Greetings friends and members of Penn Central,

I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5

In America, Anna Jarvis is credited with the origins of our modern Mother’s Day celebration. While Anna remained unmarried and did not bear children, she was moved to honor her own mother for the sacrifices Ann Reeves Jarvis had made as her mother. What was to be a small celebration in a Methodist church in West Virginia gained momentum when a Philadelphia based department store owner helped back Jarvis’ idea. That first celebration in May of 1908 saw thousands gather in John Wannamaker’s stores across Philadelphia.  

Jarvis began a letter-writing campaign to have a holiday designated and in 1912 President Woodrow Wilson established the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day. While it is not a church holiday and does not have designated readings in the lectionary, I know that it will be observed by many this coming Sunday.  

I realize this can be a challenging day for many women. I don’t want to draw attention to that pain, nor do I want to minimize it with my musings. As a mother of two children not of my womb, I want to share a number of ways that may make for meaningful Mother’s Day observances.  

I tend to approach this day as one to share gratitude for all of the church mothers that helped to teach me about scripture and faithful living. Church mothers offer wisdom, guidance, and support to their congregations. They often serve as pillars of strength, nurturing the spiritual growth of so many around them and fostering a sense of community within the church. Their dedication and commitment are truly admirable, shaping the character of their faith communities for generations to come. Perhaps this Sunday can offer a moment for you to reflect with gratitude for church mothers that nurtured or supported you along your own faith journey. (I’ll use this space to name Sandy, Jeanneine, Loyce, Roberta, Janis, Jo, among others…) 

Gratitude is a practice that can help you connect with the original spirit of the holiday honoring the sacrifices a mother makes. Founder Anna Jarvis was not a fan of the national holiday that she helped found as those seeking to turn a profit quickly took over. Jarvis intended the day to be one of recognition for a mother’s sacrifice and one need not be a mother to have experienced a mother’s love expressed in the home or in the church.  

Turn to gratitude this mother’s day. I’ll start by thanking my mom who often laments that I am not mushy enough. Love you mom! I am grateful for all you do! I am also grateful for the church moms that nurtured me in the faith and sojourned with me a little along the way. 

Shalom,

Nora

Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

Associate Conference Minister

Penn Central Conference

May is Military Appreciation Month

In 2006, the First Congregational Church in Wallingford, Connecticut, received word that there was a need for coffee at the Sather Air Force Base in Iraq where one of their church members was deployed. At the time, Air Force Chaplain Timothy Sturgill was paying out of his own pocket to provide coffee 24/7 to all military personnel on the base, plus all the service members arriving into Iraq. Once word of Chaplain Sturgill’s efforts reached Wallingford, they jumped into action – creating the foundation for Holy Joe’s Café.

Chaplain (Ret) Andrew Sholtes says “Holy Joe’s Cafe is a place where chaplains in the Small Forward Operating Bases, hangar bays, hospitals, aid stations and their makeshift chapels are able to bring a taste of home to the tired, the anxious, the angry, the lonely and the wounded. They can all get gourmet coffee, a reminder that the world they willingly left behind still cares.”

Holy Joe’s Café has grown immensely, shipping coffee and supplies to hundreds of military locations including small Forward Operating Bases, hangar bays, hospitals, aid stations and any other setting where we’re needed. Today, thousands of free cups of coffee are served to our troops in 70 countries throughout the world.

If you would like to support this ministry, learn more and donate here.

May is Asian, Pacific Islander & Desi American Heritage Month

In celebration, Penn Central is highlighting some historical figures in church history.

Chao Tzu-chen was born in Deqing, Zhejiang, China in 1888. He had a solid classical Chinese education. Although he came from a Buddhist family, he attended a missionary middle school where he was introduced to the Christian faith and joined the church, although he was not baptized until 1908. Then he studied at Suzhou (Soochow) University, a missionary institution, graduating in 1911. A few years later, he went to the United States where, in the years 1914-17, he received M.A. and B.D. degrees from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1917, he returned to the Methodist Dongwu University in Suzhou and taught there for six years. In 1926 he moved to Yenching University in Beijing (Peking) as a professor of theology. He became dean of the School of Religion in 1928, a post he held until 1952, when he was denounced politically and removed.

From 1910s until 1940s, Chao, along with other colleagues such as Timothy Lew, Hsu Pao-ch'ien, and Wu Lei-ch'uan, tried to make Christianity relevant to the needs of Chinese culture and society. He was recognized in China by the mainline churches before the coming of the new government as one of its leading theologians.

During these decades, he was active on national Protestant scene, attending major conferences and organizations, including the National Chinese Christian Council and YMCA; participating in the International Missionary Council meetings in Jerusalem in 1928; in Madras in 1938; and the first assembly of the World Council at Amsterdam in 1948, where he was elected one of the six presidents of the WCC, representing East Asian churches. He resigned from this post in 1951 due to the break out of the Korean War.

Chao went through several phases in his theological journey. In his early works---Christian Philosophy (Chinese, 1925) and The Life of Jesus (Chinese, 1935)---he espoused a liberal theological perspective. In his later writings---An Interpretation of Christianity, The Life of Paul (both in Chinese, 1947), and My Prison Experience (1948) --- he became more conservative in faith, especially after his imprisonment by the Japanese for several months in 1942. He also wrote many articles in English, especially for the Chinese Recorder in the 1920s and 1930s. In 1947 Zhao was awarded an honorary doctorate from Princeton University.

Chao wrote several hymns, including "Golden Breaks the Dawn" which appears in The New Century Hymnal.

This article is heavily informed by the website of the Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity.

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.

Unfortunately the Penn Stater ran out of rooms before everyone could reserve a room. We have arranged with Country Inn and Suites, State College. They are a very nice hotel, about 4-5 minutes from the Penn Stater with free hot breakfast, pool/fitness, and a shuttle that runs to the Penn Stater from 8AM - 11PM. They cannot meet the exact cost, but have drastically reduced their overnight rate to $145 - only $6 difference. And of course taxes would be added.

You can register here: 

https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/oh43m8?ratePlanCode=BPGQAX&checkInDate=2024-06-07&checkOutDate=2024-06-09 or call 814-234-6000 and mention "United Church of Christ" 

Last date to reserve is May 20 and there is a VERY limited number of rooms so please reserve ASAP!

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.

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

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. Students, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities are at a higher risk of period poverty. Nearly two-thirds of women in the U.S. with a low income could not afford period products in the last year, and nearly half of all women in the U.S. with a low income had to choose between buying food or period products. We are asking annual meeting participants to donate supplies and to help us make Period Packs during our annual meeting. The supplies needed are:

· Boxes of pads (regular and extra-absorbent)

· Boxes of tampons (regular and extra-absorbent)

· Travel packs of personal wipes

· 2-fl. oz. bottles of hand sanitizer

· 1-gallon-size zip-lock bags

We will use these donated supplies to make Period Packs. Some of the packs will be donated to Centre Safe, an organization in State College with the mission of empowering survivors of sexual or domestic violence, and working toward the elimination of such violence. In addition to Period Packs, a portion of our Sunday offering will go to Centre Safe as well. The remaining Period Packs will be divided between the four Pennsylvania UCC conferences to be distributed to local food banks, women’s shelters, and other organizations who can dispense them to those in need. 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.

Scheduling notes:

May 12 - Apostles UCC, Waynesboro - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call 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...

Salem (Spring Mills) UCC, Spring Mills

Emmanuel UCC, Abbottstown

Christ Church UCC, Annville

Zion UCC, Arendtsville

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.

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 14 - 3:00PM

May 15 - 7:00PM

May 30 - 7:00PM

LTS Honors PCC Clergy with Meck Award

The Meck Award honors the memory of Allen S. Meck '11 president of Lancaster Theological Seminary from 1947-57. It is presented for distinguished service in the practice of pastoral ministry.

2024 recipients include Rev. Curtis Zemencik '87. Rev. Zemencik has been pastoring rural congregations since 1987. He has served St. Paul's UCC, Scramento, St. Matthew's UCC, Spring Glen and the Stone Valley Parish (Salem-Zion Church, Pillow and Zion Stone Valley, Dalmatia), as well as serving on the UCC National Council for Youth and Young Adult Ministries. While at Salem-Zion Church, he was instrumental in forming the Carpenter's Hands Outreach Ministry which is still a vital ministry of that church.

Penn Central congratulates Rev. Zemencik on this award!

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.

Mercersburg Society

“The Mystical Presence and Sacred Meals”

The 2024 Mercersburg Society Convocation

Lancaster Theological Seminary, May 20-21, 2024

The Mercersburg heritage has encouraged a profound and heart-felt sense of the mystical presence of Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist. This Mercersburg Society Convocation will explore the experiential dimensions of this Eucharistic spirituality, focusing on the emotions and dispositions that it has sought to nurture. We will compare this rich form of piety to the unique Eucharistic spiritualities of other Christian traditions and also to the spirituality implicit in secular corporate meals. This investigation will promote a deeper appreciation of the resonances with the Mercersburg heritage that other traditions may harbor. These other expressions of meal-focused sacred experience could be illumined by our Mercersburg legacy and the conversation could be mutually enriching for all.

Information about registration, rooms, and meals can be found here.

Local Church

Salem's Closet, in Salem UCC, Harrisburg, has partnered with Church World Services and are supplying refugees with clothing and household goods.

The number of refugees that have been coming has gone from just a few to 15 a month. In conversation wtih Cindy at CWS, 15 or more is going to be the new normal. We need clothing for men, boys, teens, infants, and toddlers for all seasons, bedding that includes blankets, and sheets not to mention other household goods. These donations need to be in good condition and clean.

Please contact Susan Nelson at srsews@gmail.com to find out more about how to donate items. If you are able to help transport items donated from further afield, please let her know as well.

Association Events

May 18, 9:00AM - Harrisburg Association Spring Meeting, St. Matthew's (Coleman's) UCC, Spring Glen

Creation Justice

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.

Outdoor Ministries

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.

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

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

All dates are 10am and 6pm for 2-hour zooms.

May 21, 2024 Healthy Beginnings and Endings – All ministries have beginnings and endings. In this session, participants will look at healthy expectation setting in new calls as well as ethical departure requirements. Register here. (This will be repeated August 20, 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.)

Topics are subject to change, but changes will be announced.

Basic Boundaries for Congregations will be offered via zoom, 6:30-8pm April 15, 2024. This session will feature discussion on Behavioral Covenants, Financial Boundaries, and Pastoral Relations. Anyone is welcome to join, consistory/council members are highly encouraged to attend. Nora is also available for this session at a church or group of churches if desired. Register here. (This will be repeated October 14, 2024.)

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.

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: Building Up a New World with Fellows from Across 5 Conferences

MAY 2, 2024 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

Strengthen The Church offering is May 19, 2024

God calls us into community. God desires for us a big, inclusive, expansive, welcoming community. One where "no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome." Our General Minister & President Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson calls this a “big tent” community. God wants our congregations and our whole Christian movement to be a "big tent" where all can be genuinely welcomed.

The Strengthen the Church Offering supports congregations and initiatives that help us live into the United Church of Christ's "big tent" vision. Funds raised support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and renewal initiatives in existing congregations. Your conference and the national ministries work together to use these funds for projects that matter now and for the future of our movement.

Order envelopes and other resources here.

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

2024 Financial Ministries Webinars

4^th 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.

Please contact Rev. Lawrence ASAP at revlawrence@mccofthespirit.org or call 717-236-7387 to let him know of your interest.

UCC Homes in Mission -- 28th Helping Hands Auction

Do you love bidding on awesome auction items? Bid for a wonderful cause and support our mission by attending our 28th Helping Hands Event on May 4, 2024 at the Hershey Country Club, beginning at 11:30am. Not able to attend? You can still support our mission by participating in our online auction and bidding on a wide variety of amazing items! Proceeds from the auction help underwrite residents who are no longer able to pay for the cost of their care and who are not deemed eligible for government assistance programs. 

We suggest that you please create your bidding account now so when the online auction goes live on April 22nd, you're all set to start bidding! We are using ReadySetAuction secure software to conduct all bidding on auction items for the online option. Please note that your ReadySetAuction account will be your gateway to placing bids on the auction items that will be showcased on our special Helping Hands website https://events.readysetauction.com/unitedchurchchristhomes/helpinghands24

You can check out the online catalog of auction items beginning on April 15, 2024 and items will open for bidding on April 22nd and close at 6pm on May 4th. I have attached instructions for creating an account and helpful tips for e-bidding for your convenience. 

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.

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  UCC Polity and History starts on May 8, 2024. There are still a few spaces left.

o  Four-week and Six-week long summer courses offered include:

o  What about the Bible (4-wks) – June 1 to 30, 2024

o  Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners (6-wks) – May 8 to June 18, 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.

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.

United Church of Christ of Hummelstown Office Administrator

Provide direct clerical and administrative support to the Pastor and the church, 

act as point of contact for church publications, building use and data 

management. See the full job description here.

TO APPLY: Send cover letter and resume, including at least 3 references that can speak to your employment history to search@hummelstownucc.org

Title: Director of Go Tell It In the Mountains Initiative

Supervisor: Bishop of the Allegheny Synod

Job Context Information: Go Tell It In the Mountains is a grant funded between three

ELCA Synods: Allegheny, Upper Susquehanna and Northwest Pennsylvania. The Director will be supervised by the Bishop of the Allegheny Synod. Resident of one of the three sponsoring Synods or a willingness to relocate preferred. Position begins May 1, 2024.

Job Purpose: The grant proposal seeks to expand the role of preaching to encompass

education and outreach using modern communication tools to prepare worshipers for

Sunday’s message, engage listeners beyond Sunday morning, and empower all to serve.

This vision is to be accomplished through three goals: train compelling preachers to use

new media to share the gospel, recruit and train aspiring individuals to be preachers, and

oversee the process of creating and distributing compelling preaching content centralized

to a website and marketed through social media so everyday Christians can integrate their faith into their attitudes, actions and ministries in daily life. The Director will work with the Steering Committee to initiate, oversee, edit and accomplish the goals, objectives,

strategies, and indicators laid out in the grant application. Visit

https://www.alleghenysynod.org/general-4 to view the complete proposal. 

Learn more here.

Current Openings - UCC National Setting



Philanthropy

Generosity Officer, New England Region Close Date: Open until filled

Child and Elder Sponsorship Program and United Nations

Program Assistant, CESP and UN Close Date: Open until filled

Penn Central Conference Ministry Opportunities Page