Bonnie's Letter

Dear Friends,

Don’t ask me why, because I really don’t have an answer, but the words of a Michael Jackson song from 1985 came to mind today. The song is “We Are the World” and the first lyrics and refrain are these:

“There comes a time when we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one.

There are people dying

Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life, the greatest gift of all

We can't go on pretending day-by-day

That someone, somewhere soon make a change.

We're all a part of God's great big family

And the truth, you know, love is all we need

We are the world. We are the children.

We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving

There's a choice we're making. We're saving our own lives.

It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me”[1]

The song was originally produced for African Relief efforts, but the words pertain to us all in this time of pandemic, economic challenges, and political strife and divides. We are one world, and as people of faith, one family under God – created and birthed by a loving deity who claims us as God’s own.

What would it take for us to start acting as one? What are the steps we need to take to reach out to one another as if, or because we are, one family? What can I do today to change the world for one person, and then for another and then for another? We can make a difference. It is hard sometimes to see the difference we can each make. The issues and problems of the world can seem so big. Yet, the problems of the world are not too big for God and therefore, they are not too big for us.

If we seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as they are named in Galatians 5:22-23, then we can use those gifts, (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control), to make the world a better place for each of us, for all of us. We can make a brighter, a better day, for you and for me and for all those we encounter. May it be so.   Blessings, Bonnie

[1] https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/michaeljackson/weretheworldusaforafrica.html

Committee on Ministry Announces TWO Ecclesiastical Councils

(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.)

(1)  The Committee on Ministry of the Penn Northeast Conference Invites you to participate in the Ecclesiastical Council for Suzanne Schaeffer on October 29 at 9:15am at Faith United Church of Christ, 21 Faith Drive, Hazelton, PA. You may also participate via Zoom. To register to attend, please email Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference Office (pattyr@pnec.org). Once you are registered a copy of Suzanne Schaeffer’s Ordination Paper will be emailed to you. Suzanne is a member in discernment serving with Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Nuremberg. 

(2)  The Committee on Ministry of the Penn Northeast Conference Invites you to participate in the Ecclesiastical Council for Robert Rapp, Jr. on October 29 at 10:15am at Faith United Church of Christ, 21 Faith Drive, Hazelton, PA. You may also participate via Zoom.  To register to attend, please email Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference Office (pattyr@pnec.org). Once you are registered a copy of Robert Rapp's Ordination Paper will be emailed to you.  Robert is a member in discernment serving with Christ United Church of Christ, Bethlehem.

Hurricane Aid

UCC launches emergency appeal for 2022 hurricanes – Ian, Fiona and those still to come.

Read more, donate now

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your support of disaster relief. Your generosity has aided hundreds of families in need of help to rebuild their homes and lives. We request your renewed support for the Hurricanes 2022 Fund for those in crisis in the aftermath of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, and other significant storms that may arise in the warm Atlantic waters. Your gift to the Hurricanes 2022 Fund will help with immediate needs while basic infrastructure is repaired, and more complete assessments can be made.

We don’t know what may come next with two months remaining in hurricane season. We know that as a people of faith, we can show up through our prayers and giving for our most vulnerable neighbors and journey with them on the long road to recovery. With your support, we can offer healing and resources through solidarity grants that support relief.

Your gift enables the church to be present with people amidst catastrophic and life-changing situations, offering immediate relief and providing long-term recovery support. Working through a network of global and local partners, the church lives out its call to care for our neighbors as we strive together toward a just world for all. If you prefer, you may send a check payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Hurricanes Fund 2022” in the memo section.

Kent Siladi, Director of Philanthropy, UCC

Good Works: Stories and Guidelines from the Life of George H. Yoder

Two years ago we livestreamed the funeral service for my father George H. Yoder during the throes of the pandemic, this year I’ve edited and published my father’s book, Stories of My Youth: A Rural American Memoir.

I’m coming to Pennsylvania to present a talk about his memoir, his early life, and the values that inspired him to become a pastor, social justice advocate, and community organizer. My talk, “Good Works: Stories and Guidelines from the Life of George H. Yoder,” takes place at Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 Walnut Street, Allentown, on Saturday, November 5, at 11 a.m. Museum events are $8 for adults.

Warm regards, Barbara Ann Yoder

DID YOU REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR...

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

Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)

Full scholarships available! A generous donor has provided money to pay for two new PAM students to enroll in Lovett Weems's class, Church Finances, which begins Oct 11. I would like your help to spread the word about this opportunity. 

This class is ideal for both lay and clergy leaders. Please share the announcement (below) in your newsletters and with all who may be interested. Persons interested in applying for this scholarship should contact me at dstephens@lancasterseminary.edu. 

Beginning January 2023:

Jews and the American Civil Rights Movement, January 11–February 15, 2023. Wednesdays, 7–8:30pm via Zoom. Instructor, Rabbi Jack Paskoff. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.

Church History To the Reformation, Jan 10–Feb 14, 2023. Weeknights via Zoom. Instructor, the Rev. Matt Deal. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.

Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/ 

"Does the Hebrew Bible have a Unique Philosophy?"

Dru Johnson, Ph.D., director of Center for Hebraic Thought and associate professor of biblical and theological studies at The King’s College in New York City, will present “Does the Hebrew Bible have a Unique Philosophy?” at The University of Scranton’s Judaic Studies Institute Lecture on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. The lecture is free of charge and open to the public.

Dr. Johnson teaches Biblical literature, theology and biblical interpretation at The King’s College. He is an editor for the Routledge Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biblical Criticism series, an associate director for the Jewish Philosophical Theology Project at The Herzl Institute in Israel and a co-host for the OnScript Podcast.

Dr. Johnson has held research fellowships at the University of Saint Andrews, Scotland, the Shalem Institute for Advanced Studies, Jerusalem, and the Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He currently serves on the steering committee of the Scripture and Church Seminar in the Institute for Biblical Research and was formerly the chair and co-founder of the Hebrew Bible and Philosophy Program in the Society for Biblical Literature. He has taught in Western Kenya, Brazil and the United Kingdom.

Dr. Johnson is ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Missouri – St. Louis, a Master’s in Divinity degree from the Covenant Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in theology from the University of St. Andrews – Scotland.

The Weinberg Judaic Studies Institute was created in 1979 through an endowment funded by the local Jewish community. The Institute fosters a better understanding and appreciation of Judaism, Israel and their histories. It supports visits to the University by Jewish scholars and writers and supports library acquisitions, publications, faculty research, travel and other scholarly endeavors. The work of the Institute was further enhanced by a $1 million gift from Harry Weinberg in 1990.

For further information, contact Marc Shapiro, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies and the Weinberg Chair of Judaic Studies at The University of Scranton, at 570-941-7956 or marc.shapiro@scranton.edu.

Music to Feed Your Soul

October 30, 2022 - 3PM

Covenant Presbyterian Church, Scranton

Presented by Covenant Public Concerts:  offering free concerts for the community

free to the public with an offering taken to support the series.

Flutist and organist Christopher Johnson will be joined by pianist Beth Robin, sharing music of the Americas by composers including Paul Halley, Jose Jesus Estrada, Charles Griffes, John Knowles Paine, and Florence Price.

HOPE FOR RECOVERY

A special program to assist clergy in their ministry with persons seeking recovery from addiction—especially drug and alcohol addiction—will be held on

NOVEMBER 10, 2022 (THURSDAY)

CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH

467 Main St., Conyngham, Pa. 18219

The day’s schedule:

 9:30 Doors open.

10:00 Welcome and prayer by the Rev. Deborah Staniszewski.

10:10 Personal stories of persons in recovery.

11:15 Contemporary treatment methods by Jessy Miller, Director &

        Vice President at The Robinson Counseling Center at Children’s

        Service Center, Wilkes-Barre.

12:15 Lunch*

 1:00 Resources for persons with addictions by Ryan Hogan, Drug

 and Alcohol Administrator, Luzerne County.

 2:00 Spiritual care of persons in recovery by the Rev. Thomas

         Scornavacchi, Common Ground Ministry, Wyomissing.

 3:00 Conclusion.

To register, by November 1, 2022, please contact the Rev. Carl Shankweiler, PO Box 744, Valley View, Pa. 17983; 570-682-9834; Carl1123@epix.net.  This event is open to clergy of all denominations. It is sponsored by the Hazleton-Lehighton Mission District of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, the Rev. Deborah Staniszewski, Dean.

*Lunch will be provided in memory of the Rev. Dr. John M. Brndjar, former President of Lutheran Welfare Service, Hazleton, which once offered an educational program called Genesis in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania.

Climate Ambassador Training

How do we link our faith to the climate crisis? How do we effectively talk about climate change with others? What opportunities do we have to make a difference in our local churches and communities? These questions and more will be addressed in the Blessed Tomorrow Ambassadors Training Program that is being offered by the United Church of Christ and ecoAmerica. This free, virtual, interactive training will take place on Saturday, November 5th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm ET. Featured presenters include the Rev. Carol Devine, the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, the Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin, the Rev. Michael Malcom, and Andrew Wells-Bean. Training participants will receive a free copy of Berndt’s book, Cathedral on Fire: A Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis. Learn more and register here!

Other Upcoming Events:

Children and Youth Climate Hope Art Contest

Centering Africa as the UN Climate Conference Convenes in Egypt

Safety Solutions for your Ministry Workshop

Active Shooter Awareness and Response

October 26 at Jordan UCC, Allentown

The UCC Insurance Board is hosting a Loss Control Workshop for ALL PNEC Congregations on October 26 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Jordan UCC in Allentown. In addition to the Active Shooter Awareness and Response Workshop, the following topics will also be discussed: Abuse Prevention Considerations, Church Operations and Trending HR Concerns, Financial Controls Best Practices and Cyber Awareness. A member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be in attendance as a presenter of the Active Shooter segment of the program.

 Click here for an agenda and to register, click on the “To Register Click Here” section of the announcement.  Light snacks and refreshments will be served at 5:00 pm.  Questions regarding this workshop, please contact the Conference Office 610.826.3113

375th Anniversary of the Westminster Confession

Join us on October 20th at 3 pm EDT/8 pm BST for a virtual program marking the 375th anniversary of the Westminster Confession.  The Westminster Confession of Faith has had a remarkable influence within Protestantism over the 375 years since its adoption. In commemoration of this important anniversary, the Congregational Library & Archives, Boston, and Dr Williams’s Library, London, are bringing leading scholars and theologians together to talk about the significance of theConfession: past, present, and future.  

The event is free to all, but registration is required via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oFgBKeXgRUuo16Y0X0bgEg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information, please email info@14beacon.org

Clinical Pastoral Education at Phoebe Ministries

 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 be emailed to scope@phoebe.org

Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom

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

Thursdays 12noon to 1pm

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  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.

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week  

Join us November 12 - 20 for a week of educational, hands-on, and advocacy events drawing attention to the problems of hunger and homelessness in the Lehigh Valley.

Visit Our Website

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson

You are invited to a book study on the book Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. Pulitzer Prize Winner.

In Caste, Wilkerson tells a story that needs to be told, concerning America’s founders' plan for its social, economic and political structure for future generations, with race as the determining factor. Wilkerson’s background as a print journalist serves her readers wonderfully with a tremendous amount of research, laid out with great care and an artful narrative style. She explores the history and nature of caste systems and how they are sometimes barely recognizable, yet insidiously efficient in maintaining wealth and power for those at the highest level of stratification.

Participants will be asked to read numerous chapters on a weekly basis and come prepared to have open and sometimes challenging conversations regarding America’s history. Both David Bushnell and La-Verna Fountain have many years of experience working with diverse groups of people and facilitating difficult conversations. Caste takes a hard look at America’s dark history and offers ways to build a better future for all.

To Register please click the following link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/439879731117

PSEC/PNEC Clergy Women's Retreat

January 24-January 26 

(arrive around 4pm 1/24/23 and departure around Noon 1/26/23 - more details TBD)

Mariawald Retreat Center in Reading, PA

More Info Coming Soon!!  Mark Your Calendars.

Contact Person:  Rev. Kim Berenotto - pastorkim@longswampucc.org

Back Bay Mission 100 Year Capital Campaign Kickoff Video

Click On The Title Above for the Kick-Off Video on YouTube.  For volunteer opportunities, please go to Back Bay Mission and click on Volunteer and go to Mission Trips and check out the calendar for 2023. The calendar for 2024 will be available Jan. 1 at 1:00am. Dates go quickly. You can also email: volunteercoordinator@thebackbaymission.org.

DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC

Response to Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico (Sept. 18) -  On Sunday, Sept. 18, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, causing power outages for millions of homes and businesses and life-threatening flooding across the island. For information on the impact to the UCC, the UCC's response efforts, and how you can help, click here to read a disaster update.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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