Message to the Conference | |
|
Greetings friends and members of Penn Central Conference,
“Go to your bosom; knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know…” (Shakespeare)
I have heard a few laughs as people note that Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day fall on the same day this year. It's an unusual occurrence yet speaking of the heart on Ash Wednesday seems appropriate. The scriptures for this day mention the heart as the seat of conscience and compassion. The reading from Joel 2 reminds us to return to God "with all your heart" and to "rend your hearts and not your clothing." The passage from Isaiah speaks of the fast that God chooses, which includes loosing the bonds of injustice, sharing bread, and covering the naked, all actions that require the compassion of the heart. The psalmist reminds us that the acceptable sacrifice to God is "a broken and contrite heart." And finally in the Gospel lesson from Matthew we hear the timeless truth from Jesus that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Jesus, the great psychologist, knew how the human heart works. After all, our hearts are capable of loving, swelling, breaking, bursting, rising, closing, opening, hungering, yielding, dropping, and aching not to mention being fickle, troubled, hard, courageous, cold, and mysterious. For eons the center of human character and conscience has been the heart. Hence the recognition by the scriptures that where our heart is directed indicates what we love. And our hearts love a great deal - not just other people, but also animals, ideas, nature, and many human-made things (and for some of us, especially sparkly things).
I think when it comes to loving God, however, we may take it for granted. We spend a great deal of time talking about how we love our neighbors. And we have oodles of practices that prove it, including those mentioned in Isaiah. Perhaps we might even find that loving our neighbors is the easiest way to express our love of God. But I would challenge us to ask ourselves a question this Lent: how do I love God? If our immediate answer is "by loving our neighbors" I would challenge you to engage the question more deeply. Remember Jesus' words in Luke 10, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, all of your soul, all of your strength, and all of your mind..." Consider how your heart, soul, strength, and mind love God daily. How do you do it? What does it look like? How is it different than loving our neighbors?
While Lent is traditionally a time to consider sin and work through repentance, we can approach it also as reflecting deeply on what our heart loves - and how that love may need to be redirected to God. Our hearts are easily distracted and can chase themselves into emotional and spiritual cul-de-sacs instead of focusing on God's horizon. This Lent, join with me in taming our hearts a bit and finding the daily ways of turning them back to their original purpose - to love God, the one who made us and sustains us.
Peace,
Carrie
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
| |
Our apologies! In yesterday's "Come Learn With Me" email we left off the byline on the article in the Rural Church section. Big thanks to Amelia Price for her words! You can read that here and join Amelia and others from across the denomination for Thursdays for the Soul where she will be on the rural ministries panel on February 22. | |
Yearbook data collection has begun! This data is vital for the conference and the national setting to serve our churches to our best ability. Learn more about how to enter Yearbook data before the deadline of March 6, 2024 here. | |
|
Scheduling notes:
February 25 - Salem Stone UCC, Carlisle - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
March 3 - Lyken Valley Charge - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
March 10 - St. John's UCC Lewisburg - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
March 17 - Faith UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
| |
|
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...
Salem Walmers UCC, Annville
Salona UCC, Mill Hall
St. Paul's UCC, Schaefferstown
St. Paul's UCC, Selinsgrove
| |
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. | |
Pennsylvania UCC Noontime Lenten Prayer Gatherings
The 4 PA UCC Conference Ministers and UCC Staff Members will lead weekly prayer gatherings during Lent on Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30p. The first prayer time is Wednesday, Feb. 21 and will follow each Wednesday until March 20. To register, click here.
Leaders will be:
· Feb. 21: David Ackerman
· Feb. 28: Nora Foust
· March 6: Carrie Call
· March 13: Bill Worley
· March 20: Bonnie Bates
| |
Salem's Closet, in Salem UCC, Harrisburg, has partnered with Church World Services and are supplying refugees with clothing and household goods.
The number of refugees that have been coming has gone from just a few to 15 a month. In conversation wtih Cindy at CWS, 15 or more is going to be the new normal. We need clothing for men, boys, teens, infants, and toddlers for all seasons, bedding that includes blankets, and sheets not to mention other household goods. These donations need to be in good condition and clean.
Please contact Susan Nelson at srsews@gmail.com to find out more about how to donate items. If you are able to help transport items donated from further afield, please let her know as well.
| St. James UCC, Stillwater (in Penn North East Conference) is looking for handbells to start a handbell choir. If your church is looking to sell or donate your bells please reach out to Carol Bath at gammybath@gmail.com | Church of the Redeemer UCC, Hershey, PA is in need of some music stands. If your church is looking to sell or donate some, please contact Kira at info@redeemerchurchucc.org | |
The Brush Valley Fusion of Faith has an extra organ! Our 1969 Allen
electric organ, plus four large speakers are free to a good (church or
individual) home. Contact Julie Holm julie@bvfof.org for more
information.
| |
|
Hartman Center Homecoming Camp 2024
Registration is now open!
Sunday, July 28th through Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
We will be returning again to Hartman Center Campground in Milroy, PA as guests.
Camps:
3 night camps - Sunday, July 28 at 4PM through Wednesday, July 31 at 10AM
Getting Started - Grades K - 1 ($190)
Directed by Katie Price
Intergenerational Camp ($190)
Directed by Aleshia Hawkins
3 night camps - Wednesday, July 31st at 4PM through Saturday, August 3 at 10AM
Camp of the Heart ($250)
Directed by Kara Druckenmiller
Women's Heart and Soul Camp ($190)
Directed by Nora Foust
5 night camps - Monday, July 28 at 4PM through Saturday, August 3 at 10AM
Elementary - Grades 2 - 4 ($300)
Directed by Alex (Weis) Sattazahn and Allyson Butz
Middle School - Grades 5 - 7 ($300)
Directed by Carol Price and Nicole Henry
Senior High - Grades 8 - 12 ($300)
Directed by Nathan Limbert
Leadership - Grades 9 - 12 ($300)
Directed by Betsy Brauw
Use coupon code PCC2024 if you would like to use a Penn Central Conference campership for 50% of your registration fees
Check out the full list of camping experiences for all ages and register here.
In addition to the cabins and lodges, RV sites will be available. We would love it if lots of Penn Central Conference folks are able to reserve and use those sites while we are there. Check the website here.
| |
|
Camp makes a great Christmas gift. Check out the summer options from our partners at Lutheran Camping Corporation's Kirchenwald (and Nawakwa) here
Use coupon code PCC2024 if you would like to use a Penn Central Conference campership for 50% of your registration fees.
I love going to camp because of all the fun I have with the activities. I love going to camp for the learning experience. The community is amazing, and I always feel accepted at camp. I have so many great memories which always keep me coming back each year. That is just some of the reasons I love camp Kirchenwald. ~ Hugh Dickel (12 years old. He has attended Arts and Crafts Camp and Guppies Camp)
The reason I like to go to camp is all the friends that I make. I also had a good time with all the counselors there. All of the activities we do are fun. Everyone has a good time at camp as well. Some people I meet I still talk to outside of camp. It’s always nice to take a break from technology and get outside. Every time I come back home I want to go back again because I enjoy it so much. - William Dickel (15 years old. He attended Beach Camp this past year, Kayak Camp, and Kirkenquest Camp in prior years.)
We always feel really good about sending our kids to Camp Kirchenwald and don’t think they miss us at all, the weeks they are at camp! They come home telling us about the fabulous new experiences they’ve had, the new friends they’ve made, and the positive interactions they’ve had with the counselors (great role models!). I can not think of a better way for kids to grow in their faith, gain independence, challenge themselves in learning new skills, and have technology-free time in God’s beautiful creation. Most of all I know they had FUN! And no doubt, will have wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. - Ed Dickel
| |
Educational Opportunities | Registration is important for planning purposes, even for virtual events, so please let us know if you need to cancel your registration so we have the most accurate numbers. | |
The Penn West, Penn Central, Penn Northeast and Penn Southeast Conferences of the United Church of Christ cordially invite you to participate in this virtual Lenten opportunity! Meeting each Wednesday in Lent at 7pm, this Bible Study explores the foundations of our identity as Christians and members of the UCC as we explore what the future may hold! Each week is unique so if you cannot attend every date you can still participate in as many as you are able. If you have questions, or you would like to participate in this study, please email pattyr@pnec.org to receive the link. Thank you!
February 21: Unity and Foundation
February 28: United Church of Christ
March 6: Lent in Context
March 13: The Priesthood of All Believers
March 20: Communion
| |
Retired Minister Boundary Training with Rev. Tara Barber
March 14, 1:30 – 4:30PM ET
Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years" along with case studies, will provide the content of this training. Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.
| |
Boundary Training in 2024
All dates are 10am and 6pm for 2-hour zooms.
February 20, 2024 Intersectionality and Power Dynamics In this session, ACM Rev. Dr. Nora Foust will discuss ways in which we as leaders in the church navigate ever changing power dynamics as culturally more and more important intersections are defined. Her participation in a training event with Rev Lori Tapia, the DOC National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries, and Dr. Sharon Fennema, our UCC Curator for Join the Movement, led to the development of this culturally relevant discussion. Register here. (This will be repeated October 15, 2024.)
March 19, 2024 The Ministerial Code – This is the ordained minister’s code of ethics and should underpin our ministry. It’s a grand document. Join Nora as we look at it line-by-line and examine the practical implications of living a life worthy of the calling to which we’ve each been called. Register here. (This will be repeated September 17, 2024.)
April 16, 2024 Money Matters – Financial Health and Vitality can be a challenging conversation and in this two-hour session we will look at the various ways in which money does matter in ministry, personally and vocationally. Financial Misconduct is in the top-five reasons for fitness reviews and conference staff receive numerous questions about how to move in healthy ways when it comes to church money. Come out and we’ll take a deep dive into this sensitive topic. Register here. (This will be repeated July 16, 2024.)
May 21, 2024 Healthy Beginnings and Endings – All ministries have beginnings and endings. In this session, participants will look at healthy expectation setting in new calls as well as ethical departure requirements. Register here. (This will be repeated August 20, 2024.)
Boundary Training at Keystone Annual Meeting
June 7, 2024 Undercurrents and Riptides Online – A two-hour session will be offered as part of the Keystone Annual Meeting (this one will not be via Zoom.) In this session, we will discuss the hidden (and obvious) dangers of ministry in an online world. From Social Media to AI to Pornography, the internet can pull us in many directions and not all of them are good for us. Watch for registration links in February. (This will be repeated November 19, 2024 in Zoom format.)
Topics are subject to change, but changes will be announced.
Basic Boundaries for Congregations will be offered via zoom, 6:30-8pm April 15, 2024. This session will feature discussion on Behavioral Covenants, Financial Boundaries, and Pastoral Relations. Anyone is welcome to join, consistory/council members are highly encouraged to attend. Nora is also available for this session at a church or group of churches if desired. Register here. (This will be repeated October 14, 2024.)
| |
Lay Leadership Convocation 2024
Saturday, April 6
This Year’s Theme: Sharing Leadership
Keynote speaker: Dr. Sarah B. Drummond, Dean of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, CT
8:30 - 9:00 am Registration and coffee
9:00 - 9:45 am Keynote Address by Dr. Sarah B. Drummond: “Shared Leadership”
10:00 - 11:15 am Workshops
12:45 –1:45 pm Lunch
1:45 – 3:00 pm Workshops
Workshops on various topics.
Learn more and register here.
| |
|
Healing Together: Healing Me, Healing Us
You are not alone. Our time together for Clergy Convocation will focus on rest, renewal, connection and healing. Healing in our ministries and our world often begins with healing within. We know how important it is for clergy to have time away from their ministry settings and to find support. We will have times dedicated for worship, theological reflection, gatherings of affinity groups, connecting with folks from other Conferences, and free time.
Clergy Convocation 2024 – Tentative Agenda
To register, click here.
| |
|
2024 Financial Ministries Webinars
4th Wednesdays of the Month – 7:30pm Eastern (6:30 Central)
Feb. 28 – Rebirth and Renewal
https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwscOqpqzIvHtRlN222Ekxnewx5YHCRwfYT
Join Rev. Ray Jordan for a conversation about the ways his congregation went from nearly closing to reimagine the ministry and engage new people in worship, service, and advocacy.
See full 2024 list here.
| |
From Exodus to Jesus and Beyond:
A Lenten Series Workshop on Progressive Christianity, Social Justice, and the Bible
There is an amazing and often hidden alternative understanding of what it means to be Christian. From Exodus to Jesus and beyond, the Bible offers an ancient, enduring, and surprisingly relevant story about people living in the light of the love of God. This five-part online workshop series will explore how the lessons and values of our faith can inform our work to build a better world.
Register and find more info here.
This workshop meets online via Zoom on five Tuesdays during Lent at 4:00 - 6:00pm PST. We ask that participants attend in person but recordings will be available for registrants in the event of illness or unavoidable conflict.
$75 per person for all 5 workshops. Group discounts available for groups over 8 people.
This workshop is led by Rev. Rich Gamble who has hands-on experience in leading congregations and a variety of social justice campaigns.
| The Brown Endowment scholarship for MDiv students who have Member in Discernment status and are pursuing authorized ministry in the UCC opened December 1, 2023 and will close midnight March 1, 2024. Learn more here. | |
|
The Reverend Dr. Héctor E. López Scholarship for Latina & Latino UCC Seminarians
The Lopez Scholarship is intended to prepare future Latina, Latino, Latine ministers educated in the socially and theologically progressive seminaries related to the UCC. These leaders will be equipped to proclaim the liberating Gospel message of salvation, full-inclusion, justice, and peace and return to lead vital congregations, minister to Latine constituencies, multicultural communities, and the whole church.
This scholarship is named in honor of The Reverend Dr. Héctor Edmundo López, a laborer in the journey for racial justice. Dr. López is the first Latino ordained in the UCC and the first Latino UCC Conference Minister. It was launched by the Council for Hispanic Ministries in 2005 in collaboration with the national ministries of the United Church of Christ.
Please share this information with your networks
Application Deadline is March 1, 2024
Application Link: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/91838
| |
From our friends and partners | |
|
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
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. Lectionary planning, sermon series, music and arts, special services, and more. 2.5 CEUs.
| |
|
Are you looking for a rewarding career in a mission-minded organization? Mission Central might be your place! We are looking for a Director of Development and Communications to join our dynamic team.
The ideal candidate would have fundraising and communications experience, ideally within a nonprofit entity, covering areas such as development of a comprehensive fundraising program, major gift fundraising, grant writing, website content, newsletters, social media, and donor communications. The ability to take knowledge, transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it is critical.
Please help us spread the word and encourage interested individuals to access our full job description and application process here. Thank you!
| |
|
Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
email: ccall@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
email: nfoust@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-2587
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
email: pkeller@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-652-1560
| |
| | | |
