Message to the Conference |
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Members and friends of Penn Central Conference,
It was a joy to share with many of you our time together as part of our 60th Annual Meeting online on June 11th. It was a wonderful and at times thought provoking morning, as we conducted the business of the Conference weaved beautifully together with a worship service, a wonderful guest sermon, a report on the state of the conference, and musical interludes provided by talented PCC members. The Saturday meeting was the culmination of four evenings, June 6-9 that included an online opening plenary and three evenings of workshops sponsored by many of our PCC Associations and ministries. The annual meeting livestream homebase was Mt. Zion United Church of Christ in York. We are truly appreciative of and are indebted to the incredible talents of their technical team and the Rev. Danielle Neff, without whom this meeting could not have been conducted so smoothly. PCC Office Manager, Paul Keller, was the key coordinator of the annual meeting and we truly appreciate all that he did make the day go so well!
1. Shortly after 9 a.m. Reverend Dr. Nora Foust, Associate Conference Minister for Congregational and Ministerial Excellence, greeted everyone and conducted a test of the Zoom and remote location voting system. The meeting was then opened by Shirley Keith Knox, Moderator of the PCC Board of Directors, who was joining us remotely. Shirley opened the business portion of the meeting, introduced staff and guests, by common consent the standing rules for the meeting, the agenda and the minutes of the 2021 Annual Meeting were all accepted. It was determined a quorum had been established with 150 delegates noted at first, which was raised to 170 delegates a short time later in the meeting. Shirley, having to join us remotely because of health concerns, then turned over conducting meeting to me as assistant moderator, for the remainder of the business meeting, since I was able to be on site.
2. The first part of worship was conducted by both in person and remotely by Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Penn Central Conference Minister and Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Transitions. Rev. Dr. Call introduced the recorded sermon by our guest speaker, Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, Associate General Minister, Wider Church Ministries and Operations and Co-Executive for Global Ministries. Her sermon was titled, “Bringing Justice to the Nations.” Through the lens of Isaiah 42:1-9, she challenged us all to become the creators of the justice that we seek. Rev. Dr. Thompson was also our Monday evening opening plenary speaker and joined us live via Zoom from Beirut, Lebanon, and informed us of the incredible partnerships and Mission Associates around the world that the UCC supports through our OCWM giving and through the Global Ministries in the UCC in partnership with the Disciples of Christ.
3. Rev. Dr. Call, PCC Conference Minister, then share her “State of the Fleet” report, which was the state of the Penn Central Conference continuing the nautical metaphor she’s began a few years back to describe the relationship and work of our congregations that make up the PCC. Full video of this address will be posted on our YouTube channel this week.
4. Rev. Dr. Galen Russell, chair of our PCC Nominations Commission, shared the slate of nominees for Board of Directors and General Synod Delegates. That report may be found online on our PCC website under the Annual Meeting tab. The slate was approved by a vote of the delegates.
5. Rev. Dr. Foust then shared the PCC roster of Members in Discernment. She also shared about report of VOAD (Volunteer Organizations in Assisting Disaster response) and lifted up our PCC Disaster Response Coordinators, Bill and Ellen Matten, who received an award from VOAD for their excellent work for the PCC in 2021. Lastly, she shared about the initial work of our newly formed Outdoor Ministries Commission. At the time of the meeting, the number of camp attendees from the PCC had already surpassed the 2021 attendees for the whole camping season! That is great news! Remember PCC is offering 50% camper fee financial assistance for all PCC attendees. Get in touch with Nora if you have any questions about that.
6. Mr. Phil Landers, chairperson of the Board of Directors’ Finance and Stewardship Committee, via Zoom then presented the proposed 2023 PCC budget. He covered changes in expenses, some related to savings from having moved our PCC offices, as well as the related categories of Wider Missions, Program, Pastoral Staff, and Administrative. Mr. Scott Owens then presented via Zoom a summary of the process of the sale of Hartman Center and thanked everyone involved for their determined, professional work throughout the process. Mr. Ron Royer then help field questions from the delegates. After the discussion was closed, the proposed PCC Budget for 2023 was passed by a vote of the delegates.
7. The final part of the agenda included Rev. Dr. Call thanking the more than 50 churches in our conference that were “5 for 5” churches by supporting all four mission offerings of the UCC and giving to OCWM. Then Rev. Dr. Foust and Rev. Dr. Rick Luciotti, PCC Coordinator of Care to Clergy and Clergy Families, led a “Time of Recognition and Celebration” for clergy ordination anniversaries ranging from 25 years to 70 years of the ordination anniversaries of Paul Gerhart and Milton Gockley, Jr. There was a celebration of church anniversaries ranging from 125 – 280 years of ministry! This concluded with a “Time of Thanksgiving and Remembrance” as Rev. Dr. Call and Rev. Dr. Luciotti lifted up the names and lives of our PCC clergy who passed to God’s eternal care since our last annual meeting. Dr. Call also share a time of “Thanksgiving and Release” recognizing the ending of Trinity Tulpehocken’s covenant with the UCC after 294 years of ministry, as she asked for prayers for their congregation and their continued ministry in central Pennsylvania.
8. The interwoven segments of the meeting and worship ended with Rev. Dr. Call and Rev. Dr. Foust leading all those gathered online and in person in a time of Holy Communion. This was the culmination of worship that included videos of songs and anthems by our PCC Virtual Choir coordinated by Julie Holm and recorded music videos by Tim Dugan, Phil Shober and Scott Siciliano). The meeting was adjourned by common consent at approximately 12:35 p.m.
Again, we thank everyone that had parts great and small in the planning, the preparations, the pre-meeting workshops, the remote locations, and the meeting site itself. We all pray and hope that next year the majority of us will be able meet in person safely for the first time since 2019. I look forward to the coming year with anticipation and excitement for what God will be doing through us and among us as we serve God together in Christ’s name.
Peace be with you all,
Rev. Dwight C. Hein
Moderator
Penn Central Conference
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Watch for videos from the workshops and business meeting on our YouTube channel later this week! The virtual choir pieces are also available there! |
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Scheduling notes:
June 26 - St. John's UCC, Red Lion - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
July 3 - Hummelstown UCC, Hummelstown - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
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Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events. |
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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...
St. Paul's UCC, Shrewsbury
St. Matthew UCC, Gratz
Bethel UCC, Spring Grove
Mt. Zion UCC, Spring Grove
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Outdoor Ministries
Watch for Rev. Nora Foust's emails on Thursdays for links to register for Outdoor Ministries events and a taste of the summer camp curriculum. Read last week's here or on our Facebook page. If you aren't getting these emails, contact Paul to be added to the mailing list. And don't forget to use code PENNCENTRAL2022 for 50% off camp at both HC Spirit Week and Lutheran Camping Corporation camps
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SUMMER CAMP programs from June-August To learn more about and to register for youth camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for family camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for elder camp, visit here.
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HC Spirit Week - What's in a Name?
"Naming and Claiming Who God Made Us to Be"
Saturday, August 6
through Friday, August 12
Camp Mt. Luther
See the full brochure here for all the details!
Register online here or mail your registration form to the PCC offices. |
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Christ Church UCC, 200 S White Oak St, Annville, (on 934) is hosting an outdoor Flea Market on Saturday, June 18 from 8am - 2pm. Rain or Shine - Food for sale too! Call 717-867-1641 to reserve a spot ($10) or for more information. We look forward to having you to sell, shop & eat!
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St. John’s UCC, Boalsburg is in the middle of a year-long celebration of our 200th anniversary. On May 31st, the actual birthday of our congregation, we gathered on the church lawn for cupcakes and ice cream and long-overdue fellowship. The party on the lawn was preceded by a brief recitation of the church’s history as our historic church bell was rung 10 times – once for each 20-year period – by a lifelong member of the congregation. Other highlights of our anniversary year have included an organ recital on our 150+ year-old Dürner organ, creation of our 200th anniversary quilt which now hangs opposite or 175th anniversary quilt in the sanctuary, and monthly history moments highlighting how our church buildings and our congregation have changed over the years. The celebration continues through October 2022. If you’re in the Boalsburg area, please celebrate with us! |
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PCC has launched a new monthly email just for clergy, with news, events and clergy transitions. If you did not get this month's email on Tuesday, please let Paul know.
We will be including some items in the eNews (see below), but please check out the full email here for more events and news! |
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Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World:
Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues
Pastoral Colloquy 2022
Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022 - Learn more and register here.
Who? Pastors from all the church bodies listed above
What? A week of learning, discussion, and fellowship
Where? Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
When? Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022
Weekend visits before and after the colloquy are available for our German guests.
Why? “All we are saying is ‘Give peace a chance!’” ~ John Lennon, 1969
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Election Year Reminder: Churches Can Be Political But Not Partisan
UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel shares important information to consider as another election cycle heats up. Read her blog post here.
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UCC Webinars
These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.
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The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World
September 19, 2022 – September 21, 2022
Join us to reflect on what we've moved through as church experiencing pandemic, to recognize the innovative ways we have survived and in some ways thrived: What did we learn when faced with the need to pivot quickly and still be effectively present as church? Where do we need to stretch ourselves? What and how do we need to build capacity to resource how we're evolving as church? What might we each offer to help us become? These and other questions will be contemplated as we lean in to lessons learned about adapting with agility, and unpack potential possibility. Learn more and register here.
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From our friends and partners |
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
Learn more and register here!
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Personal Finances for Ministers, July 12–Aug 16. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Introduction to basics of personal financial management, including special considerations for religious professionals and congregations where they serve. Topics include budgeting, debt, compensation and taxes, insurance, investing, and estate planning. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125 (A generous donor has provided money to pay for two new PAM students to enroll in this class. Anyone interested in applying for this scholarship should complete the PAM application found online and indicate that they would like to be considered for the scholarship. We will select scholarship recipients by noon on July 5.)
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Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, instructor Jessica Young Brown, Aug 23–Sept 27, 2022. A Ministerial Institute class. Confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care in ministry. $325.
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Creating Safe & Affirming Spaces for Transgender Children
July 15-17, 2022
Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center; Bangor, PA
A hybrid (in person & online) community event for teachers, counselors, chaplains, faith leaders & families
This program is designed to create safe and affirming spaces for transgender or gender expansive children at home, school and faith communities. These are the 3 places children need to be affirming if they are to thrive. These are also the spaces that parents need support to become effective advocates for their transgender or gender expansive children.
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Forty Days: A Pilgrimage of Peace
July 15 - August 25
Louisa, Virginia USA
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Songs of Desire: New Music for the Churches
Saturday July 9, 2:00Pm - Sunday July 10, 9:00PM
Suggested Donation: $50 including accommodation and meals.
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Accompanist Position Available
We are searching for an Accompanist to bring their gifts to our church where we appreciate a blend of contemporary and traditional music.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the vision of the church, this year-round, part time, salaried position will provide music for worship and other events in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
The current music ministry of HPUCC consists of one volunteer choir, as well as instrumental and vocal soloists.
For more information, please call the church at 717-397-9791 or email: [email protected]. If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 |
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Audio/Visual System Operators Needed
Church of the Apostles, United Church of Christ in Wayne Heights is looking for two people to operate our Audio/Visual system during Sunday morning worship services at 10:45 am (summer worship at 10 am, beginning the first Sunday in June and ending with Labor Day weekend). Other services would include weddings, funerals, Lenten services and Christmas Eve. These are part-time, independent contractor positions; paid per service. Responsible teenagers will be considered. Training will be provided. Read the full description here.
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Position: Music Director
Effective: Immediately
As a part of the United Church of Christ denomination, we at Hamilton Park UCC seek to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and caring environment where people of all backgrounds and from all walks of life can experience the support of a community where they are valued and loved and where they can experience the love of God given by Christ.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the Pastor and the vision of Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, this year-round, part time, salaried position will coordinate the total music ministry program of HPUCC, to include playing instruments, such as piano, organ, guitar, etc. in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Music Director plans and oversees a diverse musical program that enhances the total worship programming of the church that includes worship services and special events.
If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603.
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MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY AT LOCUST LAKE STATE PARK Summer 2022
The Schuylkill Association of the PA Southeast Conference, UCC, has a ministry opportunity for a part-time chaplain at Locust Lake State Park near Tamaqua, PA. If you are a Christian (Clergy or lay) who can function in an unstructured situation and who has a love of God, God’s creation, and God’s people, then this might be the opportunity for you.
The chaplain represents the church as a Christian presence and quiet witness among those who camp at this beautiful state park. The responsibilities of the chaplain include:
· Conduct campsite visitation weekly.
· Provide informal, inspirational weekly worship services.
· Provide availability to park/campground staff and campers for crisis situations.
· Provide informal programs such as campfires, hymn sings, special musical events, and activities for children, as needed.
Training and ministry support and resources will be provided by the PA Council of Churches Chaplains in the Park program and the Locust Lake Committee.
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St. Matthew’s UCC (Carlisle) is seeking a part-time
church administrative assistant. Starting pay 15.00 or higher
based on experience/credentials. 10-15hrs/week. Read full description here.
If interested, please contact Pastor Tim Dugan
Preferred contact phone number: 570-428-4290.
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-2587
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3564
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560
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