- THIS WEEK IN PNEC April 6, 2023
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Bonnie's Letter
Dear Friends,
Thank you for the opportunity to engage in a Sabbatical for the past three months. My soul is renewed, and I am so grateful for the time to rest, relax, travel, and explore. I thank the staff and Rev. Dr. Becky Beckwith for all their hard work during my Sabbatical. I was truly able to rest knowing the Conference work was in your capable hands.
As I returned to work this week, in the throes of the Holy Week celebrations, I was gladdened by the editorial in the Morning Call this morning which accented today as special for Christians, Muslims, and Jews. Actually, the whole of the season is special – Ramadan for our Muslim siblings, Passover for our Jewish siblings, and Lent and Easter for our Christian siblings. The connection of the faiths rooted in Abraham is important – and never more so than in these times when differences divide rather than unite us.
We rest in the scriptures together – connected through the love of God – lived out through the lives of prophets and teachers, ministers, and wise sages. We come together to celebrate God’s creation and continuing testimony to and for us. As we celebrates our faith this week, may we be reminded that our Savior calls us to radical love, a love that allowed Jesus to wash the feet of his disciples, that anchored his love through the sharing of a sacred meal with his disciples – all his disciples, the one who would betray him, the one who would deny him, and all the ones who would abandon him. Rather than judge, Jesus loved. Rather than ridicule or remonstrate, Jesus offered compassion and kindness.
As Mohammed Khaku wrote in his editorial today, “Every faith stands at a historic crossroads. There would be no poverty nor any wars and oppression around the globe if we were to abide by the principle of justice, freedom, and equality.” This Holy Week, this Easter, this Eastertide and beyond, may we live into the love of God, sharing the love, mercy, compassion, and generosity of God with one another – no matter our faith tradition – no matter our life experience – no matter our joy or sorrow. That is my prayer for us, one and all.
Blessings, Bonnie
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Committee on Ministry Announces Ecclesiastical Council
(an Ecclesiastical Council is the final step in the ordination approval process for the Member in Discernment pending a valid call and granting them permission to circulate their profile within the UCC.)
The Committee on Ministry of the Penn Northeast Conference Invites you to participate in the Ecclesiastical Council for Gary Barraco at 9:30am Saturday, April 15, at New Creation United Church of Christ, 3730 Nicholas Street, Easton, PA. You may also participate via Zoom. To register to attend, please email Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference Office (pattyr@pnec.org) and let her know if you will be attending in person or via zoom.. Once you are registered a copy of Gary’s Ordination will be emailed to you. Gary is an Associate Chaplain at St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem.
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Call to the 2023 Spring Meeting of PNEC
Saturday, April 29, 2023
In Person or Virtual
St. Thomas United Church of Christ, 902 East Macada Road, Bethlehem, PA
Theme... Health, Renewal, Restoration
Scripture
“…be transformed from the inside out by renewing
your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern
what God wills and whatever God finds good,
pleasing, and complete.” Romans 12:1-2
Keynoter: Rev. Cindy Garis August; Senior Pastor at Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg
Click Here for Registration Form OR
register online with Tithe.ly at: https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/6786464
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Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Community Summit on Policing
May 10, 2023 - 5:30PM
Harrisburg High School, 2451 Market St., Harrisburg, PA
Keynote Speaker - Paul Butler, Criminal Justice Professor at Georgetown School of Law and frequent legal contributor to MSNBC; Author of Chokehold
In addition to Professor Butler, they are also inviting Governor Josh Shapiro to join for opening remarks.
Click Here for detailed fliers
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Ecumenical Advocacy Day
Join UCC staff and advocates at Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2023, a virtual conference to worship, educate, and advocate for the innovative and courageous policies needed to realize the prophet Micah’s vision: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”
The conference this year will again be virtual, and will start with worship at 10am ET on Tuesday, April 25. All worship, plenaries, and workshops will be recorded for later viewing.
Registration is $50 and scholarships are available. Register today!!
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UCC Webinar—Getting Ready for Earth Sunday: Resources for Congregations
Many churches celebrate God's creation on the Sunday closest to Earth Day (April 22nd). To support congregations in making the most of this occasion, Creation Justice Ministries has created a resource that brings the lens of justice to food, the most immediate and tangible way that we connect with the natural world around us. In this webinar, Karyn Bigelow will introduce the resource and talk about specific ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on April 12th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
[Hyperlink: https://UCC.zoom.us/webinar/register/6316782905975/WN_Mo-sUtIXR0u17Yl1hY1FPQ]
ALSO...
Join the First Ever UCC Earth Day Summit!
This online event will take place on Saturday, April 22nd at 11 am ET. The theme is “What’s Possible?: Earth Day Stories of Hope.” This two and a half hour summit will feature a keynote from the Rev. Jim Antal, a panel of inspiring speakers, the presentation of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award, and a video showcasing the uplifting story of Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis. Even if you cannot make the event at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
[Hyperlink: https://UCC.zoom.us/webinar/register/2016629471927/WN_cynbWmViR8ui7WLu_zgkDQ
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ROBERT K. CAMPBELL MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES ON CHRISTIAN UNITY FEATURING SISTER JOAN CHITTISTER
April 20 from 6:30 to 9PM (doors open at 6:30PM - Lecture at 7PM)
University Center at DeSales University, 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley
Join us for The Lehigh Conference of Churches’ Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture Thursday, April 20, featuring Sister Joan Chittister.
Joan Chittister is one of our most influential religious and social leaders. For over 50 years she has passionately advocated for peace, human rights, women’s issues, and monastic and church renewal. A much sought-after international speaker, she is also a best-selling author of more than 60 books, hundreds of articles, and an online column for the National Catholic Reporter. She has served as president of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and president of the Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses. For 12 years, she was prioress of her community, the Benedictine Sisters of Erie, Pennsylvania. Sister Joan is the executive director of Benetvision, a resource and research center for contemporary spirituality, and animator of the online movement, Monasteries of the Heart. She holds a doctorate in communications from Penn State University.
On Thursday evening, April 20th, at 7:00 p.m., at DeSales University, we invite interested individuals to join Sister Joan’s lecture
Register for Campbell Lecture, Register Today
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LAY LEADERS CONVOCATION
Who: For elders, deacons, church council members, and other leaders
What: A full day of worship, address, workshops, and fellowship
When: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Trinity and Zion U.C.C., Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Cost: $40 per person ($20 for persons coming for part of the program not eating lunch)
The event will include: Worship and Keynote address on Empowering Lay Leadership Workshops on some of the following topics: Being effective as a post-Covid Church Reviving the Sunday school Stewardship of Financial Resources Becoming Spiritual Leaders Becoming an Environmentally Friendly Church Church Meetings that get out on time How does the U.C.C. work Music ministry when the choir is shrinking Worshiping when there is no pastor. Registration information click here. Sponsored by the Lay Leadership Education Team of Penn SE Conference, U.C.C. Click here for a flyer with more info.
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This event will be held at
Jordan UCC, 1837 Church Rd., Allentown.
Breakfast and lunch are included with the cost of your ticket.
To register you can email Barbara Jennings at barbaraj@pnec.org and send your check for $35 made payable to PNEC to the Conference Office (PNEC, 431 Delaware Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071)
OR
you can register and pay through tithe.ly at https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/6681834
Keynote; “Repenting of the unforgivable” Through the medium of storytelling, Rev JimBear Jacobs will share how the legacy of Indigenous residential boarding schools has left a stain upon the church. The sin of complicity in the boarding school has for far too long been ignored or rationalized away. It is time to face this sin head on and enter into a season of lament that can hopefully lead to repair. Workshop: “Beyond lament; Movement towards repair” In this workshop Rev. JimBear Jacobs will explore some tangible and challenging steps that churches might wrestle with as they consider reparations for the traumatic legacy of the boarding school system
Click Here for Bio for Jim Bear Jacobs
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Chaplain in the Park Opportunity
Do you love the outdoors? Do you enjoy worshipping surrounded by God’s beautiful creation? Consider becoming a campground minister this summer at Locust Lake State Park!
Every summer, chaplains lead Sunday worship in many Pennsylvania State Parks through the Campground Ministry program of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. Chaplains can be but need not be ordained ministers. Duties include the worship service as well as visiting campsites to lend a listening ear and invite campers to worship.
Wonderful ministry comes out of this ministry! If you are interested, you can learn more and apply here: https://pachurches.org/ministries/campground-ministry/
You can also contact Rev. Maureen Duffy- Guy for more information: mduffyguy@hotmail.com or text her at 717 619-8337.
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Upcoming Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) Classes
Click Here for List
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Boundary Training Offered
For 2023, the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference UCC is responsible for Boundary Training according to the joint agreement. We have set three dates for basic training:
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Tuesday, May 2 in Norristown
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Thursday, Sept. 14 in Schuylkill Haven
Attached is a flyer. The registration is currently open for the January training
” that provide a six-hour course with a broad overview of pastoral boundaries. These trainings are appropriate for new clergy or those who are due for boundary training and would like to complete it with one basic class as a refresher. Register here: https://basicbound0114.eventbrite.com/.
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Registration open for Advanced Boundary Training
On April 26, an Advanced Boundary Training will be held on the topic of The Limits of Pastoral Care, facilitated by Revs. Bill Worley and Kevin McLemore. This training will explore the practical and spiritual limits for providing pastoral care within congregations. Topics that will be included are the emotional and spiritual toll of overfuctioning in a pastoral capacity, as well as practical guidance on such challenges as power of attorney documents, convicted sex offenders within the church, and other recent contemporary issues. Click here for more information and to register.
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Church History 2 Protestant Reformation: Reformed and Reforming
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary invites you, your colleagues, congregants, and interested others to join Rev. Matthew Deal as we gather for six evening classes online, tracing the impact of the Protestant Reformation through time to today. FAST FACTS: • April 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 18 • Online on Zoom • From 7:00-8:30pm • Just $325 for the series of six classes • Earn 2.5 CEUs
Click Here for Flyer
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UCC News Digest
Click Here to Read
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Pathways Theological Education
PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. is a 501c3 program that grew from a program of the Southeast Conference UCC. It remains affiliated with the Southeast Conference. The program offers a full menu of courses for those seeking authorized ministry, for those wanting continuing education, and for those looking for a progressive theology, ethics, or practical church course. The courses are asynchronous, geographically unbound, affordable, and aligned with the UCC Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers. Please be in touch with any questions. You may apply online at pathwaystheological.org
Click Here For Courses/Dates
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Vital Conversations
The Vital Conversations happen regularly on the third Wednesday of the month from 10-11 AM.
Congregational Vitality Team is relaunching its monthly Vital Conversations! These are Zoom forums designed for clergy and lay leaders to brainstorm together about church vitality topics, tricks, and troubles. You can join us at Meeting ID: 817 9668 4439 Passcode: 292474
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Disaster Ministries
The Pension Boards joins with United Church of Christ leaders in prayer for communities in mourning for the 50,000 people killed in the devastating earthquake on the border of Turkey and Syria in February. The UCC has issued an appeal to assist those affected in the region. Please support this response with your gifts and designate International Emergency on this donation page
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March ReadyPA Monthly available online now
This month's PA Emergency Management Agency's ReadyPA Monthly includes info on flooding and flood plans. Click here for the newsletter. Please share this information with your congregations to help keep everyone safe and prepared.
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