Message to the Conference |
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Dear Friends and Family of Penn Central Conference:
Mark 6:31a, 32 Jesus said to them, `Come away with me. Let us go alone to a quiet place and rest for a while.' So they went away in a boat to a lonely place by themselves.
Matthew 14:29-31 “Come,” Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
I have just returned from my summer vacation. I feel a little bit invincible. Even the mountain of emails has not deterred my drive. Getting away from the everyday and really connecting with myself, my family and God has given fresh energy to engage the world in these strange times. In stepping back from the day-to-day, I heard God’s call anew in a variety of places in life and ministry.
I am excited to be back in the pulpit this coming Sunday with a message about Peter and an all too familiar boat, I am looking forward to our Penn Central Annual Meeting on Aug. 29th (clergy, delegates and guests can register here) and reading again How to be an Antiracist in preparation for zoom discussion groups in September. Church-life and work have taken different shape and meaning for me these months as I'm sure it has for many of you.
I don't love zoom, Facebook and YouTube worship, but I have so enjoyed visiting many more Penn Central Churches than would normally be possible. I have been richly fed by some of the sermon manuscripts that arrive in my inbox each week, and have really missed a few of our clergy voices as more and more go back to in-person worship. Perhaps, like Peter, we have stepped out of the boat and in keeping our eyes on Jesus have found creative ways to serve and worship God.
As the pandemic continues, many churches have begun to re-gather the Body of Christ in myriad ways. Outdoor worship is a popular choice and offers a magnificent cathedral for worship of God. Some churches have pastoral visits under porticoes while others celebrate home communion on porches with delivery on long paddles. Small groups gather for Sunday School in side yards that haven't seen activity in years. Tents have been rented to convert parking pads into sanctuaries for funerals. Ecclesiastical Councils are held via Zoom and Ordinations have representatives for the laying on of hands.
I know how frustrating change can be. And so much change in such a short period of time doesn't make it any easier to manage. While I was on vacation, normal began to creep in on me. The waves of the Atlantic were singing as I sat with God. In that prayer time, God was taking my laments of loss and offering me new frames for receiving creative gifts from pastors and congregations, inviting me to see these as a way forward in worship and spirituality. I have craved the "old," 2019, ways of being church almost as much as I have longed for the "really old," 1970, ways of church. And now I am craving a way to be the 2020 church in the middle of a global pandemic, social unrest and political turmoil. Will you crave that with me? To what change is God calling us, the Church, in the midst of mandated change from a virus and various levels of government? Let us be careful to listen to that call first and mold the other change around our response to God.
The greatest lesson of vacation this year was the reminder to step back from the daily onslaught and sit with God. I encourage all of you to take Sabbath time out from your day-to-day and connect with God. Rest in God will restore you for navigating the change in the world and responding to God's call in it.
Shalom,
Nora
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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:
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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“And God saw it was good, but not good enough, so he scrapped the whole earth and started on take two”- Hygenesis 24:7
Calling all churches who have had a zoom-worthy performance! And by this we mean, all the hiccups, re-dos, whoopsies and laughable moments made along the way of this COVID-19 experience of doing ministry online (or, hey, even all of the outtakes you want to recreate)!
To bring a bit of levity to our Penn Central Conference Annual Gathering we are asking churches to submit a 1 minute video of a funny moment that has happened while recording or live-streaming your service. This can be a visit from a family pet, a slip of the tongue while still being live, or, anything that comes to mind!
Please submit these 1 minute video clips (along with your church name and location) to Rev. Jessica Hainley ( jhainley@lancasterseminary.edu) with the subject line: “1 Minute Church Video” by Saturday August 8, 2020. |
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Join the conference virtual choir for the Annual Meeting!
You can be part of a virtual choir for the Conference Annual Meeting! All you need is a device that you can play a music track on, through headphones (Computer, tablet or CD Player), and a device that you can record on. We will make the process simple, and let you be part of the worship on August 29!
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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.
A Service for the Decommissioning of Hartman Center will take place September 12th at Hartman Center, which will include a hike.
Plan your own visit to Hartman Center through Zach Hassinger for a personal time of thanksgiving. |
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Scheduling Notes:
Monday July 27 - Thursday August 13 - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call will be working remotely from Michigan. Response times to emails and phone calls may be delayed.
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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...
Salem-Zion Church of Pillow
Trinity UCC, Dalmatia
Quentin UCC, Quentin
Saint Peter's UCC, Rebersburg
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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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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.
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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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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 August 7, 2020
Register by September 25, 2020
Instructor for both: 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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