Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Bonnie's Letter
“Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2)
Dear friends,
Clearly, we are still living in and through a pandemic. The stresses and burdens on individuals, families, communities, and congregations continue. Maybe there is a little less stress as the case numbers come down, yet the stress is still with us. There is still concern about vaccination and masking mandates. There is still concern about gatherings and traveling. There is still concern about the divisiveness in our culture, our political, and even in our theological opinions and beliefs.
As I returned today from the national gathering of the Council of Conference Ministers, I noted how alike and different our separate conferences are – how consistent some issues are – pastoral placements, membership declines, budgetary shortfalls, disasters with floods, fires, and storms. Other issues are unique – an internal conflict, a ministerial fitness issue, a minister’s serious illness or loss of a family member. Yet, the steady hum of stress remains. For many of the conference ministers, this is the first time we have gathered in person. Mask usage and social distancing remained in place, and yet, those who felt comfortable (all were vaccinated and “boostered”) accepted and gave hugs. Each of us met each other with grace and with hope for renewing and deepening of relationships.
As a part of our work together, we explored what we needed from each other, what we needed from the national setting, and what we had as best practices to share with one another. We explored issues of leadership, conflict, spiritual development, and collaboration. The information gathered will be sent to us, so we can share it within our conferences. I will share the information with the conference as I receive it and with specific ministry teams to assist them in their work.
The Galatians 6:2 scriptural quote I shared with you at the beginning of this letter was shared in our closing worship. As a part of this worship, we agreed and committed to blessing each other. Each individual received an index card with a conference minister’s name on it. As we read the names aloud, we all turned toward the person and blessed them. This was exceptionally powerful. After the blessing, we made a verbal commitment, aloud as a group, to regularly check in with the person whose name we received, to pray for them, and to lift their prayer needs to God.
There is something about sharing and bearing another’s burdens that moves us closer in relationship to one another and to God. I am heartened when I receive an email or letter that indicates someone has been praying for me. I hope you feel the lifting and grace of my prayers for you. I pray for you daily. I hope you know that and feel that. In these days of continuing stress, let’s make a commitment to pray for one another, to lift each other’s burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves. Feel the blessings of God’s grace and prayers, Bonnie
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Penn Northeast Conference Spring Meeting
NOTE: If attending the whole event this will qualify for Cultural Competency Training
(virtual or in person)
May 13 - 14, 2022 (Friday - Saturday)
The Chateau at Camelback
475 Camelback Rd., Tannersville, PA
Keynoter: Valarie Kaur
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Valarie Kaur is an American activist, documentary filmmaker, lawyer, educator, and faith leader. She is the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Kaur's debut book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love, was published in June 2020.
Friday, May 13, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Valarie Kaur Zoom Presentation and Interfaith Worship including Valarie
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Morning: Interfaith Workshops
Afternoon: Business Meeting, Recognition of Pastors and Churches, Installation, Closing Worship
including Communion
Registration is available for Friday evening only or for Friday and Saturday.
OR Click Here for form to mail in registration along with your payment
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Last Call for these Up-Coming Events & Deadlines |
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UCC issues appeal for Ukraine, calls on U.S. to provide aid
The United Church of Christ is issuing an appeal for the people of Ukraine and will be working with global partners to assist vulnerable communities within that country.
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Resources for Local Church Stewardship
“From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving” makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching and teaching about stewardship throughout the year. Campaign guidance and calendars help leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific context and size. Video by Bruce Barkhauer about these materials : https://youtu.be/2x623Zx5yQU
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Men's Breakfast
Rescue & Restore Church, 120 Willow Ave Olyphant, is hosting a Men’s Fellowship Breakfast on Saturday, April 30th at 9:00 A.M. Cost is $12 per person and you can pay the day of the event by cash, check, or debit/credit card. You can register at www.rescuerestorechurch.com
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I am happy to report that I have heard from Jill Shade at Longswamp UCC, PNEC, that they had a goal of $500 for the "High 5 for Disaster Relief" initiative. They have surpassed that goal and will be sending a check in the amount of $1,060 to PNEC's Disaster Response Ministry Team
Shalom, Karl -- Karl Jones, Disaster Response Coordinator
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UCC Share Love for Ukranian Neighbors
“Activities at the refugee point in Barabás, a small Hungarian village at the border of Ukraine. ACT Alliance member Hungarian Interchurch Aid offers food, drinks and hygiene items for the people fleeing the Ukraine war. Over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees have already crossed the border to Hungary during one week.”
Antti Yrjönen / Finn Church Aid
"Love your neighbor as yourself." - Jesus of Nazareth
Our Ukrainian neighbors need us now. Millions have been displaced, seeking shelter and basic necessities. Please take a moment now to help our partners in the region meet these needs with a gift to the UCC Ukraine Relief Fund.
The Russian military attack on Ukraine two weeks ago created a massive humanitarian crisis. More than 2.3 million people have fled Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands more displaced from their homes but unable to leave the country. The need for basic necessities is staggering.
You can stand with those in need. Ministering with our global partners, your love of neighbor will be made tangible through a gift that will:
- Provide welcome, shelter, and respite for refugees seeking safety
- Support Hungarian Interchurch Aid, which has provided resources to 9,000 people while shipping convoys of aid into western Ukraine - delivering more food, water, and sanitation items daily
- Join humanitarian relief partners in Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine through the ACT Alliance
- Attend to the most vulnerable - children, the elderly, and refugees from other countries who are now twice displaced.
United in prayer, action, and giving, we stand as a people of faith in love and compassion with all affected and with our global partners who are welcoming those driven from their homes.
In faith, Kent Siladi, Director of Philanthropy
P.S. If you have already given to this relief effort, thank you!
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The members of the Scranton Area Ministerium, like people throughout the world, have watched the suffering of the Ukrainian people with horror and outrage
We feel compelled to express our common humanity with all those involved.
- We want the victims of this aggression to know we stand with them.
- We want those who are instigating the violence to know that we appeal to the moral conscience we share to seek non-violent ways of resolving conflict.
- We express our admiration and support for those throughout Europe and all over the world who have responded to the challenge of providing for the millions of refugees seeking safety and the minimum requirements of survival and dignity.
We are acutely aware that many of our neighbors in Northeast Pennsylvania have personal connections with the nations involved on both sides of this conflict. As all of us wrestle with the secondary trauma of watching the atrocities unfold before our eyes, we want those who have a more intense engagement with that violence to know they are not alone.
Our spiritual traditions teach us that one of the greatest temptations when faced with overwhelming evil is to fall silent before it, seeing ourselves as helpless or inadequate to address such great injustice.
Our faith communities can, however, engage right now in specific actions to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and this transition can be a powerful force in eliminating the financial foundations of autocratic aggression.
The direct connection between environmental justice and the maintenance of peace among nations has been clearly established, and many of our religious communities are already engaged in actions to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and promote environmental justice.
As we prayerfully search our hearts for how best to respond to the heart-wrenching violence being endured by the people of Ukraine, let us commit ourselves to do what we can to transform the social structures that make such aggression possible.
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“Esther and the Beached Boys”
featuring music by the Beach Boys, Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Frozen, Encanto, and even Alice Cooper!
or 570-344-7201
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Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom
With Rev. Kris P. Snyder (from Union, Neffs)
Thursdays 12noon to 1pm
April 21, May 6, May 26, June 9, June 23
By zoom only – use the link below.
Using practices from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model, Plum Village Thich Nhat Hanh tradition, Centering Prayer, and a little Qigong and movement we’ll gather for an hour of practice.
No experience necessary, lots of experience welcome too. Sign up here if you are interested and available for some or all of these dates:
Or just show up using the zoom link.
If you’re interested but these times and days don’t work, let me know and we can try to offer more.
Zoom Link:
Meeting ID: 811 8812 7483
Passcode: 348630
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (Chicago)
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Lehigh Valley Freedom School
The James Lawson Freedom School is gearing up for Summer 2022. The program will run from June 20, 2022- July 29, 2022. We are focused on fundraising, national and local training and recruitment of our Servant Leader interns. The program is building partnerships with Da Vinci Science Center and working with Wildlands Conservancy to enhance our learning enrichment through the Integrated Reading Curriculum.
We are thrilled to welcome Delia Mitchell as our Freedom School Program Assistant. Delia has served 2 years as a Site Coordinator with the James Lawson Freedom School and brings a slew of knowledge in the area of early childhood education. Delia has a background in community outreach and administration.
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Moravian and Mercersburg Traditions: Can These Two Walk Together?
co-sponsored by the Mercersburg Society, Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian University
May 23 & 24, 2022
on the campus of Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 West James St., Lancaster
REGISTRATION DEADLINE -- May 15
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Process the Pandemic for Ministry
Help for Getting Through the Covid Blahs - Start re-energizing with Faith+Lead's Processing the Pandemic of Ministry. We are all worn down after another year ravaged by the pandemic. The good news is that now - over just two hours a week for three weeks - there's an opportunity to recover, regroup, and get ready for a healthy, hopeful future.
Tuesdays, April 19, 26 & May 3
7 to 8:30 PM Central Time
You will discover:
- Opportunities to prioritize what’s been learned and to process it in a supportive environment
- A safe space for integrating what you’ve learned through the pandemic and gently moving forward in whole and healthy ways
- A sustainable game plan for achieving two goals—unique to you—in the 30 days following this course
- ... and so much more!
It's an opportunity to practice stillness, intentional reflection, and realistic goal-setting—all within a safe, supportive environment. Sign up today!
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Lenten Prayer Service
Take a Prayer Break - Every Thursday at noon during Lent join colleagues from the four PA UCC conferences for a short time of prayer on zoom. Each gathering will be led by a conference staff member and will include readings, reflection, and a time for intercessory prayer. All are welcome to join. Zoom information is below and is the same for every week. We begin March 3rd and will end on April 14th.
Carrie Call is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Lenten Prayer
Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 841 7677 4603 Passcode: 260414
Rev. Carrie Call, PhD, Conference Minister, Penn Central Conference
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Robert K. Campbell Lecture Series - with David LaMotte, March 31 & April 1
David is an award-winning speaker, author, songwriter, and activist
What's Mine To Do?
Join us for The Lehigh Conference of Churches’ Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture and dinner, small group meeting, and concert Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1, featuring David LaMotte.
Event Schedule (Registration is required for all events.)
Lecture, “What’s Mine To Do?”
Thursday, March 31, 5:45 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. light dinner, 7 p.m. lecture, 8:30 p.m. coffee/dessert
$10 lecture only; $20 lecture and dinner
University Center, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034
Community Dialogue
Friday, April 1, 10 a.m.; Dubbs Memorial Community Center, 457 W. Allen Street, Allentown, PA 18102
There is no charge for this event but registration is required.
Concert
Friday, April 1, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
There is no charge for the event but registration is required. Seating is limited. There will be a free-will offering to benefit The Lehigh Conference of Churches.
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Trinity Retreat Center
Upcoming In-Person Retreats
See the full schedule for 2022 here.
This participatory, immersive experience begins in reflection on Holy Week, moving intentionally in liturgy, community, and prayer from a Maundy Thursday Agape Meal with a foot-washing ritual through Good Friday. Then we’ll prepare the house for the feast on Holy Saturday, when the Great Vigil is celebrated, followed by a festive brunch on Easter Day.
O Barco…Outro Mar: Celebrating Latinx and Hispanic Communities - with the Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones -- April 26–28, 2022 | Learn more and book
This retreat offers an opportunity for people of the Latinx and Hispanic communities to come together for guided prayer, rest, reflection, walks, the sharing of stories, and contemplation using poetry and scripture.
Integrity Retreat: Freeing Jesus - with Diana Butler-Bass -- May 6–8, 2022 | Learn more and book
Using Diana Butler-Bass’s newest book, Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence, as a starting point, this weekend retreat will show how Trinity’s core value of integrity calls us to pay attention to our life experience, as we grow in self-understanding and in our relationship with Jesus.
Wade in the Water: Celebrating Blackness - with the Rev. Dr. Mark Francisco Bozzuti-Jones
An opportunity for people from across the African diaspora to come together for prayer, rest, walks, and the sharing of stories. Join the Trinity Retreat Center staff for a time of healing and reflection, enjoying nature, gathering around the table for farm-to-table meals, and participating in the retreat house’s rhythm of prayer.
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Vital Conversations
Every one of us as pastors and church leaders longs for new ideas and innovations that will breathe an energizing spirit into our congregations. Well, did you know that there is a forum in PNEC that meets every month just for the purpose of sharing those sort of insights?
On the last Monday of each month, on Zoom at 7 PM, the Congregational Vitality Team hosts a “Vital Conversation.” Our conversations vary on the focal topic—past sessions have centered on subjects like stewardship, Christian education, and defining “vitality”—yet, every session is geared toward thinking together about a particular area of congregational life and brainstorming creative, imaginative, life-giving ways to do ministry. So, whether you’re looking for a spark of inspiration, a new idea, or simply want to talk and share with your colleagues some of the creative things you’re trying, please join us at the next Vital Conversation:
The Zoom Meeting ID is: 817 9668 4439
Passcode: 292474
Upcoming dates and topics are:
- March 28 at 7 PM - Inclusive Worship
- April 25 at 7 PM - Reaching Youth and Young Adults
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Getting Ready for Earth Sunday: Resources for Congregations
With the recently released report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the dire situation faced by our world has never been clearer. In such a moment, leadership from communities of faith is sorely needed. Thankfully, Creation Justice Ministries has created an ecumenical resource that will assist churches in answering the call placed upon us in this moment. The resource is entitled “Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience.” It specifically helps churches respond to the question, “How can our churches be hubs of resilience, helping our neighbors weather the physical and spiritual storms of the climate crisis?” The resource can be used year-round and is also particularly useful in preparing for Earth Sunday (April 24th).
The next installment of Creation Justice Webinars will be presented on April 13, 2022 at 1:00 PM ET. It will feature, Avery Davis Lamb, Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries, who will introduce the resource and talk about specific ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and you will be sent the link to the recording. You can download the resource at https://www.creationjustice.org/.
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The Pennsylvania Council of Churches Campground Ministry
is seeking chaplains for this summer. To learn more:
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UCC Digital Programming
Wednesdays with the World
Thursdays for the Soul
Thursday, March 31, 3:30pm ET -
Creation Justice
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Co-Sponsors Needed for
Refugee Families
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Clergy Convocation 2022
May 3-5, 2022
Double Tree by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602
Qualifies for 10 Contact Hours
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UCC News Digest
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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
May 9-13; June 13-17; Aug. 1-5; Nov. 14-18
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
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April 7 & September 21
Journey Toward Healing
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May 19 - Leadership & Anxiety in the Church
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March 29 - Facilitating Healthy Pastor-Congregation Relations
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April 2 - Healthy Congregations
May 7 - Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry UPCOMING Classes
The Future of Multivocational Ministries -- April 27 to May 17
Instructor Darryl W. Stephens. A Financial Basics class for lay and clergy leaders.
Personal and Spiritual Development -- May 24 to June 28
Instructor Carrie Call. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. A Ministerial Institute class on spiritual disciplines, congregational systems, and vocational discernment.
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
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March 22, 2022 (Tuesday), 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET.: Taking the Long View with Faith. Explore the themes of challenge, resilience and hope through the lens of Jewish history and text. Presenter: Rabbi Vered Harris, Temple B’Nai Israel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
April 5, 2022 (Tuesday), 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET: What Emergency Managers Want Faith Leaders To Know. Being prepared to respond to a disaster or other significant event in your communities is paramount to best taking care of your people and property. This session will provide you with some key take-aways and resources to help you achieve a better preparedness posture. Presenter: Miriam Gelo, Voluntary Agency Liaison, FEMA Headquarters, Washington D.C.
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DHS Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships - Webinars & Resources
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One Great Hours of Sharing - Sunday, March 27, 2022, the fourth Sunday of Lent, is the recommended date for the offering "One Great Hour of Sharing." Resources to help promote the offering have been mailed to the churches.
The theme for the 2022 One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering is “Love Remains,” based on 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." These words were written to a church in turmoil to remind them what love looks like in community.
What does love look like today? Through our collective generosity, the United Church of Christ has worked with both domestic and international partners to provide food, water, medicines, education, disaster recovery resources and opportunities for sustainable development, bringing hope to places of despair. Gifts to OGHS allow us to put love into action to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities in crisis in this country and around the world.
If you would like more information on how OGHS supports our disaster ministries, contact our Conference Disaster Coordinator, Karl Jones, 570-617-4018 or kjones275@comcast.net.
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