and around the world as we gather for ecumenical worship, learn from educational and training workshops, advocate on Capitol Hill and stand together in public witness. Click
HERE
to register now!
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Creativity Workshops for
Church Leaders
Saturday, December 1 - 10AM to 2PM
Montoursville Presbyterian Church
900 Elm St., Montoursville, PA
Gift of Wonder: Creative practices for delighting in God, with Dr. Christine Aroney-Sine - 10 to 11:30AM
Creating Your Best Church for the 2020's with Dr. Tom Sine - 12:30 to 2PM
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2018 Thanksgiving Community Program
Friday, November 16
Interfaith Prayer Service
Sponsored by Scranton Area Ministerium
Potluck Dinner - 6PM; Service at 7PM
Temple Hesed
1 Knox Rd., Scranton
November 20 - 6PM (doors open 5PM)
Thanksgiving Dinner for Senior Citizens & Adults
Sponsored by Friends of the Poor
Scranton Cultural Center
420 North Washington Ave., Scranton
November 21 - 9AM
Turkey & Food Basket - Family to Family Program
On-Site Registration - Proof of Income/Family Size
Scranton Cultural Center
420 North Washington Ave., Scranton
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Copyright and the Church
A link
http://www.ucc.org/worship
for a copyright presentation that Heather Kimmel, UCC General Counsel, recorded for Local Churches. Scroll to the bottom where it says Copyright and the Church and then click on the presentation, which is hosted on YouTube. I hope it is helpful to you
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ONLINE UCC History
, Theology &
Polity Course -- Jan/Feb 2019
Course meets the requirements as set forth by the UCC Polity Teacher's Network will be offered online in Jan/Feb 2019. The instructor, Rev. David Gaewski, Conference Minister of the New York Conference, UCC. Classes begin are 9:30am to 3:30pm on: Jan 19, 26, Feb 2, 9. Platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing (
zoom.us
) Tuition is $495. For more information contact Rev. David Gaewski,
davidgaewski@uccny.org
The course is sponsored by the Oneida Association of the NY Conference. Send payment no later than January 11
th
to: UCC Polity Course, Attn: David Gaewski, 5575 Thompson Road, Dewitt, NY 13031. Make checks payable to David Gaewski.
A syllabus is available upon request. Laity, Members in Discernment and Privilege of Call candidates are all invited! Class size is limited to the first fifteen to register. 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 January 15th. Please note several recent courses reached maximum capacity.
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Lehigh Conference of Churches
In our turbulent times, stories like this one get harder to find.
A local Allentown Church raises enough money to take 50 people living with mental illness, physical disabilities, as well as the neighborhood’s elderly on a shoe shopping spree at Boscov’s, just in time for the holidays.
We hope to you will share this story with others. And, maybe you can stop by the Boscov’s at the Lehigh Valley Mall on November 28 at 1:00 to witness the excitement. The Boscov employees who help with this event get just as excited as the shoppers.
Click for full story.
Paula Hynes, Community Relations Co-ord.
610-433-6421 ext 8522
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November JPANet Newsletter: Extending Extravagant Welcome to All, Podcast for a Just World Season 2,
and More
Save the Date!
Ecumenical Advocacy Days is April 5-8, 2019
The 2019 EAD theme is “Troubling the Waters for the Healing of the World.” This event will draw on the wisdom and inspiration from the Civil Rights movement and young movement leaders today to share best practices, and encourage one another to “Trouble the Waters” to bring healing to our nation and world. On Friday April 5th, there will be a UCC pre-event to help weave together our many justice movements. Join us in Washington D.C. in April as we seek to stir up #GoodTrouble for all God’s children.
Jubilee Weekend is November 16-18! Join other faith communities and partner organization Jubilee USA in raising a prayer, awareness, and advocacy on critical economic policies that impact vulnerable communities, and specifically the new NAFTA trade agreement.
Sign-up your faith community to offer a prayer, and
endorse an interfaith trade statement signed by national religious leaders on access to medicines.
World Toilet Day - November 19 -
Did you know that more people in the world have a cellphone than have a toilet? Sanitation is a global development priority. This is why the United Nations General Assembly designated 19 November as World Toilet Day.
Learn more and get resources from Global Ministries.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - November 25
One in three women and girls experience violence in their lifetime—that is one too many. It happens in every country and every society. It happens at home, in schools, on the streets, at work, on the internet and in refugee camps. It happens during war, and even in the absence of war. Too often, it is normalized and goes unpunished. Join with advocates around the world as we wear orange and fight against gender-based violence on November 25.
World AIDS Day - December 1- World AIDS Day is recognized globally every year on December 1 to call attention to the effort to eliminate HIV and AIDS. World AIDS Day is about reminding us all that HIV is an issue for everyone. Get resources from
Global Ministries and
UCAN (UCC HIV & AIDS Network).
Podcast for a Just World, Season Two - The premiere is Tuesday November 27 and begins with a four-part Advent series! Looking at resilience through the lens of community and justice building, PFJW will present four unique contexts and approaches from the Justice Leadership Program in Seattle, WA, First Congregational Church in Billings, MT, The Center for Sustainable Justice in Lyndale, MN and SURJ Faith, Showing Up for Racial Justice, National. Hosted by Rev. Tracy Howe Wispelwey, Minister for Congregational and Community Engagement, the episodes will weave Advent reflections into conversations and address specific and intersecting issues of Faith and Justice. Podcast for a Just World invites listeners to make deeper connections between their own faith and what it means to walk in the action of love and build a just world for all.
The Trial of the Century Begins as Preachers Continue Their Support -
On November 2, the Supreme Court denied the Trump administration’s attempt to halt a lawsuit filed by 21 youth against the federal government over climate change.
Sermons from around the country continue to be preached as part of a campaign initiated by the UCC called Justice for #EachGeneration. The campaign calls for 1,000 sermons in solidarity with the youth.
Make a pledge to preach!
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism -
The January 2019 Racial Justice Ministry Book of the Month Discussion will feature Robin DiAngelo’s newest book, White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism. The New York Times best-selling book exploring the counterproductive reactions white people have when their assumptions about race are challenged, and how these reactions maintain racial inequality.
Purchase your book today, start reading and be prepared to join the discussion.
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