• THIS WEEK IN PNEC                 October 6, 2022
Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
www.pnec.org  610-826-3113
Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates   bonnieb@pnec.org       
Barbara Jennings   barbaraj@pnec.org
Patty Rehrig   pattyr@pnec.org
  SEND ARTICLES TO BE INCLUDED TO  pattyr@pnec.org

Bonnie's Letter

1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no division among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

 

Dear Friends,

 

As I reflect on the church, from meetings and gatherings and conversations with colleagues and reading devotions, and praying, I wonder if we are willing to be the church – the 21st Century Church which is not bound by physical presence or buildings or membership or even common practice. Are we willing to be the church in new ways, including new people and exploring new options for participation and spiritual development and growth?

 

Recently, I trained some folks about flexible governance and ministry models that may help simplify our congregational management tasks and program and mission opportunities. We talked about letting go of the “old” way of working and stepping into new ways of implementing our congregational visions and missions. I love having these conversations. The questions and insights are rich. The possibility of change is energizing. And the foundation of our faith remains. We seek to accomplish the same things, bringing people into relationship with each other and with God, just in different ways.

 

In a recent devotional by Rev. Michael Piazza, when asked about what it means to be a vibrant and vital hybrid church, he compared the hybrid church to sports. Several thousand people gather in stadiums to celebrate the work of “their” team. Yet, countless more people go online or watch on television or gather in sports bars experiencing the game together. What if we acted with the same freedom?

 

There is no barrier in the hybrid church. People from all over the world can attend and listen to a message about God’s steadfast love, Jesus’ ministry and leadership, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to be in a building. We don’t have to be in person. We do have to be relevant, sharing the gospel and the call to mission, which can be done together in person or supported on social media or in hybrid ways. What if we started treating all the people who gather with us, in person, online, or on Facebook the same – as disciples, as followers of Jesus, as committed partners to the work of the Church? What if we invited everyone to support the ministry and mission of the church – financially and missionally?

 

The Conference will be exploring Hybrid Church, the resources needed, the technology lessons we have learned, and other insights when we gather on October 12 for Ministry Day. We hope you will be with us. If not, we hope your mind will be open to new ways to be church, to do church and to include as many as wish to be included.

 

Blessings my Friends, Bonnie

Hurricane Aid

UCC launches emergency appeal for 2022 hurricanes – Ian, Fiona and those still to come.


Read more, donate now


Dear Friend:

Thank you for your support of disaster relief. Your generosity has aided hundreds of families in need of help to rebuild their homes and lives. We request your renewed support for the Hurricanes 2022 Fund for those in crisis in the aftermath of Hurricanes Fiona and Ian, and other significant storms that may arise in the warm Atlantic waters. Your gift to the Hurricanes 2022 Fund will help with immediate needs while basic infrastructure is repaired, and more complete assessments can be made.

We don’t know what may come next with two months remaining in hurricane season. We know that as a people of faith, we can show up through our prayers and giving for our most vulnerable neighbors and journey with them on the long road to recovery. With your support, we can offer healing and resources through solidarity grants that support relief.

Your gift enables the church to be present with people amidst catastrophic and life-changing situations, offering immediate relief and providing long-term recovery support. Working through a network of global and local partners, the church lives out its call to care for our neighbors as we strive together toward a just world for all. If you prefer, you may send a check payable to the United Church of Christ, PO BOX 71957 Cleveland, OH 44194. Please be sure to note “Hurricanes Fund 2022” in the memo section.


Kent Siladi, Director of Philanthropy, UCC

Summary Notes of the Sept 21, 2022, Conference Board Meeting

Click Here to Read

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

Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)

Full scholarships available! A generous donor has provided money to pay for two new PAM students to enroll in Lovett Weems's class, Church Finances, which begins Oct 11. I would like your help to spread the word about this opportunity. 


This class is ideal for both lay and clergy leaders. Please share the announcement (below) in your newsletters and with all who may be interested. Persons interested in applying for this scholarship should contact me at dstephens@lancasterseminary.edu


Upcoming Classes in the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM):

Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm via Zoom. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125. Scholarships available—contact dstephens@lancasterseminary.edu.


Beginning January 2023:

Jews and the American Civil Rights Movement, January 11–February 15, 2023. Wednesdays, 7–8:30pm via Zoom. Instructor, Rabbi Jack Paskoff. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.


Church History To the Reformation, Jan 10–Feb 14, 2023. Weeknights via Zoom. Instructor, the Rev. Matt Deal. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.

Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/ 

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 -- 8AM to 3PM

Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, Allentown, PA

REGISTER BY OCTOBER 7


All are welcome to attend...pastors, congregational members, students

Child Care is available at Jordan Church

$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 15th !!  ~ The Spiritual Development Ministry Team

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

Safety Solutions for your Ministry Workshop

Active Shooter Awareness and Response

October 26 at Jordan UCC, Allentown

 

The UCC Insurance Board is hosting a Loss Control Workshop for ALL PNEC Congregations on October 26 from 5:00-8:00 pm at Jordan UCC in Allentown. In addition to the Active Shooter Awareness and Response Workshop, the following topics will also be discussed: Abuse Prevention Considerations, Church Operations and Trending HR Concerns, Financial Controls Best Practices and Cyber Awareness. A member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be in attendance as a presenter of the Active Shooter segment of the program.

 

Click here for an agenda and to register, click on the “To Register Click Here” section of the announcement.

 

Light snacks and refreshments will be served at 5:00 pm.

 

If you have any questions regarding this workshop, please contact the Conference Office (610.826.3113).

Last Call for These Upcoming Events & Deadlines


 


Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom

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

Thursdays 12noon to 1pm

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 10th from 9am-11am.

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

Coming in October-Crossroads and Connections

Four enlightening workshops in October on Reducing Plastics. The leadership for these is over the moon and they do what they are teaching. See registration info below:

    Wednesday, October 12, 6:30-8:00pm

 Click to Register

 Monday, October 17, 6:30-8:00pm  

Click to Register

Tuesday, October 25, 6:30-8:00pm

Click to Register   

 Participants of these workshops will be able to screen the following documentaries:

  

The Recycling Myth:: Viewing for a week starting October 11- password will be sent out to registrants.

We the Guinea Pigs: Viewing for a week starting October 18- password will be sent out to registrants

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Diversity Training Offered

Diversity - what is it, how does it increase the vitality of our communities and congregations and our commitment to Christ?

The PSEC presents a Diversity Awareness Training for pastors on 

Thursday, October 13th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, via Zoom.

Good for 3 Diversity Training contact hours.

$20.00 for UCC members and $25.00 for non-UCC members.

Click here to register.

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PNEC SUNDAY

November 20, 2022

PROUD TO BE… UCC

Where? Your church!

Join area UCC congregations to celebrate with our Penn Northeast East family. Worship materials are provided for your congregation to use or adapt.

Click Here for Worship Materials

Vital Conversations

Wednesday, October 19 - 10 to 11AM

After a summer hiatus, the Congregational Vitality Team is relaunching its monthly Vital Conversations! These are Zoom forums designed for clergy and lay leaders to brainstorm together about church vitality topics, tricks, and troubles.  You can join us at Meeting ID: 817 9668 4439

Passcode: 292474  

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Clinical Pastoral Education at Phoebe Ministries

(accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, We Work, Floor 4, 120 W Trinity Place, Decatur, GA 30030. www.acpe.edu)

 Now accepting applications for our…

Semi-Intensive Extended CPE Group –

January – May 2023 

·     4 hours of class time per week on Wednesday evenings

·     Class time by Zoom and in person

·     12 hours of weekly ministry on one of our 4 Continuing Care Retirement Community campuses with

      negotiable days/hours (Allentown, Berks, Richland, and Wyncote)

·     Working and learning with board certified chaplains

·     ACPE certified Educator Scott Brooks-Cope leading the group

·     Spring break built in.

·     Full scholarships available

·     Deadline to Apply – Nov. 1, 2022

 For information please email/call

Rev. Dr. Scott Brooks-Cope scope@phoebe.org or 610-794-5119.

Standard CPE Applications can be emailed to scope@phoebe.org

More information at our website: https://phoebe.org/education/clinical-pastoral-education/

Leading Worship for Lay Leaders

Saturday, December 3, 2022

9AM to Noon via zoom

FREE

Designed to help lay leaders prepare and lead worship!

The training will cover:

  • Basic liturgy planning
  • Using the lectionary
  • Identifying hymns
  • Utilizing worship resources to plan worship
  • Framing questions for dialogue sermon

Click Here for Flyer & Registration Info.

Progressive Christian Theological Education Courses

PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc., invites you to explore its Progressive Christian theological education courses. These courses are affordable, asynchronous, and completely online to fit the schedules of busy people! Each course offers participants the opportunity to develop competency in the subject matter as well as the chance to meet and work with a diverse group from across the United States. Whether you are called to a pastoral role, a congregational or community leader seeking new skills, or a curious inquirer, PATHWAYS has courses to expand your thinking, enhance your knowledge, and exhilarate your soul.

Course Schedule Look for PATHWAYS Winter I Term (January 2023) include: UCC History and Polity, and a new Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE accredited CPE). Spring and Summer 2023 schedule coming soon!

Ministerial Preparation The PATHWAYS core three-level curriculum for ministerial preparation, leadership development and continuing education. There is time to sign up for courses, the registration process is easy and courses can begin the same day you register. Contact Melissa Ashmore, Registrar at registrar@pathwaystheological.org with questions

Christmas Card Project

Dear Churches of the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ,            

  

  Greetings from Japan. My name is Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek and I am a mission co-worker (missionary) serving with the Common Global Ministries Board for the past 32 years. In 2011, the area where I lived was hit by a large earthquake and tsunami. Then we witnessed the nuclear meltdown in Fukushima. The Christmas Card Project was started in 2012 to connect our US churches with partner churches in the affected areas of Japan. This year will mark the 10th year of our shared prayers for peace and justice in this world. I am writing to inquire whether your church would be interested in participating this year in this Project. Each year we have about 40 UCC and Disciples churches join in reaching out globally through prayer. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed many challenges to our congregations on both sides of the Pacific. Even as we might feel a bit overwhelmed by our own predicament, God calls us to reach out to care and connect in the name of Christ.

   If you decide to participate this year, I will be asking you to do two things during Advent. 1) To send a Christmas card to one or two churches in early December, and 2) to lift these churches up in prayer sometime during the Advent season. Once I have a firm count of the participating churches, I will send you the names and updated information pertaining to the churches to which you will be assigned. If you have participated in this project before, I will try to match you with the same churches that you have had before. Our Japanese partners have asked that we continue this project, and I am encouraged to see how the Holy Spirit is leading us in new patterns of partnership.

  This is an opportunity to reach out globally together through prayer. Please discuss this with your congregation and let me know by October 18th (TUE) whether you will be participating or not. I will then send you the contacts and necessary information pertaining to the partner churches by November 11th (FRI). This should give you time to prepare the Christmas cards to send off by the beginning of December. Also let me know who will be the contact person at your congregation, and the contact address If you need stories and information from Japan please go to my blog at (http://jeffreyfromjapan.blogspot.com/). The material is dated but it will give you a sense of the struggles the churches faced during the great disaster. The chair of the World Mission Committee of our partner churches has promised to write a letter in which he will bring you up to date on the situation in Fukushima, as well as the challenges the churches face in the area 11 years after the disaster.

   This Project aims to connect partner churches across the ocean by reaching out globally through prayer at Advent. It is a way to hold on to the ties that bind us in Christ, and to say “We remember you. We care. Your lives matter.” In the spirit of the mutuality of mission, I pray that this small gesture of solidarity will be a sign of hope for churches both in the US and Japan. When writing, please do not hesitate to mention your prayer concerns for what is happening in and around your congregation. In this way we share in the mutuality God’s mission.

                                 Yours in Christ, Jeffrey Mensendiek

                                                                              Tokyo, Japan


PS: In most cases the Japanese churches will respond with a letter, but in some cases, they may not be able to respond in kind. The Mission Committee chair indicated that that does not mean they do not appreciate our gesture of solidarity and connection.

375th Anniversary of the Westminster Confession

Join us on October 20th at 3 pm EDT/8 pm BST for a virtual program marking the 375th anniversary of the Westminster Confession.  Created upon the request of the English Parliament by "learned, godly, and judicious Divines" convened at Westminster Abbey, the Westminster Confession of Faith has had a remarkable influence within Protestantism over the 375 years since its adoption. In commemoration of this important anniversary, the Congregational Library & Archives, Boston, and Dr Williams’s Library, London, are bringing leading scholars and theologians together to talk about the significance of the Westminster Confession: past, present, and future.  During this virtual program, Dr. Chad Van Dixhoorn will speak on “The Westminster Assembly in Historical Context,” Dr. Baird Tipson on "The Impact of the Westminster Confession during New England's First Century," and Rev. Dr. Richard L. Floyd on “Reflections on the Legacy of the Westminster Confession of Faith.” The program will be moderated by Dr. Isabel Rivers.

The event is free to all, but registration is required via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oFgBKeXgRUuo16Y0X0bgEg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information, please email info@14beacon.org

PSEC/PNEC Clergy Women's Retreat

January 24-January 26 

(arrive around 4pm 1/24/23 and departure around Noon 1/26/23 - more details TBD)

Mariawald Retreat Center in Reading, PA

More Info Coming Soon!!  Mark Your Calendars.

Contact Person:  Rev. Kim Berenotto - pastorkim@longswampucc.org

Archiving church records can be daunting.

Join us on October 13th at 1 pm EST on Zoom for a crash course in church records management from the CLA’s archivists, Billy and Zachary

Congregational church records provide a window into the history of a community and its many families. Memories of events, outreach programs, community engagement, and more may appear specific to your church and its mission, but when combined with memories from other congregations, these artifacts tell a larger story, not only about your community, but about American society and Congregationalism’s place within it. And while beginning an archival project may seem daunting, preserving these records allows coming generations to know what came before, to appreciate where they are now, and to consider ways to best fulfill your church’s mission in the future.


The CLA’s archivists, Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy, will demystify your church's records and provide advice on ensuring their preservation. Join us as we discuss how to organize church records, overview the basics of an active records management program, and offer some options for their long-term preservation at repositories like the Congregational Library & Archives.

The event is free to all, but registration is required via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1rkROFIiSyClQHEQZyXC9Q

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information, please email info@14beacon.org

DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC


Response to Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico (Sept. 18) -  On Sunday, Sept. 18, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, causing power outages for millions of homes and businesses and life-threatening flooding across the island. For information on the impact to the UCC, the UCC's response efforts, and how you can help, click here to read a disaster update.

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Welcome Backpacks and Period Packs join CWS service kit lineup; matching grants available:

UCC 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. 

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

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