Message to the Conference | |
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Greetings friends and members of Penn Central,
If you are like me and skip to the end of whatever you are reading, you may be wondering: "who is Carolyn Herman and how did she get to the position of Board Moderator?"
In short, I am a life member of Paradise United Church of Christ, Milton, Pa. in Central Association where I sit in a pew or the choir box like so many of you. Several years ago, I made the decision to become involved in the wider church. I was hooked after attending my first General Synod in Baltimore. Now, I humbly serve the Penn Central Conference as moderator and am privileged to work with an awesome Conference staff and a group of dedicated and passionate board members representing all 8 associations.
Our last meeting was held on April 27th. Rev. Mike Price, treasurer, reported our conference is fiscally sound, but concerns loom as contributions from our churches to Our Churches Wider Mission (OCWM) continue to drop. Our staff shared both written and verbal reports concerning their extensive work with our ministers, our churches and their involvement with the wider church. Carrie shared her work with our conference’s Strategic Plan and the progress that has been made.
The Keystone project plays a major role in this plan as the timeline marches on with it. The board voted in support of continuing the exploration of this project. Our annual meeting being held at the Penn Stater, June 7-9, will give everyone in attendance the opportunity to attend plenaries regarding the Keystone project and ask questions to their heart’s desire. There is still time to register! The vote for or against the Keystone Project will take place Nov. 9th with all conferences voting at the same time.
We heard from our newly appointed Nominations Commission chair, Jessy Defenderfer, that volunteers are needed to fill open positions on the Board of Directors and to attend synod in 2025. Believe me when I say, that to say YES to either or both opportunities will be life changing!
Though our agenda covered much, I would be remiss if I did not extend a huge thank you to Rev. Dwight Hein for his service as moderator of the Board. As of today, Dwight is serving our conference as the part-time Facilitator for Clergy Care and Care to Clergy Families (note, we are the only conference to have such a position). I would also like to thank Rev. Dave Downer and Phil Landers who will soon finish 6 years of serving the board in various capacities.
This report is a brief summary of the work of your board. Think about joining and sharing your God given talents! You will not be sorry you said YES!
Carolyn
Carolyn Herman
Moderator of the Board of Directors
Penn Central Conference
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National Day of Prayer
Siblings, let us join our hearts and zooms at noon on May 2nd. For this National Day of Prayer, let us pause in the unison voice of prayer as we go to the only source great enough to give us strength for journey. Register here.
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May is Military Appreciation Month
In 2006, the First Congregational Church in Wallingford, Connecticut, received word that there was a need for coffee at the Sather Air Force Base in Iraq where one of their church members was deployed. At the time, Air Force Chaplain Timothy Sturgill was paying out of his own pocket to provide coffee 24/7 to all military personnel on the base, plus all the service members arriving into Iraq. Once word of Chaplain Sturgill’s efforts reached Wallingford, they jumped into action – creating the foundation for Holy Joe’s Café.
Chaplain (Ret) Andrew Sholtes says “Holy Joe’s Cafe is a place where chaplains in the Small Forward Operating Bases, hangar bays, hospitals, aid stations and their makeshift chapels are able to bring a taste of home to the tired, the anxious, the angry, the lonely and the wounded. They can all get gourmet coffee, a reminder that the world they willingly left behind still cares.”
Holy Joe’s Café has grown immensely, shipping coffee and supplies to hundreds of military locations including small Forward Operating Bases, hangar bays, hospitals, aid stations and any other setting where we’re needed. Today, thousands of free cups of coffee are served to our troops in 70 countries throughout the world.
If you would like to support this ministry, learn more and donate here.
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May is Asian, Pacific Islander & Desi American Heritage Month | In celebration, Penn Central is highlighting some historical figures in UCC History. | |
It was Palm Sunday, the Sunday school students processed down the long aisle of the church carrying canned goods to be placed in coconut woven baskets around the altar. The organ played “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna.” As the children neared the altar, a five-year old boy saw a large figure in a white robe and black stole. Fear and trembling overtook him, and suddenly he shouted out, “He Akua!” “It is God!”
Actually, it was Abraham Akaka, minister of Kawaiaha’o Church in Honolulu established by missionaries to Hawaii in 1820, and I was that five-year old, awed by this much loved Hawaiian pastor.
Abraham Kahikina Akaka, born in 1917 in Honolulu, was one of seven children in a family that placed God at the center of their lives, beginning each morning with ‘ohana (family) devotions. In 1939 Akaka attended the World Conference of Christian Youth in Amsterdam, Holland at the height of Hitler’s power. It was a turning point in his life, calling him to ministry.
After completing his studies at Chicago Theological Seminary Akaka returned to serve churches in Hawaii—and eventually was pastor for 28 years at the famous Kawaiaha’o Church. Kahu Akaka, as he was called, composed poetry and music, and led protests for civil rights and peace. He was revered as the spiritual leader of Hawaii, insisting that the Aloha State had moral and spiritual contributions to make to the nation and the world.
‘God is Aloha.’ Aloha is the power of God seeking to unite what is separated in the world – the power that unites heart with heart, soul with soul, life with life, culture with culture, race with race, nation with nation.
People asked Akaka to run for political office. He refused, insisting that he was in the same political party as God, “a bridge between the Republicans and Democrats.”
This artical originally appeared in UCC Roots, February 2017
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62nd Annual Meeting of the Penn Central Conference
Registration deadline extended!
Room registration: May 6th | Attendance registration: May 31st
For the first time, all four Pennsylvania conferences of the UCC will be gathering for a shared Annual Meeting on June 7-9, 2024 at The Penn Stater in State College, PA. We will have shared worship, workshops, meals and meetings as well as each conference's separate business meeting.
We will be joined by General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, who will be preaching during closing worship on Sunday. All four conferences will be hosting a reception with her on Saturday evening as well.
All Authorized Ministers in good standing are voting members of Penn Central Conference. Each church shall be entitled to be represented by two (2) lay delegates with voting privileges.
Registration is now open - register here.
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We recognize that the prices involved are higher than what our churches and clergy have spent in the past for Annual Meeting. We do not want budget concerns to prevent your attendance at this important meeting - scholarships are available!
Please fill out this form and email it to Paul Keller to apply for financial assistance.
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Worship for Churches to use on June 9:
The Conference Ministers of the four Pennsylvania Conferences have prepared a worship liturgy and sermon for use in churches on Sunday, June 9. This will allow clergy and church delegates to remain for the entire Annual Meeting. The materials align with Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson's theme for the Sunday worship at Annual Meeting. The worship at Annual Meeting will be recorded, but not livestreamed. Churches' lay leaders can use the following liturgy and sermon manuscript that morning.
Liturgy for Sunday worship .docx
Liturgy for Sunday worship PDF
Sermon for Sunday worship .docx
Sermon for Sunday worship PDF
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2024 Annual Meeting Mission Project
Our mission project this year is to make and distribute Period Packs. Period poverty is limited or inadequate access to menstrual products because of financial constraints or negative stigmas. Students, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities are at a higher risk of period poverty. Nearly two-thirds of women in the U.S. with a low income could not afford period products in the last year, and nearly half of all women in the U.S. with a low income had to choose between buying food or period products. We are asking annual meeting participants to donate supplies and to help us make Period Packs during our annual meeting. The supplies needed are:
· Boxes of pads (regular and extra-absorbent)
· Boxes of tampons (regular and extra-absorbent)
· Travel packs of personal wipes
· 2-fl. oz. bottles of hand sanitizer
· 1-gallon-size zip-lock bags
We will use these donated supplies to make Period Packs. Some of the packs will be donated to Centre Safe, an organization in State College with the mission of empowering survivors of sexual or domestic violence, and working toward the elimination of such violence. In addition to Period Packs, a portion of our Sunday offering will go to Centre Safe as well. The remaining Period Packs will be divided between the four Pennsylvania UCC conferences to be distributed to local food banks, women’s shelters, and other organizations who can dispense them to those in need. Please sign up to donate supplies, this will help prevent us from having too much of one item and not enough of another. Thank you.
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Scheduling notes:
May 5 - Nittany Valley Charge - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
May 5 - First UCC, Middleburg - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
May 12 - Apostles UCC, Waynesboro - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
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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...
Trinity UCC, York
Zion UCC, York
St. Jacob's UCC, York New Salem
St. Peter's UCC, Aaronsburg
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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. | |
Keystone Project Town Halls
Please join us to learn more, ask questions and give feedback about the Keystone Project on one of these three Zoom calls before our larger conversations at Annual Meeting. Click on the date to register.
May 14 - 3:00PM
May 15 - 7:00PM
May 30 - 7:00PM
| Church Futures Commission | |
Discover What Coaching Could Do For You: Free Initial Coaching Session for all Penn Central Clergy & Consistory/Council Presidents
The Penn Central Church Futures Commission invites you to experience the clarifying, empowering, and strategic benefits of coaching. Unlike a mentor or a consultant, coaches aren’t there to tell you what to think, feel, believe, or do. Coaches’ deep listening and intuitive questions support clients in their identified growth, problem solving, and strategy implementation, while evoking new awareness. One of the greatest benefits of coaching is that it provides an intentional partner who is there to confidentially support, encourage, and strengthen you in your ministry. The best way to understand what coaching is, is to experience it yourself. Therefore, the Church Futures Commission is providing free initial coaching sessions for all Penn Central clergy and Consistory/Council Presidents. For those wanting to pursue additional coaching, the next three sessions, scheduled over a four-month period, will be available at a 50% discount. Click here to access the Church Futures webpage, where you can learn about our two professionally trained coaches and to schedule your initial session with one of them.
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“The Mystical Presence and Sacred Meals”
The 2024 Mercersburg Society Convocation
Lancaster Theological Seminary, May 20-21, 2024
The Mercersburg heritage has encouraged a profound and heart-felt sense of the mystical presence of Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist. This Mercersburg Society Convocation will explore the experiential dimensions of this Eucharistic spirituality, focusing on the emotions and dispositions that it has sought to nurture. We will compare this rich form of piety to the unique Eucharistic spiritualities of other Christian traditions and also to the spirituality implicit in secular corporate meals. This investigation will promote a deeper appreciation of the resonances with the Mercersburg heritage that other traditions may harbor. These other expressions of meal-focused sacred experience could be illumined by our Mercersburg legacy and the conversation could be mutually enriching for all.
Information about registration, rooms, and meals can be found here.
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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.
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Association Events
May 5, 3:00PM - Mercersburg Association Spring Meeting
May 18, 9:00AM - Harrisburg Association Spring Meeting, St. Matthew's (Coleman's) UCC, Spring Glen
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United in Song - Central Association
Our May 5th United in Song event is coming together and we at First Reformed in Sunbury are getting excited to meet all of you and make music together.
Music Information:
Verlaine Shaw has chosen a wonderful classic by Natalie Sleeth as a combined choir presentation. You may find that her ‘Canon of Praise’ is already in your church choral library. If not, it is available from JWPepper as an e-print for 2.25 per copy with a minimum of five copies required. Verlaine notes: My handbell choir will accompany this along with organ. Verlaine is looking for an organist to accompany the mass choir so she is free to conduct - so feel free to volunteer yourself or someone you know for that job. 'Canon of Praise' is listed as SSA but is easily performed SAB instead, and that is what we will do. Rehearsal for this combined anthem begins at 2:15 on the day of the event. You are welcome to join us even if your church does not have a choir performing. There will be a few extra copies available. If buying music is not in your budget, just send an email to Verlaine letting her know how many copies you need. If you wish to buy music, Central Association can provide funds. Please reach out to Treasurer Amelia Price at this email address.
Note to participating choir directors: we are opening up slots for each of you. You may fill that with a small group, soloist, a second choir anthem, or bells, or you can pass. Please let Verlaine know specifics about music selections (title, composer) by April 26th so we can get programs made.
General Information:
There will be congregational hymns for those who prefer not to be up front performing but love to sing.
Following the service our host church, First Reformed, will host a cookie reception in the Fellowship Hall. The church is fully handicapped accessible with an elevator located in the lobby. A large parking lot is located off the Courthouse Alley, behind the church between Market Street and Chestnut Street.
We will be introducing our new Central Association Mission Project
Free will offering will be used in support of Haven Ministries, Sunbury
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UCC Now Hiring Summer Interns for Vote for Climate Hope Campaign
The National Setting of the UCC is seeking to hire eight summer interns devoted to the success of a UCC campaign called Vote for Climate Hope. The principal task of interns will be to collect voter pledge cards that prioritize a commitment to a more just and equitable world for present and future generations. Interns will be trained and coached on engaging the public for the advancement of climate justice. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/ClimateHopeSummer2024
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EcoPreacher Cohort
New Cohort begins in September 2024
Once monthly meetings online via Zoom
As our climate-changed and changing world continues to demand courage, imagination, and resourcefulness, congregations and their leaders have a unique opportunity to offer prophetic voices of possibility. With their skills and community connections, preachers are in a special position to offer spiritual guidance in the quest for understanding, connection, and resilience in a world in need of environmental healing and wholeness.
Following on from a successful EcoPreacher Cohort in 2022-2023, and with the desire to support, educate, and engage preachers in the integration of climate consciousness into their preaching, The BTS Center has partnered with Creation Justice Ministries and Lexington Theological Seminary to offer this year-long cohort of learning, companionship, and exploration that will begin in September 2024.
This cohort will offer monthly sessions to help preachers understand climate change and other environmental justice issues more deeply as spiritual crises that require creative, faith-rooted action. Our intentions for this cohort are:
- To create a covenanted space for preachers to learn, reflect together, and offer support to one another as they regularly preach in a climate-changed world
- To create a diverse, respectful, identity-forming ecumenical group that welcomes preachers from lectionary-grounded, non-lectionary-focused, and identity-based communities
- To offer opportunities for participants to take risks in exploring ecological and eco-justice themes in their preaching, in a safe, mutually-supportive, non-judgmental space
- To increase engagement with eco-preaching resources, including the EcoPreacher 1-2-3 resources being offered through the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development
Facilitated by Rev. Nicole Diroff of The BTS Center and Derrick Weston of Creation Justice Ministries, with collaborators Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, this cohort will offer an expansive opportunity for connection, creativity, and grounded responses to climate change through the art of preaching.
Learn more here.
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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
6 night camps - Sunday, 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.
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Upcoming events with our partners at Lutheran Camping Corporation's Kirchenwald and Nawakwa
Click here to register for these and other events
Earth Day Celebration
April 21 at Kirchenwald
Work Day
April 27 at Nawakwa
May 4 at Kirchenwald
Check out the summer camp options here
Use coupon code PENNCENTRAL2024 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
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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. | |
Boundary Training in 2024
All dates are 10am and 6pm for 2-hour zooms.
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. (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.)
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Healing Together: Healing Me, Healing Us
May 7 - 9, 2024
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.
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Book Discussion
Are you wondering what is next for the church? Are you tired of hearing words like “revitalization” and “membership growth?” Are you willing to make drastic changes if it means that your children and grandchildren may be interested in participating in a Christian community? In this presentation, author, pastor, and professor, Laurene Bowers walks us through the process of letting go of everything “church.” She will lead a discussion about how to envision and create a new community, based on her most recent book, The Future of American Christianity. She will also take questions from those who have read the book. This discussion will take place on Wednesday, May 29, at 6:30 PM, via Zoom. If you’d like to receive Zoom information for the discussion, please email Andrea Kopcak at andrea@pennwest.org by Wednesday, May 22, and let her know that you would like her to send you the Zoom link for the discussion. We will plan to send out the Zoom link for the event on Friday, May 24.
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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.
Nurture the Soul: Building Up a New World with Fellows from Across 5 Conferences
MAY 2, 2024 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM
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Strengthen The Church offering is May 19, 2024
God calls us into community. God desires for us a big, inclusive, expansive, welcoming community. One where "no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome." Our General Minister & President Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson calls this a “big tent” community. God wants our congregations and our whole Christian movement to be a "big tent" where all can be genuinely welcomed.
The Strengthen the Church Offering supports congregations and initiatives that help us live into the United Church of Christ's "big tent" vision. Funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and renewal initiatives in existing congregations. Your conference and the national ministries work together to use these funds for projects that matter now and for the future of our movement.
Order envelopes and other resources here.
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UCCMA National Conference 2024
Conference 2024, the national biennial gathering of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association (UCCMA), will take place July 10-13, 2024 at the First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Connecticut. Designed for church musicians, choral and handbell choir members and worship leaders, the three-day event includes workshops, plenary sessions, worship services, evening entertainment and networking opportunities. The stellar roster of presenters includes:
- · Tom Shelton, associate professor in choral activities at Westminster Choir College
- · Nathanial Gumbs, concert organist and director of chapel music at Yale
- · Ellen Dickinson, director of bell programs at Yale
- · Braxton Shelley, associate professor of music, sacred music and divinity at Yale
- · Janet Yieh, concert organist and specialist in women composers
The conference’s theme, “A place at the table,” inspired the planning for the entire conference experience. Our goal is to send participants home reenergized with lots of new resources and ideas to use in their local congregations.
This conference is open to all. Scholarship help is available for first-time UCCMA conference attendees who wouldn’t be able to attend without some financial assistance.
Complete information is available at https://uccma.wildapricot.org/conference-2024.
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2024 Financial Ministries Webinars
4th Wednesdays of the Month – 7:30pm Eastern (6:30 Central)
May 22 – Together for Tomorrow: Planned Giving in the Local Congregation
https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZckdu-sqTwqG9M0viVLUPFro21LUFmy6_ea
While a significant wealth transfer occurs as each generation passes, many congregations and ministries remain unprepared to promote planned giving options. Only 5% of people leave a charitable bequest even though nearly a third of people would if asked or invited to consider one. This workshop will share key concepts and help you create an action plan for your congregation or ministry to promote planned giving.
See full 2024 list here.
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From our friends and partners | |
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UCC Homes in Mission -- 28th Helping Hands Auction
Do you love bidding on awesome auction items? Bid for a wonderful cause and support our mission by attending our 28th Helping Hands Event on May 4, 2024 at the Hershey Country Club, beginning at 11:30am. Not able to attend? You can still support our mission by participating in our online auction and bidding on a wide variety of amazing items! Proceeds from the auction help underwrite residents who are no longer able to pay for the cost of their care and who are not deemed eligible for government assistance programs.
We suggest that you please create your bidding account now so when the online auction goes live on April 22nd, you're all set to start bidding! We are using ReadySetAuction secure software to conduct all bidding on auction items for the online option. Please note that your ReadySetAuction account will be your gateway to placing bids on the auction items that will be showcased on our special Helping Hands website https://events.readysetauction.com/unitedchurchchristhomes/helpinghands24
You can check out the online catalog of auction items beginning on April 15, 2024 and items will open for bidding on April 22nd and close at 6pm on May 4th. I have attached instructions for creating an account and helpful tips for e-bidding for your convenience.
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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.
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Thornwald Home and Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home, continuing care retirement communities of United Church of Christ Homes, are seeking a compassionate and resident focused team member for the position of Chaplain.
This full-time position (working 75 hours in a two-week period and splitting time between Thornwald Home and Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home) provides spiritual support and comfort for the residents of the communities, in coordination with each resident’s home congregation and in accordance with United Church of Christ Homes standards. Responsibilities include planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing programs that meet the individualized spiritual needs of residents; coordinating and conducting regularly scheduled spiritual services for residents; and maintaining a visitation program for all residents. Learn more here.
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United Church of Christ of Hummelstown Office Administrator
Provide direct clerical and administrative support to the Pastor and the church,
act as point of contact for church publications, building use and data
management. See the full job description here.
TO APPLY: Send cover letter and resume, including at least 3 references that can speak to your employment history to search@hummelstownucc.org
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Title: Director of Go Tell It In the Mountains Initiative
Supervisor: Bishop of the Allegheny Synod
Job Context Information: Go Tell It In the Mountains is a grant funded between three
ELCA Synods: Allegheny, Upper Susquehanna and Northwest Pennsylvania. The Director will be supervised by the Bishop of the Allegheny Synod. Resident of one of the three sponsoring Synods or a willingness to relocate preferred. Position begins May 1, 2024.
Job Purpose: The grant proposal seeks to expand the role of preaching to encompass
education and outreach using modern communication tools to prepare worshipers for
Sunday’s message, engage listeners beyond Sunday morning, and empower all to serve.
This vision is to be accomplished through three goals: train compelling preachers to use
new media to share the gospel, recruit and train aspiring individuals to be preachers, and
oversee the process of creating and distributing compelling preaching content centralized
to a website and marketed through social media so everyday Christians can integrate their faith into their attitudes, actions and ministries in daily life. The Director will work with the Steering Committee to initiate, oversee, edit and accomplish the goals, objectives,
strategies, and indicators laid out in the grant application. Visit
https://www.alleghenysynod.org/general-4 to view the complete proposal.
Learn more here.
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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
Rev. Dwight Hein
Facilitator for Clergy Care
email: dhein@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
email: pkeller@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-652-1560
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