Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Bonnie's Letter
Dear Friends,
What does it mean to be the church? Our UCC poster reminds us that to be the church we need to: “Protect the Environment, Care for the Poor, Forgive Often, Reject Racism, Fight for the Powerless, Share Earthly and Spiritual Resources, Embrace Diversity, Love God and Enjoy This Life.” That’s a tall order for every one of us.
Recently the four Conference Ministers from Pennsylvania offered pastors an opportunity to complete a survey about themselves and their view of their congregations. About 57 of our PNEC active pastors completed the survey. Many of the responses were not surprising to me, but one I want to share with you this week is the response to the question, “As a local pastor, how would you rank your congregation's current priorities?” Responses varied from very important, somewhat important, not important, or does not apply. Here, in order of very important, are the priorities as shared:
· Balancing the Budget – 36 very important, 17 somewhat important
· Addressing Building Issues – 28 very important, 24 somewhat important
· Maintaining Membership – 28 very important, 24 somewhat important
· Serving Community Needs – 21 very important, 26 somewhat important
· Responding to the Pandemic – 17 very important, 24 somewhat important
· Locating Pastoral Leadership – 16 very important, 11 somewhat important
· Clarifying Mission & Purpose – 15 very important, 27 somewhat important
· Developing Lay Leadership – 14 very important, 25 somewhat important
· Developing Technological Capacity – 13 very important, 28 somewhat important
· Practicing Effective Evangelism – 9 very important, 22 somewhat important
· Learning about Social Issues – 8 very important, 25 somewhat important
What do these responses say to you? As I reflect on the responses, I find myself wondering how the vitality and growth of the church might change if we pushed Evangelism, Serving Community Needs, and Clarifying our Mission and Purpose were moved up the list and moved our more inner-focused priorities down the list. What might happen if we stopped worrying about the budget and the building and move in faith to serve the community and encourage new people to encounter God in our midst?
Young people tell us, in research, that one of the reasons they don’t like the church is because we are always focused on money rather than mission. Might that attitude change if we focus on mission activities and outreach? Maybe the funding would come. What might happen if we let go of our buildings, many of which are empty most of the week, and nest in or share buildings or turn buildings into centers for community resourcing?
I bring these questions to you – not because I claim to have the answers, but because I recall that Jesus sent the Disciples out with nothing, to invite people into relationship with God and with Him. They had no buildings, no money, no extra clothing, and they worked to grow the church that still exists today.
Let’s have these conversations as we contemplate where God is calling us. Let’s pray about serving our neighbors. Let’s reflect on what it means to “Be the Church.”
Blessings, Bonnie
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Road to Racial Justice - (Anti-Racism Training)
The Moravian Church Northern Province Racial Justice Team (RJT) and the Moravian Church Southern Province Moravian Team for Racial, Cultural, and Ethnic Reconciliation (MTR) are pleased to sponsor the seminar, “Road to Racial Justice,” to be presented by Dr. Timothy Berry on May 9, 10, and 12, 7-9:30 pm ET, 6-8:30 pm CT, and 5-7:30 pm MT.
Attached is a flyer with all the information. This seminar is free and open to all. Registration is required. The extended registration due date is May 6.
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Last Call for these Up-Coming Events & Deadlines |
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Crossroads and Connections Study
Caste - by Isabel Wilkerson
See this review of Caste and get yourself registered for the Crossroad and Connections Study with Gerald Simmons in May or buy the book and read it! Wow-Just WOW!!!
Caste-by Isabel Wilkerson-led by Gerald Simmons
Mondays beginning May 2-June 20, 7-8:00 PM
BE SMART, REGISTER NOW BEFORE WE FILL UP!
Sincerely, B. David Smith, Crossroads and Connections
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Phoebe Looking For Volunteers
Want to make a difference in the lives of the seniors in your community? Become a volunteer! Phoebe is currently looking for volunteers to help transport residents, assist with special activities, provide companionship, support the reception desk, manage the Gift Shop, and more! Visit phoebe.org/volunteer to learn more. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
COVID Letter from MESA (Ministerial Excellence and Support Authorization)
As we enter the third year of living with the Coronavirus, we hope to be shifting into a year that begins to answer...Click Here to Read
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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.
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Join Us for Upcoming Webinars and Events from the UCC
Thursdays for the Soul
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Mark Your Calendars
Here are the next three Conference meetings of PNEC:
- Fall Meeting 2022 - November 5 at Forks UCC, Stockertown
- Spring Meeting 2023 - April 29, Place TBA
- Fall Meeting 2023 - November 4, Place TBA
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Boundary Training Offered
In this year, 2022, the responsibility for Boundary Training across our churches falls to the Northeastern PA Synod of the ELCA. We have set up three options in the month of May for in-person training in three different locations across the region. See the attached flyer. It can also be found under the EVENTS tab on our NEPA Synod website. 1. Friday, May 13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friedens Lutheran Church, 28 Wolf Creek Rd, Bernville, PA 19506
2. Monday, May 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 474 Yalick Rd., Dallas, 18612
3. Friday, May 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. John Lutheran Church, 200 S. Broad St., Nazareth, 18064
COST: $35 (includes lunch)
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Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom
With Rev. Kris P. Snyder (from Union, Neffs)
Thursdays 12noon to 1pm
May 5, 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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Strengthen the Church Materials Ready
The Strengthen the Church Offering most congregations will take on June 5th provide resources for our conferences and national setting to build core strength and flexibility in our congregations. Bonnie Bates, Tyler Connoley, Alexis Fuller-Wright, and Phil Hodson created bulletin inserts that capture the good work of conferences made possible by STC funds.
The offering materials are available on the CCM Basecamp (see the project “OCWM Support/Warner” in the folder “Strengthen the Church 2022) and in UCC Resources here. In addition to the materials available for digital download, congregations will be able to order free envelopes, bulletin inserts, and posters.
Please think about ways you can promote the offering in your church. Consider:
All together, we can ensure the Strengthen the Church Offering raises the crucial funds for our conferences and the national setting to help our congregations thrive/grow/flourish.
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Join Us for Upcoming Webinars and Events from the UCC
Thursdays for the Soul
Our Whole Lives
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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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September 21
Journey Toward Healing
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May 19 - Leadership & Anxiety in the Church
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May 7 - Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches
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Clergy invited to Penn Central - German Pastoral Colloquy
July 24-29, clergy from some UCC conferences and their German partner churches will gather for the 2022 Pastoral Colloquy in Elizabethtown, PA. The theme will be "Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World: Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues." For information on the Colloquy or to register, click here
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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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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry UPCOMING Classes
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
Willing To Respond...
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The Church of the Brethren Disaster Services (a VOAD partner with the UCC) will present an in-person Children’s Disaster Services Volunteer Workshop on May 13 - 14, 2022. The event will begin on Friday at 4:30 PM ET and conclude at 5:30 PM on Saturday. The event will be held at the Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 Orange St., Lititz, PA 17543. The CDS Volunteer Workshop is a comprehensive 25 - hour workshop that uses applied, experiential activities to help the participants integrate their learning. The workshop will train you to understand and respond to children who have experienced a disaster. Participants will experience a simulated shelter, sleeping on cots and eating simple meals. Once the training is completed, participants have the opportunity to become a certified Children’s Disaster Services volunteer. Learn more on the attached flyer. Register.
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