Greetings, everyone, from your PCC Board of Directors,

Our Board met solely in-person at Colonial Park UCC on Saturday, October 29, 2022. The following are the highlights of that meeting:

Agenda, Meeting Minutes of Aug 31 2022 special meeting, and the Treasurer’s Report were all approved by common consent. Mike Price, our new PCC treasurer, continues to grow in his understanding of the intricacies of our financial systems. We appreciate his hard work in this time of transition.

Staff Reports were shared by Carrie Call, Nora Foust, Rick Luciotti, and Paul Keller. All continue to work extra on covering important tasks related to Search & Call after the departure of Rev. Laviola. We truly appreciated Nora returning four weeks early from her sabbatical to help with these important tasks.  We will make sure she gets to take that time owed to her in 2023. As part of Paul’s report, a discussion was held regarding the continued decline of the number of churches with the PCC who report their statistics to the UCC. We brainstormed ways to encourage and support churches in that reporting in 2023.

Under Committee Reports, action was brought forth from the Finance Committee to make our new treasurer, Mike Price, an authorized signatory on our United Church Funds investment accounts. The motion brought by the committee was approved unanimously. This committee also reported that the application process for Innovation Grants and the new St. John’s Lebanon Fund have been revised and finalized. Publicity on such applications with be forthcoming.

Old Business included reports from the Outdoor Ministry Commission which continues to work hard on creating its application/grant process for Outdoor Ministries within local PCC churches. The Commission is also working on the 2023 Hartman Center Spirit Week planned for August 2023 at the now privately owned Hartman Campground and Retreat Center. A newly formed team has begun working on the 2023 PCC Annual Meeting. This will be the return to an in-person meeting and will be held Friday – Saturday, June 9-10, at the Double Tree Resort in Willow Creek, PA. Many more details will be forthcoming on this in early 2023.

Under New Business, Carrie and Mike Gibbs, guest presenter, shared their work on the creation of a Church Futures Commission. This group would continue the work of the Church Empowerment Team, creating a permanent commission accountable to the Board for its important work on church renewal, revitalization, or planning and guiding a church through the completion of its ministry.  This topic will be discussed further at the January meeting. A final piece of work was a discussion regarding the Mercersburg Society taking on the status of a Ministry Team with the PCC. Having been born with the PCC’s geographical bounds and closely linked to many of our congregation’s ministries, this was a logical step to help this society continue its ministry. Its finances will eventually come under a separate line item in the PCC financial reporting, and they will retain full control of their funds. This proposal was presented with full knowledge and support of the Society.

The Board will meet next on Zoom on Saturday, January 21, 2023 from 9 – 11 a.m.

Thank you for reading and if you have any questions about this summary or related activities feel free to contact me or another member of the Board.

In Peace,

Rev. Dwight C. Hein, Moderator

PCC Board of Directors

Dear PCC members,

Every month we will provide you with an update regarding the Keystone Project in which the four Pennsylvania Conferences are working toward resource and ministry sharing. Each Conference has an initial team who will work with the Conference Ministers to explore possibilities, challenges, and opportunities. In time (2023) there will be further conversations and focus groups across the conferences, so you will have an opportunity to be part of this process. Our first large group meeting was Friday November 14 in Harrisburg. The group did community building, learned of some of the statistical results of the early 2022 clergy survey, formed a group covenant, and designed expectations and possible next steps. The next meeting is Friday, November 11th. The PCC members of the groups are Rev. Dwight Hein (Board Chair), Ms. Carolyn Herman (Board Vice-chair), Mike Gibbs (former Chair of Strategic Planning), Rev. DiAnn Baxley (Chair of Personnel), and Rev. Sterling Fritz (Finance committee members of Board) plus staff members Carrie Call and Nora Foust. Any questions regarding the project can be sent directly to Carrie.

Penn Central Conference Virtual Choir has a new video on the PCC YouTube channel. They perform Scott Soper's "Who will Stand Up."  It is inspired by Jazz and Gospel music. It is a lively call to social justice, and reminds us much work remains to be done in the reign of God.  It works well in Lent, and also during an election season, as we are currently in, but is appropriate any time the theme of the day tends toward justice issues.

Scheduling notes:

November 6 - St. Peter's (Lischey's) UCC, Spring Grove - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

November 13 - St. John's UCC, Shamokin, Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching

November 13 - Grace UCC, Spring Mills - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

November 20 - Trinity UCC, East Petersburg - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

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.

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. John's UCC, Fredericksburg

St. Paul's (Hamlin) UCC, Fredericksburg

Trinity UCC, Gettysburg

New Hope (Fissel's) UCC, Glen Rock

Local Church

Available Free, May Be Picked Up At Trinity UCC, 2340 State St., East Petersburg, PA:

32 Used Blue Children and Youth Choir Robes, some white yokes to go with them and assorted metal crosses

34 Used Cranberry Adult Choir Robes plus one with a broken zipper, some Cranberry and White Stoles (stoles mostly badly stained)

Trinity UCC

2340 State St.

East Petersburg, PA 17520

Contact Michael or Dina Slechta

[email protected]

November 6 - Mercersburg Association Fall Zoom Meeting - 3:00PM

November 6 - Installation Service of Rev. Ruthann Seibert - Grace UCC, Lebanon - 10:15AM

November 13 - Installation Service of Rev. Dr. Tom Blair - St. John's UCC, Boalsburg - 3:00PM

November 27 - Ordination Service for Allyssa Boyer - St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg - 3:00PM

December 4 - Ecclesiastical Council for Julia Brown - 3:00PM

Outdoor Ministries

WOMEN'S CRAFT RETREAT at Nawakwa

November 11-13

Projects are provided AND you may bring your own to work on! Meals, lodging, and most supplies provided. Please register by November 1. Registration Fee: $160 (Arrive a day early for an additional $35, meals not included)

More Information - https://www.lutherancamping.org/event/womens-craft-retreat-2022/

ADVENT DAY APART at The Wittel Farm

December 3

We don’t like to wait for anything, and especially Christmas. With all its secular attraction, this holiday is often a focus on over-indulgence, and too often neglected is the best gift of all… one worth our waiting. You are invited to The Wittel Farm for a day apart from the busyness of life for prayer and contemplation as we journey toward the celebration of Christmas. $15 registration includes lunch.

More Information - https://www.lutherancamping.org/event/advent-day-apart-2022/

Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom)

November 15 - "Just War, Just Peace - A 21st Century Discussion" with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PN Zoom only - register here

January 17 - "Grief and Loss" with Rev. Dr. Joel Hummel

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom Only - register here

Boundary Training

November 9 - "The Ministerial Code: A Way of Being" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom - register here

UCC National Setting

UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

Spirituality and Pop Culture

NOV 3, 2022 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

United Church of Christ Ambassador Training with Blessed Tomorrow

NOV 5, 2022 | 11:00AM - 3:00PM

White Christian Nationalism and the Midterm Elections

NOV 6, 2022 | 7:00PM - 9:00PM

Centering Africa at COP27

NOV 9, 2022 | 1:00PM - 2:00PM

Writing as a Spiritual Practice

NOV 10, 2022 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

Becoming a Creation Justice Church

NOV 17, 2022 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

The UCC "Climate Hope Cards" art contest is still open through November 29th! Eight PCC churches have already participated but there is still time for your congregation to join in. Learn more about the program here.

"Making All Things New"

General Synod 2023

"Making All Things New” will be the theme of the 34th biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ, scheduled for June 30–July 4, 2023, in Indianapolis.

Delegates and visitors will meet June 30 through July 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.

For the full press release, click here.

Abuse Prevention Considerations: Keeping Your Ministry Safe

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 @ 2pm EST

Featuring: Christy Schiller – Vice President of Account Services, Praesidium.

Failure to discover a sex offender can affect those in your care, your reputation, financial stability, and trust within the community. Join us on November 30th at 2 p.m. EST to learn about targeted solutions that will strengthen your ministry’s abuse prevention efforts. Register here

Volunteers Needed to Help Working Families with Tax Preparation

Volunteers are needed to offer free tax preparation to help working families receive the federal and state tax credits they are eligible for.

The service is offered through the Money in Your Pocket (MIYP) program, a community partnership led by United Way of the Capital Region that is committed to the economic stability of local families. Since the program began, more than 65,600 federal returns have been filed bringing more than $71 million back into the community. An additional $9.85 million has been saved in tax preparation fees.

No previous experience is required and training is provided. Volunteers are also needed to serve as greeters (no tax preparing required for this position). Scheduling is flexible with daytime, evening and Saturday opportunities available at sites throughout Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties.

For those interested in learning more, several informational sessions will be held throughout the Capital Region during October and November. For more information, contact Heidi Neuhaus at 717.724.4055 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Beginning January 2023:

Jews and the American Civil Rights Movement, January 11–February 15, 2023. Wednesdays, 7–8:30pm via Zoom. Instructor, Rabbi Jack Paskoff. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.

Church History To the Reformation, Jan 10–Feb 14, 2023. Weeknights via Zoom. Instructor, the Rev. Matt Deal. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.

Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/ 

Eden Seminary Events

Beyond Don’t Sleep with the Sheep: Boundary Training for Clergy

Course Description:

As clergy folks or people who want to be, it is essential that we are attentive to the power and positional authority— as well historical impact— our roles have. How we show up in our congregations, our community and our commitments is reflective of our calling. Attend this 5-hour Boundary Training Certificate class to think critically about who you are in the work, and who you want to be. Come prepared to learn about power and oppression, clergy ethics and ministerial boundaries: online, in the public square, and in the congregation. Participants will leave with a personal code of ethics based on ministerial codes.

This event is available for church and community organization leaders. Check with your authorization body to be sure this event meets criteria set by your organization.

NEXT Steps: Re-imagining Your Elderhood

NEXT Steps introduces participants to theological, philosophical, and psychological concepts of vocation and aging. The Spring 2023 semester is set to be a clergy only cohort. It is a gathering for adults contemplating or entering retirement, and for those who are recently retired.

Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, Rev. Steve Lawler, and Jill Schantz would like to invite you to an optional brief orientation to the course and introduction to the instructors on January 10, 2023, at 5:30 CST/6:30 EST. 

Starview United Church of Christ has a Director of Music position open. This position involves 1 Sunday morning worship service, special liturgical services throughout the year, and direction of the church choirs. The estimated time per week is a 6 hours, which naturally, will vary depending on the church season and number of services planned. Compensation is negotiable. Resumes may be emailed to: [email protected] or mailed to 4832 N. Sherman St. Ext., Mount Wolf, PA 17347.

For additional contact information to address specific questions with the Worship Committee Chairperson or the pastor, please call 717-266-4248.

Starview United Church of Christ is located approximately 6 miles off of I-83 at Exit 24 and 6 miles north of the Galleria Mall on Rt. 24 (Mt. Zion Exit off of Rt. 30).

UCC National Positions:

Global Ministries

Area Executive, Southern Asia Office Extended Search: Open Until Filled

OPTIC - Philanthropy

Generosity Officer (Southern Region) Close date: 11/30/22

Generosity Officer (Western Region) Close date: 11/30/22

Generosity Officer (Middle Atlantic) Close date: 11/30/22

Generosity Officer (West Central) Close date: 11/30/22

Hospice & Community Care

Chaplain- Home Hospice/Inpatient Unit

Per Diem (as needed)

Works in collaboration with the Home Hospice team and Palliative Medicine Consultants assessing and addressing spiritual care needs of patients and caregivers. Qualifications include board certification w/APC or NACC (or ability to be certified within 5 years of hire). M.Div. or equivalent from an accredited theological institution. Accredited training and a minimum of 4 units of CPE required. Must be able to complete 6-8 weeks of a FT, day shift orientation. 

www.hospicecommunity.org