Dear Penn Central Conference members and friends, we were all deeply saddened to learn of Janice Mountain's resignation. She has been a valued member of our office staff for 18 years and we will dearly miss her welcome and warmth as she has dealt with us over the years. She felt the need to move on in other directions. The Board of Directors has expressed our great appreciation for all that she has done for us, and have given her a nice gift. I am sure that any cards and thoughts you may wish to send her will be welcomed. Recently, out going Moderator Craig Ellis and I enjoyed dinner together with all our conference staff to say thank you from the Board of Directors for all the work they do for us.

I know that there are some of you that are concerned for the changes in staff we have experienced this year. I want to reassure you that the Board of Directors is aware of your concern and want to assure you that we are not falling apart! I would remind you that there has been a lot of change in our conference over the past 4 or 5 years, since Rev. Marja Coons-Torn retired. We had three Interim Conference Ministers, underwent an extensive self-study, and experienced the retirement of Rev. Thom Webster. Two years ago, we called two new Designated Associate Conference Ministers and a new Conference Minister all within three months of each other. Just prior to that, a new part-time Facilitator of Care to Clergy and Clergy Families was engaged. In the midst of all that, we experienced the death of our beloved Minister of Communications, Brenda Waleff, and continue to mourn that great loss. In addition, our Associate Conference Minister for Church Vitality, Rev. Dr. Laurene Bowers left to return to parish ministry six months ago. That's a huge amount of change in a short period of time.

           

About two and a half years ago, the Board of Directors created two new Designated Associate Conference Minister positions, meaning that at the end of two years a decision would be made whether they would leave or continue as settled in their positions. The Board wanted to be sure that a good working team of conference ministers and staff would be established, and that the Conference Minister would have input on all this, since she had not yet been called at that time. That two year period was up this year, and we have experienced the departure of Rev. Betsy Bruaw. We are grateful for the work of Rev. Bruaw and of Rev. Lucciotti, Facilitator of Clergy Care, and all that they have brought to us. It is important for us to honor the importance of confidentiality when dealing with personnel matters. The Board of Directors is doing that and wish only the best for those who have served us in these capacities. We also are excited about the addition of Scott Watts as the new Facilitator of Care to Clergy and Clergy Families.

           

The Search Committee for the Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Discernment will meet soon and begin its work by updating the conference profile and the board finance committee will be looking at the necessary financial considerations and budget.

As we move forward, there is excitement in the progress that is being made in implementing the Strategic Plan that has been developed. Already we have approved a plan this summer for Innovation Grants that will help our churches develop new mission projects. Two associations are well on their way to forming a new association in the northern and central part of our conference. Our Conference Minister has visited almost half of the churches conference-wide. There are some great leadership workshop opportunities for pastors to grow and share with each other. The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry is presenting some great training opportunities for local church councils and consistories through the internet, and many more things are in the pipeline. The conference staff have some great things coming this summer and fall. All these things are in reponse to the self-study and strategic plan that indicated local churches are looking for more support and encouragement for their ministries.

  

We live in difficult and certainly turbulent times, and the church is certainly not immune to the major shift that is occuring in our country, as we need to adapt and look in new directions. In that process, hard things sometimes occur. Of one thing I am certain, our faith and our hope in Christ will sustain us and push us forward to new ventures and mission in the world, spreading the good news of God's love for all people. We will continue to work together in that faith and that hope. As the Board of Directors, we will endeavor to be as open as we can about our work on behalf of the conference as we move forward and Be the Church together.

  

Ann Graves, Moderator