Clergy News - September 2022 | |
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Greetings Clergy of Penn Central Conference!
As we come to the end of summer, the Fall months are filling up with lots of programming from PCC and our friends.You may be saying "didn't I get this last week?" and you would be correct! Due to the staff having Covid, we missed a few things!
One important update - DEADLINE TO REGISTER: EXTENDED to September 6 for CHURCH VITALITY WORKSHOP SEPTEMBER 24. To register and/or for questions, contact Marisa Laviola TODAY! mlaviola@pccucc.org
We also wanted to take a moment to remind you that "Coffee With Conference Staff" will return September 8th, 2022 at 10:00AM. (Due to much of the staff recovering from Covid, we pushed it back a week from the normal first Thursday.) Join the Zoom here. We will discuss changes in search and call, among other topics!
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The Mercersburg Study Group (a monthly gathering focused on Mercersburg theology) extends an invitation to all clergy and interested persons in Penn Central Conference to participate in a special study of church renewal beginning Thursday, September 8th, and extending monthly on the second Thursday of the month through December.
Among the topics to be discussed are: the context of ministry today, the essence of the gospel including an appraisal of justification by faith, the center of Protestantism in contrast to liberal and conservative faith, and worship as reclaiming Christ through proclamation, presence, and joy. Dr. Peter Schmiechen will be the group facilitator. Dr. Schmiechen’s forth coming book titled, Tradition in Crisis: The Case for Centric Protestants, will be a resource for the study. The study group meets at Trinity UCC in East Petersburg from 10:00 to noon on the second Thursday of each month. The environment is casual; coffee and donuts are available.
Indication of attendance through the provided link is appreciated but not required. Further information is available by emailing Tom Lush, pastor of St. Paul’s UCC in New Oxford: tomlush36@gmail.com
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Open House and Celebration for Marisa
It’s time for cake and celebration! As many of you already know, our ACM Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola has been called to the Maine Conference as their new Conference Minister. She will be leaving us in early October. We invite you to celebrate her time with us by coming to a drop-in open house on Saturday, September 10, 2022 from 10:00AM to 1:00PM at Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg.
Refreshments will be provided by the Conference, and a special presentation will take place at noon. There will be a basket for cards and notes, so please write out your thoughts to Marisa so she will have a lasting reminder of your appreciation for her ministry among us! Come on by any time to say your congratulations and goodbyes in person and if you’re there at noon, you’ll get cake too!
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Insurance Board is proud to present, “Creating a Culture of Safety in Your Ministry,” which is the theme of our upcoming Regional Workshops Series. With the various risks ministries face on a daily basis, such as: Active Intruder situations, Preventable Youth/Senior Abuse, Business Operations concerns, Financial Mismanagement and Cybersecurity threats, having a plan in place to mitigate these risks is critical. Join us and your local agent to learn more about how your ministry can build a culture of safety and take precautions to protect your congregation. Insurance Board is committed to the ministries we serve through offering in-person educational workshops to help churches mitigate risks. There are also various Loss Control resources available that can help; for more information visit our website at Safety Central.
September 15th, 2022 from 1:00-5:00 PM
at The City Club
850 Euclid Ave, 2nd Floor in Cleveland
Online Streaming Available Upon Request
Register here
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The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World
September 19, 2022 – September 21, 2022
Join us to reflect on what we've moved through as church experiencing pandemic, to recognize the innovative ways we have survived and in some ways thrived: What did we learn when faced with the need to pivot quickly and still be effectively present as church? Where do we need to stretch ourselves? What and how do we need to build capacity to resource how we're evolving as church? What might we each offer to help us become? These and other questions will be contemplated as we lean in to lessons learned about adapting with agility, and unpack potential possibility.
Learn more and register here.
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Church Vitality Workshop
Sponsored by the Congregational Empowerment Team of the Penn Central Conference
The “nuts and bolts” of how to be Alive and Thrive as God’s 21st Century Church!
Saturday, September 24 - 9am to 3pm
In person Colonial Park United Church of Christ, Harrisburg or online through ZOOM
Presenter: The Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
Learn more here
COST? $300 for workshop and coaching sessions.
Scholarships are available
INCLUDES: Three Coaching sessions to follow with experienced coach
For Questions and to Register no later than SEPTEMBER 6,
Contact: Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola (mlaviola@pccucc.org)
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From the National Setting…UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event: The UCC Clergywomen’s Leadership Event has been postponed at least twice during the pandemic, and we are excited to be offering the event this September 27-29 in Decatur, GA. “For Such a Time: To Confront, Connect, and Create at the Intersection of Race and Gender” is open to authorized clergywomen* in the United Church of Christ. Registration is now open for the in-person and online gathering. (* This invitation is expansive to include all cis and trans women as well as non-binary people comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women.)
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From United Church Homes:
Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging 2022 Annual Symposium
(PRO)LONGEVITY: The Convergence of Ethics, Tech and Spirituality
Friday, September 30, 2022
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (EDT)
Columbus, Ohio
FEATURED SPEAKER: Dr. Tracy Trothen
Professor of Ethics, Queen's University School of Religion and
School of Rehabilitation Therapies, Kingston, ON
HYBRID EVENT: In-person or virtual participation available. Learn more and register here.
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Pennsylvania Society of Chaplains Fall Conference
Everyday Boundaries and Pastoral Excellence
Speaker: David C. Olsen
Sun, Oct 9, 2022 - Wed, Oct 12, 2022
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS October 1, 2022 - register here.
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Carlisle Indian Industrial School Field Trip
Monday, October 10, 2022 (Indigenous People's Day)
Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday in the United States that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates this part of our American history. Join members of the Penn Central Conference in visiting the school, watching the movie HOME FROM SCHOOL: THE CHILDREN OF CARLISLE and learning about the legacy of the United States' efforts to assimilate Native Americans into White European culture.
Lunch to be provided by the Penn Central Conference.
LOCATION:
TIME: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Learn more and register here
Registration deadline: September 27, 2022
Limited space available
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
Upcoming Classes:
Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.
Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
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Intentional Interim Ministry Training
November 14-18
The Intentional Interim Ministry Training course consists of a 5-day virtual classroom experience followed by individual fieldwork. The fieldwork entails completing a project related to one of the focus points covered in class, and participating in a series of teleconferences.This 5-day course focuses on the work of the leader and the work of the congregation. It is designed for those individuals who have already discerned God’s call to interim ministry. Interim Ministry Training focuses on the work of the interim minister as s/he leads a congregation through the time of transition, as well as on the work of the congregation during this journey.
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Rev. Heather Kurtz - Installation, Zion UCC, Arendtsville - September 25
Rev. Ken Peterkin - Installation, Emmanuel UCC, Hanover - October 23
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MEFs and Boundary Training | |
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Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom)
September 20 - "Contemplatives in Action" with Janeen Adil
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom only - register here
Contemplatives in action may sound like a contradiction in terms. In fact, though, it's precisely the way of life and love that Jesus modeled for us. On Sept. 21st we’ll explore what it means to live as a contemplative in action, as together we open ourselves to transformative spiritual growth.
Our facilitator will be Janeen R. Adil, a spiritual director, writer, and teacher; within the United Church of Christ, she is Commissioned Minister of Christian Spirituality. Through her freelance business Hungry Soul Ministries, she offers workshops, retreats, and direction. She lives in eastern PA, in a farmhouse built by English/Welsh Quakers over 200 years ago.
October 18 - "Humility as Spiritual Practice" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom only - register here
November 15 - "Just War, Just Peace - A 21st Century Discussion" with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PN Zoom only - register here
January 17 - "Grief and Loss" with Rev. Dr. Joel Hummel
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Boundary Training
September 29 - "Bi-Vocational Boundaries and Ethics" with Darryl Stephens
6PM via Zoom - Register here
Can ministry really be part-time? What is reasonable to expect of your bivocational pastor? How can pastors and congregations successfully navigate shared or bivocational ministry? This advanced boundaries training workshop is designed for clergy, MIDs, and consistory members as they consider issues distinct to bivocational or multivocational ministry. Topics include: time management, scheduling, and self-care; clarification of roles and responsibilities; and preparing the congregation for bivocational ministry.
The Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens is director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry and director of United Methodist Studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary. He holds a PhD from Emory University in Christian ethics, is ordained in The United Methodist Church, and holds dual standing in the Lancaster Association of the United Church of Christ. His writings on the church and ministry, including Bivocational and Beyond: Educating for Thriving Multivocational Ministry, are available at http://www.ethicsconsidered.com/.
Resources for participants: Bivocational and Beyond; an interview by Matt Huffman, In Trust magazine, Spring 2022; and an article in LNP and LancasterOnline, June 25, 2022.
October 17 - Retired Clergy Boundary Training with Revs. Tara Barber, Stephen Boyd, and Rev. Melanie Oommen
Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. Using "A Sure Foundation," "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperley's new book, "The Jubilee Years,” Rev. Stephen Boyd, Rev. Tara Barber, and Rev. Melanie Oommen will offer a focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry. 6:00 – 9:00pm ET,
November 9 - "The Ministerial Code: A Way of Being" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom - register here
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Penn Central Conference
717-652-1560
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