Bonnie's Letter

“He (Jesus) said to him, " "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Matthew 22:37-39)

Dear Friends,

I returned to the office today after spending time with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference Ministers and Associate Conference Ministers. The region includes all of Pennsylvania, New York, and the Central Atlantic Conference, which includes Maryland, Washington DC, New Jersey, Delaware, and parts of both Virginia and West Virginia. It’s a vast geography and yet when we came together, we noticed that we had much more in common than might divide us.

We all, in our congregations and conferences, are still recovering or regrouping after the bulk of the COVID pandemic. We all, in our congregations and conferences, feel the strain of hybrid worship and meetings and miss the community-building that happens in person. We all, in our congregations and conferences, wish there were more volunteers, more pastors, and more community support for the work we are doing. Even with our broad geography and our cultural differences, we yearn for more equity, more inclusion, and more diversity in our conference leadership, in our congregational leadership and in our work.

Funny isn’t it, how very much alike we are? We often look at the differences between us and yet at our very core we all want many of the same things: hope, love, joy, spiritual nurturing, communication, and community. Jesus reminded us that we are called to love one another, without limits. It’s hard to do that sometimes, but I am grateful when I can follow Jesus well, and contrite when I am not. This week, I had a chance to work, play, eat and drink with others who love the Church. This week I was reminded that the work we do need not isolate us from one another – even across our differences of theology, belief, and opinion. There are those who love us just as we are, even as we strive to be better people and followers of Jesus.

This week seek understanding across differences. This week look into the eyes of the people around you and see their belovedness. They, too, are children of God. They too struggle and thrive. They, too, seek love from God and from their neighbors.

Blessings, Bonnie

National UCC Climate Hope Cards Campaign!

On April 29th, the UCC will be launching an effort to collect as many petition postcards as possible to seek government action for cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Such action could both save lives and put our nation on track to meet climate goals. Sign-up to get updates on the Climate Hope Sign-up to get updates on the Climate Hope Cards campaign and this launch event..

[Hyperlink: https://actionnetwork.org/forms/registration-climate-hope-cards-postcard-collection ]

Last Chance to Register...Tithely Registration Closes on Friday 4.20.2023

Call to the 2023 Spring Meeting of PNEC

 Saturday, April 29, 2023

In Person or Virtual

St. Thomas United Church of Christ, 902 East Macada Road, Bethlehem, PA

Theme... Health, Renewal, Restoration

 Scripture

          “…be transformed from the inside out by renewing

             your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern

                what God wills and whatever God finds good,

                    pleasing, and complete.”  Romans 12:1-2

 Keynoter:      Rev. Cindy Garis August; Senior Pastor at Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg

Click Here for Registration Form OR

register online with Tithe.ly at: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/6786464

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. is a 501c3 program that grew from a program of the Southeast Conference UCC. It remains affiliated with the Southeast Conference. The program offers a full menu of courses for those seeking authorized ministry, for those wanting continuing education, and for those looking for a progressive theology, ethics, or practical church course. The courses are asynchronous, geographically unbound, affordable, and aligned with the UCC Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers. Please be in touch with any questions. You may apply online at pathwaystheological.org.

Supervised Ministry Program

PATHWAYS offers a six-course series in Supervised Ministry. The participant finds a ministry site and supervisor. The supervisor oversees the participant’s internship as the participant takes the facilitated asynchronous online courses. There is a four-week introduction to supervised ministry followed by six 9-week courses. The titles and schedule of courses are listed below:

Supervised Ministry 2023-2024 Schedule

Intro to Supervised Ministry (June 3- June30, 2023)

Supervised Ministry I Entering a Place of Ministry (July 10 - Sept 17, 2023)

Supervised Ministry II The Transformative Context of Pastoral Care (Oct 2 – Dec 17, 2023)

Supervised Ministry III The Practice of Worship Leadership (Jan 8 - Mar 10, 2024)

Supervised Ministry IV Faith Formation in the Parish (April 8- June 9, 2024)

Supervised Ministry V Leadership in the Midst of Change (July 8 - Sept 15, 2024)

Supervised Ministry VI Leaving a Place of Ministry (Oct 1 - Dec 17, 2024)

Six-Week Course Schedule through the Early Fall 2023

Summer I: Courses Begin May 17, 2023

• TH10608 Ethics and a Life of Meaning (6-weeks) (May 17-Jun 27)
• BF20604 New Testament Hermeneutics (6-weeks) (May 17-Jun 27)
• MP20611 Preaching for Special Occasions (6-weeks) (May 17-Jun 27)
• HT21206 UCC History & Polity (12-weeks) (May 17 – Aug 8)
• TH30608 Theology of Gender and Sexuality (6-weeks) (May 17-Jun27)
• MP10607 Faith Formation (Children, Youth, Adults) (6-weeks) (May 17-Jun27 )
• MP20601 Introduction to Spiritual Health (Pastoral Care) (6-weeks) (May 17-Jun27)

Summer II: Courses Begin July 5, 2023 

• HT10608 Pluralism and Religion in North America (6-weeks) (July 5-Aug 15)
• TH10610 Living the Heart of Progressive Christian Theology (6-weeks) (July 5- Aug 15)
• BF20602 Old Testament Hermeneutics (6-weeks) ( July 5- Aug 15)
• MP30601 Congregational Ministry and the Future Church (6-weeks) (July 5- Aug 15)
• MP30604 Contemporary Homiletics (6-weeks) (July 5- Aug15)

Fall I: Courses Begin August 21, 2023

• TH10603 Variety of Belief within Christianity Today (6-weeks) (Aug 21-Sept30)
• MP10605 Spiritual Care of Self and Others (6-weeks) (Aug 21 – Sept 30)
• MP20603 Small Church Administration (6-weeks) (Aug 21 – Sept 30)
• TH30607 Contextual Theology (6-weeks) (Aug21 – Sept 30)
• HT21206 UCC History & Polity (12-weeks) (Sept 6 – Dec 5)

ACPE-certified Community-Centered Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)

PATHWAYS will offer a 24-week ACPE-certified CPE course in the Fall 2023. Applications are due by mid-August for a November 2023 course. The course originates with the Sankofa CPE Center but you apply through PATHWAYS. From the website: “Learners can choose diverse learning settings including social justice/activism venues to meet their clinical hours. Digital ministry can also be a focus including tele-chaplaincy and online worship. This 24 week program.

Hope This Earth Day: More Than Wishful Thinking

What's Possible...Earth Day Stories of Hope

April 22 - 11AM ET

In the faces of environmental crises that can make one feel helpless, there is a particular power in stories that show another way is possible. For this reason, the theme for the first ever UCC Earth Day Summit is “What’s Possible? Earth Day Stories of Hope.” During this two-and-a-half-hour event on Saturday, April 22nd at 11 am ET, stories will be shared in a variety of formats. As a longtime, trailblazing climate leader, the Rev. Jim Antal will deliver a keynote address. A panel of grassroots organizers will share their success stories. The Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award will showcase the stories of those who have embodied prophetic ministry at its best. A new video will present the uplifting story of Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis. Finally, we will celebrate the Climate Justice Fellows, Creation Justice Churches, and green teams across the country that have been making a difference this past year. 

Register now to be part of this experience!

This event is cohosted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ, the United Church of Christ's Council for Climate Justice, Mayflower United Church of Christ, and the Minnesota Conference of the United Church of Christ. Mayflower United Church of Christ invites attendees of the Summit to also join them later in the day for a Readers' Theatre presentation entitled “Stories of Hope from the Front Lines!” From 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm CDT, one can watch via this YouTube livestream link.

Pennsylvania Council of Churches

Community Summit on Policing

May 10, 2023 - 5:30PM

Harrisburg High School, 2451 Market St., Harrisburg, PA

Keynote Speaker - Paul Butler, Criminal Justice Professor at Georgetown School of Law and frequent legal contributor to MSNBC; Author of Chokehold

In addition to Professor Butler, they are also inviting Governor Josh Shapiro to join for opening remarks.

Click Here for detailed fliers

2023 Lancaster Climate Summit

The 2023 Lancaster Climate Summit is taking place on Earth Day, April 22, 2023 and is for anyone that can attend-near or far. Please see the attached flyer and share with your contacts and share with those you know would be interested in attending.

It is free and there is no registration. The programs and workshops are excellent and will cover a wide variety of issue impacting climate.

Please attend if you can and bring others to the table on this important issues. Thank you.

Sincerely,

B. David Smith, Crossroads and Connections: Building Relationships and Community

717-371-1516

Ecumenical Advocacy Day

Join UCC staff and advocates at Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2023, a virtual conference to worship, educate, and advocate for the innovative and courageous policies needed to realize the prophet Micah’s vision: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

The conference this year will again be virtual, and will start with worship at 10am ET on Tuesday, April 25. All worship, plenaries, and workshops will be recorded for later viewing.

Registration is $50 and scholarships are available. Register today!!

UCC Webinar on Police Violence and Environmental Justice

In Atlanta, faith leaders have been involved in a struggle to confront violence in multiple forms as they seek to prevent the destruction of the Weelaunee Forest for the building of a police training facility in a predominantly Black community. Through their actions for a just world, these faith leaders have additionally sought to honor Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán who was killed by the Georgia State Police while protecting the forest. This webinar will feature faith leaders from Atlanta as they share with us about this cause of justice. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

[Hyperlink: https://UCC.zoom.us/webinar/register/5916814999887/WN_929exdZBR4qLupdGdeMt-g ]

Sponsorships available for the 25th Anniversary CPE Event at Phoebe

Dear Friends of Phoebe,

The Clinical Pastoral Education program at Phoebe Ministries is designed to offer clergy, seminary students, and qualified community members of all faiths the opportunity to practice ministry to senior adults in a variety of settings under supervision. This program has been accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education since 1998. To date we have trained over 200 students who now serve in various pastoral roles and ministries.

On June 15, Phoebe will celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of our CPE program with current students, alumni, staff, generous donors and members of the community. Click Here for Flyer. The Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart, currently Director of Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs for the city of Philadelphia will be speaking at the event. She is a graduate of Lancaster Seminary and an ordained UCC minister. The event will take place at the Lehigh Country Club, at 2319 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103. 

If your church, business or organization would like to be a sponsor for the event, I’m attaching a form which explains the various levels that you can sponsor at. Our UCC Churches, Associations and Conferences and Phoebe have been partners in preparing people for ministry for many years. Your support of this significant milestone in our history will help the CPE endowment fund as well as make this event possible. Our CPE endowment at Phoebe now ensures that any student wanting to do CPE with us, can do so regardless of their ability to pay. 

Here is the link to the sponsorship page on our website: https://phoebe.org/cpe-25-years-sponsorship-form/ If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to be in contact with me. Peace, Scott

Scott Brooks-Cope, D. Min.

Regional Director, Pastoral Care and Education

Phoebe Ministries, 1925 Turner Street | Allentown, PA 18104

Disaster Ministries

March ReadyPA Monthly available online now

This month's PA Emergency Management Agency's ReadyPA Monthly includes info on flooding and flood plans. Click here for the newsletter. Please share this information with your congregations to help keep everyone safe and prepared.