Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Bonnie's Letter
Dear Friends,
In these days of continuing violence and grief, shootings, death, political division, war, economic hardship, and deep pain, I share with you a poem by my friend and colleague, the Rev. Dr. Chad Abbott, the Conference Minister of the Indiana Kentucky Conference of the UCC.
Breaking Through
“At the end of the streets of grief and despair,
the roads of hope and joy meet.
At this intersection, a refracting light breaks through.
It touches us all. How could it not?
Tears cascade between eyes that can see,
the tearing apart,
the wearing thin,
the baring of skin made from the gods of warfare.
Raindrops plunge to an earth waiting to embrace them with a thousand “thank yous.”
Because, out of this earth comes
purple tulips,
blue hydrangeas,
daisies so golden even the sun seems a bit jealous,
and grass so green we begin to remember that to walk the earth barefoot is to walk with God.
Sunlight dims to darkness and back again.
They are siblings, these two.
So, just when the world bends us toward the breaking point,
perhaps it is an invitation to reach with all our might towards the place where a tattered tear and a hovering hope create something new.
It is you. It is me.
It is all of us……breaking through.”
We, my friends, are called to be hope, to offer hope, to move into the journey of faith which shares hope with all those in the world. Do not succumb to hopelessness, my friends. Keep the faith and cry as you must. Grieve as necessary. Pause to breathe. And then --- move into hope. Be, with me, among those who break through into hope. Blessings, Bonnie
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Celebration of Life & Memorial
There will be a celebration of life service and memorial for Rev. Nancy Adams on June 22nd at 11am at St John's UCC in Allentown (36 S. 6th Street).
Nancy died peacefully in her Florida home on June 7. Nancy served many years as a Chaplain in St. Luke's Hospital, Bethlehem.
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Memorial Choir Concert
All are invited to a Memorial Choir Concert in tribute to Floyd Schlegel this Sunday (June 12) at St.John's UCC, 183 S. Broad Street, Nazareth at 4 pm. A Free will offering will be received. Rev. Todd Fennell is directing a 70 voice choir.
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Preparing for Heritage Sunday 2022
Heritage Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, June 12, 2022, and we hope you will join the over 2,000 former Evangelical and Reformed churches throughout the United States in celebrating this special event. On our website, you will find several resources to assist churches and these include bulletin covers, inserts, liturgies, and hymns. Periodic resources will also be added to our Facebook and Instagram pages from now and until this special day.
To ensure future generations can see where we have been, the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society has set a goal for our Heritage Day Appeal of 100% participation, with gifts of $500 or more, from the UCC Conferences. Values, faith, and traditions are passed from one generation to the next. We learn from those who came before us, knowing one day, we will pass the torch to a future generation. The support of the Conferences will give the children who sit in churches every Sunday, the gift of faith, knowledge, and assurance that one day as adults they will be able to walk through history and visit our past.
Currently, the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society holds denominational records, records of regional classes, districts, and synods, records of more than 900 local churches, and over 350 manuscript collections. An extensive artifact collection relating to the denominations, and the mission fields served by them are housed in our archives.
- Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society, 555 W James St, Lancaster, PA 17603
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Mindfulness and Meditation Gatherings by Zoom
With Rev. Kris P. Snyder (from Union, Neffs)
Thursdays 12noon to 1pm
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)
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Last Call for these Up-Coming Events & Deadlines |
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UCC Digital Programming
Thursdays for the Soul
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From UCC News Digest...
Help for Ministers
A fresh cycle of grants will aid pastoral leaders hit financially by COVID.
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2022 Service Project Curriculum
Understanding Our Mission
Why Mission?
A new curriculum, due in June, will augment youth mission projects. Read More...
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Insights from Strengthening the Church follow-up
Beloved of God,
Thank you so much for your interest in All Together: Insights from Strengthening the Church.
As you are led to watch or share, the recording will be available on the following playlist for future learning, along with all past Thursdays for the Soul offerings. See All Videos
It is because of you that we are able to sustain this ministry. As you are moved, and as you have access, please support Thursdays for the Soul and programs like this, through giving to the Annual Fund.
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From the PNEC Racial Justice Team
The PNEC Racial Justice Team is planning s trip to Selma and Montgomery, and we would like to know your interest in attending this trip. This is a trip to learn, understand, and explore the history of racism in the United States and its impacts on our faith communities. We will visit historical sites such as the Edmund Pettis Bridge, the Legacy Museum, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. We will also visit churches of historical significance, and our hope is to worship with one of these faith communities. Please fill out this google form to let us know your interest:
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Poor People’s March on Washington
June 18, 2022
We live in the richest nation to ever exist since God created the earth, yet many in power consistently blame poor people and refuse to take responsibility for economic justice.
140 million Americans– 43% of adults and 52% of children–are poor and low-wealth, suffering in plain sight
For far too long poor people, people of color, Indigenous nations, immigrant families, women, children, the disabled, and LGBTQ communities have been under attack, pitted against each other and blamed for society’s problems. Please take 5 minutes today to consider the pain of poverty in America.
We must put a face and voice on the shameful conditions confronting this nation and for the least of these we must speak and nonviolently force the nation to hear the truth and to see the faces.
That’s why I am going to Washington on Saturday June 18, 2022 to participate in the Poor People’s Campaign and Moral March on Washington and the Polls.
And that’s why I am working locally with POWER Interfaith to organize to address economic and racial injustice in the Lehigh Valley.
If you have any questions, or are interested in getting on the bus with me to go to Washington on June 18, please let me know.
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Crossroads Info Session
Saturday, June 18th at 10 AM
Moravian Theological Seminary, Bethlehem
Have you felt a desire to learn more about yourself, your call to work within the church or the community, or want to increase your practical knowledge of scripture, theology, leadership or spiritual formation? The Crossroads Lay Leadership Program is a great place to do just that! For over 12 years, we have been providing practical education for church leaders. In this Info Session we will be outlining the program and also exploring the courses to be offered this year which will help anyone who thinks they might have a call to lay pastoring. Lay Pastoring and pulpit supply are just two ways to serve in local congregations. Register by email with Jill Peters, petersj2@moravian.edu. Come in person or request the Zoom link. We would love to meet you, get to know your educational needs, and share Crossroads with you. www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads
Fall 2022
Unpacking the Scriptures - Preaching
Faith Journeys of the Old Testament
Late Fall 2022
Culture & Change
Winter 2023
Ministry Journeys of the New Testament
Mapping the Route - Conversations in Theology
Spring 2023
Traveling Mercies - Congregational Care
Traditions - World Religions and Protestant Denominations
Dr. Jill Peters
Missional Leadership Developer, Moravian Theological Seminary
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Schuylkill County church hosting ecumenical worship
Sunday, June 12 - 4PM - St. Paul's Summer Hill UCC, Auburn, PA
This special worship service and time of fellowship for Schuylkill County churches is being sponsored and planned the UCC’s Pennsylvania Southeast and Penn Northeast conferences, the Presbyterian Church’s (USA) Lehigh Presbytery, the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
All UCC, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Lutheran congregations in Schuylkill County are encouraged to attend to make new acquaintances, renew old friendships, and unify as one Body of Christ.
This outdoor service will be on a level lawn under shade trees, followed by an outdoor pot luck picnic. Please bring your own chairs. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided, but please access the link in the flyer to the on-line signup sheet to indicate what you may be able to bring.
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Celebrate Juneteenth Freedom Day
June 17, 2022
A free community Event
11AM - 2PM
Dubbs Memorial Community Center Parking Lot
457 W. Allen St., Allentown
Food...Games...Music
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PA Academy of Ministry
Personal Finances for Ministers
July 12–Aug 16. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems.
Introduction to basics of personal financial management, including special considerations for religious professionals and congregations where they serve. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125
Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development
Aug 23–Sept 27, 2022
Instructor Jessica Young Brown
A Ministerial Institute class. Confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care in ministry. $325.
Church Finances
Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm.
Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating/presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving & sources of income, presenting accurate tracking/reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, & explore new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.
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Drop-In Center Car Wash
June 11, 2022
10AM to 2PM
Dubbs Memorial Community Center,
457 W. Allen St., Allentown
$5 - all proceeds benefit the Drop-In Center, an accepting place for anyone in need of support, advocacy, a shower, and a meal.
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Adult Lutherans Organized for Action
Encouraging and Equipping Congregations for Older Adult Ministry
Register Now... Engaging Older Adults in Ministry -- June 23 – Noon ET
A roundtable of ministry leaders share on engaging older adults in ministry and explore the potential that older adults bring to the congregation Read more.
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The Church’s Post-Pandemic Future
September 19 - 21, 2022
Speakers and a format are announced for a September all-church summit.
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Lombard Mennonite Peace Center June 13-17; Aug. 1-5; Nov. 14-18
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
September 21 -- Journey Toward Healing
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
URGENT volunteer need - Brethren Disaster Ministries Waverly TN - We had a cancellation for one of our upcoming weeks at our Waverly, TN project location. We are wondering if you would be able to advertise this need with your volunteer base? It is the week of June 26-July 2. We currently can take up to 14 volunteers. If folks are interested in volunteering, please have them contact me via this email address. Kim Gingerich
Program Assistant
Brethren Disaster Ministries-Rebuild
A Ministry of the Church of the Brethren
601 Main St., PO Box 188
New Windsor, MD 21776
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