PLEASE NOTE...The Penn Northeast Conference Office will be closed June 29 through July 9, 2023.

The Staff will be attending General Synod 34 in Indianapolis, IN.

We will return to the office on Monday, July 10.

Bonnie's Letter

Acts 2:42 NLT - "All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer."

Dear friends,

You, no doubt, noticed that this week our “This Week” newsletter is a day early. We are headed to Indianapolis, IN to attend the 34^th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. At this meeting we will hear keynote speakers, worship together as delegates and with the community, attend specially planned lunches and dinners, and meet with colleagues in committees to discuss the resolutions which will be a part of our business. I have been attending General Synods since the mid-90’s and I always find the experience to be enlightening, energizing, and exhausting.

There is a lot of work to be done, a lot of business to discuss and many decisions to make – not the least of which is the election of a new General Minister and President (GMP). The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson is the candidate for GMP, and we will hear from her in the large plenary session and in a caucus with the four PA Conferences. She has served as the Executive for Wider Church Ministries for the last four years. I will be very interested in her goals and plans as she moves into the position.

There are Seventeen resolutions including topics like the shifting of General Synod to a triennial schedule, our UCC commitment to interreligious relationships, supporting survivors of rape and sexual violence, calling for the United States to pull “Back from The Brink” and Prevent Nuclear War, Protection of Immigrant Children and Their Families, Recognizing Opioid Addiction as A Health Epidemic, and REGARDING THE USE OF PLASTIC FOAM (I.E. Styrofoam®). We will hold conversations about these and other resolutions bringing our recommendations to the plenary hall for action.

Educational opportunities are available as well. Workshops include ministering to older adults, the rural church and possible responses to White Christian Nationalism, Radical Hospitality, leaving an indelible mark in your community, active shooter training, and biblical instruction for a just economy, to mention just a few. Delegates will be asked to attend committee meetings and workshops and bring back information and resources for our conference.

As we prepare to depart and travel for General Synod, attend as representatives of PNEC, and return home, we seek your support and prayers. We will carry you with us as we go. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support. Blessings, Bonnie 

generalsynod.org

GMP Nominee Updates - United Church of Christ General Synod 34

generalsynod.org/proposed-resolutions

August 5, 2023—Trip to Cumberland County

The Racial Justice Team of the PNEC is planning a trip on August 5, 2023, to the Cumberland County Historical Society and the Carlisle Barracks, the former site of the Carlisle Indian Boarding School, to tour the historic grounds and cemetery.

Admission is free, but individuals must provide their own transportation. We will begin at the Cumberland County Historical Society at 10AM, followed by a tour of the Barracks. Visitors to the Barracks need to be vetted before entering. Please complete the access form, found here:  https://www.armywarcollege.edu/visitorcenter/

Fax the completed form to the Barracks at 717-245-3750. Please RSVP to the Conference no later than Monday, July 24, to let us know if you are interested.

UCC Webinar— Seeing through the Smoke: Wildfires, Climate, and a Path Forward

How can we find a path forward in addressing the wildfires that have created a landscape of crisis in our climate changed world?

This webinar will feature leading thinkers and practitioners in answering this question. Panelist John Vaillant has recently released an acclaimed book entitled "Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World,” while panelist Kimiko Barrett from Headwaters Economics is a wildfire research and policy analyst who has been interviewed by national news outlets for her insights. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on July 12^th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

[Hyperlink: https://UCC.zoom.us/webinar/register/3416782913406/WN_IY3kFj4kTMK6eJmaxGBqOg]

Keystone Study Group – Communications Summary of 2023-06-16 Meeting

The sixth meeting of the Keystone Study Group* took place Friday, June 16, 2023. Guided by the Spirit, the study group whole-heartedly affirms the possibility of becoming ONE Keystone Conference. In our May and June meetings, we clarified WHAT a Keystone Conference would look like. We were mindful of all the ways a Keystone Conference can serve, support, challenge and unite our diverse faith communities and ministries. In all we addressed, we aimed to imagine a vibrant way of being the Body of Christ in our areas. 

We focused on four additional areas of conference leadership. Considering Search and Call process and resources, we delved into how congregations connect with the conference and leadership authorization.  With Church Futures we explored how ministry priorities may define where resources may be best used.  Creating healthier places of ministry remains our goal. Digital Ministry & Technology and Communication at all levels, will help us build a “together we are stronger” culture and relationships. We recognized the conference role to fulfill its covenant with all areas of ministry: the urban hubs and rural settings, local congregations and specialized ministries.

Participants in all four conference meetings both affirmed and expressed important reflections about a Keystone Conference. Overall, meeting attendees shared energy, enthusiasm and support for continuing our study and work toward recommendations for Conference leaders and congregations. Our consensus remains, “Together we are stronger! The Keystone Conference.”

Our partnered work is greater than our individual efforts. We choose to embody what we want to see! May the Spirit of Christ inspire us all in the next steps of our journey in the assurance that . . . “Together We Are Stronger! The Keystone Conference.”

Sharing our progress in grace and hope,

KSG Communications Team

Steve Davis                       St. John’s UCC, Fullerton (PNEC)

New Addition (TBA)         from PNEC in July

Robin Hightower              Peace In Zion UCC, Zieglerville (PSEC)

Deb Long                           First Trinity UCC, Youngwood (PWC)

With appreciation to Bob Fogel (PSEC) for additional review support.

*A study and discernment group of the 4 PA area UCC Conferences – Penn West, Penn Central, Penn NE, and Pennsylvania SE

Book Launch

Monday, August 7, 2023

Wesley UMC, 2540 Center St.,

Bethlehem, PA

Doors Open at 6:30 PM

Event from 7:00 - 8:30 PM

Click here for full schedule and flyer.

Advanced Boundary Training: From Gutenberg to ChatGPT: Tools, ethics, technology and best practices in the life of Church

Wednesday, October 18 on Zoom - Facilitated by Rev. Ryan Henderson

It has been over 500 years since the Reformation empowered and equipped the church to adapt through a major shift, today is not much different. In this time together we will explore

1. Best practices and talk about what is working in our churches
2. Brainstorm/dream about where we might go and
3. Talk about new growing edges (and ethical struggles) in technology including the use of Artificial

intelligence and ChatGPT.

REGISTER

Diversity Training

 Wednesday, November 8 on Zoom

Facilitated by Rev. Cean James and Rev. Kevin McLemore (PSEC)

Diversity - what is it, how does it increase the vitality of our communities and congregations and our commitment to Christ? All authorized ministers are required to regularly complete training on Cultural Diversity/Sensitivity and Institutional Racism.

If you cannot make the scheduled time: we are offering an option to "view the recording of the event on your own time and complete a one-page synopsis of what you viewed".

REGISTER

Ecclesiastical Council Announced

(An Ecclesiastical Council is the final step in the ordination approval process for a Member in Discernment pending a valid call and granting them permission to circulate their profile within the UCC.)

The Committee on Ministry of the Penn Northeast Conference Invites you to participate in the Ecclesiastical Council for Janet Newett at 9:30am Saturday, July 15, at Greenawalds United Church of Christ, 2325 Albright Avenue, Allentown, PA 18014. You may also participate via Zoom. 

To register to attend, please email Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference Office (pattyr@pnec.org) to let her know if you will be attending in person or via zoom. You will receive a copy of Janet's Ordination Paper upon registering. Janet is pastor at Greenawalds and has been an associate chaplain at St. Luke’s since 2019.

Lehigh Conference of Churches - 2nd Annual Supplies Drive

📚🎒 Join us for the 2nd Annual Back-to-School Supplies Drive! 🎉

 We're thrilled to announce that our community is coming together once again to support students in need through our Back-to-School Supplies Drive

The collection of items will be held from June through July!

This donation drive is all about making a positive impact on the lives of local students and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed in their education. Education is a fundamental right, and we believe that every child should have equal access to quality learning opportunities.

Please consider picking up supplies when shopping, hosting a donation drive at your organization, or visiting our Walmart Spark Good registry to purchase supplies and send them directly to the Conference.

Print Flyer Supplies Registry

Lehigh Valley Pride

Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center PROUDLY announces that the 30th anniversary of Lehigh Valley Pride will be a FREE event held on Sunday, August 20, at the SteelStacks in Bethlehem from 2 to 8:30 p.m.

We’ve heard your feedback and moved Pride to a more visible and accessible venue. We’re planning for this to be the Lehigh Valley’s most fabulous Pride festival to date! 

• Rev. Gary Barraco reserved space for a unified PNEC booth again. Folks can email him if they want to be part of the planning team. garybarraco@verizon.net
• Want to learn more about becoming a vendor at Pride? Click here..
• Want to learn more about becoming a sponsor at Pride? Click here..

CLICK HERE for other dates/events

One Shepherd, Two Flocks: Advice and Guidance on Sharing a Pastor

 Saturday, August 12 on Zoom

Rev. Kevin McLemore (PSEC) and others will conduct a free workshop on why sharing a pastor with another congregation is a good option for many congregations in this time of pastoral scarcity. Pastor McLemore and others will share practical strategies on how to talk to your congregation about this possibility, how to find a pastor and congregation willing to do so, and how other churches are already doing it successfully. Pastors who currently pastor two congregations will join us to share both the blessings and challenges of this arrangement, and how to avoid some of the mistakes they’ve witnessed in their own settings.

REGISTER

New Federal Security Resource for Churches

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI have released a new resource titled Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence Fact Sheet. This resource outlines actions faith-based organizations can take to increase security, focusing on overarching steps that can help protect places of worship against potential threats in a cost-effective manner that maintains an open and welcoming environment. The product also provides training, exercise and grant resources, and interagency contact points to assist places of worship with protecting their places of worship, obtaining funds for security improvements and recognizing/ reporting potential threats in their areas. These products include a security self-assessment and the Protecting Houses of Worship Video resource that is currently translated into Spanish, Chinese, and American Sign Language. To find out more about the Department of Justice Protecting Places of Worship Program, visit justice.gov/file/1376571/download, and for Hate Crimes Prevention and Enforcement resources, visit US Dept. of Justice-Hate Crimes. 

Generosity Updates

• Upcoming Stewardship Webinars - Selected 4th Wednesdays

7:30pm - 8:30pm

Eastern Time Unless Noted -- Webinars Are Not Recorded

July 26 - Discover Your Why: How a Clear Purpose Strengthens

Evangelism, Giving, and Impact

Andrew Warner and Kent Siladi will talk about the importance of understanding the "why" of your congregation. You will learn methods to articulate this reason for being of your Church. Together, we will consider how to use the why to motivate and engage people. Registration for Discover Your Why

August 23 – Narrative Budgets: Telling your Story by the Numbers

A narrative budget translates the line items of a traditional budget into a story of how your congregation makes a difference in the world. It can be a helpful tool for a stewardship campaign or annual meeting. By telling the story of our congregations' impact, we can inspire generosity in our donors. Registration for Narrative Budgets

Disaster Ministries

Summer is an excellent reminder that there is more to life than work. Too often, especially to those of us in this business of helping others, we forget that there is a life outside of answering emails, thumbs upping Microsoft Teams chats, and taking phone calls after hours. We might sit in our desk chairs, aimlessly staring out the window at the blooming trees and freshly cut lawns, but our daydream is disrupted by a beep, bing, or ring. Like a reflex, we jump to our phones or computers to see what all the fuss is about.

But summer brings with it its own unique set of ways to distract ourselves. Cookouts with friends and family allow us catch up or just pass the time. Swimming at the lake or pool gives us an opportunity to cool off and relax. Firework shows around the 4^th of July gives us a chance to gaze wondrously at the colors and shapes throughout the night sky with our families.

More than an event, these activities are a moment. A moment in our hectic lives to focus on something, anything else other than work. It’s a time to leave the phone in the car, the computer powered down, and, dare we say it, keep our Friday afternoon calendars just a bit more open.

Yes, of course, we’re going to ask that you share this toolkit with your stakeholders. We want to share these safety tips on grilling, fireworks, and swimming safety. It’s our job to throw a bit of cold water on some of the things that make summer fun. But, when you’re dealing with things like fire and water, you can never be too safe.

At the same time, we’d urge you to do the following this summer:

• Take a couple long weekends
• Leave the top off the car or jeep
• Take the dog on a long hike
• Swim in a creek
• Smoke a brisket
• Camp with friends
• Go to a place with bad phone reception
• “Forget” to bring your computer with you on vacation
• Do a cannonball off the high dive
• Sit outside and stare at nothing in particular
• Sit in the air conditioning and pretend its October

As always, we ask that you share this toolkit with as many stakeholders as you can. The more people you share this with, the more we can get this important information out there. And at the very least, we hope to see more people eating ice cream cones with their phone on mute this summer.  

CLICK HERE FOR FLYER