Message to the Conference | |
|
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.
The poem “The Work of Christmas” is from Howard Thurman’s The Mood of Christmas and Other Celebrations
| |
|
Attention Church Treasurers and Financial Committees:
As we look forward to the beginning of 2024, we begin making plans for wrapping up 2023 finances. For your 2023 remittance to be included in 2023 (this includes any OCWM and 5 for 5 giving) the PCC offices must receive your remittance by January 12, 2024. Please label the remittance form or check stub as "2023 Giving" so it is entered properly.
Reminder: all mailed correspondence including remittance must go to our PO Box:
Penn Central Conference
PO Box 6625
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Mailing to any other address could delay your check's arrival.
If you have not updated your Remittance Form to the newest version, it can be found as a PDF here and a Word document here.
| |
|
Virtual Choir
One of John Rutter's newest Christmas carols, All the Stars Looked Down is a setting by Rutter of a text by G. K. Chesterton. For use throughout the Christmas season, including Epiphany. It is available now.
| |
|
Scheduling notes:
December 22 - January 2 - Office Closed
January 7 - Locust Grove UCC, York - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
January 14 - Hamilton Park UCC, Lancaster - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
| |
|
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, McEwensville
St. John's UCC, McKnightstown
St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg
Trinity UCC, Mercersburg
| |
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. | |
|
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.
|  | |
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. Use code PCC2024 and pay half, thanks to camperships from the Outdoor Ministries Commission - only $50 for the weekend including all meals and lodging and fun!
Register now and tell your friends to register too.
| 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, 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. | |
|
Camp makes a great Christmas gift. Check out the summer options from our partners at Lutheran Camping Corporation's Kirchenwald (and Nawakwa) here
I love going to camp because of all the fun I have with the activities. I love going to camp for the learning experience. The community is amazing, and I always feel accepted at camp. I have so many great memories which always keep me coming back each year. That is just some of the reasons I love camp Kirchenwald. ~ Hugh Dickel (12 years old. He has attended Arts and Crafts Camp and Guppies Camp)
The reason I like to go to camp is all the friends that I make. I also had a good time with all the counselors there. All of the activities we do are fun. Everyone has a good time at camp as well. Some people I meet I still talk to outside of camp. It’s always nice to take a break from technology and get outside. Every time I come back home I want to go back again because I enjoy it so much. - William Dickel (15 years old. He attended Beach Camp this past year, Kayak Camp, and Kirkenquest Camp in prior years.)
We always feel really good about sending our kids to Camp Kirchenwald and don’t think they miss us at all, the weeks they are at camp! They come home telling us about the fabulous new experiences they’ve had, the new friends they’ve made, and the positive interactions they’ve had with the counselors (great role models!). I can not think of a better way for kids to grow in their faith, gain independence, challenge themselves in learning new skills, and have technology-free time in God’s beautiful creation. Most of all I know they had FUN! And no doubt, will have wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. - Ed Dickel
| |
|
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 | |
MEF: Roots of Our Division: How Theology, Slavery & the Civil War set the stage for future culture wars - with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
January 16, 2024 – 10:00AM & 6:00PM
Do you ever wonder how the church became so divided over social issues? This presentation may provide some answers! We will review how biblical interpretation and theology shaped the discussion of slavery prior to the Civil War. Those developments cast a ling shadow and still affect how we approach social and cultural issues today in the church. Guaranteed good discussion! Register here.
| |
"Where Have All The Clergy Gone?"
January 24, 2024 10:00AM & 6:00PM
We know the church is changing. One of the most obvious shifts is the availability of clergy for our churches. What has happened and how did we get here? Join us for a zoom presentation that will cover the trend in clergy numbers in the UCC and what affects them. We will discuss what might come next and what we can do to help our local churches.
Register here.
| |
Worship Planning for Lay Leaders
Feb 5, 2024, 6:30PM
Many members of consistories and church councils are finding themselves needing to do more with worship planning for their congregation, some are even stepping into the pulpit. Our Penn Central Churches are experiencing longer and longer seasons of transition and interim and supply leadership is just not filling the whole of the growing need. This 90-minute workshop will look at available resources to assist lay leaders with worship development like liturgies, prayers, hymn selection, lectionary passages, and more, as well as touch on sermon preparation for those filling that need. All are welcome, please register.
| |
Boundary Training in 2024
All dates are 10am and 6pm for 2-hour zooms.
February 20, 2024 Intersectionality and Power Dynamics 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. (This will be repeated October 15, 2024.)
March 19, 2024 The Ministerial Code – 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. (This will be repeated September 17, 2024.)
April 16, 2024 Money Matters – 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. (This will be repeated July 16, 2024.)
May 21, 2024 Healthy Beginnings and Endings – 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. (This will be repeated August 20, 2024.)
Boundary Training at Keystone Annual Meeting
June 7, 2024 Undercurrents and Riptides Online – A two-hour session will be offered as part of the Keystone Annual Meeting (this one will not be via Zoom.) 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. Watch for registration links in February. (This will be repeated November 19, 2024 in Zoom format.)
Topics are subject to change, but changes will be announced.
Basic Boundaries for Congregations will be offered via zoom, 6:30-8pm April 15, 2024. This session will feature discussion on Behavioral Covenants, Financial Boundaries, and Pastoral Relations. Anyone is welcome to join, consistory/council members are highly encouraged to attend. Nora is also available for this session at a church or group of churches if desired. Register here. (This will be repeated October 14, 2024.)
| |
|
Healing Together: Healing Me, Healing Us
You are not alone. Our time together for Clergy Convocation will focus on rest, renewal, connection and healing. Healing in our ministries and our world often begins with healing within. We know how important it is for clergy to have time away from their ministry settings and to find support. We will have times dedicated for worship, theological reflection, gatherings of affinity groups, connecting with folks from other Conferences, and free time.
Clergy Convocation 2024 – Tentative Agenda
To register, click here.
| |
|
UCC Event—Climate Action Commissioning Service
The UCC Council for Climate Justice is convening a Climate Action Commissioning Service as our members across the country launch into advancing climate justice in 2024. The preacher for this event will be Nellis Kennedy-Howard who once worked alongside Winona LaDuke as the Co-Executive Director of Honor the Earth in addition to later working as the Sierra Club’s Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Justice. Sign-up to join us for this online event on Wednesday, January 3rd at 1 pm ET.
| |
|
2024 Financial Ministries Webinars
4th 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.
| |
From our friends and partners | |
|
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.
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)
| |
|
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. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
email: rluciotti@gmail.com
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
email: pkeller@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-652-1560
| |
| | | |
