Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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PNEC is searching for new homes for the following:
- Three two-drawer file cabinets with a safe and card file
- Three two-drawer file cabinets which has a formica top covering the tops of the cabinets
- Two large heavy wooden desks in good shape
- Two Christmas tree stands
- An assortment of metal bookends and pamphlet boxes (plastic and cardboard)
- Two bulletin boards
If you are interested, call Barbara at 610.826.3113 to make arrangements for pick up at 431 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton.
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PA Voter Registration Drive-Through
Saturday, October 10 from 10AM to Noon
Penn Northeast Conference Office parking lot, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA
Check your voter registration or register to vote!!
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IMPORTANT STEWARDSHP TRAINING - Secure Your Church's Future
Pennsylvania Southeast, Penn Central, and Penn Northeast conferences are working with the UCC's Generosity Outreach Officer to create this workshop for our churches and leaders.
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Oct. 17, 10:00a-12:00p: Planned Giving to Support Mission and Ministry – While a significant wealth transfer occurs (and will occur) in our country as our eldest generation passes, many congregations and ministries remain unprepared to promote planned giving options among their members. Only 5% of people leave a charitable bequest even though nearly a third of people would if asked or invited to consider one. Through this webinar, you will learn key concepts and create an actionable plan for your congregation or ministry.
(TO REGISTER for Oct. 17 - please email pattyr@pnec.org and you will be sent the zoom link closer to the workshop date.)
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PNEC Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Gilberto Garcia Rodriguez
Resignation Letter
Conference Minister, Bonnie Bates Letter
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Achieving Health and Racial Equity for Everyone: Why the Faith Community
Must Act
God did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Racial, Ethnic and Health Disparities (REHD) Task Force, a cross-programmatic collaboration among Wider Church Ministries, Global H.O.P.E. Team, Justice and Local Church Ministries, Racial Justice Team and The Council on Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM) invites local UCC congregations and conferences to partner with us as we engage in faith work to promote Health Equity - policies, programs and actions that give people the opportunity to attain their full health and social potential. Promoting health and racial equity is a framework and a lens through which a congregation can apply to any justice issue that it chooses to work on.
Health inequities are intrinsically tied into racial inequities and disparities. They are both consequences of public policies, and such can be changed. The purpose of this survey is to 1) assess our church’s understanding of and interest in working on broad issues related to health and racial equity, 2) identify skills, training needs, tools and resources that would assist a congregation to promote health and racial equity.
For decades the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has advocated for health care as a right and priority for all people and has called for a commitment to be an antiracist church to examine both historic and contemporary forms of racism.
The Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force thanks you for your willingness to answer the questions on this short survey. There are no right or wrong answers. This tool will help us assess the current position of the Church. Please allow the person most familiar with your church or conference to respond to this survey. We are asking that the survey be completed by Monday, October 5, 2020. For more information, please contact Barbara Baylor, baylorb@ucc.or
Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, Conference Minister
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Call to attend our Penn Northeast Conference Fall meeting
Saturday, November 7, 202
We will gather at 9:00 a.m. Our Meeting will be a Virtual Zoom Meeting and run from 9 am to 2:30 pm.
The Meeting’s Theme is Moving Forward
Scripture: Isaiah 43:19
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is!
I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.
The meeting will begin with the Celebration of Installation of our Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates. The Service will include the UCC Conference Ministers from the other five Conferences in the Middle Atlantic Region with special music.
The Installation will finish approximately at 10:15 a.m. and the Business portion will begin at 10:30 a.m.
Business Items will include:
· Vote on the 2021 Conference Budget
· State of the Conference Address
· Vote on a slate of Nominees for Conference delegates for General Synod
· Recognition of Committee and Board members and the Moderator who are completing their terms
· Recognition of Pastors’ Anniversaries of their Ordination, New Pastors, & a Time of Remembrance
· Recognitions of Church’s Gifts to OCWM and Five for Five
Hope you can virtually join us! -- Doug Taylor, Moderator
Fall Meeting Registration Link through Tithe.ly
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PNEC Bylaws Revision and Addition
(This will be an item of business at the Fall Conference Meeting)
An Explanation:
The PNEC Committee on Ministry has requested a change to our PNEC Bylaws. The current Bylaw, Article VIII, Section 805, indicates a quorum for Conference Meetings:
At any meeting of the Conference 100 persons entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum. If there is the lack of a quorum, members present at any scheduled meeting of the Conference may hear and receive reports without taking actions thereon and may adjourn the meeting to such a time and place as a majority of those who are present and entitled to vote shall determine.
While this quorum is effective and manageable for meetings of the Conference, this quorum becomes challenging for Ecclesiastical Councils, gatherings of the Committee on Ministry, delegates and pastors of churches, and guests for the purposes of approving a candidate for Ordination as an Authorized Minister.
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Christmas Card Project Request from Rev. Jeffrey Mensendiek
I am writing to inquire whether you are interested in participating in the Christmas Card Project with our partner churches in Japan this year. This project was started in 2013 in response to the terrible devastation that our partners experienced after the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster of 2011. Each year 35 to 40 UCC and Disciples of Christ churches have reached out globally through prayer, by sending a Christmas card to one or two churches in northeastern Japan. This year, given the global COVID-19 pandemic, we know that churches on both sides of the Pacific are faced with unprecedented challenges. Even as we might feel overwhelmed by our own predicament, God calls us to reach out to care and connect. Read More...
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Summary of the Conference Board Meeting 9.12.2020
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Breathing New Life Into Our Nation: 2020 Christian Unity Gathering
Registration Now Open
Breathing New Life Into Our Nation: Repentance, Re-Formation, Reparation
October 12-13, 2020
Yahweh said to me, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ Then God said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ Ezekiel 37:3-6, NRSV
As racial injustices plague the country, the novel coronavirus pandemic rages nearly unchecked, and an economic crisis plunges millions into poverty, we find ourselves at a point from which we can fall into an abyss of further division, destitution, and despair, or from which we can move back from the brink, by faith, to a place of justice, restored hope and healing. In the midst of these simultaneous crises, and as we celebrate NCC’s 70 years of public witness in the fight for justice, we invite you to join us as we explore what churches must do to turn back the tide of chaos and embrace Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community.
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UCC Climate Ambassador Training for PA - Free Zoom format Workshop
UCC Climate Ambassador Training for PA
Saturday, October 3rd from 11:30am to 4pm
Zoom format - includes a lunch break and stretch breaks
Hello from the Penn Central Creation Justice Ministry Team, we would like to invite you this FREE Zoom format workshop which is a collaboration with UCC Environmental Ministries and Blessed Tomorrow with the goal of encouraging and empowering people of faith to engage in creation care and creation justice.
With the more severe wildfires and hurricanes that the world is experiencing now, the time for faith-rooted and hope-filled climate action is here. To assist churches across Pennsylvania to answer this call, the United Church of Christ Environmental Ministries has partnered with Blessed Tomorrow to train clergy and laity who want to join with others to act for climate solutions as a matter of faith. This free, four-hour training will equip participants to go back to their faith communities with the tools and motivation needed to give presentations and develop concrete plans of action that actualize hope. We would love to have some folks from the York Association Churches take part in this training. Perfect for inspiring / empowering our many York Assoc. folk who read Jim Antal's "Climate Church Climate World" and who want to take further steps. Register today for the training! HERE
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Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors
For resources churches and pastors may find helpful in practicing ministry during the pandemic visit ucc.org/coronavirus
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Shifting Focus: Youth Ministry and Scholars of the UCC
Webinar - October 6 and 8
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Faith Rally: Election Day Home Stretch — A UCC Digital Event
October 14 - 1PM
Feeling bruised, battered, or fatigued by this election season? Looking for a source of uplift down the home stretch to November 3rd? Then, this digital event is for you. This will be a time to renew our energies and our focus as we approach an election day with so many profound implications for those who care about the climate crisis and the many interconnected issues of justice that we face today. Our three featured speakers will include: Karenna Gore of Union Theological Seminary, the Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus, and the Rev. Gerald Durley of Interfaith, Power & Light. The webinar will be co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt of the UCC’s Environmental Justice Ministry and the Rev. Michael Malcom of Alabama Interfaith Power & Light. Even if you can't make its scheduled time on October 14th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording of it. Sign-up now to join the webinar!
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Generous Preaching
Oct. 13, and Nov. 10 - 2 to 3PM
Engaging scripture stories to share the spiritual practice of generosity with congregations
It can be hard to talk about money. And yet Jesus spoke about it often, second only to the Kingdom of God. Join Rev. Andrew Warner to explore how to preach and teach about generosity and the use of our financial resources.
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Crossroads Program
CULTURE AND CHANGE
(8) Mondays & Thursdays
6-9 pm
November 5 - December 3
Price: $240
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2020 UCC Stewardship Materials
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Moravian Seminary - Have You Registered??
LGBTQ Suicide & Care for the Souls of Queer Folk
Friday, November 13 • 3:00-5:00pm
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The Story of Worship
(open to both Pastors & Lay Worship Leaders)
November 14, 2020 from 9AM to 4:30PM via Zoom
Instructor: Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos - Cost: $50/person
(This will count for 7 hours of continuing education)
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Harvest Full of Hope
Mental Health Awareness Conference
Oct. 20 from 8:30AM-3:30PM
Registration is now open for the virtual event! Click Here to Register Registration is free and you must register to get the certificate of attendance and the Zoom link as well If you have any questions, please email us at info@harvestfullofhope.org
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UCC Church Building & Loan Fund Present:
Building Church Differently
90 minute power-packed webinars - September & October
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Virtual History & Polity Course
Oct. 5 - Nove.16 -- Cost is $375
Indiana-Kentucky Conf. will be offering a virtual history and polity course
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Fall Boundary Training - one session ON-LINE
from the Lehigh Presbytery
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Registrants will receive the Zoom link once they register and pay. Attendance will be monitored and certificates will be emailed to those who attend the entire training.
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THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF MINISTRY
Theology II: “Leadership and Community,” Jan 9–Feb 18,
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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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CONGO Week 2020
October 18-24
Every year in October, the hopes and the challenges of people in the Congo are lifted up around the world during Congo Week. Over the next several weeks, Global Ministries will be sharing new resources and promoting new and ongoing opportunities to engage and to learn with partners in the Congo. Global Ministries invites you to join us this year for Congo Week, as we become more familiar with the denominational partners in the Congo, learn about the current priorities they are addressing, and seek to understand the present contexts. Read more...
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PNEC Ministry Day 2020
Saturday, October 24
9AM to 3PM via Zoom
Cost: $25.00
Caring For Our Mental & Spiritual Health
(attendance for the day will count as the Cultural Competency requirement OR 4 hours of continuing education.)
DEADLINE TO REGISTER Extended: October 9, 2020
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"Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States"
is a new book, just released, that summarizes the life of over 4,000 Reformed churches, including the majority of churches in the Penn Northeast Conference. The book begins with a social and organizational history of the denomination, including six maps, charts, and illustrations. A useful tool for genealogists, its over 700 pages also note about 1,300 Lutheran churches that were in union arrangements with Reformed congregations. The author is the Rev. Richard H. Taylor, who attends Forks UCC near Stockertown, and is the former Chair of the Historical Council of the UCC. He is the brother of Douglas Taylor, current Conference Moderator. To buy a copy of the book contact Rev. Richard Taylor at 610-438-3771 or pilgrimrht@rcn.com. [A discount price of $31.50 is available before the end of the year, including PA Sales tax. Shipping is an additional $5.00.] |
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Somebody's Hurting My Sister
October 5, 2020 - 1:30PM Webinar
Join us as we discuss the violent policies related to Medicaid expansion, debt, housing, and the gender and racial wealth gap that have a disparate impact on women and families and also chart a path forward to a just economy for all. You will leave this webinar educated by women that are directly impacted and with a policy agenda and advocacy strategy to change this violent system. This webinar is a partnership with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. Panelists include Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Carolyn Foster, Faith in the Community Organizer of Greater Birmingham Ministries, Rev. Dr. Shailly Gupta Barnes, Policy Director of the Kairos Center, Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign, Rev. Sekinah Hamlin, Economic Justice Minister of Justice and Local Church Ministries, UCC, and others.
This webinar is a part of the Poor People's Campaign M.O.R.E. Faithful Organizing Weekend and Month. Participants will receive tools for engaging in future M.O.R.E. campaign actions and advocacy efforts of the United Church of Christ related to ending the wealth gap and abolishing predatory debt and lending practices.
With Peace, Rev. Sekinah Hamlin (pronouns she/her/hers), Minister of Economic Justice , UCC
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Lancaster Theological Seminary - October 2020
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Whether you home school or are planning - your school program we can help!
ProgressiveChristianity.org's A Joyful Path Children's Curriculum for ages 6 - 10 has been praised for its behavior-over-belief curriculum that connects children with their own inner wisdom. It teaches interdependence, self awareness, respect for nature, stillness, forgiveness, prayer, meditation, and integrity. Using the Bible and other wisdom stories, A Joyful Path helps children learn how to follow the path of Jesus in today’s world.
A Joyful Path Children's Curriculum works equally well in-person or online!
Whichever Full Year Version you choose - Hard Copy, PDF or DVD - use Coupon Code TEACH25 at checkout to receive your discount.
from ProgressiveChristianity.org
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Update to DOL Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Act Leave
The Department of Labor recently released additional guidance on the leave available to employees caring for school-aged children under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. These questions and answers relate to schools and remote learning. Briefly:
- If the school is closed and the only option is remote learning, the employee is eligible for paid leave under the FFCRA.
- If the school offers the option of attending in person or attending remotely, the employee is not eligible for leave under the FFCRA because the school is not closed due to COVID, even if the employee selects the remote option out of fear of the child contracting COVID.
- If the school has a hybrid approach and the child is required to do remote learning on particular days and not permitted to attend school on those days, the employee may take the leave on those days.
Of course, nothing prohibits an employer from giving an employee leave that is not required under FFCRA, but remember that the employer cannot take the payroll tax credit for non-qualifying leave.
-- Heather Kimmel, General Counsel, UCC
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Talking About Racism: A Community Conversation
(Authorized Ministers - if you have documentation of attending all three conversations, it would count for anti-racism training)
October 1 - 5:30-6:30PM via Zoom
Defining & Identifying Racism
October 8 - 5:30-6:30PM via Zoom
Understanding White Privilege and Allyship
October 15 - 5:30-6:30PM - via zoom
Discussing Black Lives Matter
To attend, you must RSVP to receive the Zoom information.
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Spirituality of Generosity
January 20, 2010 - 10AM to Noon
via Zoom
Stewardship Events Set With Generosity Outreach Officer
Pennsylvania Southeast, Penn Central, and Penn Northeast conferences are working with the UCC's Generosity Outreach Officer to create this workshop for our churches and leaders.
"Jesus talked about money second only to the kingdom of God, yet many in the church today treat money as a non-spiritual topic. We can theologically engage questions of money, wealth, and giving. Teaching and preaching about generosity and the use of our financial resources can deepen the faith life of our congregations. Gathering together with other pastors, this webinar will help you reclaim money-talk as a faith formation conversation with the members and friends of your congregation."
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Neighbor in Need (NIN)
Neighbor In Need (NIN) materials are available in a different format this year. Due to the fact many churches are not yet gathering in sanctuaries as a matter of safety, our desire to encourage such behavior, and the significant cost of printing and shipping NIN materials that may not have been used at all, JLCM made the decision to only print NIN posters this year and to make bulletin inserts and all other resources available as downloads. We have also created a video appeal available next week for use in virtual worship.
Churches that resumed in-person worship may contact UCC Resources (click here) to request both the posters and envelopes if desired.
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Video Series to Help Local Church Pastors and Leaders with Stewardship
Congregational leaders often seek resources to help them organize effective annual stewardship campaigns. Drawing on my own experience and shaped by insights on best practices from the Lake Institute, I designed the video series “Extravagant Generosity” to provide these resources.
The short videos cover a range of topics:
- The spirituality of Generosity (featuring UCC
officers)
- Offering Thanks
- Practical Elements of a Campaign
Leaders can watch the videos as a series or
choose the topics of most significant use to
their setting.
The first 14 videos provide the necessary elements leaders will need to know when running an annual stewardship campaign. But 14 videos can’t cover everything! I will continue to add videos and resources to the series.
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Join us for our Upcoming WEBINAR on October 15 at 2p.m. ET!
Serving on the Frontlines: The Impact of Faith and Community Leaders Countering Human Trafficking for Over 20 Years - CLICK HERE for details
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UCC Disaster Ministries is working with our disaster response partners from across the Commonwealth, to meet needs related to disasters like flooding and fires, and complicated by the pandemic. There are current and anticipated increased needs among people whose residences (owned and rented) have become unsafe and/or unlivable. Please complete the form found at https://forms.gle/ww6eLkKgEnGvh4RN6. Please read more...
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