Marisa will remain in her position with Penn Central Conference until October 2. Please continue to reach out to her as you normally would and feel free to take a moment to congratulate her as well.

C. Paul Keller

Office Manager

Penn Central Conference

What Happened and Where: Record-breaking floods have devastated communities from central and eastern Missouri to eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. Kentucky has already received a federal disaster declaration; affected persons should register via 800-621-3362 or disasterassistance.gov.

Impact to the UCC: UCC Global H.O.P.E. Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery Lesli Remaly is actively monitoring the flooding response. In Kentucky and West Virginia there was no impact to UCC church structures; however, some congregants have family who were affected. The flash flooding in St. Louis/St. Charles, MO, impacted one church building via flooding and mud in the fellowship hall and a couple of classrooms. A few clergy sustained flood damage to their homes.

UCC in Early Response: Global H.O.P.E. is raising awareness of the needs and offering solidarity grant support. Already, 3 requests have been received through Rev. Greg Denk, Indiana Kentucky Conference Disaster Coordinator (CDC). Rev. Denk is also distributing cleanup buckets in affected communities. CDCs in all three impacted conferences continue to monitor emerging needs and engage in coordination calls through their state Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).

UCC in Long-Term Recovery: Recovery from these severe storms will take years. Community centered and locally led Long-Term Recovery Groups will be formed to assist with emotional and spiritual care needs and coordinate the longer process of repairing and rebuilding homes. Long-term funding will be necessary as the United Church of Christ is a leader in helping communities organize for recovery, repair, and rebuild. Volunteers will also be needed for many years, and churches should consider organizing teams to help, bringing hope and healing to devastated communities.

How to Help: How-you-can-help-Disaster-Survivors-2022

Join the Willing to Respond Network of Churches: Willing to Respond Preparedness Network

Assemble Kits and Clean Up Buckets: CWS Buckets and Kits | Help Communities in Need Around the World (cwskits.org)

Donate Emergency Funds-Designate to Emergency USA: Donate Now - United Church of Christ (ucc.org)

or to mail donations: Donate - United Church of Christ (ucc.org)

Sign up to Volunteer: https://support.ucc.org/volunteer-opportunity-form

Volunteer Opportunities: UCC Ministry Opportunities

News - United Church of Christ (ucc.org),

Disaster Ministries - United Church of Christ (ucc.org)

Facebook One Great Hour of Sharing (UCC)

Twitter @OGHS_at_UCC

For more information, please contact Lesli Remaly ([email protected]), Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery, or your Conference Disaster Coordinator.

Global H.O.P.E. (Humanitarian. Opportunities. Progress. Empowerment.)

July 1 - October 1 - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust on sabbatical

August 4 - 18 - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola on vacation

August 14 - St. Paul's UCC, Sacramento - Rev. Rick Luciotti 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.

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)

A family of 7 arrived on May 24^th at the Harrisburg International Airport where they were met by members of our Welcome Team. It was late at night, and they were tired, and hungry, but once they got to their temporary home, they were met with food from a local restaurant that specializes in food from Guatemala. And they were hungry. There were lots of smiles and a lot of using Google Translate as we said our hellos and provided well wishes, but we could not help but notice that they arrived with little more than their carry-on baggage. Read more here.

What could we use some help on: Ideas for free dental care for the adult women, employers who are hiring non-English speakers, continued donations for bus passes, personal care products such as “period” needs which are not covered by SNAP, help with tutoring (don’t need to know Spanish) and attending FUN events with the family so they learn what life is like in the United States and Central PA.

Questions or ideas: Contact Kathy Williams at [email protected] or Shirley Keith Knox at [email protected].

Rev. Dr. Rich Christensen, author of "Learning to See: Memoir of Southern Africa" shares the highlights of his experiences teaching in the African nation of Botswana. Experience new freedom as he shares how his time in Africa opened his eyes to what is doing in His church despite difficult circumstances. He saw that relationships are what save us, that the salvation of God in Christ is not merely personal and individual, but communal, and that we are thus more dependent upon one another than we realize. Don't miss out, come and join us!

Congregation Granting, Scholarship and Leadership Development on the faith INFO team of Justice and Local Church Ministries has launched their common application for congregational grants for 2022. They are ready to receive applications. The common application allows grantees to apply for four different funding sources offered through Justice and Local Church Ministries: Neighbors in Need, Operational Support, CASA: New and Rebirthing Churches and the Pension Board New Church Start.

 

Below please find a link to the informational video that goes over frequently asked questions and walks through the grant application key aspects. Additionally, you will find the link for the application beneath it. Thank you for your assistance! 

 

Grant Informational Video Link

 

Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg is offering a free 5' x 10' conference table with 10 chairs. Table folds in half for storage or transport. Contact them at 717-545-3782

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!

The “nuts and bolts” of how to be Alive and Thrive as God’s 21^st Century Church!

·      How do we come alive and thrive?

·      How do we change our culture to be forward looking rather than wishing for the past?

·      How do we reach out into our community?

·      How do we welcome new folks to our family of faith?

·      How do we discern if we need to come together with another church: eg share pastors, consolidate buildings?

·      What is workable for our church?

·      How do we plan the next steps for our church?

Have you participated in workshops with Marisa? Come and learn the “how to” steps toward vitality with a coach to guide you.

First time participating in a workshop with Marisa? Come and learn with a coach to guide you.

For Questions and to Register no later than SEPTEMBER 2,

Contact: Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola ([email protected])

Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom) - now with registration links

September 20 - "Contemplatives in Action" with Janeen Adil

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom only - register here

October 18 - "Humility as Spiritual Practice" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom only - register here

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

September 29 - "Bi-Vocational Boundaries and Ethics" with Darryl Stephens

6PM via Zoom - Register here

October - dates and topics to be announced

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

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom - register here

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

Building an Endowment - August 10, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Sharing Leadership in UCC Community - August 11, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Accessible to All Churches and Disabilities Justice - August 18, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Annual Campaigns 101 - August 24, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

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

For the full press release, click here.

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.

Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, Aug 23–Sept 27, Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor Jessica Young Brown. A Ministerial Institute class. An in-depth look at ethics in ministry, including confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care. 2.5 CEUs. $325.

Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.

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

If you've been looking for a UCC History and Polity class to fit around your schedule, you've found it. Class meets Aug. 15 - Oct. 7, 2022. Contact the Eden Admissions Office to register: [email protected], 314-918-2642.

This workshop is designed to improve the knowledge in the business continuity planning areas related to an armed intruder incident. It is intended for professionals from the public and private sectors as well as faith-based organizations responsible for business continuity planning and emergency planning. This workshop is free of charge courtesy of the South Central PA Task Force, Millersville University and grants from US DHS! Seating is limited so register soon.

The purpose of this position is to provide administrative support for the pastor, staff, Council, and committees. This person is appointed and dismissed by CPUCC Council and reports to Senior Pastor. Read full description here.

The communities of United Church of Christ Homes are seeking to fill several positions for Certified Nursing Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Dining Service Assistants. If you or someone you know is looking for a new employment opportunity, please visit the UCC Homes Employment Opportunities page on our website at https://www.ucc-homes.org/employment-opportunities/ for more details. Our communities include The Lebanon Valley Home in Annville, Thornwald Home and Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home in Carlisle, Ephrata Manor in Ephrata and Kindred Place at Annville and Kindred Place at Harrisburg.  

Information Technology Specialist: UCC Homes is seeking an Information Technology Specialist for a full-time position for an experienced individual to install, troubleshoot, and maintain computer software, hardware, and accessories, as well as network hardware and accessories for a multi-site healthcare organization. 

Benefits include: Insurance coverage beginning the first of the month after hire! Employee Health Insurance for $40/month! $20 Doctor Office Visits with Prescription coverage; Free Dental Insurance with no deductible for preventive services! Two Vision Coverage Options to choose from! Free Life Insurance equal to your annual salary! AMAZING company-paid retirement plan! Pet insurance plan available! Other voluntary insurances available! Subject to reasonable accommodations for religious or medical reasons, proof of vaccination against COVID-19 virus is a condition of employment for this position. Please mail or email resume and letter of interest to: United Church of Christ Homes, 30 North 31^st Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011; [email protected].

Director of Nursing: Ephrata Manor is seeking a Director of Nursing. This is an exempt full-time position for a caring individual with exceptional organization, communication, and multi-tasking skills and a focus on quality resident care. The successful candidate will be a PA Licensed RN or BSN (in good standing) with three years of management experience in senior living care. Must have a thorough knowledge of Pennsylvania State and Federal regulations, MDS 3.0, CMI, UMR, QM, Care Planning Process. Excellent wages and benefits including retirement plan. Please mail or fax resume and letter of interest to: Heather Brand, Executive Director, Ephrata Manor, 99 Bethany Road, Ephrata, PA 17522; 717-738-7478 FAX by August 19, 2022. Subject to reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons, proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is a condition of employment for this position.

Social Worker: Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home is seeking a Social Worker for a regular full-time position. Bachelor's Degree in Social Work is required. Excellent wages and benefits including retirement plan. Subject to reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons, proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is a condition of employment for this position.  Interested persons should please mail, e-mail or fax resume and letter of interest to Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home, Attn: Erin Jayman, 1000 West South Street, Carlisle, PA 17013; [email protected]; (717) 245-9733.

Director of Social Services: Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home is seeking a Director of Social Services for a full time-exempt position. Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related human services field and one year in long-term care experience is required. Excellent wages and benefits including retirement plan. Subject to reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons, proof of vaccination against the COVID-19 virus is a condition of employment for this position.  Interested persons should please mail, fax or email resume and letter of interest to Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home, Attn: Erin Jayman, 1000 West South Street, Carlisle, PA 17013; (717) 245-9733 FAX; or to [email protected]. EEOE.

Gender & Sexuality Ministry

Close Date: July 22, 2022

Global Ministries

Close Date: August 19, 2022

CARDD

Close Date: August 29, 2022

Part-time Position Summary: Nurture and develop a caring Christian community where children and youth have a meaningful and fun relationship with other youth and adults; have an opportunity to grow in God’s grace; develop the spiritual and personal resources necessary for life’s journey and develop a loving relationship with God, themselves and others. Learn more here.

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.

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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Penn Central Conference Ministry Opportunities Page

If you have future eNews stories, please send them to C. Paul Keller. 

Contact information: C. Paul Keller | email: [email protected] | phone: 717-652-1560