Message to the Conference |
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Dear Friends and Family of Penn Central Conference:
“Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2 NRSV)
From your earliest memories you can likely recall ways in which you were taught to conform to the world around you. We begin as children to learn how other, socially-acceptable people behave in certain situations and what is expected of us. For parents the task can be a challenging one – how to encourage conformity at the right times (“we all look both ways before crossing the street”) while also encouraging personal creativity and expression (“yes you may wear your shirt backwards to school”). The ins and outs of conformity for children can get into the weeds quickly (clothing in particular) and the same remains true for adults. As with all conformity, some actions are beneficial to society (it benefits us all that we conform to driving expectations) while others can be deleterious to the individual (damaging expectations in regards to ideas or identity). As human beings, our degree of conformity is something we negotiate constantly in all aspects of our lives.
When Paul speaks to the members of the church in Rome, the conformity of which he speaks is both spiritual and intellectual. These believers were most likely a mix of Jews and Gentiles, which means that both groups had very different expectations for conformity around behavior and belief systems. Now they were being asked to conform to a different way of life, one that would be in contrast to the lives of others around them. Conformity is difficult in such situations because being social creatures, we feel a pull to conform to those around us, especially if we love or respect them. These new Christians were creating a new way of living that eschewed conformity around some traditional areas of worship, social status, financial responsibility, and gender divisions. Instead, believers were called into new types of relationships, new ways of acting within those relationships, and new ways of worshiping in community.
What does conformity look like now in our own Christian communities? What would it mean for us to think seriously about whether we are conforming to the world as opposed to God’s will for us? How would we know the difference? I ask these questions because in this difficult time we are seeing behavior in the world that invites particular forms of conformity to the possible detriment of our faith communities. Ideological positions these days (from wearing masks to food purity to political parties) are powerful and those who seek to woo us into conformity are persuasive. As easy as it is for us to conform without thinking, I encourage each of us to take some time for reflection. Ask yourself questions: am I listening to what God is asking of me in this time? To what (or whom) am I conforming and why? Can I do what God asks of me even if it disappoints others or puts me at social risk? How do my behaviors and choices reflect the transforming power of Christ in my life?
Paul does not provide a straightforward roadmap for the “renewing our minds”. But I do know that questions are the best place to start. May we ask questions with an open mind and pray for God’s empowerment so we may conform to a transformed life in Christ.
Peace,
Carrie
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Make sure you've saved the date of August 29th for Penn Central Conference's Annual Meeting! Registration is open! Please register by August 14th, it's important that we reach our quorum of 225. We will be voting on a Settled Conference Minister, among other votes.
There will be two options for attending and participating: each association will have a church set up to join the Zoom meeting as a group or attendees can join the Zoom meeting individually from home. All satellite sites in associations will be following their own on-site precautions including wearing masks and social distancing (some may require temperature checks.) More information on how to vote will follow registration.
Schedule of events (subject to change)
8:30AM - Webinar opens
9:00AM - Meeting officially opens - Devotions, Business tasks and voting
12:00PM - Break for Lunch (bring your own picnic)
12:45PM - continued Business Tasks
2:00PM - Time of recognition, remembrance and closing worship (bring your own communion elements)
3:00PM - Meeting closes
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Celebrating Hartman Center
Check out a Hartman Center themed Worship Service that can be used for your church service or a personal time of worship. More info here.
Hartman Center Celebration Day: We will join together for the Celebration of the Ministry of the Hartman Center on Saturday, September 12, beginning at 10:00 AM with a hike up The Knob. The day will include lunch, a special worship service, and an opportunity to visit various sites with campfires. All official ceremonial events will happen outside. Individuals and small groups will be able to visit inside certain buildings. All participants must wear a mask to the event and maintain social distancing practices. [The rain date is Saturday September 19th. The decision about a rain delay will be made by noon on Friday September 11th and will be shared via social media and email.]
Keep an eye out for announcements from your churches and the Hartman Center Facebook page for other events including a one-day Women’s retreat in November and bonfire gatherings for youth in the fall.
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Scheduling Notes:
After Labor Day your PCC staff will be working in the office various days each week. The rest of the time we will continue to work remotely. The office will remain closed to walk-in visitors. You may come to the office by appointment and will be required to wear a mask and maintain social distancing. The United Church Center building is technically open. If you are part of a PCC group that wishes to hold a meeting at the Center, you may set it up through Paul. However, you must agree to abide by the Church Center’s protocols (use of hand sanitizer upon entry, wearing masks in all public areas, social distancing, and wiping down all services when meeting is complete).
August 23: Emmanuel UCC, Hanover at 10:30AM - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola Preaching
August 30: Heidelberg UCC, York at 10:00AM - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola Preaching
September 13: St. John's Blymire UCC, Dallastown at 8:45 AM - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call Preaching
September 13: Mt. Zion UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola in attendance
September 16 (Wednesday): Lancaster Theological Seminary chapel at 11:00 AM (via Zoom) - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call Preaching
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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.
4. The Congregational Empowerment Team is ready to assist churches and congregations in the complicated decisions facing them in this season. Read more about the CET here.
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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...
Himmels UCC, Rebuck
Emmanuel (Freysville) UCC, Red Lion
Saint John's UCC, Red Lion
Richfield UCC, Richfield
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From Pennsylvania Council of Churches:
It appears that a large number of Pennsylvanians who are eligible for the $1,200 COVID-19 stimulus payment have not received it. I thought that you might like to share this flyer with your congregations, as I would imagine that there are still many eligible people who could be reached this way.
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Servant Keeper Discount!
Servant Keeper is offering Penn Central Conference's churches a 25% discount. Use this special link to reach out to Jon Haley, Director of Denominational Partnerships, today to get started with this special discount of 25% off an initial site license of Servant Keeper. |
Insurance Board: Tell Us How Your Ministry Is An Everyday Superhero!
Entries Due By: September 15th
denominations! The first 35 entries win a $35 gift card for their organization, and a
chance for your story to be featured in our fall/winter issue of The Steward.
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COVID-19 Resources
Penn Central Conference has added a special section on our website for COVID-19 resources, including the times and links for Zoom meetings. Keep checking https://pccucc.org/covid-19-resources/ regularly for updates.
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PCC Survey
As churches have been weighing the options around returning to in-person worship, some have reached out to see what others are doing. To get an accurate picture, we are asking pastors or lay leaders to fill out this survey here.
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We will have a reopening zoom call for any interested clergy or lay leaders on Tuesday August 25 at 6:30 PM. You can register here. We will discuss current guidelines and what we have learned from the survey thus far about PCC practices
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Resources to consider before reopening:
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From our friends at Mission Central |
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Thank you for your support in making Mission Central Care Kits and for setting a goal of 500 (almost 3 per church!) We are grateful for the support of the Penn Central Conference.
In 2019, these Care Kits were distributed throughout Pennsylvania and West Virginia as well as internationally to the Philippines, Belize, Niger, Cuba, Ghana, Dominica and Sierra Leone.
As needs have increased, we expect these to immediately go out within our communities in Pennsylvania.
We are grateful for your support!
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Boundary Training & Ministerial Excellence Forums
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PCC Clergy Book Study: How To Be An Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
Completion of all four components will earn 4 hours of Antiracism Training and
2 hours of Boundary Training. You will have July and August to read the book and respond in writing to reflection questions. Discussion groups via Zoom will follow in September. Register now, space is limited. Registration links and more information here.
Upcoming Boundary Training Online
Politics and the Pulpit in an Election Year (2 hours)
Join with your colleagues on Wednesday, September 16th at 1pm or 6pm for a discussion on the church and politics. This was a popular boundary training discussion in February and Rev. Carrie Call will be offering it again. We will gather on zoom for a timely discussion on this critical issue in the church. In the two hour session, we will cover several areas: first, a review of legal issues around political speech in the church; second, how to mitigate political divisions within congregations; and finally, we will examine case studies involving preaching and politics. Your personal experiences and reflections will be welcome in the discussions. Please come and add your voice to what is sure to be a rich conversation!
Register for the 1pm-3pm Zoom session here
Register for the 6pm-8pm Zoom session here
For Retired and Supply Pastors (2 hours)
Join with your colleagues on Tuesday, October 20th at 10am or 6pm for a discussion on supply and retired clergy boundaries. Rev. Sally Dries will join Rev. Nora Foust for leadership of this session.
Register for the 10am-12pm Zoom session here
Register for the 6pm-8pm Zoom session here
Boundaries in Seasons of Crisis (2 hours)
Join with your colleagues on Tuesday, November 17th at 10am or 6pm for discussion of a variety of topics including: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Self-Care and Allyship in an Activist Age. Rev. Nora Foust will lead this discussion.
Register for the 10am-12pm Zoom session here
Register for the 6pm-9pm Zoom session here
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Council of Conference Ministers Webinars
Whether they are responding to COVID-19 or taking action against racism, this is a year of innovation for people across the United Church of Christ. Now the leaders of the UCC’s 36 Conferences are piloting a series of webinars to share what congregations are learning in this time of change. Learn more here...
Recording of first webinar can be found here.
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Penn Central Conference, Penn Southeast Conference and Penn Northeast Conference invite you to a series of webinars with Andrew Werner. The first event is Annual Campaigns 101 on August 22 at 10:00AM
Annual Campaigns 101 - Designed for pastors and lay leaders planning an annual pledge campaign, we will explore ways to create an effective campaign. We will reflect on core purpose of a campaign, discuss practical steps leaders can take, and explore creative ideas to design a campaign uniquely suited to your congregation. Join this webinar to develop and strengthen plans for a successful fall campaign.
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Gestalt Pastoral Care Online Workshop
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Kairos Spiritual Direction Training Program Enrolling Now
The Parish Resource Center is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for a new cohort of the Kairos Spiritual Direction Training program. The next cohort for this two-year certificate program begins in January. This cohort will have a new emphasis on practicing spiritual kinship with those on the margins who have not had the opportunity or means to participate in spiritual direction. This focus grew out of PRC’s work in food insecurity, immigration, and restorative practices.
The training is designed not only for spiritual directors, but for all those who offer spiritual care and companionship. Through this course, students will learn and develop skills in deep listening and noticing the presence of God as they practice spiritual companionship.
The program is based on the Ignatian tradition and emphasizes in-person instruction and training nine weekends a year. PRC will continue to reassess as the situation changes and has the ability to move the program online on an as-needed basis.
There is an early bird discount of $500 if you register before November 1, 2020. You can find more information and apply online at parishresourcecenter.org/kairos.
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Looking Ahead:
General Synod
The General Synod Program and Planning Committee met recently to discuss General Synod. We had a very energizing conversation and made a few decisions that we want to communicate.
DATES
General Synod 33 will take place Sunday July 11, 2021 – Sunday July 18, 2021. Pre-Synod events will occur on July 7-10, 2021.
THEME
Rooted in Love continues to be the theme. We will be adding SPECIAL EDITION to the theme.
We are hoping for a “leaner” General Synod in this virtual environment. We will worship, conduct business, provide educational opportunities and make space for experiencing the church gathered.
Additional information will be coming shortly. Please let me know if there are any questions or concerns.
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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 September 25, 2020
Instructor: The Rev. Holly MillerShank
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Mercersburg, York and Gettysburg Association Churches
Rev. Richard Gordon
717-940-8345
Northern and Central Association Churches
Carolyn Herman
H: 570-538-9704
C: 570-220-8589
Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lebanon Association Churches
Rev. Richard Luciotti
717-679-0001
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Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
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, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 15
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
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