Greeting Penn Central Conference friends and members,

“And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and I’m sure many of us have already been working on the plan for the special meal with family or friends, or maybe you’re planning a quiet day as you live in to the changing seasons outside and in the church year.  

When it comes to the Thanksgiving Day meal, many of us have favorites that without them on the table it would not be a complete Thanksgiving feast. For me, if the cranberry sauce shaped-like-a-can is not present, I’ll be the one quietly pouting next to gravy boat. 

One year while visiting one of those nostalgia-filled antique co-ops, I even found a special tray and spoon that was specifically designed for that glorious tart gelatinous treat! (see pic) Something I’d never seen before and the only pic of mine ever to go semi-viral on social media, as I was the envy of canned cranberry sauce aficionados around the country! What an addition to our holiday table!

At this point, if you’re still reading, you’re probably like, umm…Dwight, this isn’t really what Thanksgiving is about, is it? And you would be right.  

But part of me always tries to embrace the secular, American traditions of the national holiday that is Thanksgiving, because giving thanks should be a regular part of my spiritual practices. We are Christians and we are implored in 1 Thessalonians 5:18a to “give thanks in all circumstances.” The truth is remembering to practice that when the world is on unsure footing, and when the rain is only falling on the just, it’s okay if our faith umbrella has a few holes in it. Heck, even with Jesus preaching to us on the mount to not worry about our daily needs because God loves us more than the birds and we should trust in that divine providence, it’s okay to forgive ourselves when worry for our future overtake us.

When I have to reboot my faith, I try to return to pondering, “what is the nature of that for which I am thankful?” That is where the passage at the top of this column comes. Tucked away at the end of this overused-at-wedding-ceremonies scripture is the answer to my centering question. “Faith, hope and love abide…” These eternals, this trinity of discipleship abides with us always, as they are eternal, sacred gifts. No matter the extent of the rain or our worry for the world, these three abide and should be the foundational nature of all for which we thankful. 

As followers of Christ, we shouldn’t need a secular holiday to remind us to be thankful to God as the source “from whom all blessings flow.” But as a wise pastor once said, “Saying thank-you is something that needs to be taught.” So, tomorrow or whenever you have your next special meal, or maybe even the next time you splurge on a Happy Meal because it’s your comfort food, remember to stop and give thanks for that which is eternal and abides with us always, even long after the cranberry sauce is gone.

A blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving to all.

Dwight

Rev. Dwight Hein

Facilitator for Clergy Care

Penn Central Conference

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.

Scheduling Notes

December 1 - Bethel UCC, Spring Grove - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching at Zoë D'heedeene's ordination

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, Dalmatia

Quentin UCC, Quentin

Himmels UCC, Dornsife

St. John's UCC, Red Lion

The United Church of Christ has established the Hurricane Helene Recovery Appeal and the Hurricanes 2024 Appeal. Your support for these appeals will ensure that communities are supported and accompanied for years as they rebuild. You can donate through your local church, with your gifts going through the Conference to the Appeal. Gifts can be made through PCC here. Under “Directed Gifts” choose “Disaster Relief” and notate “Hurricane Relief”. And you can always mail a check to the PCC offices with the same notation.

Outdoor Ministries

Rock and Roll With It

Hartman Center Winter Youth Retreat

We will be returning to Hartman Center Campground as guests.

5725 Old US Highway 322, Milroy, PA 17063 

January 17-19, 2025

Grades 6 through College Grad (or age 22)

Meals and Lodging included

$100 until December 2, 2024

$150 after December 2, 2024

Use coupon code PCC2025 if you would like to use a Penn Central Conference Outdoor Ministries scholarship of 50% off your registration fees.

Register here!

2025 Meck and Moss Award Nominations

Nominations accepted through November 30

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Meck and Moss Awards. The Meck and Moss Awards are awarded annually to Lancaster Theological Seminary alumni, of any denomination, who demonstrate commitment to the excellence of ministry. The Alumni Council’s Awards and Recognition Committee will select award recipients.

The Meck Award honors the memory of Allan S. Meck, who graduated from the Seminary in 1911 and served as president from 1947 to 1957. The Meck Award is presented for distinguished service in the practice of pastoral ministry. 

The Moss Award honors Robert V. Moss Jr. ’45, who graduated form the Seminary in 1945 and served as president from 1957 to 1969. The Moss Award is presented for distinguished service in the practice of specialized ministry (i.e., chaplain, administrator, educator, judicatory staff, etc.).

Learn more about the selection criteria here. Submit a nomination by November 30th here.

Local Church

If anyone is interested in Choir robes, St. Johns in Denver is looking for a new home for a few sets. They also have quite a bit of four-part music for anthems and cantatas, most of the material dating back to early twentieth century. 

If you might be interested in having some of this, please contact Pastor Brad Haws at revhaws@ptd.net

Educational Opportunities

From New York Conference

This fall, we're offering monthly opportunities to take Refresher Boundary Awareness Training via Zoom:

Thursday, December 12, from 8 am - 2 pm

Glad to have folks from around the UCC. We can give partial scholarships if needed (email mpurnine@uccny.org before registering). For more information:

https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/66f26fe1-8247-4fe4-a60f-11ef73be0bd0

From Pennsylvania South East Conference

Examining the Ministerial Code of Ethics' Boundary Training 

On Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9:00a-3:00p, join members of the PSEC Ethics Committee in Limerick for a boundary training on "Examining the Ministerial Code of Ethics". In this training we will cover:

·     the moral and ethical expectations of the pastoral office, identifying the “gray” areas of ministry

·     the purpose of the Ministerial Code of Ethics

·     the sections of the Ministerial Code of Ethics

·     the top ethical issues facing pastors today

·     the issues that lead to Boundary violations and Fitness Reviews

·     the Fitness Review Process

For more info and to register, click here.

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.

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.

Nurture the Soul Special Offering: An Ecumenical Gathering for Prayer and Action for World AIDS Day 2024

Dec 2, 2024 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Stories from the Pacific Basin

Dec 3, 2024 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Reclaiming Our Democracy

Dec 11, 2024 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

UCC Webinar: Reclaiming Our Democracy

After the election, commentators like Tom Nichols urged people to "stay engaged and make their voices heard at every turn.” But most still wonder how, and even if, they can make a difference between elections. What are the options? (1) Protesting? Vital, but usually not the long game. (2) Signing email form letters, which only 3% of Congressional staff says is highly effective? Just gestures. (3) Taking a 2-year nap until the next election? Sadly, the preferred route for many. Few know about (4) transformational advocacy which helps you change an issue while you also become changed in the process. In his book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy," Sam Daley-Harris writes about people who have successfully brought about social change and personal transformation. Join us for this webinar as Daley-Harris shares his stories and wisdom gained from years of leading and coaching advocacy organizations such as Citizen's Climate Lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Catholic Relief Services, and RESULTS. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Wednesday, December 11th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

Justice Leadership Program – 4 month cohort starting in January

Do you feel called to work for justice? This online program is for adults interested in weaving social justice into the fabric of their faith in a meaningful and transformative way. Deepen your understanding, learn practical skills, and gain the confidence to take meaningful action through this foundational program. Participants meet weekly.

Apply by December 15

Scholarships available for UCC members (inquire upon applying)

www.justiceleadership.org

info@justiceleadership.com

Pathways Theological Education

Are you a pastor seeking continuing education related to your current faith community?

Or are you seeking ordination and need to find a contextual education series?

The Supervised Ministry Series is designed to provide a practical internship in pastoral ministry over an eighteen-month progression. The arc of this series begins with entering a new place of ministry and concludes with leaving a place of ministry. Along this arc, six 9-week asynchronous online courses explore such issues as pastoral role, identity, leadership, ministry functions, organizational dynamics, and theological reflection. The nine-week courses for this series are:

SM 1 Entering a Place of Ministry

SM 2 The Transformative Context of Pastoral Care

SM 3 The Practice of Worship Leadership

SM 4 Faith Formation in the Parish

SM 5 Leadership in the Midst of Change

SM 6 Leaving a Place of Ministry

A participant partners with a site supervisor and a member advisory group while taking each course in a particular ministry setting. Here is a way to deepen your pastoral experience aligned with the Marks of Faithful and Effective Ministers.

Go to the PATHWAYS website to see the course schedule and to sign up for a class or a certificate or continuing education.

Current Openings - UCC National Setting

Philanthropy

Generosity Officer, Great Lakes Region Close Date: Open until filled

Office of the Associate General Ministers

Associate General Minister, Love of Church Close Date: November 30, 2024

Associate General Minister and Co-Executive for Global Ministries, Love of Neighbor Close Date: November 30, 2024

Penn Central Conference Ministry Opportunities Page