- THIS WEEK IN PNEC March 16, 2023
| |
Letter from our Sabbatical Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith
God is our refuse and strength, a very help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Dear Friends,
Have you ever been wrong? I mean totally wrong. I sat in a courtroom listening to eight days of testimonies. No DNA, blood, witnesses, or clear evidence. Circumstantial evidence? Yes. Great love gone wrong? You bet! Actual proof? Nope.
I was so sure what the outcome was going to be, but the twelve jurors saw it differently. In a couple of hours, they came back with a guilty verdict. How could we have seen and heard things so differently?
I have been engaging in conversations with some members of a local church. They are struggling with how some of their church leadership is taking website information, twisting it, and making the United Church of Christ sound demonic. The UCC loves only the gays, they promote abortions and want to do ridiculous things to have everyone "Go Green.”
That kind of misrepresentation does damage. Truth – UCC loves everyone. Abortions are surgical procedures that are sometimes needed – I know of no one, who wants to promote abortions and Go Green? Well, I kind of like that idea! Oh how I wish humans would get better at sitting down; with open minds and hearts, and learn how to really listen and then to share openly with each other.
So, my friends, what do we do when life seems to be fall apart all around us? When there simply isn’t enough time in the day? When you have run out of diapers or the sitter caught a stomach bug? What do we do? We take a deep breathe. We figure it out. We look to the one who is our refuse and strength.
Positive Energy writes: Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best. I’ve been completely wrong before and I’ll be wrong again. But when I ask God to walk closer, life seems to get better.
Blessings,
Becky
Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith
PNEC Sabbatical Conference Minister
ATTENTION PASTORS: Who in your congregation would benefit from receiving a copy of “This Week In PNEC?” Please let us know… We will sign them up!
- Rev. Dr. Becky J. Beckwith
| |
15th Annual PNEC Youth Retreat
FAITH & ?????
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER... deadline was extended
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
| |
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
Keynoters:
Rev. Cindy Garis August
Senior Pastor at Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg
Ms. Padma (Colette) Fanning
Mindfulness Educator, St. Luke’s University Health Network, Bethlehem
Click Here for Registration Form
OR
register online with Tithe.ly at: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/6786464
| |
Important message for churches: Employee Retention Credit
(Sharing from Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Article)
In recent weeks, the Employee Retention Credit, a program implemented by the CARES Act of 2020 and revised by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, has been given renewed attention. In particular, service providers have popped up promising to help churches and other companies apply for the ERC and receive money from the federal government, in exchange for a percentage of what the church is entitled to. Some of these consultants are reaching out to churches directly and aggressively.
Church settings must tread carefully here as some of these providers are inexperienced, unqualified, and may even be fraudulent. The requirements to qualify for ERC are specific, and making false or misleading representations under the penalty of perjury on an application for ERC funds may result in investigation and prosecution.
Churches who are interested in this, must talk to a local CPA, not a company created for the Empoloyee Retention Credit. Many are faudulent and take a large part of the refund as their payment. Then the company will close or disappear before the IRS realizes that the church has fraudulantly received the funds.
Churches should consult with a qualified accountant to review eligibility criteria for ERC. Some church settings may legitimately qualify. This credit is only for Social Security and Medicare taxes paid, so churches without large lay staffs have very little refund opportunity.
Here is one really good article from a noted accounting firm that provides services to churches and other religious organizations. Here is the same firm’s warning about the pop-up industry of ERC service providers.
| |
ROBERT K. CAMPBELL MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES ON CHRISTIAN UNITY FEATURING SISTER JOAN CHITTISTER
April 20 from 6:30 to 9PM (doors open at 6:30PM - Lecture at 7PM)
University Center at DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley
Join us for The Lehigh Conference of Churches’ Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture Thursday, April 20, featuring Sister Joan Chittister.
Joan Chittister is one of our most influential religious and social leaders. For over 50 years she has passionately advocated for peace, human rights, women’s issues, and monastic and church renewal. A much sought-after international speaker, she is also a best-selling author of more than 60 books, hundreds of articles, and an online column for the National Catholic Reporter. She has served as president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and president of the Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses. For 12 years, she was prioress of her community, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania. Sister Joan is the executive director of Benetvision, a resource and research center for contemporary spirituality, and animator of the online movement, Monasteries of the Heart. She holds a doctorate in communications from Penn State University.
On Thursday evening, April 20th, at 7:00 p.m., at DeSales University, we invite interested individuals to join Sister Joan’s lecture
Register for Campbell Lecture, Register Today
| |
Register for 2023 PA Clergy Convocation
The Pennsylvania Clergy Convocation is scheduled for May 2-4 in Lancaster. Our time together for Clergy Convocation will focus on connection – connecting with God, self and others. We will have times dedicated for worship, theological reflection, gatherings of affinity groups, connecting with folks from other Conferences, and free time. Our teaching focus on clergy wellness will take shape in four 90-minute sessions, each dedicated to one of the components of wellness every pastor needs: spiritual wellness, vocational wellness, financial wellness, and physical wellness. Pension Boards staff and outside facilitators will provide attendee with thoughtful and relevant content for those engaged in local church ministry. Click here for more information and to register
Click Here for Detailed Flyer
| |
Registration open for Advanced Boundary Training
On April 26, an Advanced Boundary Training will be held on the topic of The Limits of Pastoral Care, facilitated by Revs. Bill Worley and Kevin McLemore. This training will explore the practical and spiritual limits for providing pastoral care within congregations. Topics that will be included are the emotional and spiritual toll of overfuctioning in a pastoral capacity, as well as practical guidance on such challenges as power of attorney documents, convicted sex offenders within the church, and other recent contemporary issues. Click here for more information and to register.
| |
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 click here. Sponsored by the Lay Leadership Education Team of Penn SE Conference, U.C.C. Click here for a flyer with more info.
| |
|
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
| |
Pathways Theological Education
Click Here to Read
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Boundary Training Offered
For 2023, the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference UCC is responsible for Boundary Training according to the joint agreement. We have set three dates for basic training:
-
Tuesday, May 2 in Norristown
-
Thursday, Sept. 14 in Schuylkill Haven
Attached is a flyer. The registration is currently open for the January training
” that provide a six-hour course with a broad overview of pastoral boundaries. These trainings are appropriate for new clergy or those who are due for boundary training and would like to complete it with one basic class as a refresher. Register here: https://basicbound0114.eventbrite.com/.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vital Conversations
The Vital Conversations happen regularly on the third Wednesday of the month from 10-11 AM.
Congregational Vitality Team is relaunching its monthly Vital Conversations! These are Zoom forums designed for clergy and lay leaders to brainstorm together about church vitality topics, tricks, and troubles. You can join us at Meeting ID: 817 9668 4439
Passcode: 292474
| | |
Lancaster Seminary News
(Click Here to Read)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Upcoming Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) Classes
Click Here for List
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
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
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UCC News Digest
Click Here to Read
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| | |
Disaster Ministries
The Pension Boards joins with United Church of Christ leaders in prayer for communities in mourning for the 50,000 people killed in the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria in February. The UCC has issued an appeal to assist those affected in the region. Please support this response with your gifts and designate International Emergency on this donation page
| | | | |