Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Have you signed up?...Congregational Leadership Training
(Virtual Training for Congregational Boards, Councils and Consistories)
Saturday, March 20 from 9AM to 4PM
Cost: $25 per person OR $100 maximum per church
Topics covered: leadership basics, meting management, defining core values, behavioral covenants, governance and ministry models, specific position training for Chairs, Vice-Chairs, Secretaries, Treasurers, Pastoral Care Teams, Pastor Relations Teams
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Letter from Bonnie
Friends, Recently I was listening to music at home and heard the newly released song by Lauren Daigle, “Hold On To Me.” The chorus of the song is:
“Hold on to me when it's too dark to see You
When I am sure I have reached the end
Hold on to me when I forget I need You
When I let go, hold me again”[1]
One of the things I have missed most during the pandemic is hugs, being held in the embrace of another human being. This has gotten a little better since Steve has moved back to Pennsylvania from his year-long stay with our children. He and I can hug each other. But I miss hugging friends and people at church, all those folks with whom I am in loving relationships. I’m sure many of you feel the same way.
There were a few days last month when I wasn’t even feeling the embrace of God. That’s unusual for me. I have felt the embrace and presence of God almost every day of my life. Whether I was simply sad, not feeling with my heart and spirit, or disconnected from God, I know that God doesn’t leave me, has never left me. Even in the deepest moments of grief, I knew the presence of God. As I listened to these lyrics, tears rolled down my cheeks. God’s presence with me was reaffirmed. God holding me was clear and I felt God’s presence in my very bones.
Often music is a tool for reconnecting with my heart and my spirit. There are enough distractions in my life, personally and professionally, that it’s easy sometimes to miss the fact that God is still holding me. Does it ever feel that way to you? How do you reconnect with God in those moments?
As I write this message to you, it is Wednesday, March 3 and my Just Act Calendar from the UCC reads, “Spend some time with God today and let grace shine through your life.” That is one of my hopes for you. Let grace shine through your life. Another of my hopes is that you will know that God is present and holding you. Perhaps the third is that you will have the courage to act on the grace, love, and blessings which have been poured into your life and touch the life of someone else, someone who may not be able to feel the presence of God for themselves. The fourth verse of the song is:
“I could rest here in Your arms forever
'Cause I know nobody loves me better
Hold on to me
May it be so. Blessings, Bonnie
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Conference Meeting Worship Survey
The Conference Meeting Planning Team would love to hear from you. What creative things are you doing in worship? Are you incorporating things into worship to help people who are differently abled? How are you celebrating diversity in your congregation?
We would love to expand our worship leadership and creativity to celebrate the different ways our congregations worship. We would like to invite you and/or your worship team to consider sharing your gifts in Conference worship. Please answer this 2 question survey to share your thoughts with the planning team.
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CDC offers the following general considerations to help communities of faith discern how best to practice their beliefs while keeping their staff and congregations safe
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Share Your Story!
We have officially passed the one year marker of the beginning of the pandemic. Our lives and ways of worship were uprooted and adapted, and we have tackled challenge after challenge. It can be all too easy to look at the past 12 months with a mindset of scarcity, but there have also been amazing stories of triumph and abundance! The Generosity Committee wants to hear from you! Share your story with us about where you and your congregation have moved from scarcity to abundance! Where have you seen generosity alive and well? Please email your stories, photos, and videos to pattyr@pnec.org so we can share and be inspired together! God Bless! -Rev. Rebecca Sausser, Generosity Committee Chair
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2021 Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture on Christian Unity
with Lisa Sharon Harper
"The Call to the Beloved," March 18, 7 p.m. via Zoom
Register in advance for this webinar:
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9th Annual Freedom Seder
Hoping you will consider joining us for the 9th Annual Freedom Seder on March 30 at 7:00 pm. The theme is "From Fear to Freedom." Click Here to see the flyer posted below. The link to register is https://bit.ly/3rGGYQx
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Worship Service
We are sharing this worship service provided by Marc Stewart, Conference Minister for Montana Wyoming Conf. UCC
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PLEASE NOTE...
The Penn Northeast Conference Directory
(Churches & Rosters)
has been updated and is available on our website under the Directories tab.
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Cultural Intelligence as a Spiritual Discipline of Relinquishment
CULTIVATE COMMUNITY
What would the world look like if we (individuals and the Church) relinquished our hate, negative opinions, and incorrect notions about other cultures? Learn More.
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Dear friends of the Christmas Card Project with Japan AND others on my list of compassionate people,
You may have already seen this notice on the Global Ministries website.
On March 17th there will be a "webinar" in which I am translating for Terumi
Kataoka who has been living in Fukushima, and she will share with us the struggles of the lives of the people around her. This month marks 10 years since that awful disaster. This is the first notice. I hope you will find the time to view it. There is great content there.
Jeffrey Mensendiek (Global Ministries mission coworker)
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Save the Date! June 13th is ERHS Heritage Sunday
The Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society looks forward to partnering with you in celebrating the continuing legacy of our historic E and R churches throughout PNEC on Sunday, June 13th. Additional details are forthcoming. In the meantime, you can always visit us at erhistoricalsociety.org and follow us on Facebook @erhistoricalsoc and Instagram @erhistoricalsociety. ++++++++++++++++++++++++
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Antoinette Brown Nominations Open
In 1975, the United Church of Christ honored two clergywomen with the first Antoinette Brown Award, celebrating the life and ministry of the first woman ordained into Christian ministry since biblical times as well as the lives and ministries of UCC clergywomen who exemplify Brown’s spirit of trailblazing leadership in church and society. From now until March 15, 2021, we invite your nominations of trailblazers (UCC clergywomen who honor Antoinette Brown’s vision of women in leadership in church and society) Honorees will be celebrated at our online General Synod 33 in July 2021. The nomination form is attached and completed nominations can be sent to Rev Tara Barber at barbert@ucc.org by March 15, 2021.
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Ministering to Grieving People
March 9, 16, & 23, 2021
2:00-3:00PM Central Time - On-line
Luther Seminary's Faith + Lead Team
Even though we've started a new year, it feels like so much of 2020 is still with us doesn't it? People are dying, loved ones hurting, and the space for grief feels smaller and smaller. You may have experienced loss personally, within your church, or throughout your larger community. None of it is easy, and there are people looking to you for support. How prepared are you? Maybe the most honest answer for any of us is "I'm not really sure."
Most of us are well-equipped to sermonize about eternity, resurrection, and life ever after. There's nothing wrong with that - as long as we don't miss the chance to, as the Apostle Paul write, "mourn with those who mourn." How to do that can be complicated. We can help. Beginning in March we will be hosting an all-new online course entitled "Ministering to Grieving People." Led by author, minister, and Master Certified Coach, Dr. Don Eisenhauer. These four weekly sessions will prepare you- and your congregation - to care for hurting people in a deeper, more connected way. This course could not be more timely. Click here for more information about the course and how to register. |
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UCC Church Building & Loan Fund
Now Accepting 2022 Adese Fellowship Applications
The Adese Fellowship: A catalytic experience for emerging entrepreneurs who renew the Church's mission to create a just world for all.
The Adese (from the Amharic language to renew, pronounced ah-deh-say) Fellowship is a year-long, ecumenical program that engages participants in self-discovery, theological reflection and business development as they create enterprises that help their communities follow the way of Jesus and live into God's economy. This groundbreaking fellowship maximizes the business acumen and entrepreneurial capacity of participants to launch scaleable and sustainable ventures that counter systemic poverty.
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Organizing a Global Day of Prayer on March 8 for justice for George Floyd
As many of you know, the first day of the murder trial for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who killed George Floyd, begins on Monday, March 8 with jury selection.
Believing that prayer changes things, all are invited to attend the “Global Day of Prayer” on March 8.
Here are some ways that you can get involved and support this peaceful effort:
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If you haven’t already, go and like the Facebook page “Prayers for Justice for George Floyd and Black Liberation”. The “Global Day of Prayer” event is listed on the page. There you will find details about the day, and ways you can get involved. Here’s the link to the event: https://fb.me/e/zozjurNL
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Watch this 45-minute conversation with the Lead Caretaker of George Floyd Global Memorial. Her insight on this justice work is prophetic and profound. And, please share widely in your networks! We have a responsibility to hear the voices that we are called to amplify: https://youtu.be/-Deq4Md0eI0
Rev. Jia Starr Brown, Associate Pastor, Pronouns: she/her/hers
First Covenant Church, 810 South 7th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
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Boundary Trainings Being Offered... |
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Family/Church Boundaries training event next month
Sponsored by Pennsylvania Southeast Conference
An Advanced Boundary Training on Family/ Church Boundaries will be held March 11 from 9:00a-12:00p. Sometimes pastors and their families feel like they live in a glass house. Sometimes a spouse and/or children feel imposed upon. Sometimes the lines of being part of the same community as the church make it challenging for the pastor’s family. During this training we will consider ways to be mindful of maintaining boundaries as a clergy family. We will look at a couple of cases and then use the collective wisdom of the group to consider healthy ways to navigate those situations with faithfulness and good boundaries. Click here to register. The fee is $20. Additional advanced boundary trainings will be offered later in the year.
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Good Leave-Taking Boundaries
May 22
(from Pennsylvania Southeast Conference)
details coming soon.
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Advanced Boundary Training
(Basic boundary training must be completed first. If you have already taken a basic boundary training, this advanced training will cover your Boundary Training requirement and a certificate will be provided.)
Social Media & Boundaries for Ministry
Friday, May 14 & Friday, May 21, 2021
(series of 2 sessions)
Zoom training from 1 to 2 PM
Cost: $25
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Learn from denominational experts and the team at Convergence about the need for and management of excellent boundaries.
Each unit will contain specific learning objectives, reflections based on theological foundations, case studies, best practices and video interactions.
- Boundaries in Pastoral Relationships with Adults
- Boundaries in Pastoral Relationships with Children & Youth
- Boundaries with Finances and Church Business
- Boundaries with Ministry Transition
- Boundaries with Social Media
- Boundaries for Self-Care
Use the code BOUNDARY at checkout for $100 off!
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From the UCC Insurance Board
Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Active Shooter Preparedness Webinar
Preparing employees for a potential active shooter incident is an integral component of an organization’s incident response planning. Because active shooter incidents are unpredictable and evolve quickly, preparing for and knowing what to do in an active shooter situation can be the difference between life and death. Every second counts. Please note this active shooter preparedness training is for member denominations affiliated with Insurance Board. As a member, you will have priority access to sign up for the training as there are only 150 spots available per training session. Ministries are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to secure your spot.
FRIDAY, MARCH 12th, 2021 @1:00pm EST
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Intro to Worship Leadership & Liturgical Practices
Just $325 all inclusive. Register now! Blessings, Rev. Darryl Stephens, PhD, Director of PAM
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UCC History, Theology and Polity Course
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021
9:30am-3:30pm EST
A UCC History, Theology and Polity Course that meets the requirements as set forth by the UCC Polity Teacher's Network will be offered online in Feb/March 2021. The instructors will be Rev. David Gaewski, Conference Minister of the New York Conference, UCC, and Rev. Shernell Edney Stilley, Associate Conference Minister, New York Conference. Classes will begin at 9:30am and end at 3:30pm EST on the following dates: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021. The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing (zoom.us) The tuition will be $495. Electronic payments preferred (PayPay, Zelle, Venmo). For more information contact Rev. David Gaewski, davidgaewski@uccny.org
This polity course is sponsored by the Oneida Association of the New York Conference. Payments should be made no later than April 25th. A syllabus is available upon request. Laity, Members in Discernment and Privilege of Call candidates are all invited! The course will be cancelled if we do not obtain seven registered students. A student is considered registered when full payment has been received. Students who cancel enrollment will receive reimbursements up until April 30th. Please note several recent courses reached maximum capacity. Registration is now open.
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Here is what is coming up at Moravian Theological Seminary
Register today!
Wisdom Way of Knowing Gatherings
Fridays, March 26, April 30
3:00-5:00pm
Leader: Marcella Kraybill-Greggo, MSW, LSW
Online via Zoom Video Conference - Contact Hours: 2 per session
Price: $20 per session (you must register for each date separately)
Psychology & Spirituality Lecture
Black and Buddhist: Turning Mud into Medicine
Friday, March 12 -- 3:00-4:00pm
Speaker: Pamela Ayo Yetunde, J.D., Th.D.
Online via Zoom Video Conference - Contact Hours: 2.5
Price: $50 (+$15 for NBCC-approved CEs)
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Staying Grounded in the Storm
March 11 -- 9:30-11:30 Central Time - Live Online
A lot of us spent last year in what felt like a cycle of frustration and heartache. From a pandemic that seems to keep getting worse to electoral chaos unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed, each month has felt like another wave crashing against the shore of our lives. Because of that, we have an upcoming course you’re not going to want to miss. It’s called Staying Grounded in the Storm, and it’s designed to help you build resilience, hope, and even gratitude in the midst of difficulty. We think you’re going to love it! Click the link below for all the details and a chance to sign-up. This course couldn’t be more timely.
Luther Seminary's Faith + Lead Team
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MORE CONFLICT TRAINING DATES ANNOUNCED
Because conflict is such a part of our everyday lives, Convergence is providing this dynamic and engaging approach to conflict transformation for churches, denominations, NGOs and business organizations. This training is particularly effective for leadership councils, Sessions, Vestries and curated congregational groups. This 1.5 day online workshop will walk your group through how to become skilled in conflict transformation. You will learn skills that will reshape your interactions with present and future congregational conflict and equip you for managing conflict in your work and personal life. There will also be opportunities for sharing our personal experiences with conflict and working on leading through difficult conflict using case studies and role playing.
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Mental Health First Aid
May 8 and 15
Mark your calendar and watch for details
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2021 Phoebe Institute on Aging Virtual Conference
March 18, 2021
Registration is open for the 2021 Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) Virtual Conference! In consideration for the safety of our attendees, speakers, staff, and the community, the PIA Conference has been scheduled to take place online through Conference Tracker on Thursday, March 18. This FREE virtual seminar can be enjoyed anywhere with access to Wi-Fi on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience a variety of speakers and presentations throughout the day, including a moderated Q&A session with Dr. Ruth Westheimer. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions for Dr. Ruth. Click Here to read more and register by March 12
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Pastor's Conversations
Bonnie Bates is inviting you to a scheduled semi-monthly Pastors’ Conversations Zoom mtg, held on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 2 pm. Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 829 4709 0481
Password: 235909
One tap mobile
+16468769923,,82947090481#,,,,0#,,235909# US (New York)
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Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (2021)
May 3-7, June 21-25, August 2-6, October 11-15, or November 15-19
Does your congregation experience conflict? Does it harm your Christian fellowship and distract from your church’s mission? Learn to transform conflict from a negative force into an opportunity for reconciliation and growth. Contact the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at 630-627-0507 or Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org. The summer session of
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Churches will be conducted in person in the Chicago area on August 2-6, 2021. The exact site has yet to be determined, but it will be within driving distance of O’Hare Airport. Should circumstances force us to revert to an online-only presentation, registrants will have the option to attend remotely, apply full credit towards a future LMPC event, or receive a full refund. A final decision will be made by the end of May. Online registration is now open at https://lmpeacecenter.org/ticketspice/.
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
How to Join the Webinar :
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Please register for the event using the Adobe Connect registration web link.
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Test your Adobe Connect prior to the meeting; you may need time to update or install software to access the audio-visual content.
- This webinar will offer captioning on the webinar platform.
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For more information, contact AskCSID@fema.gov.
- A recording of webinar will be sent by email to all registered participants, in case they are unable to attend or wish to share.
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DHS Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships
DHS Announces Funding Opportunity for $1.87 Billion in Preparedness Grants. Read More.
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Resources for Faith-based Organizations & Houses of Worship
The Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) maintains a nationwide presence through regional offices that consist of personnel, including Protective Security Advisors (PSAs), who can assist in enhancing security at houses of worship and related facilities through assessments, exercises, training and other tangible capabilities. To learn more, visit, https://www.cisa.gov/.
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2021 CWS Kit Booklet that explains all of the details of the CWS kit ministry:
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The Humanitarian Disaster Institute is hosting a Spiritual Care Summit online on March 11, 2021. Learn more about this event and other disaster spiritual care news. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UCC offers relief, issues Winter Storms appeal for Texas, beyond. On Friday 2/19, the United Church of Christ issued an appeal to raise funds for 2021 winter storm relief and long-term recovery in Texas and beyond. We call to your attention:
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Attached is the flyer for a series of webinars that are sponsored by multiple agencies entitled, "FAITH-BASED VIRTUAL WORKSHOP SERIES” concerning keeping our churches safe. The webinars for eastern PA will be held at the beginning of June. We are also reminded that if there is a need to report an incident at one of our churches, we are to contact the Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Intelligence Center (PaCIC) at sp-protectpa@pa.gov or (855) 772-7768.
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Ready PA Monthly
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