"Fairness” - PCC eNews 09/20/2023

Paid for by your OCWM Contributions | September 20, 2023

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Message to the Conference

Members and Friends of Penn Central Conference,

“Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:15)

The parable of the vineyard workers in Matthew 20 may be the most uncomfortable parable Jesus shares. In the parable, the owner of a vineyard hires workers first thing in the morning and offers them a certain wage. Later the owner hires more, who start work later, and he offers them a wage too. Finally, in the afternoon the owner hires a last set of workers, who agree to the same wage as the others. When the time for payment comes, the vineyard owner pays all the workers the same wage. Discontent rears its head. The workers from the morning complain bitterly, for those who were hired in the late afternoon are being paid the same wage as those who worked from the morning! This seems terribly unfair. As the workers complain, “You have made them equal to us..” The owner’s questions in response (above) are the heart of the parable and pose a potent query to each of us.

God’s freedom, after all, does not always fit with our sense of how God should act. God’s economy does not fit human conceptions of fairness, either. Both truths rub us the wrong way. The focus, for Jesus, is the generosity and freedom of the vineyard owner. When this generosity is demonstrated so starkly, we react with our own conceptions of how the owner should have acted instead of what the workers actually did receive from the owner.

Why is it so very difficult to focus consistently on what we have received from God and express gratitude for it? Humans are social creatures, thereby constantly judging and comparing ourselves to others – it’s one of the ways we survive socially. We also have an innate sense of ‘fairness’ (as do other social creatures) that helps us maintain equilibrium in our groups. However, devotion to a human idea of fairness goes haywire at times and instead of gratitude for what we have already received, we are filled with envy and resentment because someone else received ‘more’ (in our definition of ‘more’). Or we hold our own judgment about who ‘deserves’ what they receive and who does not. The workers hired in the morning judged that those hired in the afternoon did not deserve what they received. Once again Jesus, the great psychologist, holds up a mirror to show the disciples, and us, how small is our thinking, how constricted are our hearts. After all, did they not receive the pay which they were promised?

This has become a constant spiritual discipline for me. I need the reminder daily (hourly?) to thank God, the great vineyard owner, for what I have received. To focus only on me and the gifts God has given me, not on what I assume God has given to others. And to remember that since all comes from God’s hand, God is free to do as God wills. Gratitude and humility – two practices of discipleship that Jesus consistently calls us back to. May we re-awaken to God’s generosity in our own lives.

Peace,

Carrie

Rev. Dr. Carrie Call

Conference Minister

Penn Central Conference

Scheduling notes:

September 24 - Dover UCC - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust Preaching

October 1 - Sunbury - Rev. Rick Luciotti preaching

October 8 - St. John's UCC, Denver - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust Preaching

October 8 - Colonial Park UCC - Rev. Rick Luciotti preaching

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. John's UCC, Fredricksburg

St. Paul's (Hamlin) UCC, Fredricksburg

Trinity UCC, Gettysburg

New Hope (Fissel's) UCC, Glen Rock

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.

Shari Prestemon named Acting Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries

A new United Church of Christ national leader has been called.

The UCC Board voted in a special meeting Monday, Sept. 18 to appoint the Rev. Shari Prestemon as Acting Associate General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Co-Executive for Global Ministries. The Board's executive committee received the recommendation to nominate Prestemon from General Minister and President the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, per the UCC Bylaws, and approved that nomination Sept. 11 for the full Board to vote on.

“I am thrilled that Rev. Shari Prestemon is joining our denominational leadership as the Acting AGM for Wider Church Ministries and Acting Co-Executive for Global Ministries,” said Board Chair Julia Gaughan. “She brings a breadth of experience and knowledge alongside spirit-filled leadership and passion for this work. We look forward to what this next chapter of ministry will mean for both the UCC and the world."

Read the full announcement

As cold and flu season approaches, and as Covid-19 infection increase, please keep the following in mind. Anyone planning on visiting persons in care at any one of the United Church of Christ Homes is urged to contact the specific home prior to their visit to learn of possible guidelines for the visit. Conditions can change rapidly, and the various homes may not all require the same guidelines at any given period.

Please help the staff and residents of the homes by observing any stated visitation

guidelines and also refrain from visiting if you are not feeling well.

PCC Fall Budget Meeting

November 11, 2023

9:30 AM

This year's Annual Meeting included a vote for the Penn Central Conference to have a Budget Meeting in the fall. Each authorized minister is a voting member and each church is allowed two delegates to vote. These can be, but do not have to be, the same delegates as went to Annual Meeting. We do still need to reach quorum.

This meeting will be on Zoom only, and will include a budget presentation and vote. We anticipate it to take no more than 60 - 90 minutes.

St Paul UCC HUGE Yard Sale, September 22-23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The congregation of St. Paul UCC, 161 S Main St, Shrewsbury has merged with New Hope Fissel's UCC. As a result, the St Paul church building is being sold along with most of its contents. There is something for everyone. Among the items that may be of interest to you and your church are office furniture, altars, crosses, banners, candles, religious paintings, folding tables and chairs, educational materials, bulletin boards, bookshelves, self-help books, hymnals, kitchen equipment and nursery items. There is lots more for the general public including home decor, tools, fiction books for adults and children, toys, holiday decorations, craft supplies, jewelry and the list goes on. Multiple rooms are filled with items!

Association Meetings

October 8: Lancaster Association at Bethany UCC in Ephrata, 3:00 PM

October 15: Lebanon Association at St. John’s UCC in Fredericksburg, 3:00 PM

October 29: Harrisburg Association at Colonial Park UCC in Harrisburg, 2:00 PM

November 4: Central Association on Zoom, 9:00 AM

November 12: York Association at Starview UCC in Mt. Wolf, 2:00 (lunch at 12:30)

November 12: Mercersburg Association on Zoom at 3:00 PM

Educational Opportunities

Synod Reflections

Penn Central Conference's Synod Delegates are excited to share more about their Synod 34 experiences.

There are two ways to hear directly from our delegates in their own words. First, you can check out written reflections from Kathy Brown, Andrew Boyer, Jerry Thomason, Kelly Shiflett, Rev. Caroline Saxton and Gail Landers.

Synod Seconds – A Keystone-wide Conversation

Join conference staff and delegates from across the keystone state as we explore implementation of General Synod Resolutions and looks at snap-shots of wider-church life. We have two more Zooms this fall October 16, and November 13 from 6:30-8 pm. All are welcome. Please register.

Town Hall: Keystone Project

Choose from three in person and one Zoom Town Hall to learn more about the Keystone Project, the current working group's assessments and how they are visioning "Together we are stronger: the Keystone Conference." Register here .

October 11, 6:30PM; St. John's UCC, Lewisburg (in-person only)

October 18, 6:30PM - St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg (in-person only)

November 1, 6:30PM - Zoom Only

November 14, 6:30PM - Quentin UCC, Quentin (in-person only)

Fifth Stream Conversations

Rev. Dr. Nora Foust is planning three fall conversations open to the whole church on the recognition of the UCC’s fifth founding stream, the Afro-Christian Convention.

3pm September 24^th Mt. Zion, York In-person and Zoom

3pm October 15^th St. Paul’s at the Farm, Lewisburg In-Person and Zoom

3pm November 12^th ZOOM for all Participants

Boundary Awareness and Anti-Racism Training - Intersectionality and Power Dynamics

These sessions on October 25^th are open to anyone clergy or lay. Register for the 10am or 6pm Zoom sessions here. Each are 2-hours.

Lay Leader Boundary Awareness – Healthy Church Relations

September 18 - 6:30pm Register here

Clergy Boundary Awareness - Humility as Spiritual Practice

This will be the final offering of this high demand topic as Nora explores learnings from her summer 2022 sabbatical and memoir reading. October 11^th at 10am and 6pm. Please register here for this 2-hour session.

A Fall Book Study – Rev. Dr. Nora Foust will lead a two-night discussion on Clint Smith’s 2021 NY Times bestseller, How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery in America. All are welcome to join the discussion on November 6^th and 7^th 6:30-8pm on Zoom. Register here.

Ministerial Excellence Forums for Clergy Continuing Education Please register. (10am hybrid at 6094 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg and zoom, 6pm zoom only)

· September 19^th Rev. Carla Christopher will lead us in the work of Justice Conversations with our congregations. This 2-hour session covers boundary awareness and anti-racism credits. Register here

· October 17^th LTS President Emeritus Peter Schmiechen will lead discussion on his book Tradition in Crisis: The Case for Centric Protestants. Pre-reading is not required. Register here.

· November 21^st Rev. Rachel Schwab will lead us in discussion around trauma-informed pastoral care. This 2-hour session is considered boundary training. Register here.

Friends, the Damascus Project of the MN and WI Conferences is offering an 8 week course on lay preaching and worship leadership, open to laity, MiDs, those seeking authorization...covering the basics of sermon prep and delivery, weekly and seasonal worship planning. Send your folks our way, we'd love to have them learn with us! Online, blend of asynchronous content and facilitated zoom sessions. Register here.

Monday, November 6, 5:30-8:30pm ET – Boundary Training for Retired Clergy

By request, we have added another BAT for those considering retirement or who are already in retirement. Join us for a focused conversation on boundary topics faced in retirement – identity, leaving well, exempt status, as well as a refresher on the Ministerial Code, power, and accountability. Led by Revs. Tara Barber, Melanie Oommen, and Anissa Glaser-Bacon.

Outdoor Ministries

Camp Director Pastor Alice shares, "please mark your calendar for next year's HC Spirit camp at Hartman Center Campground and Retreat Center - Sunday, July 28th through Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. In addition to the cabins and lodges, the new owners are working on RV sites that should be ready before next summer. We would love it if lots of Penn Central Conference folks are able to reserve and use those sites while we are there."

Wondering how your congregation might engage in outdoor ministry? Camps and retreats aren't the only recipients of grant funds. Kayak church, fire pit fellowships, community gardens, and solar projects are just a few of the ideas discussed for funding. The application window is currently open with applications available here.

Thanks again to all who made our HC Spirit Camp a great success! We hope to see you, and more, next summer July 28-August 3.

From our partners at Lutheran Camping Corporation

Party With A Purpose

KIRCHENWALD

Saturday, September 30, 5:00PM-8:00pm

1 Cut Off Rd, Lebanon, PA 17042

Please join us for a night of fun and fundraising!

Dinner, Silent & Live Auctions, Live Music, & Giveaways, benefiting Kirchenwald

Southern Style BBQ with all the Fixin’s and Premium Spirits

Your Price to Attend?

Give us what you would pay for a dinner out at a nice restaurant, including tip …at a really nice restaurant …not fast food!

This is an adult event. Child care will be available. Please let us know if your need child care when you RSVP.

Donate Online – 100% of your donation will go to Lutheran Camping Corporation, thanks to Thrivent. Register here

Fall Foliage Days

At Nawakwa - October 22, 1:00PM - 6:00PM

Return to camp for the afternoon to enjoy fall activities, worship, and a picnic supper. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet up with old friends or introduce new folks to camp. An evening meal is included.

Enjoy Pumpkin Painting, Hayrides, Hiking, and More!

Join us this day as we celebrate the burning of the mortgage from the success of the Seeding the Future and Imagine Campaigns!

$15 per person (4 and under free) – includes all activities and evening meal.

At Kirchenwald - October 22, 1:00PM - 6:00PM

Enjoy Pumpkin Painting, Canoeing / Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Hayrides, Hiking, and More!

$15 per person

Annual Quilt Auction

November 5, 2023 at Nawakwa

Join us for this year’s annual Quilt & Craft Auction, November 5, at Nawakwa. This fun-filled day of bidding raises money for the Camping Corporation’s Endowment Fund, which helps to financially sustain our fine ministry activities.

Oct 28 – Nov 2 – Online Bidding – High bids will become starting bids on Nov 5

2:00 – Silent Auction of Handmade Craft Items

3:00 – Live Auction of Quilts

Dinner following Live Auction

More information, including preview, rsvp and how to donate a quilt or online bid here

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.

Partners in Building: A Virtual Conference with the UCC Church Building and Loan Fund

SEP 21, 2023 | 11:00AM - 3:30PM

General Synod Worship Planning Community: A Case Study (Reimagining Ritual Series)

SEP 21, 2023 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

5 Ways to Make an Impact: Understanding the Hopes of Our Donors to Create Change

SEP 27, 2023 | 6:30PM - 7:30PM

At a time when so many of our church leaders experience anxiety about their financial security, the Minister’s Financial Vitality Initiative (MFVI) continues to impact an ever-growing number of UCC authorized ministers, providing the basics of personal finance, guidance from experts, direct financial support, and a supportive community to break the silence around money. To date, nine cohorts of thirty pastors each have benefited from the content and community of this program, and testify to the positive impact on themselves, their families, and their ministries.

The 10^th and 11^th cohorts of MFVI will begin in January 2024 and the application period opens on October 1. Are you or members of your staff aware of pastors within your conference who have expressed concerns about their finances, or are serving in situations where you know financial issues are challenging? The Director of MFVI, Joaquin Labour-Acosta, is seeking your recommendations of pastors who may be candidates for this program. If you are able to confirm interest with those individuals, please send their names and contact information to ministerialassistance@pbucc.org. Joaquin and his team will reach out for conversation and assist with the application process.

From our friends and partners

Do you have a passion for helping others? Do you like to drive and explore local areas?

If your answer is yes, The Lebanon Valley Home has the perfect volunteer opportunity for you!

Volunteers play a vital role in the ministry of UCC Homes. They serve in a variety of ways that make life more enjoyable and pleasant for those we serve…the residents!

The Lebanon Valley Home in Annville, PA is seeking an energetic and fun-loving person to serve as Volunteer Van/Bus Driver to transport residents on short local trips in our 14-passenger bus, mostly on weekdays and some early evenings. The hours and commitment will be of your choosing based on your availability and we do offer volunteer orientation and training.

Join our volunteer team at The Lebanon Valley Home in providing residents with weekly grocery trips, shopping trips, lunch and breakfast outings, rides to Indiantown Gap Military cemetery, and seasonal drives to view fall foliage and Christmas lights.

No special license needed! A valid PA Driver’s License is required, and the driver must be 25 to 75 years old. A Department of Transportation physical is required but at NO COST to the volunteer and which the staff at The Lebanon Valley Home will arrange.

If you would like to share your time with the residents of The Lebanon Valley Homes, please contact Amy Tillinger, Director of Activities, at (717) 867-4467.

Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration of this opportunity to add value not only to your own life but also to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Join us to celebrate the release of The Historical Directory of the Christian Denomination and Afro-Christian Churches in a virtual discussion with author Richard H. Taylor.

In this important new resource, Taylor explores the history of the first native-born Protestant religious movement in the United States, the Christian Connection. Early America set the stage for a “religion of the people.” Empowered by religious freedom and increasing literacy rates, ordinary people read the Bible on their own. Many sought to free themselves from complicated theologies and arbitrary authorities. Three break outs of these values coalesced to form the Christian Connection, whose heirs united with the Congregationalists in 1931. Closely related to them was an autonomous Afro-Christian movement that drew from their African roots to embody an Afrocentric Christianity. These movements also provided the incubator for many other American religious groups.

Richard Taylor's new book gives a history of their active, but little known, traditions, principles. and activities. It helps local historians to see their impact on their communities, directs genealogists to the lives of nearly 7,000 congregations, and assembles a large body of resources for individual and academic study.

Mark your calendars now to join us on Wednesday, September 27th from 1-2 pm EDT

Learn more and register here.

UCC Musicians Association

We've all heard about how churches need to be concerned with how they handle copyrighted material, but many questions still linger. Ethically, we need to recognize and appropriately compensate creators of the material we use...art, music, literature. But how can we be sure that we are following the correct guidelines? Join us as we delve into the topic with Siobhán Maguire, the Assistant Manager for ONE LICENSE, a copyright licensing agency. For 25+ years, she served as music director for parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago. She is a former board member of the Chicago Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians and is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin (MM, BM).

This is a short one-hour ZOOM session held on Saturday, September 30 at 11 am ET / 8 am PT and is free to all. We plan to pack the hour with useful information and provide a chance for questions. This chat will be recorded for those who can’t attend.

PATHWAYS’ Fall Schedule of Courses

Fall II: 6-week Courses Begin October 2 or 9, 2023

● BF10602 Understanding the Bible as a Progressive Christian (Oct 9-Nov 10)

● BF20602 Old Testament Hermeneutics (Oct 9-Nov 19)

● TH30605 Ecological Theology (Oct 2-Nov 12)

● MP30609 Practicing Our Faith in the Public Square (Oct 9-Nov 19)

● HT10604 Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners (Oct 9-Nov 19)

Learn more here and register here.

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary is offering more exciting new programs for the academic year 2023-24.

MORAL INJURY & VETERANS MINISTRY

In November, we'll offer classes on moral injury and ministry for and with veterans of war and survivors of violence. Stay tuned for details!

INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING

Starting in January, we'll offer two great classes on preaching. Introduction to Preaching will help you connect with your congregation, make Biblical text come alive and learn breathing techniques for a more compelling delivery. Your congregation will thank you!

PREACHING & WORSHIP THROUGH THE YEAR

In the spring, our second preaching class, Preaching & Worship Through the Year, will help you tailor your sermons for special Sundays and holiday occasions, use the lectionary, plan sermon series, incorporate music and the arts, and more.

Click the link here for a video preview!

Employment Opportunities

PER DEIM CHAPLAIN’S NEEDED

Holy Spirit in Camp Hill is seeking clergy to serve as Hospital Chaplain’s on a per diem basis. Those interested are required to have completed 4 units of CPE, though ordination is not required.

If interested, contact Rev Paul Hansen, Holy Spirit Hospital. Phone # is 717-972-4255 and the email is phansen@pennstatehealth.psu.edu for further information and or to apply.

Phoebe Ministries is hiring a Full-time Regional Director of Pastoral Care and Education for our Allentown Campus.

Responsible for directing the pastoral care program and clinical pastoral education program. Promotes the relationship of Phoebe Ministries with its supporting churches and conferences.

Conducts and supervises a variety of religious activities and provides for the spiritual needs of residents, families and Phoebe staff; coordinating this work within the department as well as with other departments. Responds to inquiries and requests from residents, families, and staff.

Reports pertinent information to the ED of Marketing and External Relations. Hires, directs, and supervises pastoral care staff, and provides periodic reports. Develops, implements, and achieves annual goals and objectives as established in the annual coaching form.