Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Reminder for Year Book Information
Wednesday, March 4
is the deadline to enter membership and financial data on the UCC Data Hub. If you have difficulty in doing so, please contact
BarbaraJ@pnec.org
or call 610.826.3113. You may also send us paper forms if you do not desire to go online and enter the information on the Data Hub. Thank you.
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Letter from Bonnie
Dear friends,
As you may know, I am just home from a mission trip in India, signing partnership agreements with two dioceses of the Church of South India. As we gathered, we were often in the presence of groups of people from various religious and regional traditions. The experience was heartening, given the peacefulness with which people and groups interacted with one another. One of the most wonderful parts of this mission trip was visiting a variety of churches and projects undertaken by the Church of South India. There were rural village churches, urban cathedrals, schools, colleges, hostels and boarding schools. It was wonderful to see and feel the expectation within the congregations – the hope and the certainty that the Holy Spirit would show up; that God would be present with them.
There are a variety of religious groups in India, Christianity being a minority of about 12%. Yet, the people, even in their differences tend to get along well with one another. That was my experience and it is in sharp contrast to the recent news broadcasts about the protests and violence in New Delhi. People are protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act designed by the new administration to limit access to citizenship of non-Hindus refugees and immigrants. It is an act which violates the dictates of India’s secular constitution and clearly is breeding fear, distrust and anger within the nation. Indian people I spoke with are concerned about the need to provide three generations of residency and citizenship. Obviously, this political process was not the focus of our mission trip, but the fear and tension were clear.
Yet, there was little or no violence while our delegation was in India. In fact, on the Thursday before we left, there was a protest at one of the largest and oldest mosques in New Delhi about the same legislation, and that protest was orderly and peaceful. The sudden change to violent confrontation concerns me.
I continue to contrast the recent violence in New Delhi to the calm presence and attention of the multi-religious and non-religious individuals gathered to see our PNEC/PSEC delegation and hear me speak about Sabbath and God’s Creation in Gangaram Village at the Siluvagutta Jatara. This calmness and peace is a model we must work toward.
As we prepare for our spring conference meeting, a meeting focused on understanding and building relationships between and among differing religious groups, I feel it is vital for us to remember that we are all human beings created by God sharing creation together. Our manifestations of faith and God, the Divine, may be different, but our goal of peace, community, joy and hope are things we hold in common. We are called to love one another, cherish one another, care for one another and protect the rights of one another. May it be so for us today and in the days to come. Blessings, Bonnie
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Invitation from the Chair of the PNEC Faith Formation Ministry Team
Hi, I'm Janet Newett, Pastor of St. John's UCC Fogelsville but more importantly, for the purpose of this article, I am the PNEC Faith Formation Ministry Team Chairperson.
We are in a period of rebuilding this important ministry within our conference for the purpose of nurturing you as Faith Formation Leaders.
However, just like you in your local church, we want to put our energy into the programs that are wanted and needed (Rather than "programming for the sake of programming...").
I have been where you may be sitting now...
A CE Director (either paid or volunteer) and/or in charge of Sunday School or the Board of Christian Education. You wonder how to grow your children and family programs and how to get more adult volunteers because people are getting burnt out. You wonder what are other churches doing differently? What
really
works? Should I change the time of Sunday School or eliminate it all together?? Does any of that sound familiar?? OR MAYBE you are thinking "I have resources and ideas that I would be happy to share!!"
I want you to know that our PNEC values what you do in our local congregations! This Ministry Team was developed to support you and to connect you to another. We want to provide resources and training opportunities, as well as, facilitate necessary conversation among you!
So the important question is:
As a Faith Formation Leader, what do you need to feel better equipped for the children/family/adult ministries in your church?
(PNEC also values youth- so much so that Youth and Young Adults have their very own Ministry Team!)
- If you have a answer to that question, we want to hear from YOU!
- If you, as a Faith Formation Leader, are seeking a community in which to network with, resource from, and connect to for the purpose of strengthening your church AND your WHOLE SELF as well, we want to support YOU!
Please join us in March so that we get started! We will focus on what you need as a FF Leader to feel supported and properly equipped AND I will also present information on
Spiritual Practices for Children
that you might be able to use for Lent.
Tuesday MARCH 3 10am at Panera Bread
in Allentown at the Village West Shopping Center corner of Cedar Crest Blvd & Tilghman St.......
OR
Saturday MARCH 7 10am at ??
(This location will be decided based on the geographic location of those who are interested in attending.)
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED BUT NEED AN EVENING GATHERING DURING THE WEEK- PLEASE EMAIL ME TO LET ME KNOW SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THAT AN OFFER AS WELL.
If you plan to attend one of these gathering (or need an evening), please reply to me (ONLY) or text my cell number which is found below. THANK YOU!!!
Many blessings on your ministries and I hope to see you in March! -- Janet Newett; 610-657-2189
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Please bring a small bottle of water from your home church or Conference to use during our water blessing.
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A Lenten devotional called “40 Days of Solidarity.”
The Pennsylvania Council of Churches has prepared
a Lenten devotional called “40 Days of Solidarity.”
Through this devotional guide, we aim to use the time of Lent as an opportunity to reflect upon what justice, mercy, redemption, and repentance mean in our lives. This liturgical season we invite you and your congregations to join us on a journey towards justice.
40 Days of Solidarity contains a daily reflection on scripture, a prayer, a criminal justice fact, and a small action that readers can take.
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A Request to Bring Items for People in Need to the 2020 Spring Meeting
As a sign of community and unity, we will be gathering items for people in need at the PNEC Spring Meeting. We are asking each church to collect a quantity of one particular item: shampoo, dry shampoo, 3 in 1 shampoo/body wash, body spray, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb, body wipes, soap, socks (men’s or women’s), washcloths, men’s undershirt T-shirts (M, L, XL), men’s or women’s underwear, and pocket packs of tissues. Once your church decides on an item for collection, please email me (
jomarchetto@rcn.com
) or Bob Gutekunst (
gutekunst66@hotmail.com
) to help us coordinate the collection. At the spring meeting, we will work together to put the items in bags to distribute to our many interfaith partners.
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Call to the PNEC Spring Meeting 2020
"Growing Together"
Greetings Friends! Our Conference-wide meeting will be a special interfaith event for education, training, and building relationships. We will meet Friday, April 24 through Saturday, April 25 at The Chateau Resort and Conference Center at Camelback, Tannersville.
Attendance at the spring conference meeting, keynote through the conclusion of business on Saturday will qualify for the completion of the triennial cultural competency education requirement for authorized ministers.
To read the rest of the Call letter...
CLICK HERE
You can also register through tithe.ly at the following link:
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Leading Worship for Lay Leaders
March 28, 2020 - 9AM to 3PM (Registration begins at 8:30AM)
Penn Northeast Conference Office, 431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton
Note: This is a repeat of the same workshop that was held on Sept. 14, 2019
A one day seminar designed to help lay leaders prepare and lead worship!
Who may be interested?
Congregations who struggle to find supply ministers to lead weekly worship service and lay members who are interested in leading their congregations in worship. Let’s face it, many congregations need a supply minister to fill the pulpit if the minister is away or if the church is in transition between ministers. In order to assist congregations facing this situation, the Local Congregational Support Working Group of the PNEC Committee on Ministry is conducting a one-day seminar designed to help your members develop and present a variety of worship services, using readily available resources from the Conference, the UCC website and other online and paper resources.
Click Here
for detailed flyer with registration information. Deadline for registering is March 17.
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All Conference Book Study "White Fragility" Zoom Conversations
March 31, April 14, April 28, May 12, & May 26
Dear Friends,
This spring, as a part of our growth and understanding, the Penn Northeast Conference is inviting people to be a part of an all-conference book study.
We will be reading and discussing the book,
White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
by Robin Diangelo
. This New York Times bestselling book examines the emotions and behaviors which impact our ability, as Caucasian or Euro-American individuals, to talk about issues of race.
The
Conference will be sponsoring 6 Zoom conversations about the book
. (Please see the
attached
flyer for dates, times and Zoom links.)
If you looked at the flyer previously, please look again as the information has changed. We have cancelled the March 17 meeting, which was to be the first meeting.
You are welcome to join us as individuals, congregational groups, or Area Mission Councils. We welcome your active participation. For authorized ministers,
attending all 6 sessions will qualify as the completion of the triennial anti-racism training requirement.
You may certainly opt to discuss this book in small groups within your congregations or Area Mission Councils. I hope you will take the time to read and examine this important book as we walk this journey of faith and justice together. Blessings, Bonnie
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Have you signed up...deadline is fast approaching!
The Penn Northeast Conference Presents...the 15th Annual Youth Retreat
"Faith & Foodies!"
ALL youth in grades 7th-12th are invited
May 15-17, 2020
Spruce Lake, 5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA 18235
Cost $135/person - includes meals Saturday and Sunday
*Limited space - first 40 participants with paid deposit only
One adult chaperone per church
Registration Deadline is March 1, 2020
- please send non-refundable $50 deposit with registration flyer.
CLICK HERE FOR the Registration Flyer and More Details.
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Preaching for Lay Worship Leaders
Bringing the Scriptures to Life!!
April 18, 2020 from 9AM to 3PM
Penn Northeast Conference Office
431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton
Presenter: Rev .Dr. Becky Beckwith
Cost: $15 per individual; $45 for a team of 3 or more from a church
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National Youth Event 2020
What are the Foundations of NYE 2020? Leading up to NYE 2020, the planning team has built upon the original pillars of faith, leadership, service and social justice. Adding community building so that youth might be sustained in their faith beyond NYE and expanding justice to include encounter and reflection, ensures our work comes from a place of solidarity and does not reinforce systems of power and privilege.
Read More... Who's Going to Be There? (Speakers & Artists)
Read More...
Sign up to receive more information
here
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2020 Boundary Training
offered by Lehigh Presbytery
(3 different sessions)
PLEASE NOTE: These are the only boundary training being offered in 2020
Click here
for the flyer for three sessions of Boundary Training Offered by the Lehigh Presbytery in 2020. These sessions will be led by David Olsen.
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FYI...
NYC Emergency Management Press Release
outlining the De Blasio Administrations preparedness plans for the
novel coronavirus.
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Clergy Convocation 2020
with Rev. Dr. Emily C. Heath
May 5-7, 2020
Double Tree by Hilton, 2400 Willow St. Pike, Lancaster - (qualifies for 10 contact hours)
Click here
for full flyer, schedule, and how to register - Deadline April 1, 2020
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The Story of Worship
June 11, 2020
9AM to 4:30PM (Registration 8:30AM)
Jordan UCC, Allentown -- details TBA
(This will count for 7 hours of continuing ed.)
Stories are powerful. But harnessing the power of story in worship requires more than a few film snippets or sermon illustrations. Whether we realize it or not, most people make sense of their lives in terms of a life story. Every Sunday, when people gather in our churches to worship, it is an opportunity for peoples’ life stories to be woven into the fabric of God’s story and the story of the church. This workshop will look at how we better seize that weekly opportunity by being more attentive to the story our worship tells and presenting a more holistic view for incorporating story and storytelling practices into our worship.
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Care for the Caregiver
A Workshop for Faith Based Caregivers!
An opportunity to share stories and receive information.
MARCH 12, 2020 - 10: A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Jordan UCC,
1837 Church
Road,
Allentown
click for registration and detailed flyer
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Valley Over the Edge - - May 30
The Lehigh Conference of Churches is hosting the third annual Valley Over The Edge on May 30 in which 92 rappelers will be going "over the edge" at Five City Center in Allentown to help those most in need in the Lehigh Valley.
Read more...
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Shape Your Future -
Everyone Counts in PA
Census 2020
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ITEMS OF INTEREST...
--April 7 - 9AM-12:30PM -
Disaster Recovery Challenge: A Poverty Simulation, East Side Youth Center, 1140 E. Clair St., Allentown -
participants will take part in a simulation to experience obstacles that impact low income community members on a daily basis and that are exacerbated during disaster recovery. A hands on exploration of how households prioritize needed services and resources is embedded into the scenario. Registration is required (class is free), see the
attached flyer
for details on how to register. All questions should be directed to Tanya Hook, Lehigh County Emergency Management.
tanyahook@lehighcounty.org
or 610-782-4600.
--April 20 -
Healing the Earth – Our Common Home - A Call to Action – Celebrating the 50
th
Anniversary of Earth Day -
St. Francis Center for Renewal, 395 Bridle Path Rd., Bethlehem.
This workshop will be offered at two separate times: 9:30 to 11:30am OR 7:00 to 9:00pm
and is for pastors, faith leaders, advisory council members, teachers, school administrators, teen leaders, and interested members of your community. Contact the St. Francis Center for Renewal at 610 867-8890 to register. Contact Marie North, Laudato Si’ Animator, CSBA (Certified Sustainable Building Advisor) at
mnorcsba@ptd.net
or 610 769-0780 with questions about the workshop sessions. Freewill offerings gratefully accepted.
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED FLYER
--April 24 & 25 - 2020 Spring Conference Meeting -
The Chateau at Camelback, 475 Camelback Rd., Tannersville, PA - The meeting will be one overnight, dinner on Friday evening, breakfast and lunch on Saturday. Starts at 4PM on Friday and concludes at 4PM on Saturday.
Please Note:
If Authorized Ministers attend the entire meeting it will qualify for your Cultural Competency Training.
--April 27-29 -
Educators (MA-AUCE
Mid-Atlantic Association of United Church
) 2020 Annual Conference -
Holistic Faith Formation:Engaging Our Whole Selves -
(This event is for
"full time or part time clergy or lay, paid or volunteer.") -
Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center, 3300 River Rd., Mt. Bethel, PA -
Click Here
for Detailed Flyer & Registration Deadline to Register is March 1.
--March 9-18 -
New Year New Opportunities & Growth
Courageous Faith Summit
- launching in March - provides a critical look at what we are now and how we get to a more sustainable and equitable future. Amazing presenters will be paired with innovative ideas and you will come away inspired!
Other courses available at
FaithLead.org -
(many of these courses are free of charge and will go a long way in challenging the way you lead and grow this year.)
From The Center for Progressive Renewal
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
The UCC and Church World Service have co-branded several promotional items, including the 2019 CWS Kit and Blanket Shipping Report; two memes announcing the UCC matching grant for UCC; and the 2020 CWS Kit promotional video, co-branded for the UCC. The videos are posted below:
The CWS coordinator for the kits and buckets is Matthew Stevens. He can be reached at
mstevens@cwsglobal.org
or 614-595-1970.
FEMA Region III, wants you to be prepared for any disaster, and that’s especially important during flood season. Flash floods can occur in the span of several minutes, even without visible signs of rain. This month’s toolkits can help guide your preparedness in the event of a flood. The resources in these toolkits include: Strategies to secure your home against floods.
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Preparedness information for ensuring your own and your family’s safety during severe weather
events, including establishing communication and evacuation plans.
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A sample press release and social media content to boost flood preparedness.
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Information about flood insurance, flood risk, and flood mapping.
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Printable flood insurance images (attached) that can be customized with your logo.
Wishing you a dry and safe spring.
- The February Ready PA Monthly and Action Sheet are available at www.Ready.PA.gov .
- Information on the coronavirus from the PA Department of Health - FYI - go to
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