- THIS WEEK IN PNEC January 4, 2024
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PNEC’s 2023 Closing Date will be Friday, January 12, 2024
Please plan your closing so that your final 2023 remittance will be received in the Conference Office by Friday, January 12, 2024. Receipts received after the 12th will be credited to 2024. Do not include 2023 remittances with 2024 and make certain remittance slips are marked for either the year 2023 or 2024.
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
ALSO
The IRS has announced the standard mileage rate for 2024: 67 cents per mile, up 1.5 cents from 65.5 cents in 2023. Issued in Notice 2024-8, on Dec. 14, 2023, it covers the business use of a vehicle (cars, vans, pickups, and panel trucks) and will come into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
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Bonnie's Letter
“Thus says the Lord, … Do not remember the former things or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43: 16-19, NRSV)
Dear friends,
It’s a new year. When I look at the calendar and read 2024, I can’t imagine how quickly the time has passed. As I spent time with family this Christmas, I looked at my son, now forty-seven, and the youngest four grandchildren, now 15, 6, 4, and 2, and I wondered where the time went. Time passes and we all know that to be true. Sometimes we want to cling to the past. It’s more comfortable because we know it. Yet, clinging to the past doesn’t serve us, the world, or God very well.
Rather we are called to accept the new day, the new situation, the new life we have in our faith. There is a reason why the scripture quoted from Isaiah is my favorite. God is, and has been all my life, doing new things. Sometimes I don’t like the new things – who could like the loss of a loved one, or a job challenge, or the pain shared with a friend? Yet, God’s wisdom is eternal. No, I’m not one of those who believes that God has every second of my life laid out for me, but I do believe that God uses everything that happens in my life to help me prepare for the next step in the journey.
This year, PNEC will continue to serve congregations with programs, training, search and call, guidance, coaching, and conflict resolution when necessary. How we do those things might look or feel a little different. We, too, will do new things and perhaps, old things in new ways. As always, we partner with you, with each of you, as we do the work of the conference. For, as you know, WE are the conference. Each congregation, each member, each staff person in every role within the conference, is the conference. The work we do, the goals we seek, the accomplishments we make, we make together.
As we enter 2024 together, let us let go of that which no longer serves us. Let us discern the next steps. Let us watch for the new things God is doing. And let us celebrate our faith and our faith works together.
- Blessings, Bonnie
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Committee on Ministry Announces Ecclesiastical Council
(an Ecclesiastical Council is the final step in the ordination approval process for the 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 Sharon Frye at 9:30am Saturday, January 20, at Faith United Church of Christ, 21 Faith Drive, Hazelton, PA.
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 Sharon’s Ordination Paper upon registering. Sharon is pastor at St. Matthew’s and Salem, both in Weatherly, PA.
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Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek, PNEC Pastor and member of Union UCC’s member serving in Japan reports:
I have updated my blog https://jeffreyfromjapan.blogspot.com/ so you can tune in to some of the issues facing the communities in and around Fukushima. I know that with issues in Palestine and Ukraine that it is easy to "forget" that there are equally pressing issues in so many areas of the world including in the US, but I am sure that our partners will appreciate to be lifted up in prayer again this Christmas.
With love, Jeffrey Mensendiek, Global Ministries mission co-worker working in Tokyo
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RIP Medical Debt Campaign Fundraiser for Epiphany 1/6/24 thru 2/11/24
Click Here for Bulletin Insert (front & back)
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Penn Northeast Conference
Presents the 16th "Annual" Youth Retreat
March 1-3, 2024 (check in Friday 6:30-7PM/Pick up Sunday at 12PM
Spruce Lake, 5389 Route 447, Canadensis
Cost: $195/person (includes all programming and meals)
For ALL youth in grades 7th-12th are invited*. Confirmation classes are encouraged to attend. If your classes include 6th graders they are welcome.
*One adult per church please
Life and faith are always smooth sailing - And that's ok!
What's important is that we learn how to talk about it, ask questions about it,
and how to make the best of it.
Explore these things with us through art, games and more!
Click Here for Flyer and Registration Form
and you can also register through the link below with tithe.ly
Click Here for tithe.ly link to register
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Prayer and Mediation
Union UCC, Neffs and Community
Led by Rev. Kris P. Snyder
Tuesdays 7-8pm
January 16, Feb 20, March 19, April 23, May 21
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87680378046?pwd=QmozYWJFemJOVENCdWJBbzRpbDVIUT09
Meeting ID: 876 8037 8046 Passcode: 954906
I'll lead us in various readings, scripture, and prayer practices like breath prayer and centering prayer, as well as meditation practices from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Buddhist, and Christian traditions. Sign up with PastorKris@unionucc.org You are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions, whatever your schedule allows. Authorized Ministers can use these hours for continuing education.
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2024 Boundary Training For Clergy and Commissioned Lay Pastors
January 31/February 1 -- 9:30AM - 12:30PM -- Register by Jan 15th
May 7/8 -- 1:00PM - 4:00PM ET -- Register by April 20th
October 15/16 -- 10:00AM - 1:00PM ET -- Register by Sept 29th
Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training is tailored to focus on strategies to foster clergy emotional resiliency and well-being. While we still cover the "requirements," we believe the best prevention involves encouraging leaders to take steps to manage their stress in order to maintain balance and perspective when temptation to violate boundaries arises. This live online boundaries training is 5 total hours split over 2consecutive days (2.5 hours each day). Following the first session, participants are asked to engage in a bit of reflection work in preparation for the second session. This online boundaries training will be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing.
Click Here for detailed flyer and registration information.
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Lessons in Meditation and Meditation Teacher Training
Beginning January 30th
In church, we often pray, but how often have we learned to meditate? Our relationship with God can be thought of as a friendship. If prayer is talking to God, then meditation is listening to God. How can we best listen, given the realities of the monkey mind? And given our own imperfect meditation practice, how can we best share meditation with others and our churches? This is offered through the larger Southern New England Conference UCC. Hear the interview with facilitator Rev. Matt Carriker here:
https://vimeo.com/880979672/d7c1011c90?ts=0
The 3-week “Lessons in Meditation” is offered on Zoom on Tuesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. on January 30th, February 6, and February 13th.
Register here https://sneucc-reg.brtapp.com/MeditationPractice
The six week Teacher Training program will include meditation practice, small group practice teaching sessions and one-to-one sessions with the facilitator. The 6-week “Meditation Teacher Training” is offered on Zoom on Tuesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. on January 30, February 6, 13, 20, 27 and March 5.
Register here https://sneucc-reg.brtapp.com/MeditationTraining71
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Health & Human Service Sunday
Every year, the United Church of Christ designates a Sunday in January as the time to uplift the many gifts of the Health and Human Service Ministries across the church. This year, Health and Human Service Sunday takes place on January 28, 2024.
Liturgical resources for observing Health and Human Service Sunday are now available on CHHSM's website or by clicking on the blue button below. This year's materials were composed by the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, and include unique elements such as a Sound Meditation for Healing and Wholeness and meaningful prayers and litanies.
Especially now, it is worth remembering that the word liturgy means "work of the people," and this special Sunday is a way to celebrate the healing work of our CHHSM members and those on the frontlines in our UCC congregations.
May your new year be blessed with healing, hope, and a sense of togetherness.
HHS Sunday Worship Materials
In Peace, The CHHSM Team -- Jamar, Elyse, and Paula
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) is starting off the New Year with a virtual Open House on January 23, 7pm.
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
PAM Open House, Tuesday, January 23, 7pm via Zoom. Hosted by the Rev. Dr. Darryl Stephens. Bring your questions and meet folks!
Introduction to Preaching. Jan 30–March 5, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor the Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler. For lay and clergy, any level. 2.5 CEUs.
Preaching and Worship through the Year. April 9–May 14, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor the Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler. Lectionary planning, sermon series, music and arts, special services, and more. 2.5 CEUs.
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Cultivating Generous Congregations - Spring 2024
The CGC Seminar for pastors and leaders offers an opportunity to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promote generosity in our congregations. This is a virtual seminar hosted by the South Central and Southeast Conferences on February 19, March 4, March 18, April 8, April 22, and May 6 from 7:30 to 9pm EASTERN (6:30 to 8pm Central) - The registration fee is $300 (per team of two) and $50 for each additional team member. Register Today - https://cvent.me/YwOoaz
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Clergy Convocation 2024: Healing Tother: Healing Me, Healing You
May 7, 2024 @ 3:00 pm - May 9, 2024 @ 1:30 pm
Double Tree by Hilton, Lancaster
Clergy Convocation 2024 –
To register, click here.
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Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast
January 14, 2024
If you attended the breakfast earlier this year, you know that we will have another fantastic time. Bishop W. Darin Moore will be our speaker again for this great event as we continue to raise funds for the IMC college fund.
Date: January 15, 2024
Time: 9 am - 11 am
Location: Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel
Amount: $35
Proceeds benefit the IMC Scholarship Fund.
Online tickets are available today via Eventbrite (link below):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-prayer-breakfast-tickets-769316374987?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
If you have students interested in applying for a scholarship, please take a look at the attached application and return it to Dr. Joseph Green by 12/29/23 for consideration, as we will award scholarships during the January event. Please send scholarship applications to jgministries@gmail.com
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2024 Women's Clergy Retreat: Carrying & Carried
Carrying & Carried....the things we hold and who holds us
January 16, 2024 · 4pm - January 18, 2024 · 12pm EST
Mariawald Retreat House
1094 Welsh Road Reading, PA 19607
Questions? Please contact: Kim Berenotto at kimberlyberenotto@gmail.com or
Tammie Wisniewski at tammie@psec.org
When you register, you give your permission to use photos of you or your children for purposes of telling the story of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference on the website or in video, newsletter and social media posts. If you are opposed to having your picture taken and possibly used in this way, please let us know by contacting the PSEC office at: susan@psec.org including your name (and/or names of your children) and your email and phone contact information.
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-womens-clergy-retreat-carrying-carried-tickets-767650903517?aff=oddtdtcreator
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On the UCC website, it states,
“Gender & Sexuality Justice Ministries seeks transformative justice for our faith communities and congregations by just action and love for all. ~ We believe in the justice-oriented ministry of Jesus and act with those facing systemic oppression at the intersection of gender & sexuality to offer care, sex positive education & curriculum, gender & bodily autonomy education & programming, policy & advocacy and partnership and outreach opportunities.”
For those seeking greater knowledge and depth in addressing this important justice issue, PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. offers a course where participants from across the country have a place to gather in online conversations. Go to PATHWAYSTheological.org to register or to find out more about the course, Theology of Gender and Sexuality. There is still time to register for this course as well as UCC Polity and History, and several other courses which begin in early January 2024.
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UCC Webinar— Primary Season: Prioritizing Climate Solutions
Recent headlines have highlighted a "waning enthusiasm" among voters who have helped propel environmental justice champions into office in previous elections. A decline in enthusiasm has been noted among Black, Hispanic, and young voters. Among voters concerned about the climate crisis, dissatisfaction and anger have arisen as fossil fuel projects in Alaska and Appalachia move forward. In this webinar, we will focus on what can be done to create the momentum needed for champions of climate justice to be elected into office. We will look at how climate solutions can be prioritized in the primaries, so that policies in accord with environmental justice values can be advanced. Our featured webinar guests include speakers from the League of Conservation Voters, the Black Voters Matter Fund, and the Green New Deal Network. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on January 10th 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/8317012863138/WN_T4pCqp6QQ7GZGPbcVJakqw]
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