Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Bonnie's Letter
Dear Friends,
Lent has begun. In my youth, as a member of the Roman Catholic Church, I was reminded abut fasting and about giving something up for Lent. That became less a focus as I moved into the United Church of Christ, and for many years I added times of service or devotional and prayer time to my Lenten practice.
Sometimes I am uncertain how to mark these days and as I have been searching for direction, I came across the words of Pope Francis. I really like his words for this season.
This will be my fasting practice this Lent. How will you mark these days? How will you remember the ministry of Jesus and his triumphant arrival into Jerusalem, followed so closely by arrest, scourging, crucifixion and death? Yes, I know the resurrection will come, but I want to live in the moments between now and then so I can truly celebrate on Resurrection Day. Will you join me on this journey: share your insights and encounter Jesus on this path? Blessings, Bonnie
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Penn Northeast Conference Spring Meeting
NOTE: If attending the whole event this will qualify for Cultural Competency Training
(virtual or in person)
May 13 - 14, 2022 (Friday - Saturday)
The Chateau at Camelback
475 Camelback Rd., Tannersville, PA
Keynoter: Valarie Kaur
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Valarie Kaur is an American activist, documentary filmmaker, lawyer, educator, and faith leader. She is the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Kaur's debut book, See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love, was published in June 2020.
Friday, May 13, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Valarie Kaur Zoom Presentation and Interfaith Worship including Valarie
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Morning: Interfaith Workshops
Afternoon: Business Meeting, Recognition of Pastors and Churches, Installation, Closing Worship
including Communion
Registration is available for Friday evening only or for Friday and Saturday.
OR Click Here for form to mail in registration along with your payment
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Last Call for these Up-Coming Events & Deadlines |
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Closing Worship at Amistad Chapel
Details of last Amistad Chapel service on Sunday, March 13, coming together around movement, inclusiveness, collaboration.
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Thriving, Not Surviving: Building a Toolkit for a Flourishing Youth Ministry
Lunch & Lecture Series - Yale Divinity School
Empowering Young People Toward Beloved Community
April 6th; 12 - 1:30 pm Eastern
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Register for PSEC Advanced Boundary Training events
Registration is now open for the 2022 Advanced Boundary Trainings from PSEC. Three credit hours of Boundary Training. topic is:
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‘Be With Those in Suffering in Ways We Cannot’
UCC officers share prayer, call for peace for Ukraine.
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Resources - Prayer for Ukraine
(Engage Worship)
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The Pennsylvania Council of Churches statement to demonstrate our commitment to peace and human rights. We support Ukraine in its effort to remain free and stand with them in their struggle
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Holy Joe's Cafe Sees Greater Need Due to Russia–Ukraine Conflict
Holy Joe's Café is seeing an urgent increase in the need for coffee and support for U.S. military chaplains in response to the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Holy Joe's Café has supported U.S. military chaplains since its origin at a UCC church in Wallingford, CT in 2006. The organization provides coffee to military chaplains to help them make connections with active-duty military personnel. The simple act of providing coffee to soldiers gives chaplains a comforting way to reach out to troops and often initiates conversations that might not have occurred in the regular daily routine, giving these troops a place to talk, share concerns, and get guidance that can help keep them mentally and spiritually healthier in their work.
The duties of military chaplain are broad and go beyond religious practices. Chaplains pray with units and provide them with a way to share their concerns about the home front or their deployed situation. Chaplains also report to leadership on troop morale. The armed forces acknowledge moral leadership as critical support for troops, and chaplains take a large part in this development. Chaplains also are the main contact for troops who wish to practice their religion. Military chaplains are not restricted to members of their own denomination, which provides all troops with a place to hold conversations of a spiritual nature.
“As an ordained UCC minister and an Air Force chaplain the ministry we do amongst our troops is a critical one. We help to spiritually ground their deepest fears, anxieties, and hopes with compassionate accompaniment,” said United Church of Christ Air Force Chaplain Ryan Tyler-Byers.
Tom Jastermsky, Founder and Executive Director of Holy Joe's, says that with the rapid deployment of troops to Europe in response to the Russia–Ukraine conflict, the need to get coffee supplies to these deployed troops is urgent. Holy Joe's regularly provides coffee to hundreds of chaplains at bases around the world, but changes in deployment require logistical plans to move coffee where it is needed.
"It's not enough," said Jastermsky speaking about the current supplies and shipping schedules. "The chaplains have their hands totally full."
UCC churches have a long history of supporting Holy Joe's. More information on how to assist with this ministry can be found on the Holy Joe's Café website.
Tom Jastermsky can be reached at 203-859-0031.
More Conference Stories About Holy Joe's Café:
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Register for PSEC Advanced Boundary Training events
Registration is now open for the 2022 Advanced Boundary Trainings from PSEC. Each training provides three credit hours of Boundary Training. Scheduled topics are:
Click here for a flyer on all of the trainings. To register for an event , click the topic
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Lenten Prayer Service
Take a Prayer Break - Every Thursday at noon during Lent join colleagues from the four PA UCC conferences for a short time of prayer on zoom. Each gathering will be led by a conference staff member and will include readings, reflection, and a time for intercessory prayer. All are welcome to join. Zoom information is below and is the same for every week. We begin March 3rd and will end on April 14th.
Carrie Call is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Lenten Prayer
Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 841 7677 4603
Passcode: 260414
Rev. Carrie Call, PhD, Conference Minister, Penn Central Conference
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Lenten Prayers and Reflections
As the Lenten season approaches, we would like to share seven days of prayer and reflection that we developed for the week of Christian Unity in January. Each day focuses on a particular topic and includes a link to a video. You have our permission to use these as you see fit – for prayer groups, discussion groups or as flyers. View and download here.
Topics for prayer and reflection:
· Poverty
· Mental Health
· Addressing Hunger
· Housing Instability
· Homelessness
· Housing after Incarceration
· Racial Injustice
During this Lenten season we take time to reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross. We take time for meditation and sacrifice. Denying ourselves for 40 days during this time as Christ sacrificed his life. Being still, quiet and prayerful. Observing his act of sacrifice for all humanity to have all their needs met in this world. In our stillness can we reflect and ask ourselves what sacrifices have we taken to help someone else? If we have not sacrificed for anyone, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in how we can sacrifice for our neighbors in need.
In hope, Pastor Genie Watson, Ecumenical Associate, The Lehigh Conference of Churches
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Robert K. Campbell Lecture Series - with David LaMotte, March 31 & April 1
David is an award-winning speaker, author, songwriter, and activist
What's Mine To Do?
Join us for The Lehigh Conference of Churches’ Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture and dinner, small group meeting, and concert Thursday, March 31 and Friday, April 1, featuring David LaMotte.
In the lecture on Thursday, March 31 at DeSales University, David will engage us in the question “What’s Mine To Do?” based on his book, “Worldchanging 101: Challenging the Myth of Powerlessness.” In a world full of want and injustice, how do we determine what is ours to do, and what is not? With our inboxes overflowing with requests for support, and our media outlets constantly reminding us of the worst news from around the world, how do we remain buoyant enough to function? In a politically divided time, how do we maintain our principles, while healing broken relationships? David doesn’t claim to have answers to all of these questions, but he will offer some fresh framework that may shed light on the struggles to live as people of conscience, and to have the most positive impact that we can, rooted in his own experience and historical examples.
On Friday morning, April 1, at The Lehigh Conference of Churches, we invite interested individuals to further engage in a dialogue around Thursday’s lecture.
Friday evening will feature a concert with the original music of David LaMotte at First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.
Event Schedule (Registration is required for all events.)
Lecture, “What’s Mine To Do?”
Thursday, March 31, 5:45 p.m. registration, 6 p.m. light dinner, 7 p.m. lecture, 8:30 p.m. coffee/dessert
$10 lecture only; $20 lecture and dinner
University Center, DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley, PA 18034
Community Dialogue
Friday, April 1, 10 a.m.
Dubbs Memorial Community Center, 457 W. Allen Street, Allentown, PA 18102
There is no charge for this event but registration is required.
Concert
Friday, April 1, 7:30 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m.
First Presbyterian of Allentown, 3231 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104
There is no charge for the event but registration is required. Seating is limited. There will be a free-will offering to benefit The Lehigh Conference of Churches.
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In an effort to strengthen our community by building bridges of story between people, the Church of the Good Shepherd UCC in Alburtis, PA, in cooperation with The Barn, will be hosting “Sound Your Voice!”—a storytelling competition intended to celebrate our humanity and the power of story to bring us together in empathy and community
One of the trademarks of humanity is the way people will often tell stories as we wrestle with our experiences—our hopes and joys, our struggles and fears—and try to make meaning of our lives and the world around us. Stories are a powerful form of communication because they are at once unique to the perspective and particular experiences we have had and yet in the truths they contain are able to resonate with people very different than ourselves. It’s been said that, “The shortest distance between two people is a story.”
Therefore, in an effort to strengthen our community by building bridges of story between people, the Church of the Good Shepherd United Church of Christ in Alburtis, PA, in cooperation with The Barn, will be hosting “Sound Your Voice!”—a storytelling competition intended to celebrate our humanity and the power of story to bring us together in empathy and community.
The competition will be themed around a recent shared experience—the COVID-19 pandemic—which has played a significant role in both keeping people separated from one another and also reminding us daily of how fragile life can be. Each evening will be an opportunity to hear stories of struggle and resilience, failure and success, hurt and hope—universal stories expressed in the sounds of our particular voices.
The competition is open to anyone 15 years of age or older and offers top prizes of $300, $150, and $50. Details and official rules can be found on Church of the Good Shepherd’s website ( www.cogsalburtis.org) or Facebook page. The storytelling events on April 20, May 4 & 18, and June 1 are open to anyone, regardless of their desire to participate. Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item. Please, come to listen and cheer on the storytellers! Come sound your voice! Come listen to one another’s stories! Come and grow closer as a community!
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Hope Rising: A time of Healing & Inspiration
MA-AUCE’s first ever Hybrid Conference - 2022
When: March 28-30, 2022
Where: Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center
Mt. Bethel, PA
Cost: In-Person - $300 (single room, meals & programming included)
AUCE Member Discount - $257
Commuter (Tuesday Only) - $75
Online Only - $50 (Monday & Tuesday evenings, & Wednesday morning)
The Mid-Atlantic Association for United Church Educators (MA-AUCE) Inviting all Pastors, Faith Formers, & Ministry Leaders to share in a time of healing and inspiration. Ministry and faith formation can take a lot out of us during “normal” years, and the past 2 years have been anything BUT “normal.”
Come join ministry leaders and faith formers from the New York to Virginia as we gather to share stories, reflect on what has been working for us in ministry, brainstorm what could work in the future, and take some time to refresh ourselves as we prepare to lead our ministries into new areas.
This year, for the first time, the MA-AUCE Conference is being held as a Hybrid Event from Monday, March 28th-Wednesday March 30th 2022 at the Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center in Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania. While all are welcome and encouraged to join us in-person, the opening worship and evening sessions on Monday and Tuesday, and the morning session and closing worship on Wednesday will be offered via Zoom for those who wish to attend virtually.
For those attending in-person, Covid Protocols will be followed: Covid vaccinations and masks will be required. All rooms will be single occupancy.
Come join us to make some connections, refresh, and find hope again in the work of God we are called to do in this challenging time.
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Vital Conversations
Every one of us as pastors and church leaders longs for new ideas and innovations that will breathe an energizing spirit into our congregations. Well, did you know that there is a forum in PNEC that meets every month just for the purpose of sharing those sort of insights?
On the last Monday of each month, on Zoom at 7 PM, the Congregational Vitality Team hosts a “Vital Conversation.” Our conversations vary on the focal topic—past sessions have centered on subjects like stewardship, Christian education, and defining “vitality”—yet, every session is geared toward thinking together about a particular area of congregational life and brainstorming creative, imaginative, life-giving ways to do ministry. So, whether you’re looking for a spark of inspiration, a new idea, or simply want to talk and share with your colleagues some of the creative things you’re trying, please join us at the next Vital Conversation:
The Zoom Meeting ID is: 817 9668 4439
Passcode: 292474
Upcoming dates and topics are:
- March 28 at 7 PM - Inclusive Worship
- April 25 at 7 PM - Reaching Youth and Young Adults
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Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center
The following volunteer shifts are available:
- Tuesday, March 22, 1-5pm
- Wednesday, March 23, 9-12pm
- Wednesday, March 23, 1-4pm
All shifts will take place at the Homewood Suites in Center Valley.
Volunteer tasks will include:
- Assembling decorations
- Blowing up balloons
- Hanging and tying decorations
- Assembling photo op and stage backdrop
- Assembling table centerpieces
Interested? Please reply to this email with your full name, which shift(s) you will volunteer, and any restrictions you may have. Don't miss your chance to contribute to this fabulous evening celebrating the Lehigh Valley's LGBTQ+ community!
Can't volunteer? You're still invited! Purchase your tickets here!
With gratitude for your generosity,
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March 8 - COM Cafe Talking
March 17 - Introduction to Behavioral Covenants
March 28 - Introduction to 3- and 4-way Covenants
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Attention, Church Pianists and Organists, age 19 and older:
Learn or enhance organ skills at the Lehigh Valley's 2022 Pipe Organ Encounter Plus (POE+)
- Excellent faculty.
- Private lessons and practice time using both pipe and digital-electronic organs.
- Superb recitals.
- Skill-building presentations.
- Air-conditioned single rooms for resident participants.
- Three meals daily for resident and commuter.
June 12-17, 2022 at Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA) and area churches
Note: partial scholarships available, Early Bird savings (register before March 1) and Commuter discount. Money-Back Guarantee if circumstances necessitate cancellation.
Sponsored by the American Guild of Organists, its Lehigh Valley Chapter, and generous donors.
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Clinical Pastoral Education at Phoebe Ministries
(accredited by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education,
55 Ivan Allen, Jr. Blvd, Suite 835, Atlanta, GA 30308. www.acpe.edu)
We have scholarship money available to anyone who needs it.
Now accepting applications for our…
Summer Intensive CPE Group –
May 31 – August 5, 2022
· Full-time; 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
· 12 hours of class time per week
· Class time one day a week in Allentown and by zoom
· 28 hours of weekly ministry on one of our 4 Continuing Care Retirement Community Communities
(Allentown, Berks, Richland and Wyncote)
· Working and learning with board certified chaplains
· Certified Educator Candidate Rev. Leah Knox leading the group
· July 4th break built in
· Full scholarships available
· Deadline to Apply – May 1, 2022
For information please email/call Rev. Leah Knox lknox@phoebe.org or 610-927-8515;
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Resources for Local Church Stewardship
“From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving” makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching and teaching about stewardship throughout the year. Campaign guidance and calendars help leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific context and size.
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Spring Crossroads Courses
Story of Christianity - March 7-May 2, 2022 (except Holy Week April 11) - Instructor: Rev. Dr. William Falla
My Journey/Our Journey - (8) Thursdays, 6-9 pm - March 10 - May 5, 2022 (except Holy Week April 14)
Instructor: Rev. Maggie Wellert
Crossroads and Connections Building Community
We are rolling out the following 3 studies/workshops and know they will bring a greater understanding on current issues and concerns. Register on Event Bright for those you are interested in joining. They are free and led by informed and compete leaders and bring you the freshest information we have in the moment.
1. As you and others continue to request this study we are bringing White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo for the 17th time. This will be lead by Gullies Gondre and Dave Smith (possibly others) and will run on Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m. from March 3-April 14. See more details when you click on the link.
2. Dr. Keith Wiley, former Professor of Music at Millersville University will be (conducting?) leading ( or should I say conducting?) the study on:
- The Great White Way: Race and The Broadway Musical by Warren Hoffman – Keith Wiley
- Thursdays 7:00 to 8:30 PM
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Thursdays - March 3, 20, 17, 24, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
3. You may register for the Sacred Listening Session - Politics. Can You Hear the Other Side? led by La-Verna J. Fountain. It is scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern Time. We welcome all sides of the equation and promise you will be heard!
Coming in May: Book Study on Caste led by The Rev. Gearld Simmons-stay tuned for upcoming details.
Thank you- Dave Smith
Crossroads and Connections - Relationships and Community Building is a multicultural group of concerned citizens from numerous communities across the country. We gather to work together on significant issues, to be part of the public conversation and move forward to more common ground, respect for one another and improved community relationships.
Our focus is on 4 issues of current relevance:
Violence - Racism - Climate Change and Environmental Impacts - Judicial Issue
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Global Ministries News
Pray with Kenya, Ukraine, Japan
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Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley
Newsletter
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Chaplain at Bethany Children's Home
Rose E.R. Shepley was ordained on Sunday, February 20 2022 in Santee Chapel at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Rose has served as Chaplain for Bethany Children’s Home in Womelsdorf, PA since September 2021. She was approved for ordination on October 20, 2019. Rose previously served as licensed minister with St. John’s UCC, Shamokin from 2015-2019. She will continue to serve the youth and team members at Bethany Children’s Home.
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Lancaster Theological Seminary
Moving Into a New Season
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2022 Stewardship Theme Materials
This year's theme, “From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving”, makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples, and includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for teaching stewardship throughout the year. Campaign guidance and calendars will help you make the best use of these materials. Available as digital download or print materials.
Special early bird pricing on download and bundle:
Standard digital download: $39.99 until April 1. Bundle download: $99.99 until April 1. Printed materials ship in May.
See link for standard download and package download specifics. Click Here
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CHHMS Communique'
Nollau Leadership Institute is Open for the 2022-23 Class
The Nollau Leadership Institute is CHHSM’s signature program with more than 250 attendees in its 20+ years. Enrollment is now open and the short online application can be found here.
Through retreats, online interactions, and peer mentoring, this program is intended to support leadership formation through a variety of learning modalities and a community of practice. Grounded in the tradition of the United Church of Christ, rituals, contemplative practices, small group sharing, and embodiment are all part of the program—alongside the interactive didactic sessions. Read More...
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry UPCOMING Classes
The Future of Multivocational Ministries -- April 27 to May 17
Instructor Darryl W. Stephens. A Financial Basics class for lay and clergy leaders.
Personal and Spiritual Development -- May 24 to June 28
Instructor Carrie Call. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. A Ministerial Institute class on spiritual disciplines, congregational systems, and vocational discernment.
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Clergy Convocation 2022
May 3-5, 2022
Double Tree by Hilton, 2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602
Qualifies for 10 Contact Hours
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Short Term Disaster Response Virtual Coordinator – You Are Needed Now - Position description for the long-term volunteer opportunity to support volunteer coordination in Eastwick
INDIANA/KENTUCKY DISASTER RESPONSE - You are invited to join the Indiana/Kentucky Conference Disaster Preparedness and Response Ministry Team (DPRMT) at a one-week work camp, March 20-26, 2022, (Sunday evening to Saturday morning) in western Kentucky. The volunteers will be staying at First Christian Church (DOC) in Madisonville, KY. The Conference is partnering with Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders and working at two work sites: Dawson Springs and Bremen. Both communities were devastated by the December 10-11, 2021 tornadoes.
This work camp is limited to adults only with a maximum of 20 volunteers. Anyone is welcome to volunteer, but please note that we are seeking at least a few volunteers with particular skills:
- construction experience who would help direct the volunteers.
- two cooks to prepare the meals.
The registration deadline is March 13, 2022, and all volunteers will need to have completed a background check within the past 5 years.
To learn more, please contact our Conference Disaster Coordinator, Karl Jones, at 570-617-4018 or kjones275@comcast.net.
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One Great Hours of Sharing - Sunday, March 27, 2022, the fourth Sunday of Lent, is the recommended date for the offering "One Great Hour of Sharing." Resources to help promote the offering have been mailed to the churches.
The theme for the 2022 One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering is “Love Remains,” based on 1 Corinthians 13:13, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." These words were written to a church in turmoil to remind them what love looks like in community.
What does love look like today? Through our collective generosity, the United Church of Christ has worked with both domestic and international partners to provide food, water, medicines, education, disaster recovery resources and opportunities for sustainable development, bringing hope to places of despair. Gifts to OGHS allow us to put love into action to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities in crisis in this country and around the world.
If you would like more information on how OGHS supports our disaster ministries, contact our Conference Disaster Coordinator, Karl Jones, 570-617-4018 or kjones275@comcast.net.
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