Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Bonnie's Letter
Dear Friends,
I have been thinking a lot about covenant lately. Covenant is the bedrock of the relationships between God and human beings.
I have been thinking of all the times covenant is mentioned in scripture: Genesis 6 & 9 (with the people through Noah), Genesis 15 & 17 (with the people through Abraham), Genesis 31 (with the people through Jacob), Exodus 6, 16, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 32, 34, 39 & 40 (with the people through Moses), Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy which reiterate the covenants of the people with God in the time of Moses, Joshua 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 23 & 24 (related to the people through Joshua leading the people back to faithfulness), Judges 2, 20, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings,….Ezra 10, Nehemiah 1, 9, & 13… thru Psalms, and the other prophets, into the New Testament Matthew 26, Luke & Acts, and the letters of Paul to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, and then into Hebrews and the Book of Revelation.
One could make a life-long study of these scriptures. And yet, would we really understand the depth and meaning of covenant in our own lives?
In the United Church of Christ, we take the word covenant seriously. We are a church in covenant between and among the settings of the church – and I use settings intentionally, because as a non-hierarchical denomination, it is our covenant that binds us together – not levels of authority. Our polity accents the congregational authority of each congregation – to make its own decisions: call its own pastor, move into relationship with the community and the rest of the United Church of Christ as it deems appropriate. And yet, with that congregational authority comes a covenantal responsibility: to listen to, respect and seek to understand the words, recommendations, and decisions of the other settings of the church – in PNEC that means the conference and national setting. Do we have to agree? No, we do not. However, our responsibility is to consider, listen to, discern the meaning of, respect and move into conversations within the Church.
For me, that is what I mean when we talk about a “big tent” as I describe the UCC. We do not have to agree. We are called to be in relationship, in covenant with one another, and welcome conversation with all those who are in our UCC family. I can disagree with you. You can disagree with me. And yet, we can worship God together through Jesus who is the head of the church. We can seek to understand the Trinity as we encounter the personhood of God. We can accept that no doctrine other than the love of God and neighbor binds us together. We can rest on the Scripture as the foundational basis for our faith – without adherence to any single interpretation of any words shared in the Bible.
Covenant is a gift, expressed in scripture and the relationship between God and God’s people. Covenant is a challenge, as we live together with our differences and our similarities. Covenant is what we profess to celebrate in the UCC. May it be so.
Blessings, Bonnie
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Increase in Mileage Rate Starting July 1, 2022
For the final 6 months of 2022, the standard mileage rate for business travel will be 62.5 cents per mile, up 4 cents from the rate effective at the start of the year. The new rate for deductible medical or moving expenses will be 22 cents for the remainder of 2022, up 4 cents from the rate effective at the start of 2022. These new rates become effective July 1, 2022.
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Juneteenth - Revealing Hidden Stories
Friday, June 17 - 12 Noon - Eastern Time
Amidst growing efforts to suppress the truths of our history, join the United Church of Christ for our Juneteenth 2022 Celebration as African and African American descendants—geniuses of spoken word and cultural oral traditions—Reveal Hidden Histories so we might take up our roles in the unfolding story of God’s liberating love. Celebrate and listen to artists, organizers, educators, activists, clergy, and cultural historians share stories about the connections between the land, lineage and family, as they share everyday stories that have yet to be told. Register Now
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Trans-Nonbinary Pastoral Letter
Dear Family of the United Church of Christ,
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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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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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PNEC
MENTAL HEALTH
MINISTRY TEAM
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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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June 26 - Juneteenth - 7PM
A Virtual Service
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Worship on Wednesdays
at St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Allentown
(Lehigh Conference of Churches)
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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 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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