Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Bonnie's Letter
“Soon afterward, Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.“ (Luke 8:1)
Dear Friends,
As I spoke with a fellow Conference Minister this morning, I began to talk about, and think about, all the work that congregations and the Conference have been engaged with in the past few years. We, my colleague and I, spoke about the utilization of Zoom to gather people for meetings and even for building relationships. It occurs to me that might be the silver lining in the cloud of COVID.
I know, for instance, that more people are viewing different worship services, including pastors, and being inspired by more messages of faith and hope. I know some churches are reaching out to people, who winter in Florida or from other states and even countries, sharing their worship made possible by Zoom and Facebook Live streaming.
I know the outreach of nominations for people to serve the Conference on boards, teams, and committees has been made possible by Zoom. We now have a more regionally diverse Conference board and discernment team which might not be possible without Zoom.
What are you, as an individual or as a pastor and congregation, utilizing technology to do that you might not have been able to do in the past? Are you willing to share your experiences, knowledge, confusion, and challenges with others?
I was asked if we had a Digital Ministry or Technology Team in the Conference. We do not, but I think it would be a great idea to share ideas and experiences, expertise, and resources. Are you interested?
Watch for an invitation to a gathering of pastors and worship leaders later in the summer. From my perspective the group is open to pastors, technology staff, worship leaders, and any other congregational member who has interest and wants to gain information and skill in the utilization of technology. We will gather and share, determine if a team with this focus is enthusiastically embraced, and create some steps for moving forward.
If you are interested, be in touch and we will make sure you get a special invitation, although we will broadly invite people through emails to pastors and through This Week.
In the meantime, let’s think about how we might increase our relationship building, our community contact and our connections with one another using effective technology resources. It’s the mode of communication of our times and the church needs to communicate in ways that will reach people. That may be why Jesus wandered throughout Israel Palestine. Not everyone could or would come to Nazareth, Bethlehem, or Jerusalem.
Blessings, Bonnie
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Amigos de Guatemala Update
Did you know that the clinic in Monte Margarita is nearly finished? We have some minor details to finish up, but we are planning to have a virtual dedication ceremony in November so that all of our supporters and our amigos in Guatemala can participate. The next step is a medical trip-- hopefully some time in 2023. So let us know if you are interested in being part of the medical team to make that trip. And watch future issues of PNEC This Week for details about the dedication and mission trips.
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Community of Practice Opening
There is an opening in one of the PNEC Communities of Practice. Below are the details:
"Solo & Sr. Pastors of Larger Churches & General Ministry"
They typically meet in-person, but use Zoom and a hybrid model as requested. Currently using a new book, Pastoral Imagination: Bringing the Practice of Ministry to Life by Eileen R. Campbell-Reed (Fortress: 2021) as the focus of our gatherings. We would welcome anyone---licensed or ordained. We meet, eat, pray, play, learn, and study together.
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Peace Camp
Young People Making Peace Summer Day Camp (Peace Camp) is back in person, after two years of at-home activities. Peace Camp was founded by the Lehigh-Pocono Committee of Concern (LEPOCO) in 1990. This one-week camp involves children from 5-13, and teen and adult volunteers in fun and creative songs, games, stories, craft projects, mostly in small groups, with a focus on peace and justice themes. Many parents and grandparents have sent their children to Peace Camp over the years, as it is fun and inspiring. This year Peace Camp is back at First Presbyterian Church, Allentown, July 25-29, daily from 9 am to noon. We hope to see you there. Pamela Brubaker, St. John’s Allentown, and member of LEPOCO.
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Boundary Training Opportunities
The PSEC staff has added an additional opportunity to obtain Advanced Boundary Training this year. This new training will take place September 14th and will be held via zoom -- "Keeping TIme for Rest and Renewal" reviews The UCC Ministerial Code call that all authorized ministers commit to “setting aside time for Sabbath and vacation”. Meanwhile, the UCC Call Agreement for a pastor names that “the covenant with our church requires your attention 24/7 to matters beyond your control.” How do you prioritize time for rest while being available to the church 24/7?
This Advanced Boundary Training will address sabbaticals, sabbath, and time off. We will discuss the following topics, to name a few: Is it ever okay to cancel or return from vacation for a church emergency? How long can a pastor be unreachable from their congregation? What to do if the congregation doesn’t want to give you a sabbatical or the benefits of a sabbatical even if you don’t want one.
Register for this new Advanced Boundary Training by clicking here.
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The Advanced Boundary Training "Power and the Office of Pastor" which was scheduled for September 14th has been re-scheduled for October 19th. To register for "Power and the Office of Pastor" click here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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PNEC
MENTAL HEALTH
MINISTRY TEAM
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Scholarship available for upcoming PAM class
A generous donor has provided money to pay for two new PAM students to enroll in Lovett Weems's class, Personal Finances for Ministers, which begins July 12. Anyone interested in applying for this scholarship should complete the PAM application found online and indicate that they would like to be considered for the scholarship. Scholarship recipients will be selected by noon on July 5.
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PA Academy of Ministry
Personal Finances for Ministers
July 12–Aug 16. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems.
Introduction to basics of personal financial management, including special considerations for religious professionals and congregations where they serve. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125
Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development
Aug 23–Sept 27, 2022
Instructor Jessica Young Brown
A Ministerial Institute class. Confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care in ministry. $325.
Church Finances
Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm.
Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating/presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving & sources of income, presenting accurate tracking/reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, & explore new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.
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Crossroads Info Session #2 - Saturday, July 23rd, 10 AM
Moravian Theological Seminary
60 W. Locust, Bethlehem
Come and learn about our program, meet others who are inquiring about their next steps, and take your next step in discovering more about your sense of call as a lay person. Participants in Crossroads take active roles in their congregation and in community ministries, some become lay pastors or serve as pulpit supply, and a few go on to more formal theological education such as seminary courses. Whatever your path, Crossroads is a great place to discern the next step. We have been described as the intersection of your call and God's mission. At our Info Session we talk about the program, what is required, the list of upcoming courses and we try to answer all of your questions. If coming in person is not possible, just request our Zoom link at petersj2@moravian.edu. Thank you, Jill Peters. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Worship on Wednesdays
at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Allentown
(Lehigh Conference of Churches)
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The Church’s Post-Pandemic Future
September 19 - 21, 2022
Speakers and a format are announced for a September all-church summit.
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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center Aug. 1-5; Nov. 14-18
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
September 21 -- Journey Toward Healing
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
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URGENT volunteer need - Brethren Disaster Ministries Waverly TN - We had a cancellation for one of our upcoming weeks at our Waverly, TN project location. We are wondering if you would be able to advertise this need with your volunteer base? It is the week of June 26-July 2. We currently can take up to 14 volunteers. If folks are interested in volunteering, please have them contact me via this email address. Kim Gingerich
Program Assistant
Brethren Disaster Ministries-Rebuild
A Ministry of the Church of the Brethren
601 Main St., PO Box 188
New Windsor, MD 21776
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