Paid for by your OCWM Contributions| June 17, 2020
Message to the Conference
Dear friends of Penn Central Conference,
 
For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
 1 Philippians 1:8
 
Paul’s words from prison to the church in Philippi have been on my heart lately. A few short months ago, these were the words I expected to be reading on Saturday mornings as I said goodbye to that week’s collection of campers and volunteers. Instead, they are the words that I am holding in my heart as I say goodbye to Hartman Center.
 
The pain of this goodbye is impossible to put into words. No matter how many emails, graphics, or social media posts we try to fit it into, it’s simply too big and our hearts are too broken. However, when I look at Paul’s letter to the Philippians, I find hope. Paul was writing this letter from prison. He was isolated and his future was uncertain. Yet his letter opens with an outpouring of love for his friends and hope for the future.
 
Paul is strengthened to know that his friends in Philippi care about him, and he wants to make sure they know that he cares about them, too. As we say goodbye to Hartman Center, I can relate to the strength that Paul draws from that love from and for his community. Even though things haven’t gone like he wanted them to, or how anyone thought they would, Paul focuses on the love they share. From there, he’s able to share a very real and deep hope for the promise of the future.
 
In Paul’s example, we want to invite you into a time to focus on the love we have for one another and for Hartman Center.
 
Which is why we’re working on a few ways for the Hartman Center family to come together - specifically over the month of July.
 
  1. A digital worship service is being put together to be available early July. We want your testimonials! Please, take a moment to record a video sharing some words about what Hartman Center means to you and send them to HartmanCenterMemories@gmail.com so that we can include lots of different voices in this sacred time.
  2. Our social media accounts will be hosting a “Month of Hartman Center Memories” throughout the month of July. So get your pictures and stories ready and watch the Facebook page for a calendar of each day's themes!
  3. “Hartman Hikes” will take place each Sunday from July 12th-August 2nd. Participants are asked to register, bring a mask, maintain social distance, and bring a packed lunch.
  4. Northern & Central, 07/12, register here!
  5. Gettysburg & Mercersburg, 07/19, register here!
  6. Harrisburg & York, 07/26, register here!
  7. Lancaster & Lebanon, 08/02, register here!
  8. A Service for the Decommissioning of Hartman Center will take place October 10th at Hartman Center.
 
During this time, we want to come together in gratitude for the ministry of Hartman Center. We know that the pain of such a loss is beyond words. It can only be met with action. So let us take the time to join together in remembering the fun, the growth, and the sacred space that Hartman Center has been for us. Through remembering, may we be strengthened by one another and continue to be shaped by the profound impact Hartman Center has had on our lives and on who we are.
 
Zo ë D'heedene
Coordinator of Camps & Retreats
These are Hard Times for Clergy.
Penn Central Conference, in response to the difficult situations, news, and decisions of the past months and weeks, the Conference wants to inform you of three things:
1.      These are very stressful times . Please reach out to our Clergy Care Facilitator ( Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler ) if you or someone you know needs support. This is confidential and pastoral. No matter what the issue, please reach out.
2.      Penn Central is in the process of creating an anti-racism program for clergy to begin at the close of summer. We will be providing information about a text soon (so you can read over the summer) along with our follow-up plans for clergy gatherings and discussions.
3.      Let us know what you need. We are committed to serving everyone in this Conference, so please send us your suggestions and ideas about how we can best provide you with support, education, and communication in these trying times.
South York County Juneteenth Rally against Racism

Speakers start at 6 PM
Live music starts at 5:30 PM

Confirmed speakers include Delma Rivera, Rev. Carla Christopher, Rabiya Khan, Rev. D Marie Tribble, Frank LittleBear, Erec S Smith, Sharif Hameed, George Sanders, Sandra Harrison.

Bring signs.

Music provided by Play Demon.

This is a peaceful event.

Practice COVID-19 safety precautions. Bring a lawn chair if you want. Some parts of area are shaded, please prioritize shaded areas for families with small children and elders.

Park in the church parking lot (behind church, W. Maple & N. School Pl.) or on the street.


Rain date is Monday, June 22, 6 PM.
Prayers for Penn Central Conference
 
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...

Zion's UCC, Marietta
St. John's UCC, Marklesville
Maytown Reformed UCC, Maytown
St. James UCC, Littlestown
Mission Central will serve as the missional partner for Penn Central Conference's Annual Meeting . Together, it is our goal to make 500 care kits. These care kits include the following:
  • Hand Towels
  • Washcloths
  • Combs
  • Nail Clippers
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste
  • Adhesive Bandages
  • Soap
Each Association will be assigned an item to collect so that we may put these together as listed here. You can also ship these items to the Conference Office.
 
The care kits will go out to those in need.

In 2019, Mission Central assisted over 2.7 million people with $7.8 million in resources globally, nationally and in Pennsylvania.
 
Please email Sherry Spencer ( sherryspencer@comcast.net ) or Shirley Keith Knox ( skeithknox@comcast.net ) if you have any questions.
 
Thank you so much for your support!
General Synod 33 to be a virtual experience

For the first time ever, the United Church of Christ General Synod will gather virtually in 2021. The biennial gathering is moving entirely online next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Church of Christ Board made this historic decision this week after considering a number of factors. Read more here...
Every four years for four decades, the United Church of Christ's  National Youth Event  has attracted young people from all over the denomination for high-energy inspiration, faith-building and educational activities, community service, and in-the-moment actions for social justice.
Now, like so many other events in the Year of the Coronavirus, the live event has been postponed, with online opportunities taking its place this summer (including live chats, a playlist and more.) Learn more here .
Association Events
Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils & Ordinations

June 28 - Ecclesiastical Council for Stephanie Dorsey - 3:00PM via Zoom. (Lancaster Association) 

Aug 2 - Ordination of Gary Nottis at St. John's UCC, Lewisburg - 3:00PM (Rev. Nora Foust attending)

Association Meetings

June 27 - Harrisburg Association Meeting - via Zoom - 10:00AM
Clergy Events
 Boundary Training & Ministerial Excellence Forums

Boundary Training - POSTPONED new date TBA
For those who need boundary training in the meantime, Convergance offers an online course.
The Perfect Blend: Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations
A day with author Bishop Robert Schnase
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Lancaster Theological Seminary, Santee Chapel

Come spend a day in conversation around how these practices can help your church live out the Gospel and be a missional presence in your community.
We will hear 3 presentations from Bishop Schnase and have a few guided, small group discussions along the way. See a full flyer here. Seating is limited, so registration is required. $25 per person, or a discounted rate of $100 for groups of 5 people. Register here!
Planning Ahead
Annual Meeting - August 29, 2020

Recognition Dinner - September 19, 2020 (info to come!)
Hiring Information:
Executive Director – Pennsylvania Interfaith Power & Light
(Half-time position)

We are seeking a visionary: a flexible and creative individual who can help guide PA IPL into the next decade, particularly with the work of expanding and deepening the organization’s base of support and of helping PA IPL realize its broader goals from its strategic plan such as clarifying our organizational identity (rebranding and diversifying stakeholders), developing more focused programming, and building the necessary internal infrastructure to see PA IPL into the future. Learn more here.
OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Office Experience Required
24 hrs./week ($15/hr.) – M-F
Proficiency in: Microsoft Publisher, Word, and Excel
Learn more here...
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at LTS

Nondegree classes are ideal for:
  • Lay Ministers already pastoring churches
  • Pastoral Leaders in part-time or bi-vocational ministries
  • Individuals in discernment
  • Laity serving Christian denominations and independent churches

Register by June 19, 2020

Register by August 7, 2020
Search & Call Associates
Mercersburg, York and Gettysburg Association Churches
Rev. Richard Gordon
717-940-8345

Northern and Central Association Churches
Rev. Sally Dries
570-850-6062

Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lebanon Association Churches
Rev. Richard Luciotti
717-679-0001

Staff Directory
Rev. Carrie Call, PhD
Transitional Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 12

Rev. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister 
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex.13

Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola
Associate Conference Minister

Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler
Facilitator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
phone: 717-719-1895
 
Zoë D'heedene
Coordinator of Camps/Retreats
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 16
 
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 14
Contact information: C. Paul Keller | email:  pkeller@pccucc.org | phone: 717-652-1560