Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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PLEASE NOTE:
There will not be a "This Week in PNEC" on September 2 due to vacation schedule.
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Letter from Bonnie
Galatians 3: 27-29 reads:
“As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.”
Friends, As I reflect on the world in which we live and look at the divisions and separations that sometimes drive our decision-making, I am drawn to this text. In Christ Jesus we are one; we are the same; we are children of the Living God. This text calls us to talk with one another with a clear recognition that each of us, practicing people of faith or not, has a spark of the Divine Creator (however we define that) within us. We are each and all valuable, worthy, and loved beings – even when we do not recognize that in ourselves or others.
In the coming days we will be asked to examine how we care for one another and keep each other safe. How do we respond to wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods? How do we respond to our departure from Afghanistan and how do we welcome refugees and immigrants from war-torn cultures? How do we respond to mask mandates and calls for additional “booster shots” for our vaccinations? How do we recognize the political and policy decisions being made in our nation and around the world?
All the decisions made in our families, churches, communities, nation, and the world have an impact on how we encounter one another, how relate to one another. Which brings me to another set of song lyrics I want to share. (Sometimes you might wish I didn’t listen to so much music, but it does ground me.) There is a new song performed by the duo For King and Country. It is titled “Relate” and I share some of the lyrics with you.
“I don't know what it's like to be you;
You don't know what it's like to be me
What if we're all the same in different kinds of ways
Can you, can you relate?
We both know what it's like to be hurt
We both know what it's like to feel pain
But I think it's safe to say we're on to better days
Can you, can you relate?
Friends, can we through the grace of God endeavor to relate to one another? That is my hope.
Blessings, Bonnie
[1] https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/forkingcountry/relate.html
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PNEC Ministry Day 2021
For All Authorized Ministers - MIDs Encouraged to Attend
Tuesday, October 19, 2021
8:30AM - 3:00PM
(4 hours of continuing education)
Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, Allentown...and also via Zoom
$35 in person (includes lunch); $20 via Zoom
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UCC News Digest
Speaking out on Afghanistan
UCC officers say we must not turn our back on the people of Afghanistan. Read the Statement
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Call to the Fall Meeting of PNEC
Saturday, November 6, 2021
In Person or Virtual
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, Allentown, PA
Theme - Grief: Let Go to Move Forward
Scripture - Psalm 30:5 weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning
Keynote Speaker and Workshop Leader
Rev. Chad Abbott
Conference Minister, Indian/Kentucky Conference, Spiritual Director and Author of Incline Your Ear
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2022 Compensation Guidelines are here!
Dear Friends,
The Authorized Ministry Compensation Sub-Group of the Committee on Ministry recently met and reviewed the Compensation Recommendations for 2022. As we reviewed the materials, we considered the COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges to our ministers and our congregations.
As you review the guidelines, you will note that we have increased the base salary by 3% to reflect an annual cost of living increase. Since we did not increase the salary base last year and since the cost of living this year has increased nearly 2% and may increase up to 5% next year, we thought this was a fair increase.
We have added a section in the Preamble which discusses a Covenant of Mutuality. We hope this makes clear how adjustments may be made in discussion between congregational leadership and the authorized minister.
Please remember, too, that amendments to Ministerial Call Agreement and Three-Way Covenant forms should be completed annually and submitted to the Conference Office by January 2022. These forms are on the PNEC website (www.pnec.org).
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to one of the subgroup members.
In Christ's truth and love,
Click Here for 2022 Ministerial Compensation Recommendations for Authorized Ministers
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Together We Learn--CHHSM Discussion Group
Reason to Have Hope was created as a resource for the UCC General Synod Resolution "To Declare and Respond to Racism as a Public Health Crisis," which passed at this summer's Synod and was co-authored by CHHSM and COREM. This will be our third Together We Learn offering, and we chose to go through this course to continue the resolution's momentum and call to action.
Reason to Have Hope is intended to support a deeper understanding of the harm that racism and white supremacy have on life, health, and well-being. The material focuses on the systemic causes of health disparities for People of African Descent, Indigenous Peoples, and other People of Color, and how the work of health equity is tied to liberation for all. The course details painful realities, but it also relates stories of hope, solutions from lived experience, spiritual grounding, and healing work from CHHSM organizations and UCC ministries. To learn more about the course, check out the welcome video below or read more about it here.
The course is comprised of 25 lessons and the 1 hour discussion group (10am PST/12pm CT/1pm EST) will start in September and run through mid-March of next year:
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Sept. 14th: Welcome, Ground Rules, and Introduction to the Course
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Sept. 28th: Lessons 1-2
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Oct. 12th: Lessons 3-4
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Oct. 26th: Lessons 5-6
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Nov. 9th: Lessons 7-8
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Nov. 23rd: Lessons 9-10
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Dec. 7th: Lessons 11-12
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Dec. 21st: Lessons 13-14
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Jan. 4th: Lessons 15-16
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Jan. 18th: Lessons 17-18
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Feb. 1st: Lessons 19-20
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Feb. 15th: Lessons 21-22
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Mar. 1st: Lessons 23-24
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Mar. 15th: Lesson 25 and Closing Thoughts
Like all of our Together We Learn programs, it is free, online, and you are not required to attend every session. If you are interested, here is what to do:
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Register for the free course here.
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Sign up for the group here, and we will send you calendar invitations for the group with Zoom instructions. (Please note that you do need to register for both the course and the group.)
We hope you will join us as Together We Learn! Blessings,
Mike Readinger, George Graham, Elyse Berry, Paula Barker, Essence Ellis
The CHHSM Staff Team
Council for Health and Human Service Ministries, UCC
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From the PA Council of Churches
One of our members has upped the game, however--please check out the video produced by the Synod of the Trinity, Presbyterian Church (USA) at https://youtu.be/hMxxR3zU0D0.
A diverse collection of members of the Synod of the Trinity Presbyterian Church (USA) joins the Pennsylvania Council of Churches to urge you to get vaccinate...
We are challenging all of our members to consider submitting videos that reflect the diversity of their members and congregations! This is not meant to be competition, though a little friendly promotion within your networks and Pennsylvania as a whole is welcomed and encouraged.
If you decide to submit your own video, it should be sent to me at s.strauss@pachurches.org. I can receive videos via Dropbox, Google Docs, or a large file transfer program like TransferNow (which is free). It will be shared on our YouTube channel and via social media--including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even Tiktok!
Thanks for considering! Blessings and peace,
Rev. Sandra L. Strauss, Director of Advocacy & Ecumenical Outreach
Pennsylvania Council of Churches, 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 211A, Harrisburg, PA 17109
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Justice Update: Monday, August 23
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Voting Rights: The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act was introduced in the House on August 17 and is expected to pass in that chamber this week. Also introduced in the House to promote voting rights was the Native American Voting Rights Act.
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Be The Healing Conference
with Dr. Joy DeGruy
August 27-28, 2021
Conference Objectives: At the completion of this conference, participants will:
A. Understand how the structural inequalities beginning with the period of enslavement continue to impact African Americans and their communities today.
B. Select and apply strategies to enhance empowerment for African American populations at risk, and to promote economic and social justice.
C. Analyze relevant concepts of the Relationship Approach and the Philosophical Aspect of cultural difference as a basis for understanding the behaviors of African American individuals and families
within their social/cultural environments.
D. Examine and investigate culturally appropriate interventions including “Virtues Training” for work with African American individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
E. Understand the role that social learning theory and learned helplessness has played in the adaptive behaviors of African Americans and other racial and ethnic groups.
F. Apply improvement tools in work with individuals, families and communities.
Improvement Strategies: Participants will learn about improvement as a science and its implications for supporting healing initiatives and social justice as a framework that helps to accelerate how we learn to improve. It is a user and problem centered approach to accelerate teaching and learning through action, learning by doing. As the improvement process advances, previously unknown problems often emerge and improvement activities may need to move in new directions. Rapid tests of change are suggested to guide the continued fine-tuning of new tools, processes, roles and relationships. The objective IS then, to facilitate a focused learning journey.
The primary goals of the training are to focus on how we improve, how we reduce stress, how to effectively problem solve and ultimately learning how to “struggle well.”
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Afghan SIVs and Refugees How to Help Toolkit
Welcoming and Advocating for Afghan SIVs and Refugees: A Toolkit
Right now, the United States is stepping up resettlement of Afghan interpreters and others who helped U.S. forces in the 20-year effort to defeat the Taliban. As the Taliban now takes control of Afghanistan and U.S. military and diplomatic personnel pull out, the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement is anticipating a sudden and rapid increase in the arrival of Afghan “SIVs” - Special Immigrant Visa
holders and their families - to U.S. shores. These SIVs assisted U.S. operations in their country at extreme personal risk to themselves and their families. In return, they were promised emergency refugee
status on U.S. soil. As a denomination committed to welcoming the stranger and loving our neighbors, the United Church of Christ and its congregations are once again under a special call, in this case to welcome Afghan SIVs and to advocate for them and other Afghan refugees. Read More...
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Congregational Leadership Training
September 25, 2021 - 9AM to 4PM via Zoom
This training is for congregational boards, councils and consistories
(congregational leaders, board members, board secretaries, board treasurers, pastoral relations teams, and pastoral care teams)
Cost: $25/person or $100 max./church
Topics Covered: copyright training, leadership basics, meeting management, defining core values, behavioral covenants, governance and ministry models, specific position training for chairs, vice-chairs, secretaries, treasurers, pastoral care teams, pastoral relations teams
DEADLINE TO REGISTER is September 10, 2021
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From the Spiritual Development Ministry Team
Details Coming Soon
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Global Ministries Advocacy
RECONPAZ is a peace network made up of many organizations across Latin America, many of whom are also Global Ministries partners. Mission Co-worker Ricardo Mayol serves with the Ecumenical Christian Council of Guatemala and is an active leader with RECONPAZ. The Guardians of Creation program is active in six different countries: Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and Colombia.
This video highlights activism in Puerto Rico to remove coal-burning power plants which create toxic coal ash. Over 2 million tons of coal ash has been buried in 14 towns in Puerto Rico. Coal ash is a known hazard and causes pollution and illness, including cancer and birth defects. Open-air coal ash deposits are blown into the air and seep into the water causing harm to surrounding communities. A camp was set up in front of the Peñuelas landfill in 2014 and demonstrators protested the coal ash deposits from Applied Energy Systems (AES). This is their story.
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Flood recovery volunteer opportunity in Philadelphia
Here is a mission opportunity right in your backyard!
Many families in Philadelphia’s Eastwick neighborhood are still struggling to complete repairs to damage from severe flooding in last year’s Tropical Storm Isaias.
The United Church of Christ is inviting mission teams to bring a helping hand and hope to 60 families.
Teams of 2 to 5 volunteers are welcome for one to five days at a time. Commute in, or stay overnight for free at Salt and Light Church, Philadelphia.
UCC Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Disaster Coordinator the Rev. Karl Jones is among leaders of the recovery effort. UCC Disaster Ministries has deployed Partner in Service Judith Moore as volunteer coordinator.
Shenkel UCC in Pottstown, Pa., sent a five-member work team to Eastwick July 17. They’re already planning a return trip.
The team included Shenkel UCC’s pastor, the Rev. Suzanne Spaulding.
“I hope more churches in the area will send groups,” Spaulding said. “There is something satisfying to help people in our own backyard. And with COVID it is nice to not have to travel a long way.”
The Shenkel team worked on restoring the basement of the home of an older man rearing two grandchildren. He has lived in the house for 41 years.
“He had gutted the basement before we arrived,” said team leader Gary McDermit. “A new hot water heater, HVAC system and washer/dryer had been installed. The homeowner just needed a hand to complete the work.”
To learn more about other ways to get involved or to make a gift in support, contact Lesli Remaly, UCC Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery: remalyl@ucc.org
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
Fall classes begin soon.
Job-Hunting Field Guide: Bivocational Ministry and Beyond
Tuesday nights September 7 – October 12, 2021, via Zoom
$100 for 2.5 CEU credits. Instructor: Packard Brown.
Hands-on classes will equip you to create your own promotional package, develop and hone interview skills, find jobs before they are posted, and design your own job-search campaign. This class is beneficial for secular as well as ministerial job searches. Register by Aug 31.
Money and Ministry: A Theology for Congregational Leaders
Thursday, October 14, 7–8:30pm and Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm, Oct 19–Nov 16, 2021, via Zoom
Instructor: Mike Little, Director of Faith and Money Network. 2.5 CEUs. $325. Register by October 5.
Information and registration:
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Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Identify. Understand. Respond.
Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. The training helps you identify, understand and respond to signs of additions and mental illnesses.
Saturday, October 9, 2021
For Laity (non-clergy) Only
9:00AM - 4:00PM at Hope UCC, Wind Gap
(pending current Covid Style: Otherwise it will be online via Zoom)
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Order Your Neighbors in Need Resources Today
The 2021 Neighbors in Need “Unfailing Love” offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects serving our homeless and immigrant neighbors and communities. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to provide funding grants to UCC churches and organizations leading justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects in their communities.
Most churches collect the offering on October 3, 2021 as part of World Communion Sunday, but contributions can be made at any time. Click here for all the NIN 2021 information and PDF downloads.
Order these print items for your church today: Offering envelope; 11" x 17" glossy poster; Items are FREE, with FREE shipping/handling. ORDER HERE
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Basic Support Thank You Video for your Congregations
Thank you to congregations from Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President, UCC
From Andrew Warner, Generosity Outreach Officer, OPTIC – Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity, & Communication, UCC --- Need to promote good stewardship practices?
Congregational Economic Evaluation Tool – The survey helps leaders compare their stewardship and financial practices to other faith communities and to identify best practices they can implement. Survey available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HFCLWM3.
Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar – The seminar offers pastors and leaders an opportunity to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promote generosity. Information and registration is available at https://cvent.me/VnEgLK.
“Don't Beg - Rethinking the Stewardship Sermon” - A Bible Study for pastors as we think through options for sermons on stewardship for a fall pledge campaign. Henri Nouwen’s observation will guide us, “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. Rather, we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting.’” Oct. 6, 5pm Eastern Time. Register at https://ucc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsdO2trj0sG9M84H0b-dBX8RtjvP1-fKE_
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UCC National Doing a Survey on our Faith INFO’s
Tuesdays for Nurture and Thursdays for the Soul digital programming series
They are solicitating feedback on how to improve their digital programming to meet the needs of local churches and denomination. I am especially interested in those doing work in rural areas what they thought of the digital programs we did centering on rural ministries. I have included them below for easy access to those yet to view our programs on You Tube.
UCC National digital programs on rural ministries for 2020-2021:
Bendiciones y Paz, Roberto - Roberto Ochoa, M.Div. (el, he, his, him)
Associate for Congregations of Color/Ethnic Identified Congregations; Faith INFO (Faith Education, Innovation, and Formation)
United Church of Christ, Justice and Local Church Ministries, 700 Prospect Ave East, Cleveland, OH 44115
216.736.3813 (office)
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Crossroads Courses this Fall
Crossroads is pleased to offer the following courses this Fall. All courses are offered in person at Moravian Theological Seminary and online, real time through Zoom. Registration and more information is available at www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads. Contact Dr. Jill Peters at petersj2@moravian.edu with any questions.
Traditions
a look at world religions and other Protestant denominations
with the Rev. Dr. Bill Falla on Mondays from 6-9 pm, Sept 13-Nov 1, 2021
Creative Worship
with Rev. Maggie Wellert
explores what is worship and how we can bring new life to our worship experiences
Thursday 6-9 pm, Sept 9 - Oct 28, 2021
Unpacking the Scriptures - Discipleship
with Pam Weiss who leads the discipleship program at First Pres Allentown
gives us practical and creative ways to bring people together to explore their faith.
This is our Late Fall Course which meets twice a week (Mon and Thurs) from 11/4 until 12/2/2021
Looking ahead:
Missional Leadership, Mondays 1/3 - 2/21/2022 Dr. Jill Peters
Road Hazards (Congregational Ethics), Thurs 1/6 - 2/24/2022 Rev. Derek French & Dr. Jill Peters
Story of Christianity, Mondays 3/7 - 5/2/2022 (Except Holy Week 4/11) Rev. Dr. Bill Falla
My Journey (Formative Spirituality) Thursdays 3/10 - 5/5/2022 (Except Holy Week 4/14) Rev.
Maggie Wellert
Dr. Jill Peters, Missional Leadership Developer, Moravian Theological Seminary
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Churches Care:
Accompanying persons with
Mental Illnesses and Addictions
This three-pronged program for church leaders (pastors, parish nurses, nurses, or other lay persons) will strengthen churches and communities in their support of people in their congregation who have mental illnesses and addictions. Click Here for details
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Vital Conversations
Every fourth Monday of each month at 7 PM, clergy and lay leaders are invited to attend a Zoom conversation where they can talk through situations with other leaders, learn, and brainstorm together. As the light at the end of the COVID tunnel grows brighter, our churches and our people are excited to “get back” to some sense of normal ministry. However, our excitement is not without some apprehension: “How do we regain the momentum that was halted by closures? How do we decide what to restart and what to leave ended? How do we re-ignite the congregation’s passion for worship and service?” The Congregational Vitality Team wants to provide an on-going space for asking and discussing these questions as our churches navigate this exciting season of new beginnings.
Meeting ID: 817 9668 4439
Passcode: 292474
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CONFLICT TRAINING DATES ANNOUNCED
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.
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Registration is now open for Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
to be held on October 11-15 and November 15-19, 2021. The two identical sessions will be held remotely via Zoom. This workshop is designed to help church leaders deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. For details consult this MSTI Brochure. (Sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center)
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Introducing a program at Eden Theological Seminary named NEXT Steps
It is a program designed for persons considering retirement, recently retired, or simply looking for a change in the last 1/3 of their lives. One participant stated, “I put down a number of things due to COVID, now I’m trying to decide what I really want to pick up again.” If you know anyone that might be searching for a new direction and that this program might fit them – Please let them know! All classes are Zoom so we can welcome students from ANYWHERE!
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Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) 2021
Generations Un-Gala
You’re invited to the Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) 2021 Generations Un-Gala at Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery. During this special evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of Tuscany, sample wines, and participate in activities like bocce - all while supporting the PIA's educational programs for front-line senior care workers.
Twilight in Tuscany will be a rare “á-la-carte” Un-Gala experience. You’ll have the freedom to come and go as you please and participate in or just observe Tuscany-inspired activities. This will be a relaxing event where you can mingle with fellow attendees and have some fun.
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Clergy Clinic in
Family Emotional Process
A Leadership Training Program
sponsored by Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Lombard, Illinois
October 25-27, 2021
February 14-16, 2022
May 2-4, 2022
OR
November 8-10, 2021
Marcy 7-9, 2022
May 23-25, 2022
This Clergy Clinic is designed to enhance the ability of participants to function as self-differentiated leaders within their own ministry setting. It will provide a safe forum for processing challenging situations in one's ministry, while also facilitating reflection on a way of thinking about the human condition which has implications for all aspects of life. Click Here for a detailed flyer and registration form. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Information on federal relief resources for renters & landlords
Linked below are materials in English and Spanish for Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program and HUD’s Emergency Housing Voucher Program.
Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program
HUD Emergency Housing Voucher Program
(from the PA Council of Churches)
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