Message to the Conference |
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Members and friends of Penn Central Conference,
See, the former things have come to pass,and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them. Isa 42:9
More new things God? These past couple years have seen change after change after change. I was reminded this week of a LP Hartley quote I used when I taught US History, "The past is a foreign country: they do things different there." (The Go-Between, 1953)
I can think of so many examples where this is true in the Church. One is church in general and how much the pandemic has changed how we engage worship, fellowship, and outreach just over the past few years. Another is the ways the UCC partners for mission work in the world. As a child in church I remember our missionaries visiting and telling us about their work in a remote Ghanan village one Sunday each summer. A youth read their quarterly letter to us in worship. We raised money for Bibles, clothes, school buildings, and supplies. Today the UCC works through global and local partners to work for justice, reconciliation, and peace in a model quite different from the one of my childhood.
Join us next week as we gather to hear from the UCC's Associate General Minister of Global Engagement the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson on the new ways we engage with mission partners around the world. Rev. Thompson will deliver a keynote address on Monday evening at 6:30 and preach in our Saturday business and worship zoom. Between these bookends with Rev. Thompson, there are a number of workshops each evening ranging from working with refugee families to racial justice discussions, as well as music in small churches, and of course ministry in a post-pandemic world. Saturday's business session will include the normal budget and officer slate votes, and the state of the conference address from our conference minister Rev. Dr. Carrie Call. We will hear some great music from the PCC virtual choir and some hidden musical gems, too.
There's still time to register for the Saturday business meeting and worship, the Monday night plenary and the workshops.
Shalom,
Nora
Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
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PCC Virtual Choir
Want to sing in the choir for the Annual Meeting? We will be doing a piece, virtual choir style for the worship for that meeting. Join our core of Virtual Choir singers to enhance the worship. All you need is two pieces of equipment: one that can play video (for example, your computer) and one that can record video (typically your phone!) Julie Holm will help step you through the process, but connect quickly - email her at bvfofmusic@gmail.com or call (814) 349-5515! Video tracks for the Annual Meeting are due June 5. |
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Scheduling notes:
June 5 - St. John's UCC, Lewisburg - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
June 12 - Church of the Apostles UCC, Lancaster - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
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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. |
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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...
Salem - Walmers UCC, Annville
Salona UCC, Mill Hall
St. Paul's UCC, Schaefferstown
St. Paul's UCC, Selinsgrove
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The call to the Sixtieth Annual Meeting of the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ will convene via Zoom
"Mission In Focus"
"See, the former things have come to pass and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them." - Isaiah 42:9
June 6 - 11, 2022
Check out the full list of workshops on the registration page - hosted by conference staff, PCC clergy and our friend and partners on a variety of topics.
Documents have begun being uploaded to the Annual Meeting page on the PCC website - check back as more are uploaded each week. |
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On behalf of myself and the Starview United Church of Christ congregation, we want to extend an invitation to other congregations which might be hoping to join other
Churches, in person, for the 60th ANNUAL MEETING. We are asking that congregations RSVP by June 6th, so we can have adequate tables set up, along with snacks and drinks (water, coffee, tea) for everyone. The meeting will be viewed on a large screen via a projector, and communion elements will, of course, be provided. Afterwards, anyone wishing to join the delegates of Starview for lunch are invited to do so. Sandwiches, salad, and dessert will be provided. To RSVP, by MONDAY, June 6th is 717-266-4248 or email: starviewucc@comcast.net.
Blessings,
Pastor Laura Baker
Starview United Church of Christ
4832 N. Sherman St. Ext.
Mount Wolf, PA 17347
PS – the church is easily accessible:
Only 6 miles off of I-83 (Emigsville Exit)
Only 5 miles from the York Galleria Mall, York (Rt. 24)
Only 5.5 miles from intersection of Rt. 30 and George Street, York
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Outdoor Ministries
Watch for Rev. Nora Foust's emails on Thursdays for links to register for Outdoor Ministries events and a taste of the summer camp curriculum. Read last week's here or on our Facebook page. If you aren't getting these emails, contact Paul to be added to the mailing list. And don't forget to use code PENNCENTRAL2022 for 50% off camp at both HC Spirit Week and Lutheran Camping Corporation camps
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SUMMER CAMP programs from June-August To learn more about and to register for youth camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for family camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for elder camp, visit here.
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HC Spirit Week - What's in a Name?
"Naming and Claiming Who God Made Us to Be"
Saturday, August 6
through Friday, August 12
Camp Mt. Luther
See the full brochure here for all the details!
Register online here or mail your registration form to the PCC offices. |
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HC Spirit Week tee shirt design contest has been extended to June 12th! Submit your 8.5"x11" designs to Rev. Alice Rauch - designs must include: "What's In A Name: Naming and Claiming Who God Made Us To B", "Penn Central Conference" and "HC Spirit Week 2022 (at Camp. Mt. Luther or CML)" |
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Christ Church UCC, 200 S White Oak St, Annville, (on 934) is hosting an outdoor Flea Market on Saturday, June 18 from 8am - 2pm. Rain or Shine - Food for sale too! Call 717-867-1641 to reserve a spot ($10) or for more information. We look forward to having you to sell, shop & eat!
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PCC has launched a new monthly email just for clergy, with news, events and clergy transitions. If you did not get this month's email on Tuesday, please let Paul know.
We will be including some items in the eNews (see below), but please check out the full email here for more events and news! |
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Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World:
Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues
Pastoral Colloquy 2022
Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022 - Learn more and register here.
Who? Pastors from all the church bodies listed above
What? A week of learning, discussion, and fellowship
Where? Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
When? Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022
Weekend visits before and after the colloquy are available for our German guests.
Why? “All we are saying is ‘Give peace a chance!’” ~ John Lennon, 1969
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Election Year Reminder: Churches Can Be Political But Not Partisan
UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel shares important information to consider as another election cycle heats up. Read her blog post here.
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UCC Webinars
These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.
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In conjunction with the Unitarian Universalist Association, we are now offering limited online Our Whole Lives/Sexuality and Our Faith trainings. This is a wonderful opportunity for folks looking for the ability to train without needing to travel. These trainings are accessible via Zoom and an online platform and cost less than most in-person trainings. They are delegated 8 spots in each training for UCC folks.
The trainings each take place over a 3-week period and require some online work before the training begins and some work in between twice weekly synchronous sessions. The cost is $250 per person. In addition, each participant needs access to OWL and Sexuality and Our Faith manuals; if they need to purchase these, we offer a 20% discount to UCC people taking OWL trainings. Contact Amy Johnson for discount code.
Deadline for registration for the July trainings is June 6th. If we do not fill our UCC spots by that time, we will give them to the UUA to use for anyone on their waitlist.
The August training applications for Elementary Trainings (for grades K-1 and 4-6) will be open from June 13-27, and September applications for the next Grades 7-9/10-12 training will be open from July 5 through August 8.
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The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World
September 19, 2022 – September 21, 2022
Join us to reflect on what we've moved through as church experiencing pandemic, to recognize the innovative ways we have survived and in some ways thrived: What did we learn when faced with the need to pivot quickly and still be effectively present as church? Where do we need to stretch ourselves? What and how do we need to build capacity to resource how we're evolving as church? What might we each offer to help us become? These and other questions will be contemplated as we lean in to lessons learned about adapting with agility, and unpack potential possibility. Learn more and register here.
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From our friends and partners |
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
Learn more and register here!
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Personal Finances for Ministers, July 12–Aug 16. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Introduction to basics of personal financial management, including special considerations for religious professionals and congregations where they serve. Topics include budgeting, debt, compensation and taxes, insurance, investing, and estate planning. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125
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Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, instructor Jessica Young Brown, Aug 23–Sept 27, 2022. A Ministerial Institute class. Confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care in ministry. $325.
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Evangelical & Reformed Heritage Sunday - June 12
As we prepare to celebrate Heritage Sunday in the coming weeks we should take a moment to reflect on our beginning, traditions, and memories as moments from the past are part of our story and that is a story that future generations will look back on and write the next chapter. The mission of the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society is to preserve the past, educate future generations and continue building a renewed interest in our legacy.
We are thankful for your generosity. Prepare for your Heritage Sunday Celebration with a renewed excitement for your faith. If you would like to make a gift online click here to support the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society.
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Forty Days: A Pilgrimage of Peace
July 15 - August 25
Louisa, Virginia USA
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Songs of Desire: New Music for the Churches
Saturday July 9, 2:00Pm - Sunday July 10, 9:00PM
Suggested Donation: $50 including accommodation and meals.
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Accompanist Position Available
We are searching for an Accompanist to bring their gifts to our church where we appreciate a blend of contemporary and traditional music.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the vision of the church, this year-round, part time, salaried position will provide music for worship and other events in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
The current music ministry of HPUCC consists of one volunteer choir, as well as instrumental and vocal soloists.
For more information, please call the church at 717-397-9791 or email: admin@hpucc.org. If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603
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Audio/Visual System Operators Needed
Church of the Apostles, United Church of Christ in Wayne Heights is looking for two people to operate our Audio/Visual system during Sunday morning worship services at 10:45 am (summer worship at 10 am, beginning the first Sunday in June and ending with Labor Day weekend). Other services would include weddings, funerals, Lenten services and Christmas Eve. These are part-time, independent contractor positions; paid per service. Responsible teenagers will be considered. Training will be provided. Read the full description here.
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Position: Music Director
Effective: Immediately
As a part of the United Church of Christ denomination, we at Hamilton Park UCC seek to provide a welcoming, inclusive, and caring environment where people of all backgrounds and from all walks of life can experience the support of a community where they are valued and loved and where they can experience the love of God given by Christ.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the Pastor and the vision of Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, this year-round, part time, salaried position will coordinate the total music ministry program of HPUCC, to include playing instruments, such as piano, organ, guitar, etc. in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Music Director plans and oversees a diverse musical program that enhances the total worship programming of the church that includes worship services and special events.
If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603.
Email: admin@hpucc.org.
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MINISTRY OPPORTUNITY AT LOCUST LAKE STATE PARK Summer 2022
The Schuylkill Association of the PA Southeast Conference, UCC, has a ministry opportunity for a part-time chaplain at Locust Lake State Park near Tamaqua, PA. If you are a Christian (Clergy or lay) who can function in an unstructured situation and who has a love of God, God’s creation, and God’s people, then this might be the opportunity for you.
The chaplain represents the church as a Christian presence and quiet witness among those who camp at this beautiful state park. The responsibilities of the chaplain include:
· Conduct campsite visitation weekly.
· Provide informal, inspirational weekly worship services.
· Provide availability to park/campground staff and campers for crisis situations.
· Provide informal programs such as campfires, hymn sings, special musical events, and activities for children, as needed.
Training and ministry support and resources will be provided by the PA Council of Churches Chaplains in the Park program and the Locust Lake Committee.
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St. Matthew’s UCC (Carlisle) is seeking a part-time
church administrative assistant. Starting pay 15.00 or higher
based on experience/credentials. 10-15hrs/week. Read full description here.
If interested, please contact Pastor Tim Dugan
Preferred contact phone number: 570-428-4290.
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-2587
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3564
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560
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