•  THIS WEEK IN PNEC                  September 24, 2020
Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
www.pnec.org  610-826-3113; 610-826-5464 FAX
Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates   bonnieb@pnec.org       
Rev. Gilberto Garcia Rodriguez   hispanicucc@rcn.com
Rev. Christian Creyer    christianc@pnec.org     
Barbara Jennings   barbaraj@pnec.org
Patty Rehrig   pattyr@pnec.org
  SEND ARTICLES TO BE INCLUDED TO  pattyr@pnec.org
Notification of the UCC Board‘s (UCCB)
commitment to Christian discipleship & Synod resolutions toward an anti-racist church and society by advancing the work of racial diversity, equity
Achieving Health and Racial Equity for Everyone: Why the Faith Community
Must Act  
God did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 Contemporary English Version (CEV) 

The Racial, Ethnic and Health Disparities (REHD) Task Force, a cross-programmatic collaboration among Wider Church Ministries, Global H.O.P.E. Team, Justice and Local Church Ministries, Racial Justice Team and The Council on Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM) invites local UCC congregations and conferences to partner with us as we engage in faith work to promote Health Equity - policies, programs and actions that give people the opportunity to attain their full health and social potential. Promoting health and racial equity is a framework and a lens through which a congregation can apply to any justice issue that it chooses to work on. 

Health inequities are intrinsically tied into racial inequities and disparities. They are both consequences of public policies, and such can be changed. The purpose of this survey is to 1) assess our church’s understanding of and interest in working on broad issues related to health and racial equity, 2) identify skills, training needs, tools and resources that would assist a congregation to promote health and racial equity. 

For decades the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has advocated for health care as a right and priority for all people and has called for a commitment to be an antiracist church to examine both historic and contemporary forms of racism. 

The Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force thanks you for your willingness to answer the questions on this short survey. There are no right or wrong answers. This tool will help us assess the current position of the Church. Please allow the person most familiar with your church or conference to respond to this survey. We are asking that the survey be completed by Monday, October 5, 2020.  For more information, please contact Barbara Baylor, baylorb@ucc.or
Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, Conference Minister
Call to attend our Penn Northeast Conference Fall meeting
Saturday, November 7, 202
 We will gather at 9:00 a.m. Our Meeting will be a Virtual Zoom Meeting and run from 9 am to 2:30 pm. 
The Meeting’s Theme is Moving Forward
Scripture:   Isaiah 43:19
           Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new.
           It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is!
           I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.

The meeting will begin with the Celebration of Installation of our Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates. The Service will include the UCC Conference Ministers from the other five Conferences in the Middle Atlantic Region with special music.

The Installation will finish approximately at 10:15 a.m. and the Business portion will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Business Items will include:
·       Vote on the 2021 Conference Budget
·       State of the Conference Address
·       Vote on a slate of Nominees for Conference delegates for General Synod
·       Recognition of Committee and Board members and the Moderator who are completing their terms
·       Recognition of Pastors’ Anniversaries of their Ordination, New Pastors, & a Time of Remembrance
·       Recognitions of Church’s Gifts to OCWM and Five for Five

Hope you can virtually join us! -- Doug Taylor, Moderator
 

Fall Meeting Registration Link through Tithe.ly
PNEC Bylaws Revision and Addition
(This will be an item of business at the Fall Conference Meeting)
An Explanation:
The PNEC Committee on Ministry has requested a change to our PNEC Bylaws. The current Bylaw, Article VIII, Section 805, indicates a quorum for Conference Meetings:
At any meeting of the Conference 100 persons entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum. If there is the lack of a quorum, members present at any scheduled meeting of the Conference may hear and receive reports without taking actions thereon and may adjourn the meeting to such a time and place as a majority of those who are present and entitled to vote shall determine.
While this quorum is effective and manageable for meetings of the Conference, this quorum becomes challenging for Ecclesiastical Councils, gatherings of the Committee on Ministry, delegates and pastors of churches, and guests for the purposes of approving a candidate for Ordination as an Authorized Minister.
Applications are now being accepted for the Gwilym T. Williams Scholarship Fund 
If you are a student who is preparing to embark on a career either as an ordained minister, a certified teacher or educator, a doctor of medicine (MD, DO, DMD or DDS), an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, or a nurse (B.S. degree), you are eligible to apply. Information on how to do so is located at https://pnec.org/resources-scholarship-information/g-t-williams-fund/
The deadline for all application materials for the fall term is October 1, 2020.  
Registration deadline: 'Virtual Sunday School' workshop
On Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6:30p, there will be a Christian Ed. workshop on "Virtual Sunday School." This is a follow-up to a similar conversation earlier this summer, but it is not a requirement to have attended the first one. Friday is the deadline to sign up. Click here for more info and to register. 
United Church Funds Fiduciary Focus
Every church and non-profit organization has its own unique mission and financial objectives. With that understanding, Matthew Wagner, Vice President, Institutional Relationships at United Church Funds, has written a helpful guide that describes the building blocks for customized, workable, and effective investment policy. Click for guide.
UCC Climate Ambassador Training for PA - Free Zoom format Workshop
Hello from the Penn Central Creation Justice Ministry Team,  we would like to invite you this FREE Zoom format workshop which is a collaboration with UCC Environmental Ministries and Blessed Tomorrow with the goal of encouraging and empowering people of faith to engage in creation care and creation justice.
UCC Climate Ambassador Training for PA
Saturday, October 3rd from 11:30am to 4pm
Zoom format - includes a lunch break and stretch breaks 
With the more severe wildfires and hurricanes that the world is experiencing now, the time for faith-rooted and hope-filled climate action is here. To assist churches across Pennsylvania to answer this call, the United Church of Christ Environmental Ministries has partnered with Blessed Tomorrow to train clergy and laity who want to join with others to act for climate solutions as a matter of faith. This free, four-hour training will equip participants to go back to their faith communities with the tools and motivation needed to give presentations and develop concrete plans of action that actualize hope. We would love to have some folks from the York Association Churches take part in this training. Perfect for inspiring / empowering our many York Assoc. folk who read Jim Antal's "Climate Church Climate World" and who want to take further steps.  
Register today for the training! HERE
As part of the training, everyone who registers will be able to receive a free copy of Cathedral on Fire!: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis from the Rev. Brooks Berndt, the UCC Minister for Environmental Justice.
The day includes learning and engaging on:
  • Faith and Climate
  • Solutions and Benefits
  • Advocacy and Engagement
  • Next Steps and Resources
Both the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, UCC Minister for Environmental Justice and Anita Fete Crews, Eco-America/Blessed Tomorrow will be presenting....so this is also an opportunity to meet UCC national staff and folk from Eco-America/Blessed Tomorrow whose goal is to help major denominations Create Climate Literate Clergy and Laity, Demonstrate Visible Climate Leadership and Accelerate Collective Action. 
Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors
For resources churches and pastors may find helpful in practicing ministry during the pandemic visit ucc.org/coronavirus
Technology Basics for Congregations
Saturday, September 26 from 9:30 - 11:30AM - via Zoom
Whether you are hosting live virtual worship, pre-recording worship, offering devotionals or bible studies, many of us have moved into arenas that seminary training left us unprepared.
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Generous Preaching
Oct. 13, and Nov. 10 - 2 to 3PM
Engaging scripture stories to share the spiritual practice of generosity with congregations
It can be hard to talk about money. And yet Jesus spoke about it often, second only to the Kingdom of God. Join Rev. Andrew Warner to explore how to preach and teach about generosity and the use of our financial resources. Background materials and seminar style discussions will take place through the Damascus Project. Each month will focus on a specific et of readings. We will plan out at least one preaching opportunity for teaching generosity as a spiritual practice each month.
·       Oct. 13: 1 John 4: 1-7, “Beloved, Love”
·       Nov. 15, Matthew 25: 14-30, “To Timid with Talents?”
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Fall Boundary Training - one session ON-LINE
from the Lehigh Presbytery
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registrants will receive the Zoom link once they register and pay. Attendance will be monitored and certificates will be emailed to those who attend the entire training.
Click Here for a copy of an updated flyer. Questions contract Marsha Heimann (marsha.heimann@gmail.com).
Dimensions of -Isms
On-Line Anti-Racism Training
Saturday, October 3, 2020 9AM to 4PM via Zoom --
Cost: $100.00
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The Story of Worship
(open to both Pastors & Lay Worship Leaders)
November 14, 2020 from 9AM to 4:30PM via Zoom
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos - Cost: $50/person
(This will count for 7 hours of continuing education)
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Harvest Full of Hope
Mental Health Awareness Conference
Oct. 20 from 8:30AM-3:30PM
Registration is now open for the virtual event! Click Here to Register Registration is free and you must register to get the certificate of attendance and the Zoom link as well If you have any questions, please email us at info@harvestfullofhope.org
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UCC Church Building & Loan Fund Present:
Building Church Differently
90 minute power-packed webinars - September & October
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Men's Clergy Retreat 2020
Releasing Your Inner Warrior
Sponsored by PSEC
October 6-8, 2020
Kirkridge Retreat Center
CLICK HERE for flyer
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2020 UCC Stewardship Materials
PNEC Ministry Day 2020
Saturday, October 24
9AM to 3PM via Zoom
Cost: $25.00
Caring For Our Mental & Spiritual Health
(attendance for the day will count as the Cultural Competency requirement OR 4 hours of continuing education.)
DEADLINE TO REGISTER: September 30, 2020
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Relationships, Strong Connections, and Mental Health in the Church
FREE Webcast - Sept. 30, 1PM
Relationships are meant to be one of the most fulfilling parts of life, but during this year of stress and anxiety, millions of people are dealing with new relational challenges.
This event will help leaders answer three crucial questions:
1.    What is the state of relational health today?
2.    In what areas are relationships under pressure?
3.    Where can people go for healing and how can the church help?
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Crossroads Program
CULTURE AND CHANGE
(8) Mondays & Thursdays
6-9 pm
November 5 - December 3
Price: $240
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Virtual History & Polity Course
Oct. 5 - Nove.16 -- Cost is $375
Indiana-Kentucky Conf. will be offering a virtual history and polity course
PRC offering Virtual Choir webinar series this month
Practical Resources for Churches (formerly the Parish Resource Center of Long Island) is offering a Virtual Choir: Webinar Series throughout September with webinars on: Creating Connection Through Song, What do you need to get started, Selecting Music and Preparing Lead Tracks, Preparing Your Choir to Record, and the use of different video editing and sound mixing technology. For more information, click here. 
"Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States"
is a new book, just released, that summarizes the life of over 4,000 Reformed churches, including the majority of churches in the Penn Northeast Conference. The book begins with a social and organizational history of the denomination, including six maps, charts, and illustrations. A useful tool for genealogists, its over 700 pages also note about 1,300 Lutheran churches that were in union arrangements with Reformed congregations. Its author is the Rev. Richard H. Taylor, who attends Forks UCC near Stockertown, and is the former Chair of the Historical Council of the United Church of Christ. He is the brother of Douglas Taylor, current Conference Moderator. People interested in procuring a copy of the book can contact him at 610-438-3771 or pilgrimrht@rcn.com. [A discount price of $31.50 is available before the end of the year, including PA Sales tax. Shipping is an additional $5.00.]
Whether you home school or are planning - your school program we can help! 
ProgressiveChristianity.org's  A Joyful Path Children's Curriculum for ages 6 - 10 has been praised for its behavior-over-belief curriculum that connects children with their own inner wisdom. It teaches interdependence, self awareness, respect for nature, stillness, forgiveness, prayer, meditation, and integrity. Using the Bible and other wisdom stories, A Joyful Path helps children learn how to follow the path of Jesus in today’s world.
A Joyful Path Children's Curriculum works equally well in-person or online! 
Whichever Full Year Version you choose - Hard Copy, PDF or DVD - use Coupon Code TEACH25 at checkout to receive your discount. 
from ProgressiveChristianity.org
Virtual Story Exchange Workshop -- Friday, October 2 from 1 to 3:30PM
As part of The University of Scranton’s Dialogue Across Differences efforts, you are invited to participate in a Virtual Story Exchange Workshop with international non-profit organization Narrative 4, founded by Irish author Colum McCann (who will be giving a virtual public book talk on October 6 – see flyer attached/RSVP here).  
 
Story exchanges have been used in a variety of settings -- from American cities to Northern Ireland and Jerusalem -- to foster dialogue and develop empathy among people with differing perspectives, beliefs, and experiences. The model can be used in the classroom across different disciplines, as part of community-based learning courses, and in other community engagement settings to build relationships and explore difficult issues through the sharing of personal narrative. This model is particularly valuable today given our current political, racial, and pandemic-related tensions in the US. 
 
Participants will experience story exchange through Narrative 4's online workshop. As a follow-up to the Oct. 2 workshop, you will be invited to participate in a self-timed/paced online facilitator training as well as a skillful interventions workshop that will enable you to run a story exchange yourself.
 
Attached you will find a flyer that provides further background on the workshop and N4. This workshop is being organized by the University’s Political Dialogues Initiative, with support from the Jesuit Center, Community-Based Learning Office, Strategic Initiatives Fund and an external grant from Campus Compact NY&PA. 
 
Space is limited to 50 participants. It is free of charge. Please let us know. RSVP by Sept. 29 to secure your spot here: https://narrative4.z2systems.com/np/clients/narrative4/event.jsp?event=3830&. Once you register, you will receive more detailed information about the workshop from N4.
Update to DOL Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Act Leave
The Department of Labor recently released additional guidance on the leave available to employees caring for school-aged children under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. These questions and answers relate to schools and remote learning. Briefly:
  • If the school is closed and the only option is remote learning, the employee is eligible for paid leave under the FFCRA.
  • If the school offers the option of attending in person or attending remotely, the employee is not eligible for leave under the FFCRA because the school is not closed due to COVID, even if the employee selects the remote option out of fear of the child contracting COVID.
  • If the school has a hybrid approach and the child is required to do remote learning on particular days and not permitted to attend school on those days, the employee may take the leave on those days.

For additional information and a more complete explanation: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions#98

Of course, nothing prohibits an employer from giving an employee leave that is not required under FFCRA, but remember that the employer cannot take the payroll tax credit for non-qualifying leave.
-- Heather Kimmel, General Counsel, UCC
Talking About Racism: A Community Conversation
(Authorized Ministers - if you have documentation of attending all three conversations, it would count for anti-racism training)
October 1 - 5:30-6:30PM via Zoom
Defining & Identifying Racism
October 8 - 5:30-6:30PM via Zoom
Understanding White Privilege and Allyship
October 15 - 5:30-6:30PM - via zoom
Discussing Black Lives Matter
To attend, you must RSVP to receive the Zoom information.
Contact community@scranton.edu or visit
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Pastor's Conversations
Bonnie Bates is inviting you to a scheduled semi-monthly Pastors’ Conversations Zoom meeting, held on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 2 pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 829 4709 0481
Password: 235909
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,82947090481#,,,,0#,,235909# US (New York)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kc8HWW29BH
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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. (First, workshop was held on August 22.) Please save the dates for these events:

  • 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.
(TO REGISTER for Oct. 17 - please email pattyr@pnec.org and you will be sent the zoom link closer to the workshop date.)

  • Jan. 20, 2021, 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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The 2020 Central Chautauqua Series
Resiliency: Faithful Endurance During Pandemics and Other Difficult Times
Zoom Presentations on
Sundays, September 27 and October 4 at Noon
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Neighbor in Need (NIN)
Neighbor In Need (NIN) materials are available in a different format this year. Due to the fact many churches are not yet gathering in sanctuaries as a matter of safety, our desire to encourage such behavior, and the significant cost of printing and shipping NIN materials that may not have been used at all, JLCM made the decision to only print NIN posters this year and to make bulletin inserts and all other resources available as downloads. We have also created a video appeal available next week for use in virtual worship.
Churches that resumed in-person worship may contact UCC Resources (click here) to request both the posters and envelopes if desired.
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30th Anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act
Help promote the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and an opportunity to share your stories. To celebrate the Disability Friendly Community of the Lehigh Valley is promoting the idea that people with disabilities BELONG! Please see the attached flyer and share with others. Thank you,
Kim Melusky, PA Link to Aging $ Disability Resources; Lehigh/Northampton Coordinator
(610) 782-3096
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THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF MINISTRY (PAM) 
Theology I: “Faith Seeking Understanding,”
Oct 3–Nov 12, 2020 --apply by Sept. 25
The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in relation to congregational leadership. Cost $325. Apply online at https://lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM Intro. video: https://youtu.be/BL_ae5d_BLQ
Theology II: “Leadership and Community,” Jan 9–Feb 18, 2021
The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on the human condition, Christian hope, the church, ministry, and mission. Cost $325. Apply online at https://lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM.
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Video Series to Help Local Church Pastors and Leaders with Stewardship
Congregational leaders often seek resources to help them organize effective annual stewardship campaigns. Drawing on my own experience and shaped by insights on best practices from the Lake Institute, I designed the video series “Extravagant Generosity” to provide these resources.
The short videos cover a range of topics:
- The spirituality of Generosity (featuring UCC
officers)
- Offering Thanks
- Practical Elements of a Campaign
Leaders can watch the videos as a series or
choose the topics of most significant use to
their setting.
The first 14 videos provide the necessary elements leaders will need to know when running an annual stewardship campaign. But 14 videos can’t cover everything! I will continue to add videos and resources to the series.
Click Here for the resources.
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Moravian Seminary - Have You Registered??

Spirituality in Networked Spaces
Friday, September 25 • 10:00am-2:30pm
LGBTQ Suicide & Care for the Souls of Queer Folk 
Friday, November 13 • 3:00-5:00pm
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC

Go to https://t.e2ma.net/webview/nwln9b/8ab6c05a844d746aee1249fc07ac0f74 for the current ReadyPA newsletter. 
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Consider assembling CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets and CWS Hygiene and other Kits Get guidelines here for safe assembly in groups or at home, and news of CWS's reopening of "Safe Depots.Disaster Ministries continues to offer Matching Grants of up to $250 for UCC congregations assembling CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets and Kits. Get more information here
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UCC Disaster Ministries is working with our disaster response partners from across the Commonwealth, to meet needs related to disasters like flooding and fires, and complicated by the pandemic. There are current and anticipated increased needs among people whose residences (owned and rented) have become unsafe and/or unlivable. Please complete the form found at https://forms.gle/ww6eLkKgEnGvh4RN6Please read more...
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UCC Update from Disaster Ministries...Read Lots More...
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**You can find more information & updates at UCC Disaster Ministries: www.ucc.org/disaster