Bonnie's Letter

John 17: 18-23

“As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world…

“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one… as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’”

Dear Friends,

The 34th UCC General Synod in Indianapolis ended last Tuesday, July 4th. General Synod is our denomination’s biennial gathering where the business of the National Church is conducted. Also available are seminars, educational intensives, workshops, and committee meetings to discuss resolutions. We renew our covenantal relationships with each other, worship together, hear excellent speakers, and celebrate the church in its many forms. New congregations which have formed since the last General Synod are celebrated. This year the conference ministers offered their prayers for the church.

Our Conference had twenty-five dedicated volunteers serving as delegates. They worked long hours, attended committee meetings and workshops, and shared their learnings with the delegation during our caucuses. For the first time, both our administrative staff joined us. Barbara has attended General Synod before, but this was Patty’s first experience of a General Synod. Their work with the delegation assured us of caucus space and meals, hotel reservations, and all the pre-synod paperwork we needed. They also coordinated the chartered bus for our travel. They were invaluable to us.

Some highlights include:

·      Our first ever four PA conference breakfast caucus at 6:30 a.m.

• The inclusion of PSEC/PNEC Ecumenical Partners from the Church of South India, Bishop Prasana Samuel, and his wife Esther, who spoke briefly to the Synod about anti-Christian violence in Manipur, India.
• The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson was the first Black woman elected to the position of General Minister and President. She takes the place of Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer who was elected in 2017.
• The frequency of General Synod meetings was changed from two to three years due in part to the substantial cost of large national gatherings and the significant reduction in National Staff members over the last twenty years. That change will take effect following General Synod 35 in Kansas City, Missouri in 2025. General Synod 36 will gather in 2028 at a location to be determined.
• Resolutions and pronouncements regarding several social justice concerns. Those and other actions taken by the Synod can be found on the General Synod News website page https://generalsynod.org/news.

July 4^th did not end the work of General Synod. Our delegation will gather to ascertain how we will share our learning and the implementation of resolutions which may need to be implemented in PNEC. We will need to strengthen our relationship with Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson as our new GMP. We have much to do. We covet your prayers as our church moves forward – and by the church I mean local congregations, our Conference, the whole of the UCC and the wider Christian communities around the globe. Blessings, Bonnie

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.

Trainings Offered by Pennsylvania Southeast Conference

Basic Boundary Training on Sept. 14 in Schuylkill Haven. Click here for more info. To register click on link: -  https://basicbound0914.eventbrite.com

Advanced Boundary Training (Managing Pastoral Transitions) on Sept. 27 on Zoom (or view the recording of the event on your own time and complete a one-page synopsis). Click here for more information. To register click on link: https://advbdry0927.eventbrite.com

Advanced Boundary Training (From Gutenberg to ChatGPT: Tools, ethics, technology and best practices in the life of Church) on Oct. 18 on Zoom. Click here for more information.

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

https://diversity110823.eventbrite.com

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..

Here is the link to sign-up to help at the Pride event on 8.20.23 --.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044DAAAA29A3F94-pnec2

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