Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Mrs. Lois Lewis died Wednesday morning, September 22, 2021. She was the wife of Rev. Robert Lewis who died on May 8, 2021. A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Bob and Lois will be held on Saturday, October 2, 11:00 a.m., at St. John’s UCC, 139 North 4th Street, Emmaus, PA.
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Letter from Bonnie
Dear friends,
Well, it’s Thursday which means it’s time for another letter to the conference from the conference minister. Sometimes I wonder if you appreciate, are interested, ignore these writings, or maybe just wish I’d take a break. Yet, for me this is a moment for sharing thoughts, hopes, faith, dreams, musings, challenges, and the curiosities of life. How do you do that?
I recently had a conversation with some peers, other conference ministers in my community of practice, about leadership. Curiously we are all, the six of us, different leaders – some more collaborative, some vision setting, some consensus builders, some more adept at the changing environment, some more directive and collaborative – depending on the situation. I will let you determine for yourself where I fall in this leadership spectrum.
To a person, we all hoped we were demonstrating care in our leadership styles and actions. To a person, we all relied on our faith to guide us. To a person, we all appreciated the differences in leadership styles of members of the group and members of our conferences. I want you to know that I believe we have some of the strongest and best leaders in the United Church of Christ within our conference. Sometimes individuals are reluctant to step forward and share their skills. Sometimes people over-function. Sometimes people hide their skills and talents under a bushel basket. Many of you will remember what Jesus said about no one hiding their light under a bushel basket.
So, I want you to know that we, in the conference, want you to shine. We want you to share opinions, ideas, skills, and talents. We want you to be generous in your congregations and in the conference. We depend on you. It takes all of us inside congregations and inside the conference to become all we can be. Each of us, with our different gifts, skills, and talents, are essential to positive accomplishment of our mission to change lives by equipping, empowering, and supporting those who would spread Christ’s ministry. Spend some time thinking about the gifts you might be able to share – in your congregation and in the conference.
And, by the way, leadership is expressed in many ways, and leaders express many viewpoints. The conference, the congregation, the whole of the UCC is a big tent where ideas, offered with respect, are welcome; where the different viewpoints, we have, need to be shared and nurtured so we can see all parts of goals, issues, and our community’s needs and gifts.
Where am I going with this? You knew there was an ask coming, right? I am your conference minister after all. The Conference Nominating Committee will soon begin its work. You may receive a call asking you to serve – it may be in a familiar and comfortable way, or it may be in a way that stretches you. Please prayerfully consider how you can and will serve. All of us together make the conference stronger, help move us toward accomplishing our mission and goals.
I am blessed to be among you. Thank you for all you do and may consider doing in the future.
Blessings, Bonnie
P.S. Thank you all for your prayers and support over the last few weeks. Steve has been discharged from the hospital and is currently at Phoebe Allentown receiving rehabilitation services. We hope he will be home in a few weeks.
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Summary Notes of the Sept 17, 2021 Conference Board Meeting
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Last Call for These Up-Coming Events & Deadlines |
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For ALL Authorized Ministers
MIDs Encouraged to Attend
October 19 - 8:30AM - 3PM
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October 13 at 7:00 PM
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October 9 - 9AM to 4PM
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October 8-9, 2021
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Memorial Funds: Gift or Stumbling Block
Saturday, October 23, 2021
9:30 to 10:30AM via Zoom
Memorial Funds can provide much needed financial resources for congregations to engage in a special project, repair, or mission. At the same time, Memorial Funds can be controversial and contentious or be left untouched.
How can we make the best use of Memorial Funds?
Join Rev. Andrew Warner (UCC Generosity Outreach Officer, teaching stewardship skills to pastors and leaders - previously served as a local pastor in Wisconsin) to think about your congregation's approach to receiving, holding, and using Memorial Funds in ways that best honor the memory of a church member and move the mission and ministry of your congregation forward. To receive the zoom link for this informative session, please email Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference. ( pattyr@pnec.org) |
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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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The PNEC Vitality Conversation on Monday, September 27 was about Stewardship
and was provided by Rev. Andy DeBraber and Rev. Andrew Warner from the national setting’s Philanthropy Team. Both Andy & Andrew want to pass along the following resources to participants and others. These resources are available on the Wisconsin Conference website. Here’s a direct link: https://www.wcucc.org/conference-giving/generosity-resources/
In particular, I thought people might be interested in: (Read More)
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Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley
Unmasking Domestic and Intimate Partner Abuse Annual Vigil
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - 6:30 to 7:30PM - Doors open at 6:00PM
Civic Theatre, 527 N. 19th St., Allentown
The sad truth is that for too many survivors of domestic and intimate partner abuse nobody ever asked - asked if they felt safe going home, asked how they got that bruise on their arm, or simply asked if they needed to talk. What may appear commonplace, like arriving late to work, suddenly abandoning interests and hobbies, constantly needing to sneak away from the group to make an "important phone call," may actually mask a darker reality. Your donation is greatly appreciated and allows our services to remain available at no cost, 24/7 to all who need them. Become a sponsor or donate an item to our Annual Virtual Spring Auction. For more information, contact leaht@turningpointylv.org
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - see flyer
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CROSSROADS Moravian Seminary
All of our classes are offered both in person at Moravian Theological Seminary (Masks Required)
and in Real Time, Distance Learning through Zoom.
UNPACKING THE SCRIPTURES – DISCIPLESHIP
(8) Mondays & Thursdays, 6-9 pm
November 4 - December 2 (except 11/25 for Thanksgiving)
Instructor: Pam Weiss
In-person (Bahnson Center) or Real-time Distance Learning via Zoom
Price: $240
Want to learn about the benefits of and how to structure a small group program in your church? This course is structured like a typical small group experience, with Bible Study, prayer, and teaching incorporated into each class. We discuss topics such as the dynamics of small groups, how to start a program, how to maintain it over time, what resources to use, general small group ministries, and groups that are specific for youth, men, women, missional tasks, new members, etc. Many participants particularly value the small group component of this course.
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
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
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2021 PNEC YOUTH
Sleep-Out for Homelessness
(AKA “One Night Without a Home”)
When: November 13-November 14, 2021
Time: 7:00 pm-7:00 am
Where: Union United Church of Christ, Neffs
(in the grove area)
WHAT IS IT?? Youth in grades 7th -12th will sleep outside in a large box (or tent)
during this overnight homeless simulation. Engaging activities will not only be fun but provide valuable lessons on homelessness that gently confront harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings about who might become homeless and why. (PS: This is an excellent Confirmation activity!) Click Here for detailed flyer. |
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PA UCC Churches Afghan Resettlement Collaboration
Greetings to Pennsylvania churches,
My name is Irene Willis Hassan, I’m the Minister for Refugee and Migration Services with Team Global HOPE at the United Church of Christ National Ministries. I’m writing to inform you about a Zoom meeting on October 7, 7pm ET, hosted by Salem UCC in Doylestown, Pennsylvania to collaborate local efforts for resettling Afghan refugees. Many churches in your area are interested in helping co-sponsor the mass arrival of Afghan families in the coming weeks and months. Because the situation concerning Afghan humanitarian parole status is unusual, and the number of arrivals so large, we urge you all work together to combine resources and maximize effectiveness. We are requesting your time by engaging with our team at Global HOPE – National Ministries, to discern a contextual plan for you all to successfully help resettle this population in Pennsylvania. We on Team Global HOPE at the National setting have support resources to offer for groups that are interested in engaging refugee and migration ministries, such as grants, access to disaster response resources, and coordination training.
If you all can join this meeting, please email Irene Willis Hassan at hassani@ucc.org
Peace,
Irene Willis Hassan, MDiv
Minister for Refugee and Migration Ministries, Global H.O.P.E. – Humanitarian. Opportunities. Progress. Empowerment.
United Church of Christ, National Ministries, 700 Prospect Ave East | Cleveland, OH 44115-1100
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
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.
Introduction to Pastoral Care, Tuesdays Jan. 6 – Feb. 10, 2022, via Zoom. Instructor: Rev. Butch Kuykendall. 2.5 CEUs. $325. Register by December 21.
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The Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Symposium
White Supremacy, Racism, & the Christian Church:
The Call to a Discipleship of Liberation and Justice
Sponsored by the Racial Justice Initiative of the
Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ
October 23-24, 2021
Join us Saturday, October 23rd, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon (The Rev. Dr. Drew Hart, Theology Professor, Author, Church Anti-Racism Leader,, Social Change Practitioner ( Click here for more info) and Sunday, October 24th, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (The Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Author, Speaker ( Click here for more info) as our speakers discuss the church's complicity and history with white supremacy and racism. Explore the entanglements of racism and white supremacy with western Christianity and discover creative anti-racist practices for churches and Christians committed to racial justice. Engage in opportunities for group discussion and Q & A with our speakers.
Weekend and daily registration options are available. For group rates see registration. For PNEC if you attend this and send Bonnie a summary, it will count as Anti-Racism Training. Register by clicking here.
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Elite Community Foundation's (ECF): Wellness & Safety Series
FREE Wellness and Safety Workshops - FREE Zoom Meetings from 6:30pm-7:30pm (CT)
- Let‛s Get Real about Hypertension - October 5
- Healthy Eating and Nutrition: Despite Limited Options - October 12
- Resilience: Coping with Loss and Grief – October 19
- Come Laugh with Us: Laughter Yoga - October 21
- Opioid Overdose Prevention Training (Narcan Training)- October 28
- Personal Safety Tips for All - Part 1 - November 9
- Breathing Exercises: Mind, Body, and You - November 11
- Personal Safety Tips for All - Part 2 - November 16
- Wellness & Safety Round Table Discussions - December 2
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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. On October 25th, the Congregational Vitality Team wants to discuss the very definition of “vitality”. As church leaders, we often talk about vitality and how much we long for it in our churches. But, what would vitality look like when we get it? How much our vision of vitality depends upon particular conditions that no longer exist? What if the kind of vitality we dream of is no longer possible? Do we give up, or do we need a new definition of “vitality”?
Meeting ID: 817 9668 4439
Passcode: 292474
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from PA Council of Churches
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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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Convergence Weekly
*Rethinking Money & Ministry (October 18 to 22) - how will we fund ministry in the future? How will we invest in mission in our communities? What will we do with all these church buildings? Will clergy still have jobs? Will seminaries exist? Will my church make it?
*White Fragility and the (Christian) Faith - a conversation with John Dorhauer, Tricia Lytle, Cameron Trimble, Steve Morgan
* Am I The Right Person for This Ministry? Read More
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
You are invited to join FEMA for the webinar, "Exploring the “Guides to Expanding Mitigation”: Zombie Apocalypse Guide and Cemeteries Guide" on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 from 12:00 – 12:30 PM ET. The webinar will focus on the Zombie Apocalypse Guide and the Cemeteries Guide in the “Guides to Expanding Mitigation” series. Every community faces very real risks from natural hazards that could impact their important cultural resources, including cemeteries. Learn how to account for the dead – and undead – in your community’s mitigation program. Who should attend? The whole community – individuals and families, volunteer and faith-based organizations, local, state, federal government and private sector. Register: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/mitigationzombie/event/registration.html.
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Chris Evans, Director, Disaster Recovery Assistance for PEMA, says that churches may be eligible for Public Assistance (PA) grants when and if their county is declared. He urges churches to contact their county EMA office to record any damage they might have experienced due to Ida and get on their distribution list so they get future notices. These costs may be eligible for reimbursement through PA:
- clean-up and protective measures
- most storm damages, but churches have to apply to the SBA first.
- Anything a loan doesn't cover FEMA may.
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Department of Health Announces Local Grant Opportunities for Faith-Based Organizations to Reduce Vaccine Hesitancy
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the United Way of Pennsylvania today announced an expansion of the Local Innovations in Vaccine Equity in Pennsylvania project (LIVE PA), which aims to reduce vaccine hesitancy and ensure an equitable vaccine distribution throughout the commonwealth. The United Way will administer an additional $630,000 in grants to support the efforts of local faith-based organizations. Read More...
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There is a national Appeal is for the Severe Storms 2021 in anticipation of this and other events that may happen this fall.
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Welcoming Afghan SIVs, Haiti disaster response and more... click here
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