Message to the Conference |  | |
Greetings Penn Central members and friends,
“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14
In a few short weeks the Hartman Center Homecoming Camp will again return to our former camp for a week of camping fellowship and fun in God’s open (and some air conditioned) spaces. Our Bible times each day will focus on how we are “Linked by Love.”
Folks have a habit of throwing around that word, “love,” like it is an easy thing to do. We all know in reality that it can be quite challenging to choose love. Our campers will spend their week immersed in just 6 of the teachings in scripture about God’s love. I have spilled much ink, as have many preachers, on this very subject. (Including Pastor Bill in his message to our siblings in PSEC this week.) “Love one another” Jesus tells us. “They’ll know we are Christians by our love” we sing in our pews and around campfires.
Throughout the week, campers will explore how we are linked to God in the ways that we share God’s love in the world. Each day’s study will give specific examples of this love: love that accepts (Lk 10:38-42), love that is fully present (Job 2:11-13), love that extends grace and forgiveness (Lk 15:11-32), love that tells the truth (Ex 18:5-24), love that changes us (Philemon. 1:8-17), and love that makes us community (1 Jn 4:7-9, 19). Each day campers will be charged to choose kindness, to help one another, and to make harmony in our time set apart from their daily lives. There will be camp experiences that cannot be replicated when they return home, but the lessons on how to love will hopefully stay in their hearts and be borne out in their living. (Join us with a personal study of these passages.)
Here in the letter to the Colossian Church that campers will read on the first day, Paul gives very clear instructions for what love looks like in the world. It looks like kindness and humility, helping one another, compassion and forgiveness. In our divided society right now it feels more and more challenging to love, in these ways, those with whom I have strong disagreements. Daily I am reminded that love is the yoke I have chosen, and so I dig in to find the spark of compassion or kindness that will show love, the act that will be kind, even if I am still working out the feeling in my spirit.
I am God’s beloved. All who read these words are God’s beloved. Friends, choose love even when it is the harder path in this day. Intentionally clothe yourself for this time and these battles in ways that outwardly exhibit love over judgement, kindness over brutality, even if you and God are still working it out in your heart. God dwells there beloveds, and God is love.
Our unity in God’s realm is promised, our unity in the midst of God’s created world is ours to make real. Unity is found in living out the love that Jesus taught us. May we truly love one another and show it daily.
Shalom,
Nora
Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
PS: Don't forget about other camping opportunities with Lutheran Camping Corp!
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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
Sunday, July 7 - St. Thomas UCC, Harrisburg - Nora Foust preaching
Sunday, July 14 - St. John's Tylersville UCC, Loganton - Nora Foust preaching
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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. John's UCC, East Earl
Trinity UCC, East Petersburg
Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown
Salem UCC, Elizabethville
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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
July 7, 3:00PM - Cam Richesson installation service - Dover UCC, Dover
July 21, 3:00PM - Dwight Hein installation service - Quentin UCC, Quentin
August 4, 3:00PM - Su Rider ordination service - St. Peter's UCC, Lykens
| Explore our German roots! The PCC-EKiR partnership with the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland, Germany, is looking for leaders for their next generation project to participate in two ecumenical church meetings, one in the fall, in Wisconsin, and one in the spring in Wuppertal, Germany. Clergy and involved laypeople in age up to the early 40s are sought. The partnership committee has a commitment to pursuing grants and other funding for your travel expenses. We prefer people who can commit to both meetings, but will consider people who can only commit to one. This is a significant ecumenical continuing education and relationship opportunity! For more information contact Julie Holm at julie@bvfof.org! | |
UCC Webinar: An Indigenous Translation of Scripture
The "First Nations Version" is an Indigenous translation of the Christian scriptures. It brings a fresh language to how these scriptures are conveyed and understood. Notably, a decolonized rendering of the sacred texts articulates a different understanding of how humans understand their relationship to both God and all of God's creation. In this webinar, we will hear from three members of the translation council that produced the First Nations Version. Terry M. Wildman, who envisioned the translation, will be joined by Amy Allan and Kimberlee Medicine Horn Jackson. Even if you cannot make it at its scheduled time on Tuesday, July 16th at 3 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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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.
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.
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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
Via Zoom - 10:00AM and 6:00PM
These boundary trainings are a repeat of topics covered in the first half of 2024.
Money Matters - July 16, 2024
Financial Health and Vitality can be a challenging conversation and in this two-hour session we will look at the various ways in which money does matter in ministry, personally and vocationally. Financial Misconduct is in the top-five reasons for fitness reviews and conference staff receive numerous questions about how to move in healthy ways when it comes to church money. Come out and we’ll take a deep dive into this sensitive topic. Register here
Healthy Beginnings and Endings – August 20, 2024
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
The Ministerial Code – September 17, 2024
This is the ordained minister’s code of ethics and should underpin our ministry. It’s a grand document. Join Nora as we look at it line-by-line and examine the practical implications of living a life worthy of the calling to which we’ve each been called. Register here
Intersectionality and Power Dynamics - October 15, 2024
In this session, ACM Rev. Dr. Nora Foust will discuss ways in which we as leaders in the church navigate ever changing power dynamics as culturally more and more important intersections are defined. Her participation in a training event with Rev Lori Tapia, the DOC National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries, and Dr. Sharon Fennema, our UCC Curator for Join the Movement, led to the development of this culturally relevant discussion. Register here
Undercurrents and Riptides Online - November 19, 2024
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. Register here.
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Join with a few of your ministry peers for a fun and reflective time learning about fluid art! No experience necessary. You will learn from a professional fluid artist (Ann Benton Yeager) and create a 12x12 canvas of your own. Your Conference staff will share a bit of scripture and poetry and we will also have refreshments for all.
Register here.
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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)
July 24 – Narrative Budgets: Telling your Story by the Numbers
https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvfuigrDwqHdI98h61fh1SpPrQJ2yC26iA
A narrative budget translates the line items of a traditional budget into a story of how your congregation makes a difference in the world. It can be a helpful tool for a stewardship campaign or annual meeting. By telling the story of our congregations' impact, we can inspire generosity in our donors.
August 28 – 3 Best Practices for Stewardship in Congregations
https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrd-6vqTIpG9egZClLQ6xXRV5jWRz-JVYT
We will discuss the three practices most likely to increase giving in a local congregation: teaching about generosity, pastoral leadership, and online giving options. The webinar will examine why these practices matter and discuss how to implement them in a congregation.
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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Spirits United Interfaith Pride Service
Central PA Pride Weekend
Sunday, July 28, 5:00PM
Keynote Speaker will be PCC's own Rev. Cindy Garis August
Music by the Spirits United Interfaith Choir
Livestreamed on Facebook.com/mccofthespirit
Metropolitan Community Church of the Spirit
2973 Jefferson St.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) offers Innovation and New Models of Leadership.
July 9–Aug 13, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom.
Instructor: The Rev. Dale Davis.
This cutting-edge class introduces you to the latest leadership models and features a podcast series produced especially for the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry, featuring well-known experts Gil Rendle, Karen Georgia Thompson, Doug Powe Jr., Lovett Weems Jr., John Schol, and Sarah Drummond. 2.5 CEUs. $325.
Information and registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
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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 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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