Message to the Conference | |
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Greetings friends and members of Penn Central,
After I spent a great amount of time working on the Trinity section of my “Credo” paper for my 2nd year theology class in seminary, I was disappointed when it was returned to me with absolutely no comments from my professor on that section. I mean I really put a lot of time into that section with multiple handwritten drafts that wound up eventually crumpled up on the floor around my apartment. So, it really bothered me that I didn’t receive any feedback, good or bad or otherwise, from that professor.
Within the week, I saw that professor in the seminary bookstore, and I decided to ask him about this. I explained to him all the time and drafts I went through, ending my little statement with saying how disappointed I was not to have received any comments at all from him. He looked at me with kind eyes and in a soft tone replied, “Dwight, nobody has been able to explain the Trinity in two-thousand years, I don’t expect a 2nd year seminarian to do it either.” Understood. Ha!
So, I won’t make any attempt in these few paragraphs to try to explain the Trinity either, as we prepare for Trinity Sunday. But I will share my pastoral and personal perspective on how I’ve seen some people connect with the different “persons” of the Trinity. I know people firmly connected with the intimate side of the Creator in a near “Abba” relationship modeled after Jesus. They feel truly enmeshed in every moment of their lives with the Divine that informs their decisions and guides them in their coping with life’s challenges.
I’ve also experienced those who feel deeply engaged with the teachings of Jesus. Their daily lives are grounded in the Jesus of our four gospels, which emboldens them for courageous advocacy ministry with those on the margins. Others I’ve seen live out this connection through great empathy and compassion, as if responding daily to the needs of those named by Jesus in the Beatitudes.
For me, I’ve always been drawn to and connected deeply with the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:1-5 is a life-passage for me, often resetting to the hope that does not disappoint us, “because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” Having a chronic illness, I find comfort in how that experience builds endurance and character, leading to a hope that is flowing daily from the Holy Spirit to our hearts, as Paul suggests.
Maybe that’s the beauty of the Trinity? The mystery of the interplay of the three-yet-one gives us a spectrum of ways to connect with the Ancient of Days, as the one who experiences our time beyond time. It’s not something to be explained, but to be experienced. It’s not something to be put into words, but rather something we open ourselves to be engaged with daily.
So, nowadays in my pastoral journey, I’m less worried about explaining the Trinity than I am excited about the opportunity for hearing of others’ experiences with the triune God. The depth and richness of those experiences allow me to ponder, with no academic explanation needed, the variety of pathways into which God invites us to explore our faith. “…Merciful and mighty. God in three persons, blessed Trinity.”
In Peace,
Rev. Dwight C. Hein
Facilitator for Clergy Care
Penn Central Conference
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Hey Friends! We know you are excited for the Keystone gathering.
So to give you a little flavor for worship we have included some of our favorite dance moves to learn for our worship celebration. Watch and enjoy your leaders teach you some dance moves! Hope to see you June 7th – 9th at the Penn Stater!
Annual Meeting registrants, click here for more information on how to volunteer (including for the choir) and reporting any dietary needs.
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May is Asian, Pacific Islander & Desi American Heritage Month | In celebration, Penn Central is highlighting moments and figures in church history. | |
The Rev. Sharon Li Mei Shem MacArthur was the moderator of the Pacific Islander and Asian American Ministries (PAAM) of the United Church of Christ.
After a career in a variety of fields, including journalism, early childhood education and technology, MacArthur received her master of divinity degree in 2001 from Pacific School of Religion in Berkley, Calif. She later served as chair of PSR’s board and was the first Asian-American woman to serve on the board of a U.S. seminary, according to the school.
MacArthur went on to pastor churches in California and Hawaii for more than two decades. Earlier this year, she was named pastor emerita at Sycamore Congregational Church, a bilingual Japanese-English congregation in El Cerrito, Calif., where she began her local church ministry.
In addition to her involvement with PAAM, MacArthur served the national denomination as part of the Manual on Church working group convened in 2022. She also was a featured preacher at General Synod 32 in Milwaukee in 2019 — becoming the first Asian-American clergywoman to preach at Synod — and helped kick off what became a twice-weekly webinar series from the UCC in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What we frequently remember fondly are the times that were the hardest,” MacArthur told General Synod in 2019, whose theme was “Shine.” “So, what if we look for how these hardships eventually worked into good? Articulate them; share them with someone. To me, that’s the hope for all who feel overwhelmed by darkness: that God’s love and light shines, perhaps, even brighter when it comes from a place of darkness.”
MacArthur was part of the UCC’s executive council from 2001 to 2007, chairing the council from 2005 to 2007. She also served in various posts for the Northern California Nevada Conference and was a member of the Conference’s PAAM chapter for 20 years.
“Her ministry was a guiding light, radiating racial and cultural insights and invitations to widen the diversity the United Church of Christ, often through PAAM,” read a memorial announcement prepared by Berkeley (Calif.) Chinese Community Church, a congregation that MacArthur “joined with her young family, which cheered her on through seminary and ministry, received her as pastor during years of transition and was with her as her blessed life on earth concluded.”
In recalling her wide range of ministry, from national to local, the congregation also called MacArthur “a beloved mentor.” Rev. MacArthur pass in 2023.
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62nd Annual Meeting of the Penn Central Conference
Attendance registration deadline: 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. 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:
June 12 - St. Thomas UCC, Harrisburg - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust 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. | |
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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...
St. Paul's UCC, Bowmansville
St. Jacob's UCC, Glenville
Salem UCC, Campbelltown
Chapel Hill UCC, Lemoyne
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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 30 - 7:00PM
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God is still speaking….. How?
For the past 20 years the United Church of Christ (UCC) has popularized the sayings, God is Still Speaking or Still Speaking God. If you are a person 18 years of age or older who is a UCC member in good health, an active visitor, or authorized pastor participating in a UCC church in Pennsylvania, USA, here is a research survey study in which you can participate that will give you the opportunity to explain what this idea means to you.
Participating should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Your answers are kept strictly confidential, only to be viewed by the project investigator. Data gathered will be de-identified prior to results being reported. The survey is completely voluntary and you may withdraw from completing it at any time. It will ask you personal questions about how you experience God or spirituality in your life.
If you are interested, click here to read and approve the consent form and start the survey.
| 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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Association Events
June 2, 2:30PM - Rev. Steven Ostenforf installation service - Trinity UCC, Hanover
June 23, 2:30PM - Rev. Preston Van Deursen installation service - St. Paul's UCC, New Oxford
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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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St. Thomas UCC Golf Tournament
Friday, August 2, 2024 12:30PM
Manada Golf Club, Grantville, PA
$85 Entry Fee - 18 holes of golf with cart, luncheon and pig roast dinner
Contact St. Thomas UCC, Harrisburg at admin@stthomasucc.net or (717) 652-7259
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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
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
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.)
Summer/Fall Boundary Training registrations coming soon!
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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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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.
Learn more about UCCMA and what it has to offer the musicians in our denomination by signing up for a free 90-day trial membership (or join as a full member!). Information about the 2024 conference can also be found on our site: https://uccma.wildapricot.org/join-us
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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's Justice and Peace Action Network are offering 50% scholarships for 12 UCC members for Justice Leadership Program's Justice Jubilee program this fall. The Jubilee program is for adults interested in weaving social justice into the fabric of their faith while gaining knowledge and confidence to do the work of justice within their congregation and community.
Please share this opportunity through conference newsletters or send directly to interested congregations and individuals.
Sign-up today - space is limited!
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry, upcoming classes
https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
PAM is a Regional Theological Education Program of the UCC and serves church leaders in the PC(USA), ELCA, UMC, and other denominations.
Practices of Church Leadership. May 21–June 25, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor: the Rev. Sara Hertzog.
This nuts-and-bolts class covers the basics of leadership and administration, with practical application for everyone on the ministry leadership team. Topics include: covenant and authority; conflict; family and congregational systems; vision and mission; handling administrative tasks; spiritual care and boundaries. Clergy, lay leaders, and MIDs are encouraged to register. 2.5 CEUs. $325.
Innovation and New Models of Leadership. July 9–Aug 13, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor: the Rev. Dale Davis.
This challenging class engages an array of exciting leadership models and is supported by a podcast series produced especially for the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry, featuring Gil Rendle, Karen Georgia Thompson, Doug Powe Jr., Lovett Weems Jr., John Schol, and Sarah Drummond. 2.5 CEUs. $325.
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PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.
Our courses have between 4 and 15 participants. This allows for deep and productive discussions in the online forum. We know that a small class size allows the participants to develop learning relationships with each other and for facilitators to push participants to a more indepth learning experience.
o Four-week and Six-week long summer courses offered include:
o What about the Bible (4-wks) – June 1 to 30, 2024
o Pluralism and Religion in North America (6-wks) – July 10 to August 20
o Introduction to Spiritual Health (Pastoral Care) (6-wks) – June 19 to August 6, 2024
Go to pathwaystheological.org to find out more.
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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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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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