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Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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PNEC’s 2018 Closing Date will be Friday, January 11, 2019
Please plan your closing so that your final 2018 remittance will be received in the Conference Office by Friday, January 11, 2019. Receipts received after the 11th will be credited to 2019. Do not include 2018 remittances with 2019 and make
certain remittance slips are marked for either the year 2018 or 2019
.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
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Thank you to these 34 Churches who donated $27,016.85 to OCWM during the month of November 2018:
Chestnut Hill, Coopersburg ... Christ (Little Moore), Danielsville ... Christ, Bethlehem ... Christ, Jim Thorpe ... Emmanuel (Dorrance), Mountaintop ... Emmanuel, Nuremberg ... Faith, Hazleton ... First, Berwick ... Good Shepherd, Slatedale ... Grace, Northampton ... Jerusalem Western Salisbury, Allentown ... Jordan, Allentown ... Morgenland, Orefield ... St. John, Riegelsville ... St. John’s, Palmerton
... St. John's (Fullerton), Whitehall ... St. John's (Mickleys), Whitehall ... St. John's, Coopersburg ...
St. John’s, Slatington ... St. John’s, St. Johns ... St. Luke’s (Belfast), Nazareth ... St. Paul, Allentown ...
St. Paul’s, Northampton ... St. Peter’s (Mantzville), Tamaqua ... The Dille Parish, LeRaysville ... Trinity Cong., Scranton ... Trinity Great Swamp, Spinnerstown ... Trinity, Bethlehem ... Trinity, Bloomsburg ...
Trinity, Pleasant Valley ... Union, Neffs ... Zion, Allentown ... Zion, Lehighton ... Zion’s Stone (Kreidersville), Northampton
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Dear Friend,
All people have the right to seek a safe place to call home, and seeking asylum is protected within U.S. and international law. Join faith leaders and communities across the country for a week of action as we stand in solidarity with the migrant caravan and all who seek refuge in the U.S. Together, we are calling on the U.S. to end the detention and deportation of immigrants, respect the human right to migrate, and end the militarization of the border. The “Love Knows No Borders” week of action begins on Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, and ends on Dec. 18, International Migrants’ Day. For more information about the week of action,
click here
.
- Attend or Organize a Local Event in Solidarity: Click here to search for an event already organized in your area, and click here to register your own. Click here for an organizer’s toolkit.
- Call Congress: Tell your Members of Congress to protect families and cut funding for detention, deportations, and border militarization. Click here to receive a call that connects to your 2 Senators and 1 Representative.
- Share on Social Media: Click here for sample social media graphics.
- Write for Media: This template contains a sample op-ed to pitch to local media outlets. Interfaith talking points are available here: http://bit.ly/FaithCaravanTalkingPoints.
- Collect & Share Stories: The faith community is collecting stories among caravan members. Click here to submit stories to the collection form. Click here to download & print a PDF to hand-write answers, and please submit answers to Meredith Owen at mowen@cwsglobal.org.
In Christ,
Amanda K. Sheldon, Program Associate, UCC Refugee Ministries & UCC Disaster Ministries
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2019 BOUNDARY AWARENESS TRAINING
Next year, the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference UCC is designated to provide Boundary Awareness Training for the conferences, synod, and presbytery. Those dates and locations have been selected and are:
- Saturday, March 2 in Lansdale
- Tuesday, March 26 in Quakertown
- Wednesday, May 15 in Kutztown
- Thursday, Oct. 3 in Schuylkill Haven
Click for the flyer
to register for one of these events. Registration for all four events are now open.
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FREE Advent Bulletin Downloads from 3 Great Loves, UCC
The Season of Advent is nearly here!
Click below to download the FREE 3 Great Loves Advent Bulletins.
We invite you to share how you and your congregation celebrate Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love this Advent Season; use #3greatloves on social media.
To learn more, please visit
3greatloves.org
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(Advent Yard Sign for Refugee/Asylum Solidarity - click on link above)
Advent is nearly upon us and God has created for us a kairos moment – a moment when we see images of families and children at our own border asking for safety and shelter, *
just
* as we are entering into a time of remembering the birth of the Christ child and that the Holy family
themselves
were forced to flee to Egypt to escape state-sponsored violence that targeted the most vulnerable. If there was ever a moment to remind our community that Jesus was a refugee, an asylum-seeker, a migrant – it is now.
There are many things we can do, and you are already doing them, all over the country. UCC Refugee Ministries created this simple lawn sign resource to support you in your ministry of welcome this Advent. Share the story of Jesus’ birth and proclaim to your neighbors that when we welcome refugees, when we welcome asylum-seekers, we are welcoming Christ.
Yours in Christ,
Amanda K. Sheldon, Program Associate, UCC Refugee Ministries & UCC Disaster Ministries,
United Church of Christ
www.ucc.org
+1 (216) 736-3210
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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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FOR THOSE INTERESTED...Please let the Conference Office Know!
You’ve probably heard about the UCC new initiative, “Q&A: Innovations in Church Leadership,” a free webinar offered to pastors and their stewardship committees and highlighting some of our pastors who have been employing innovative and creative ways to grow their membership and/or revenue. We’ll be taking a break over the holidays but preparing to resume on January 31.
If you have a pastor in your area that we might feature, please let me know at your earliest convenience so I might contact him/her and place them on our 2019 schedule. Thank you for your assistance.
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving!
Scott Shirai, APR, Fellow PRSA
Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity and Communication (OPTIC)
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Communities of Practice for Authorized Ministers and MIDs
The challenge for clergy is often how to find ways to be continually renewed in your own faith and practices. The Communities of Practice (COP) are groups for those who are serving in ministry. While each COP is unique in some ways, they also have some common intentions
- Share information, insight and advice around case studies or situations in your own setting
- Ponder common issues, explore ideas and act as sounding boards to colleagues
- Feel a bond in learning and spiritual support together
- Create environments for intentional learning where each perspective can be heard
- Develop a common body of knowledge, practices, and approaches
- Develop personal relationships with colleagues
- Provide spiritual discernment and prayerful support to one another
Each COP is facilitated by a clergy colleague who receives specialized training and financial support in their role and is charged with keeping the group’s calendar, lifting up the mutually created covenant, providing hospitality, and providing worship for the group, as well as facilitating the conversations. There is a participation fee for joining a group, currently that fee is $250 per program year and is invoiced on a pro-rated basis as you join a group.
To let us know you’re interested just complete the information below and email or snail mail to: Patty Rehrig, Communities of Practice, Penn Northeast Conference, 431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, PA 18071 –
pattyr@pnec.org
We look forward to connecting you with a Community Of Practice!
DEADLINE...December 20, 2018...If you are interested, please fill out the form below and get it in before the deadline which is fast approaching
Topics
Lic./Com. Minister Mentor Group
Retired Ministers
Newly Called or Placed Ministers
General Ministry
Engaging the World Through Faith Practices
Church Downsizing
General Ministry
Creative Worship Lab
Book/Theological Study
A Variety of Ministry Topics
Solo & Sr. Church Pastors & General Ministry
-------------------------------- Fill out this Form--------------------------------
_____ YES! I would like to join a Community of Practice
Name: Mailing Address: ______________________________________________________________
Phone:____________________________ Email: _________________________________________
Local Church or other setting in which you serve & location: __________________________________
Please check any factors which you would like us to take into account.
_____ Geography
_____ I would travel 30 miles or less _____ I would travel 30-60 miles
_____ Distance is not a mitigating factor
_____ I would prefer to meet with clergy who are also…
_____ Interim Ministers _____Serving a multi-staff church
_____ Chaplains _____ Retired _____Other? Please explain:
_________________________________________________________________________
My fee is enclosed ____; I need assistance and have attached a Longsdorf Scholarship form _______
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Crossroads Lay Leadership Program
Starting early January Crossroads Lay Leadership Program is offering two of their Unpacking the Scriptures courses. These eight week long courses our two of their most practical skill building learning experiences. Discipleship begins Jan 3 with Pam Weiss who directs the small group activities in a large congregation. Her experience is incredible with how to build groups and with different types of groups. Pam is a graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary and her classes are both fun and challenging.
Also starting that week, on January 7, is Teaching with the Rev. Roberta Kearney who is both an educator and a pastor. Roberta brings years of parish teaching experience to this course. She will expand your knowledge of how to teach, how to relate to different age groups, adult education and much, much more.
For more details including the exact class times and dates, snow dates, how to register or get your questions answered, see our website at
www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads
. While you are there check out our Spring courses: Traveling Mercies (Caring Ministries) with the Rev. Maggie Wellert and Preaching with the Rev. Sue Pizor Yoder. All of our instuctors are passionate about their subjects and bring so much experience to their classes.
Contact Jill Peters for more information at
petersj2@moravian.edu
All of our courses are offered in Zoom, a real time, distance learning format. Be a full class participant from wherever you live.
Dr. Jill Peters,
Missional
Leadership Developer, Moravian Theological Seminary
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Disaster Response Ministry
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From Disaster Ministries...
The preparedness tips for December stress the importance of safety during the Christmas season. The
December 2018 ReadyPA Monthly
from the PA Emergency Management Agency provides some tips to help you have a safe and happy time.
Did you know that December 2
nd
through December 8
th
is National Influenza Vaccination Week? The Centers for Disease Control has provided some flu statistics and strongly urges everyone to receive a Flu Vaccine this year. Attached is also the ReadyPA Action Sheet which lists easy flu prevention tips for everyone to follow. Don’t forget your flu shot.
Finally, the State Meteorologist has provided valuable information on driving during a snow squall. Be safe and avoid traveling when there are snow squalls in the forecast.
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Webinar hosted by UCC Disaster Ministries
“Care for Clergy in the Aftermath of Disaster” -
Thursday Dec. 13
th
4pm-5pm EST
Join UCC Disaster Ministries and Rev. Beth Goss of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for a 1-hour webinar discussing the unique challenges clergy face in the midst of and in the aftermath of natural disaster, and how we can understand their particular needs and offer appropriate support. This webinar is open to the public. Information to log-in is below. Please contact Amanda Sheldon at
Sheldona@ucc.org
with any questions.
Join Zoom Meeting
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,880108944# US (San Jose)
+16468769923,,880108944# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 880 108 944
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House of Worship Safety and Security
The Monroe County Office of Emergency Management and The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce that they have partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide a “House of Worship Security Seminar”. This training is being offered free of charge and will be conducted on December 4
th
, 2018 in the auditorium at the JT Lambert School in East Stroudsburg.
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With so many disasters, do not become weary...by Zach Wolgemuth
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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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UPDATED 11.20.18...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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Children's Sermon for Dec. 16
(based on Luke 3:7-18)
- by Rev. Dave Quinn
Items needed: bottle of liquid medicine(preferably one that has "SHAKE BEFORE USING" on the label, but you can pretend, if not.); spoon. When kids come up, bring out medicine bottle and spoon. Ask kids what it is. Ask if they have ever had to take medicine like this. How did it taste? Before Mom or Dad gives you this medicine, what might they do? Read out loud (or pretend to) label: SHAKE BEFORE USING. What does that mean--you are supposed to shake up the medicine, before you pour it out. (Shake bottle, then pour some into spoon,) Shaking the medicine BEFORE you pour it out helps you to get all the goodness of the medicine, when you do pour it out. In todays' Bible reading, there's a person called John talking to the people. John might sound kind of mean--he calls the people, "a bunch of snakes!" But that's John's way of shaking the people up, so they can become all God wants them to be. Just like I need to shake the medicine, before I pour it out, to get all the goodness!
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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/
--
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. Classes 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. Contact Rev. David Gaewski,
davidgaewski@uccny.org .
end 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.
--
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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PNEC and PSEC will sponsor two rebuild mission trips to
Puerto Rico this spring!
April 28 - May 4, 2019 &
May 12 - 18, 2019
The cost will be about $800 per person, including all costs: transportation, food, lodging, supplies, etc. Now is the time to register for either one of these trips. The first trip is almost full and the second is filling up fast. Registration requires a $50 deposit. Make the check payable to Penn Northeast Conference and mail along with this
PR Mission Trip Application.
To learn more about the rebuild site and the work go to
click here.
The next planning meeting will be Tuesday, January 8, at 6:30p at Trinity UCC, 101 S Main St, Telford, PA 18969. Phone: (215) 723-3889. It is projected that you will have the option to join the meeting electronically if you cannot join in person.
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Some of you have been asking about
what the UCC has been up to in Puerto Rico
.
Click here
for a short newsletter from our partner, the Iglesia Evangelica Unida de Puerto Rico (United Evangelical Church of Puerto Rico) about our UCC work site in Puerto Rico and the UCC work teams that have been going down. We will be working in this project when we go.
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Alzheimer's Association Information for the Holidays
The holidays are often filled with opportunities for togetherness, sharing, laughter and
memories. But they can also bring stress, disappointment and sadness. A person living with
Alzheimer’s may feel a special sense of loss during the holidays because of the changes he
or she has experienced. At the same time, caregivers may feel overwhelmed maintaining
traditions while providing care.
Click
for full article.
Alzheimer's Association - Greater PA Chapter
Helpline 1.800.272.3900
als.org/pa on facebook
fb.com/alzgpa
twitter
@alzgpa
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Moravian Seminary
UCC History, Polity & Theology Course
This comprehensive course will meet Mondays from 6 – 9pm from January 28 to April 29, 2019. You may attend in person at Moravian Seminary Bethlehem PA or by video conference. The cost for a certificate of completion is $900. Academic Course Credit is available at regular tuition costs. For more information contact the instructor, Rev. Dr. David DeRemer
deremerd@moravian.edu.
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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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Urban Pastoral Ministry Program
PROGRAM RESIDENT POSITION DESCRIPTION
Applications for the cohort currently forming for the Urban Pastoral Ministry Program (UPMP), a Boston-based program for recent (three years ago or less) seminary graduates, who serve in a two-year, full-time position at one of four established congregations in Boston and at City Mission, a non-profit organization associated with the UCC. UPMP is currently forming its July 2019 – July 2021 cohort, and applications are open now through January 15, 2019.
The program, for individuals who are either already ordained or seeking ordination and who are called to urban ministry, will provide residents with extensive practical pastoral experience, mentorship from established pastors, space for reflection, learning and support with other program residents, and opportunities to lead inter-congregation and ecumenical collaboration. The residency job description, which includes additional information about the program sponsors, is attached.
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PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.
Announces a New Certificate Program in Foundational Theology
Click
here for more information and registration
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Latest Mission Newsletter
from Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek, Japan
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