Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Letter from Bonnie
Psalm 141:2 “May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.”
Dear Friends,
The season of Lent has begun. In my Roman Catholic upbringing Lent was a time of sacrifice, of fasting, of no meat on Fridays, of more church attendance than usual. Yet, the reality is not much changed in my life. As a child, I would give up something I didn’t have very often anyway, chocolate or pie or cake. My Dad usually was off traditional work in the winter (he drove heavy equipment to build roads and northeast NY didn’t do that in the winter) so we had a lot of fish anyway from his ice-fishing. I sang in the choir and my mother taught religious education, so I was at church pretty often all year round. Not much changed about that in Lent.
As I grew into adulthood and became a member of the United Church of Christ, I began to explore the religious significance of fasting, sacrifice, prayer and meditation in new ways. Lent was to become a time of introspection for me. It still is. As I have written in the last couple of weeks, I am focusing on the spiritual gift of Generosity this Lent. I am seeking to be generous in my attitudes, in my remarks, in my giving, and in many parts of my life – including being generous in my prayer and meditation time. Perhaps God doesn’t need me to be generous with my time in prayer, but I need it.
I can get really busy; can’t we all! Taking the time to pray, to sit in the quiet, to listen to music that moves my heart and spirit, and to listen for the still small voice of God are increasingly important in these busy days. I remember hearing a long time ago, based on my complaint that I didn’t have enough time, the statement, “We all have all the time there is, the same amount of time as everyone else. The difference is how we spend it.” It is a lesson I haven’t forgotten. We don’t make time, but we do determine how we use time.
This Lent I am using some time to be in prayer and meditation, to give thanks in gratitude for all I have been given, and to offer generosity to those I encounter and to myself. I may do some fasting. I may attend church more frequently. I may even decide to give up something (although maybe not). In any case I will seek the face and voice of God as one of God’s Beloved. Please remember you are each one of God’s Beloved as well. May you feel that blessing. ~Bonnie
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Conference Meeting Worship Survey
The Conference Meeting Planning Team would love to hear from you. What creative things are you doing in worship? Are you incorporating things into worship to help people who are differently abled? How are you celebrating diversity in your congregation?
We would love to expand our worship leadership and creativity to celebrate the different ways our congregations worship. We would like to invite you and/or your worship team to consider sharing your gifts in Conference worship. Please answer this 2 question survey to share your thoughts with the planning team.
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Fellow Authorized Ministers
As we closed 2020, we determined there were many authorized ministers that had not logged into our Breeze database at all and many others who had not posted any continuing education. This is distressing to me as your Conference Minister and to the Oversight Working Group of the Committee on Ministry who works diligently to assure our authorized ministers are meeting all standing requirements.
In 2018 the PNEC Committee on Ministry drafted new educational requirements for maintaining standing as a UCC authorized minister in the Penn Northeast Conference. There has continued to be push-back about the need for continuing education. Let me try once again to clarify the rationale and the requirements.
There are 3 standings for Authorized Ministers: Ordained Ministerial Standing; Members in Discernment with Lay Ministerial Standing; and Exempt Standing. Continuing education is ...Read More
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2021 Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture on Christian Unity
with Lisa Sharon Harper
"The Call to the Beloved," March 18, 7 p.m. via Zoom
Register in advance for this webinar:
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Congregational Leadership Training
(Virtual Training for Congregational Boards, Councils and Consistories)
Saturday, March 20 from 9AM to 4PM
Cost: $25 per person OR $100 maximum per church
Topics covered: leadership basics, meting management, defining core values, behavioral covenants, governance and ministry models, specific position training for Chairs, Vice-Chairs, Secretaries, Treasurers, Pastoral Care Teams, Pastor Relations Teams
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LENTEN STUDY TO BEGIN FEBRUARY 24, 7:00 P.M.
We all know The Ten Commandments---how do we make sense of these ancient words in light of Jesus, and our modern world. Join us Wednesday evenings via Zoom for a study based upon a brand new resource by Adam Hamilton, Words of Life: Jesus and the Promise of the Ten Commandments Today. Dr. David Charles Smith (Sr. Pastor at Jordan UCC, Allentown) will lead the study, for which there is no cost. If you'd like a copy of the book, which is optional, please contact the Church Office (610-610-395-2218). Also, please let the Church Office know of your interest in order for us to email you a copy of the Zoom link. Please invite others to join us!
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Ministering to Grieving People
March 2, 9, 16, & 23, 2021
2:00-3:00PM Central Time - On-line
Luther Seminary's Faith + Lead Team
Even though we've started a new year, it feels like so much of 2020 is still with us doesn't it? People are dying, loved ones hurting, and the space for grief feels smaller and smaller. You may have experienced loss personally, within your church, or throughout your larger community. None of it is easy, and there are people looking to you for support. How prepared are you? Maybe the most honest answer for any of us is "I'm not really sure."
Most of us are well-equipped to sermonize about eternity, resurrection, and life ever after. There's nothing wrong with that - as long as we don't miss the chance to, as the Apostle Paul write, "mourn with those who mourn." How to do that can be complicated. We can help. Beginning in March we will be hosting an all-new online course entitled "Ministering to Grieving People." Led by author, minister, and Master Certified Coach, Dr. Don Eisenhauer. These four weekly sessions will prepare you- and your congregation - to care for hurting people in a deeper, more connected way. This course could not be more timely. Click here for more information about the course and how to register. |
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Share Your Story!
We have officially passed the one year marker of the beginning of the pandemic. Our lives and ways of worship were uprooted and adapted, and we have tackled challenge after challenge. It can be all too easy to look at the past 12 months with a mindset of scarcity, but there have also been amazing stories of triumph and abundance! The Generosity Committee wants to hear from you! Share your story with us about where you and your congregation have moved from scarcity to abundance! Where have you seen generosity alive and well? Please email your stories, photos, and videos to pattyr@pnec.org so we can share and be inspired together! God Bless!
-Rev. Rebecca Sausser, Generosity Committee Chair
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The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network seeks Communication Consultant for 20+ Hours a Month
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Boundary Trainings Being Offered... |
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Family/Church Boundaries training event next month
Sponsored by Pennsylvania Southeast Conference
An Advanced Boundary Training on Family/ Church Boundaries will be held March 11 from 9:00a-12:00p. Sometimes pastors and their families feel like they live in a glass house. Sometimes a spouse and/or children feel imposed upon. Sometimes the lines of being part of the same community as the church make it challenging for the pastor’s family. During this training we will consider ways to be mindful of maintaining boundaries as a clergy family. We will look at a couple of cases and then use the collective wisdom of the group to consider healthy ways to navigate those situations with faithfulness and good boundaries. Click here to register. The fee is $20. Additional advanced boundary trainings will be offered later in the year.
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Good Leave-Taking Boundaries
May 22
(from Pennsylvania Southeast Conference)
details coming soon.
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Advanced Boundary Training
(Basic boundary training must be completed first. If you have already taken a basic boundary training, this advanced training will cover your Boundary Training requirement and a certificate will be provided.)
Social Media & Boundaries for Ministry
Friday, May 14 & Friday, May 21, 2021
(series of 2 sessions)
Zoom training from 1 to 2 PM
Cost: $25
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Learn from denominational experts and the team at Convergence about the need for and management of excellent boundaries.
Each unit will contain specific learning objectives, reflections based on theological foundations, case studies, best practices and video interactions.
- Boundaries in Pastoral Relationships with Adults
- Boundaries in Pastoral Relationships with Children & Youth
- Boundaries with Finances and Church Business
- Boundaries with Ministry Transition
- Boundaries with Social Media
- Boundaries for Self-Care
Use the code BOUNDARY at checkout for $100 off!
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Join us for Faith+Lead's February Book Hub event
Thursday, February 25, 1:30 - 2:30 PM CST | FREE Admission
(Registration will be capped at 300 participants)
Author Sarah Ciavarri and ministry coach Dawn Alitz invite you to a time of leadership renewal
February's featured publication:
"Finding Our Way to the Truth: Seven Lies Leaders Believe and How to Let Go of Them"
In a world changing faster than ever, leadership in the church is about being grounded in who we are and tapping into our gifts and boldness like never before.
Join us as we discuss:
What do we do when we aren't sure what to do?
What do we do with the assumptions about leaders placed upon us?
What about that pesky impostor syndrome?
Come away with some tangible steps you can take—and laugh a bit more than you usually do on a Thursday afternoon.
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Intro to Worship Leadership & Liturgical Practices
Just $325 all inclusive. Register now! Blessings, Rev. Darryl Stephens, PhD, Director of PAM
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UCC History, Theology and Polity Course
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021
9:30am-3:30pm EST
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 Feb/March 2021. The instructors will be Rev. David Gaewski, Conference Minister of the New York Conference, UCC, and Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley, Associate Conference Minister, New York Conference. Classes will begin at 9:30am and end at 3:30pm EST on the following dates: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021. The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing (zoom.us) The tuition will be $495. Electronic payments preferred (PayPay, Zelle, Venmo). For more information contact Rev. David Gaewski, davidgaewski@uccny.org
This polity course is sponsored by the Oneida Association of the New York Conference. Payments should be made no later than April 25th. A syllabus is available upon request. Laity, Members in Discernment and Privilege of Call candidates are all invited! 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 April 30th. Please note several recent courses reached maximum capacity. Registration is now open.
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New Communities of Practice Added....
Community of Practice for Authorized Ministers
PNEC Communities of Practice Are accepting participants. Cost is $250 for the year. Counts for ½ of
your continuing education hours. You can apply to the Longsdorf Fund for continuing education funds.
See below for openings:
Topic: Chaplains Group, Facilitator: Rev. David Charles Smith
Topic: Pre-Retirement & Retirees Group, Facilitator: Rev. Steve Englehardt
Topic: Newly Called Ministers and MIDs Facilitator: Rev. James Robison
Topic: Engaging the World Thru Faith Practices/General Ministry, Facilitator: Rev. Jeff Brinks
Topic: Spiritual Disciplines, Facilitator: Rev. Al Bastin
Topic: Family Systems - Facilitator: Rev. Heather Kurtz
Topic: Theological Study Facilitator: Rev. David Quinn - Our group currently consists of Teresa Martin and Dave Quinn. We meet monthly (ZOOM, for now) for sharing and support. As part of our meeting, we discuss some book that has been chosen and read by the group members. New members are most welcome!
Topic: Solo & Sr. Pastors of Larger Churches & General Ministry Facilitator: Rev. David Charles Smith
Topic: Multiple Church Pastors Facilitator: Rev. David Charles Smith
Topic: Legacy & Decline Practices of Ministry Facilitator: Rev. Jane Hess
If interested in any of these topics, please click here for the application and send to Patty at the Conference Office (pattyr@pnec.org or send to 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Staying Grounded in the Storm
Thursdays, February 18 & 25,
March 4 & 11
9:30-11:30 Central Time - Live Online
A lot of us spent last year in what felt like a cycle of frustration and heartache. From a pandemic that seems to keep getting worse to electoral chaos unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed, each month has felt like another wave crashing against the shore of our lives. Because of that, we have an upcoming course you’re not going to want to miss. It’s called Staying Grounded in the Storm, and it’s designed to help you build resilience, hope, and even gratitude in the midst of difficulty. We think you’re going to love it! Click the link below for all the details and a chance to sign-up. This course couldn’t be more timely.
Luther Seminary's Faith + Lead Team
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Resiliency Lessons Learned in a COVID Care Unit
A nursing home chaplain with 20 years of experience shares her firsthand observations of resiliency during COVID. Read More...
Cultural Intelligence as a Spiritual Discipline of Relinquishment
CULTIVATE COMMUNITY
What would the world look like if we (individuals and the Church) relinquished our hate, negative opinions, and incorrect notions about other cultures? Learn More.
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MORE CONFLICT TRAINING DATES ANNOUNCED
This past week, Convergence hosted a Transforming Church Conflict course with over 30 participants. Individuals were informed, challenged, and changed by the one and a half day gathering. Many of you couldn't attend, so we've added 3 more dates!
Because conflict is such a part of our everyday lives, Convergence is providing this dynamic and engaging approach to conflict transformation for churches, denominations, NGOs and business organizations. This training is particularly effective for leadership councils, Sessions, Vestries and curated congregational groups.
This 1.5 day online workshop will walk your group through how to become skilled in conflict transformation. You will learn skills that will reshape your interactions with present and future congregational conflict and equip you for managing conflict in your work and personal life.
Together, we will explore the following topics:
- What is conflict?
- The intersection of conflict and story
- Your individual approach to conflict
- Family Systems Theory, triangulation and conflict mapping
- Managing difficult conversations and emotions
- How conflict functions in groups and organizations
- Your congregational conflict habits
- A process for addressing conflict between individuals and within groups
- Healthy congregational conflict practices
In addition to presentations on each of these topics, there will be opportunities for sharing our personal experiences with conflict and working on leading through difficult conflict using case studies and role playing.
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Join Us For a Webinar on March 3rd
Representatives from the Moravian Church in Nicaragua, Christian Mission Church of Nicaragua, Evangelical and Reformed Church in Honduras, and Christian Commission for Development in Honduras will share about their work responding to the two category four hurricanes, Eta and Iota. In November of 2020, they caused massive damage and flooding across Nicaragua and Honduras. Since the storms hit, these global partners have responded quickly to assist their communities and walk alongside those impacted by the destruction of the storms. Speakers will share about the work that has been done to date and about the long-term plans for rebuilding affected communities. This webinar will take place on March 3rd at 3:00 P.M. EST you can click here to register for the webinar.
If you would like to learn more about the work of partners in Nicaragua and Honduras responding to hurricanes Eta and Iota click here.
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2021 Phoebe Institute on Aging Virtual Conference
March 18, 2021
Registration is open for the 2021 Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) Virtual Conference! In consideration for the safety of our attendees, speakers, staff, and the community, the PIA Conference has been scheduled to take place online through Conference Tracker on Thursday, March 18. This FREE virtual seminar can be enjoyed anywhere with access to Wi-Fi on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience a variety of speakers and presentations throughout the day, including a moderated Q&A session with Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions for Dr. Ruth. Click Here to read more and register by March 12
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Malcolm Lives
Saturday, February 20, 2021 - 9PM EST
Featuring "I Buried Malcolm"
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Featuring "Muslims of the African Diaspora"
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Together in Hope
2021 CHHSM 83rd Annual Gathering
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Recording of Rev. Andrew Warner's Generosity of Listening Sermon
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Pastor's Conversations
Bonnie Bates is inviting you to a scheduled semi-monthly Pastors’ Conversations Zoom mtg, 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)
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Alzheimer's Association Virtual Opportunities
All events are free to attend but registration is required.
Below is a link to our on-line services
All information is also available on our 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900
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Clergy CE Workshop on QAnon/Cultic Groups
March 3, 2021 - 10AM to Noon
via Zoom
Presenter: Rev. Heather Hunnicutt, LPCMA,MTS
Pastor of Salem UCC, Pocono Pines
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Worship Resources
shared by Rev. Jessica L. Hainley, Quentin UCC
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Social Justice/Lecture Series
Each Saturday in February 2021
Sponsored by Dille Parish UCC, LeRaysville
call in (audio only) 1-872-240-8956, 880197884# United States, Chicago
Phone Conference ID: 880 197-884#
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Frequently Asked Questions About Copyright and UCC Hymnals
Heather E. Kimmel, General Counsel, United Church of Christ
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Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (2021)
March 1-5, May 3-7, June 21-25, August 2-6, October 11-15, or November 15-19
Does your congregation experience conflict? Does it harm your Christian fellowship and distract from your church’s mission? Learn to transform conflict from a negative force into an opportunity for reconciliation and growth. To register or to learn more, contact the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at 630-627-0507 or Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Attached is the flyer for a series of webinars that are sponsored by multiple agencies entitled, "FAITH-BASED VIRTUAL WORKSHOP SERIES” concerning keeping our churches safe. The webinars for eastern PA will be held at the beginning of June. We are also reminded that if there is a need to report an incident at one of our churches, we are to contact the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) at sp-protectpa@pa.gov or (855) 772-7768.
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Ready PA Monthly
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