- THIS WEEK IN PNEC October 26, 2023
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LAST CHANCE...PLEASE REGISTER NOW...DEADLINE October 31
Call to the 2023 Fall Meeting of PNEC
Saturday, November 4, 2023
In Person or Virtual
8:15 Registration; 9:00 Worship
Ben Salem United Church of Christ, 1965 Church Road, Lehighton, PA 18035
Theme: Together We Are Stronger, The Keystone Conference
Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love. ...
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
through the bond of peace.
Keynoters:
Rev. Bill Worley, Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Minister
Rev. David Ackerman, Penn West Conference Minister
Rev. Nora Foust, Penn Central Associate Conference Minister
CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION FLYER & DETAILS
Click Here to Register through Tithe.ly
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Bonnie's Letter
Psalms 133: 1-3
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore. (NRSV)
Dear Friends,
I am reminded again and again how good it is to live in unity with one another. The lack of unity, or even understanding of perspectives, haunts our current culture, as it did in the past. Wars ensue now and previously ensued. Crusades happened. Immigrants are housed like animals in cages and in the past, they were subject to imprisonment and slavery.
We live in challenging times. Gun violence continues to affect us all in different ways. My colleague in Maine is struggling to know how to support her pastors, churches, and the community in the aftermath of last night’s mass shooting in Lewiston. Sometimes huddling in place feels like the only response.
However, we are called not just to pray, but to act and work for unity in God’s family – no matter our differences.
I received a letter from a church recently which is leaving the denomination because of our doctrine and the publicized messages of the UCC (I presume the national setting because we have not had communication from or with this church in the 6 years I have been here). There is a lack of understanding in this church and perhaps many other churches. The central body of the United Church of Christ is the local church and that the other settings of the church (Conference, National Setting) speak to the local congregation and not for them. And that my friends, is not semantics. We are in covenant with each other, called to listen to the varying opinions of church folks and church leaders, to strive for understanding, to respect the differences in our opinions, and to make our own choices.
We, as a denomination, have no doctrine, but have precepts that hold us together: Jesus is the head of the church; there exists a Triune God; scripture is foundational to our lives together; and we are called to unity in these essentials, but diversity in everything else. If you and your congregation have difficulty with this non-hierarchical approach to church or do not understand how decision-making works in the United Church of Christ, I, or one of the coaches, will be happy to provide information about the local congregational understanding of polity (how we govern and lead in our denomination).
My heart breaks every time a congregation leaves us. My heart is even heavier when there has been no communication before the decision is made. I know that most of you who read this e-newsletter feel comfortable in reaching out to me or the Conference Staff, but please encourage those who are less connected, less happy, and less likely to ask questions, to seek us out. As the psalmist writes, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!”
Blessings, Bonnie
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Keystone Working Group - September 2023 Communication Summary
Click to Read
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Cultivating a Culture of Safety - November 11, 2023
Penn West Conference, working with Insurance Board, is hosting an Active Intruder Response, Emergency Planning, and Abuse Prevention workshop on Saturday, November 11, from 9 AM to 1:15 PM. Lunch will be provided. Registration will be required.
In this comprehensive workshop, we empower ministries to foster a culture of safety in these critical areas: Active Intruder Response, Emergency Planning, and Abuse Prevention. Our team of experts will help ministries gain essential knowledge to equip them with strategies to address an active intruder event, to prepare for emergencies, and to protect their most vulnerable congregants from abuse.
Presenters include: Bob Winters, CPP, is the Protective Security Advisor (PSA) in Pittsburgh for the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Winters supports homeland security efforts, serving in an advising and reach-back capacity to the state Homeland Security Advisors. Local police and county emergency representatives. Lisa Gonzalez, Director of Loss Control, Insurance Board, Elizabeth Vance, Sr. Loss Control Representative, Insurance Board
Here is the link to register: Cultivating a Culture of Safety – November 11 Workshop - Insurance Board. Please register as soon as possible; the deadline to register is Wednesday, November 8.
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We invite you to join the Webcast: Building a Culture of Protection in Your Ministry
November 8, 2023 -- 2 PM EST
Ministries continue to face challenges and resistance implementing abuse prevention best practices in their congregations. Join us on November 8th at 2 PM EST to learn how to strengthen your abuse prevention policies and implement best practices for responding to allegations of abuse. Insurance Board's guest speaker, Beth Boyer Kollas, is an ordained UCC minister from Praesidium, who holds her MDiv (Counseling), and dual PhDs in HIV/ AIDS and Psychology/ Counseling. Beth is certified in many areas and has extensive experience and knowledge in the healthcare and social services arenas.
Register for the Webcast
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OFFERED by Penn Central Conference
Fifth Stream Conversations
Three fall conversations open to the whole church on the recognition of the UCC’s fifth founding stream, the Afro-Christian Convention. This will be exciting learning for us as we explore the Afro-Christian Convention together and refresh our existing knowledge around the Christian, Congregational, Evangelical, and Reformed traditions also present at our founding. The first two sessions will be largely the same with in-person and zoom options available and the November date will be sort of a deeper dive into the Afro-Christian Convention with some of the contributors to the new book Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ available from Pilgrim Press, Amazon, and your favorite local bookseller.
Zoom
3pm November 12th ZOOM for all Participants
Register here: https://penncentralconference.regfox.com/the-fifth-stream
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Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Week of Events
November 2 - 3:30-7PM - Voices of Survivors Art Event Featuring Hope: Stories of Survival - 3835 Green Pond Rd., Bethlehem
November 6 - 6 to 8PM - Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Candlelight Vigil - 2132 S. 12th St., Suite 203, Allentown
November 7 - 11AM to Noon - Kutztown University Sand Project, 15200 Kutztown Rd., Kutztown
November 8 - 9AM to 4PM - 2nd Annual LVAT Symposium, 3900 Sierra Circle, Center Valley
November 9 - 9 to 11AM - Survivor Breakfast Award Ceremony, 3350 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley
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THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF MINISTRY (PAM)
MORAL INJURY & VETERANS MINISTRY
Community Training for Advancing Veterans' Whole Health. Building the capacity of spiritual leaders and faith communities to welcome those who have experienced war and military service. Free online training, Nov 9, 11, and 14. CEUs available for a nominal fee. Register by Nov 1: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING
Connect with your congregation, make Biblical text come alive, and learn breathing techniques for a more compelling delivery. Your congregation will thank you! Six weeks online, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm ET, Jan. 2 – Feb. 6, 2024. $325 for 2.5 CEUs. Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
Darryl W. Stephens, he / him / his, Director, Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
Director, United Methodist Studies, Lancaster Theological Seminary
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Covenant Sunday - November 19, 2023
A Celebration of the Covenant among Congregations and the Conference
Click Here for for Worship Service
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Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
November 12-19
Click to See Flyer
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UCC Webinar—Holy Heat Pumps
How we cool and heat our buildings is a significant part of how we address the climate crisis. When it comes to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, heat pumps are a crucially important technology in the transition away from fossil fuels. This webinar will explain how heat pumps work and how government funds can be accessed by congregations for their purchase. We will hear a success story from a local faith community that installed both air-source and ground-source heat pumps. Finally, we will address frequently asked questions, such as, “What do you do with a building that has had radiator heating?” Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on October 25th 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/4216953065234/WN_v6E7EEjvSj23KZVP2A10zw]
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LAY LEADERSHIP CONVOCATION
Sponsored by the Lay Leadership Education Team
of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ
at Church of the Good Shepherd, 35 W. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, PA
Saturday, April 6 -- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Cost $40 per person includes lunch
Keynote address by Dr. Sarah Drummond,
Dean of Andover Newton Theological School and author of Sharing Leadership.
Workshops will be offered on a variety of topics relevant to lay leaders.
Registration will be through the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Office beginning by February.
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Local Church Security: Resources and Best Practices
The UCC General Counsel, Heather Kimmel, posted a blog post last week on Local Church Security: Resources and Best Practices. This post compiles a number of resources available for Local Churches to assess their physical security. In the past year the UCC has had a number of churches experience property damage and vandalism as attacks on their theology. We’ve also had several pastors experience having their conversations recorded, heavily edited, and posted to extremist websites, resulting in threats to the church and the pastor. We hope this post helps.
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History & Polity of the UCC
A course in the History and Polity of the UCC will be taught at Chicago Theological Seminary during the January Term of 2024, led by Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniels, UCC Pastor Iowa. This course is ideal for Members in Discernment or those considering the Privilege of Call representing the United Church of Christ. Distance learners welcome. UCC Polity, History, and Theology Instructor: Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniels In-Person, no Zoom Option 9:30 - 5:30 p.m.-F Jan 8 -12Fee: $3,306 Registration: Apply now as a Distant Scholar
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UCC News Digest
Click Here to Read
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LAMENT
The Church, with declining membership and prominence.
COVID and its ongoing effects. Divisions in American society.
Lament in the face of such things is a natural human response.
What is the place of lament in the church today? And how can it help heal us?
Join us as we are led by Br. Stefan Waligur in this timely discussion.
We will meet on Thursday, November 16 at 10 am Faith Presbyterian Church in Emmaus at 3002 N 2nd St, Emmaus, PA or by Zoom (link will be shared with all registrants). Ample parking is available. To register and get the advanced reading, register here: https://forms.office.com/r/EL5EuxD6HF.
Click Here for Detailed Flyer
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The Planning Team of Crossroads and Connections: Building Relationships and Community
Click Here for Full Details
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