Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Letter from Bonnie Bates
Friends,
I cannot begin to tell you how moved I was during my Service of Installation on Saturday as we gathered, primarily in virtual space. What a joy it was to celebrate my call to be your Conference Minister, even though I have served in that capacity for the last three years! Thank you all for celebrating with me!
I was reading some messages from colleagues today and like them, I am anxious and discouraged about the increases in the numbers of people stricken by COVID-19. The pandemic seems to be moving in the wrong direction. I wonder if it’s because we have become less aware and less cautious, or is the virus just augmented by the flu season. In any case, I ask you each and all to hold those who are ill and their families in prayer.
This somber news is accompanied by my sharing with you some miraculous news. Steve and I want to thank you for your prayers as he has moved through his own COVID diagnosis and long recovery process. That miracle is that STEVE IS COMING HOME. I will go to North Carolina to pick him up during Thanksgiving week. We are more than excited and we have been thanking God for his recovery even as we have been praying for those who are ill or dying.
As I shared with you a couple weeks ago, it is important that we consider moving back into only virtual worship as COVID 19 cases continue to grow, more than 5,000 cases today (November 12) alone. Please err on the side of being safe, and keeping those with whom you work and worship, safe as well.
The tumult of the presidential election continues as well. No matter your stance, party, or for whom you cast your vote, the tension in the news, in the governments, in communities and families is palpable and adds to our anxiety. As we continue to move through the fall this is an additional challenge for us all.
It is a stressful time for each and all of us. With the holidays approaching we are realizing that Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas are not going to be the same as they have been in other years. It’s sad and confusing and our hearts may be breaking as we think about those who will not be gathered at our tables, our sanctuaries, and our celebrations. Be kind to yourself in these days. Be kind to your pastors and your congregation members in these days. There are still many reasons to offer thanks. There are still celebrations to be had. God will still come into our lives and the world – every moment of every day – as we commemorate that night so long ago when Emmanuel, God-With-Us was born. In this time of tumult, we can be comforted by God-With-Us, and we can share that comfort with others.
Be at peace my friends. Be in hope my friends. Blessings, Bonnie
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Friend of the Conference
The Generosity Committee would like to invite you to become a Friend of The Conference! Within our congregations, we have 33,000 individual! If each member were to donate an additional $10, that would be $330,000. And I know what you’re thinking, another thing I have to donate to, but consider the fact that $10 is less than what the average American spends on coffee in a single week, or roughly the cost of a fast food meal! You can mail your donations to the Conference office, donate at the Penn Northeast Conference website using tithe.ly https://pnec.org/tithe-ly-on-line-giving/ or contact the conference office for more giving options! And Conference Minister Bonnie Bates has issued a match challenge to the first 20 people to donate! Resources for churches like bulletin inserts and graphics are available on the PNEC website! or
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Worship with the Council of Conference Ministers
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Boundary Training for Transitions
On Monday, December 7 from 1 pm – 3:30 pm, PNEC will offer a virtual Boundary Training for Transitions. This Boundary Training will fulfill the boundary training continuing education requirement but it is specifically designed for pastors transitioning from one congregation to another, retiring, or who may no longer be actively serving.
The Boundary Training for Transitions will focus on the ethics of leaving, the Ministerial Code of Ethics and establishing good boundaries as a pastoral transition or retirement takes place.
Please register by contacting Patty Rehrig at the conference office: pattyr@pnec.org or 610-826-3113. The cost for the course is $25. The registration deadline is Thursday, December 3. The Zoom link will be sent to those who register
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Nov. 16, 2020 Deadline to File
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America have filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy largely due to the number of sexual molestation claims they are facing. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Office of General Counsel, in consultation with the legal offices of Formula of Agreement partners including the UCC, have prepared the attached document. It contains information about the proof of claim process, should Local Churches who had or have a charter with the BSA want to protect any claim that they may have against BSA. While the proof of claim process is not difficult, Local Churches may want to consult an attorney for assistance. In line with FAQ #5, United Church of Christ Local Churches are not represented by the Office of General Counsel or by Conference Attorneys in this matter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Free Training for Faith Leaders
The training “Anyone can Make a Difference,” hosted by the Center for Humanistic Change, focuses on how communities of faith can help those who struggle with substance use disorder, as well as their families. We have made a lot of progress in how we treat people who struggle with addiction, and their families. Nevertheless, we can still use all the help we can get, and Communities of Faith are an important part of the recovery community. As an incentive, each participating church will receive a stipend of $25.00, just for attending. However, you are welcome to send as many leaders as you’d like to take the training.
Our next trainings will be on:
Tuesday, November 17th , 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM & Thursday, November 19, 6:30 PM -8:00 PM
Maria Alonso-Tomlinson, MALD, Community Outreach & Senior Prevention Specialist, Center for Humanistic Change, Inc., mtomlinson@thechc.org
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Registration is now open for the 2021 Festival of Homiletics!
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City with Limits: An Untold History of Residential Segregation and Education Inequality in Allentown
Tuesday, November 17 from 7:30 to 9PM
Zoom presentation by Wilberto Sicard, A William Allen HS and Lehigh University graduate. You can register here
sponsored by the Episcopal Church of the Mediator & Congregation Keneseth Israel
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A Very UCC Christmas: 2020
Brought to you by the United Church of Christ National Setting
The staff of the national setting is working on a Christmas Pageant and full worship service coming for Local Churches to use as worship for on or around December 27th, or as piece meal. Each piece will be downloadable as a video file from the national setting, with more details released in marketing before November 20th. See full flyer
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3 Great Loves Advent 2020 Toolkit
3 Great Loves has created an Advent 2020 Toolkit with online and streaming worship in mind. Everything from weekly social media and theme graphics, to weekly video prayers on the themes of Hope/Peace/Joy/Love, and a suggestion guide. And this is a FREE resources and available for download now at UCC Resources. The toolkit includes calendar, theme graphics, social media assets for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and weekly video prayers. Best of all, it's free. Order Here
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Spirit of Empowerment Holiday Gift Card Giving Drive
Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley
We will be collecting gift cards (increments of $25) until December 11, 2020 to allow for shopping time.
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You Tube Link for Ministry Day
For those authorized ministers who were not able to attend Ministry Day, which was held virtually on October 24, we have a You Tube recording of the day. The cost to you would be $25 and if you complete the activities assigned in the video and send us a summary of your learnings, you could count this as your Cultural Competency Training. If you are interested, please be in touch with Patty Rehrig at the Conference Office either by phone 610-826-3113 or by email to pattyr@pnec.org
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ProJeCt of Easton.
will once again be starting our Wish List and we are hoping you will continue to support this program as many of you have in the past. The Wish List is a monthly publication sent to participating organizations and designed to enable groups to collect the same items consistently. These shelf stable items such as peanut butter, soups, canned meats and vegetables, are most needed in our Food Pantry. We are hoping that you will be willing to participate in this program. Due to COVID-19, we have seen a growing number of local families being served by our Food Pantry with even more predicted in the near future. Please let me know if you are interested in sharing this with your members.
Jamie Rzeszowski, Development Coordinator, 320 Ferry Street Easton, PA 18042
Phone: 610-258-4361 ; Fax: 610-258-7502
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Senior Shoe Box Program
Bring Christmas to Seniors - Helping Housebound and/or Disabled Seniors
Drop-Off by Saturday, December 1, 2020
items can be dropped off at any of the following locations
Lehigh Valley Business Group, 4418 Wagner Dr., Bethlehem (drop off on front porch)
Allentown - 3320 Oxford Circle S., Allentown (tub in front of garage)
Faith Wesleyan Church, 3356 Route 309, Orefield (call 484-330-1844 to arrange drop off at Wesleyan)
Wish Lists Include:
Women's Items: lotions, body washes, soaps, combs, brushes, deodorant, lipstick, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, change purses, soft socks, hankies, tissues, small decorative items such as little statues
Men's Items: disposable razors, combs, shaving cream, shampoo, soap, socks, deodorant, playing cards, hankies
General Items: pens, tablets, adult coloring books, colored pencils, find a word and crossword puzzle books, plug-in night lights, mugs, cleaning supplies such as dishwashing/laundry soaps, anti-bacterial cleaning sprays, cleanser, wash cloths, towels and blankets, backpacks, tarps (all sizes/colors)
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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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Red Cross Virtual Family Assistance Center for
Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones to COVID-19
A virtual team of specially trained mental health, spiritual care and health services Red Cross
volunteers are standing by to provide compassion, comfort and
American Red Cross - Virtual Support for Frontline Workers:
Free Individual & Group Sessions
Frontline and essential workers are experiencing extreme stress as they perform their routine duties helping others in the midst of the COVID-19 environment. A combination of stressful working conditions, long hours, insufficient resources, read more...
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UCC Congregations for Mental Health Fall 2020 Webinar
In Partnership with Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the UCC
November 13 - 14, 2020
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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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Invitation - Webinars
each webinar will be one hour and will include 5 minutes of introduction, 45 minutes of presentation, with 10 minutes reserved for Q&A. Register now for these:
Did you miss the first webinar,
Peace, CYNTHIA BAILIE, Director
(OPTIC)
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Zoom Presentation on
"Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States"
As part of a celebration of the release of the new book, Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States, a special Zoom presentation will be sponsored by the Sigal Museum of the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society on Saturday November 21, at 2 PM. The author, the Rev. Richard H. Taylor, will speak on the origins of the German Reformed Church, its entry into Northampton County, recalling some early leaders, and will conclude with a few remarks about the book itself. It will conclude with a question and answer time for participants. All are welcome.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 820 1019 6460
Passcode: 586501
The author is Rev. Richard H. Taylor, who attends Forks UCC, Stockertown, is the former Chair of the Historical Council of the UCC, brother of Douglas Taylor, current Conference Moderator. To buy the book contact Rev. 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 $5.00.]
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Clean-up Buckets needed by Church World Service
UCC extends grants to help churches
replenish CWS storm supplies
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Disaster Response, Volunteer Engagement positions open at United Church of Christ - application deadline Nov. 20 - United Church of Christ National Ministries has two open positions on the Global H.O.P.E. (Humanitarian. Opportunities. Progress. Empowerment) team of Wider Church Ministries - Minister for Volunteer Engagement and Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery. The application close date for both positions is November 20, 2020.
Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery - The Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery leads and supervises efforts to position the United Church of Christ as a denomination fully prepared to respond to natural and human-caused disasters in the United States and its territories. Read full position description/apply
Minister for Volunteer Engagement - The Minister for Volunteer Engagement bears primary responsibility for developing and coordinating strategies, initiatives and resources related to the comprehensive UCC Volunteer Ministries Program. Read full position description/apply
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Webinars and Resources
-Resources for Faith Based Organizations & Houses of Worship
-Administration on Children, Youth & Families
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