Paid for by your OCWM Contributions| November 17, 2021
Message to the Conference
Dear Members and Friends of Penn Central Conference,
 
We wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the work that Global H.O.P.E. is doing around the world and how you can help!

Refugee and Migration Ministries

What started in 2008 with a Massachusetts congregation’s welcome to one gay asylum seeker has grown into a model ministry that has assisted some 400 LGBT asylum seekers from more than 20 countries in the past 14 years with housing and other basic needs.

The LGBT Asylum Task Force is a mission of Hadwen Park Congregational Church in Worcester, Mass. In recognition of the task force’s work, and with the goal of inspiring other churches to undertake similar ministries, United Church of Christ Global H.O.P.E. team has just awarded it a $10,000 Solidarity Grant. Read the full story.

Disaster Ministries

UCC Global H.O.P.E. has granted $3,500 for water filters to help residents of Benton Harbor, Mich., get through a water crisis that has gone on for more than three years. Distribution of water filters is by request of the community and is seen as a "ministry of presence" to help lay the groundwork for community support and long-term recovery.
And in Detroit, Mich., UCC Global H.O.P.E. is helping four long-term recovery groups ramp up to help survivors of widespread torrential rain and flooding in June 2021. The Rev. Roslyn Bouier, Pastor of Detroit’s Trinity-St. Mark’s UCC, is Chair of the Guiding Lights Long-Term Recovery Group, serving Detroit’s west side. Read more.

Gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) enable the Church’s support for Sustainable Development. This work is carried out by mission partners who are in relationship with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) through Global Ministries.

Sustainable Development and International Response

The Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) receives OGHS support for its Comprehensive Poverty Reduction Program. One aspect of this grassroots program connects and resources individuals and families for forming or strengthening small businesses.
Raising chickens or fish, or gardening, all provide a source of income that promotes sustainability and growth. Another implementation empowers rural farmers to explore new ways for overcoming obstacles to their work.
The relationship with CCDB is nurtured by Global Ministries' Southern Asia desk.

Active Global H.O.P.E. funding appeals
UCC Haiti Appeal: The UCC Haiti Appeal seeks to raise $100,000 for immediate relief and longer-term recovery for thousands of Haitians reeling from the 7.2 earthquake August 14 followed by Tropical Storm Grace. More Information/How to Help.

UCC COVID Relief Appeal: In response to the growing COVID-19 crises facing many poorer countries and communities, UCC is seeking $150,000 for its COVID Relief Appeal for food, hygiene kits, personal protective equipment and other aid to the most vulnerable to reduce the virus’s spread.
UCC 2021 Severe Storms Appeal: Nearly one in three Americans lives in a county hit by a weather disaster in the past three months, the Washington Post reported on September 4. Long-term recovery and rebuilding needs will be enormous. Best way to help? Money.

In October, UCC Global H.O.P.E. approved grants to:
 
Southwest Association of the UCC’s Michigan Conference – $3,500 – to help residents of Benton Harbor, Mich., get through a water crisis that has gone on for more than three years.
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Pottstown, Pa. – $3,000 – to help the church cover uninsured repair costs for its fellowship hall, flooded in Hurricane Ida in September. The grant will help community programs that use the space, including two Scout troops and an outreach to hungry children, to return more quickly.
St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ, Perkasie, Pa. - $3,000 – to help the most vulnerable survivors of Hurricane Ida in September 2021 with repairs or relocation.
Church World Service Kenya --$5,000 - .for life-saving assistance to 6,000 households (61,825 people) affected by Kenya’s national drought disaster. Specific inputs will include water, food, cash and training in conflict prevention.
Hurricane Dorian Response, Bahamas - $35,000 – to support Church World Service work to strengthen Haitian migrant communities’ abilities to plan and undertake disaster preparedness and response actions.
 

Thank you for your continued support of the work UCC Global H.O.P.E. does!
Address Change!

As you may have been hearing, the PCC offices will be moving in the month of November. Please begin mailing any correspondence to our new PO Box:

Penn Central Conference
PO Box 6625
Harrisburg, PA 17112

Our physical address starting the week of November 15 (Do not mail letters to this address!)
St. Thomas UCC
6490 Linglestown Road
Harrisburg, PA 17112

We thank you for your patience during our move, as response times may be delayed.

Updated phone numbers:
Marisa Laviola: 717-433-3564
Nora Foust: 717-433-2587
Carrie Call: 717-433-3196
Rick Luciotti: 717-433-6306
Paul Keller and main office line: 717-652-1560
Scheduling notes:

November 21 - Paradise UCC, Milton - Rev. Nora Foust preaching
November 21 - St. Mark's UCC, Lebanon - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
November 21 - Grace UCC, Lebanon - Rev. Rick Luciotti 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.
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...

St. John's UCC, Chambersburg
Solomon's UCC, Chambersburg
Zion UCC, Chambersburg
Christ UCC, Codorus
COVID-19 Resources

Penn Central Conference has added a special section on our website for COVID-19 resources, including the times and links for Zoom meetings. Find them here: https://pccucc.org/covid-19-resources/
The Virtual Choir is back! 
The Virtual Choir, which brought us so much lovely music last year, is back and will be continuing through this year, and probably as an ongoing effort!  Our first piece will be And the Glory of the Lord, from Messiah, which we will be recording in late November, and will be available to all churches by December 7 for your Advent/Christmas use.
If you did not receive an email from Pastor Julie Holm, and you want to be part of this group, you can email her at bvfofmusic@gmail.com.  If you are a church that would like to be on the mailing list when we have news, you can also email Julie. Of course, you'll get a link here to any music produced, as well.
Outdoor Ministries Fall Events

ADVENT DAY APART
December 4 @The Wittel Farm (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
Enter into the Advent spirit by participating in a day of Bible study, worship, and prayerful reflection.

For more information & to register, go to:  

4th ANNUAL ADVENT/CHRISTMAS IN THE BARN
December 19 @ The Wittel Farm (7-8:30 p.m.)
Come gather around the outdoor fire and have cookies and cocoa in the barn. There will be inspiring lights and seasonal decorations!

For more information & to register, go to: 
Clergy Events
Q&A and Panel Discussion
Our General Minister and President Rev. John Dorhauer will be in town and has asked to meet with clergy from Penn Central and our two adjoining Conferences. The event will happen at Lancaster Seminary and includes a catered lunch by Pepper Theo (yum!).

John wishes to hear how clergy have been adapting to the past 18 months and what the issues/challenges/joys have been. There will be a panel of 3 clergy – one from each Conference - and John will facilitate a discussion. This will also allow for substantial Q&A with clergy who attend.

Our numbers will be limited, so please register soon. The cost is $15 each and you can pay at the time of registration below.

Date: Monday November 22nd
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Gathering
           12:00 – 12:45 Lunch
           12:45 – 2:00 Panel and Discussion
 
Registration Link - Registration is full, but there is a waiting list!
Penn Central Conference Lectionary Discussion Group - This group is open to all clergy, meets weekly on Tuesdays at 1:00PM to discuss upcoming lectionary passages. Us this Zoom link here. NO LECTIONARY GROUP this Tuesday, 11/23!
Advent Prayer Group
Pastors are you weary? Is the yoke of pastoring in this extended season of COVID heavy? Share your burdens and joys as we pray together on Thursdays at Noon during the season of Advent! A brief period of facilitated check-in will be followed by curated poems, prayers, and silence. Light a candle and feed your spirit this Advent by gathering in prayer with colleagues from Penn Central, Penn Northeast and Pennsylvania Southeast Conference and prepare for the inbreaking of Emmanuel once again!

Join us December 2, 9, 16 and 23 at noon https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88299554125?pwd=cU90LzZhS2lOU05qVFo5QWhjK2p3UT09. We will end promptly at 1pm each week.
 
Zoom #882 9955 4125, passcode Pray
"History & Polity of the UCC" Class for Spring 2022
This annual course is being taught by Carrie Call and Penn Central Conference staff with special guests. Join with students from all over the UCC to learn more about who we are and where we came from as a denomination!

Classes will take place Fridays at 2:00PM starting February 11, 2022 through April 01, 2022. Register by January 30th. Registration is limited. Classes are online via Zoom. Register here.
UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

Faith — Trauma & Healing - November 16, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

State of Creation - November 16, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Queer the Church - November 18, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

What is the Doctrine of Discovery? - November 23, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Let’s Talk About Abortion - November 30, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Global HOPE Blue Christmas Worship - December 1, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Global H.O.P.E. Kit Matching Grant Application (20-22)
 
Requirements
- Grant Application will be awarded to churches that have submitted a completed Global H.O.P.E. Kit Matching Grant Application.
- Grant Applications for 2021 will be received through January 28, 2022. 
- Congregations that raise $250 or more (monetary or in-kind supplies) for Church World Service Kits are eligible to apply for a $250 matching grant from UCC Global H.O.P.E.
- Grant Applications must be accompanied by a completed W-9 form at http://uccfiles.com/pdf/W-9-Form.pdf
- 100% of Matching Grant funds must be used for purchasing supplies for the assembly of the CWS Kits or for processing costs ($3/Clean Up Bucket, $2/School or Hygiene Kit).
Employment Opportunities
Zion UCC, Arendtsville job openings

The Choir Director directs a 15-member choir to prepare music for regular Sunday morning services. The choir director also works with the minister and the organist to plan special services. Duties include preparing music, scheduling choir practices, identifying soloists, and developing special music presentations. Salary compensation is negotiable.
The organist/pianist accompanies a 15-member choir at regularly scheduled Sunday morning services. Applicants must have the ability to play both the piano and the organ, and be prepared for weekly choir rehearsals. Duties include following the direction of the choir director and minister in planning musical services. This includes Sunday worship and special services. He/she must attend regularly scheduled and special choir rehearsals. Salary compensation negotiable.
Position available: Church Musician

This 9 to 12 month position includes playing for weekly adult choir rehearsals, a scheduled single Sunday 10:30 a.m. worship service and occasional evening/special services. Proficiency with piano is required. We have two Yamaha studio upright pianos that are well maintained via regular tuning/maintenance. We also have the historic 1868 Durner tracker pipe organ that was restored in 1998 and is well maintained via regular tuning/servicing. Candidates will work with church/choir leaders in rehearsing and planning musical material appropriate to the liturgical calendar. Candidates should send a letter of introduction and resume to joyousucc@comcast.net or mail to St. John's UCC, PO Box 88, Boalsburg, PA 16827
Hamilton Park UCC, Lancaster has two positions open:

Director of Children & Family Ministry: Authentic, Out-going, Creative, Enthusiastic and have a passion for sharing the love of Christ with children and their families? Raise your hand if that is you! Hamilton Park United Church of Christ (HPUCC) is looking for someone like you to become our Director of Children and Family Ministries (DCFM). Join the commitment leaders and members of HPUCC in finding new, innovative ways to share and experience the love of Christ within the church and the community. Contact the Administrator of the Church for more information: admin@hpucc.org

Worship Accompanist: Like to lift a joyful noise? Do you love playing a wide variety of music among an enthusiastic congregation? Hamilton Park United Church of Christ (HPUCC) is searching for someone to bring their gifts to their Sunday morning worship service where we appreciate both piano and organ music as well as a blend of contemporary and traditional pieces. The successful candidate will provide piano and organ music during one Sunday worship service as well as accompany one weekly rehearsal throughout the choir season.
 
Contact the Administrator of the Church for more information: admin@hpucc.org Read more here.
Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3196

Rev. 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
 
Anne Rankin
Outdoor Ministries Liaison
phone: 717-945-4585
 
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560
If you have future eNews stories, please send them to C. Paul Keller
Contact information: C. Paul Keller | email: pkeller@pccucc.org | phone: 717-652-1560