This Week in PNEC --- March 29, 2018 - April 6, 2018

TO CONTACT US OR TO REGISTER FOR EVENTS

431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA18071; www.pnec.org website

610-826-3113; FAX 610-826-5464

 

          Bonnie Bates  bonnieb@pnec.org                      Gilberto Garcia Rodriguez   gilbertor@pnec.org   

          Barbara Jennings   barbaraj@pnec.org              Patty Rehrig     pattyr@pnec.org

 

IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO INCLUDE IN "THIS WEEK IN PNEC" PLEASE EMAIL IT TO   pattyr@pnec.org
Message for congregations about coaching:
 
     I am excited to share with you a new resource we are able to provide congregational groups or individuals. We have trained 8 individuals to serve as Trained Coaches to assist individuals and groups within congregations to support activities such as vision, mission, and core values development; governance structures, constitutions and bylaws revisions; vitality efforts; transitions and search and call; conflict and behavioral covenant development.
     Coaches may be assigned through the Conference Office based on the submission of an application, click here for application. If you are a contributor to OCWM over the last two years, your fee for coaching (other than search and call, which will be offered at no cost) will be $35 per hour. If your congregation has not donated to OCWM in the past two years, the fee will be $70 per hour. Once your congregation has committed to OCWM for two years, you will receive coaches at the reduced cost.
     Our coaches have been trained through the Strengthen the Church funds we retain. We would encourage you to continue support for this special offering in addition to OCWM. Our costs for COACH training allowed many of our coaches to attend the training at no personal cost. The hourly rate you provide for them will cover their administrative and transportation costs only. The higher rate, for those not contributing to OCWM, will help us recover our contributions to the training.
- Bonnie
On March 18, 2018 , my church, St. Peter's UCC ( Seemsville ) had the privilege to host the Active Shooter Training offered free by the Pennsylvania State Police.  The training instructor was Master Trooper Marc Allen. Approximately 51 people attended, some from other churches. We learned about ALICE, Alert, Lockdown , Inform, Counter, Escape. Also Run, Hide, Barricade.   This training gave us as individuals and churches a lot to think about. What do we do with the people who need help to get to the sanctuary when we would need to escape quickly? How many exits do we have? Are those doors accessible to someone when we are in the service?   Do we want to have a plan in case of attack? Do we want to practice this plan through out the year to be more efficient or not?  
Without practice we are not proficient in implementing this life saving plan.  I sincerely suggest that all churches consider this training. Several representatives from other churches spoke to the trooper about doing this training. If you are interested just call the Bethlehem Barracks and ask for Trooper Allen.  That number is 610- 861-2026.  
- June Arnold
 

Worldwide Website Launched on
Global Youth Justice Movement
Global Youth Justice Movement
1,800+ Communities -- 5 Continents
Global Youth Justice announces the launch of a new Worldwide Website on the World's most replicated Juvenile Justice and Youth Justice program called Youth/Teen/Peer/Student Court and Peer Jury. A record 1,800+ communities have established these volunteer-driven and youth-led diversion programs, with 100's more in development in Democracies around the Globe.
Global Youth Justice, Inc. announces the successful transition from a Private Social Justice Philanthropic Enterprise created by Scott Bernard Peterson in 2009, to an International 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation with 4 of the 15 founding board of directors appointed as of 2018, with the remaining to be appointed by 2020. Worldwide Website
 
The 26th Annual New England Summer Institute, 2018
United Church of Christ History, Theology, and Polity
Camp Calumet, Freedom, NH
Sponsored by the six New England Conferences
of the United Church of Christ
Week 1: May 29-June 1, 9:00-3:00
Week 2: June 4-8, 9:00-3:00
 
moneybag_graphic.jpg

The Clergy Housing Allowance

 

is a compensation that is provided to a "minister of the gospel" (as defined by the Internal Revenue Service) by their employer that the minister can exclude from their income for purposes of the federal income tax. 

Please read the full article provided by the UCC Office of General Counsel.
 
Caregiver College at Kirkland Village... 
The Fleming Memory Center Presents
"Caregiver College"
Affiliated with Lehigh Valley Health Network Geriatric Medicine.
A free 12-hour training program/ course that is delivered in 2-hour sessions over a 6-week period.
Wendy Scott MA, CDP - (Certified Dementia Practitioner)
Elder Life Specialist
"Let us provide you with the tools you need as a caregiver. We will provide you with good strategies, enabling you to develop a sense of control or mastery in caregiving."
 
Classes held at Kirkland Village, Bethlehem,
in the Eagle Room
Tuesday 10AM-12PM
May 1, May 8, May 15, May 22, May 29, June 5
 
RSVP to Diane Miranda at dmiranda@psl.org  or 691-4501. A minimum of 5 participates per class is required.
For question please contact Wendy Scott for questions at 610-969-2278.
 
NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT FOR GUN SAFETY

     It is a headline we have seen too many times - on February 14th 17 teachers and students in Parkland, FL were killed by a former classmate, who was heavily armed. Despite the horror of recent mass shootings, and the less visible day-to-day toll taken by gun violence around the country, Congress has failed to enact any reasonable gun violence prevention legislation.
     It is time to say - Enough! As people of faith, we are called to heal our society's acceptance of violence and idolatrous fascination with weapons. Click on the link below for three things you can do:

 
Enjoy the Music of Bryan Sirchio
&
Progressive Christian Worship Music Workshop

     Attached are two fliers about these events that
New Goshenhoppen UCC in East Greenville, PA  (Pennsylvania Southeast Conference) wants to share with PNEC.  Folks may be familiar with Bryan from his participation in regional and national events, including youth events and synod.
     The concert on Sunday night is appropriate for all ages and is free; the Saturday workshop requires registration, which is being handled through the PSEC.  All info is on the fliers.
 
     The registration site for the 2018 National Gathering of The Regional Theological Education Consortium (RTEC), April 30 - May 2 at The Hotel at Oberlin (OH) is now open. You can register for "Six Dangerous Questions: A Formula for Ministry Excellence" at rtecoberlin2018.eventbrite.com. Participants are urged to register as soon as possible, but not later than April 6, to guarantee room availability at the venue.
     We will be introducing a new program assessment tool. We will also look more broadly at the value and importance of intentional assessment processes for not only making our existing educational programs stronger, but as a template for imagining and creating new programs -- and not just theological education programs. In fact, we believe the questions we will engage in our time together can activate excellence in many ways in our organizations. 
     Please Note:
  • This is a free event. The MESA Ministry Team & The BTS Center are event sponsors, and will provide lodging and most meals. Participants are asked to bear the cost of travel to the event in Oberlin, OH.
  • There are some funds available for those who may need help with travel expenses. Please contact Bob Grove-Markwood at The BTS Center to inquire about travel support: bob@thebtscenter.org / 207-227-3507 (cell).
  • For all questions, please contact Tisha Brown, RTEC Steering Team chair, tbrown@wcucc.org or 608-846-7880.

     We hope to see you at this year's meeting. Whether you are able to attend, or not, we hope you might share this information with others who could benefit from learning more about best practices for assessment.

 
Rev. Tisha Brown, Assoc.Conference Minister for Leadership Development, Wisconsin Conference, UCC
(608) 846-7880     www.wcucc.org/layacademy
 
WE ALL WANT TO HEAR
YOUR LOVE STORY
 
"I love to tell the story; 'tis pleasant to repeat.
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet."
    PNEC congregations are invited to submit a LOVE STORY FORM to Gary Barraco, PNEC 3GL Ambassador. Gary will submit these to the national church for inclusion in the web site http://3greatloves.uccpages.org/  , but we will also select 5 stories to present at the PNEC Annual Meeting in April. Submissions can start now and will close April 1st.
     If you have questions, feel free to contact Gary at   garybarraco@verizon.net   or (732)241-6635.
 
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
 
Money & Ministry Workshop
 
The Penn Central Conference is extending an invitation to invite PNEC to their generosity workshop, Money and Ministry.  It will be held on April 28 in Lancaster.
 
Flyer,agenda, workshop details and bios are attached.  Here is the registration link. 
 
Stephanie Rader-Titzel
Communications and Generosity Director
 Penn Central Conference United Church of Christ
900 South Arlington Avenue - Room 227A - Harrisburg, PA 17109
717.652.1560, ext. 11 (office) or 717.557.4154 (wireless)
 

A Note from Jeffrey Mensendiek,  

Missionary to Japan &  

Planning a Mission Trip to Japan in May, 2018

 

      I would like to inform you about a mission trip to Japan this May to visit our partners at the Asian Rural Institute ARI http://www.ari-edu.org/en/

     My friend Ken Matsuyama has planned several trips like this before, and is open for people who might want to join. ARI is an exciting ministry for anybody interested in ecological issues and global peace.
Please click here for the full flyer and information if you might want to join the trip.  
Yours in Christ       Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek
Thank you
 

An Invitation from Pennsylvania Southeast Conference...Discipleship Workshop

 

Facilitator:  Rev. Cean James

Times:  10AM to 12 Noon

There is one more opportunities to attend this workshop:

April 14 @ Trinity UCC, Reading

There is NO charge for this workshop but please register by going to the PSEC website (www.psec.org), click on the Events & News tab, click Conference Events and find the workshop date you are interested in.
 
announcements
ANNOUNCEMENTS &
CLERGY CONNECTIONS

The Rev. Barry Robert "Chuck" Galley, 70, died on March 24, 2018 in his Cumru Township residence after a 6-year struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was the loving husband of Kim (Fogel) Galley. They would have celebrated 35 years of marriage on April 9th. Chuck began his
36-year career with Phoebe Ministries in 1976, when he was called to serve as the Chaplain and Director of Admissions at Phoebe-Devitt Home in Allentown. He guided the development and construction of the Phoebe Berks Campus in 1990 and lead the community as the Executive Director & Vice President of Operations until his retirement in 2012.   A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 21st at 2:00 pm at Phoebe Berks Village, 1 Reading Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to Phoebe Berks Village Tranquility Place, 1 Reading Drive, Wernersville, PA 19565

Marilyn A. (Weisenfluh) Stump of  Weatherly passed away on Tuesday March 27, 2018 at Lehigh Valley Hospital Cedar Crest at the age of 83. Marilyn is the wife of Rev. Donald J. Stump Sr., Pastor Emeritus of Salem UCC and St. Matthew's UCC, Weatherly.  Funeral Services will be held on Saturday March 31 at 11 o'clock A.M. from Salem U.C.C. 330 First Street Weatherly, Pennsylvania 18255. Friends may call on the morning of services in church from 9:30 A.M. until time of worship. Private interment Union Cemetery Weatherly, Pennsylvania.
Memorials in her name to:
- Salem U.C.C. 330 First Street Weatherly, Pa. 18255
- St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude's Place
 Memphis, TN 38105
- Shriners Hospital for Children 2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, Fl. 33607
Cards of Sympathy may be sent to:  805 North St., Weatherly, PA  18255
 
Children's Sermon
    for Holy/Maundy Thursday(based on
John  13:31-35)  Items needed: container
of Neapolitan ice cream  (Optional extra
bowls & spoons if you want to give each child a sample) Show
kids outside  of container and ask them who likes ice cream. 
Explain that the kind of ice cream you have tonight is
different than most other kinds. Open container,  show them
inside, and ask how it's different--this container has three
different flavors, all together.  See, three different kinds,
three different colors, all together.  In tonight's Bible reading,
Jesus says that people will know we are Jesus-followers by
how much we love each other.  Another way of saying that
is that Jesus wants the church, and the world, to be like this 
ice cream---different kinds and different colors, all together.                                                                                                       
Good Friday  Items needed: tarp, piece of glass(taken
from picture frame) bucketful of dirt, gold ring or some
other  item made of gold.  Lay out the tarp on the floor and
put the  piece of glass on it.  Show the kids your gold item,
explain that it is made of gold, then place gold on glass. 
Show kids bucket f dirt and ask what it is.  Tell kids you're
going to dump the whole bucket of dirt onto the gold
(do so.)  Ask kids if gold is still there, underneath dirt. 
Carefully pick up glass, so much dirt stays on, and show
them the underside of the glass so they can see that the
gold is still there.  Today we remember that Jesus was 
crucified, which is like all the dirt of the world was dumped
on  Him.  But Jesus is still the Christ, just like the gold is
still gold, even though it's has all this dirt  dumped on it.                   
Easter   Items needed: black garbage bag, 2 teddy bears,
tape, sharp knife, popsicle stick.  Beforehand, use tape to
attach stick to knife to make a cross shape.  Then use tape
to attach this "cross" to the hand of one of the teddies. 
Show kids black garbage bag and then drop the plain
eddy into it.  This teddy is caught in the bag.  Then show
kids the teddy with the "cross" in its hand--this stands for
Jesus, and this black bag stands for death. When Jesus
died on the cross (drop teddy with cross into black bag,) 
On Easter,God used the death of Jesus to rip death
open (Reach into bag  and use the sharp knife to rip open
the bottom of the bag.)  If teddies haven't already fallen
through the bag, make sure they do now.  Now, because
of Easter, death is like a tunnel (show way through bag,)
not a dead end.
- Rev. David Quinn
 
UPCOMING DATES  calendar

MARCH
30 - PNEC OFFICE CLOSED - Good Friday
 
APRIL
3 - 12Noon - Easton AMC Clergy - Dryland, Nazareth
3-4 - Unite to End Racism Rally in Washington DC
4 - 9:30AM - Faith Formers - City View Diner, Whitehall
5 - 11:30AM-1PM - Southwest AMC (SWAMP) Clergy - St. John's, Emmaus
8 - 2PM - Allentown Mutual Ministry - St. John's (Mickleys), Whitehall
9 - 10AM - Licensing/Commissioning MID Committee - Conf. Office
9-11 - MAAUCE - Block & Hexter Retreat Center, Lakewood, PA
10 - 10AM - PA Council of Churches - Harrisburg, PA
11 - 10AM to Noon - Board of Directors - Conference Office
11 - 1PM - PNEC Disaster Response Meeting - Conf. Office
12 - 9:30-11AM - Licensed/Commissioned Mentor Group - Conf. Office
14 - PNEC ANNUAL MEETING - Union UCC, Neffs

FOR THE FULL LIST OF DATES...

Call to the 56th Annual Meeting

of the Penn Northeast Conference

Saturday, April 14, 2018

8AM to 4PM

at

Union UCC, 5550 Route 873, Neffs

 

Theme:  Exploration!

Workshop Leader:  Rev. Michael Piazza,

Spiritual Visionary, Author, Social Justice Advocate, Currently serving as Pastor of Middle Collegiate Church, NYC

Guest Preacher:  Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates,

Conference Minister, PNEC

Download a Registration form here

Also available for download from www.pnec.org
 
Phoebe Institute on Aging 2018 Spring Conference
Building a Customer Driven Culture
Thursday, April 26, 2018
8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
University Center at DeSales University
Presented by Cura Hospitality

 The cost for the full-day conference, which includes all programming, a continental breakfast, and a buffet lunch, is $25. Students and Phoebe employees are admitted free with a valid ID (which must be presented during morning check-in) and scholarships will be considered. Most CEUs are offered at an additional cost. Register by April 17, 2018. Please call 610-794-5150 with questions.
 
2018 Boundaries Workshops
"Essential Boundaries for Wise Leaders" 
                                     
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Essential Boundaries for Wise Leaders training program is designed to enrich both our opportunity and responsibility as leaders for Christ's church.
2018 Workshops will be held: 

   Tuesday, May 22 - Bern Lutheran, Leesport

   Wednesday, May 23 - Faith Evang. Lutheran, Whitehall
   Tuesday, October 23 - St. Paul's Lutheran, Dallas
   Wednesday, October 24 - Christ Hamilton United,
 Stroudsburg
 
God's Blessings,
Rev. Mary W. Gade, Associate of the Bishop
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod/ELCA
610-266-5101 ;  maryg@nepsynod.org
 
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
 
we will be offering a course in
CHURCH HISTORY on Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 9am to 4pm at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven but you can also attend via LIVE BROADCAST. This class will focus on the history of the church beginning with the 1st century through the Crusades, Reformation, and today.  Dr. Randall Zachman will be teaching the course and he is a Professor Emeritus of Reformation Studies at the University of Notre Dame This is a basic class for our Licensing Prep curriculum and a wonderful refresher for all clergy & laity of our roots in the Church.  We hope you will join us for a fascinating and fast paced romp through Church History.  Attached is a registration form with the reading assignment for the class or you can register and pay online at our website:  www.paacademyofministry.org
 
ALSO

PASTORAL CARE class on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven.  Retired UCC Pastor Rev. Stephen Engelhardt, who has extensive CPE, institutional, and parish experience will be teaching the class.  This session will consider both the theological underpinnings and the practical application of pastoral care, including hospital visitation, grief counseling, and crisis care.  This class is a required "advanced" course for Licensed preparation and a vital continuing education class for all parish ministers. Attached is a registration form with pre-class reading and writing assignments or you can go to our website to register at www.paacademyofministry.org. The pre-class assignments will be on the student page under Pastoral Care.  Hope to see you there!    For registration form and class assignments, click here
 
Volunteers, hosts at UCC's new Harvey recovery site share skills, hugs, prayers
     UCC Disaster Ministries reached 
out quickly after Harvey to Gulf
Coast pastors. Working with the UCC's South Central Conference, UCC Disaster Ministries hired a Houston couple - the Rev. Joshua Lawrence and Amariee Collins - to coordinate the UCC's Harvey recovery for two years.
     "Opening a recovery site in Port Arthur fits the UCC's commitment to care for historically underserved communities," said UCC Disaster Ministries Executive Zach Wolgemuth. Once a beacon of commerce, Port Arthur is now in precarious condition after years of economic recession and job outsourcing.
     $80,000 from UCC Disaster Ministries is helping pay for construction materials and to hire a retired carpenter, as a temporary site construction manager. The UCC's Penn Northeast Conference has loaned two tool trailers to the rebuilding effort, and retired UCC pastor the Rev. Paul Longstreth of Houston is lending his time and talents as volunteer coordinator.
     To see the full story, please click here
 
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN...
Eastern Regional Youth Event 
 
     The Eastern Regional Youth Event website has been updated to include the band information and the workshops that will be available and what a variety of workshops there are! PNEC has formed a team to help you with any questions you may have. We have been working on any details for the churches in our conference. Have you received an email from the team? If not, please contact Marge Baltz (marjoriebaltz@yahoo.com). We will continue to give updates as they are available! 
 
ONLINE UCC History, Theology and Polity Course
June/July 2018
 
     A UCC History, Theology and Polity Course that meets the requirements as set forth by the UCC Polity Teacher's Network will be offered online in June/July 2018. The instructor will be Rev. David Gaewski, Conference Minister of the New York Conference, UCC. Classes will begin at 9:30am and end at 3:30pm on the following dates: June 16, 23, 30 and July 7. The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing ( zoom.us ) The tuition will be $475. For more information contact course administrator, Ms. Diana Pelletier, at dkluscombe@msn.com
     This polity course is sponsored by the Oneida Association of the New York Conference. Payments should be sent no later than December 23rd to: Diana Pelletier, 114 Munro Dr., Camillus, NY 13031. Make checks payable to Oneida Association UCC.
      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 June13th. Please note the last three online classes reached maximum capacity
 
On-line Polity Classes
geared towards Ministerial Authorization
 
1.        Center for Progressive Renewal:  http://www.progressiverenewal.org/courses/ (a link to contact the director of on-line learning is on this page)
2.        New York Conference:  contact Conference Minister Rev. David Gaewski at
4.        Chicago Theological Seminary: https://www.ctschicago.edu/
 
Disaster Ministries Update
 
Just a little reminder that all churches are to drop off Church World Service kits (clean-up buckets, hygiene kits, and school kits) to the PNEC office in Palmerton.  Having everything dropped off at the Conference office is more convenient for the people who will be delivering to Maryland
 

 

April 6 - To BE Announced - watch for further details at http://www.ijcu.org

 

 

May 11 - Getting the "Other" Right: the Challenges of Doing History

Professor Robert Weiner, Jones Professor of History, Lafayette College

*Please Note - Location is Seegers Union 108-110
 
REGISTRATION OPEN
19th Global Youth Justice Training
World's Most Replicated Juvenile Justice Program
TEEN/YOUTH/STUDENT/PEER COURT and PEER JURY
Historic Provincetown in Cape Cod, USA
Tuesday to Thursday -- June 12-14, 2018
 
Polity Curriculum for Local Churches

     MESA recently released a new UCC Polity Curriculum designed for local congregations: new member classes, confirmation classes, COM orientations, and congregations considering joining the UCC. The materials can be found online at:
 
Pennsylvania lay leader creates traveling road show around UCC's 3 Great Loves...A lay leader of the UCC Penn Northeast Conference is on a spiritual journey, spending his Sundays with several different congregations, and spreading the word about the 3 Great Loves (3GL) initiative.  Click to see full article

3 Great Loves Wants to Come to
Your Congregation
 
The 3 Great Loves is the denomination's opportunity to express how our Love of Neighbor, Love of Children, and Love of Creation work together to address the inequities in our current world. To move this initiative forward in the Penn Northeast Conference, we have recruited Gary Barraco from Forks UCC to be our '3 Great Loves Ambassador'. Gary has been working with the National representative and Regional Ambassador to prepare our Conference to learn more about the 3 Great Loves program. Gary and others want to come to your church and deliver the Sunday morning message or present to a large group. He has put together a full liturgy for a worship serve, including suggested hymns, so we can come in with a pre-packaged service. To learn more, contact Gary at garybarraco@verizon.net
 
IN SEARCH OF...

 

For the complete list of churches who are searching for organists, choir directors sextons, pianist, etc., etc., and also churches who are giving away items, please CLICK HERE
 
What's Happening in Our Churches
 
(PLEASE NOTE:  We love advertising the "happenings" in our churches, however the list is getting too long for this publication.)
 
FOR THE COMPLETE LISTING of
"What's Happening in Our Churches"

CLICK HERE