Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Adult Mental Health First Aid Course
May 8 and 15, 2021
9AM to Noon - via Zoom
Led by: Rev. Dr. Emily B. Hall, D. Min, BCCi
Registration Required
Click Here for detailed flyer and registration information.
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Earth Day 2021: Healing the Earth
with Local and Global Initiatives
(From Lehigh Conf. of Churches)
How can we heal the earth in the simple everyday decisions we make about growing, eating and disposing of our food? How can we heal the earth through sustainability projects and interfaith, local, and international advocacy efforts?
Join us as we explore these questions in this Earth Day series taking place in April and May on Zoom.
to register for any or all of the four Sunday sessions on Zoom which will take place at 12:00 p.m. Register no later than the Friday before each presentation. Questions? Call 610-866-5661
This program has been planned by members of the Central Moravian Church, The Cathedral Church of the Nativity, and the Universal Unitarian Church of Bethlehem and funded by the Elizabeth Johnston Prime Fund of the Central Moravian Church.
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PA Council of Churches
April Events --Solitary, Intersectonality, Earth Day, the Black Church,
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April Worship Service
Here is the link for the April worship service prepared by the national setting. The worship should be completed soon but this be the link, so please share it in This Week. When the service is done, you'll be able to find it on our Tri-Conference Vimeo channel: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8312392
Blessings, Bonnie
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YOU ARE INVITED TO A PNEC EVENT!
CVT CONVERSATIONS
(CVT = Congregational Vitality Committee)
Sunday, May 2nd
2:00 PM-3:30PM on Zoom.
It’s been a challenging year. Let’s talk.
Join the group wishing to move forward and learn by looking back:
Questions we would like to ask and answer:
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What have we lost over the past year that we must take the time to grieve?
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What have we had to let go of that is better off gone?
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What new things have we tried, learned, found helpful?
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What have we gained that is worth keeping as we move into a new “normal”?
Every voice is a heard voice at this event! Come for inquisitive inquiry and/or to share your experiences.
We want to listen. Clergy and Laity welcome. See you there!
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Building Peace with the Earth
A presentation and discussion with Amariee Collins, who has worked with Texas Impact and her congregation, St. Peter's UCC in Houston Texas, on issues of environmental justice and disaster recovery. Houston has some of highest levels of toxic air in the country and is home to 10 of the "Toxic 100". St. Peter's has also begun to explore what a Just Peace declaration might mean for its ministry in the community. Join us for a short presentation on environmental justice and Just Peace followed by time in small groups to network and share with one another resources and upcoming events related to our common work.
April 27, 2021 from 4-5 PM (PDT)/5-6 PM (MDT)/6-7 PM (CDT)/ 7-8 PM (EDT)
Passcode: 211499
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UCC Digital Programming
Tuesdays for Nurture - 3:30 to 4:30PM (Eastern Time)
Wednesdays with the World 0 2PM (Eastern Time)
Thursdays for the Soul - 3:30PM (Eastern Time)
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CALL FOR APPLICATION: PHOEBE MINISTRIES’ CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (CPE) SEEKS SUMMER 2021 APPLICANTS TO SERVE SENIORS ON WERNERSVILLE AND RICHLANDTOWN CAMPUSES
The 2021 Summer CPE program is full-time, 40-hours per week and runs ten weeks beginning May 24, 2021 through July 30, 2021. Three and a half days are spent in clinical assignments available at Phoebe Berks in Wernersville, PA and Phoebe Richland in Richlandtown, PA. Group seminars include one day on the Allentown campus and four hours virtually.
The Phoebe Ministries’ CPE program is designed to offer clergy, seminary students and qualified community members of all faiths the opportunity to practice ministry to senior adults in a variety of settings, including nursing homes and retirement communities. The CPE curriculum includes Spiritual Assessment, Bioethical Issues in Aging, Ministry to Persons with Dementia, and Life Review. Phoebe staff chaplains provide mentoring and guidance for students as they lead worship, Bible study, bereavement and support groups, and Spirit Alive™, Phoebe’s proprietary Montessori-based program developed for seniors with dementia. Interdisciplinary care conferences and case consultations for residents are also part of each student’s education. Each campus setting provides opportunities for students to develop long-term pastoral relationships comparable to parish experiences.
Phoebe Ministries is accredited as a center for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. It is one of only ten accredited CPE programs in the nation serving the long-term care setting.
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Sharing of "Fukushima: Living in the Shadow of the Nuclear Disaster"
Rev. Jeff Mensendiek
The webinar recording "Fukushima: Living in the Shadow of the Nuclear Disaster" can now be accessed on youtube. It is about an hour long. It is an interview with Terumi Kataoka with Jeff Mensendiek translating. The content is quite good and down to earth. Click Here to watch.
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Trouble the Water
Racial Justice & Reconciliation
May 22 from 9-3 on Zoom
an event through NEPA Synod ELCA that will be about racial justice and reconciliation. It will be a day of worship and workshops helping congregation leaders and members better understand the effects of racism within our churches and how we can help in the reconciliation process.
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Penn Northeast Conference Prayer Ministry Team
We are looking to form a Conference Prayer Ministry Team. No special skills required only an open heart and mind to the movement of the Holy Spirit. This will be a hybrid group gathering both on Zoom and periodic in person gatherings as communal wellness permits. Lay and Clergy members are welcome to join. Please email Teresa Martin at RevTeresaMartin@outlook.com if interested. See the attached proposal.
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FROM GLOBAL MINISTRIES...
Registration for Ecumenical Advocacy Days is still open
This year’s virtual Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) conference April 18 - 21, 2021will focus on Climate Justice and will support the global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Together, we will passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and the beloved community. EAD 2021 will include keynote speakers such as Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Jacqueline Patterson, Keya Chatterjee and Rev. James Bhagwan, a Global Ministries partner from the Pacific Conference of Churches; workshops; worship with a sermon by Bishop Michael Curry; a UCC/DOC denominational gathering; and a virtual lobby day. If you have always been interested in attending EAD but wary of the hassle and expense of travel to Washington, DC, this is your opportunity to participate virtually for only $35. Scholarships are also available.
Climate Justice Worship Resources Now Available
The EAD worship videos are now available for local churches to access for streaming and downloading. The full worship video as well as the individual component videos are available here. Please, feel free to use the entire worship service or pieces of it in your local churches during the month of April including the prayers of the people recorded by Global Ministries staff in four different languages.
Earth Day 2021
Earth Day is coming up on April 22! Many congregations designate the Sunday closest to Earth Day as Earth Day Sunday. You can use this date as an occasion for special worship, education, and advocacy focused on the environment. Please stay tuned for a variety of Earth Day resources from Global Ministries in the coming weeks including mission stories, worship resources and advocacy opportunities.
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Moravian Seminary...We Hope You'll Join Us!
Wisdom Way of Knowing Gatherings
Friday, April 30
3:00-5:00pm
Leader: Marcella Kraybill-Greggo, MSW, LSW
Online via Zoom Video Conference
Contact Hours: 2 per session
Price: $20 per session (you must register for each date separately) Register Here!
Moses Lecture in Moravian Studies
Tuesday, April 20 • 10:00–11:30am
Topic: When the Moravians Returned to Georgia: A Forgotten Mission During the American Revolution
Speaker: Dr. Jon Sensbach
Online via Zoom Video Conference
Contact Hours: 1.5
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Installation Service - June 13
The Dille Parish invites you to the installation of our new pastor Rev. Barbara Rowlett.
Sunday June 13 at 1pm at the LeRaysville Church 24 Church Street LeRaysville PA 18829, reception immediately following at the Community Hall. Please RSVP 570-744-1637or at admin@dillleparishucc.org by April 25th.
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DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
Keep Children and Teens Safe with Project iGuardian
Project iGuardian aims to counter a disturbing fact: many online child predators can find victims online because children are not always aware of how dangerous online environments can be. Read More...
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Human Trafficking Resource for Youth Caregivers and Individuals Working with Youth
The guide includes information about:
- How traffickers operate and reach potential victims
- Myths and realities of human trafficking
- Youth vulnerabilities
- Indicators of human trafficking specific to youth
- Dos and don’ts of talking to youth about human trafficking
- Lifestyle factors that may help prevent exploitation
- Reporting options
Learn more about the DHS Blue Campaign here!
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Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar
The Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar for pastors and lay leaders offers an opportunity to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations. The seminar draws on current research, seeks guidance from the wisdom of scripture, and discusses the best practices in church-based fundraising. Class sessions held May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16, and June 23, 2021 from 6:30 – 8:00pm EST. Between class sessions, the instructors provide materials to help you analyze the culture of your own congregation and learn how to create change. Register today: The CGC Seminar is $150 per participant. Register here by April 30, 2021: cvent.me/7yV37Q.
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Veterans' Moral Injury and Suicide Prevention
Lebanon VAMC Clergy Virtual Training Event
May 11, 2021 from 9AM to 11:30AM
To register and receive the link call: 717-272-6621 ext. 5085 or
Veterans are at higher risk for suicide than the average population. Moral Injuries can have an underlying effect upon the Veteran, as the Veteran feels overwhelmed with shame and guilt. Faith community leaders are encouraged to join us for this virtual training event to learn more about how to help Veterans who may be contemplating Suicide and/or suffering from moral injury.
Guest Speakers include: Chief of Chaplains, Dean Luther
Suicide Prevention Coordinator, John Lucas
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Age of Conspiracies & Disinformation
(from Rev. Teresa Martin, Coopersburg)
For those who may have joined the recent continuing ed on "The Age of Conspiracies and Disinformation" this is an additional list of resources on these issues. The taped zoom discussion was offered by the Wisconsin Council of Churches and once again featured Reverend Heather Hunnicutt.
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Advanced Boundary Training
(Basic boundary training must be completed first. If you have already taken a basic boundary training, this advanced training will cover your Boundary Training requirement and a certificate will be provided.)
Social Media & Boundaries for Ministry
Friday, May 14 & Friday, May 21, 2021
(series of 2 sessions)
Zoom training from 1 to 2 PM
Cost: $25
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Good Leave-Taking Boundaries
May 22
(from Pennsylvania Southeast Conference)
A 3-hour advanced boundary training regarding Good Leave-taking!
About this Event
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian
Accepting another call can be exciting…until the reality about departing your current ministry sets in (a fear that sometimes keeps us from leaving when we should). Before saying hello to one congregation, there must be a time of saying goodbye to the other. Leaving well is so very important for the spiritual wellbeing of the clergy person and the congregation. There are spiritual practices, rituals of closure, and a series of goodbyes along the way. How to leave with grace and in a healthy way is not always easy but is a part of our covenantal responsibility.
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Hybrid Ministry in a Post Pandemic Church
May 27, June 3 & 10, 2021
9AM - 11AM (Central Time) - LIVE ONLINE
Churches need the capacity and will to engage with a changing culture. Join Ryan Panzer, the author of Grace and Gigabytes: Being Church in a Tech-Shaped Culture—and find out what you can do.
You'll learn:
- An understanding of hybrid ministry in a variety of contexts
- Coaching and change management techniques
- An ability to envision and create hybrid ministries within your faith community
- ... and much more
Digital technology is shaping our values. Learn how your church can adapt and thrive. Sign up today!
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Build a Hybrid Worship Experience
The Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the UCC is hosting a two-session YouTube presentation about preparing for hybrid worship. If, like so many churches, you are trying to figure out who you'll need to push the buttons, what tech to buy and build, and how to do both in-person and live-on-screen worship at the same time, this is the series for you.
Session Two: Tools and Tech, premiering April 29th at 6 pm EDT, helps you with gadgets and go live. Find it here: https://youtu.be/czsobF8w6KY
Watch them both during the live premiers, or return to the Indiana-Kentucky Conference YouTube channel at your convenience and get the information and help you need to plan and host a hybrid worship service. It's free!
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DC Justice Update for the Week of April 12th
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Anti-discrimination bills: The Senate will consider Sen. Hirono’s bill aimed at addressing the staggering increase in hate crimes toward Asian Americans with the “COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.” The bill requires the Justice Department to designate an individual responsible for overseeing the expedited review of coronavirus-related hate crimes.
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Budget: The Administration released their “skinny” budget with topline numbers for FY2022. The budget requests a roughly 16% increase in non-defense domestic spending for investments in housing, education, and human needs. It falls short in other areas, with money being apportioned for border enforcement and an $11 billion increase in defense spending. The more comprehensive budget will come out later in the summer.
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DC Statehood: This week the House Oversight and Reform Committee will mark up and vote on the statehood bill, which means the full House could vote on statehood in the next two weeks.
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Gun Violence: The President announced a series of executive orders and actions that will take limited steps to reduce access to guns in certain circumstances. This includes a measure to decrease the proliferation of “ghost guns” (guns you can build from a kit). At the same time, he also issued a call for the Senate to pass the pending gun violence prevention legislation already passed by the house including universal background checks and closing the “Charleston loophole” for gun sales.
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Infrastructure Plan: Leadership in Congress and the White House are increasingly turning their focus to Biden’s “American Jobs Plan,” a sweeping proposal that includes roads and bridges but also includes broadband, the nation’s water supply and manufacturing. The bill also addresses climate issues. The question is, can they get any Republican support, or will this be another instance of using the budget reconciliation process again. Because of the tax implications there is a slim chance of bipartisan support.
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Labor Bills: This week the House will consider the Paycheck Fairness Act, H.R. 7, and the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, H.R. 1195. These bills are aimed at reducing workplace violence (especially toward women) and gender-based pay gaps.
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Yemen: There is growing pressure for Biden to intervene to stop the Saudi blockade of Yemen, that has resulted in millions in Yemen starving.
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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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MORE CONFLICT TRAINING DATES ANNOUNCED
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. There will also be opportunities for sharing our personal experiences with conflict and working on leading through difficult conflict using case studies and role playing.
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Climate Change Sabbath Toolkit
With the resources compiled in this toolkit congregations have the opportunity to initiate dialogue, education and advocacy regarding the approaching climate crisis. You can evaluate your home energy usage and take a look at your church's usage. To see the resources compiled in this toolkit, click here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Register now: Penn Central Ministerial Excellence Forum
You are invited to register for a monthly "Ministerial Excellence Forum" hosted by the Penn Central Conference on the third Thursday at one of two time slots: 10:00a-12:00 and 6:00p-8:00p.
April 16: Personalities & Communication (Dr. Bob Fogel, Leading) How often have these words occurred to you after a meeting or a difficult conversation? What I could have said. . . . What I should not have said was. . . . What we say to others and how we say it is a complex process. Psychological personality type seen through the lens of Meyers-Briggs (commonly known as the MBTI) provides a useful roadmap to engaging others with authenticity and integrity—and care. Come to learn about others and yourself!
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You're invited to
Community Clergy Training for
Advancing Veteran's Whole Health
Rev. Teresa Matin
Happy Easter everyone! This is a great free training offered by the VA in Philadelphia. It is on May 20th by zoom, time 1-3pm.
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UCC History, Theology & Polity Course
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 2021
9:30am-3:30pm EST
The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing ( zoom.us) The tuition will be $495. Electronic payments preferred (PayPay, Zelle, Venmo). For more information contact Rev. David Gaewski, davidgaewski@uccny.org This polity course is sponsored by the Oneida Association of the New York Conference. Payments should be made no later than April 25th. A syllabus is available upon request. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (2021)
May 3-7, June 21-25, August 2-6, October 11-15, or November 15-19
Does your congregation experience conflict? Does it harm your Christian fellowship and distract from your church’s mission? Learn to transform conflict from a negative force into an opportunity for reconciliation and growth. Contact the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at 630-627-0507 or Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org. The summer session of
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Churches will be conducted in person in the Chicago area on August 2-6, 2021. The exact site has yet to be determined, but it will be within driving distance of O’Hare Airport. Should circumstances force us to revert to an online-only presentation, registrants will have the option to attend remotely, apply full credit towards a future LMPC event, or receive a full refund. A final decision will be made by the end of May. Online registration is now open at https://lmpeacecenter.org/ticketspice/.
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Disaster Response help needed rebuilding in Philadelphia
Recruiting volunteers to repair and rebuild homes in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. On 8.4.2020, during the pandemic, Tropical Storm Isaias dumped 7 inches of rain on parts of eastern PA. Wind damage and tornadoes left hundreds of thousands without power and widespread severe flooding led to injuries as well as one storm-related fatality. We anticipate receiving our first teams in early May, 2021. Along with following strict Covid guidelines on the worksites, the pandemic has also made it impossible for us to offer housing to volunteers. We are encouraging volunteers to commute from a radius of approximately 60 miles or to make their own housing arrangements in the area.
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. To commemorate the month, the Department of Homeland Security, Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Cyber Crimes Center, Child Exploitation Investigation Unit are hosting a webinar to assist faith and community groups and caregivers of youth and teens on how they can help children to be safer online. The webinar will also address support for families when their children have been victimized by online sexual exploitation. The webinar will be held on April 15 at 2-3:30 pm ET. Register here.
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Across the United States, Americans congregate in faith-based venues to worship, learn, play, and bond as a community. CISA is committed to supporting efforts to maintain safe and secure houses of worship and related facilities while sustaining an open and welcoming environment. This resource page is designed to guide houses of worship through building improved security and safety protocols for their specific organization’s congregants and facilities. These tools help houses of worship identify and report suspicious behavior; build positive community relationships; develop partnerships with law enforcement; and implement emergency operations plans and screening procedures while enhancing security awareness. By utilizing these resources, houses of worship can easily develop a continuing security improvement cycle. To learn more visit, Houses of Worship | CISA.
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The application phone number for FEMA COVID funeral assistance is live. Call 844-684-6333 COVID-related funeral expenses must have been incurred after Jan. 20, 2020. This aid is provided to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. Visit the FEMA website for more information.
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Attached is the latest from the US DHS Center for Faith-based and Community Partnerships regarding how Houses of Worship can support Vaccine Sites.
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