Message to the Conference | |
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Members and friends of Penn Central Conference,
This week, our Creation Justice team asked us to highlight an opportunity for the children and youth of the UCC.Check out the article and video below!
Art for the earth: Kids can help create Climate Hope Cards
by Maic D'Agostino | published on Sep 14, 2022
Trees. Flowers. Birds. Rivers. Children have always drawn nature’s beauty. Now they can use their artistic talents to help promote environmental justice — and get the attention of public officials.
Kids of all ages can join in the United Church of Christ’s Climate Hope Cards art contest. Participating children will design postcards that highlight hope for and love for the earth. Any child can enter, but church youth especially are encouraged to participate.
Beginning Oct. 4, families can submit their children’s earth-loving drawings, doodles and sketches. Then, UCC environmental justice leaders will print the winning art on postcards. An online award ceremony will be held in January.
Finally, UCC churches everywhere can help send these postcards to elected officials, calling for action now on climate change.
Template available
“We’re in the middle of climate and environmental crises, so we need everyone involved, from the youngest kids on up,” said Andy Wells-Bean, UCC environmental justice fellow.
Wells-Bean is spearheading the Climate Hope Cards campaign. He noted that it’s a simple but significant way for any youth to get involved. UCC youth programs should keep an eye out for a template and submission instructions coming soon in the mail. Anyone can also download the template at ucc.org/ClimateHopeCards.
What should kids draw? Anything that demonstrates their love for God’s creation, according to Wells-Bean.
“Think about the earth. Think about climate change. Think about how you want to protect the earth,” he said.
An adult tries his hand
Even UCC General Minister and President John Dorhauer illustrated his own Climate Hope Card.
“We want children from all over the country to design their own card and fill it out and send it in,” Dorhauer said.
The contest will culminate in an award ceremony Jan. 7 on Zoom. Watch the video below to learn more.
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Many have asked about the results of Ukraine fundraising appeal. The national setting of the UCC has sent out this video,check it out! | |
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Scheduling notes:
September 25 - Salem UCC, Harrisburg - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
September 25 - Shiloh UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
October 2 - Grace UCC, Spring Mills - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
| Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events. | |
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Prayers for Penn Central Conference
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
Trinity UCC, Centre Hall
St. John's UCC, Chambersburg
Solomons UCC, Chambersburg
Zion UCC, Chambersburg
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Congregation Granting, Scholarship and Leadership Development on the faith INFO team of Justice and Local Church Ministries has launched their common application for congregational grants for 2022. They are ready to receive applications. The common application allows grantees to apply for four different funding sources offered through Justice and Local Church Ministries: Neighbors in Need, Operational Support, CASA: New and Rebirthing Churches and the Pension Board New Church Start.
Below please find a link to the informational video that goes over frequently asked questions and walks through the grant application key aspects. Additionally, you will find the link for the application beneath it. Thank you for your assistance!
Grant Informational Video Link
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Hybrid Hope
Church of the Future for Churches with a Future
Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza Workshop
Saturday October 1 from 9:00-2:00
Church of the Apostles United Church of Christ
1850 Marietta Ave. Lancaster, PA – (717)392-5718
Register here
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Kayak Vespers (on Land and Lake) at Lake Redman in Jacobus
Fellow members of the York Association!!
Please join fellow boaters for a 30-minute Vesper Service around 5 pm on September 25 at Lake Redman in Jacobus. Meet at the Muskie Pavilion; then gather for vespers on land or sea. Please bring a snack to share! Volunteers are needed to plan vespers and read. Boats may be available to rent, if ordered in advance. Please contact Pastor Martha Boyer, St Paul Church at 717 858-2991 for questions or more information! We will be including in prayer those in York County who are continuing to suffer hardship due to damage from Hurricane Ida in 2021.
This event will be live-streamed on the St. Paul Shrewsbury Facebook Page and available later on YouTube!
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Sunday, September 25 - Installation Service of Rev. Heather Kurtz - Zion UCC, Arendtsville - 3:30PM
Sunday, October 9 - Installation Service of Rev. Brad Haws - St. John's UCC, Denver - 3:00PM
Sunday, October 16 - Installation Service of Rev. Carla Christopher - Heidelberg UCC, York - 3:00PM
Sunday, October 23 - Installation Service of Rev. Ken Peterkin - Emmanuel UCC, Hanover - 3:00PM
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PCC has launched a new monthly email just for clergy, with news, events and clergy transitions. If you did not get this month's email on Tuesday, please let Paul know.
We will be including some items in the eNews (see below), but please check out the full email here for more events and news!
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Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom) - now with registration links
October 18 - "Humility as Spiritual Practice" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom only - register here
November 15 - "Just War, Just Peace - A 21st Century Discussion" with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PN Zoom only - register here
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Boundary Training - now with registration links
September 29 - "Bi-Vocational Boundaries and Ethics" with Darryl Stephens
6PM via Zoom - Register here
Can ministry really be part-time? What is reasonable to expect of your bivocational pastor? How can pastors and congregations successfully navigate shared or bivocational ministry? This advanced boundaries training workshop is designed for clergy, MIDs, and consistory members as they consider issues distinct to bivocational or multivocational ministry. Topics include: time management, scheduling, and self-care; clarification of roles and responsibilities; and preparing the congregation for bivocational ministry.
The Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens is director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry and director of United Methodist Studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary.
October 17 - Retired Clergy Boundary Training with Revs. Tara Barber, Stephen Boyd, and Rev. Melanie Oommen
Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. Using "A Sure Foundation," "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperley's new book, "The Jubilee Years,” Rev. Stephen Boyd, Rev. Tara Barber, and Rev. Melanie Oommen will offer a focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry. 6:00 – 9:00pm via Zoom - register here
November 9 - "The Ministerial Code: A Way of Being" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom - register here
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"Making All Things New"
General Synod 2023
"Making All Things New” will be the theme of the 34th biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ, scheduled for June 30–July 4, 2023, in Indianapolis.
Delegates and visitors will meet June 30 through July 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
For the full press release, click here.
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New OWL materials available! Designed for use with parents and caregivers of children and teens, this free PDF resource can be downloaded here.
Produced jointly by the UCC and the Unitarian Universalist Association, they’re the latest offerings from Our Whole Lives. The two denominations have occasionally expanded and updated the unique curriculum and its companion, Sexuality and Our Faith, since introducing it in the 1990s.
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From our friends and partners | |
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Christianity in America: Sacred or Supremacist?
Presented by PA Council of Churches Ministry of Public Witness
Colonial Park UCC 5000 Devonshire Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109
October 6, 2022 11:30am to 4:15pm
To be live-streamed to satellite locations throughout Pennsylvania.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert P. Jones
This dialogue on Christian Nationalism is a topic of rising interest in a critical election year where many candidates are describing themselves as members of this movement. Dr. Jones’ presentation will be followed by a panel discussion which, in addition to him, includes:
- Marilyn Mayo, Senior Research Fellow, Center on Extremism, Anti-Defamation League, addressing anti-Semitism in the movement;
- Rev. Dr. Gregory Edwards, Founder and Senior Pastor, Resurrected Life Community Church, United Church of Christ, Allentown, addressing racism and white supremacy; and
- Rev. Jennifer Butler, Founder in Residence, Faith in Public Life, addressing a scriptural response to the movement.
- Dr. Greg Carey of Lancaster Theological Seminary will moderate.
Learn more and register here.
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) | |
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Upcoming Classes:
Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. 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.
Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
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Office Administrator - Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown
The Office Administrator provides administrative support for Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown's pastors and lay leaders and coordinates church-wide communications. The Office Administrator position is Part Time—4 days per week, 7 hours per day, 28 hours total.
The Office Administrator should have education and/or training and/or experience in secretarial, clerical and computer skills—specifically in databases and publishing software; mainly MS Publisher, MS Word both for word processing, skill in inter-personal relationships, ability to honor confidences, and organize and implement an office routine.
The Office Administrator should have education and/or training and/or experience in secretarial, clerical and computer skills—specifically in databases and publishing software; mainly MS Publisher and MS Word, bookkeeping and accounting skills, skill in inter-personal relationships, ability to honor confidences, and organize and implement an office routine.
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Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT: OFFICE MANAGER
(Available Immediately)
Full-Time: 52 weeks per year
37.5 Hours per week
The purpose of this position is to provide administrative support for the pastor, staff, Council, and committees. This person is appointed and dismissed by CPUCC Council and reports to Senior Pastor. Read full description here.
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The communities of United Church of Christ Homes are currently seeking candidates to fill several positions, including Certified Nursing Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Dining Service Assistants. If you or someone you know is looking for a new employment opportunity, please visit UCC Homes Employment Opportunities page on our website at https://www.ucc-homes.org/employment-opportunities/ for more details or to fill out our Quick Application Form.
Position Highlight:
The Corporate Office of UCC Homes is seeking an Executive Assistant for a full-time position, working 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. The Executive Assistant performs clerical services for the President/CEO including recording/transcribing meeting minutes, data processing, handling mail, maintaining files, answering phone calls, and overseeing office supplies and petty cash. The successful candidate will have exceptional hospitality skills, the ability to multi-task with ease, and exhibit poise under pressure. A High School diploma or GED is required. An Associate Degree and three years experience as an Administrative Assistant is preferred. Excellent wages and benefits including retirement plan. Interested persons should please mail, fax or email resume and letter of interest to UCC Homes, Attn: Beth McMaster, 30 N. 31st Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011; (717) 303-1607 FAX or bmcmaster@ucc-homes.org by September 23, 2022.
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Shiloh UCC, York
Family and Children Ministry Coordinator
Part-time Position Summary: Nurture and develop a caring Christian community where children and youth have a meaningful and fun relationship with other youth and adults; have an opportunity to grow in God’s grace; develop the spiritual and personal resources necessary for life’s journey and develop a loving relationship with God, themselves and others. Learn more here.
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Accompanist Position Available
We are searching for an Accompanist to bring their gifts to our church where we appreciate a blend of contemporary and traditional music.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the vision of the church, this year-round, part time, salaried position will provide music for worship and other events in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
The current music ministry of HPUCC consists of one volunteer choir, as well as instrumental and vocal soloists.
For more information, please call the church at 717-397-9791 or email: admin@hpucc.org. If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-2587
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3564
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560
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