Message to the Conference |
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Members and friends of Penn Central Conference -
“Day by day they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47)
Pentecost is a glorious festival day for the church, during which red banners, red clergy shirts, red shoes and red decorations take center stage. It is a day of fire and wind and a reminder of new possibilities and new directions.
How appropriate that Pentecost fell this year at a time when our nation seems to be waking up and emerging from the cave of Covid-19. Vaccinations continue and people are hugging and touching and joining together in groups again. I confess, it feels miraculous. And then I am reminded of what comes after Pentecost: Ordinary Time.
Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar is long and expressed through the color green. It is a quiet time that falls outside of the two “great seasons” of Eastertide and Christmastide. And this year it parallels our own return to “ordinary life”. I have seen the emergence from Covid back to ordinary life expressed tentatively, as if we are putting our hands out the door to see if the rain is falling. Emergence is also punctuated with sudden bursts of extravagance and exuberance as groups join together in celebration without masks on. The pace is uneven as so many are in different places emotionally, physically and psychologically. Abiding grief remains for many, alongside the realization that our ordinary time will look differently now.
In the ordinary time that followed Pentecost the believers in the early church focused on sharing meals, praying together, and praising God. Their glad and generous hearts must have made them glad and generous to others, as their numbers increased. The message of salvation was part of daily life and the response was prayer, thanksgiving, and providing sustenance.
My hope is that our ordinary time might be filled with the same actions as those of the early believers. After all, we are all the result of the testimony of the believers through the centuries. We would not be here if it were not for their glad and generous hearts. Consider for yourselves, after Pentecost, as you emerge from the Covid-time, how will you give thanks, praise God and share the word of new life with glad and generous hearts?
May we feel the movement of the Spirit and embrace the practice of the early Christian community to testify, pray, praise and give thanks. Our saving God is with us in this new time.
Peace,
Carrie
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
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Note about Staff Engagement:
As we move into new practices around meetings and worship, the Penn Central Staff is committed to joining with you in person for worship and for special meetings. Regularly scheduled meetings (e.g. COM, Executive Committees, etc.) – if at all possible – should be hybrid so our staff can attend remotely. This allows for good stewardship of both time and resources on the part of the Conference.
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The 59th Annual Meeting of Penn Central Conference
June 12, 2021
"Called to Covenant"
Special Meetings to discuss bylaws changes that will be voted on:
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General Synod 33
"Rooted In Love"
July 11 – 18, 2021
Important links below
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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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Scheduling notes:
May 30 - Peace UCC, Denver - Rev. Nora Foust preaching
June 6 - Zion UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
June 6 - Salem UCC, Harrisburg - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
June 13 - St. John's UCC, Shamokin - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
June 20 - Church of the Redeemer UCC, Hershey - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
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Rev. Nora Foust's latest Morsels of Excellence continues to explore Healthy Churches with a look at "Building Leadership Skills." Click the video link above to watch, or check out a playlist of all of the Healthy Church series here.
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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, McConnelsburg
St. John's UCC, McEwensville
St. John's UCC, McKnightstown
St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg
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Penn Central Conference is once again accepting applications for the PCC Innovation Grants which is for PCC churches who are looking for funding for a bold & innovative approach to ministry. Application can be found here, please email completed forms to Paul.
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COVID-19 Resources
Penn Central Conference has added a special section on our website for COVID-19 resources, including the times and links for Zoom meetings. Find them here: https://pccucc.org/covid-19-resources/
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PCC Virtual Choir
Two new Virtual Choir pieces are now available!
You can view all the PCC Virtual Choir video on the Conference's Youtube channel, at this link.
Our last piece of the 2020-2021 Virtual Choir Season will be prepared for worship at the Penn Central Conference Annual meeting. If you are interested in joining us, contact Julie Holm at bvfofmusic@gmail.com or call (814)349-5515.
Because of copyright issues, most pieces of our Christmas cantata will be removed from YouTube and no longer available for download as of June 1. If you want to download it for future use in your church, it is still available at
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Outdoor Ministries
The 2021 summer camp schedule is set! There are camps for all ages and interests at both Kirchenwald and Nawakwa. Check out what is offered online. There is an early-bird registration discount if you register before April 3. Also, if you attend the Open House, you can get an additional discount. Full brochure here. Special PCC discounts available on camp registrations! Read more here.
Calling all high school kids, college-age young adults, and adults interested in working at camp this summer! Lutheran Camping Corporation is recruiting now for this summer's camp season. Learn more here.
This will be a week of summer camp dedicated to carrying on the memorable and special experiences at Hartman Center. It will be a week for folks from Penn Central Conference and friends of Hartman Center to come together and celebrate outdoor ministry with familiar faces and through familiar traditions. There are a variety of camp options ranging from coming for a single day to staying the whole week, from bringing your own food to eating all the meals provided! The Conference has scholarships available - please reach out for more info.
Check out the all new Outdoor Ministries page on the PCC website here!
And a history of Hartman Center is hosted on the PCC website here.
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Mercersburg Society Presents
2021 Mercersburg Convocation
Polarization and Reconciliation: Hints From the Mercersburg Tradition
Jun 7 & 8, 2021
REGISTER FOR THE CONVOCATION BY JUNE 1 BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO JOHN CEDARLEAF AT JOHN.CEDARLEAF@GMAIL.COM.
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On Saturday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. Christ Church United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown will host Br. Stefan Andre Waligur in concert. This is a benefit concert to support the new Community of Peace in Louisa, VA near Charlottesville. The concert offers original songs and chants for peace and justice, stories and poetry from the Celtic tradition, and opportunity for shared sacred silence. Br. Stefan is a monk in the Benedictine tradition who has offered retreats and concerts across the country and around the world. His music has been described by famed jazz musician Wynton Marsalis as “very beautiful and uplifting” and by Krista Tippett, host of On Being as “just beautiful” and again by author Brian McLaren as “a soulful gift.” Phyllis Tickle says Br. Stefan’s music is “absolutely breathtaking” and Parker Palmer writes that it is “a fascinating blend of traditions. I urge people to listen to this music.”
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Lectionary Discussion Group - This group is open to all clergy, meets weekly on Tuesdays at 1:00PM to discuss upcoming lectionary passages. Us this Zoom link here.
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Book Reviews
This month's reviews by Rev. Ken Trauger
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An experience of a person living in the storm of deaths is told. Immaculee’s experience of her faith throughout dangers and her escape from her county by hiding and hearing the killers outside, inspires your trust in God. You will thank God for her story of keeping her faith, and in the last chapter for “Forgiving the Living”.
She could not change the situation, but she was challenged to change herself. This was also the view of Viktor Frankl during the World War Two holocaust survival.
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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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UCC Musicians Association Conference 2021
July 8-10, 2021
Join us online for workshops, worship services, a wonderful concert, vendors and networking. We will be virtually hosted by the First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC in the historic town of Glastonbury, Connecticut. From Thursday evening through the Saturday 4 pm closing worship service, we provide a plethora of activities that will enhance your music skills and give you resources and ideas for new ways of expressing God's Spirit in these pandemic times. We also provide glimpses of the historic scenery around the church in Glastonbury, which you would have enjoyed if you had come in person as originally planned. Join us instead online for a mental reset and spiritual refreshment with a taste of Connecticut. Learn more here.
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From our Partners & Friends: |
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The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Seminary announces:
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The National Council of Churches has been part of a Jewish, Christian, and Muslim coalition called Faiths4Vaccines for the past several months. Among our goals is helping houses of worship become vaccination sites by connecting them with partners such as local and state health departments and/or pharmacies.
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Mt. Gretna Tabernacle
Ecumenical Program
Friday Nights in June - 7:00PM
"GOD'S PRESENCE" is the common theme for Friday night worship services
during June at the historic Mt. Gretna Tabernacle. For speakers and more info, check out the full flyer here.
Parking GPS Address: 41 Boulevard St., Mt. Gretna, PA 17064
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Save the Date! June 13th is ERHS Heritage Sunday
The Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society looks forward to partnering with you in celebrating the continuing legacy of our historic E and R churches throughout the Penn Central Conference on Sunday, June 13th. Additional details are forthcoming. In the meantime, you can always visit us at erhistoricalsociety.org and follow us on Facebook @erhistoricalsoc and Instagram @erhistoricalsociety.
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Employment Opportunities
The Lebanon Valley Home, a continuing care retirement community affiliated with United Church of Christ Homes, is seeking a compassionate and resident focused team member for the position of Chaplain. This position is Part Time (15 hours per week).
The primary duty of the Chaplain is to provide spiritual support and comfort for the residents of the facility in coordination with the resident’s home congregation.
The chaplain will communicate a caring friendship with a tolerant attitude for multiple cultural traditions and a wide range of spiritual beliefs. The chaplain will offer encouragement and support to clergy and churches as they continue to minister to the needs of their members.
The chaplain will be available to offer comfort to the individual as well as the family. During difficult times, sensitivity and compassion are requisite for the spiritual support needed by all involved; the resident, family, and staff.
Providing comfort for the dying is a key part of the Chaplain's job as well as coordinating and conducting regularly scheduled religious services for residents.
Requirements – Must be an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ with a minimum of one year experience in a pastoral ministry as well as one unit Clinical Pastoral Education.
A resume and letter of interest should be submitted to:
Meredith Schell Fields
Executive Director
The Lebanon Valley Home
550 East Main Street
Annville PA, 17003
mfields@ucc-homes.org
Fax (717) 867-7060
EEOE
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PT Church Office Administrator - Christ UCC, Elizabethtown, an ONA congregation, looking for PT Church Office Administrator—28 hrs/wk. The Office Administrator should have skills, education, and experience in church office administration which includes web site construction, word processing, office management, and inter-personal relationships. Send application letter, résumé, and two references to GalenRussell@etownucc.org or mail to: Christ Church UCC, 247 So. Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 by May 13, 2021 |
Trinity United Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Pa. is looking for a Director of Faith Formation and Programming. The position is part-time (20-25 hours per week) and is open beginning August 1st, 2021. The Director position will be responsible for developing programs for youth, adults and children from pre-school age through fifth grade. The Director will engage children with exciting and relevant opportunities for learning, serving, and growing towards a meaningful relationship with God. Director will be responsible for providing leadership and effective communication for youth and adult Sunday School classes and other Christian Formation offerings (such as Vacation Bible School, book studies, outdoor education, etc.). The Director will engage all ages with exciting and relevant opportunities for learning, serving, and growing towards a meaningful relationship with God. Full description here.
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PT Director of Music - Christ Church UCC, an ONA congregation in Elizabethtown, PA seeks a candidate to lead worship through music and oversee the church’s music program. The candidate will possess strong skills in music, leadership, cooperation, organization, and recruitment. A music degree or equivalent experience, broad knowledge of church music, and a willingness to grow the music program are required. Salary up to $19,975 depending on background and experience.
The responsibilities include:
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Director of Music (Approx. 3-5 hours required/week)
Oversee and coordinate the overall music ministry of six choirs
Meet regularly with pastors to plan worship
Coordinate special music for worship services
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Chancel Choir Director (Approx. 10 hours required/week)
Direct the adult choir (not during summer)
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PT Musician Position - We're looking for someone to assist with the casual service at St. Thomas UCC in Linglestown. This person would help to plan worship, coordinate musicians, and lead the music for Sunday services by playing (keyboard or guitar) and singing. This is a paid, part-time position; for more information, contact Dan Schmidt (pastor@stthomasucc.net)
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 12
Rev. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex.13
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 15
Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler
Facilitator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
phone: 717-719-1895
Anne Rankin
Outdoor Ministries Liaison
phone: 717-945-4585
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 14
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