Message to the Conference | |
William Clarke Rice - "The Four Seasons" (1923) | |
A Prayer For The New Year
by Howard Thurman
God,
Grant that I may pass through the coming year with a faithful heart.
There will be much to test me and make weak my strength before the year ends.
In my confusion I shall often say the word that is not true and do the thing of which I am ashamed.
There will be errors in the mind and great inaccuracies of judgment.
In seeking the light, I shall again and again find myself walking in the darkness.
I shall mistake my light for Your light and I shall drink from the responsibility of the choice I make...
Though my days be marked with failures, stumblings, fallings, let my spirit be free so that You may take it and redeem my moments in all the ways my needs reveal.
Give me the quiet assurance of Your Love and Presence.
Grant that I may pass through the coming year with a faithful heart.
Amen
from Meditations of The Heart
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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 17 - Jan 5 - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call on medical leave
December 24 - January 1 - PCC office closed
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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...
Trinity Roths UCC, Spring Grove
Grace UCC, Spring Mills
Starview UCC, Mount Wolf
Faith UCC, State College
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Church Treasurers - the final date for remittance to the conference to be credited to 2024 is January 10, 2025. Checks must be in our PO Box on that date, not merely postmarked by then.
As a reminder, the mailing address is:
PO Box 6625
Harrisburg, PA 17112
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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. | |
With all the holiday hustle and bustle did you miss the early bird deadline for the Youth Retreat? You're in luck - we've extended it through Friday! | |
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
$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!
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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 | |
2025 PA UCC Women’s Clergy Retreat – “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”
January 14, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - January 16, 2025 @ 12:00 pm
“Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”
$190 per person (massages available for additional fee)
Registration closes January 3rd.
Join us for 44 transformative hours with your Sisters in Christ at a serene retreat center in Shillington, PA. Together, we will celebrate the incredible truth that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. This retreat offers a peaceful environment to nurture your soul and body, with a few group gatherings focused on healing, self-recognition, and embracing the beauty of the person you were created to be.
Expect plenty of opportunities for laughter through fun group activities, as well as time for personal renewal. Unwind with a soothing massage, curl up with a good book in a cozy corner, or enjoy the refreshing outdoors with a peaceful walk. For deeper connection, gather in the living room for heartfelt conversations and lots and lots of snacks!
Additionally, there will be opportunity for one-on-one Gestalt Pastoral Care healing sessions with Deaconess Susan Silhan, our presenter, to reflect and receive spiritual guidance. This retreat is designed to refresh, heal, and uplift—don’t miss this chance to connect, grow, and be celebrated as you truly are!
To register, click here.
Questions? Please contact: Kim Berenotto at kimberlyberenotto@gmail.com or Tammie Wisniewski at tammie@psec.org
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Penn Northeast Conference Racial Justice Team Book Study
The Penn Northeast Conference Racial Justice Team is hosting a book study on Zoom on the book "This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us" by Cole Arthur Riley. Authorized Ministers participating in the entire book study will receive five hours of continuing education credit OR can use this to fulfill their Diversity Training requirement.
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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.
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UCC Webinar: From a Toxic Media to a Toxic Environment
Media in our society can have a decisive influence on everything from elections to the quality of the very air we breathe. It can shape and inform the demands of a public and the political will of those in office. In short, a toxic media can lead to a toxic government and, literally, a toxic environment. This is evident in the influence that media conglomerates can have on matters as vital as the climate crisis. In this webinar, our guest panelists will help us to understand our current media landscape, how it impacts the climate crisis, and what we can do about it. Our three panelists will include Allison Fisher from Media Matters for America, Elyse Martin from the Environmental Defense Fund, and Cheryl A. Leanza from UCC Media Justice. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register today!
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From our friends and partners | |
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Do you have a passion for helping others and possess basic piano playing skills?
If your answer is yes, Thornwald Home and Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home have 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!
Thornwald Home and Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home are seeking a Volunteer Pianist to provide accompaniment once a month for the weekly worship services. Services are held at Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home on Wednesdays at 2pm and at Thornwald Home on Thursdays at 2pm. The volunteer pianist plays hymns during the service and other music of their choosing for a short periods prior and after the worship service.
Join our volunteer team at Thornwald Home and/or Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home as you provide your musical talents for the benefit of the residents.
If you would like to share your time with the residents of Thornwald Home and Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home, please contact Rev. Fa Lane, Chaplain, at (717) 249-4118.
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.
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Pathways Theological Education
Throughout history, people have used the gifts of the land creating structures to make our lives easier. The Bailey Island Bridge is such a creation of granite slabs strong enough to withstand the powerful tidal forces traveling between Orrs and Bailey Islands. How do human creations hurt or help our relationship with all people, biodiversity, and the planet? PATHWAYS responds to this question through its Environmental Justice Program, introducing theology, ethics, scripture, policy, pastoral care, preaching and worship that embraces diverse cultures, creatures, and the Earth, Our Common Home.
Sign up now and sample an Environmental Justice course, Biomes and Landforms in Scripture (beginning January 8), connecting our lives and lands with the life and land found in Scripture.
Visit our website and learn more about PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.
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The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary has its popular "Liturgical Practices" course beginning in mid-January 2025. This class provides participants with the opportunity to plan, prepare, and practice versions of rites and rituals tailored to their own denominational and cultural contexts, including leading Sunday worship, baptisms/child dedications, weddings/union services, and funerals/memorial/homegoing services.
More Information at https://learn-moravian-edu-seminary.pdx.catalog.canvaslms.com/courses/pam-liturgical-practices
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Spring 2025 Eden Seminary Ministry Cohorts
Register here
Ministry cohorts allow you to sample many theological themes, offering peer learning with your ministry context in mind. Scholars have chosen a specific lens on a particular topic and share their expertise through digital content you watch on your own time. Four monthly online meetings are interspersed, where you and your cohort members gather for facilitated discussion with an experienced church leader.
Cohorts support lifelong learning and are for anyone- authorized clergy, chaplains, Christian educators, lay leaders and anyone interested in the topic. UCC members will recognize the Marks for Ministry woven throughout the cohorts, though anyone from any denomination, or no denomination, is welcome to attend.
Each Cohort is $250, with Referral Rewards and a Multi-Cohort Bundle available. Go here for information, exact dates, and to register.
6+ Makes a Cohort – Bring a friend!
The Body of Christ and The Body Snatchers - Digital content by Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause; Rev. Shana Johnson as facilitator
Doing Justice in Community - Digital content by Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker; Fr. Aaron Rogers as facilitator
The Psalms for Justice-Seekers and Peacemakers - Digital content by Rev. Dr. Clint McCann, Rev. Dr. Nora Foust, facilitator
Church Administration - Digital content by Rev. Dr. John Bracke; Rev. Eric Fistler as facilitator
UCC History and Polity - Dr. Jill Baker, digital content provider and facilitator
Trauma-Informed Spiritual Care - Digital content by Rev. Dr. Kristen Leslie, Rev. Dr. Christie Love as facilitator
Grant funded scholarships available, please contact Nora before registering for more information.
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Part-Time Church Office Administrator
Lift UCC, Lancaster
The Church Office Administrator will support the Pastor(s) and Leadership Team in the administrative operations of the church. The Administrator will be responsible for overseeing and managing the administrative processes of the church, including office maintenance and communications. The right candidate will have the ability to work collaboratively, demonstrate strong organizational skills, and maintain a high level of confidentiality. See full job description here.
Contact Pastor Donté Jones if interested at pastor@wisdomstableucc.org or 717.808.7232.
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Current Openings - UCC National Setting
Philanthropy
Generosity Officer, Great Lakes Region Close Date: Open until filled
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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: 717-652-1560 x3
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 x3
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