Message to the Conference |
|
September 9, 2020
Members and friends of Penn Central Conference-
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
As a child I remember singing around a campfire and in the sanctuary about how “they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” I sing it still today (as I typed it) and I bet you will be singing or humming it the rest of the day. But of late, I have been constantly on the lookout for this love. It surely isn’t flooding my Facebook newsfeed or the evening news and even my neighborhood on the NextDoor app has a series of complaints about the children playing throughout the neighborhood.
These long days at home and the constant change the pandemic impresses on our lives is taking a toll. Frustration – Irritability – Fatigue are all on the rise. We need a pause button, a sacred place to take our shoes off and rest with God. In this space, we can reconnect with God and God’s call on our lives and have our spirits refreshed for living in the here and now.
I have had the blessing of invitations to preach the past two Sundays and the Holy Spirit has freed me from my manuscript to speak on love in each of these settings. Things started out well enough talking about answering God’s call like Moses and following the commandments as Paul instructed the church in Rome. We were talking about some of the everyday ways we show love like by not killing a neighbor, or not stealing from them, donating to the food bank or shelter.
And then I began to wonder aloud about big questions like: What if love looks like liberating low-wage workers from a cycle of poverty? What if love looks like taking care of orphans and widows fleeing violence that our lives are largely sheltered from? What if love looks like food and shelter for the homeless in your community? What if love looks like a mask? What if love looks like a school pod of children in your social hall everyday? What if love looks like voting? Or marching?
I couldn’t stop myself. Big questions kept coming about how we as Church in the 21st century show this love. I had to stop. Deep breath now. If love is how the world will know Christ through us, how are we showing that love in big and small ways?
Some say the church has lost her way. I counter, the way is love. We know it. We must choose it. Take your shoes off, sit with God, be filled with love. Then share it!
Heidelberg Catechism Question #4: What does God’s law require of us?
Answer: Christ teaches us this in a summary in Matthew 22: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.
Shalom,
Rev. Nora Foust
|
|
Annual Meeting Wrap-up
If you were part of the Annual meeting, you heard the virtual choir, made up of singers from all over the conference coming together for a choral anthem.
This anthem has been published, on Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo and Soundcloud, and can be used by you or your church for your services.
To get the anthem:
If you use this publicly, please appropriately attribute the work:
Leaning on the Everlasting arms, arranger/composer: Geordie Roberts
If you missed any of the reports from Annual Meeting, find them here. The treasurer's report didn't upload before the meeting but is available now.
Find an update on the Mission Project here. |
|
Celebrating Hartman Center
Check out a Hartman Center themed Worship Service that can be used for your church service or a personal time of worship. More info here.
Hartman Center Celebration Day: We will join together for the Celebration of the Ministry of the Hartman Center on Saturday, September 12, beginning at 10:00 AM with a hike up The Knob. The day will include lunch, a special worship service, and an opportunity to visit various sites with campfires. All official ceremonial events will happen outside. Individuals and small groups will be able to visit inside certain buildings. All participants must wear a mask to the event and maintain social distancing practices. [The rain date is Saturday September 19th. The decision about a rain delay will be made by noon on Friday September 11th and will be shared via social media and email.]
Keep an eye out for announcements from your churches and the Hartman Center Facebook page for other events including a one-day Women’s retreat in November and bonfire gatherings for youth in the fall.
|
|
Scheduling Notes:
September 13: St. John's Blymire UCC, Dallastown at 9:00 AM - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call Preaching
September 13: Mt. Zion UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola in attendance
September 16 (Wednesday): Lancaster Theological Seminary chapel at 11:00 AM (via Zoom) - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call Preaching
September 20: Wisdom's Table, Lancaster at 11:00 AM (via Zoom) - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call Preaching
September 20: Church of the Redeemer, Hershey at 9:15AM - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola Preaching
September 27: Bethany UCC, Ephrata - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola in attendance
October 4: St. Paul's UCC, West Milton at 10:30 AM (via Facebook Live or Youtube) - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call Preaching
|
|
Prayers for Penn Central Conference
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
Salona UCC, Salona
Saint Paul's UCC, Schaefferstown
Saint Paul UCC, Selinsgrove
Mount Zion Congregational,Shamokin
|
From Pennsylvania Council of Churches:
It appears that a large number of Pennsylvanians who are eligible for the $1,200 COVID-19 stimulus payment have not received it. I thought that you might like to share this flyer with your congregations, as I would imagine that there are still many eligible people who could be reached this way.
|
|
Servant Keeper Discount!
Servant Keeper is offering Penn Central Conference's churches a 25% discount. Use this special link to reach out to Jon Haley, Director of Denominational Partnerships, today to get started with this special discount of 25% off an initial site license of Servant Keeper. |
Insurance Board: Tell Us How Your Ministry Is An Everyday Superhero!
Entries Due By: September 15th
denominations! The first 35 entries win a $35 gift card for their organization, and a
chance for your story to be featured in our fall/winter issue of The Steward.
|
|
COVID-19 Resources
Penn Central Conference has added a special section on our website for COVID-19 resources, including the times and links for Zoom meetings. Keep checking https://pccucc.org/covid-19-resources/ regularly for updates.
|
PCC Survey
As churches have been weighing the options around returning to in-person worship, some have reached out to see what others are doing. To get an accurate picture, we are asking pastors or lay leaders to fill out this survey here.
|
|
We will have rescheduled the reopening zoom call for any interested clergy or lay leaders to Tuesday September 15 at 6:30 PM. You can register here. We will discuss current guidelines and what we have learned from the survey thus far about PCC practices. Our sincere apologies for the date change!
|
Resources to consider before reopening:
|
|
Love UCC History?
Are you a history buff or want to learn more about the people who have shaped the UCC? If so, you’ll love UCC Roots. This monthly message is a short piece (only 300 words!) on someone who was important in UCC History. You’ll be surprised what you learn about our ancestors in the faith. The focus for September is a German Reformed lay woman from PA! Read September’s article by Carrie Call here. To receive UCC Roots for yourself, sign up here.
|
|
Taking Action for Anti- Racism
Christ Church in Annville will be hosting a three part workshop series on Taking Action for Anti- Racism. There will be three 90 minute workshops focusing on anti-racism, including understanding of racist attitudes, inner work to combat racism and more. The workshop will be held via Zoom on October 4, 18 & 25. Learn more here.
|
|
UCC Climate Ambassador Training
Connecting our Climate Concerns with our Faith Values
Saturday, Oct. 3rd 11:30 am
The UCC has partnered with Blessed Tomorrow, a national climate leader for people of faith, in order to train clergy and laity interested in inviting others to act and advocate for climate solutions as a matter of faith. This free, four-hour training will equip participants to go back to their faith communities with the tools needed to give presentations and develop concrete plans of action that actualize hope.
More information and registration HERE
|
|
Boundary Training & Ministerial Excellence Forums
|
|
PCC Clergy Book Study: How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
Completion of all four components will earn 4 hours of Antiracism Training and
2 hours of Boundary Training. You will have July and August to read the book and respond in writing to reflection questions. Discussion groups via Zoom will follow in September. Register now, space is limited. Registration links and more information here.
Upcoming Boundary Training Online
Politics and the Pulpit in an Election Year (2 hours)
Join with your colleagues on Wednesday, September 16th at 1pm or 6pm for a discussion on the church and politics. This was a popular boundary training discussion in February and Rev. Carrie Call will be offering it again. We will gather on zoom for a timely discussion on this critical issue in the church. In the two hour session, we will cover several areas: first, a review of legal issues around political speech in the church; second, how to mitigate political divisions within congregations; and finally, we will examine case studies involving preaching and politics. Your personal experiences and reflections will be welcome in the discussions. Please come and add your voice to what is sure to be a rich conversation!
Register for the 1pm-3pm Zoom session here
Register for the 6pm-8pm Zoom session here
For Retired and Supply Pastors (2 hours)
Join with your colleagues on Tuesday, October 20th at 10am or 6pm for a discussion on supply and retired clergy boundaries. Rev. Sally Dries will join Rev. Nora Foust for leadership of this session.
Register for the 10am-12pm Zoom session here
Register for the 6pm-8pm Zoom session here
Boundaries in Seasons of Crisis (2 hours)
Join with your colleagues on Tuesday, November 17th at 10am or 6pm for discussion of a variety of topics including: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Self-Care and Allyship in an Activist Age. Rev. Nora Foust will lead this discussion.
Register for the 10am-12pm Zoom session here
Register for the 6pm-9pm Zoom session here
|
|
Gestalt Pastoral Care Online Workshop
|
|
Kairos Spiritual Direction Training Program Enrolling Now
The Parish Resource Center is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for a new cohort of the Kairos Spiritual Direction Training program. The next cohort for this two-year certificate program begins in January. This cohort will have a new emphasis on practicing spiritual kinship with those on the margins who have not had the opportunity or means to participate in spiritual direction. This focus grew out of PRC’s work in food insecurity, immigration, and restorative practices.
The training is designed not only for spiritual directors, but for all those who offer spiritual care and companionship. Through this course, students will learn and develop skills in deep listening and noticing the presence of God as they practice spiritual companionship.
The program is based on the Ignatian tradition and emphasizes in-person instruction and training nine weekends a year. PRC will continue to reassess as the situation changes and has the ability to move the program online on an as-needed basis.
There is an early bird discount of $500 if you register before November 1, 2020. You can find more information and apply online at parishresourcecenter.org/kairos.
|
|
Looking Ahead:
General Synod
The General Synod Program and Planning Committee met recently to discuss General Synod. We had a very energizing conversation and made a few decisions that we want to communicate.
DATES
General Synod 33 will take place Sunday July 11, 2021 – Sunday July 18, 2021. Pre-Synod events will occur on July 7-10, 2021.
THEME
Rooted in Love continues to be the theme. We will be adding SPECIAL EDITION to the theme.
We are hoping for a “leaner” General Synod in this virtual environment. We will worship, conduct business, provide educational opportunities and make space for experiencing the church gathered.
Additional information will be coming shortly. Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns.
|
|
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at LTS
Nondegree classes are ideal for:
- Lay Ministers already pastoring churches
- Pastoral Leaders in part-time or bi-vocational ministries
- Individuals in discernment
- Laity serving Christian denominations and independent churches
Theology I and II have new dates, beginning Oct 3. Additionally, these classes now feature three synchronous Zoom sessions with the instructor, Holly MillerShank, to enhance online learning. Please note the following updated information to include in your conference communications:
Theology I: “Faith Seeking Understanding,” Oct 3–Nov 12, 2020. The Rev. Holly MillerShank offers a six-week online class through the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary. The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in relation to congregational leadership. This 2.5 CEU class starts Saturday, Oct 3, followed by five weeks of asynchronous online instruction. PLUS bonus Zoom sessions with the instructor: Wednesdays Oct 21 and Nov 4, 6–7:30pm. Cost $325. Apply online at https://lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM by Sept 25.
Theology II: “Leadership and Community,” Jan 9–Feb 18, 2021. The Rev. Holly MillerShank offers a six-week online class through the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary. The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on the human condition, Christian hope, the church, ministry, and mission. Students may take this class without having taken Theology I. This 2.5 CEU class starts Saturday, Jan 9, followed by five weeks of asynchronous online instruction. Cost $325. Apply online at https://lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM.
|
|
Mercersburg, York and Gettysburg Association Churches
Rev. Richard Gordon
717-940-8345
Northern and Central Association Churches
Carolyn Herman
H: 570-538-9704
C: 570-220-8589
Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lebanon Association Churches
Rev. Richard Luciotti
717-679-0001
|
|
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 12
Rev. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex.13
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 15
Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler
Facilitator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
phone: 717-719-1895
Zoë D'heedene
Coordinator of Camps/Retreats
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 16
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
