Letter from our Sabbatical Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

Our fireplace mantel is telling of the seasons. Currently, it sports two adorable gnomes, who are all decked out in red.  Tall pillars of wax fill the other side and seem to bring balance to the wooden center sign that reads: “Love Is More Than Just Words.”

Words are important. Whenever I ask an engaged couple what words, scriptures, we should use at their wedding, I almost always hear, “that love one, you know, the love is kind and not arrogant scripture.”  

I do know and I consider that ’love one’ answer to be an invitation to share an impromptu Bible Study.  1 Corinthians 13 was not written to be part of a wedding. It was written for the community of believers. The writer was not speaking simply to a couple who are getting married. The passage does work well for a wedding, but the writer was giving advice for how a community of believers should be treating each other.

It would be so awesome if before every Senate or House of Representatives meeting, the Republicans and Democrats would agree to be a community that follows the ways of love expressed in 1 Corinthians 13. What would our world be like if we lived out our lives in pursuit of following love?  What would our actions look like?

Valentine’s Day is happening this upcoming week. I enjoy thinking up ways of how to express love in a broader sense. Maybe instead of spending a small fortune on cards for our loved ones we make up some cards and share the financial savings with OCWM, earthquake relief, our local churches? Those few extra dollars combined with the extra dollars of others can make a huge difference. Maybe we help at the food bank or Daybreak or the shelter? There are lots of possibilities to show and share love.

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone! May you feel of the love of Christ where ever you go! 

Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith

Year-End Reporting

Year-end reporting forms were sent to churches last week. The deadline is March 1 to enter your data on the UCC Data Hub or mail/email forms to PNEC. Call or email BarbaraJ@pnec.org with questions.

Earthquake on the Boarder of Turkey and Syria

Dear Friends:

The news continues to unfold about the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria. The death toll continues to rise – numbers are pointing to over 5,000 – depending on the source. This is shattering news and adds to the challenges of the war in this area for over a decade.

The UCC has posted a prayer and short statement in response to this crisis. While the earthquake was on the border, the tremors were felt as far away as Lebanon and Cyprus. At this time, we are issuing an appeal to help recovery efforts in Turkey and Syria. It is hard to tell what other areas are affected or the extent of the damage from this seismic event.

Amid this current uncertainty, you can be certain that with your financial support the United Church of Christ will be there helping those in need. Give generously by clicking here. You may also text UCCDISASTER to 41444.

Sincerely,

Kent Siladi

Director of Philanthropy

Keystone Study Group – Communications Summary from 02.03.2023 Gathering

 The fourth meeting of the Keystone Study Group* took place Friday, February 3, 2023 at St. Thomas UCC, hosted by the Penn Central Conference Office staff. The KSG meets monthly to explore the possibilities of mutual or consolidated ministry among the four conferences in Pennsylvania toward the question, “could we become ONE Pennsylvania Keystone Conference?”

We reviewed progress in the first of four phases of our outlined process overview. We continue to ask about our common driving mission to identify the role of “the conference” to “the local church” in supporting and strengthening the faithful in the Great Commandment (Love God and neighbor) and the Great Commission (Go and share). Recognizing we are all called to live and grow as disciples of Jesus, we look for ways to empower the local church.

Strengths, Weaknesses and Opportunities were identified at the levels of conference, association and local church, and we looked for similar and unique characteristics and trends from all 4 conferences. We found encouragement in hearing the many ways which congregations and conferences have been creative over the pandemic years to establish new ways of being the church. While we can all identify problem areas and share common struggles, we clearly found areas where improvement can be achieved for us all collaboratively, especially with technology support.

We also began identifying “Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQs) for which we are developing responses which will be shared in upcoming Conferences’ E-news and website communications. A link will soon be available for sharing our unified message of anticipating your questions, such as:

·       Why are we exploring becoming one Pennsylvania Conference?

·       How will our ministry be strengthened?

·       What benefit will joint relationships bring for resources and services to the local church?

·       How will restructuring as one conference support the local church with personnel?

·       How will assets of buildings, land, endowments and other financial resources be managed?

·       What bylaws will be needed to support governance, authorization for ministry (CoM), and

denominational structure?

With these weighty topics driving our work, our next priority is to develop and recommend a communication/engagement plan and the FAQs for what a possible merger would look like to be shared at upcoming conferences’ and associations’ Spring meetings. Forums and workshops will be planned to connect with all 4 conferences to solicit input and gather more data for potential options for a new vision and ministry model for the Keystone state.

Sharing our progress in grace and hope,

Communications Team

Steve Davis                       St. John’s UCC, Fullerton (PNEC)

Sterling Fritz                     Redeemer’s UCC, Littlestown (PCC)

Robin Hightower             Peace In Zion UCC, Zieglerville (PSEC)

Deb Long                           First Trinity UCC, Youngwood (PWC)

*A study and discernment group of the 4 PA UCC Conferences – Penn West, Penn Central, Penn NE, and Pennsylvania SE

Celebrating Their Anniversary 

We congratulate the following PNEC Pastors who will celebrate a

Special Anniversary of Ordination/Licensing/Commissioning in 2023                                                 

65th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Russell Heintzelman (6/22/58) – Retired, living in Whitehall

60th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. David Mohr (6/1/63) – Retired, living in Whitehall

Rev. Edgar Roosa (10/13/63) – Retired, living in Bethlehem

55th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Barry Durie (11/1/68) – Retired, living in Bethlehem

Rev. Ghulam Nasrani (6/9/68) – Retired, living in Massachusetts

50th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. John Hoff (6/10/73) – Retired, living in Emmaus

Rev. Donald Snyder (8/12/73) – Retired, living in Delaware

45th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Elaine Bogert (12/10/78) – Retired, living in Kutztown

Rev. Christine Nelson (1978) – Retired, living in Allentown

Rev. Robert Stevens (7/30/78) – Interim, St. John, Riegelsville

40th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Al Bastin (7/24/83) – Pastor, St. Paul’s, Trexlertown

Rev. Lloyd Steffen (1983) – Chaplain, Lehigh University

Rev. Peter Unger (7/1/83) – Retired, living in Allentown

Rev. Judy Wadsworth (11/27/83) – Retired, living in Clarks Summit

Rev. Janet Boyd (5/1/83) – Retired, living in Allentown

35th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Suzanne Brooks-Cope (1/17/88) – Pastor, St. Matthew’s, Kunkletown

Rev. Patience Stevenson (7/17/88) – Retired, living in Bethlehem

30th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Carol Bastin (11/24/93) – Pastor, Grace, Allentown

Rev. James Gottwald (7/11/93) – Pastor, St. John’s, Laurys Station

Rev. Paul Knappenberger (7/4/93) – Pastor, St. John’s, Emmaus

Rev. Gerald Smith (9/12/93) – Retired, living in Macungie

25th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. William Metzger (3/29/98) – Church Consultant

Rev. James Robison (10/31/98) – Pastor, Good Shepherd, Slatington

Rev. Gilberto Garcia Rodriguez (9/9/98) – Pastor, St. Paul’s (Seiberlingsville), Kempton, and Jerusalem Red, Kempton

Rev. Lorraine Sell (6/13/98) – Retired, living in Quakertown

Rev. Linda Lennon (7/10/98) – Retired, living in Bethlehem

20th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Ken Hess (11/1/03) – Pastor, Flicksville, Bangor

Rev. Teresa Martin (2/16/03) – Pastor, St. John’s, Coopersburg

Rev. Lynne Mikulak (2/15/03) – CPE Manager, Main Line Health, Wynnewood

Rev. Matthew Mardis-LeCroy (5/18/03) – Pastor, College Hill Presbyterian, Easton

15th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Jeffrey Bauer (4/13/08) – Retired, living in Macungie

Rev. Matthew Seeds (9/28/08) – Interim, PSEC Church

10th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Virginia Heimer (8/11/13) – Pastor, St. Peter’s, Tamaqua

Rev. Catherine Regush (2/2/13) – Chaplain, UPMC Williamsport

Rev. Josh Knappenberger (11/17/2013) – Leave of Absence

Rev. Matthew Gorkos (6/9/13) – Pastor, Church of Good Shepherd, Alburtis  

5th Anniversary of Ordination

Rev. Virginia Schlegel (3/4/18) – Pastor, St. John’s (Mickleys), Whitehall

Rev. Heather Hunnicutt (9/2/18) – Pastor, Salem, Pocono Pines

Rev. Karen Yonney (10/20/18) – Retired, living in Whitehall

Commissioned Minister Celebrating an Anniversary

20th Anniversary of Commissioning

Ms. Beth Sikorsky (11/23/03) – Coordinator of Christian Education and Youth Empowerment, St. Paul’s (Indianland), Cherryville

February 2023

/bjj

Congregational Leadership Training

Saturday, March 4 - 9AM to 4PM via zoom

A Congregational Leadership Training will be held on Saturday March 4th from 9 AM-4 PM on Zoom. It is a training offered by Local Congregational Support and Congregational Vitality to help lay leaders AND youth leaders appreciate and navigate the many roles and responsibilities of leadership in the local church. It is an ideal learning opportunity for newly-elected Consistory members, Confirmation students, and even seasoned church leaders! If interested, please email Patty Rehrig at the Conference Office - pattyr@pnec.org

Highlighted items from the efforts of PNEC Teams and Committees

to be celebrated include:

·       Amigos de Guatemala held the dedication of the multipurpose facility in Monte Margherita on Dec 14^th after years of effort, and within days they welcomed 70 students at Vacation Bible School there.

·       The Conference Meeting Planning Team is sharing genuine enthusiasm for making the Spring meeting both a learning experience and a joy to attend. 

·       The Local Congregational Support Working Group commended those planning and carrying out the Celebration of Life of Rev. Alan Miller at Jordan UCC on January 6, 2023.

·       The Spiritual Development Ministry Team celebrates their dedication to the youth of the PNEC by providing opportunities, resources, continuing education, and curriculum for them and their youth leaders.

·       The Committee On Ministry lifts up the work that is being accomplished to educate, support, and oversee our authorized ministers, especially citing the Community of Practice established for the MID’s as being very productive.

·       The Authorization Working Group mentioned the success of the joint event held in June at which MID’s were able to raise and discuss concerns about the process toward ordination. They welcomed three new members to the team and decided to repeat this event every other year.

·       The GEM Fund gave a grant to Jordan UCC to help with livestreaming, and they would like the conference to celebrate that it enables this ministry to reach a more inclusive audience.

·       The Generosity Team celebrates engaging 42 PNEC Ambassadors so far in an ongoing effort to engage all our churches in this program.

Four thank you letters from local organizations for donations made directly by PNEC or forwarded from our churches  have been received since the last Board meeting:

• One from the Philanthropy Officer of the Pension Board for a contribution to the Christmas Fund in the amount of $1,232.92 dated 12/8/2022.
• Two from the Director of Development at Bethany Children’s Home: one in the amount of $2320.58 dated 11/17/2022, and one in the amount of $735.41 dated 12/28/2022.
• One from the Ecumenical Associate at the Lehigh Conference of churches in the amount of $500 dated 11/30/2022.

UCC Webinar—The Indigenous Land Back Movement

The Land Back Movement has been succinctly described as the generations long struggle to put “Indigenous lands back into Indigenous hands.” In this webinar, organizers and practitioners within the movement will place the struggle within the context of dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery and the ongoing work of reparatory justice. Speakers will include Katerina Gea from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, Angie Comeaux from Hummingbird Springs Farm, and Sarah Augustine who authored “The Land Is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery.” Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on February 8^th at 1 pm ET, still sign up, and we will send a link to the recording. Register now!

Hyperlink: https://UCC.zoom.us/webinar/register/6016740752484/WN_ua_nheG1T7OqyrZJSZ4cvA

This would begin February 14 and continue monthly indefinitely. 

Dear Friends in Christ,

I am writing to share an opportunity with you. In my last four months in office, I am going to host a series of online discussions about subject matters that I think are of great interest to the life and health of the church. I am calling it “Create PlaySpace with the President.”

Over the next four months, on 8 Wednesdays from 1pm ET/10am PT and for one hour, we will gather in virtual space to discuss with each other vital perspectives and emerging strategies in key areas of our shared life.

Each week, a key leader in the area we will be discussing will begin the hour with a brief presentation to try and prime the pump for the discussion that will follow.

All voices will be welcome. You will want to participate whether you have something important to contribute or whether you are just curious about hearing what others are thinking. It promises to be interesting, engaging, insightful – and our hope is also very helpful.

Please find the dates, times, subjects, and presenters here. I hope you are able to join us for at least a few, if not all, of these. We live in an interdependent world. We need each other. And we are discovering new ways of engaging with each other in spaces that were not available to us a short while ago. By taking advantage of these newly developing tools and resources we can create new capacities for learning, exploring, and crafting new pathways to future vitality.

I look forward to seeing you in our PlaySpace.

Shalom,

Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President

Have you signed up...15th Annual PNEC Youth Retreat

FAITH & ?????

Penn Northeast Conference Presents the15th “Annual” Youth Retreat FAITH & ??? In the gospels, Jesus is asked 187 questions. He answers (maybe) 8 of them. He himself asks 307. Maybe faith isn't about certainty, but learning to ask—and sit in the complexity of—good questions. ~Kevin Nye; writer on theology, homelessness, culture, and grace Exploring our faith through all kinds of questions FYI: This is a technology friendly event – cell phones, IPADS, tablets, etc are welcome!

WHO: All youth in grades 7th-12th are invited!

WHEN: April, 14-16, 2023 Check-in Friday 6:30-7:00/Pick up Sunday at 12:00 pm

WHERE: Spruce Lake 5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA 18325

COST: $145/per person – includes meals Saturday & Sunday

**Limited space!!! First 40 participants with paid deposit only.

One adult chaperone per church is needed. 

Click Here for detailed flyer/registration

Have you signed up...15th Annual PNEC Youth Retreat

FAITH & ?????

Penn Northeast Conference Presents the15th “Annual” Youth Retreat FAITH & ??? In the gospels, Jesus is asked 187 questions. He answers (maybe) 8 of them. He himself asks 307. Maybe faith isn't about certainty, but learning to ask—and sit in the complexity of—good questions. ~Kevin Nye; writer on theology, homelessness, culture, and grace Exploring our faith through all kinds of questions FYI: This is a technology friendly event – cell phones, IPADS, tablets, etc are welcome!

WHO: All youth in grades 7th-12th are invited!

WHEN: April, 14-16, 2023 Check-in Friday 6:30-7:00/Pick up Sunday at 12:00 pm

WHERE: Spruce Lake 5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA 18325

COST: $145/per person – includes meals Saturday & Sunday

**Limited space!!! First 40 participants with paid deposit only.

One adult chaperone per church is needed. 

Click Here for detailed flyer/registration

Have you signed up...15th Annual PNEC Youth Retreat

FAITH & ?????

Penn Northeast Conference Presents the15th “Annual” Youth Retreat FAITH & ??? In the gospels, Jesus is asked 187 questions. He answers (maybe) 8 of them. He himself asks 307. Maybe faith isn't about certainty, but learning to ask—and sit in the complexity of—good questions. ~Kevin Nye; writer on theology, homelessness, culture, and grace Exploring our faith through all kinds of questions FYI: This is a technology friendly event – cell phones, IPADS, tablets, etc are welcome!

WHO: All youth in grades 7th-12th are invited!

WHEN: April, 14-16, 2023 Check-in Friday 6:30-7:00/Pick up Sunday at 12:00 pm

WHERE: Spruce Lake 5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA 18325

COST: $145/per person – includes meals Saturday & Sunday

**Limited space!!! First 40 participants with paid deposit only.

One adult chaperone per church is needed. 

Click Here for detailed flyer/registration

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The PNEC Racial/Social Justice Team has put together a resource for February, which is Black History month.

Click Here for Resource

Save the date... LAY LEADERS CONVOCATION

Who: For elders, deacons, church council members, and other leaders

What: A full day of worship, address, workshops, and fellowship

When: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm

Where: Trinity and Zion U.C.C., Pottstown, Pennsylvania

Cost: $40 per person ($20 for persons coming for part of the program not eating lunch)

The event will include: Worship and Keynote address on Empowering Lay Leadership Workshops on some of the following topics: Being effective as a post-Covid Church Reviving the Sunday school Stewardship of Financial Resources Becoming Spiritual Leaders Becoming an Environmentally Friendly Church Church Meetings that get out on time How does the U.C.C. work Music ministry when the choir is shrinking Worshiping when there is no pastor. Registration information will be available by March 1 But save the date now! Sponsored by the Lay Leadership Education Team of Penn SE Conference, U.C.C

This event will be held at

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown.

Breakfast and lunch are included with the cost of your ticket.

To register you can email Barbara Jennings at barbaraj@pnec.org and send your check for $35 made payable to PNEC to the Conference Office (PNEC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071)

OR

you can register and pay through tithe.ly at https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/6681834

Keynote; “Repenting of the unforgivable” Through the medium of storytelling, Rev JimBear Jacobs will share how the legacy of Indigenous residential boarding schools has left a stain upon the church. The sin of complicity in the boarding school has for far too long been ignored or rationalized away. It is time to face this sin head on and enter into a season of lament that can hopefully lead to repair. Workshop: “Beyond lament; Movement towards repair” In this workshop Rev. JimBear Jacobs will explore some tangible and challenging steps that churches might wrestle with as they consider reparations for the traumatic legacy of the boarding school system

Click Here for Bio for Jim Bear Jacobs

SAVE FEB. 16 FOR THE BAXTER FORUM

THURSDAY, FEB. 16, 4:00-5:15pm ET on ZOOM

(Lancaster Theological Seminary)

Retelling the Origin Story: The Power and Presence of the Afro Christian Convention in the UCC.

Seeking dignity and justice in a racist context, Afro-Christian congregations in North Carolina and Virginia following the Civil War, formed independent conferences within the Christian tradition that later gave birth to the Afro-Christian Convention in 1892. The work and witness of this powerful presence is an invaluable yet largely unacknowledged part of United Church of Christ history.

Join Dr. Julia Speller, Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk, Rev. Vivian Lucas, and Rev. Brenda Billips Square as they discuss the Afro-Christian Convention as the fifth stream of the UCC and learn how its legacy, in both word and deed, continues to be a major force in our collective commitment to diversity, inclusion, dignity and equity for all.

Our website Events page soon will have registration information for this free event.

Crossroads 2023 Winter and Spring courses:

Note: All Courses are in person for those who are able AND also real time on Zoom. Your choice.

Mondays, March 6 - May 1 (except April 3) from 6 to 9PM

Traveling Mercies Congregational Care with Greg Krausz and Diane Kareha

Thursdays, March 9 - May 4 (except April 6) from 6 to 9PM

Traditions - Exploring Denominations & Religions with Rev. Dr. Bill Falla

For more information, Contact Jill Peters at petersj2@moravian.edu or go on our website at  www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqd-ioqzMsHtO1FOA51nJhazxrJSoWdW8I

CLICK HERE for Bulletin Insert

Disaster Ministries

Friedens United Church Of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley PA 19547 (Berks County) is sponsoring a two-week Mission Rebuild Trip to Peru, August 5 through 19, 2023, to help the Fuller Center for Housing build houses. Interested people can contact Sue Henne, s.henne73@icloud.com, 601-451-3209.

To support the Mission Trip, Friedens UCC, Oley, is undertaking a shoe collection fundraising event. They are collecting shoes from now until April 30. They will accept any kind of shoe that can be worn on a person’s foot so long as it’s a pair and they are new or gently used. The goal is to collect 5000 pounds of shoes. For every pound they collect, they receive $.50 per pound. The shoes are refurbished and are sent to Third World countries. A poster is attached. Shoes can be dropped off at Friedens United Church Of Christ, 337 Main St., Oley PA 19547 at any time, including their Saturday drive-through drop off collections on February 11, March 11, and April 15 between the hours of 9 AM to 11 AM in the church parking lot.  

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PLEASE DON’T SCROLL OVER THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

We have seen disaster after disaster and scientists have predicted even more is yet to come. The severity and frequency of these natural and man-made events shake the core of our communities. We need YOUR CHURCH to go the “Willing to Respond” website @ https://www.willingtorespond.org/ and sign up so the PNEC will have plenty of resources when disaster strikes. You can also reach out to the PNEC Disaster Coordinator @ revstevehummel@gmail.com if you have questions of need help signing up. Please help us be ready when disasters strike.

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HELP NEEDED: Thomas Guth, form Hazard Mitigation /Disaster Recovery Manager for Northampton County Emergency Management Services is requesting assistance with cleaning out a temporarily condemned home of a father and son (76 & 40’s respectively). The house must be cleaned out (dumpster to be paid for by county) and then electrical, plumbing, and furnace repairs are needed. Again, the County would pay for the repairs costs. If you have someone in your congregation that can help with any of the needed tasks please contact Thomas Guth at 610-746-3194 x3228 or by email at tguth@ncem-pa.org