Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
|
|
Bonnie's Letter
“Then Jesus poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.” (John 13:5)
Dear Friends,
I was recently asked what my favorite day of Holy Week was. Without hesitation, I named Maundy Thursday. One might expect it was because of the Holy Meal which was initiated that evening after the Passover meal – but it is reflective of the scripture quoted above. The foot washing ceremony has always been one of the most meaningful for me – as a lay person and then as a pastor.
The ceremony makes some people very uncomfortable and so some communities have added the washing of hands to the service. Yet, for me, kneeling at the feet of the people I serve, the people who follow in the footsteps of Jesus, the ones whom I am called to spiritually lead, this is so powerful to me that I get chills just thinking about it.
Just as Peter was uncomfortable with Jesus washing his feet, we can be uncomfortable with our pastor washing ours. It is a powerful servant moment for pastors to kneel with a basin of water and wash the feet of their congregation members. It is a gift that the congregation members can give to their pastor. So often pastors are elevated to heights and distance that separate us from the ones we serve. And the lifting up, the pedestal on which pastors are placed is not necessarily the fault of pastors – or maybe it is no one’s fault. Maybe we think that being set apart for authorization as a minister means we are set apart in all things. Even though we are set apart that does not mean we are elevated.
If Jesus, our brother and savior, both human and divine, could kneel and wash the dusty feet of the one who would betray him, the ones who would abandon him at the cross, and the one who would deny even knowing him – we, as spiritual leaders in the church, can kneel at the feet of the people we serve and offer them the same gift. We as members of congregations can offer the gift of accepting this service from our pastors, this service which is an act of humility, but also an act of deep respect and love.
So, I do not know if you will share in the ritual of foot washing this Maundy Thursday, but if you do, move forward to your pastor with grace and acceptance of the love the pastor is sharing with you. Allow the Spirit of the Living God to be in your presence, in the water used to wash, in the hands used to touch, in the towel used dry.
I pray your journey through Holy Week and to the celebration of Easter is a gift to your heart and your soul. May it be so for you. Blessings, Bonnie
|
|
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
|
|
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
|
|
Last Call for these Up-Coming Events & Deadlines |
|
Two-part Adult Spiritual Formation Series in May
Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley is hosting
Part one is "Christian Teaching on Alcohol" meets on Tuesday, May 10 at 6pm ET via Zoom or
in-person at the church at 7pm.
Part two is "Christian Teaching on Gambling" meets on Tuesday, May 17 also at 6pm ET via Zoom or in-person at the Church at 7pm.
Facilitated by Rev. Goudy, the classes are free and open to the public, no registration is needed. The Zoom ID is 876 0624 8826 and the church is located at 1401 Greenview Drive in Bethlehem (18018).
|
|
High Five for Disaster Relief Exceeds Goal
The Susquehanna Area Mission Council extends deep thanks to all who participated in the High Five for Disaster Relief campaign. We began this project with a goal of $5,000 for the two eastern Pennsylvania conferences. We collected a grand total of $9,191.49, nearly doubling our goal, with $5,479.53 donated by the Penn Northeast Conference alone.
Some of the PSEC funds have already been spent. They have provided seed funding for a car for a family in Berks County that lost its vehicle in Hurricane Ida.
|
|
This family’s children need to be transported regularly to Philadelphia for medical treatment, so a car is a life-giving necessity. Other PSEC funds have helped resolve life safety issues in a home in the Eastwick project of Philadelphia.
The PNEC funds are standing by to meet similar needs in our own Conference. We know from experience that needs will arise, since our Conference is not immune to natural disasters. Previous funding in our Conference has assisted with storm-related damage to homes as well as provided heat and hot water for homes following Tropical Storm Isaias. Because of the generosity of PNEC churches, we will be ready when the next disaster strikes.
|
|
Boundary Training Offered
In this year, 2022, the responsibility for Boundary Training across our churches falls to the Northeastern PA Synod of the ELCA. We have set up three options in the month of May for in-person training in three different locations across the region. See the attached flyer. It can also be found under the EVENTS tab on our NEPA Synod website. 1. Friday, May 13, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friedens Lutheran Church, 28 Wolf Creek Rd, Bernville, PA 19506
2. Monday, May 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church, 474 Yalick Rd., Dallas, 18612
3. Friday, May 20, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
St. John Lutheran Church, 200 S. Broad St., Nazareth, 18064
COST: $35 (includes lunch)
|
|
Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom
With Rev. Kris P. Snyder (from Union, Neffs)
Thursdays 12noon to 1pm
April 21, May 5, May 26, June 9, June 23
By zoom only – use the link below.
Using practices from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) model, Plum Village Thich Nhat Hanh tradition, Centering Prayer, and a little Qigong and movement we’ll gather for an hour of practice.
No experience necessary, lots of experience welcome too. Sign up here if you are interested and available for some or all of these dates:
Or just show up using the zoom link.
If you’re interested but these times and days don’t work, let me know and we can try to offer more.
Zoom Link:
Meeting ID: 811 8812 7483
Passcode: 348630
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (Washington DC)
+13126266799,,81188127483#,,,,*348630# US (Chicago)
|
|
New Community of Practice Starting...
for pre and post authorized minister retirees
This Community of Practice will be starting in June, 2022 and continue through the end of the year. The cost is $125. The facilitator will be Rev. Stephen Engelhardt and the meetings will be via Zoom. Please email Patty Rehrig pattyr@pnec.org at the Conference Office to let her know if you would like to sign up.
|
|
Strengthen the Church Materials Ready
The Strengthen the Church Offering most congregations will take on June 5th provide resources for our conferences and national setting to build core strength and flexibility in our congregations. Bonnie Bates, Tyler Connoley, Alexis Fuller-Wright, and Phil Hodson created bulletin inserts that capture the good work of conferences made possible by STC funds.
The offering materials are available on the CCM Basecamp (see the project “OCWM Support/Warner” in the folder “Strengthen the Church 2022) and in UCC Resources here. In addition to the materials available for digital download, congregations will be able to order free envelopes, bulletin inserts, and posters.
Please think about ways you can promote the offering in your church. Consider:
All together, we can ensure the Strengthen the Church Offering raises the crucial funds for our conferences and the national setting to help our congregations thrive/grow/flourish.
|
|
Justice Leadership Program
next program starting this fall
The Justice Leadership Program is wrapping up its first online 6-month Jubilee program (with five participants, four from UCC) and now is the time to apply for the autumn program. Jubilee is an online program for adults of any age who want to integrate faith and justice work in their lives in a meaningful and transformational way. Program associates meet monthly to deepen their faith within a community of their peers while learning skills for systemic change-making. Join us for the fall program to be informed, equipped, and empowered to act for justice! Apply now for Fall 2022
Jubilee is a booster grant recipient of Volunteer Ministries of the National UCC, supported by GLOBAL H.O.P.E.
|
|
Process the Pandemic for Ministry
Help for Getting Through the Covid Blahs - Start re-energizing with Faith+Lead's Processing the Pandemic of Ministry. We are all worn down after another year ravaged by the pandemic. The good news is that now - over just two hours a week for three weeks - there's an opportunity to recover, regroup, and get ready for a healthy, hopeful future.
Tuesdays, April 19, 26 & May 3
7 to 8:30 PM Central Time
You will discover:
- Opportunities to prioritize what’s been learned and to process it in a supportive environment
- A safe space for integrating what you’ve learned through the pandemic and gently moving forward in whole and healthy ways
- A sustainable game plan for achieving two goals—unique to you—in the 30 days following this course
- ... and so much more!
It's an opportunity to practice stillness, intentional reflection, and realistic goal-setting—all within a safe, supportive environment. Sign up today!
|
|
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:
- April 25 at 7 PM - Reaching Youth and Young Adults
|
|
 |
Break the Silence Sunday
During April many congregations observe Break the Silence Sunday, a day to focus on the devastating effects of sexual violence and abuse in our society and a time to offer prayers and care for survivors. The Rev. Moira Finely and a team of writers has once again created some wonderful resources. The official day for this in our UCC calendar is April 24th.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2022 Earth Month Events
4.22.2022 - Garden Work Day
4.23.2022 - Parker St. Tree Planting
4.29.2022 - Tending the Tree of Life
4.29.2022 to 5.2.2022 - City Nature Challenge
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lombard Mennonite Peace Center
May 9-13; June 13-17; Aug. 1-5; Nov. 14-18
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
*****
April 7 & September 21
Journey Toward Healing
******
May 19 - Leadership & Anxiety in the Church
*****
April 2 - Healthy Congregations
May 7 - Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
|
|
Five Part Education Series for Families on Mental Health
The Scranton Mental Health Ministry at the Cathedral of Saint Peter is presenting this five-part series for families on mental health and mental illness to reduce stigma and discrimination through education and factual information about mental health conditions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Moravian and Mercersburg Traditions: Can These Two Walk Together?
co-sponsored by the Mercersburg Society, Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian University
May 23 & 24, 2022
on the campus of Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 West James St., Lancaster
REGISTRATION DEADLINE -- May 15
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
|
|
|
|
DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
FEMA Shares Public Assistance Video for Houses of Worship...Understanding FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be challenging for applicants, especially in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
FEMA, together with the Department of Homeland Security Center of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, created a video to help inform faith leaders about funds that may help them rebuild if their houses of worship are damaged by a disaster. The video features several faith leaders in Puerto Rico and in the continental United States who tell the story of how their faith center was destroyed—and how they learned about FEMA funding, applied for assistance and how the funds helped them rebuild.
The video is intended to help faith leaders determine if they qualify for assistance and learn the steps to apply for Public Assistance. Houses of worship are considered private nonprofit organizations, and when there is a major disaster declaration, they may be eligible to request funding assistance to rebuild.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The FY 2022 Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program is opening. PA Emergency Management Agency is hosting webinars to help applicants understand the process. Churches and pastors can go to PEMA.PA.gov/Grants/NSGP for detailed information. Some of the NSGP webinars will be open forums, designed to address any questions relating to the Nonprofit security grant program.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Church of the Brethren Disaster Services (a VOAD partner with the UCC) will present an in-person Children’s Disaster Services Volunteer Workshop on May 13 - 14, 2022. The event will begin on Friday at 4:30 PM ET and conclude at 5:30 PM on Saturday. The event will be held at the Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 Orange St., Lititz, PA 17543. The CDS Volunteer Workshop is a comprehensive 25 - hour workshop that uses applied, experiential activities to help the participants integrate their learning. The workshop will train you to understand and respond to children who have experienced a disaster. Participants will experience a simulated shelter, sleeping on cots and eating simple meals. Once the training is completed, participants have the opportunity to become a certified Children’s Disaster Services volunteer. Learn more on the attached flyer. Register.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
