Bonnie's Letter

Matthew 22: 36-40

“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”  He said to him, “ ‘ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: ‘You shall 

love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Dear Friends,

This is perhaps one of the most difficult letters I have ever written to you. I know how theologically diverse our United Church of Christ congregations are and yet, I cannot fail to share some insights with you.

Evangelist Franklin Graham is coming to the Allentown Fairground Arena on Saturday, September 24 at 7 pm. His tour is entitled the "God Loves You Tour" and yet his messages and theology are particularly divisive and do not reflect the greatest commandment as expressed in Matthew 22.

Often his message is anti-LGBTQ and filled with opinions that have called LGBTQ Americans "evil and rebellious." Graham is a Christian nationalist, often hiding his partisan rhetoric and theocratic agenda behind his father's legacy and the humanitarian work of Samaritan's Purse yet praising anti-LGBTQ laws in the US and Russia, supporting the Jan 6^th insurrection, often fanning the flames of violence. The idea that the tour is called the “God Loves You Tour” is antithetical to our interpretation of God’s love for all.

Graham’s message is not one I can support, and I hope that you cannot support it either. As Christians, we are called to love one another, and while I will strive to love Mr. Graham as a Christian sibling, I cannot fail to speak the truth and respond negatively to this tour and its divisive message. In conversations with our Racial Justice Team, some pastors, and others in the conference, we are planning a silent Prayer Vigil on September 24 beginning at 6 pm at the Allentown Fairgrounds. If you can join us, I would encourage you to wear clergy garb, bring a bible, prayer shawl, prayer beads, signs of faith and inclusions, or other representations of our faith.

I hope you will join us in prayer, either at the fairgrounds or from your home or church. If there are other actions you wish to take, such as calling, emailing or writing the fairgrounds to let them know that you do not support the hosting of this divisive event. For instance, based on public response, the single Great Britain venue for his tour canceled. We do have the ability to influence our public settings.

My friends, this has been difficult to articulate and share with you. I generally do not like to criticize the faith stance or preaching of another, and yet, in this case I must. I hope you will search your hearts and respond with your spirit and faithfulness to the great commandment.     Blessings, Bonnie

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

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

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...

Dear Sibling Congregations and Authorized Ministers and leaders of Penn Northeast Conference, United Church of Christ

Greetings in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ from Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ, Allentown, PA. We write to share with you important events and decisions in the life of Zion’s. In particular, we invite you to join us in thanksgiving and support for the closing worship service of the Zion’s Reformed United Church of Christ Congregation on October 2, 2022. At a Congregational Meeting held on July 10, 2022, a resolution was approved authorizing the Zion’s Consistory to move ahead with the sale of Zion’s building to Resurrected Life Community Church United Church of Christ, Allentown. There are various steps that must be taken and details which are still pending before this sale is completed. We will continue to keep you informed.

Read More Here...

Don't Miss These UCC Sponsored Events

Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice - Sept. 15 - How to Grow a Movement: Invest to End Racism – Online | 7pm EDT

UCC Summit - The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World - Sept. 19-21 - Online

Church Building & Loan Fund -

Partners in Building Event - September 29-30 | Online

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

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The Church’s Post-Pandemic Future

September 19 - 21, 2022

LEARN MORE...

The PATHWAYS Theological Education

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.

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PA Academy of Ministry

Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development

Aug 23–Sept 27, 2022

$325.

Church Finances

Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays,

7–8:30pm.

CEUs. $125. 

Click Here to Register

Crossroads Lay Leadership Program

Our Fall courses include

• Unpacking the Scriptures - Preaching with the Rev. Dr. Sue Pizor Yoder, Sept 12 - Nov 7.  
• Faith Journeys of the Old Testament with Pam Weiss, Sept 8 - Oct 27. 
• Culture & Change with Dr. Jill Peters, Nov 3 - Dec 5

All courses are offered in person at Moravian Seminary and in real time with Zoom and they are 6-9 pm.

Registration is online and open at www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads or contact Jill Peters for more info at petersj2@moravian.edu

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 and Registration Information

Register NOW for this important information workshop

Limited Space - First 50 people included

Deadline to register September 21, 2022

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.

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

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

CROP Hunger Walk

***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!

Safety Solutions for Your Ministry Workshop

September 15, 2022 - 1 to 5PM

The City Club, 850 Euclid Ave., 2nd Floor, Cleveland

Workshop is in-person and may be viewed via live stream.  Link provided upon registration.

Presenters & Presentations:

• Patrick Shaw, CISA, SPSA Central Ohio District - Active Shooter Awareness and Response
• Heather Kimmel, General Counsel, UCC - Trending Business Concerns for Ministries: What Churches Need to Know
• Christy Schiller, VP of Consulting, Praesisium - Abuse Prevention:  Claims Lessons Learned 
• Andrea Gausing, CPA - SVP&CFO, Insurance Board - Financial Controls and Considerations in a Virtual World

Register Here

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

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