Bonnie's Letter

Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Dear Friends,

I have many favorites in scripture. This passage from Philippians is one I turn to when I am afraid, anxious, or upset. When I am at my wit’s end, I try to remember these words from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. I try not to worry. I try to put everything in the hands of God. I pray and try to let go and let God.

That is not easy for a recovering control freak like me. I like to claim order in my life – at least order as I see and feel it. It is tough for me to let go. It is easy to offer thanks and gratitude. I love to list the things I have to be grateful for as I pray each day. My prayers of gratitude have become a wonderful way to end my evening prayer time. My mind rests more easily when my heart rests in gratitude. Does that work for you?

There are days when each conversation seems difficult, each situation seems without solution, each statement I make is met with disagreement and argument. Yet, I am grateful when people share their ideas and opinions, even if they are the direct opposite of my own. There’s trust in the sharing, in the naming of different opinions and in the real striving to understand one another. I may not like the varied opinions or criticism, but I love that people are strong enough to share their ideas with me. On the other hand, I disregard anonymous complaints or the idea that individuals speak about “we” or “some people” rather than just for themselves.

We live in a time when people have forgotten how to have a dialogue, a give and take of opinion, information, and belief. We seem to like “diatribes” which includes just repeating the same message louder and louder without any attempt to listen.

If I seem to have wandered far afield of my opening paragraph, I have. One of the things I cannot control and need to put in the hands of God is my tendency to worry about criticism and disagreements. Criticism is hard to accept with grace and harder to offer thanks for. Yet, when I can accept different ideas, listen with an open heart, and offer thanks to God for the myriad voices in my midst, then I have truly opened my heart to those who love, believe, feel, and engage the world differently. There is grace in that acceptance and that is truly what our UCC covenantal relationships are about – respectfully listening and striving to understand one another. For that I can truly give thanks.  Blessings, Bonnie

Important Letter from the PNEC Staff and Personnel Committee

Dear Friends of the PNEC,

As the Chairperson of the Conference’s Staff & Personnel Committee it is my responsibility and pleasure to keep you updated on significant staff events that may impact you and your interactions with the Conference. As you know, our staff and Conference Minister continually strive to provide you with the necessary resources and support for you to be successful in your ministry. Their uncompromised focus and dedication to the extended work of the PNEC is commendable.

Our current Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, will be taking a well-deserved rest and renewal sabbatical in the first quarter of 2023 (Jan, Feb, & Mar). In preparation for her absence, the Staff & Personnel Committee, with her guidance, has embarked on the task of developing a sabbatical coverage Job Description for critical tasks during this period as well as selecting, with the Conference Board’s approval, a suitable candidate to fill the role of Sabbatical Coverage Conference Minister. 

Click Here to continue reading...

2023 Compensation Guidelines

The Authorized Ministry Compensation Sub-Group of the Committee on Ministry recently met and reviewed the Compensation Recommendations for 2023. As we review the materials, we considered the continuing economic challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the much higher cost of living in the United States.

It is projected that the Cost-of-Living increase in 2022 will top 6% and the 2023 projections are between 6-8%. Yet, ongoing expenses of all kinds are becoming more and more challenging for our congregations and for their individual members. It is not lost on us that pastors and their families also experience these economic challenges.

Nonetheless, the Sub-Group is not recommending an increase to the base salary recommendations. Rather we are asking congregations who do not yet meet the minimum salary expectations to increase the pastoral salary by 1-2% if possible. Additionally, we are recommending that additional vacation, personal time, continuing education time or continuing education funding be offered if the salary cannot be increased.

Please remember to update the Ministerial Call Agreement and the Three-Way Covenant forms and submit those to the conference office by January 30, 2023. These forms are on the PNEC website (www.pnec.org).

Call to the 2022 Fall Meeting of PNEC

Saturday, November 5

In Person or Virtual

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Forks United Church of Christ, 4500 Sullivan Trail, Stockertown, PA

Topic

“Engaging with the Nones and Dones”

Nones: have no religious practice

Dones: no longer identify with a particular religious tradition

You are invited to come and learn the fascinating changes that are taking place

which will help engage emerging generations

Click Here for Registration Form with details

Send registration and payment by October 28, 2022, to:                                                          

Penn Northeast Conference, 431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton, PA 18071

or

Register online: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5965617

 Sorry, registration fees are not refundable.

Fall Meeting = 1 ½ hours of Continuing Ed for PNEC Authorized Ministers

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

PNEC Ministry Day 2022

for all authorized ministers and MID's

October 12, 2022 - 8:30AM to 3:00PM

(Deadline to Register: October 3)

Engaging Congregations: Hybrid Worship & Digital Ministry

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown (in-person)

and also being offered virtually

Click Here for flyer and registration

You can also register through tithe.ly at:  https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5960724

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...

UCC WISE Conference on Mental Health

Penn Northeast Conference

W.I.S.E. Conference

October 22, 2022 -- 9AM 

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, Allentown, PA

REGISTER BY OCTOBER 7

$30 student rate; $50 regular rate

Click Here for Flyer and How to Register

OR click on this tithe.ly link:  https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5886209 

2022 PNEC YOUTH Sleep-Out for Homelessness

October 15-October16

Time: 7:00 pm-7:00 am

Where: St. Matthews UCC-Kunkletown

WHAT IS IT?? Youth in grades 7th -12th will sleep outside in a large box (or tent) during this overnight homeless simulation. Engaging activities will not only be fun but provide valuable lessons on homelessness that gently confront harmful stereotypes and misunderstandings about who might become homeless and why.  (PS: This is an excellent Confirmation activity!)

Youth Groups may decide to participate ON SITE at St. Matthews or gather at their home churches (activity guide provided/fundraising still encouraged). 

NOTE: Churches may not send youth to St. Matthews without an adult chaperone.

If, for any reason (weather/Covid??), the large group cannot gather, we may encourage all youth groups to meet at their home churches instead (activity guide provided).  On Site Participants: Eat dinner BEFORE arriving. Lite breakfast refreshments provided. This is an OUTDOOR event IN OCTOBER. Bring a large box to sleep in, as well as weather appropriate clothing/blankets. You will not have access to electricity. We are allowing tents but YOU are responsible to be able to fully set up your own tent ON YOUR OWN in the dark.  Beside the experiential component of this event, it is also a fundraiser for the amazing programs that the Lehigh County Conference of Churches provides for the community. Participants are asked to raise at least $25 to support these programs. The event ends early enough on Sunday morning that we hope youth groups get back to their home churches to "can" for (collect) additional donations and even share the experiences with people!

UPDATED REGISTRATION process:

Email pattyr@pnec.org with the following information:

Church name, Leader name, email & cell phone #, number of youth.

CLICK HERE for Covenant Form for this Event.

Donations collected the night of the event (at least $25 per youth)- Cash or check made out to Lehigh County Conference of Churches. Or churches can mail one check to PNEC with funds collected Sunday morning (10/16) and any donations collected ahead of the event.

Hope you can join us on October 15^th !!  ~ The Spiritual Development Ministry Team

Please direct any questions to janetnewett@gmail.com or Pastorkayli@unionucc.org

Penn Northeast Conference

Be Effective...Be Flexible...Be Missional

Flexible, Missional Governance Training

St. Paul's UCC, 1249 Trexlertown Road, Trexlertown

September 29, 2022

5:30PM Dinner; 6PM Training; 9PM Wrap-Up

$15 per person; five or more from same church $60

CLICK HERE for detailed flyer

Register NOW for this important information workshop

Limited Space - First 50 people included

Deadline to register September 21, 2022

register and pay through tithe.ly at

https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/5844566

DUBBS MEMORIAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

REMEMBRANCE-REUNION SUNDAY

SUNDAY, October 23, 2022

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE – 3PM

IN THE SANCTUARY, 457 Allen St, Allentown, PA 18104

Church opens at 2:30pm

REUNION SOCIAL – 4PM - IN THE SOCIAL HALL

Rev. Scott Brooks-Cope will be leading worship at this reunion service and Abby Goldfarb will give former members and friends updates about the work of the Lehigh Conference of Churches.  

Former members and friends are invited to join with other former members and friends for this remembrance - reunion afternoon –

Renew old friendships

Enjoy a service in the sanctuary we remember so well

Meet with friends we have not seen in quite

 some time while enjoying refreshments in the social room

+

For more information - Bob Bold

610-393-6123 – QVRRBOLD@AOL.COM 

Click Here for Official Flyer

 Fall Justice Leadership Program 

Application deadline September 23^rd

We’re excited to be accepting applications for the fall Jubilee cohort that will run from October 2022 to May 2023.

Apply now for Fall 2022

www.justiceleadership.org

info@justiceleadership.com

Jubilee is a booster grant recipient of Volunteer Ministries of the National UCC, supported by GLOBAL H.O.P.E.

Men's Clergy Retreat 2022

The topic of this year's Men's Clergy Retreat will be "Racism in Church and Society: Past and Present". COVID vaccination is required and masks are required indoors, other than during meals.

The Retreat will cover topics from the following books: The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone and White Too Long by Robert P. Jones. (Reading is suggested, but not required.)

Retreat will be led by PSEC Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley, PSEC Associate Conference Minister Rev. Kevin McLemore, and Rev. Dr. Stephen Ohnsman, PhD.

To register, click here. 

St. Luke's Hospital in Bethlehem is seeking donations

of handmade knitted or crocheted prayer shawls to comfort adult and pediatric hospital patients in times of need. If your faith community or group would like to donate prayer shawls on an ongoing basis, or as a one-time donation, please reach out to Chaplain Naomi Madaras at naomi.madaras@sluhn.org 

Prayer shawls can be delivered to 801 Ostrum St Bethlehem, PA 18015.

Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom

With Rev. Kris P. Snyder (from Union, Neffs)

Thursdays 12noon to 1pm

September 15, October 6, October 20, November 3, November 17, December 1

By zoom only – use the link below.

We will gather for an hour of practice using practices from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model, Plum Village Thich Nhat Hanh tradition, Centering Prayer, and a little Qigong and movement.

No experience necessary, lots of experience welcome too.

Sign up here if you are interested and available for some or all of these dates:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E4CA8A823A7FA7-pnec1

Or just show up using the zoom link.

Blessings, Kris pastorkris@unionucc.org

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81188127483?pwd=TzdmTFpIaXVtMjRQSHY1K1hOdkV2dz09

Meeting ID: 811 8812 7483

Passcode: 348630

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (Chicago)

+16468769923,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (New York)

You are also welcome to practice by zoom with the group from Union UCC on Tuesdays 7-8pm September 20, October 11, November 15.

We’re hosting an in person meditation retreat on Saturday, December 10^th from 9am-11am.

Contact Kris for the detailed information or follow the church’s Facebook page. 

Interfaith DEVOTIONAL GATHERING

October 1 - 1-2pm

Barrio Stage

Touchstone Theatre

321 East 4^th St., Bethlehem

OUTDOOR EVENT

Rain Location: Ice House

The Tree of Life is the centerpiece of this afternoon gathering. Joining with interfaith representatives of those who belong to a faith community (or not), we unite around the mystery of life in gratitude, and in the pursuit of peace, beauty, and justice. This beautiful event features music, prayers, sacred movement, and the original artwork of William Christine.

Refreshments – cider and tree of life cookies – will be served before the devotional so you are encouraged to arrive early beginning at 12:30pm

Touchstone Theatre gratefully acknowledges The Lehigh Valley Interfaith Action Committee and Bethlehem Interfaith Group as partners in sponsoring this event.

FROM THE SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY TEAM

Have you ever wanted to learn more about being a Faith Formation leader? Take a look at this online certification program available through our UCC friends up north in the Southern New England Conference! https://www.sneucc.org/certification

Registration is open NOW for the 2022-23 program year. One of the requirements of this program is to be part of a special Community of Practice that will focus on FAITH FORMATION and our personal spiritual development.

Whether you are interested in the Certification Program or not, this NEW Community of Practice is available for you! Our local pastors have many Community of Practice options. And now there is one for US TOO!!

Janet Newett is the Facilitator for the new Faith Formation CoP, hired through the SNEUCC for their Leadership Training Program, because three of the students are from the Penn Southeast Conference (in the Perkasie area). Penn Central is also advertising. Meetings will be over mostly Zoom, day and time based on participants availability. Cost will be determined by the number of participants (the more people, the less each will need to pay!). Contact Janet at janetnewett@gmail.com for more information or to sign up!

FAITH FORMERS ARE MAKING CONNECTIONS AGAIN-

 THE BREAKFASTS ARE BACK!   Save the date!

WHEN AND WHERE?? (both gatherings will happen- you choose the one best for your schedule and your geographical location!)

Thursday October 20 10am at the New City View Diner in Whitehall

OR Saturday October 22 10am at Bert's Steakhouse & Restaurant, Palmerton

WHY?  Are you the point person for the educational ministries at your church? Whether you are paid or volunteer, solo Pastor or Associate, youth leader or children's ministry program coordinator, come and connect. Build relationships, share resources and invest in one another. You are not alone!

YEA Fund (Reimbursement Fund)

The PNEC has a reimbursement fund for youth, youth advisors and Christian Educators who participate in retreats, conferences and mission trips. If your youth group, or youth advisors or Church Educator has participated in an event this year, they may be eligible to have a third of the cost reimbursed. The following is written on our Conference Website:

               YEA Fund…to provide financial assistance for youth and adult educational services.

As members of Christ’s Church, we advocate that every lay person be involved in the wider ministry which Jesus empowers among us. Educational opportunities are an important component of this wider ministry. These opportunities benefit our children, youth and lay adults of our local churches, the Penn Northeast Conference, and the United Church of Christ as a whole. Our goal is to provide financial assistance so that children, youth, and lay adults are not denied participation in denominationally endorsed events, camps, retreats or educational activities because of lack of financial resources.

The YEA Fund Ministry Team encourages each person who participated in 2021 or 2022 in such an event, to complete an application form found on the PNEC website YEA fund tab. A link is provided. Then have your pastor write a letter of recommendation and mail or email the form and letter to the PNEC: YEA Fund Ministry Team by October 15, 2022. The conference has money to share for such purposes.  

The GEM Fund (Grants for Energizing Mission)

Grants are to be used as “seed money” to help commence or carry through to completion local church mission and outreach projects, i.e., those projects which are proposed and administered by PNEC congregations and which are intended to enhance and make more relevant the spiritual life and gospel mission of the churches of PNEC.

Our conference mission of Changing lives by equipping, empowering, and supporting those who would spread Christ’s ministry is lived out through the work of our congregations. New initiatives often spark growth and spiritual development.

To apply go to: https://pnec.org/ and click on the drop down menu for resources and scholarships.

Deadlines for receiving GEM Fund Applications:

January 15 — April 15 — July 15 — October 15

Welcome Backpacks and Period Packs join CWS service kit lineup;

matching grants available

by Carol Fouke-Mpoyo | published on Sep 2, 2022

United Church of Christ congregations have long assembled school kits and cleanup buckets to help others through Church World Service.

A young volunteer helps pack one of 22 CWS Cleanup Buckets at Medina UCC, Medina, Ohio. Photo by Becky Bauer. They now have two new opportunities. Church World Service Kits now include a Period (Menstrual Hygiene) Pack and a Welcome Backpack. 

These join CWS’s well-established Hygiene and School Kits and Emergency Cleanup Buckets. And UCC churches assembling and donating any of the CWS Kits can apply for UCC Match Grants of up to $250 to help stretch their contribution. 

Harvest Full of Hope 2022

Save the date for Harvest Full of Hope 2022, set to take place on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 from 8:00 - 3:30pm!

Registration is now open for the 2022 conference! Use the below link to sign up today:

https://harvestfullofhope1.wufoo.com/forms/harvest-full-of-hope-2022-registration/

This year, we are excited to announce that we will be providing free lunches and T-shirts this year for those who sign up first! Maximum quantities can be found on the registration form.

We are still taking applications for the Aaik Van Munster Award! Nominations are due September 1st and the form can be found on the home page of our website (https://harvestfullofhope.org/).

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

DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC

National Preparedness Month is an observance each September to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2022 Theme is: " A Lasting Legacy.  The life you’ve built is worth protecting. Prepare for disasters to create a lasting legacy for you and your family."  Ready PA has put together a bingo card for use throughout Preparedness Month.  Be creative!  Report what you have done on Facebook and Twitter, include: #PreparedInPA.  Children are the future and an important part of building a national culture of preparedness.  Teach your kids how to Be Ready this hurricane season!  Find fun activities and safety tips at ready.gov/kids 

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God's work. Our Hands. - Skills Day 2022 - Want to learn how to lay tile? Spackle holes in a wall? Hang dry wall? Have you ever wondered how you can help those affected by disasters? Join the Lutheran Congregational Services on Sunday September 11 from Noon to 3PM - Click Here for Flyer

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WE NEED YOUR HELP! The Disaster Ministry Team of the PNEC is preparing for future disasters that will impact our area. Those with PAST disaster experience or those with an interest in coordination and planning are NEEDED for this TEAM! PASTORS: if you know someone with these spiritual gifts or experience in your congregation, please have them contact us or pass their names along to the Team so we might encourage them to use their gifts for this valuable ministry. You can contact Rev. Steve Hummel at 484-239-5578 or by email at revstevehummel@gmail.com

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Is Your Church “Willing to Respond” in a Disaster?

Does your congregation desire to be more prepared for disasters, both to protect yourselves and to extend love to your neighbors in time of crisis? Then Willing to Respond is for you!

Equip your congregation to love your neighbor in time of disaster This free, new and rapidly growing network is providing congregations with practical tools, training and relationships, including online resources and connection to your Conference Disaster Coordinator and to denominational, ecumenical and other disaster response resources. It’s simple to access and has an easy three-step process to register.

Willing to Respond is a United Church of Christ collaboration with Disciples of Christ Week of Compassion, and Houston Responds. Willing to Respond is not a one-size-fits-all program. The way you serve is up to your congregation, as God is leading you. Your congregation may already be serving disaster survivors by assembling CWS Kits and Emergency Clean-Up Buckets, contributing to UCC appeals, preparing work teams to disaster rebuilding sites or helping people in your community clean up after a flood or storm.

Willing to Respond will help your congregation review its experience, available resources and community context; discern your growing edges, and get ready to respond when disaster strikes. The Willing to Respond network helps your congregation get connected to collaborate. Join Us Today!

WE NEED YOUR HELP BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

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**You can find more information & updates at UCC Disaster Ministries: www.ucc.org/disaster