• THIS WEEK IN PNEC                  August 19, 2021
Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
www.pnec.org  610-826-3113; 610-826-5464 FAX
Conference Minister, Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates   bonnieb@pnec.org       
Rev. Christian Creyer    christianc@pnec.org     
Barbara Jennings   barbaraj@pnec.org Patty Rehrig   pattyr@pnec.org
  SEND ARTICLES TO BE INCLUDED TO  pattyr@pnec.org
Letter from Bonnie
Dear Friends,
 
Welcome to the last weeks of summer…. school either has begun or will be beginning soon, fall meetings and programs for the church community are already or soon to begin, and we have had a week of cooler, albeit rainy and humid weather.
 
How are you preparing for fall? What will change in your schedule? How will the pace of your life change, or will it?
 
Fall always feels a little like another beginning in the year to me. Maybe it’s because I spent so many years either in school (high school, BA, MA, M.Div., D.Min.) or teaching at a university level. I try to make resolutions in January and by now they are either accomplished or forgotten. I tend to make more resolutions in the fall – eat better, exercise more, balance my schedule if those things are even possible. This fall I plan on a different resolution. I plan on breathing in the breath of God more frequently. For me, this means taking a deep and cleansing breath in the moment of prayer each morning as I begin my day and each evening as I end my day.
 
I am reminded of the hymn, “Breathe on Me, Breath of God.” Its lyrics are:
 
Breathe on me, Breath of God; Fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love; And do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God; Until my heart is pure,
Until with Thee I will one will; To do and to endure.
Breathe on me, Breath of God; Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me; Glows with Thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, Breath of God; So, shall I never die,
But live with Thee the perfect life; Of Thine eternity.[1]
 
I want life anew. Do you? I want to love God and my neighbors. Do you? I want my heart to be pure, free of animosity, hate, and selfishness. Do you? I want to emanate with the fire of the Holy Spirit and share that Spirit with others. Do you?
 
That is the purpose for my breathing in the breath of God each morning and each evening. What is your resolution or commitment to encounter God this fall? Share it with me, with your colleagues, with your congregations. Even if you don’t share your resolution or commitment to encounter God, take a moment and allow God to breathe on you, as you breathe in God.
Blessings, Bonnie

UCC News - Help for Haiti

UCC issues $100,000 emergency appeal after deadly 7.2 earthquake, followed by tropical storm.


One can also mail a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, to 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115. Please be sure to note “Haiti Appeal” on your check in the memo section, or in an attached letter.
Call to the Fall Meeting of PNEC
 Saturday, November 6, 2021
In Person or Virtual
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Road, Allentown, PA
 
Theme - Grief: Let Go to Move Forward
Scripture - Psalm 30:5 weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes with the morning
  
Keynote Speaker and Workshop Leader 
Rev. Chad Abbott
Conference Minister, Indian/Kentucky Conference, Spiritual Director and Author of Incline Your Ear

2022 Compensation Guidelines are here!
Dear Friends,
 
The Authorized Ministry Compensation Sub-Group of the Committee on Ministry recently met and reviewed the Compensation Recommendations for 2022. As we reviewed the materials, we considered the COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges to our ministers and our congregations.
 
As you review the guidelines, you will note that we have increased the base salary by 3% to reflect an annual cost of living increase. Since we did not increase the salary base last year and since the cost of living this year has increased nearly 2% and may increase up to 5% next year, we thought this was a fair increase.
 
We have added a section in the Preamble which discusses a Covenant of Mutuality. We hope this makes clear how adjustments may be made in discussion between congregational leadership and the authorized minister.
 
Please remember, too, that amendments to Ministerial Call Agreement and Three-Way Covenant forms should be completed annually and submitted to the Conference Office by January 2022. These forms are on the PNEC website (www.pnec.org).
 
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to one of the subgroup members.
 
In Christ's truth and love,
 
Rev. Mark Rowell   markerowell@gmail.com
Ms. Barbara Hanks bjhkatz@aol.com
Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, staff advisor bonnieb@pnec.org

Click Here for 2022 Ministerial Compensation Recommendations for Authorized Ministers
Click Here for Compensation Worksheet
From the PA Council of Churches
We have continued to add more videos to our YouTube channel urging Pennsylvanians to #GetVaccinated! You can view all the videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq_GcUF3F7YzmKrt6g-0zefMZZNrxxqtn.
 
One of our members has upped the game, however--please check out the video produced by the Synod of the Trinity, Presbyterian Church (USA) at https://youtu.be/hMxxR3zU0D0.
A diverse collection of members of the Synod of the Trinity Presbyterian Church (USA) joins the Pennsylvania Council of Churches to urge you to get vaccinate...
We are challenging all of our members to consider submitting videos that reflect the diversity of their members and congregations! This is not meant to be competition, though a little friendly promotion within your networks and Pennsylvania as a whole is welcomed and encouraged.
 
If you decide to submit your own video, it should be sent to me at s.strauss@pachurches.org. I can receive videos via Dropbox, Google Docs, or a large file transfer program like TransferNow (which is free). It will be shared on our YouTube channel and via social media--including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even Tiktok!
 
Thanks for considering! Blessings and peace,
Rev. Sandra L. Strauss, Director of Advocacy & Ecumenical Outreach
Pennsylvania Council of Churches, 900 S. Arlington Avenue, Suite 211A, Harrisburg, PA 17109
(717) 545-4761/(717) 545-4765 (fax)/(717) 350-0165 (cell); s.strauss@pachurches.org
Be The Healing Conference
with Dr. Joy DeGruy
August 27-28, 2021
Conference Objectives: At the completion of this conference, participants will:
A. Understand how the structural inequalities beginning with the period of enslavement continue to impact African Americans and their communities today.
B. Select and apply strategies to enhance empowerment for African American populations at risk, and to promote economic and social justice.
C. Analyze relevant concepts of the Relationship Approach and the Philosophical Aspect of cultural difference as a basis for understanding the behaviors of African American individuals and families
within their social/cultural environments.
D. Examine and investigate culturally appropriate interventions including “Virtues Training” for work with African American individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities.
E. Understand the role that social learning theory and learned helplessness has played in the adaptive behaviors of African Americans and other racial and ethnic groups.
F. Apply improvement tools in work with individuals, families and communities.

Improvement Strategies: Participants will learn about improvement as a science and its implications for supporting healing initiatives and social justice as a framework that helps to accelerate how we learn to improve. It is a user and problem centered approach to accelerate teaching and learning through action, learning by doing. As the improvement process advances, previously unknown problems often emerge and improvement activities may need to move in new directions. Rapid tests of change are suggested to guide the continued fine-tuning of new tools, processes, roles and relationships. The objective IS then, to facilitate a focused learning journey.
The primary goals of the training are to focus on how we improve, how we reduce stress, how to effectively problem solve and ultimately learning how to “struggle well.”
Afghan SIVs and Refugees How to Help Toolkit
Welcoming and Advocating for Afghan SIVs and Refugees: A Toolkit
Right now, the United States is stepping up resettlement of Afghan interpreters and others who helped U.S. forces in the 20-year effort to defeat the Taliban. As the Taliban now takes control of Afghanistan and U.S. military and diplomatic personnel pull out, the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement is anticipating a sudden and rapid increase in the arrival of Afghan “SIVs” - Special Immigrant Visa
holders and their families - to U.S. shores. These SIVs assisted U.S. operations in their country at extreme personal risk to themselves and their families. In return, they were promised emergency refugee
status on U.S. soil. As a denomination committed to welcoming the stranger and loving our neighbors, the United Church of Christ and its congregations are once again under a special call, in this case to welcome Afghan SIVs and to advocate for them and other Afghan refugees. Read More...
Congregational Leadership Training
September 25, 2021 - 9AM to 4PM via Zoom
This training is for congregational boards, councils and consistories
(congregational leaders, board members, board secretaries, board treasurers, pastoral relations teams, and pastoral care teams)
Cost: $25/person or $100 max./church
Topics Covered: copyright training, leadership basics, meeting management, defining core values, behavioral covenants, governance and ministry models, specific position training for chairs, vice-chairs, secretaries, treasurers, pastoral care teams, pastoral relations teams
DEADLINE TO REGISTER is September 10, 2021



From the Spiritual Development Ministry Team

This is coming up fast...Did YOU register???
10 Week Book Study on the Book Trauma Sensitive Theology
by Jennifer Baldwin - sponsored by the PNEC Mental Health Ministry Team
Join us for a book study and discussion beginning on August 25 from 2 to 3PM via Zoom. (Please note the time was changed)
This is open to all, not just pastors!
COST - donation to the Conference Minister's Discretionary Fund
CLICK HERE for flyer and registration
Flood recovery volunteer opportunity in Philadelphia
Here is a mission opportunity right in your backyard!
 
Many families in Philadelphia’s Eastwick neighborhood are still struggling to complete repairs to damage from severe flooding in last year’s Tropical Storm Isaias.
 
The United Church of Christ is inviting mission teams to bring a helping hand and hope to 60 families.
 
Teams of 2 to 5 volunteers are welcome for one to five days at a time. Commute in, or stay overnight for free at Salt and Light Church, Philadelphia.
 
UCC Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Disaster Coordinator the Rev. Karl Jones is among leaders of the recovery effort. UCC Disaster Ministries has deployed Partner in Service Judith Moore as volunteer coordinator.
 
Shenkel UCC in Pottstown, Pa., sent a five-member work team to Eastwick July 17. They’re already planning a return trip.
 
The team included Shenkel UCC’s pastor, the Rev. Suzanne Spaulding.
 
“I hope more churches in the area will send groups,” Spaulding said. “There is something satisfying to help people in our own backyard. And with COVID it is nice to not have to travel a long way.”
 
The Shenkel team worked on restoring the basement of the home of an older man rearing two grandchildren. He has lived in the house for 41 years.
 
“He had gutted the basement before we arrived,” said team leader Gary McDermit. “A new hot water heater, HVAC system and washer/dryer had been installed. The homeowner just needed a hand to complete the work.”
 
Interested in volunteering? Contact: Judy Moore, Volunteer Coordinator 802-299-8290; IsaiasRecoveryVolunteers@gmail.com
 
To learn more about other ways to get involved or to make a gift in support, contact Lesli Remaly, UCC Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery: remalyl@ucc.org
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
Fall classes begin soon.
Job-Hunting Field Guide: Bivocational Ministry and Beyond
Tuesday nights September 7 – October 12, 2021, via Zoom
$100 for 2.5 CEU credits. Instructor: Packard Brown.
Hands-on classes will equip you to create your own promotional package, develop and hone interview skills, find jobs before they are posted, and design your own job-search campaign. This class is beneficial for secular as well as ministerial job searches. Register by Aug 31.
 
Money and Ministry: A Theology for Congregational Leaders
Thursday, October 14, 7–8:30pm and Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm, Oct 19–Nov 16, 2021, via Zoom
Instructor: Mike Little, Director of Faith and Money Network. 2.5 CEUs. $325. Register by October 5.
 
Information and registration:
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
Identify. Understand. Respond.
Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to help someone who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge. The training helps you identify, understand and respond to signs of additions and mental illnesses.
Saturday, October 9, 2021
For Laity (non-clergy) Only
9:00AM - 4:00PM at Hope UCC, Wind Gap
(pending current Covid Style: Otherwise it will be online via Zoom)
Questions, please reach out to Rev. Dr. Emily B. Hall -- hopeuccpastor@rcn.com
For a detailed flyer and registration click here
UCC Mental Health Network
New Resource Helps Congregations Address Youth and Trauma
(August 10, 2021) – The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network is pleased to offer a new set of resources to help congregations and other community-based organizations address the mental health effects of trauma on children. Their development was led by psychologist Dr. Vicki K. Harvey; Rev. Amy Petré Hill, mental health and neurodiversity chaplain; and members of the UCC Mental Health Network Board of Directors. They were created in partnership with Advocate Aurora Health, a Chicago-area health system that is one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the country.
The resources available are:
  • “Are We Listening? Trauma & Youth,” an hourlong video presented by Amy McNicholas, LCPC, Faith and Mental Health Program Specialist for Advocate Health Care.
  • Are We Listening? Trauma & Youth Resources, an extensive list of crisis lines, websites, videos and trainings for congregations and other organizations that want to train and prepare to help youth facing trauma.
“Churches are uniquely situated to be wombs for trauma recovery for the youth and children in their congregations and surrounding communities,” Dr. Harvey said. “These resources are powerful tools to assist in boosting your trauma awareness and as inspiration for personalizing your own safe way forward for the wounded in your midst.”
Click here to access “Trauma and Youth Resources,” then fill out a short registration form. You will be able to download the resources immediately. If you have any questions or would like more information about the Mental Health Network, please email info@mhn-ucc.org or visit mhn-ucc.org.
Immediate Job Openings for Phoebe Campus Locations
Penn Northeast Conference is a ministry partner with Phoebe

Penn Northeast Conference
Phoebe Allentown (Allentown, PA)
RNs, LPNs, CNAs
Dining Services positions
Cook part time
 
Phoebe Richland (Richlandtown, PA)
RNs, LPNs, CNAs
Resident Care Assistants (no exp. necessary)
Dining Services positions
Cook part time
 
Penn Central Conference
Phoebe Berks (Wernersville, PA)
Part time and full time
RNs, LPNs, CNAs
Resident Care Assistants (no exp. necessary)
Dining Services positions
Cooks
 
Pennsylvania Southeast Conference
Phoebe Richland Health Care Center (Richlandtown, PA)
RNs, LPNs, CNAs
Dining Services positions
Cooks
 
Phoebe Wyncote (Wyncote, PA)
CNAs
Clinical Dietitian per diem part time
Dining Services positions
Cook part time
 
Lisa B. Fichera, Chief Operating Officer, Phoebe Ministries, 1925 Turner Street | Allentown, PA 18104
P: 610-794-5138 | C: 610-248-8618 | F: 610-794-5421; lfichera@phoebe.org | www.phoebe.org
UCC National Doing a Survey on our Faith INFO’s
Tuesdays for Nurture and Thursdays for the Soul digital programming series
They are solicitating feedback on how to improve their digital programming to meet the needs of local churches and denomination.  I am especially interested in those doing work in rural areas what they thought of the digital programs we did centering on rural ministries. I have included them below for easy access to those yet to view our programs on You Tube.
  
The complete story on UCC news can be found: UCC asks, 'What do you want in a webinar?' - United Church of Christ
 
 
UCC National digital programs on rural ministries for 2020-2021:
 
 
 

Bendiciones y Paz, Roberto - Roberto Ochoa, M.Div. (el, he, his, him)
 Associate for Congregations of Color/Ethnic Identified Congregations; Faith INFO (Faith Education, Innovation, and Formation)
United Church of Christ, Justice and Local Church Ministries, 700 Prospect Ave East, Cleveland, OH 44115
216.736.3813 (office)
Crossroads Courses this Fall
Crossroads is pleased to offer the following courses this Fall. All courses are offered in person at Moravian Theological Seminary and online, real time through Zoom. Registration and more information is available at www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroadsContact Dr. Jill Peters at petersj2@moravian.edu with any questions.
Traditions
a look at world religions and other Protestant denominations
with the Rev. Dr. Bill Falla on Mondays from 6-9 pm, Sept 13-Nov 1, 2021

Creative Worship
with Rev. Maggie Wellert
explores what is worship and how we can bring new life to our worship experiences
Thursday 6-9 pm, Sept 9 - Oct 28, 2021

Unpacking the Scriptures - Discipleship
with Pam Weiss who leads the discipleship program at First Pres Allentown
gives us practical and creative ways to bring people together to explore their faith. 
This is our Late Fall Course which meets twice a week (Mon and Thurs) from 11/4 until 12/2/2021

Looking ahead:
Missional Leadership, Mondays 1/3 - 2/21/2022 Dr. Jill Peters
Road Hazards (Congregational Ethics), Thurs 1/6 - 2/24/2022 Rev. Derek French & Dr. Jill Peters
Story of Christianity, Mondays 3/7 - 5/2/2022 (Except Holy Week 4/11) Rev. Dr. Bill Falla
My Journey (Formative Spirituality) Thursdays 3/10 - 5/5/2022 (Except Holy Week 4/14) Rev.
  Maggie Wellert

Dr. Jill Peters, Missional Leadership Developer, Moravian Theological Seminary
Vital Conversations
Every fourth Monday of each month at 7 PM, clergy and lay leaders are invited to attend a Zoom conversation where they can talk through situations with other leaders, learn, and brainstorm together. As the light at the end of the COVID tunnel grows brighter, our churches and our people are excited to “get back” to some sense of normal ministry. However, our excitement is not without some apprehension: “How do we regain the momentum that was halted by closures? How do we decide what to restart and what to leave ended? How do we re-ignite the congregation’s passion for worship and service?” The Congregational Vitality Team wants to provide an on-going space for asking and discussing these questions as our churches navigate this exciting season of new beginnings.
Meeting ID: 817 9668 4439
Passcode: 292474
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CONFLICT TRAINING DATES ANNOUNCED
September 17-18, 2021 Register Here
December 10-11, 2021 Register Here
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.
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Registration is now open for Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
to be held on October 11-15 and November 15-19, 2021.  The two identical sessions will be held remotely via Zoom. This workshop is designed to help church leaders deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. For details consult this MSTI Brochure.
(Sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center)
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Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) 2021
Generations Un-Gala
You’re invited to the Phoebe Institute on Aging (PIA) 2021 Generations Un-Gala at Folino Estate Vineyard & Winery. During this special evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of Tuscany, sample wines, and participate in activities like bocce - all while supporting the PIA's educational programs for front-line senior care workers.
Twilight in Tuscany will be a rare “á-la-carte” Un-Gala experience. You’ll have the freedom to come and go as you please and participate in or just observe Tuscany-inspired activities. This will be a relaxing event where you can mingle with fellow attendees and have some fun.
We will also honor Mitch and Jami Possinger and Robert and Judith Miller with the 2020 and 2021 Harrity Awards for Exemplary Service to the Aging.
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SAVE THE DATE
October 19, 2021 -- 9AM to 3PM
Ministry Day - Jordan UCC, Allentown
and via Zoom - watch for details
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Clergy Clinic in
Family Emotional Process
A Leadership Training Program
sponsored by Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, Lombard, Illinois
October 25-27, 2021
February 14-16, 2022
May 2-4, 2022
OR
November 8-10, 2021
Marcy 7-9, 2022
May 23-25, 2022
This Clergy Clinic is designed to enhance the ability of participants to function as self-differentiated leaders within their own ministry setting. It will provide a safe forum for processing challenging situations in one's ministry, while also facilitating reflection on a way of thinking about the human condition which has implications for all aspects of life. Click Here for a detailed flyer and registration form.
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC

FEMA will present a "Ready Senior" workshop. on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm ET.  Increasingly, frail older adults with complex health issues live alone in the community, far from their relatives and caregivers. An older adult may depend upon community service providers for basic necessities and psychosocial support prior to a disastrous event. However, the need for these critical services increases when services are disrupted, or the senior is impacted during a major disaster. This workshop will address this disparity by preparing organizations that provide critical services. Register for Workshop: https://fema.connectsolutions.com/readyseniorsaug21/event/registration.html
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Information on federal relief resources for renters & landlords
Linked below are materials in English and Spanish for Treasury’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program and HUD’s Emergency Housing Voucher Program.
Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program
HUD Emergency Housing Voucher Program
(from the PA Council of Churches)
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**You can find more information & updates at UCC Disaster Ministries: www.ucc.org/disaster