from the Staff of the Penn Northeast Conference

Bonnie, Barbara, & Patty

The Penn Northeast Conference Office will be closed

Friday, December 23, 2022 and will re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Bonnie's Letter

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6)

Dear Friends,

It seems so odd to be writing this “goodbye for a while” letter to you right before Christmas. Yet today is my last workday before the Christmas holidays and my Sabbatical.

There are many things I want to wish you in the new year – among them are peace, joy, hope, happiness, and blessings on your lives and your ministries. There are so many gifts you each and all bring to our lives together in this Conference. I want you to know that I notice those gifts and that I celebrate them with you. As I prepare for my sabbatical time, I have been blessed by your good wishes, your hopes for my rest and renewal, and your willingness to take on whatever challenges arise while I am away.

I know you will be supportive of Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith as she undertakes the role of Sabbatical Conference Minister. I know you will continue to support Barbara and Patty in their work. I know you will be faithful to our covenant and our mission and ministries.

As we prepare to celebrate the nativity, the birth of Jesus, Emmanuel God with Us, I am reminded how the tiniest moments of hope can bring light into the world. Who would have thought that an infant born to oppressed, refugee parents would change the world – would inspire us to move into community and relationship with one another and with our Creator? Who would have thought that angels would sing of the glory of God in shepherds’ fields and in a cow barn? Who would have thought that rich, wise, and learned men would have traveled for years to bring gifts to a toddler? Who would have thought any of these occurrences would still be celebrated by people of God across the world?

The small moments of hope and love you share with one another, and with those you meet along the journey of life, can make all the difference. Hugs matter. Smiles matter. Saying Merry Christmas matters. Being a friend, a helper, a neighbor – these all matter.

I will be holding you all in my prayers as I move through my Sabbatical time. I hope you will hold me in your prayers as well. Have a beautiful nativity celebration, welcome the light of Epiphany, and celebrate the love God has for us – a love we can share with one another. Blessings, Bonnie

Please Offer a Warm Welcome to...

Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith who is our PNEC Sabbatical Conference Minister effective January 3, 2023. You can reach Becky through her email address beckyb@pnec.org and also by calling the Conference Office at 610-826-3113.

PNEC’s 2022 Closing Date will be Friday, January 13, 2023

 Please plan your closing so that your final 2022 remittance will be received in the Conference Office by Friday, January 13, 2023. Receipts received after the 13th will be credited to 2023. Do not include 2022 remittances with 2023 and make certain remittance slips are marked for either the year 2022 or 2023.

Thank you for your cooperation and support.

15th Annual PNEC Youth Retreat

FAITH & ?????

Penn Northeast Conference Presents the15th “Annual” Youth Retreat FAITH & ??? In the gospels, Jesus is asked 187 questions. He answers (maybe) 8 of them. He himself asks 307. Maybe faith isn't about certainty, but learning to ask—and sit in the complexity of—good questions. ~Kevin Nye; writer on theology, homelessness, culture, and grace Exploring our faith through all kinds of questions FYI: This is a technology friendly event – cell phones, IPADS, tablets, etc are welcome!

WHO: All youth in grades 7th-12th are invited!

WHEN: April, 14-16, 2023 Check-in Friday 6:30-7:00/Pick up Sunday at 12:00 pm

WHERE: Spruce Lake 5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA 18325

COST: $145/per person – includes meals Saturday & Sunday

**Limited space!!! First 40 participants with paid deposit only.

One adult chaperone per church is needed. 

Click Here for detailed flyer/registration

The Southern New England Conference's Faith Formation Leadership Program

is for anyone with a passion for faith formation and youth ministries - both lay leaders and authorized ministers from throughout the United Church of Christ. Our classes are interactive Zoom sessions that are not recorded with a registration deadline two days before each class session. Register for all 8 classes and receive a $25 refund! 

January 2023 Classes: 

-January 7^th: Living Into the Mystery – Worship & Sacraments in the UCC 

-January 14^th: Racial Justice for Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Leaders 

-January 28^th: Developing Faith – Ages & Stages 

Visit www.sneucc.org/certification for more information and to register. 

“Taking classes in the Faith Formation Leadership Program helped me to step in at this critical time and has given me the confidence, tools, and framework to provide nurture and faith formation for our congregation.”

 - Dawn Sorensen, 

Director of Children’s Ministries and Southborough Safe Spaces, 

Pilgrim Congregational Church, Southborough, MA

Join us for the Women's Clergy Retreat!

The retreat will take place at Mariawald Retreat Center, 1094 Welsh Road in Reading, PA. Modest linens/towels and simple meals are provided - you are welcome to bring snacks and drinks to share! Rooms are double occupancy and cost $130 - space is limited! First floor rooms available on request, and be sure to include the name of a roommate if you have a preference. Full vaccination and a negative home covid test required up to 48 hours before the retreat. 

Click Here for Registration

Please contact Kim Berenotto with any questions: kimberlyberenotto@gmail.com

Health & Human Service Sunday

The CHHSM Team

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 29, 2023. 

Liturgical resources for observing Health and Human Service Sunday are now available on CHHSM's website. This year's materials were composed by the Rev. Dr. Elyse Berry, and include unique elements such as a Meditation for Mental Health and Beatitudes for Essential Workers.

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.

The Coalition for UCC Rural Ministries

PRESENTS

Nourishing the Seeds of Faith

(Isaiah 55:10-11)

A Virtual National Gathering of Rural/small town Churches & Ministries in the United Church of Christ

Save the dates: February 9-11, 2023

Registration to open in January 2023

Hosted by

Faith education, innovation & formation (faith info)

Justice and Local church Ministry of the UCC

For more information contact

Rev. Roberto Ochoa – ochoar@ucc.org

MARK YOUR CALENDAR...

Beyond Lament; Movement Towards Repair

Wednesday, April 12

9AM to 3PM at Jordan UCC, Allentown

(can be used for Cultural Competency Training for authorized ministers)

Keynote; “Repenting of the unforgiveable” Through the medium of storytelling, Rev Jim Bear Jacobs will share how the legacy of Indigenous residential boarding schools has left a stain upon the church. The sin of complicity in the boarding school has for far too long been ignored or rationalized away. It is time to face this sin head on and enter into a season of lament that can hopefully lead to repair.

Workshop: “Beyond lament; Movement towards repair” In this workshop Rev. Jim Bear Jacobs will explore some tangible and challenging steps that churches might wrestle with as they consider reparations for the traumatic legacy of the boarding school system.

Click Here for Bio for Jim Bear Jacobs

PATHWAYS Theological Education

A new year brings new opportunities to learn and grow in faith! PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. is pleased to announce our January term online, asynchronous courses that are accessible and affordable for curious Progressive Christians. All courses are designed with the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers at their core, and are helpful to anyone who wants to develop spiritual and leadership gifts for use in the church and the world.

—United Church of Christ History and Polity, January 11-April 7; this course is designed according to the content recommendations of the UCC History and Polity Network Teachers group (12 weeks, $625)

—Practicing Our Faith in the Public Square, January 11-February 21(6 weeks, $325)

—Understanding the Bible as a Progressive Christian, January 11-February 21 (6 weeks, $325)

—The Art of Worship, January 11-February 21 (6 weeks, $325)

We will also offer a three week Introduction to Supervised Ministry for student ministers and their site supervisors who are participating in the PATHWAYS Supervised Ministry track.

For more information about PATHWAYS as an organization, our courses, and to register, please visit www.pathwaystheological.org.

Crossroads 2023 Winter and Spring courses:

Note: All Courses are in person for those who are able AND also real time on Zoom. Your choice.

Mondays, January 9 - February 27 from 6 to 9PM

Ministry Journeys of the New Testament with Rev. Dr. Joanne Marchetto

Thursdays, January 5 - February 23 from 6 to 9PM

Mapping the Route - Conversations in Theology with Rev. Dr. Bill Falla

Mondays, March 6 - May 1 (except April 3) from 6 to 9PM

Traveling Mercies Congregational Care with Greg Krausz and Diane Kareha

Thursdays, March 9 - May 4 (except April 6) from 6 to 9PM

Traditions - Exploring Denominations & Religions with Rev. Dr. Bill Falla

For more information, Contact Jill Peters at petersj2@moravian.edu or go on our website at  www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads

CLICK HERE for Bulletin Insert

DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC

Here is a report on my activities in PNEC on behalf of disaster ministries - 

1. Recently the national setting of the UCC did a story on the work in Eastwick. I did manage to get a picture in the article of the tool trailer and a mention of PNEC. You can read the article here..
2. The tool trailer was also featured in an article put together by PBS' WHYY recently. You can access it here.
3.  This past Sunday it was my pleasure to visit and worship with the congregation of St. John's UCC, Allentown. I made a presentation to their Adult Forum and offered a Mission Moment during worship. Thanks to Pastor Becky Sausser for the invitation and warm welcome.
4. I continue to relate to the Susquehanna County Long-term Recovery Committee and with the Bradford County COAD.
5. I will be taking part in the Monroe County operations exercise of their emergency operations center on December 5.

• Karl Jones

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**You can find more information & updates at UCC Disaster Ministries: www.ucc.org/disaster