Members and Friends of Penn Central Conference,

“Come ye thankful people, come; raise the song of harvest home. All is safely gathered in ere the winter storm begin. God, our maker, doth provide for our wants to be supplied; come to God’s own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home.” 

The words of this hymn were written by Henry Alford, British theologian and churchman of the 19th century. The hymn is largely based on Psalms 89 and 86. Clearly it is a celebration of the harvest and of God’s bountiful gift of creation. The blessings of God’s nature and mercy are interwoven serving to remind us that God is in and through everything we have and all that we do.  

Though we most often sing this hymn on or around Thanksgiving Day, a continual spirit of thanksgiving dwelling within our spirits is clearly expressed in the first few notes. We are to always be conscious of God’s invitation to a partnership with the Almighty in the care and enjoyment of creation. And though our lives are but transitory, our proper thanksgiving is to actively strive to leave our corner of God’s creation better than we found it. 

How simple it all seems and how easily we sing those words. But, how much of our daily devotions do we dedicate to a fuller meditation upon what it means to give thanks? It can be a perfunctory act at best to offer a table grace and then move on to more pressing matters. It is all too easy to say thank you without giving much thought, consideration or real appreciation for what we are receiving. 

The hymn, the stated Psalms, provide the basis for more deeply comprehending the breadth of God’s love and care. As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow perhaps devoting time and spirit in considering our gifts and blessings from God. In turn. May our living reflect that same thanksgiving in acts of loving justice, compassion and sharing the peace of Christ with everyone around us. 

Rick

Rev. Rick Luciotti

Coordinator of Clergy Care

Penn Central Conference

The war in Israel/Palestine declared on October 7, has claimed thousands of lives, and tens of thousands of people have been injured. The UCC national setting invites your financial support to undergird the work of our partners in the Middle East with whom we have had a long-standing relationship. Your gifts will make an impact and a difference on those suffering so greatly during these days of lamentation and suffering. Learn more and donate here.

Scheduling notes:

November 24 - Office Closed

November 26 - St. Matthew's UCC, Carlisle - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching

December 10 - Trinity UCC, Waynesboro - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching

December 22 - January 2 - Office Closed

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...

Hill UCC, Lebanon

St. Mark's UCC, Lebanon

St. Paul's UCC, Lemaster

Dreisbach UCC, Lewisburg

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.

Open House and Celebration

You are invited to an open house in celebration of Rick Luciotti's time with Penn Central Conference on Thursday, December 7, 2023! His last day as Coordinator of Clergy Care will be December 31st.

We will have light refreshments in the fellowship hall of St. Thomas UCC and the offices will be open for guests to tour and interact with staff from 1:00PM to 3:00PM, with a presentation at 2:30PM in the fellowship hall.

Please RSVP by registering here so we can be sure to have enough food and chairs available.

Outdoor Ministries

Check out these events at Wittel Farm!

There’s something special about Wittel Farm in Elizabethtown that draws me there year round. In the spring, summer, and fall it’s The Growing Project managed by my friend Pastor Matt Lenahan. The farm is part of the Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central PA and this year The Growing Project harvested 27,000 lbs of fresh vegetables and fruit for Lancaster County food pantries and food banks. 

Truth be told, Pastor Matt’s energy and charisma is a large part of what brings me back to the farm. I particularly look forward to two December events that he leads at the farm. On Saturday, December 9th there is an Advent Day Apart (9 am – 2 pm) including lunch. The cost is $15. Register here.

The Advent/Christmas in the Barn is planned for Sunday, December 17th (7-8:30 pm).  We will begin around an outside fire circle then end with cookies and cocoa in the barn. There is no cost but registration is appreciated.   

Anne and I will be attending both events and we’d love to see some of our UCC friends there as well.  

Wittel Farm is located at 1753 Mill Road, Elizabethtown. 

Dave Bushnell

WINTER YOUTH RETREAT

at Kirchenwald

January 5 - January 7, 2024

$170

Enjoy Kirchenwald in the Winter! Play broom hockey and other games on the frozen pond. Have fun sledding, playing snow soccer and other winter games. Creative Bible studies and worship experiences led by our summer camp counselors are an important part of this retreat. Meet new friends and catch up with your summer camp friends. Other indoor and outdoor activities may be included, as the weather dictates.

For youth in grades 3 through 9. Register here. Use code PENNCENTRAL2024 for a 50% scholarship, courtesy of the PCC Outdoor Ministries Commission.

Camp Director Pastor Alice shares, "please mark your calendar for next year's HC Spirit camp at Hartman Center Campground and Retreat Center - Sunday, July 28th through Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. In addition to the cabins and lodges, the new owners are working on RV sites that should be ready before next summer. We would love it if lots of Penn Central Conference folks are able to reserve and use those sites while we are there."

Wondering how your congregation might engage in outdoor ministry? Camps and retreats aren't the only recipients of grant funds. Kayak church, fire pit fellowships, community gardens, and solar projects are just a few of the ideas discussed for funding. The application window is currently open with applications available here.

Thanks again to all who made our HC Spirit Camp a great success! We hope to see you, and more, next summer July 28-August 3.

Attention youth and youth leaders (if you're not a youth leader, please pass this on to whoever works with the youth or communicates with the youth in your church):

Are you in 6th to 12th grade? Looking for a break after the Christmas season? Want to get away from your family for a couple days? Missing Hartman Center?  

We can help! Come party with us at our winter youth retreat from January 12 to 14. We'll be at Hartman Center in Hartman lodge (formerly Micheaux lodge) and maybe some cabins. You can't beat the price. Register by Dec 4 using code PCC2024 and pay half of the Early Bird price - only $37.50 for the weekend including all meals and lodging and fun!  

Register now and tell your friends to register too. 

Local Church

Salem UCC Harrisburg is sponsoring a bedding drive for refugees being resettled by Church World Service. New and lightly used double and twin sheets, blankets, quilts, and comforters as well as new pillows may be brought to the fellowship hall at St. Thomas UCC (6490 Linglestown Rd, Harrisburg), Salem UCC Harrisburg (contact Susan Nelson @ 717-319-8992) or to the Harrisburg Association Meeting on October 29. 

21st Annual Creche Festival

Colonial Park UCC, Harrisburg

We will have several hundred Nativities on display from around the world. A free will offering will be accepted for Christian Churches United Ministries.

Friday, December 1, 1:00PM - 7:00PM

Saturday, December 2, 10:00AM - 7:00PM

Sunday, December 3, 12:00PM - 4:00PM

Messiah Singalong at Christ Church UCC

Christ Christ UCC is hosting a Handel’s Messiah Singalong on December 3 at 3pm. The exquisite oratorio’s recitatives and arias will be performed by professional soloists. The choruses will be sung by the audience members. This performance is free and open to the public. Please feel free to bring your own personal Messiah scores!

A goodwill offering will be taken for the Community Cupboard of Elizabethtown. The Community Cupboard is a food choice pantry that provides families a choice of the foods they eat based on the USDA food pyramid.

Date and time: December 3rd at 3pm

Location: Christ Church UCC, 247 S. Market Street, Elizabethtown, PA

For more information visit: etownucc.org or call 717 367 1208.

Sing a New Church into Being!  

Join the members of the Brush Valley Fusion of Faith as we celebrate our merger and the start of a new thing that God is doing in Brush Valley.  We will welcome Bishop Paula Schmidt of the Allegheny Synod of the ELCA, and Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Conference Minister of the Penn Central Conference of the UCC.  Music provided by the Brush Valley Fusion of Faith choir and by Essence 2.   Worship will be at 2:00 PM on Sunday, January 7 at the Brush Valley Fusion of Faith Sanctuary at 113 Madisonburg Pike, Madisonburg, PA, and on Facebook Live under the @bvfof page!  Clergy are invited to vest and process - the Color of the day will be Red.

Educational Opportunities

UCC National Setting

UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

You Can’t Stop Justice

NOV 28, 2023 | 12:00PM - 1:00PM

Sowing Justice: Cultivating a Just World for All in the Farm Bill

NOV 28, 2023 | 7:00PM - 8:00PM

Praying Through Advent

NOV 30, 2023 | 3:30PM - 4:30PM

2024 Financial Ministries Webinars

4^th Wednesdays of the Month – 7:30pm Eastern (6:30 Central)

Jan. 24 – Orientation for Financial Leaders

https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvcuGsqT0iG900QU6jmOnzJWFHo0e9Seoi

The presentation reviews basic aspects of the treasurer, financial secretary, and trustee roles in a local congregation. We will discuss creating a “financial dashboard” to help fellow board members understand the finances of the congregation, effective ways to record and thank donors for their gifts, and best practices around cash controls and cash management. 

See full 2024 list here.

OCWM Flyers

The national setting has provided us with four one page (front and back) flyers on what Our Church's Wider Mission does and what it funds. These would be great to include one per Sunday over the course of a month, read aloud in a service, or posted to bulletin board to provide your congregation with information about where their money is going. Download them here.

At a time when so many of our church leaders experience anxiety about their financial security, the Minister’s Financial Vitality Initiative (MFVI) continues to impact an ever-growing number of UCC authorized ministers, providing the basics of personal finance, guidance from experts, direct financial support, and a supportive community to break the silence around money. To date, nine cohorts of thirty pastors each have benefited from the content and community of this program, and testify to the positive impact on themselves, their families, and their ministries.

The 10^th and 11^th cohorts of MFVI will begin in January 2024 and the application period opens on October 1. Are you or members of your staff aware of pastors within your conference who have expressed concerns about their finances, or are serving in situations where you know financial issues are challenging? The Director of MFVI, Joaquin Labour-Acosta, is seeking your recommendations of pastors who may be candidates for this program. If you are able to confirm interest with those individuals, please send their names and contact information to ministerialassistance@pbucc.org. Joaquin and his team will reach out for conversation and assist with the application process.

New Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Scholarship Opportunity

United Church of Christ Homes is offering a wonderful new opportunity for members of our sponsoring UCC congregations within Penn Central Conference! UCC Homes’ CNA Scholarship would pay the training fees for qualifying individuals who wish to complete the required training to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and work for a community of UCC Homes.

Qualifying individuals would be those who are members of supporting congregations who are at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, speak/read/write English fluently, and who are able to pass state-requirements (pass a physical exam, negative TB tests and/or chest x-ray results, PA Criminal Background Check and FBI Fingerprint Clearance) for the class and for work in long-term care. Scholarship recipients would also be required to supply references, including one from a member of the sponsoring congregation.

Individuals who are chosen for the CNA scholarship will receive the following:

• Paid pre-class testing (i.e., physical exam, TB/CXR, criminal background checks, etc.)
• Paid class registration (a $1300-$1600 benefit)
• Guaranteed MFT CNA position with a UCC Homes community upon graduation
• Paid registration to complete the state-required skills and written certification exams (up to three times each)

The individual chosen for the CNA scholarship is not paid by UCC Homes until they have successfully completed the CNA training class (2-3 weeks) at which time they will be required to attend a General Orientation session and additional on-the-floor orientation to their position. It is expected that individuals who receive CNA scholarships will remain in UCC Homes’ employment for at least two years upon completion of their course.

The communities of United Church of Christ Homes include The Lebanon Valley Home in Annville, Thornwald Home and Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home in Carlisle, Ephrata Manor in Ephrata and Kindred Place at Annville and Kindred Place at Harrisburg.

Interested individuals should contact Lori Dierolf, VP of Human Resources, by calling 717-303-1502 or via email at ldierolf@ucc-homes.org for additional information and to arrange a time for an interview. Printable version of this information for your congregations can be found here.

PATHWAYS’ Fall Schedule of Courses

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary is offering more exciting new programs for the academic year 2023-24.

MORAL INJURY & VETERANS MINISTRY

In November, we'll offer classes on moral injury and ministry for and with veterans of war and survivors of violence. Stay tuned for details!

INTRODUCTION TO PREACHING

Starting in January, we'll offer two great classes on preaching. Introduction to Preaching will help you connect with your congregation, make Biblical text come alive and learn breathing techniques for a more compelling delivery. Your congregation will thank you!

PREACHING & WORSHIP THROUGH THE YEAR

In the spring, our second preaching class, Preaching & Worship Through the Year, will help you tailor your sermons for special Sundays and holiday occasions, use the lectionary, plan sermon series, incorporate music and the arts, and more.

Click the link here for a video preview!

The Lykens Valley Charge, comprised of Peace UCC (Berrysburg PA) and St. Peter’s UCC (Lykens PA), is seeking a passionate ministry leader to serve as the Children,Youth, & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator. This person will play a key leadership role in planning and implementing programming for children, youth, and young adults, including but not limited to Sunday school, VBS, youth group, Bible study, service outreach, and other special events as scheduled. Reporting to the pastor and church consistories, the CYYA Ministry Coordinator works to reach, equip, and empower young people to be lifelong followers of Jesus Christ. This is a part-time (15-20 hours/week) position.

For more information or to apply, please email lvcucc@berrysburg.comcastbiz.net. (11/22/2023)

Are you a looking for a place that values its employees? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of a whole community? Apply now to the small church with a big heart! Hummelstown United Church of Christ is seeking a flexible and engaging Office Administrator to be the face of our congregation. Schedule is flexible and we strive to create a relaxed and refreshing place to work.

This vibrant and inclusive congregation is excited to hire a point person to:

• Provide direct clerical and administrative support to the Pastor and the church
• Create and maintain church publications and data management
• Act as point of contact for building use

Benefits include personal and sick time, flexible scheduling options and team based creative atmosphere.

Position start date is 12/26/2023, with hope for training prior to start with outgoing administrator.

For details on position available, check out our website: https://www.hummelstownucc.org/hire.html (11/01/2023)

Position Available: Church Musician

St. John's UCC, Boalsburg

Thus 9 to 12 month position includes playing for weekly adult choir rehearsals, a scheduled single Sunday 10:30 a.m. worship service and occasional evening/special services. Proficiency with piano is required. We have two Yamaha studio upright pianos that are well maintained via regular tuning/maintenance. We also have the historic 1868 Durner tracker pipe organ that was restored in 1998 and is well maintained via regular tuning/servicing. Candidates will work with church/choir leaders in rehearsing and planning musical material appropriate to the liturgical calendar.

Candidates should send a letter of introduction and resume to: joyousucc@comcast.net or mail to St. John's UCC, PO Box 88, Boalsburg, PA 16827 (10/4/2023)

Current Openings - UCC National Setting



Global H.O.P.E. – Humanitarian. Opportunities. Progress. Empowerment.

 Team Leader Extended Close Date: 11/28/23

Philanthropy 

Director of Philanthropy Close Date: 12/7/23

Penn Central Conference Ministry Opportunities Page