Letter from our Sabbatical Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith

“Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." Psalm 34:14

Who are your heroes? I guess in order to answer that question you need to figure out your definition of a hero? Last week we celebrated and honored Martin Luther King. MLK was a hero. We still look at his life and his legacy with awe. He spoke so eloquently and with such wisdom. Does one need to be like MLK in order to be on your hero list?

Long, long ago at a summer Vacation Bible School program we talked all week about heroes. Jesus was at the top of the list for some obvious reasons. The list of heroes included both men and women, people from all walks of life, children, pets, family members. The list grew and grew.

One learning for all of us is that heroes are not always easy to spot. You don’t need a cape or special outfit to be a hero. The ability to fly is not mandatory. In fact, heroes are moving about in the midst of everyday life, going unnoticed. 

Lucas is one of my heroes. He has a way of seeing ‘inside’ of people. He just seems to know when someone needs a hug or a kind word. Lucas was only seven years old when Louie, our 17-year-old Shih Tzu, died. He died the day before Thanksgiving. We told the grandkids of Louie's passing. We also told them that we were still celebrating Thanksgiving since we still had so much to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving Eve I headed off to lead worship and Bob went over to drop something off at Lucas’ home. My husband was taking Louie’s death pretty hard, but I knew the family would not see his tears.

Lucas ran to Bob and cuddled with his Pop Pop. He said he was sorry Louie died. Bob told Lucas it would be hard at night since Louie slept with us. But we would be okay.  As Bob was getting ready to leave, Lucas came running over to him.

“Here Pop Pop,” Lucas said as he handed his grandfather his favorite stuffed dog. “You and Nona can borrow my dog to sleep with for a while. Maybe you won’t miss Louie as much."

Someone who shares simple acts of kindness is one of my definitions of a hero. Each and every day, we have the opportunity to be a hero. In our everyday lives, there are opportunities for us to be a hero for someone else. I hope you step up.   I also pray that a hero shows up for you when you need one!

Blessings,

Becky Beckwith

Congregational Leadership Training

Saturday, March 4 - 9AM to 4PM via zoom

A Congregational Leadership Training will be held on Saturday March 4th from 9 AM-4 PM on Zoom. It is a training offered by Local Congregational Support and Congregational Vitality to help lay leaders AND youth leaders appreciate and navigate the many roles and responsibilities of leadership in the local church. It is an ideal learning opportunity for newly-elected Consistory members, Confirmation students, and even seasoned church leaders! If interested, please email Patty Rehrig at the Conference Office - pattyr@pnec.org

Lehigh Conference of Churches

 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The theme for 2023 is from Isaiah 1:17, “Do good; seek justice.” Join us as some of the most respected and upcoming pastors in our area make virtual presentations throughout the week. Click Here to Check out the links to watch each participant's full video, please feel free to share the word about this wonderful week. 

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 Monte Schroeder at 9:15am Saturday, January 21, at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ, 3940 Mountain Road, Slatington. To register to attend, please email Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference Office (pattyr@pnec.org). Once you are registered, a copy of Monte’s Ordination paper will be emailed to you and if attending via zoom, you will receive the zoom information.

Monte is a member in discernment serving with Friedens United Church of Christ, Slatington.

Next Generation Leadership Initiative

Greetings and blessings in this new year, I’m writing to promote the application season for a transformative leadership initiative for younger clergy offered by the United Church of Christ Pension Boards. The Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) energizes and empowers younger UCC local church pastors to co-create vibrant congregations that change lives, engage their communities, and further God’s mission in the world.

We are currently accepting applications for our 14^th cohort.  Notice of intent to apply is February 1—so please pass this information along quickly.

The ideal candidate is:

1. 35 years of age or under by June 1, 2023*
2. Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish*
3. Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference
4. Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting
5. Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ

(*note, if a candidate meets the last three criteria, they are allowed to be a bit over in one of the first two. We will consider people up to age 40 and/or people with up to 10 years of parish ministry experience. However, if someone is over the ideal range in both of these categories, they are not eligible to apply.)

Those selected to participate in NGLI receive…

1. Six years of advanced training, education, and field trips to hone pastoral leadership skills and gifts for service to the Church,
2. Cohort of colleagues that encourages, challenges, and reflects together on the life of a local church pastor in these rapidly changing times,
3. Financial incentive—a $6,000 seed contribution to the participant’s Annuity Plan account, which should have a value of approximately $45,000 at the end of a 35-year career.

Additional information about the application process and program components can be found here. Please help the Church by getting these materials in the hands of any eligible clergy you may know-- many thanks!

Faithfully,

 The Rev. Krista L. Betz, Director, Leadership Initiatives

The Pension Boards- United Church of Christ, Inc.; 718.685.6776

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

National Fund for Sacred Places Grant Opportunity

The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program that provides capital grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000+ as well as wrap-around support services to congregations undertaking once-in-a-generation preservation projects. To learn more, please visit us at fundforsacredplaces.org.

Join us for an introductory webinar on Wednesday, February 1st at 12:00 PM EST to learn more about the National Fund for Sacred Places and whether your sacred place (or the sacred places in your community or judicatory) may qualify. Register Here

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, 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

Friedens United Church Of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley PA 19547 (Berks County) is sponsoring a two-week Mission Rebuild Trip to Peru, August 5 through 19, 2023, to help the Fuller Center for Housing build houses. Interested people can contact Sue Henne, s.henne73@icloud.com, 601-451-3209.

To support the Mission Trip, Friedens UCC, Oley, is undertaking a shoe collection fundraising event. They are collecting shoes from now until April 30. They will accept any kind of shoe that can be worn on a person’s foot so long as it’s a pair and they are new or gently used. The goal is to collect 5000 pounds of shoes. For every pound they collect, they receive $.50 per pound. The shoes are refurbished and are sent to Third World countries. A poster is attached. Shoes can be dropped off at Friedens United Church Of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley PA 19547 at any time, including their Saturday drive-through drop off collections on January 14, February 11, March 11, and April 15 between the hours of 9 AM to 11 AM in the church parking lot.