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Weekly Update - January 31, 2018
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

Penn Central Conference Epiphany Service

Church News

Generosity - NEW!

Clergy News - NEW!
Devotions  - NEW!

  PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBMIT YOUR YEARBOOK UPDATE
NoraPCC Epiphany Worship Service
EpiphanyDiscipleship by Zoe D'heedene

Discipleship is not just demanding, it's confusing. There are so many hurts in the world, and with the internet and 24-hour news cycles, these hurts are in front of us all of the time. I don't mean to say that's a bad thing. These are real human experiences. Being exposed to them is important and the questions they bring up in us are important.

However, we can't deny that they're also very draining. These days, it seems like we can become burned out just by watching the news, let alone going out into the world to do anything about it.
 
I'm a second year seminarian. Most of my classes so far have provided me with two lists of books: 1. Required readings, which is a short, straightforward list of what is required to pass the course. And, 2. Recommended readings, which is a much longer list put together for the students who want to learn more about the subject material.

Well, while I was a first year student, who probably wanted to prove something, I read each and every one of those recommended readings . By the end of the school year, I was (unsurprisingly) burnt out. I realized that I'd neglected things in my life that needed my attention to make room for something that didn't.

Now, in my second year, I've given up the recommended readings , and my grades haven't slipped. I think I have more mental space to actually learn, and I'm more present in my relationships.

In approaching discipleship, it's hard not to get overwhelmed. It's hard not to sit and stare at the lists of recommended readings, or worthy causes all around us, and beat ourselves up for not doing enough.

But I think we each have a much more straightforward list in our lives, too. A list of required readings - a list of ways in which we are being actively called to live into Christ's example right here, right now. These lists tend to be straightforward- but with far reaching implications on our lives. My list is simple: to be a good mother, and to be a good student.

I don't mean to excuse any of us from active, dedicated service. We do live in a hurting world, and as we are called to be the presence of Christ in the world, we are called to be a balm to that hurt.

But the truly good news is this: we are not the saviors of the world, we follow the savior of the world. The apostle Paul tells us that through Christ we find true freedom- which is, of course, the freedom to be obedient to Christ- it's referred to as the Paradox of Liberty- and there is great truth in it. When we live into our call to discipleship, we recognize Christ's grace present in our lives and in our contributions to the world. It's a grace that recognizes and rejoices in even the smallest ways in which we manifest his spirit in the world.

So, don't forget the required reading list of your lives. Look for the places you're being called to serve and serve to the best of your ability. But remember that it isn't all up to you. You are a part of the body of Christ, and the grace of Christ surrounds you.

Zoe D'heedene
2nd Year, Seminarian, Lancaster Theological Seminary
 
  
EpiphanyPenn Central Conference Epiphany Service

Dear Friends, 
 
Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Conference Epiphany Worship Service last Tuesday evening, January 23,  at Mt. Zion UCC in York. This congregation regularly livestreams their worship services, but engaging technology in this way for a Conference-wide worship service, held on a weekday evening, was new for many of us. 
 
The theme for the worship service was "Discipleship: Following Jesus Anew." Testimonials from Rev. Danielle Neff (Pastor, Mt. Zion UCC, York), Rev. John Ward Diorio (Pastor, St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg) and Zoe D'heedne (2nd year seminarian, Lancaster Theological Seminary) offered authentic and powerful voices to the cost and joy of following Jesus.
 
You saw above an excerpt from Zoe's testimonial but you may view the entire worship service here.  (Service starts at the 1:10 mark.)
 
In Christ,
Monica
Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith
 
 
Mt Zion UCC (picture 1), St. John's, Boalsburg (picture 2) and St. Paul's West Milton (picture 3)
 
 
   
 
ChurchNewsChurch News
YearbookIt's Yearbook Time! 

Every year, the UCC asks for updated data from all their churches and makes it available in the  UCC Yearbook & Directory , Access UCC, and Find A Church on ucc.org.  
 
Reporting your data is now easier and less time-consuming! You can enter the  information directly into the UCC database via the "DataHub" (see instructions below).
 
However, filling out the paper forms (attached below) is still an option if you're not comfortable using the DataHub. Please send completed forms to the Conference office by the deadline: March 7, 2018.   We will happily take it from there!
 
DATAHUB OPTION
 
PAPER FORMS OPTIO N

As a Special Thank You for your efforts (and for a bit of fun), yearbook data and OCWM  pledge forms received by February 14 (Valentine's Day) will be entered into a drawing for one of the following gifts: 
  • Winter Warming Bundle (Equal Exchange coffee, UCC coffee mug and UCC fleece blanket)
  • Summer Reading List (4 books)
  • FREE Pastor Registration for Annual Meeting

 

Random drawing will be held for 5 winter warming bundles, 5 summer reading lists and 1 Pastor Annual Meeting registration.  Winning churches will be notified February 16 by email.

  

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Stephanie, Wendy, or Janice at the Conference office.

 

 
 
Events, Training and More...

Learn the basics in Human Resources Management through HR involvement in different stages in the employee life-cycle. This workshop will equip managers and committees with tools and resources to empower their staff to work toward mission objectives while meeting legal requirements. 
Conflict Management Workshop 
Systemic Issues Affecting Conflict
Conflict, however minor in appearance, is often not what it seems.  Did you ever observe or experience a congregation go through cycles of conflict situations? Does your congregation effectively manage conflict or is conflict definitely something to be avoided?!

STEM Scholarships
Trinity College Preparatory Academy: Jacob DeHoff Learning Center, a program designed to assist youth in their quest for higher education, is pleased to announce the full funding of twelve (12) student scholarships for its July 2018 STEM Program.

Jazz for the Journey

Jazz: A Language of Faith and Model for Ministry, A " Life at Eden" Program, March 2-3, 2018, For Details


Northern Cluster of Churches Lenten Concert and Potluck - March 11
GenerosityGenerosity
Generosity Resources - NEW
During the month of January, we will explore our 5 for 5 offerings.
 
The Christmas Fund provides direct financial assistance to retired and active United Church of Christ authorized ministers and lay employees and their surviving spouses, including pension and health premium supplementation, emergency assistance, and Christmas thank-you checks.  A ministry of the Pension Boards, the offering is received annually on the Sunday before Christmas.

This offering is received on the Sunday before Christmas. 
 
 
ClergyNewsClergy News
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work - NEW
A Workshop Offered by Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ for the clergy of our conference.
  
We know that being a church leader can be difficult. The expectations of your calling and your profession can sometimes create stress in relationships. No matter how "well" a relationship is, it is important to take time to learn ways to enhance it.

To support you in your life beyond ministry, you are invited to spend a day learning new principles to enhance your relationship.
 

Next Generation Leadership Initiative
Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) application deadline is February 19! This is a transformative leadership initiative of the Pension Boards. Ideal candidates are:  
  • 35 years of age or under by June 1, 2018,
  • Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference,
  • Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish
  • Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting,
  • Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ

Read more
Lenten Resources
Lenten Book Studies: Writing to God
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Eastern Region Youth Event
 
The planing committee for the Eastern Regional Youth Event (July 19-22, 2018) is looking for congregations that have youth groups.  Please email Rev. Dr. Monica Ouellette if you have a youth group.
Church Educators Workshop
Mid-Atlantic Association of United Church Educators announces their 2018 workshop, 'Cutting Edge Faith Foundation, 2018" from April 9 - 11.  For details and agenda 
Lenten Clergy Breakfast and Worship

March 22, 2018
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

9:30 - Gathering for Coffee
10:00 - Complimentary Breakfast
10:45 - Worship

Zion UCC - Arendtsville - 3 Gettysburg Street, Arendtsville, PA 17303

Please register online  - RSVP by March 13
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Check out Lancaster Theological Seminary's spring open classes - for credit or audit - taught by LTS faculty.
Register by Feb. 5 for Luke & Acts with Greg Carey, Gender, Sexuality & The Bible with Julia O'Brien, or - for pastors only - Ministerial Ethics with Darryl Stephens.
 
 Communities of Practice Groups - NEW
 
Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. -Etienne Wenger
 
Clergy Communities of Practice are a place where the focus is ministry and shared knowledge is practice and experience based. These communities covenant to offer care, support and accountability to one another as they nurture practices of spiritual discipline and continually develop their craft of ministry while strengthening practices of pastoral leadership and engage in theological reflection. I have been a part of a community of practice since 2012 and absolutely cannot imagine ministry without this group of people, the covenant we share and our time together each month. It is both life-giving and ministry-sustaining time.
 
Your Penn Central Staff is committed to bringing these types of clergy communities to life among us. I am training a group of facilitators and will begin forming both affinity groups and geographic groups during February with a goal of meetings beginning in March. Some of you may already be part of a covenant group and that is wonderful! Please continue to connect with those clergy colleagues regularly. If you would like more information or are ready to register for these new Communities of Practice, please contact Rev. Nora Foust.

Affinity Groups:
  • Bi-Vocational & Part-Time Pastors
  • Licensed Pastors
  • Faithful and Welcoming Pastors
  • 20/30 Pastors
  • Retired Pastors
  • Would prefer geographical group
 Clergy/Clergy Family Care Program Highlights
 
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Any clergy interested in serving as an Association Chaplain should contact Rev. Rick Luciotti, program facilitator at 717-679-0001 for more information.
 
Sabbatical Planning
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Sabbatical Planning?   Pastor preparing for sabbatical?  We have resources for you.  Please c ontact Rev. Betsy Bruaw for  additional details. 
LeadershipChurch Leadership Resources
Leadership Resources - NEW
Using Your Building Assets (Creatively using your church building)
 
Connecting with People (Paul Nickerson) - NEW
 
 
   
JusticeCommunity Needs and Justice Issues
Creation Justice - NEW

You can now follow The Pollinator on Facebook.

Creation Justice is looking for pictures for the Web site.  If you have pictures of your church engaged in creation justice activities, please send them to srader-titzel@pccucc.org.
 
DR&R - NEW

Do you need information or assistance with evacuees from Puerto Rico currently coming to PA?  If so, please contact Karl Jones.
 
 
The year of 2018 will find the PCC DR&R Team & UCC Disaster Ministries confronted with another very busy schedule.  Here are the current UCC Disaster Ministries work sites that are open and accepting volunteers.
 
 
Events1Events, Training and Resources Available
Pathways - NEW
 
Register now for:
UCC History and Polity
Theology in the Public Square
Insurance Board Webinars
 
 
The following webinars are scheduled for 2018. These webinars are free and open to all. All webinars are scheduled to begin at 2 PM EST. To register for one of these webinars click on this link, and click on "Insurance Board Webinars":
Wednesday, February 7th: Preventing and Dealing with Sexual Harassment at Church (Praesidium)
Wednesday, March 14: Driver Management for Owned and Non-owned Vehicles (The Hartford)
Wednesday, April 11: Risk Management for Camps (The Insurance Board)
Wednesday, May 9: Ladder Safety (The Hartford)
Additional webinars and recorded webinars available under the Online Learning section.
 
Association Links
UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS
 
Big Splash Training - February 3, PCC CC - Board Room, 10 AM - Noon
 
Big Splash Presentations - February 11, PCC Churches, during worship
 
Yearbook Contest Drawing Deadline - February 14

Harrisburg Association Strategic Plan Presentation  - February 18, 2018, 2:00 PM,  Colonial Park UCC 
 
Board of Directors Hartman Center Committee - February 20, PCC CC - East, 6 PM - 8 PM
 
Lay Boundary Awareness Training - March 3, Trinity East Petersburg, 10 AM - 3 PM
 
Nominations Commission - March 7, PCC CC - East, 10 AM - 11:30 AM
 
Yearbook Forms Final Due Date - March 8
 
ONA Winter Gathering - March 10, Colonial Park UCC
 
Confirmation Retreat - March 16 - March 18, Hartman Center, 6 PM - Noon
 
Advanced Boundary Training - March 20, Faith UCC, York, 9:30 AM - Noon
 
Lenten Pastor's Breakfast and Worship - March 22, Zion UCC, Arendtsville, 9:30 AM
 
Good Friday - PCC Office Closed, March 30
  
Clergy Spouse Workshop - April 7, Saint Paul's, Selinsgrove 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 
Clergy Spouse Workshop - April 28, 1st Carlisle, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 
Clergy Spouse Workshop - May 12, Hayshire, York,  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Click to see our Web site for more details.
2018 - SAVE THE DATE!
 
Hartman Center Golf Outing - May 12, 2018 - Fairview Golf Course in Quentin, PA

  2018 Penn Central Annual Meeting - June 8 and 9, 2018, Susquehanna University
 
Nat'l ONA Gathering  - June 27-29, 2018, Dallas, TX
 
Partners in Peace - July 5, 2018
  
Mid-Atlantic Regional Youth Event -  July 19-22, 2018
California University of Pennsylvania
 
Widening the Welcome (Disability Ministries) - November 1-3, 2018, Niagara Falls, NY

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
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ThreeGreat3 Great Loves
 3 Great Loves
  
There is now a section on the UCC site for you to share your 3 Great Loves.

Post Love of Neighbor, Love of Children,  Love of Creation and please remember the Spotlight Awards!

Spotlight Awards are designed to lift up stories of exceptional individuals who are creating a more just world for all through love of neighbor, love of children and love of creation.

Those receiving a Spotlight Award nomination will receive a letter from UCC General Minister and President, Rev. John C. Dorhauer, a certificate and a special UCC gift. Spotlight Award winners will get a banner for their congregation, a plaque and a visit from Rev. John Dorhauer. Additionally, nominees and winners will be recognized on www.3greatloves.org, on ucc.org, in social media, in KYP and at General Synod 2019.

Please use these links and continue to share your stories with us!  (Or if you prefer, send your story to Stephanie and she can share it for you!)

We love seeing Penn Central Conference congregations connected, engaged and transformed through Christ's love!
 
 
HartmanCenterHartman Center
Hartman Center News and Resources
Hartman Center's 2018

2018 is shaping up to be another epic summer at Hartman Center!  In addition to popular weeks like Fishing Camp, Soccer Camp and Water World, we've expanded our popular MADD Camp theme into a whole week of arts camps for all ages!  Plus, we have added a music-focused Getting Started Camp, Arts and Crafts Camp for grades 4-6 and Creative Writing Camp for grades 7-10. 
 
As always, activities will include hiking, climbing, swimming, arts and crafts, music, theatre, campfires, games, rafting, archery, fishing and navigating the co-op trail obstacle course.  Hartman Center is a great opportunity to grow in God's love, form friendships and make memories that will last a lifetime!
 
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FEBRUARY 11, 2018 LOVE OFFERING for Hartman Center - NEW
 
Several resources are available to spread the news about the Love Offering:

Information letter explaining the NEED for the offering . 

flyer describing THE BIG SPLASH #2,

FLYER promoting the offering to hang around the church 

some labels that you can use on small envelopes for the offering

 
 
Confirmation Retreat

The PCCUCC Confirmation Retreat is on the weekend of March 16-18 at the Hartman Center and the cost is $110.  Please check the eNews in future weeks for a registration link.

The focus of this year's retreat is discipleship using our UCC "Be the Church" values.  If your church is planning to participate in this year's Confirmation Retreat, please contact Rev. Patty Dodds (program@hartmancenter.com) by February 1, 2018.   The next planning meeting for the Confirmation Retreat is February 8, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Conference Office.

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Conference Elementary Retreat   - May 4-6, 2018, Save the Date!

----Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, 2018
More details on the Hartman Center Web site!
 
Thank you for your continued support!
 
DevotionsPrayer List and Devotional
 
 
Still Speaking Devotional by Emily C. Heath
 
The Beginning of Wisdom
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    God's praise endures forever." - Psalm 111:10

Prayer
God, if I may only have one thing, then please grant me wisdom. Amen. 

Read Full Devotional Here
Sign Up to receive the Still Speaking Devotional to your inbox


 
Prayers for Penn Central Conference Churches

"Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you."  (2 Thess. 3:1)
 
Beginning in 2018, we have created a prayer list to invite you to pray with us as we pray for all of our congregations. Each week we will list names of various churches in Penn Central Conference hoping you will add them to your prayer list, and hold them in prayer throughout the week.
  • Salem Stone UCC, Campbelltown
  • Trinity UCC, Cashtown
  • Trinity UCC, Centre Hall
  • Saint John's UCC, Chambersburg
FCSFaith Connection Stories
Passionately Declaring and Demonstrating the Courageous Love of Christ 
 
We love to hear stories of Penn Central Conference congregations working within their communities to passionately declare and demonstrate their courageous love of Christ. 
 

Faith Connection Stories
 
 
Testimonials
1st UCC Carlisle (Mercersburg Association)
St. John's Boalsburg (Northern Association)
St. Paul's Sacramento (Harrisburg Association)
Trinity East Pete (Lancaster Association)
Fredericksburg UCC  (Lebanon Association)
St. Paul's Dallastown (York Association)
First Reformed UCC, Sunbury (Central Association)
David's UCC - Hebe (Central Association)
 
PICTURES!!  WE WANT PICTURES!
We would love to use your pictures on our social media pages!  If you have pictures you are willing to share that show your church actively engaged in our mission "where congregations passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ", please send them to Stephanie.
 
Share your story today!  Click here to share your own congregation's story  - please send to srader-titzel@pccucc.org.

 
ArchiveArchive
Our Previous eNews

November 29, 2017, November 22, 2017, November 15, 2017, November 8, 2017, November 1, 2017

October 25, 2017, October 18, 2017, October 11, 2017, October 4, 2017

September 27, 2017,  September 20, 2017, September 13, 2017, September 6, 2017 

August 30, 2017, August 23, 2017, August 16, 2017, August 9, 2017, August 2, 2017 

July 26, 2017,  July 19, 2017, July 12, 2017, July 5, 2017

June 28, 2017, June 21, 2017, June 14, 2017, June 7, 2017,

May 31, 2017, May 24, 2017, May 17, 2017, May 10, 2017, May 3, 2017

 
Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
email: srader-titzel@pccucc.org   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
web: http://www.pccucc.org