- THIS WEEK IN PNEC August 24, 2023
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Bonnie's Letter
"So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them." (1 John 4:16)
Dear Friends,
I have been reflecting on love in the past days. I think about all the songs written about love – and I’m older so lyrics like “Love is All You Need” and “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love” are the kind of song lyrics that come to me. Yet, I know there are many more song lyrics that each of us could recall and perhaps even sing – in private or public as our comfort allows.
Yet, I also know that those concepts of human love pale in comparison to the love expressed by God, shared in the scriptures about God, and felt by those of us who know and have a relationship with God. Where is God’s love in your life right now? How are you feeling it?
As many of you know I have been struggling with some back issues over the last few weeks. I am pleased to report that I have a diagnosis and treatment plan, and that I am feeling much better. The face of God has been present with me through all the prayers that have been lifted up for me, the smiles of friends who have taken me to appointments as I was in too much pain to drive, the wonderful meals that have been provided to me by my church, and the care offered to me and my little dog Tuki when moving was nearly impossible for me.
Those human expressions of God’s love have been so clear to me, but there has been more. I have felt the presence of God as I have prayed for relief, as I have focused on devotions, and as I have waited in silence for God’s response to my need. I truly KNOW the love of God. I have felt the presence of God in these days. Perhaps the fact that I slowed down enough (although not necessarily by my own choice) to listen, to wait, to contemplate helped me feel the presence and love of God.
Take a moment in the hurried days you are living and stop. Just stop and listen and breathe in the love and presence of God. I would say that what each of us and the world needs now is God’s love.
Blessings, Bonnie
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Vitality Days Are Back!
October 7, 2023 from 9AM to 3PM
Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown
CLICK HERE for detailed flyer
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UCC Webinar—The Climate Strike Movement 5 Years Later
Five years have now passed from when Greta Thunberg and others launched a movement that reverberated around the world. The movement continues as organizers prepare for the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City on September 17th. This webinar will feature faith-based organizers and activists who will reflect back on the movement and where we are today. Speakers will include Rev. Jim Antal, Aly Tharp, and Gabriela Martinez. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on September 13th 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/5516782920260/WN_ipBZzNbcQR2U8MoAYujf-w]
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Christian Creyer installation as chaplain of Phoebe, Richland
Phoebe Ministries, Richland Invites you to the Installation of Rev. Christian B. Creyer, M.Div. as Chaplain on Monday, Aug. 28 at 2:00p. Because the event will be held outdoors, under the pavilion (in Meadow Glen multi-purpose room should the weather not cooperate), clergy are invited to wear what they are most comfortable in wearing (robes and stoles not required). Phoebe Richland is located at 108 S. Main St., Richlandtown. Click here for a flyer to share.
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OFFERED by Penn Central Conference
Fifth Stream Conversations - Rev. Dr. Nora is planning three fall conversations open to the whole church on the recognition of the UCC’s fifth founding stream, the Afro-Christian Convention. At Synod the Historical Council made a formal report that the Afro-Christian Convention has been named the “fifth stream” alongside the Congregational, Christian, German Reformed, and Evangelical Synod. The Convention was always a part of the denomination but had been lumped in with the (white) Christian stream. There were, as Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer put it in his official apology, “always five.” He shared his grief of how so many children and adults had learned that there were only four theological streams/traditions present at our founding and this fifth tradition had been willfully subjugated, rather than lifted up for recognition.
This will be exciting learning for us as we explore the Afro-Christian Convention together and refresh our existing knowledge around the Christian, Congregational, Evangelical, and Reformed traditions also present at our founding. The first two sessions will be largely the same with in-person and zoom options available and the November date will be sort of a deeper dive into the Afro-Christian Convention with some of the contributors to the new book Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ available from Pilgrim Press, Amazon, and your favorite local bookseller.
3pm September 24th Mt. Zion, York In-person and Zoom
3pm October 15th St. Paul’s at the Farm, Lewisburg In-Person and Zoom
3pm November 12th ZOOM for all Participants
Register here: https://penncentralconference.regfox.com/the-fifth-stream
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Trauma Training Program
Sept. 23rd and Sept. 30th
(Offered by Pennsylvania Southeast Conference)
A partnership between The Welcome Project PA, Lakeside Global Institute, & PSEC
The Welcome Project PA [WPPA], in partnership with Lakeside Global Institute and the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ , is pleased to offer professional trauma training modules for ministry leaders and volunteers in their respective contexts, to prepare them to better assist their constituents who have suffered trauma. The purpose of this program is to assist professionals in their caring for people who have suffered various forms of trauma, to create an awareness of the causes and consequences of trauma, and how it affects our human relationships and social interactions. Finally, this program strives to enable those who have suffered/continue to suffer from trauma, a path forward to progress and a way out of destructive cycles. Trauma 101 and 102 will cover the basics of trauma. The subsequent sessions with The Welcome Project PA and the PSEC will apply the trauma training to more specifically define, explore, and discuss religious trauma and its effects on both individuals and faith communities.
For more information and to register, click here.
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The Colors of Hope Conference
September 30 - 9AM to 5PM (doors open at 8:30AM)
held at First Presbyterian Church, 333 Spring Garden St., Easton
Presented By: Trinity Episcopal Church of Easton, First Presbyterian Church of Easton, and St. Brigid's Episcopal Church of Nazareth
Join us for a one day event as we explore and learn about leadership, faith, and allyship in the LGBTQIA+ community. This is perfect for those who want to learn more about the community or who want to strengthen their allyship skills. This event is free to the public and will include lunch, coffee, and beverages. Resource tables will be on hand to supply further information about each of the organizations present. Seating is limited, so please RSVP no later than September 20 - call Alison at 610-253-0792 or Jonathan at 610-253-3579. Click Here for detailed flyer.
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The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and
How to Talk Across the Divide
by Pamela Cooper-White.
September 7, 14, and 28 at 7PM
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church,
232 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA 18503
On three Thursdays in September (Sept. 7, 14, and 28) at 7PM, St. Luke's will conduct a study of Dr. Cooper-White's brilliant and courageous book. One chapter of the three chapter book will be covered each evening:
Sept 7 - Unholy Alliances: Christian Nationalism, White Supremacy, and the Pursuit of Power.
Sept 14 - Why Are People Drawn In by Extremist Beliefs? Conscious Needs and Unconscious Lures.
Sept. 28 - How to Talk Across the Divide: Creating Human Ties across (Extreme) Difference.
*This event will be an in-person discussion. Copies of the book may be obtained through your favorite book seller. Participants are required to read the text in advance of each session. Those who are unable to attend in person may request a Zoom link in order to participate. To register and for more information, please email Mother Rebecca Barnes at mthrbarnes@gmail.com
About the Author: Pamela Cooper-White is the Christiane Brooks Johnson Professor of Psychology and Religion at Union Theological Seminary in New York. She holds PhDs from Harvard University and the Institute for Clinical Social Work, Chicago, and is the author or coauthor of five books and over seventy scholarly and professional articles. An Episcopal priest and pastoral psychotherapist, Dr. Cooper-White is a certified clinical Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, a National Board-Certified Counselor, and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois.
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Desert Garden UCC invites all clergy and laity to a free webinar on the topic of prayer on Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to noon Arizona time
The Rev. Rachel Hackenberg will deliver the lecture Imaging God, Imaging Ourselves: The Exercise of Prayer. She will follow the lecture with a Q &A segment open to all registrants. The Rev. Hackenberg is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, serving as publisher for The Pilgrim Press. She is the author of several books, including Denial Is My Spiritual Practice and Writing to God. She regularly posts reflections and prayers at rachelhackenberg.com. The webinar will also feature Tina Datsko de Sanchez reading original poetry. She is the author of several collections including Swimming in God.
Save the date now. You can register by going to the church’s website at wwwdesertgardenucc.org. This is the fourth Sawitski Memorial Lecture in recognition of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Sawitski and his passion for teaching. Attached is a flyer. This event is approved through the Southwest Conference UCC for 2 hours of Continuing Education time available when registration opens later this summer. www.desertgardenucc.org
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PSEC/PNEC Clergy Men's Retreat
October 3-5, 2023
Clergymen, give yourself the gift of joining the PSEC/PNEC Clergy Men's Retreat, October 3rd through the 5th. Take a step back from all the demands that are placed on you, step out of your comfort zone with friends you can trust, rest and spend some time in nature. Engage in thoughtful conversation that will help give perspective on life's biggest obstacles and have some fun. Guys from the Retreat Planning Committee will facilitate conversation based on Richard Reeves book Of Boys and Men. You don't have to read the book to be on the retreat and our conversations will go far afield from that text. So feed your soul to strengthen your ministry this October at Kirkridge.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mens-clergy-retreat-2023-tickets-695588081677?aff=oddtdtcreator
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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
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ATTENTION...
Rev. Gilberto Garcia Rodriguez has a desk (L shaped), desk chair, three matching regular chairs, and a credenza in his former office at the Conference Office. He would like to donate all these items to anyone who could use them. It is a “set” – so he would like someone to take all the furniture. If you are interested, contact Barbara at BarbaraJ@pnec.org or call 610.826.3113.
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Upcoming PAM Classes
Convenient. Affordable. Online Learning
Earn CEUs from The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Seminary
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2023
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - September 11 - October 30, 2023 -- Online on Zoom -- Eight Mondays from 6:00-9:00pm ET
MORAL INJURY & VETERANS MINISTRY In November
INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING Starting in January
PREACHING & WORSHIP THROUGH THE YEAR In the spring
Click Here for Detailed Flyer and Registration Information.
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We celebrate having had the opportunity to meet a number of our UCC conference ministers, staff, delegates, COM members and clergy while we were at the recent General Synod meeting. If we didn’t get to see you personally, we hope we have an opportunity to do so in the future.
It’s time for us to alert you to PATHWAYS’ Fall Schedule of Courses, especially the Fall II courses that begin in October. Fall I begins in mid-to-late August and people can still sign up any time during the first week of class. Fall II courses will begin in October. Now is the time to try one of our courses and to invite friends and colleagues to sign up for the Fall courses.
Cost Effective Apply online at PATHWAYStheological.org
6-week courses are $325.
The 12-week UCC History and Polity course is only $625.
UCC History & Polity
● HT21206 UCC History & Polity (12-weeks) (Sept 6- Dec 8)
Fall II: 6-week Courses Begin October 2 or 9, 2023
● BF10602 Understanding the Bible as a Progressive Christian (Oct 9-Nov 10)
● BF20602 Old Testament Hermeneutics (Oct 9-Nov 19)
● TH30605 Ecological Theology (Oct 2-Nov 12)
● MP30609 Practicing Our Faith in the Public Square (Oct 9-Nov 19)
● HT10604 Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners (Oct 9-Nov 19)
Our Fall courses include: Unpacking the Scriptures: Teaching with Rev. Roberta Kearney, Monday nights 9/11 - 10/30/2023 from 6-9 pm. This course covers teaching through the various ages and stages including how to give a Children's Sermon.
Compass - Thursday nights 9/7 - 10/26/2023 from 6-9 pm. Participants in this course will explore their sense of call while brushing up on basic communication skills that leaders need including writing, researching, and presenting. Taught by several instructors.
All courses are taught in person at Moravian Theological Seminary or on Zoom. Participants choice. Go to our website for more information or to register. www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads
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SAVE THE DATE...
Ministry Day is confirmed for
Thursday, October 19 at
UCC Greenawalds, Allentown
In-Person Attendance Only
Detailed Information Coming Soon!
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Hawaii Wildfires Response
Rev. Josh Baird
Team Leader, Global H.O.P.E.
Click Here to Read
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Lehigh Conference of Churches
Upcoming Events
Click Here for Full details of Events
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2023 Stewardship Theme Materials
Click Here for details...
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UCC News Digest
Click Here to Read
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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
- Best practices and talk about what is working in our churches
- Brainstorm/dream about where we might go and
- Talk about new growing edges (and ethical struggles) in technology including the use of Artificial intelligence and ChatGPT.
REGISTER
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Neighbors In Need Offering
In 2023, the Neighbors in Need “BEHOLD!” theme continues. This year’s focus is on environmental justice. Plastics, electronics, and other non-compostable wastes are being shipped across, and even tossed into, our waterways, launched into space, and buried in landfills. As people of faith, we believe these egregious acts are sinful and unholy. We must be better stewards of our planet!
Please join us in promoting this year’s NIN campaign at your church! Many churches will collect the offering on October 1, as part of World Communion Sunday.
Resources available as downloadable or print assets. Order
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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
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Local Church Security: Resources and Best Practices
The UCC General Counsel, Heather Kimmel, posted a blog post last week on Local Church Security: Resources and Best Practices. This post compiles a number of resources available for Local Churches to assess their physical security. In the past year the UCC has had a number of churches experience property damage and vandalism as attacks on their theology. We’ve also had several pastors experience having their conversations recorded, heavily edited, and posted to extremist websites, resulting in threats to the church and the pastor. We hope this post helps.
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Join Us for Upcoming Webinars and Events from the UCC
Nurture The Soul Thursdays - 3:30-4:30PM Eastern - Creation Justice
CLICK HERE for Full Listing and details
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Disaster Ministries
Ready PA Monthly - Click Here to Read
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Our Lutheran partners in the Lehigh Valley are hosting an event on September 10, 2023 to replenish hygiene kits and flood buckets that we used to respond to the flooding events of July 2023 in Berks, Northampton and Bucks counties. The event will take place at the Lutheran Center, 2354 Grove Road, Allentown, from noon to 3 PM. There are several ways you can help:
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Sign up to donate supplies for Flood Buckets and Hygiene Kits
- Make buckets ahead of time and deliver them on Sept 10
- Come to learn how you can get more involved
See the attached flyer for more information. Questions? Please contact Heidi Shilanskas.
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