- THIS WEEK IN PNEC November 2, 2023
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Bonnie's Letter
Ephesians 4:11-13
The gifts he (sic) gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. (NRSV)
Dear Friends,
All my life I have found important causes and agencies to pour my energy. Sometimes this has been as a staff person and sometimes as a volunteer. The church cannot survive without individuals stepping forward to volunteer for leadership, committee and team roles within the congregation and the Conference. Apostle Paul reminds the church in Ephesus that we are all called, but not all for the same roles. Some are pastors, some are teachers, and some roles are not defined by the ancient letter.
What are you being called to do within the congregation to which you belong or within the Conference, or even in the national setting? Where is God calling you? I know we are all busy. Our lives are full of commitments to work, to family, and to the activities our families are engaged in. Yet perhaps the hour or two you spend in a volunteer role in your congregation can make a profound difference in the lives of congregation or community members.
As we walk our journey of faith, we can sometimes feel ill-equipped to take on a volunteer or leadership role. I remember something that was said to me when I was wrestling with the call to be a pastor. I was told, “God doesn’t just call the equipped, God equips the called.” I am sure a more famous person than my local church pastor said that, but it is his words that inspired me to seriously begin my path to authorized ministry.
So, my friends, if God is calling you, if a neighbor or congregation member is calling you, move into that task, that role, that call with the confidence that God is with you. God will equip you. God will lead you into a future where you can bloom.
Blessings, Bonnie
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PBUCC Annuity Plan Beneficiary Designations
Effective Sept. 1, 2023, Recordkeeping Services for the Lifetime Retirement Income Plan for the UCC also known as the Annuity Plan, moved to Fidelity Investments. Existing annuitants are NOT impacted by the transition.
Beneficiary elections did not transfer to Fidelity. It is important to designate your beneficiary at Fidelity. To update your beneficiary designations, go to: PBUCC.org > Member Account > Access Fidelity NetBenefits > Profile > Beneficiaries. You can also contact Fidelity for a form. Contact Fidelity through PBUCC Member Services at 800-642-6543, 8:30a to 12:00a, Monday-Friday
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Days of Prayer & Action
November 14 & 15
Saving Lives: Ending Gun Violence
Tuesday, November 14 - 5:30 to 7PM - Interfaith Prayer Service, St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral, 221 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA
Wednesday, November 15
7:30AM to 9AM - Interfaith Prayer Breakfast with Legislators
10AM to Noon - Advocacy Appointments with Legislators and staff...OR
10AM to Noon - Recitation of Names of the Lost on the Capitol Steps
12:15PM to 1:15PM - Lunch
1:30 to 2:30PM - Solemn Procession: Witness Walk around the Capitol Mourning the Victims of Gun Violence
3 to 3:30PM - Press Conference in Capitol Rotunda
A block of discounted rooms has been reserved for Tuesday, November 14 at the Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA 17011
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Rev. Rhonda K Kruse, Transitional Presbytery Leader
Lehigh Presbytery & Lackawanna Presbytery
(610) 391-9020, ext 1 (office); (610) 360-8823 (mobile)
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Cultivating a Culture of Safety - November 11, 2023
Penn West Conference, working with Insurance Board, is hosting an Active Intruder Response, Emergency Planning, and Abuse Prevention workshop on Saturday, November 11, from 9 AM to 1:15 PM. Lunch will be provided. Registration will be required.
In this comprehensive workshop, we empower ministries to foster a culture of safety in these critical areas: Active Intruder Response, Emergency Planning, and Abuse Prevention. Our team of experts will help ministries gain essential knowledge to equip them with strategies to address an active intruder event, to prepare for emergencies, and to protect their most vulnerable congregants from abuse.
Presenters include: Bob Winters, CPP, is the Protective Security Advisor (PSA) in Pittsburgh for the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Winters supports homeland security efforts, serving in an advising and reach-back capacity to the state Homeland Security Advisors. Local police and county emergency representatives. Lisa Gonzalez, Director of Loss Control, Insurance Board, Elizabeth Vance, Sr. Loss Control Representative, Insurance Board
Here is the link to register: Cultivating a Culture of Safety – November 11 Workshop - Insurance Board. Please register as soon as possible; the deadline to register is Wednesday, November 8.
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We invite you to join the Webcast: Building a Culture of Protection in Your Ministry
November 8, 2023 -- 2 PM EST
Ministries continue to face challenges and resistance implementing abuse prevention best practices in their congregations. Join us on November 8th at 2 PM EST to learn how to strengthen your abuse prevention policies and implement best practices for responding to allegations of abuse. Insurance Board's guest speaker, Beth Boyer Kollas, is an ordained UCC minister from Praesidium, who holds her MDiv (Counseling), and dual PhDs in HIV/ AIDS and Psychology/ Counseling. Beth is certified in many areas and has extensive experience and knowledge in the healthcare and social services arenas.
Register for the Webcast
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OFFERED by Penn Central Conference
Fifth Stream Conversations
Three fall conversations open to the whole church on the recognition of the UCC’s fifth founding stream, the Afro-Christian Convention. This will be exciting learning for us as we explore the Afro-Christian Convention together and refresh our existing knowledge around the Christian, Congregational, Evangelical, and Reformed traditions also present at our founding. The first two sessions will be largely the same with in-person and zoom options available and the November date will be sort of a deeper dive into the Afro-Christian Convention with some of the contributors to the new book Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ available from Pilgrim Press, Amazon, and your favorite local bookseller.
Zoom
3pm November 12th ZOOM for all Participants
Register here: https://penncentralconference.regfox.com/the-fifth-stream
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Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Week of Events
November 6 - 6 to 8PM - Lehigh Valley Anti-Trafficking Candlelight Vigil - 2132 S. 12th St., Suite 203, Allentown
November 7 - 11AM to Noon - Kutztown University Sand Project, 15200 Kutztown Rd., Kutztown
November 8 - 9AM to 4PM - 2nd Annual LVAT Symposium, 3900 Sierra Circle, Center Valley
November 9 - 9 to 11AM - Survivor Breakfast Award Ceremony, 3350 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley
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THE PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF MINISTRY (PAM)
MORAL INJURY & VETERANS MINISTRY
Community Training for Advancing Veterans' Whole Health. Building the capacity of spiritual leaders and faith communities to welcome those who have experienced war and military service. Free online training, Nov 9, 11, and 14. CEUs available for a nominal fee. Register by Nov 1: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING
Connect with your congregation, make Biblical text come alive, and learn breathing techniques for a more compelling delivery. Your congregation will thank you! Six weeks online, Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30pm ET, Jan. 2 – Feb. 6, 2024. $325 for 2.5 CEUs. Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
Darryl W. Stephens, he / him / his, Director, Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
Director, United Methodist Studies, Lancaster Theological Seminary
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LAY LEADERSHIP CONVOCATION
Sponsored by the Lay Leadership Education Team
of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the United Church of Christ
at Church of the Good Shepherd, 35 W. Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown, PA
Saturday, April 6 -- 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
Cost $40 per person includes lunch
Keynote address by Dr. Sarah Drummond,
Dean of Andover Newton Theological School and author of Sharing Leadership.
Workshops will be offered on a variety of topics relevant to lay leaders.
Registration will be through the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Office beginning by February.
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History & Polity of the UCC
A course in the History and Polity of the UCC will be taught at Chicago Theological Seminary during the January Term of 2024, led by Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniels, UCC Pastor Iowa. This course is ideal for Members in Discernment or those considering the Privilege of Call representing the United Church of Christ. Distance learners welcome. UCC Polity, History, and Theology Instructor: Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniels In-Person, no Zoom Option 9:30 - 5:30 p.m.-F Jan 8 -12Fee: $3,306 Registration: Apply now as a Distant Scholar
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Resilient Lehigh Valley
is a cross sector coalition made of people passionate about helping individuals and communities impacted by trauma find healing and hope. Here is a link to our website for you to review.
Home - Resilient Lehigh Valley
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
Nicky Alicea-Smith (They / Them)
Resilient Lehigh Valley Community Outreach VISTA
nickyas@unitedwayglv.org
610-807-5752
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UCC News Digest
Click Here to Read
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LAMENT
The Church, with declining membership and prominence.
COVID and its ongoing effects. Divisions in American society.
Lament in the face of such things is a natural human response.
What is the place of lament in the church today? And how can it help heal us?
Join us as we are led by Br. Stefan Waligur in this timely discussion.
We will meet on Thursday, November 16 at 10 am Faith Presbyterian Church in Emmaus at 3002 N 2nd St, Emmaus, PA or by Zoom (link will be shared with all registrants). Ample parking is available. To register and get the advanced reading, register here: https://forms.office.com/r/EL5EuxD6HF.
Click Here for Detailed Flyer
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The Planning Team of Crossroads and Connections: Building Relationships and Community
Click Here for Full Details
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