Penn Northeast Conference UCC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071
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Letter from Bonnie
Dear friends,
We are in the midst of the 33rd General Synod of the United Church of Christ, offered virtually this year. It is an interesting, engaging, challenging, and exhausting experience. I miss the close human and collegial interactions that are usually a part of General Synod. Yet, worship has been inspiring and enlightening; option events have been informative, and the first plenary session went well. It is always interesting to engage with United Church of Christ members from across the nation and our global partners.
This week I wanted to share with you something I explored as we looked at the UCC, the World Council of Churches and the UN. I had heard about – although did not know much about – the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (https://sdgs.un.org/goals).
Hearing members of the World Council of Churches, and the UCC’s own Cameron Trimble (now the CEO of Convergence) share insights about these goals was very enlightening. The discussion broadened my view of the importance of mission and how our local mission intersects with national and global efforts. For your information, the 17 sustainable development goals are:
1. No poverty
2. Zero hunger
3. Good health and well-being
4. Quality education
5. Gender equality
6. Clean water and sanitation
7. Affordable and clean energy
8. Decent work and economic growth
9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
10. Reduced inequalities
11. Sustainable cities and communities
12. Responsible consumption and production
13. Climate action
14. Life below water
15. Life on land
16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions
17. Partnerships for the goals
How are your congregations local mission partnerships and project advancing these goals? Sometimes we can feel all alone during the community work we are doing. Yet, we are not alone. Of course, God is with us. It can be even more comforting to know that all our congregations, all the Church, all the nation and through the UN, a large portion of the world is also working on transforming the world into a place that is safe, healthy, sustainable, and empowering for all peoples.
I encourage you to take some time to review the UN information and become aware of the broad interconnected relationships your congregation has with the rest of the world.
Blessings, Bonnie
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Vital Conversations
Every fourth Monday of each month at 7 PM, we are inviting interested clergy and lay leaders to attend a Zoom conversation where they can talk through situations with other leaders, learn, and brainstorm together.
As the light at the end of the COVID tunnel grows brighter, our churches and our people are excited to “get back” to some sense of normal ministry. However, our excitement is not without some apprehension: “How do we regain the momentum that was halted by closures? How do we decide what to restart and what to leave ended? How do we re-ignite the congregation’s passion for worship and service?” The Congregational Vitality Team wants to provide an on-going space for asking and discussing these questions as our churches navigate this exciting season of new beginnings.
Discussion Topics
- July 26th at 7 PM - Insights from General Synod and Workshops
- August 23rd at 7 PM - Sunday School (will include representatives from the Spiritual Development Team)
Meeting ID: 817 9668 4439
Passcode: 292474
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SHOW UCC PRIDE
Once again, PNEC will have a booth at Lehigh Valley Pride on August 15th from Noon to 6pm - Jewish Community Center, Allentown. All congregations and friends are welcome to help staff the booth so we can all enjoy the day and still show our extravagant welcome to the LGBTQIA+ community. Contact Gary Barraco at 732-241-6635.
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Invitation for clergy to participate Sunday, August 15 @ 10:30am
Greetings colleagues, Hope this finds you well in the midst of the summer season.
You are warmly invited to participate in-person at the Bethlehem Interfaith Group's Pre-Pride Interfaith Service on Sunday, August 15 @ 10:30am at the Jewish Community Center which is located at 702 North 22nd Street in Allentown, PA (18104). Rev. Brandan Robertson is preaching (you can learn more about Brandan here: https://www.brandanrobertson.com/). The service will be followed by the Pride Festival from Noon-6pm on the grounds of the JCC.
We hope to assign a speaking part to every participant, but depending on the number of clergy present, there may not be enough speaking parts for everyone. However, all clergy will be asked to serve as Blessers during the Pre-Pride Interfaith Service: there will be a portion of the service set aside for clergy to bless individuals, couples and families who want a blessing. You may use whatever wordage that is consistent with your faith tradition for the blessing. Also, feel free to forward this email to your colleagues.
To participate, the following is needed: Send an email to revbethgoudy@mcclv.info confirming that you will be present on Sunday, August 15 @ 10:30am. In the email list your name, your clergy title and your faith community affiliation exactly as you would like it publicly shared. You'll be kept informed about the details of the service. Lastly, all clergy participants are asked to stay after the service is completed so a few photos can be taken.
Thank you for considering being a part of the Pre-Pride Interfaith Service - I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Blessings, peace, good health,
Goudy (thanks for using my last name, rhymes with "howdy")
Elder, Metropolitan Community Churches; President, Bethlehem Interfaith Group;
Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of the Lehigh Valley
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Strength in Communities
2021 Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit
A toolkit that highlights alternative mental health supports created by BIPOC QTBIPOC communities of color, for BIPOC and QTBIPOC communities of color. Click Here to read more...
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ProJeCt Easton
Attached is the July Wishlist for ProJeCt of Easton which includes items that are most needed by our Food Pantry and Literacy Programs. Thank you for your continued support.
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Watch For...Book Study on the book Trauma Sensitive Theology 10 wk. session
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COVID-19 Liability Considerations for Clergy
On July 15 at 2:00p, the Insurance Board will host a webinar on "COVID-19 Liability Considerations for Ministers," providing guidance on current COVID-19 HR and liability considerations. For more info,
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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.
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SAVE THE DATE
October 19, 2021 -- 9AM to 3PM
Ministry Day - Jordan UCC, Allentown
and via Zoom - watch for details
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Alzheimer's Association - Greater Pennsylvania Chapter
Take a minute to view a sampling of our chapter’s July education offerings. Click Here...
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Still wiping out medical debt
Click Here to read full article...plus other interesting articles.
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Coming Soon...Racial Justice Film Series Conversations...watch for flyer
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Hope, Healing and Recovery Across the Family System
Thursday, August 26, Treatment Trends is hosting a full-day, in-person conference entitled “Hope, Healing and Recovery across the Family System”. It will be held at Homewood Suites in Center Valley. Click Here for flyer which has the link to register for this event. More details will be posted to www.treatmenttrends.org before the conference.
The conference is for both professionals as well as adult family members who’ve been impacted by a loved one’s addiction are invited to attend the conference. Seating is limited!
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Advanced Boundary Training
August 19, 2021 - 1:00 to 4:00PM
Faithfully Fulfilling Covenant Beyond the Local Church
Sponsored by Pennsylvania Southeast Conference - $20 -online
Facilitator: Rev. William Worley
Boundaries are not just behaviors lines that we don't cross, they also mark areas included in our practice of ministry. In this boundary training workshop, we look at what it means to minister in a system that prizes autonomy with expectations like “actively participates in the Covenantal Life and Work of all Settings of the United Church of Christ.” This, with other sections of “COVENANT WITH THE UCC TO” from UCC Ordained Ministerial Code, invite us into conversation about what it means to be the wider church and how that impacts the role and function of the local church pastor. Click Here to register
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DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC
Vaccine Resources: Faith & Community Leaders
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Surfside Building Collapse Situation Report
Here is vetted information on the UCC response to the building collapse in Miami from the national setting -
If we have churches and individuals who want to support the UCC response to the building collapse in Miami, the UCC is working with the Miami long-term recovery committee (FRIEND) in serving those who have been affected by the collapse. The UCC is seeking funds so we can make grants to support this effort.
Or - You may make a gift by mailing a check made payable to the United Church of Christ, to 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Please be sure to note Emergency USA - Miami Response on your check in the memo section and/or in an attached letter.
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