PRAYER

Our hearts go out to all those who have lost loved ones and friends in the devastating storms in the United States and the earthquake and tsunami in Taiwan. Please pray for rescue efforts and restoration. Additionally, we add our prayers for the sacrifice of the aide workers who were killed in Gaza. May people mourn them, resolve to continue life-giving support to the people of Gaza, and pray for an end to this conflict and others around the globe. May God hear our prayers and work in us to create peace and restoration. Amen.

Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates

With Sympathy...

Rev. William (Bill) Ellsworth died on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown. Bill was 94 years old. He was ordained June 5, 1955 at Jordan Evangelical and Reformed Church (now UCC), Allentown. Bill served as a chaplain at Phoebe Ministries from 1992-2001. He served many PNEC churches as an interim and part-time supply. Services have not been announced. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to his wife, Shirley, at 3970 Coplay Creek Road, Schnecksville, PA 18078. 

Bonnie's Letter

Psalm 133:1-3

“How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD ordained his blessing, life forevermore.”

Dear Friends,

I love this Psalm, a part of the lectionary readings for this Sunday. The idea of unity being good and pleasant resonates with me. Unity is one of the foundational concepts of the United Church of Christ. Yes, it is key to who we are as a denomination, and often it is misunderstood as sameness or uniformity. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want or seek sameness or uniformity with everyone else – in my appearance, in my voice, in my writing, or even in the ways I celebrate and express my faith.

Thankfully, in the United Church of Christ, as a United and Uniting Church, we aren’t talking about uniformity. We are talking about unity in our call to follow Jesus, even if those steps are vastly different. Jesus didn’t come into the world to make us all the same. Rather, Jesus came into the world to teach us how to be the best people we can be and to fulfill our individual potential in relationship with God and with one another. Resurrection gives life and the power of grace and reconciliation to each and all of us.

Unity in the United Church of Christ is about our acknowledgement of Jesus as the head of the Church. Unity in the United Church of Christ is about our acknowledgement of the Triune God: Creator, Christ, and Spirit. Unity in the United Church of Christ is about the use of scripture as foundational to our faith practice. (By the way that doesn’t mean a particular translation of scripture or even a common interpretation of any one passage of scripture.) We speak of unity in essentials and diversity in everything else. And we, in the United Church of Christ, call for understanding, respect and listening, rather than doctrinal agreement.

In a world and culture so very divided, where we find it difficult to really hear one another, seeking understanding and respect are so needed. If we could but hear and seek to understand each other, it would make a world of difference. After all, we have just celebrated Holy Week during which Jesus washed the feet of the one who would betray him, the one who would deny him, and the ones who would abandon him. It seems to me, the least we can do is try to listen to and understand one another. May it be so.

Blessing, Bonnie

2024 Summer Conference Meeting

For the first time, all four Pennsylvania conferences of the UCC will be gathering for a shared Meeting on June 7-9, 2024 at The Penn Stater in State College, PA. We will have shared worship, workshops, meals and meetings as well as each conference's separate business meeting.

Below is a letter from the four PA UCC Conference Ministers

about this year’s Summer Meeting:

The planning committee for the Keystone State UCC Conference Summer Meeting has been working diligently to prepare for our June 7-9 meeting. The Keystone Working Group in collaboration with the Conference Ministers have been seeking grants and additional funding to assist with the costs of the meeting.

We want you to know that YOUR attendance is vitally important to us. We need you to help us plan for the future of our conferences. Our General Minister and President, the Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson will be with us on Saturday and Sunday, and we hope you will be with us to meet her and worship with her on Sunday.

Please click here for June 9 order of worship to use while their pastor is at the Summer Meeting. Please click here for sermon message for congregations to use while their pastors are at the Summer Meeting. 

The costs for this meeting will be significantly higher than our usual conference meetings. For one thing, this is a 3-day meeting and incorporates the extensive use of technology and the Penn Stater multiple room assignments for our gathering. We do not want the cost of the event to prevent anyone from attending.

Therefore, we are increasing our scholarship funds to cover ½ the cost of the registration. The registration materials (which are forthcoming) include some links for additional hotel locations, should you choose to utilize them.

Also, we want you to know that our meetings as a Keystone Conference will likely be shorter and less costly.

Please make plans to join us in State College in June and celebrate the work we are doing together, because we believe “Together We Are Stronger.”

Registration is open. You should have received a separate email regarding registration. (If you have not received that special email...please let Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference Office know - pattyr@pnec.org ) In the meantime, please watch this video (click on the link below) featuring all four conference ministers with more information on this event.

Summer Meeting 2024 Announcement Video (youtube.com)

Summary Notes Conference Board 3/20/2024

Click Here to Read

Celebrations: The following items from the team and committee reports to the Board were highlighted as worthy of celebration:

• Conference Meeting Planning Team -celebrates the team members for their contributions and time made to make our meetings efficient, informative and uplifting.
• Coaching team – celebrates their plans for a two-day training which will include basic principles of coaching, practice sessions , and on the second day, coaching churches through conflict.
• Generosity Team – celebrates their successes with recruiting at least 50 Ambassadors, the popularity of the Ambassador newsletter, and a steady increase of stewardship initiatives such as Friends of the Conference which is augmenting OCWM giving by offering an opportunity for individual donors to support PNEC.
• Congregational Vitality Team - celebrates the fruitfulness of our partner project with Local Congregational Support which jointly produces the video series Titled “How to Church: I wish I knew…” to encourage and train church leaders.
• Disaster Response Ministries Team – celebrates the invitation the four PA Conference Disaster Response Coordinators received to conduct a disaster ministry workshop on Friday of the joint conference meeting in June.
• Staff and Personnel Committee- applauds the tireless dedication and commitment of the PNEC conference staff and noted their efforts to assist all who require the resources of the conference.
• Authorization Working Group of the Committee on Ministry – celebrates the commitment of the members who are so sincere and resourceful in their work.
• Spiritual Development Ministry Team - celebrates the flexibility they were able to demonstrate when they had to change the Youth Retreat intended for Spruce Lake into a Faith Formation Leaders retreat with an entirely new agenda.
• Amigos of Guatemala – wants to recognize the faith and hard work of the members who have persevered against so many difficulties and hardships in working toward their goal for the people of Monte Margarita.

Celebrating Our Churches

(shared by the PNEC Local Congregational Support Working Group)

Good Shepherd U C.C. is located at 3940 Mountain Road, Slatington, PA. 

Good Shepherd UCC is a congregation that practices informal hospitality over a rule bound formal structure. The Rev. James Robison shared if you want to a part of our ministry you are encouraged to do so, you do not need to be an officer or even a member to be a part of Good Shepherd’s life and ministry.  Sign up and off we go! Pastor James especially values volunteers and wishes he could take them to Tahiti to show thanks beyond the recognition dinner at the church.  However, it should be said, that there are wonderful cooks, and a well-equipped kitchen adjacent to a large fellowship space.

Good Shepherd UCC truly cares about one another, not just in words, but in loving actions. This caring extends to the community and beyond. They successfully completed the Open and Affirming process to widen their welcome to all. One key to their success in ministry is staying flexible to respond to change. Future ministry will include creating experiences of growing discipleship for young and old together.

PNEC salutes the ministry and people of Good Shepherd UCC ! 

Faith Formation Leadership Retreat

May 3 - 5, 2024

Spruce Lake Retreat Center, 5389 Route 447, Canadensis, PA

COST: $$195/person (includes all programming and 3 meals on Saturday and Sunday breakfast)

This retreat for adults involved in Faith Formation provides an opportunity for those wishing to collaborate, rejuvenate, and innovate their approach to Faith Formation! This retreat will provide practical education around faith formation and we4lcomes volunteers as well as folks working in the church to participate and learn. Set in the scenic Spruce Lake Retreat Center, this promises to be a relaxing and informative time! Please click here for the flyer and how to register.

You can also register and pay through tithe.ly using this link:

https://tithe.ly/event-registration/#/8424164

Mental Health Sunday

Mental Health Sunday is May 19, 2024. The Mental Health Ministry Team is requesting that you use some of these resources – in your worship planning experience for that day! If you have any questions or concerns and would like support for your worship planning that day – please reach out.

https://www.mhn-ucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MH-Sunday-Worship-Resources.pdf

Rev. Dr. Emily B. Hall, Pastor - Hope UCC, Wind Gap, 610-863-4474

2024 Lehigh Valley Pride

SAVE THE DATE

We are so excited to announce that Lehigh Valley Pride will be held on Sunday, August 18th at the SteelStacks in Bethlehem from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

This year's Lehigh Valley Pride will be the most inclusive to date with accessibility features such as FREE entry, ASL interpreters, ADA restrooms, large-print Pride guides, alcohol-free experiences, indoor air conditioned spaces, accessible seating for those with disabilities, indoor sensory-friendly area, spirituality space, and reserved parking near the festival entrances.

To include even more community members and vendors, Lehigh Valley Pride will expand its square footage and encompass more of ArtsQuest’s campus, including an expanded baby & tot spot.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. We can't wait to see you there! 

Penn Northeast Conference needs someone who is willing to lead the Pride booth setup at this years event. This includes ensuring a tent is setup and staffed, activities and/or giveaway items, and something that helps us standout among the community.  For More information, please contact Rev. Gary Barraco at garybarraco@verizon.net

The Annual Robert K. Campbell Memorial Lecture on Christian Unity Presents

Revisioning Faith For The 21st Century

Thursday, April 11, 2024

3:00 to 8:00PM

DeSales University, (University Center), 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley

$20 Registration Fee

featuring author Sue Pizor Yoder and the members of Co.Lab.Inq.

(This event will count for Authorized Ministers Cultural Competency Training.)

About Event...What will faith communities look like in 2040? What actions can church leaders take to address the new religious context of Gen Xers and Millennials—now representing 40 percent of adults living in America? What do these generations teach us about belonging, adversity, legacy—and faith? Join us for an interactive, multisensory event aimed at seeking a path to revisioning faith for the 21st century.

AGENDA

3:00 – 3:30: Registration

3:30 – 5:00: Lecture and Q&A

5:00 – 6:00: Buffet Dinner

6:00 – 7:30: Interactive Workshop

7:30 – 8:00: Book Signing:

“Hear Us Out: Six Questions on Belonging and Belief.”

Register at: www.lehighchurches.org/events

NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT SERIES BEGINS APRIL 18

Thought About Starting a New Congregation? Does the idea of starting a new congregation intrigue you, even a little? Would you like to learn more? Do you want to reach out to people who have felt excluded from churches in the past because of their race, ethnicity, or language, sexual orientation, age, preference for a different worship style, 'nones' and 'dones,' or those who describe themselves as 'spiritual but not religious'?

The CAC New Church Development Committee of the Central Atlantic Conference (UCC) has created an opportunity for you this spring. The opportunity is co-sponsored by the Christian Church – Capital Area (Disciples of Christ).

On three Thursday evenings you can attend a quick course in new church development and get many of your questions answered by attending three Zoom events from the comfort of your home. The events will be held each evening from 7 to 8:30 pm with an opportunity for Q and A afterward. They are free and open to all interested clergy and laity. 

• April 18 – “How and Why to Start a New Congregation” - Rev. Cean James, Senior Pastor of Salt & Light Church (PCUSA & UCC) and the Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development, Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, UCC.

• May 16 – “How to Fund a New Congregation” - Rev. Dr. Aaron Wade, Minister for Congregational Leadership Development, Granting and Scholarships in the UCC National Offices and Founding Pastor of the Community Church of Washington, DC.

• June 6 – “Stories from the Front Lines: A Panel of Recent Church Planters” - Pastors of recent successful new UCC congregations or established congregations that recently affiliated with the UCC will share their stories and discuss what worked and what didn't.

To RSVP to attend one – or all three of the workshops, please click here:

NEW CHURCH START WORKSHOP REGISTRATION.

New Dollars/New Partners Training Program

For the first time ever, Partners for Sacred Places is able to offer its acclaimed New Dollars/New Partners training program to congregations with older buildings throughout the Northeast and MidAtlantic states. This program, over the course of several months, builds the capacity of churches and synagogues to maintain and raise capital funds for their buildings. Until now, it was necessary for judicatories to sponsor New Dollars for their member congregations, but now, any interested congregation can apply to participate!

The program will include two virtual training sessions and one full-day session here in Philadelphia, starting in late spring. We have attached a flyer with more information, and invite you to join a free orientation session online to learn more about what New Dollars offers.  The session will take place on April 10th at 6:30 pm ET.  The Zoom link is as follows:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82651019951

We hope you will join us on April 10th, and consider joining the training this spring! Please click the button below to let us know if you are interested and we will send you a reminder about the Orientation, or simply add the Zoom link above to your calendar. If you have any questions, please reply to this email. We hope to see you in April!

YES, I am Interested!

 Bob Jaeger and Shelly Stackhouse

Understanding the Hopes of Our Donors to Create Change

 On April 24 at 7:30p, Rev. Andrew Warner, Generosity Outreach Officer for the UCC, will lead an online workshop on "A Good Pitch: Understanding the Hopes of Our Donors to Create Change".

Once a upon a time, donors gave out of a sense of obligation and loyalty. Today, most donors care about the impact they make in the world. How do we understand the motivations of our donors? What kind of change do they want to make in the world? Andrew Warner will talk about five basic ways donors look to create change. We will discuss ways to discuss your congregation's impact on your community. For more info and to register, click here

Ethics Lecture at Lehigh University

David Brooks is coming to Lehigh on April 9 to give a talk at 5:45 in the Wood Dining Room in Iacocca Hall, Mountaintop campus. Registration is required but it's free and open to the public. It's our big ethics lecture sponsored by the Ethics Center at Lehigh.

The link here should get people to the registration form.

https://ethicscenter.cas.lehigh.edu/content/2024-hagerman-lecture-character-ethics-contemporary-politics-america

Rev. Lloyd Steffen

Boundary Training

Not-Your-Average Boundaries Training is tailored to focus on strategies to foster clergy emotional resiliency and well-being. 



While we still cover the "requirements" we believe the best prevention involves encouraging leaders to take steps to manage their stress in order to maintain balance and perspective when temptation to violate boundaries arises.

This live online boundaries training is 5 total hours split over 2 consecutive days (2.5 hours each day). Following the first session, participants are asked to engage in a bit of reflection work in preparation for the second session. This online boundaries training will be conducted via secure Zoom video conferencing

Classes will be offered May 7/8 from 1PM-4PM & October 15/16 from 10AM-1PM 2023

Limit is 40 people per class

Zoom link and workbook will be emailed to all participants 1 week prior to the scheduled training.

$50.00 for PCUSA / $65.00 for non-PCUSA participants

CLICK HERE to Register

Clergy Convocation 2024

May 7, 2024 @ 3 pm-May 9, 2024 @ 1:30 pm

Double Tree by Hilton, Lancaster

Clergy Convocation 2024 –

To register, click here.

Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) Upcoming Classes and Podcasts

Preaching and Worship through the Year. April 9–May 14, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor the Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler.

To preach and preside effectively requires planning and preparation throughout the liturgical year. This class equips ministers with many skills, including use of the lectionary, planning sermon series, music and arts, special services and occasions, and more. 2.5 CEUs. $325.

Practices of Church Leadership. May 21–June 25, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor the Rev. Sara Hertzog.

This nuts-and-bolts class covers the basics of leadership and administration, with practical application for everyone on the ministry leadership team. Topics include: covenant and authority; conflict; family and congregational systems; vision and mission; handling administrative tasks; spiritual care and boundaries. Clergy, lay leaders, and MIDs are encouraged to register. 2.5 CEUs. $325.

Innovation and New Models of Leadership. July 9–Aug 13, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor: The Rev. Dale Davis.

This challenging class engages an array of exciting leadership models and is supported by a podcast series produced especially for the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry. 2.5 CEUs. $325.

Each class is six weeks online. Information and registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/

The 3-month Jubilee program is for adults who are interested in integrating faith and justice work into their lives in a meaningful and transformative way. This online program provides a basic foundational introduction to social justice in faith, in personal reflection, and in methodology and practice. The small group cohort meets weekly and space is limited. This Justice Jubilee starts in October 2024 and applications must be received no later than September 15th.

If a single class more your speed right now join the Empowerment in Advocacy class on April 17th, 2024. Find your voice through advocacy and explore ways to create positive change in your community and beyond.

JLP is an ecumenical program and a grant recipient of the Global H.O.P.E. and FaithINFO teams of the United Church of Christ.

Disaster Ministries

Ready PA Monthly - Click Here to Read

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~