Bonnie's Letter

“I am the church! You are the church; We are the church together

All who follow Jesus; All around the world; Yes, we're the church together”[1]

Dear Friends,

As I travel around the conference, speak with pastors and laity, and see the life of our congregations unfold, I am so very grateful. I am grateful for pastors and congregation members who act in and on behalf of their congregations to serve in the community and the world. I am grateful for the honest exchanges of ideas, even when our theological interpretations are different and seem at odds with one another. I am grateful for our full and part time chaplains who have served so diligently through the COVID pandemic and continue to serve in these tumultuous days. I am grateful for conference board members and ministry team convenors and members and all the work they do on behalf of local congregations and the conference. I am grateful for a dedicated staff with whom I can share ideas and on whom I can depend.

I feel truly blessed to be serving among you. And there is still more work for us to do. Our discernment and vision team has been gathering to gain insights into how pastors feel the conference should move forward. We are beginning to explore the best ways for congregation members to give their input as well. It may be that Area Mission Councils may convene locations for congregation members to talk with the Discernment and Vision Team members. It may be that congregations will host opportunities to talk with the Discernment and Vision Team. Whatever the mechanism, I hope you will take time to offer your ideas, needs, and hopes for the conference. This is an opportunity for you to tell your story, describe your successes and identify your needs.

Covenant requires that all settings of the church speak with one another, listen to one another, respect one another, and seek to support and grow with one another. This is the agreement we make when we proclaim ourselves to be the United Church of Christ. Our conference vision is to be: “United in Faith … Committed to Love…Created to Serve.” Our conference mission statement is to be about: “Changing lives by equipping, empowering, and supporting those who would spread Christ’s ministry.” It is vitally important that we be in this journey of faith together.

As you know, I have served here for 5 years, longer than I have served in any ministerial or leadership position in the church. I am grateful that we have been working together for this amount of time and I look forward to continuing our work together. We are the church as we gather and talk and meet and worship and write and celebrate and mourn together. We are the church when we engage one another in our faith journeys no matter where we are, no matter where we serve, and no matter how we see our individual or collective faith unfolding. This is a gift from God, and I for one, am so grateful for it.   Blessings, Bonnie

[1] http://pateys.nf.ca/cgi-bin/lyrics.pl?font=regular&hymnnumber=475

Important Letter from the PNEC Staff and Personnel Committee

Dear Friends of the PNEC,

As the Chairperson of the Conference’s Staff & Personnel Committee it is my responsibility and pleasure to keep you updated on significant staff events that may impact you and your interactions with the Conference. As you know, our staff and Conference Minister continually strive to provide you with the necessary resources and support for you to be successful in your ministry. Their uncompromised focus and dedication to the extended work of the PNEC is commendable.

Our current Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, will be taking a well-deserved rest and renewal sabbatical in the first quarter of 2023 (Jan, Feb, & Mar). In preparation for her absence, the Staff & Personnel Committee, with her guidance, has embarked on the task of developing a sabbatical coverage Job Description for critical tasks during this period as well as selecting, with the Conference Board’s approval, a suitable candidate to fill the role of Sabbatical Coverage Conference Minister. 

Click Here to continue reading...

PNEC Ministry Day 2022

for all authorized ministers and MID's

October 12, 2022 - 8:30AM to 3:00PM

(Deadline to Register: October 3)

Engaging Congregations: Hybrid Worship & Digital Ministry

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown (in-person)

and also being offered virtually

Click Here for flyer and registration

You can also register through tithe.ly at:  https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5960724 

Call to the 2022 Fall Meeting of PNEC

Saturday, November 5

In Person or Virtual

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Forks United Church of Christ, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown, PA

Topic

“Engaging with the Nones and Dones”

Nones: have no religious practice

Dones: no longer identify with a particular religious tradition

You are invited to come and learn the fascinating changes that are taking place

which will help engage emerging generations

Click Here for Registration Form with details

Send registration and payment by October 28, 2022, to:                                                          

Penn Northeast Conference, 431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, PA 18071

or

Register online: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5965617

 Sorry, registration fees are not refundable.

Fall Meeting = 1 ½ hours of Continuing Ed for PNEC Authorized Ministers

Christianity in America:  Sacred or Supremacist?

(Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Council of Churches) 

October 6, 2022 - 1:30-4:15PM

Colonial Park UCC, 5000 Devonshire Rd., Harrisburg

Keynote Speaker:  Dr. Robert P. Jones

We also plan to livestream the program via YouTube Live inclusive of remote sites for groups to participate throughout the state.

Click Here for Registration; 

For questions or further information, contact Rev. Sandra Strauss at s.strauss@pachurches.org.

Adult Mental Health First Aid Course 

Led by Rev. Dr. Emily B. Hall, BCCi

Friday, October 21 from 9AM to 3PM

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown

Click here to read more...

UCC WISE Conference on Mental Health

Penn Northeast Conference

W.I.S.E. Conference

October 22, 2022 -- 8AM to 3PM

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, Allentown, PA

REGISTER BY OCTOBER 7

All are welcome to attend...pastors, congregational members, students

Child Care is available at Jordan Church

$30 student rate; $50 regular rate

Click Here for Flyer and How to Register

OR click on this tithe.ly link:  https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5886209 

2022 PNEC YOUTH Sleep-Out for Homelessness

October 15-October16

Time: 7:00 pm-7:00 am

Where: St. Matthews UCC-Kunkletown

WHAT IS IT?? Youth in grades 7th -12th will sleep outside in a large box (or tent) during this overnight homeless simulation. Engaging activities will not only be fun but provide valuable lessons on homelessness that gently confront harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings about who might become homeless and why.  (PS: This is an excellent Confirmation activity!)

Youth Groups may decide to participate ON SITE at St. Matthews or gather at their home churches (activity guide provided/fundraising still encouraged). 

NOTE: Churches may not send youth to St. Matthews without an adult chaperone.

If, for any reason (weather/Covid??), the large group cannot gather, we may encourage all youth groups to meet at their home churches instead (activity guide provided).  On Site Participants: Eat dinner BEFORE arriving. Lite breakfast refreshments provided. This is an OUTDOOR event IN OCTOBER. Bring a large box to sleep in, as well as weather appropriate clothing/blankets. You will not have access to electricity. We are allowing tents but YOU are responsible to be able to fully set up your own tent ON YOUR OWN in the dark.  Beside the experiential component of this event, it is also a fundraiser for the amazing programs that the Lehigh County Conference of Churches provides for the community. Participants are asked to raise at least $25 to support these programs. The event ends early enough on Sunday morning that we hope youth groups get back to their home churches to "can" for (collect) additional donations and even share the experiences with people!

UPDATED REGISTRATION process:

Email pattyr@pnec.org with the following information:

Church name, Leader name, email & cell phone #, number of youth.

CLICK HERE for Covenant Form for this Event.

Donations collected the night of the event (at least $25 per youth)- Cash or check made out to Lehigh County Conference of Churches. Or churches can mail one check to PNEC with funds collected Sunday morning (10/16) and any donations collected ahead of the event.

Hope you can join us on October 15^th !!  ~ The Spiritual Development Ministry Team

Please direct any questions to janetnewett@gmail.com or Pastorkayli@unionucc.org

Anti-Racism Training

There is still time to sign up for the life-changing program, Sacred Ground. There will be Zoom sessions and in-person sessions. Please see registration information and the website for more information on the attached document.

PNEC SUNDAY

November 20, 2022

PROUD TO BE… UCC

Where? Your church!

Join area UCC congregations to celebrate with our Penn Northeast East family. Worship materials are provided for your congregation to use or adapt.

Click Here for Worship Materials

CROP Hunger Walk

***NEW DATE!!!*** Greater Allentown CROP Hunger Walk:  Sun., Oct. 2, 2022, 1:30 p.m.,

with registration beginning at 1:00 p.m. 

at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown

 Register, donate, or find more information about the life-saving work of Church World Service:

www.crophungerwalk.org/allentownpa  

Interfaith DEVOTIONAL GATHERING

October 1 - 1-2pm

Barrio Stage, Touchstone Theatre - 321 East 4^th St., Bethlehem -- OUTDOOR EVENT

Rain Location: Ice House

We unite around the mystery of life in gratitude, and in the pursuit of peace, beauty, and justice. This beautiful event features music, prayers, sacred movement, and the original artwork of William Christine.  

Preaching Classes Offered

All Welcome!

 Offered by Penn Southeast Conf.

The first class will meet on October 2nd from 12-2pm. We will cover the basics of exegesis, different ways to prepare sermons, and better public

speaking skills. We will choose 5 more two hour classes that will end in May. The class is free and will be held at Calvary UCC, 640 Centre Ave., Reading

 For more information contact Steve Ohnsman at ohnsman@comcast.net.

Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom

With Rev. Kris P. Snyder (from Union, Neffs)

Thursdays 12noon to 1pm

October 6, October 20, November 3, November 17, December 1

By zoom only – use the link below.

We will gather for an hour of practice using practices from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model, Plum Village Thich Nhat Hanh tradition, Centering Prayer, and a little Qigong and movement.

No experience necessary, lots of experience welcome too.

Sign up here if you are interested and available for some or all of these dates:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E4CA8A823A7FA7-pnec1

Or just show up using the zoom link.

Blessings, Kris pastorkris@unionucc.org

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81188127483?pwd=TzdmTFpIaXVtMjRQSHY1K1hOdkV2dz09

Meeting ID: 811 8812 7483

Passcode: 348630

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (Chicago)

+16468769923,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (New York)

You are also welcome to practice by zoom with the group from Union UCC on Tuesdays 7-8pm September 20, October 11, November 15.

We’re hosting an in person meditation retreat on Saturday, December 10^th from 9am-11am.

Contact Kris for the detailed information or follow the church’s Facebook page. 

Leading Worship for Lay Leaders

Saturday, December 3, 2022

9AM to Noon via zoom

FREE

Designed to help lay leaders prepare and lead worship!

The training will cover:

• Basic liturgy planning
• Using the lectionary
• Identifying hymns
• Utilizing worship resources to plan worship
• Framing questions for dialogue sermon

Click Here for Flyer & Registration Info.

Clinical Pastoral Education at Phoebe Ministries

(accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, We Work, Floor 4, 120 W Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030. www.acpe.edu)

 Now accepting applications for our…

Semi-Intensive Extended CPE Group –

January – May 2023 

·     4 hours of class time per week on Wednesday evenings

·     Class time by Zoom and in person

·     12 hours of weekly ministry on one of our 4 Continuing Care Retirement Community campuses with

      negotiable days/hours (Allentown, Berks, Richland, and Wyncote)

·     Working and learning with board certified chaplains

·     ACPE certified Educator Scott Brooks-Cope leading the group

·     Spring break built in.

·     Full scholarships available

·     Deadline to Apply – Nov. 1, 2022

 For information please email/call

Rev. Dr. Scott Brooks-Cope scope@phoebe.org or 610-794-5119.

Standard CPE Applications can be emailed to scope@phoebe.org

More information at our website: https://phoebe.org/education/clinical-pastoral-education/­­­­­

FROM THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY TEAM

Have you ever wanted to learn more about being a Faith Formation leader? Take a look at this online certification program available through our UCC friends up north in the Southern New England Conference! https://www.sneucc.org/certification

Registration is open NOW for the 2022-23 program year. One of the requirements of this program is to be part of a special Community of Practice that will focus on FAITH FORMATION and our personal spiritual development.

Whether you are interested in the Certification Program or not, this NEW Community of Practice is available for you! Our local pastors have many Community of Practice options. And now there is one for US TOO!!

Janet Newett is the Facilitator for the new Faith Formation CoP, hired through the SNEUCC for their Leadership Training Program, because three of the students are from the Penn Southeast Conference (in the Perkasie area). Penn Central is also advertising. Meetings will be over mostly Zoom, day and time based on participants availability. Cost will be determined by the number of participants (the more people, the less each will need to pay!). Contact Janet at janetnewett@gmail.com for more information or to sign up!

FAITH FORMERS ARE MAKING CONNECTIONS AGAIN-

 THE BREAKFASTS ARE BACK!   Save the date!

WHEN AND WHERE?? (both gatherings will happen- you choose the one best for your schedule and your geographical location!)

Thursday October 20 10am at the New City View Diner in Whitehall

OR Saturday October 22 10am at Bert's Steakhouse & Restaurant, Palmerton

WHY?  Are you the point person for the educational ministries at your church? Whether you are paid or volunteer, solo Pastor or Associate, youth leader or children's ministry program coordinator, come and connect. Build relationships, share resources and invest in one another. You are not alone!

Christmas Card Project

Dear Churches of the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ,            

  Greetings from Japan. My name is Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek and I am a mission co-worker (missionary) serving with the Common Global Ministries Board for the past 32 years. In 2011, the area where I lived was hit by a large earthquake and tsunami. Then we witnessed the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima. The Christmas Card Project was started in 2012 to connect our US churches with partner churches in the affected areas of Japan. This year will mark the 10^th year of our shared prayers for peace and justice in this world. I am writing to inquire whether your church would be interested in participating this year in this Project. Each year we have about 40 UCC and Disciples churches join in reaching out globally through prayer. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges to our congregations on both sides of the Pacific. Even as we might feel a bit overwhelmed by our own predicament, God calls us to reach out to care and connect in the name of Christ.

   If you decide to participate this year, I will be asking you to do two things during Advent. 1) To send a Christmas card to one or two churches in early December, and 2) to lift these churches up in prayer sometime during the Advent season. Once I have a firm count of the participating churches, I will send you the names and updated information pertaining to the churches to which you will be assigned. If you have participated in this project before, I will try to match you with the same churches that you have had before. Our Japanese partners have asked that we continue this project, and I am encouraged to see how the Holy Spirit is leading us in new patterns of partnership.

  This is an opportunity to reach out globally together through prayer. Please discuss this with your congregation and let me know by October 18th (TUE) whether you will be participating or not. I will then send you the contacts and necessary information pertaining to the partner churches by November 11th (FRI). This should give you time to prepare the Christmas cards to send off by the beginning of December. Also let me know who will be the contact person at your congregation, and the contact address If you need stories and information from Japan please go to my blog at (http://jeffreyfromjapan.blogspot.com/). The material is dated but it will give you a sense of the struggles the churches faced during the great disaster. The chair of the World Mission Committee of our partner churches has promised to write a letter in which he will bring you up to date on the situation in Fukushima, as well as the challenges the churches face in the area 11 years after the disaster.

   This Project aims to connect partner churches across the ocean by reaching out globally through prayer at Advent. It is a way to hold on to the ties that bind us in Christ, and to say “We remember you. We care. Your lives matter.” In the spirit of the mutuality of mission, I pray that this small gesture of solidarity will be a sign of hope for churches both in the US and Japan. When writing, please do not hesitate to mention your prayer concerns for what is happening in and around your congregation. In this way we share in the mutuality God’s mission.

                                 Yours in Christ, Jeffrey Mensendiek

                                                                              Tokyo, Japan

PS: In most cases the Japanese churches will respond with a letter, but in some cases, they may not be able to respond in kind. The Mission Committee chair indicated that that does not mean they do not appreciate our gesture of solidarity and connection.

COVID Guidance

(Borrowed from Pennsylvania Southeast Conference eNews)

Despite President Biden’s remarks in Sunday’s "60 Minutes" interview that, “the pandemic is over," Covid-19 is still designated by the federal government as a public health emergency and will continue to be so through at least October 13 when that declaration is up for possible renewal. Viruses in general have a consistent track record of increasing during fall and winter months and there is no compelling reason to believe this year will be any different. There is no immediate change in the public health guidance which includes:

·   Promoting the importance of being up to date with vaccination.

·   Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, COVID-19 positive people need to isolate.

·   If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.

·   Physical distance and masking are still important components to protect yourself and others.

·   Be attentive to Covid levels and prevention recommendations in your local area which, for Pennsylvania, you can find here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

Children and Youth Art Contest Focused on Climate Hope

The UCC is launching a national art contest for children and youth that will be part of a larger campaign that will generate hope in making a difference when confronting the climate crisis.  How to participate?: Draw or paint about climate hope, environmental justice, or protecting the Earth. Sunday school class and youth group participation encouraged. Winners will be selected in November!  

Register Here

The art contest winners will have their art displayed on the UCC's Climate Hope Postcards. UCC congregations will then collect thousands of postcards to pressure Congress and the White House to take sufficient action to combat the ongoing climate and environmental justice crises.

Click Here to Learn More

Harvest Full of Hope 2022

Save the date for Harvest Full of Hope 2022, set to take place on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 from 8:00 - 3:30pm!

Registration is now open for the 2022 conference! Use the below link to sign up today:

https://harvestfullofhope1.wufoo.com/forms/harvest-full-of-hope-2022-registration/

This year, we are excited to announce that we will be providing free lunches and T-shirts this year for those who sign up first! Maximum quantities can be found on the registration form.

We are still taking applications for the Aaik Van Munster Award! Nominations are due September 1st and the form can be found on the home page of our website (https://harvestfullofhope.org/).

Diversity Training Offered

Diversity - what is it, how does it increase the vitality of our communities and congregations and our commitment to Christ?

The PSEC presents a Diversity Awareness Training for pastors on 

Thursday, October 13th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, via Zoom.

Good for 3 Diversity Training contact hours.

Presenters: Rev. William P. Worley, Rev. Kevin McLemore and Rev. Cean James.

$20.00 for UCC members and $25.00 for non-UCC members.

Click here to register.

DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2022 Theme is: " A Lasting Legacy.  The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family." Ready PA has put together a bingo card for use throughout Preparedness Month. Be creative! Report what you have done on Facebook and Twitter, include: #PreparedInPA. Children are the future and an important part of building a national culture of preparedness. Teach your kids how to Be Ready this hurricane season! Find fun activities and safety tips at ready.gov/kids 

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Welcome Backpacks and Period Packs join CWS service kit lineup; matching grants available:

UCC congregations have long assembled school kits and cleanup buckets to help others through Church World Service.  A young volunteer helps pack one of 22 CWS Cleanup Buckets at Medina UCC, Medina, Ohio. Photo by Becky Bauer. They now have two new opportunities. Church World Service Kits now include a Period (Menstrual Hygiene) Pack and a Welcome Backpack.  These join CWS’s well-established Hygiene and School Kits and Emergency Cleanup Buckets. And UCC churches assembling and donating any of the CWS Kits can apply for UCC Match Grants of up to $250 to help stretch their contribution. 

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