Message to the Conference |
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Dear Beloved of God,
As I was contemplating and praying about what I can offer for this week’s epistle, I wondered how I could, as we approach Mother’s Day this Sunday, honor all mothering ones and their children, keeping in my mind and deep within my heart that experiences, joys, pains, and struggles are as varied and rich on this day as on most holidays of the year.
As I prayed, I recalled a litany that we prayed every year when I pastored my last church. The litany was a healing balm to many in our congregation. I pray that it is a healing balm even now. I offer this litany as a gift to each of you:
Prayer: for Mothering Ones and their children
One: O God, on this day set aside to honor and remember mothers, we give you thanks for all our mothering ones. We thank you for birth moms, adopted moms, stepmoms, and foster moms. We thank you for older sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, and teachers. We thank you for all the women who have who held us and fed us; who have cared for us when we need comfort and have challenged us when we get too comfortable. And as we give you thanks for them, we pray for each and every one.
All: Hear our prayer, O God, for all of our mothering ones.
One: We pray for moms whose children are grown.
All: We pray for new moms experiencing changes they could not predict.
One: We pray for pregnant women who will soon be moms.
All: We pray for moms who face the demands of single parenthood.
One: We pray for moms who are raising their children in poverty.
All: We pray for stepmoms.
One: We pray for moms who are separated or estranged from their children.
All: We pray for moms in relationships and marriages that are in crisis or are abusive.
One: We pray for moms who have lost children.
All: We pray for moms who aborted their children.
One: We pray for moms who gave up their children for adoption.
All: We pray for adoptive moms.
One: We pray for women who desperately want, or wanted, to be moms.
All: We pray for all women who have assumed a mom’s role in a child’s life.
One: As we pray for our mothering ones, we also pray for their children.
All: We pray for those who are grieving the loss of their moms through death or distance.
One: We pray for those whose relationship with their moms is problematic or who experience or experienced abuse or neglect from their moms.
All: For all these mothering ones, for all of their children; we pray that your hand of blessing, healing, comfort, and courage be upon them.
One: We end our prayer by speaking aloud the names of the mothering ones in our lives who have nurtured us and guided us. And all God’s people say:
All: Amen.
Deep blessing to each and all,
Marisa
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
Associate Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
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The Virtual Choir invites you to join us for a virtual anthem for the Penn Central Conference annual meeting. We'll be singing the Podd Brothers' arrangement of More Love, Somewhere, which was actually arranged for Virtual Choir. You don't have to be a regular member of the choir to join us for this piece. If you want to sing at the annual meeting, email Julie Holm, julie@bvfof.org, or call her at (814) 349-5515. |
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Scheduling notes:
May 15 - Salem UCC, Dover - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
May 22 - Quentin UCC, Quentin - Rev. Nora Foust preaching
May 22 - Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
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Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events. |
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Prayers for Penn Central Conference
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
Incarnation UCC, Newport
Elias UCC, Newmanstown
St. Paul's (Millbach) UCC, Newmanstown
Trinity UCC, Palmyra
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The call to the Sixtieth Annual Meeting of the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ will convene via Zoom
"Mission In Focus"
"See, the former things have come to pass and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them." - Isaiah 42:9
June 6 - 11, 2022
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Outdoor Ministries
Watch for Rev. Nora Foust's emails on Thursdays for links to register for Outdoor Ministries events and a taste of the summer camp curriculum. Read last week's here or on our Facebook page. If you aren't getting these emails, contact Paul to be added to the mailing list.
Coming events:
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SUMMER CAMP programs from June-August To learn more about and to register for youth camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for family camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for elder camp, visit here.
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HC Spirit Week - What's in a Name?
"Naming and Claiming Who God Made Us to Be"
Saturday, August 6
through Friday, August 12
Camp Mt. Luther
See the full brochure here for all the details!
Register online here or mail your registration form to the PCC offices. |
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Christ Church UCC, 200 S White Oak St, Annville, (on 934) is hosting an outdoor Flea Market on Saturday, June 18 from 8am - 2pm. Rain or Shine - Food for sale too! Call 717-867-1641 to reserve a spot ($10) or for more information. We look forward to having you to sell, shop & eat!
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Colonial Park UCC, 5000 Devonshire Road, Harrisburg (near the Best Buy on Rt. 22) is hosting an outdoor Flea Market on Saturday, May 7 from 8am - 1pm. Rain Date is may 14. Food for sale too! Call 545-3782 to reserve a spot or for more information. We look forward to having you to sell shop & eat! |
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May 7 - 9:30AM - Harrisburg Association Spring Meeting - St. Paul's UCC, Sacramento
May 15 - 3:00PM - Mercersburg Association Spring Meeting
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PCC has launched a new monthly email just for clergy, with news, events and clergy transitions. If you did not get this month's email on Tuesday, please let Paul know.
We will be including some items in the eNews (see below), but please check out the full email here for more events and news! |
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Small Church Workshops - May 14 & 21
There are still openings for the Small Church Workshops in Central/Northern Associations on May 14 and in Gettysburg/Mercersburg Associations May 21. Please contact Marisa Laviola as soon as you can to receive information and to reserve a spot: mlaviola@pccucc.org.
These workshops are for any church that self-identifies as “small.” Small refers to size and not importance or robustness!
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Moravian and Mercersburg Traditions: Can These Two Walk Together? - May 23 & 24, 2022
In the light of the consolidation of the Moravian and Lancaster Seminaries this convocation will highlight the living heritage of each tradition.
Co-sponsored by the Mercersburg Society, Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian Seminary on the campus of Lancaster Theological Seminary. See the full schedule and list of presenters in the brochure here. Registration deadline: May 15th
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Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World:
Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues
Pastoral Colloquy 2022
Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022 - Learn more and register here.
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Ministerial Excellence Forums
May: The Spring sessions will conclude on May 17th with Rev. Richard Jorgenson of the Lower Susquehanna Synod ELCA as he discusses his recent book Becoming a Hybrid Church.
See the rest of the winter/spring educational opportunities here.
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UCC Webinars
These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.
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From our friends and partners |
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Cousins: Connected Through Slavery
Saturday, May 7
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
$8-$26 adults
Free for youth under 18
This extraordinary evening of storytelling will feature an African American woman, Dr. Betty Kilby Baldwin, and a European American woman, Phoebe Kilby, whose ancestors enslaved Betty’s. Their relationship began when Phoebe contacted Betty, saying she suspected they were connected through slavery. Betty responded, “Hello, Cousin.” Betty, a life-long advocate and trail-blazer, found an activist partner in Phoebe. Together they have committed to a path of honesty, reconciliation, and reparations.
Betty and Phoebe – “a two-woman racial reconciliation juggernaut” (Baltimore Sun) – have been telling their story on BBC News, at Virginia Tech, and in a Netflix documentary. Now they're bringing their powerful story of reconciliation to Lancaster.
PRC has compiled resources to help groups lead studies around Cousins, reconciliation, and reparations. Each ticket purchased includes a free book, which can be picked up early at the PRC office to facilitate your group study prior to the event. To view study resources or to register, visit https://parishresourcecenter.org/events/cousins/ or call 717-299-1113.
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Children’s Disaster Services Volunteer Workshop on May 13 - 14, 2022.
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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Buddhism and Christianity via St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster - May 19 - June 23
Dr. Randall Zachman (Professor Emeritus, University of Notre Dame) will be teaching the second round of the Mercy Seminar’s study of Buddhism. In this round, we’ll examine how Buddha discovered, and then taught, the way by which human beings could free themselves from the realm of suffering by living according to his teaching. Those who did so sought enlightenment for themselves, so that they might escape the realm of rebirth, suffering and death and attain Nibbana.
In these new sessions of the Mercy Seminar (available live on Zoom or recorded) we start again with “beginners mind” to explore the elements of the life of the Buddha and his teaching about mercy and compassion. In each of the six evening sessions we’ll study short texts from the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, and we’ll also have periods of reflection and discussion to help us discern insights and gain understanding. No prior experience or knowledge is necessary to participate.
"As long as space abides and as long as the world abides, so long may I abide, destroying the sufferings of the world," says the Buddha.
Join us this spring as we study The Way of the Bodhisattva, so that we can come to a deeper understanding of the vision of wisdom and compassion in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. All are welcome!
Sessions are entirely on Zoom. Participants also have access to every Zoom session recording. Register here.
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) |
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Personal and Spiritual Development, May 24–June 28, Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. This Ministerial Institute class is taught by PCC Conference Minister Carrie Call. Participants will learn about spiritual disciplines, congregational systems, and vocational discernment. Appropriate for lay leaders, clergy, and MIDs. $325. Register by May 18.
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United Church Of Christ: Director of Marketing & Communication; Application Deadline: May 13, 2022
The Director of Marketing & Communication is responsible for the development of all marketing and communication strategies to increase public awareness of the United Church of Christ, energetically engage audience, and inspire philanthropic support. The Director of Marketing & Communication will build and manage brand identity and all aspects of marketing communication to raise awareness of the organization and its ministries, engage the global community, and lead the effort to curate the story that is the United Church of Christ. Read more and apply here.
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Accompanist Position Available
We are searching for an Accompanist to bring their gifts to our church where we appreciate a blend of contemporary and traditional music.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the vision of the church, this year-round, part time, salaried position will provide music for worship and other events in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
The current music ministry of HPUCC consists of one volunteer choir, as well as instrumental and vocal soloists.
For more information, please call the church at 717-397-9791 or email: admin@hpucc.org. If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
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Audio/Visual System Operators Needed
Church of the Apostles, United Church of Christ in Wayne Heights is looking for two people to operate our Audio/Visual system during Sunday morning worship services at 10:45 am (summer worship at 10 am, beginning the first Sunday in June and ending with Labor Day weekend). Other services would include weddings, funerals, Lenten services and Christmas Eve. These are part-time, independent contractor positions; paid per service. Responsible teenagers will be considered. Training will be provided. Read the full description here.
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Position: Music Director
Effective: Immediately
As a part of the United Church of Christ denomination, we at Hamilton Park UCC seek to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and caring environment where people of all backgrounds and from all walks of life can experience the support of a community where they are valued and loved and where they can experience the love of God given by Christ.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the Pastor and the vision of Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, this year-round, part time, salaried position will coordinate the total music ministry program of HPUCC, to include playing instruments, such as piano, organ, guitar, etc. in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Music Director plans and oversees a diverse musical program that enhances the total worship programming of the church that includes worship services and special events.
If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603.
Email: admin@hpucc.org.
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MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY AT LOCUST LAKE STATE PARK Summer 2022
The Schuylkill Association of the PA Southeast Conference, UCC, has a ministry opportunity for a part-time chaplain at Locust Lake State Park near Tamaqua, PA. If you are a Christian (Clergy or lay) who can function in an unstructured situation and who has a love of God, God’s creation, and God’s people, then this might be the opportunity for you.
The chaplain represents the church as a Christian presence and quiet witness among those who camp at this beautiful state park. The responsibilities of the chaplain include:
· Conduct campsite visitation weekly.
· Provide informal, inspirational weekly worship services.
· Provide availability to park/campground staff and campers for crisis situations.
· Provide informal programs such as campfires, hymn sings, special musical events, and activities for children, as needed.
Training and ministry support and resources will be provided by the PA Council of Churches Chaplains in the Park program and the Locust Lake Committee.
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St. Matthew’s UCC (Carlisle) is seeking a part-time
church administrative assistant. Starting pay 15.00 or higher
based on experience/credentials. 10-15hrs/week. Read full description here.
If interested, please contact Pastor Tim Dugan
Preferred contact phone number: 570-428-4290.
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-2587
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3564
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560
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