Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Letter from Bonnie
Friends,
No doubt we are all a little confused given Governor Wolfe’s latest COVID guidelines. While these restrictions do not specifically apply to congregations, I would ask you to consider assuring that social distancing, masking, attendance restrictions, and cleaning and sanitation guidelines are adhered to. The guidelines for businesses in the state require no more than 25% occupancy or 6 feet social distancing for all participants.
Once again, please err on the side of safety. Use outdoor spaces, virtual methods for worship and meetings, and take whatever safeguards you need to take to assure people are safe. Please pay special attention to the restriction around singing. Singers need to be a minimum of 20 feet from the congregation and congregational singing should only be done with masks on. Nothing is worth people becoming ill. I am a singer and I know how hard it is to join in the singing with a mask, but please be safe.
As this pandemic drags on, and as cases ebb and flow, it is easy to get weary of the restrictions, to decide to heck with the whole thing and go back to “normal.” The problem with that is that we are never likely to go “back to normal” even if normal was a true picture of our lives. Too much has changed. Too much has been learned. Too much has been seen and felt and lost in these months.
As we move forward, and we are moving forward, we need to focus on the essentials of our faith and of our faith communities: love of God, love of neighbor, compassion, kindness, generosity, hospitality, and hope. We are a people of hope – hope in the presence of God, hope in the redemption of Jesus, and hope in the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit. The problems we face can be big, but they are not insurmountable, especially when we come together for the good of all. As the Penn Northeast Conference worked on its vision and mission statement in the last couple of years, we focused on key values for our conference: the faith that binds us to each other; Christian love; the diversity of God’s children; leadership; and clear and honest communication. These values remain at the center of all we do with and for each other.
Hold on to your faith. Hold on to our common purpose. Hold on to your confidence in the presence of God. No matter how “normal” is defined in the next months, we will not simply survive, but we will thrive together. Blessings, Bonnie
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Thursdays for the Soul:
Queer The Church - Thursday, July 16 beginning at 3:30PM
A webinar series to care for the whole church. Topics are wide ranging and are focused on the spirituality and care of people. Prayer, worship, music, psalm readings, or compassionate teaching are included.
Darrell Goodwin and Chris Davies are queer leaders in the United Church of Christ. They have worked together: visioning, dreaming, and praying for a future where the United Church of Christ Matters for the past several years. Come with your questions, dreams, and spirituality… and listen alongside their conversation of Call, faith, and hope… for who we are, and who we can be, where every voice is honored along the journey. While they will be speaking from their own place of identity and call; this offering is not only for queer identified people but for ALL people seeking a place for rest of soul.
Thursdays for the Soul is made possible through your support. To continue to support programs like this, please donate to the Annual Fund.
With Peace, Justice and Local Church Ministries, The United Church of Christ
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UCC Webinar: The Green New Deal and Reparations
Wednesday, August 5
th
When it comes to justice-oriented policy proposals that seek to fundamentally transform our society, the Green New Deal and reparations currently rise to the top. Yet, often they are discussed separately, despite clear and compelling connections. The Green New Deal Resolution proposed in Congress sought "to promote justice and equity by stopping current, preventing future, and repairing historic oppression." At the same time, the demand for reparations compels our society to address the historic injustices of systemic racism, including environmental racism. To explore such connections and how faith communities can work to advance just policies, this webinar will feature three panelists: Congresswoman Barbara Lee, 350.org’s North America Director Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, and the UCC’s Economic Justice Minister Sekinah Hamlin.
Register now!
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Uplift Equity & Amp; Nonviolence as Spiritual Matters
Harrisburg gathers to Uplift Equity & Nonviolence as Spiritual Matters
July 19, 7:00 pm
Religion event by Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg and 2 others. Friends, this is an invitation to join us either in person (strict mask & physical distancing) at Italian Lake in Harrisburg or on Facebook Live on the Pennsylvania Council of Churches Advocacy FB page. Watch the event page above for further details. Peace, Sandy, Rev. Sandra L. Strauss, Director of Advocacy & Ecumenical Outreach
Pennsylvania Council of Churches
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Press Release from The Council of Racial and Ethnic Ministries UCC (COREM)
COREM Says In Voice, Black Lives Matter!
I can’t breathe! Mama! Mama!
Those were George Floyd’s last words. He called out to his mother as life slipped away. George didn’t sound that different from Jesus when He cried out to His father. The State snatched Jesus’ life away more than 2,000 years ago and continues snatching the lives of unarmed Black men and women away.
Read More...
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Stewardship Events Set With Generosity Outreach Officer
Pennsylvania Southeast, Penn Central, and Penn Northeast conferences are working with the UCC's Generosity Outreach Officer to create three workshops for our churches and leaders. Please save the dates for these events:
- Aug. 22, 10:00a-12:00p: Annual Campaigns 101 – Designed for pastors and lay leaders planning an annual pledge campaign, we will explore ways to create an effective campaign. We will reflect on core purpose of a campaign, discuss practical steps leaders can take, and explore creative ideas to design a campaign uniquely suited to your congregation. Join this webinar to develop and strengthen plans for a successful fall campaign.
- Oct. 17, 10:00a-12:00p: Planned Giving to Support Mission and Ministry – While a significant wealth transfer occurs (and will occur) in our country as our eldest generation passes, many congregations and ministries remain unprepared to promote planned giving options among their members. Only 5% of people leave a charitable bequest even though nearly a third of people would if asked or invited to consider one. Through this webinar, you will learn key concepts and create an actionable plan for your congregation or ministry.
- Jan. 20, 10:00a-12:00p: Spirituality of Generosity – Jesus talked about money second only to the kingdom of God, yet many in the church today treat money as a non-spiritual topic. We can theologically engage questions of money, wealth, and giving. Teaching and preaching about generosity and the use of our financial resources can deepen the faith life of our congregations. Gathering together with other pastors, this webinar will help you reclaim money-talk as a faith formation conversation with the members and friends of your congregation.
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Embracing Healing in These Days
August 5,12,19,26 & Sept. 2 & 9
on-line course developed by Wanda Craner,
Gestalt Pastoral Care Minister and Trainer
Limited to 20 participants
six-90 min. sessions–cost for all 6 sessions $120
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Pennsylvania Council of Churches Executive Director Search
The PA Council of Churches continues its search for an executive director. We have received some very promising applications and are beginning some preliminary interviews with these applicants. However, our application process does not end until August 31 and we are open to further applicants.
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Phoebe Ministries Extended CPE Flyer July 2020
Hello everyone, Many students were not able to take CPE this summer as many centers had to cancel their summer CPE groups as we did here at Phoebe. Our plan is to have our extended CPE group that starts in October and goes through April. We hope this might help some who need CPE as part of their requirements for seminary or ordination. This group is also open to clergy wanting to experience chaplaincy and lay folks who want to get better at caregiving. The group will be led by Certified Educator Candidate Leah Knox and myself. The flyer contains all the information potential students might need to be in touch with us or to apply for this program. Please post this flyer in your places of ministry and pass on the word to those who might serve on preparation for ministry committees in your denomination. Class will be held on Tuesday evenings by zoom and in person. Clinical work can be done on any one of our four campuses in Wyncote, Richlandtown, Wernersville and Allentown depending on where the student might live. Scholarship funds are also available to help defray the cost of this training. Should you have any questions don’t hesitate to be in touch. Peace, Scott
Scott Brooks-Cope, D. Min.
Director, Pastoral Care Services
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FREE CHURCH MEDIA COLLECTION
Create an unforgettable digital worship service with these trending backgrounds.
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Open & Affirming Coalition, UCC
Click here to read their newsletter
RIPPLES
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Get Your Tickets to View John Lewis: Good Trouble
The United Church of Christ invites you to an on demand showing of a new film on the life and work of congressman and civil rights activist John Lewis. Buy a $12 ticket to
stream John Lewis: Good Trouble
and $5 goes to support UCC justice ministries.
Justice & Local Church Ministries, UCC
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Bethlehem Public Library Anti-Racism Resources and Workshop
(Completion of the workshops would count as Anti-racism training or 6 contact hours)
Below is a link to Facebook listing by the Bethlehem Public Library for a 4 part series billed as an introductory workshop series on issues of systemic racism in the U.S.
These workshops will be on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays starting July 14th - August 25th from 6:30- 8pm. The presenter is Linda Wiggins - Chavez. It will be ZOOM format with link and register information on the Bethlehem Public Library Facebook website.
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2020 National Youth Event
UNITE THROUGH THE EXTRAORDINARY
A Virtual Gathering July 25-26,2020
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THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF MINISTRY (PAM)
at Lancaster Theological Seminary is offering fully online classes this year!
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Disasters are stressful for survivors and caregivers alike, including the pastors and chaplains to whom survivors turn for spiritual and practical help. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception.
Recovering Hope” is offering resources, indexed at
www.ucc.org/recovering_hope
in a variety of formats, including virtual workshops, referrals to vetted providers, and other easily accessible resources from the UCC and beyond.
Impact of Looming Housing Crisis Due to COVID-19
Disaster Ministries of the Conference is working with many partners to try to lessen the impact of the looming housing crisis caused by the loss of income for many people due to COVID-19. Beginning on July 10, in Pennsylvania, landlords may file new eviction notices for non-payment of rent at non-federally backed properties.
Read More...
July 2020 Tips and Taglines
This month’s tips and taglines hope to educate you on how to stay safe and protect your property from heat and drought during the upcoming summer season.
Read More...
CWS Kits Depots Are Opening Soon
Church World Service is accepting kits again! Here are links to the CWS Kits promotional video.
YouTube link
or a
Downloadable mp4
. UCC Matching Grants of up to $250 for congregations assembling kits are now available, although the caution remains to not gather to assemble kits until it is safe to do so.
Click here for full information
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