Bonnie's Letter

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

Dear Friends,

Recently the Conference’s Generosity Team has been exploring ways to improve communication among and between congregations and the Conference office, board, teams, and committees. It’s interesting that communication has become a part of our generosity work. Yet, not surprisingly, many people don’t know exactly what the Conference is and what the Conference does.

First, we are all the Conference. Each congregation, each church member, each staff person is a part of the Conference. We are just that, a “we,” not an “us” and a “them.” Second, it’s hard for the Conference staff to know how to help congregations and members unless you talk with us and share with us what your needs are. Third, the Conference, and its teams and committees, offer myriad resources and supports, but it is hard sometimes for individual congregations and members to know what is offered.

Fourth, we are all really busy and good communication takes time.

The Generosity Team is instituting a couple of programs which we hope will help. The first is the PNEC Ambassador Program. This is a connection point for congregations to get information from, or offer information to, the Conference staff, board, and committees. Letters have gone out to congregations and responses are trickling in. Our goal would be to have more than half our congregations identify an Ambassador. In this way, we can share information, 4-6 times a year, which may support and assist the congregations in their own ministries. If you haven’t selected an Ambassador, please do so. The name and contact information can be shared with Generosity Team member, Tracy Whitehead at twhitehead@iu17.org.

The second offering from the Generosity Team is the celebration of a Friends of the PNEC Sunday, scheduled for November 20, 2022. On this Sunday congregations are being asked to donate $1 per member to the Friends of the PNEC Campaign, as well as to celebrate the connections between all the congregations within the Conference. Worship resources will be provided and should be in the hands of pastors by the first week of September. Ideas for how to collect this special offering are forthcoming. Watch for these resources.

For me, the Church is a thriving and holy extension of the teachings, leadership, and ministry of Jesus Christ. It is our responsibility to keep our faith alive, to reach out to the broader community with our gifts, and to celebrate how much we are loved as People of God. Perhaps, that is what it means to be generous – and we are, therefore, all a part of the “Generosity Team” of God.

Blessings, Bonnie

An Invitation to all PNEC Authorized Ministers            

The Penn Northeast Conference Board has formed a Discernment and Vision Team to strategize the work of the Conference over the next 3-5 and 5-7 years. Key responsibilities of the Team include:

• Engaging Congregation members as well as spiritual leaders in the discernment of supports needed for Congregations and Conference programs,
• Holding “listening sessions” with pastors to determine their hopes for the Conference over the next 3-5, 5-7 years, and,
• Surveying or holding conversations with local Congregational members to see their hopes for their Church, the Conference, program needs, and support.

As such, the Discernment and Vision Team is scheduling times to meet with pastors during the month of September. These will not be the last times we will chat with pastors, but these are the first sessions scheduled.

Tuesday, September 13, noon-1:30 at Union UCC, Neffs

(5550 Route 873)     Register before September 6

Wednesday, September 28, noon-1:30 at St. John’s UCC, Fullerton

(575 Grape Street, Whitehall)     Register before September 21

ZOOM - Tuesday, September 20, 7:00 p.m.

Register before September 13

Since lunch will be provide at two of these sessions and since a Zoom link will be needed for the third, please register your attendance with the Conference Office by contacting Barbara at BarbaraJ@pnec.org no less than one week before the events.

Thank you for sharing in this important work.

In Christ’s Love,

Discernment and Vision Team

Members: Joanne Marchetto, Kris Snyder, Doug Taylor, James Gottwald, Becky Beckwith, Lori Balliet, Matt Gorkos, Ned Whitehead, Steve Davis, and Rebecca Sausser. PNEC Staff: Bonnie Bates

Neighbors In Need 2022

The Neighbors in Need "BEHOLD!" offering focuses on economic justice. With inflation impacting all of our households, we wanted to provide a way to discuss this topic through a faith lens.

Join us by promoting this year's campaign at your church. Explore the promotional toolkit, which contains a four-week bible study, coloring book, three posters, social media banners, and a leader's guide. These materials will assist you in planning and carrying out the 2022 NIN campaign.  Most churches will collect the offering on October 2nd, 2022, as a part of World Communion Sunday, but contributions can be made at any time.

Available as print materials or download only:

Offering Promo Toolkit (Download Only)

Print items for your church:

Offering Envelope

Poster: 11" x 17", glossy finish

Limit three posters per order.

All items are FREE, with FREE shipping and handling.

ORDER HERE

Adult Mental Health First Aid Course 

Led by Rev. Dr. Emily B. Hall, BCCi

Friday, October 21 from 9AM to 3PM

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown

Click here to read more...

Congregational Polity Training

Saturday, August 20, 2022

9AM to 11AM via zoom

(2 hours continuing education for authorized ministers)

Congregation Members and Pastors are Invited

This training gives members of congregations an opportunity to explore how the UCC was formed, our historical foundations, and how the structure and decision-making of the various settings of the church interact with each other.

Click Here for Flyer & Registration Info.

Lehigh Valley Pride

Now that we are getting closer to the 5^th year of a unified PNEC booth at Lehigh Valley Pride, I am hoping you will be able to join us with your time and energy. This year’s theme for the event is LOUD and PROUD. We’re going to align with our welcoming message. We will have a beautiful new backdrop (still in progress) for photos and a chance to meet the community with a big smile and God’s loving

Here is a link to sign-up for some time staffing the booth. If you can’t be there but want to help in another way, please send me a note. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044daaaa29a3f94-pnec

The PATHWAYS Theological Education

Board of Directors

invites all questioning, curious people of faith to join us for our 6-week courses beginning Fall I (mid-August) and Fall II (beginning late September) (see website for details and registration links). The 12-week UCC Polity course runs three times a year beginning September 7, January 11 and May 17. 

Enroll now at PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.

It can be very difficult for people to pick up their lives and go to seminary these days, especially if they’re just beginning to sense a call. PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., offers people the opportunity to start at the beginning of the education journey for substantially less money and time investment per course than seminary courses. 

In six weeks, participants can learn basic theological principles of Progressive Christianity or encounter the lives of important figures in Christian history, from their own computers on their weekly schedule in the comfort of their own homes. They’ll work with participants from all over the country and skilled facilitators with expertise and passion for the subject matter. 

For $325 per 6-week course, PATHWAYS is affordable, flexible, and convenient—and PATHWAYS courses are designed to help participants build confidence and competence each step of the way. The 12-week UCC Polity course is a bargain at $625.

PATHWAYS Website Addresses:

Website: https://www.pathwaystheological.org/

Course Calendar: https://www.pathwaystheological.org/calendar/

Our Stories: https://www.pathwaystheological.org/our-stories/

CROP Hunger Walk

**RSVP for CROP Pizza Party/Kick-off (Sun., Aug. 28, 2022)!

**NEW CROP Walk DATE (Sun., Oct. 2, 2022)!

**NEW CROP Walk FLYERS & QR CODE (attached)!

CROP Recruiters’ Pizza Party/Kick-off:  Sun., Aug. 28, 2022, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

(to receive NEW INFORMATION, materials, ideas, and inspiration

for you and your congregation/organization/group)

at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown, PA 18104

RSVP by Thurs., Aug. 25 to Linda Held (jucc3441@ptd.net or 484-553-8922)

***NEW DATE!!!*** Greater Allentown CROP Hunger Walk:  Sun., Oct. 2, 2022, 1:30 p.m.,

with registration beginning at 1:00 p.m. 

at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 140 S. Ott St., Allentown, PA 18104

Register, donate, or find more information about the life-saving work of Church World Service:

www.crophungerwalk.org/allentownpa

The CROP Hunger Walk is a great intergenerational fellowship and service event for families, youth groups, adult groups, and congregations. 

Two routes from which walkers may choose: a 10K route (with refreshments available at the Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank and the Lehigh Conference of Churches) and a "Golden Mile" route (through the Hamilton Park neighborhood).

Through our Greater Allentown CROP Hunger Walk, we help food-insecure neighbors locally through the Conference Kitchen  and the Allentown Area Ecumenical Food Bank.

Our CROP Walk funds also support Church World Service’s life-saving disaster assistance and long-term development assistance with our neighbors in need throughout the United States and around the globe, including victims of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Click Here for Sponsorship Flyer

Click Here for Donor Flyer

Check out the new Greater Allentown CROP Hunger Walk Facebook page:

facebook.com/AllentownCROPWalk

Like it! Share it!

Sign up to walk on Sunday, October 2, 2022, 1:30 p.m.!

Donate!

Let’s help END HUNGER ONE STEP AT A TIME!

Crossroads and Connections: Season 2-Ending Gun Violence

There is nothing more that seems completely out of hand like the gun violence that never seems to slow down or end. Inspite of any sense of hopelessness we continue move beyond the doubt and into belief that life can be different. We cannot do that with aside from being a real part of that change and to see it as a marathon instead of a sprint. 

The book studies, workshops and Sacred Listening Sessions that Crossroads and Connections is unfolding in the next nine months is an invitation to show courage and to represent the change we so much want. We are happy to provide the September Workshop lead by Bryan Miller of Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence and we hope you will register below. You need only attend one of the workshops.They are free and all are virtual. Come and ask questions, be part of a community, learn more about the issue and find your voice to act.

B. David Smith, Crossroads and Connections, Director, 717-371-1516

• Workshop – Heeding God’s Call to End Gun Violence

·       Session 1 - Thursday, Sept. 8, 6:30 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. 

Registration Link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/400817785787

·       Session 2 - Saturday, Sept. 17, 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. 

Registration Link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/400948687317

·       Session 3 - Monday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. 

Registration Link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/401238092937

·       Session 4 - Tuesday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. 

Registration Link – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/401249306477