Message to the Conference
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Dear Friends of Penn Central Conference -
Today is Abe Lincoln’s birthday. I remember it every year because it is also my father’s birthday – whose middle name is Lincoln as a result. And Lincoln is a good person on whom to ground my thinking this week because I have been reflecting a great deal about power and the uses of power. I was intrigued by the quote from Lincoln because we often think that it is adversity that shows evidence of one’s character. However, when we are in positions of power the true shape and contours of our character become evident. Those around us can see how we manage power, how we use it to the betterment or detriment of others, and whether we share it. Our character is thereby revealed.
In my work with clergy I recognize that clergy have tremendous power – although some would disagree. Yes, we feel powerless at times, even undermined and thwarted. Yet in a general sense the role of clergy is a profoundly powerful one. For example, we speak works about spiritual truths and about how God acts in the world. We share insights into sin, grace, and redemption. For many of our church members, those are the only words they hear related to the spiritual realm. We also tend to see and stand beside people in their most vulnerable times. There are times when we hold the hearts of others in our hands. That is holy ground and deeply powerful.
The apostle Paul spoke of power in a variety of settings. Jesus did as well. And the words were always challenging, since they pressed up against the wider world’s examples of power. Our power is not that of armies, riches, fame, or political influence. Disciples are meant to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, but the focus of that power is healing, preaching good news, breaking the yokes that encumber, and building one another up in love. In his letter to the Philippians, chapter 2, Paul writes, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” This brief reminder from Paul tells us that authentic and empowered followers of Jesus use their power to uphold and stand in solidarity with others. The power we wield flows out from us to empower and lift others. The misuse of power is known by its fruits: self-aggrandizement, division, finger-pointing, self-justification, and oppression.
Consider carefully your own gift of power. Lincoln used his to bring a divided nation together. He was not perfect by any means, and history is messy and complicated. Yet his character was evident in how he used his power. As disciples we have a responsibility to ask ourselves, what do people learn about our character by how we use our power?
Peace,
Carrie
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Preaching Around the Conference
February 16
- Trinity UCC, Centre Hall - Rev. Nora Foust - 10:45AM
February 23 - St. John's UCC, New Columbia - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call - 10:00AM
February 23 - St. John's UCC, Red Lion - Rev. Nora Foust - 10:00AM
March 1 - Heidelburg UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call - 10:00AM
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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. Paul's UCC, Dallastown
Zion (Stone Valley) UCC, Dalmatia
Shiloh UCC, Danville
Saint James UCC, Danville
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Penn Central Conference was saddened to report that Rev. Dennis Weidler passed away on Sunday. He was currently a member of St. Peter's Lischey’s UCC in Spring Grove and was very active in the York Association and the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ. He was serving as the chair of PCC's ACM Search Committee at the time of his passing.
A funeral service in celebration of his life will be held on Friday at 10:00AM at St. Peter Lischey’s United Church of Christ, 5671 Lischey’s Church Rd., Spring Grove with his pastor, Rev. Cathy Sherry officiating. Interment will follow at United Christian Cemetery in Campbelltown PA. Viewings will be held on Thursday from 5:00PM – 8:00PM at Beck Funeral Home & Cremation Service Inc., 175 N. Main St., Spring Grove 17362 and on Friday from 9:00AM-10:00AM at the church. Full Obituary can be found
here.
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UNITE! Purdue University
July 22-25, 2020
Who’s headed to NYE this summer? I remember my first NYE at UT Knoxville where I realized just exactly what this Church I am a part of was all about. I remember how so many of the conferences sat together and had matching t-shirts and cheers as we would transition from one stage event to the next. Singing, praying, and worshiping with so many gave me glimpses of a different way to be church. Workshops with youth and leaders from across the country helped me get outside the box of the “way I had always done it.” Hopefully, your church youth are already fundraising for this exciting time! If you are planning to join the more than 3000 youth at Purdue University, please contact
Rev. Nora Foust
so we can UNITE! our Penn Central presence!
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Climate Justice
From the Pollinator:
On Sunday night, I fulfilled my eight-year-old daughter's fervent request that we watch the news report about Groundhog Day and Punxsutawney Phil. Never before had I witnessed this adjective-defying slice of Americana. While my daughter was captivated by Phil's furry looks, I am still thinking about his prediction that we will have an early spring. For me, it has become a metaphor for the response I am witnessing in the UCC to the
Kairos Call to Action
, a call for churches to engage in an all-out mobilization to address climate and inequality. Green sprouts and leaves are starting to shoot out all across the country. In Denver, the members of Washington Park UCC voted unanimously at their annual meeting to say "YES!" to the Kairos Call to Action. In central Pennsylvania and southern California, kairos trainings are being organized to certify 40 or more people as leaders in mobilizing their congregations. In Wisconsin, the Rev. John Helt is preaching a "kairos stump sermon" that is receiving applause! Far more happenings are in development, but I don't want to jump the gun in announcing them too soon.
Let me know if you see signs of a kairos spring emerging where you reside. If you need inspiration to plant a few seeds, then read about the sixth suggested kairos action (which includes a link to the wise words of Desmond Tutu):
With gratitude for your ministry,
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Keystone 10 Million Trees
Does your church or business own land? Do you want to improve Pennsylvania's communities, economy, and ecology by planting 10 million trees throughout
the Commonwealth? Learn more about Keystone 10 Million Trees
here
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Ashley Martinage is the newly elected representative from the Mid-Atlantic Region to the National Board of Directors of the Association of United Church Educators (AUCE). AUCE is a membership organization for UCC Christian Educators and Clergy, which advocates for excellence in faith formation ministries.
Ashley is Director of Faith Formation at Rock Spring Congregational UCC in Arlington, Virginia. In her new role, she will provide resources and networking opportunities for local church educators and clergy who are working to provide
faith formation. She will also advocate for faith formation within the MId-Atlantic
Region, which is made up of the Central Atlantic, New York, Penn Central, Penn
Northeast, Pennsylvania Southeast and Penn West Conferences of the UCC. For information on becoming a member of AUCE, go
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Has your church starting filling out your yearbook information? The Data Hub is now open! All the links are below.
If you need assistance - reach out to the conference office and we will be glad to assist.
Church Officer Reporting
In addition to your online Yearbook reporting via the Data Hub, PCC will still be collecting the voluntary Church Officer reporting. Please complete
this form
and
email to Paul
at the PCC office.
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Salem’s Closet
at Salem UCC, Harrisburg was opened on February 1, 2020. We served 77 adults and 13 children, but we also were able to help 212 people from our various outreaches over the last two months.
Next time open: April 4, 2020. Needed: blankets, pillows, socks. Questions and to
volunteer, please call Sandy Sgrignoli at 717-635-0569 or Judy and Bob Enders at 717-732-1474.
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Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils & Ordinations
February 22
- Ordination of Amy Fishburn at Grace UCC, Lancaster - 2:00PM (Rev. Carrie Call attending)
February 23
- Installation of Craig Munnel at Trinity UCC, Lewistown - 3:00PM (Rev. Nora Foust attending)
June 7
- Ordination of Gary Nottis at St. John's UCC, Lewisburg - 3:00PM
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Association Meetings and Ministeriums
March 9
- Mercersburg Ministerium–Spiritual Care in the Congregation with Rev. Nora Foust - 9:00am
April 25
- Harrisburg Association Meeting (Rev. Carrie Call attending)
April 26
- Central Association Meeting with Rev. Nora Foust
April 26
- Gettysburg Association Meeting and Town Hall with Rev. Carrie Call
April 30
- York Ministerium with Rev. Nora Foust
May 3
- Lancaster Association Meeting (Rev. Carrie Call Attending)
May 11
- Mercersburg Ministerium (Rev. Carrie Call Attending)
May 14
- Gettysburg Ministerium with Rev. Nora Foust
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Association Special Events
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Outdoor Ministry Retreats at Hartman Center
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Pride Retreat for LGBTQ Folks & Allies
- May 29-31 (details to come)
SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Early bird pricing for those who pay in full before March 31, 2020.
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May 13
- Ordinary Team Worship Planning - Colonial Park UCC - More info to come
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Boundary Training & MEFS
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Free Choir Robes - Emmanuel UCC, Hanover
Emmanuel UCC has 36 choir robes (made in the US by E.R. Moore.) They are green, in a traditional style, gathered yoke, front zip with stoles.
(See picture here.)
Call Emmanuel UCC at 717-632-8281 for details.
Looking for Bells - Church of the Apostles, Waynesboro
Narda Druckenmiller is looking for a 2 Octave set of Handbells that another church may not be using or willing to sell. Contact Narda at 717-994-4614
Looking to borrow
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A congregational set of "Unbinding Your Heart" by Martha Grace Reese. If your church has a set to lend, contac
t
Hamilton Park UCC, Lancaster
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February 22
-
ONA Winter Gathering
at Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg PA - 9:30AM-3:00PM - register by emailing
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
: The Rev Dr. Beverly Dale - an ordained minister, a playwright/performer/author, sex educator, teacher, educator, and spiritual director.
Steven Roush, Penn Central Conference’s ONA Consultant and Bethany Sweger, ONA Team Member on
ONA 101A
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From PCC Partners & Friends
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Tuesday Topics - Women Who Speak for God: Females Among the Prophets
- Dr. Julia O'Brian - Lancaster Theological Seminary - March 24, 10:00AM
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Annual Meeting
- June 12-13, 2020
Event with Bishop Robert Schnase & Recognition Dinner
- September 19, 2020 (info to come!)
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Mercersburg, York and Gettysburg Association Churches
Rev. Richard Gordon
717-940-8345
Northern and Central Association Churches
Rev. Sally Dries
570-850-6062
Harrisburg, Lancaster and Lebanon Association Churches
Rev. John Fureman
717-274-5981
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Rev. Carrie Call, PhD
Transitional Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 12
Rev. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex.13
Zoë D'heedene
Coordinator of Camps/Retreats
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 16
Scott Watts
Facilitator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 15
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 14
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If you have future eNews stories, please send them to
C. Paul Keller
.
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