Members and friends of Penn Central Conference,

Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. (2 Timothy 1:14 NRSV)

Paul’s words in the opening of his second letter to Timothy are personal and moving. One of my favorite verses comes when Paul commends Timothy’s faithfulness, noting that it “lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.” Paul has a deep and abiding sense of how the gospel is a gift, a treasure, something of which we should never be ashamed. Its value is such that it is passed down through generations – held as valuable and guarded, even in the midst of turmoil.

I have been thinking about this passage quite a bit. It is in the lectionary for this week. Yet it also fits my recent reflections following several experiences of the past few weeks. In the installation at Zion, Arendtsville on Sunday I saw the treasure being acknowledged and shared among laughing, loving people, celebrating their new pastor Rev. Heather Kurtz. This is when the treasure of faithfulness in the gospel reverberates through multiple generations, evidenced by all the ages of people joining in song and prayer.

The more difficult reflections come when I see churches falling into disrepair, congregations arguing about limited resources, and church-affiliated groups shrinking. We know the statistics and the trends of church membership and resources. Yet I wonder how often we think or talk about how we are to be good guardians of what has been entrusted to us in our hearts. How often do we reflect on how to rekindle, as Paul says, “the gift of God that is within you”? We are eager to discuss (or lament) how to rekindle worship, repurpose our buildings, energize our youth, or attract more people. But what if, instead, when we met as clergy groups or as consistories or women’s guilds, we spent time asking ourselves, what is the state of my own faithfulness? How did I come to receive it in the first place? (Was it handed down to me, as it was with Timothy?) Why is it valuable? How might I re-frame it as a treasure to be guarded?

The treasure handed down to us, after all, is not a church building (as beautiful and important as they may be), or the ability to attract new people, or even a healthy endowment. The treasure is the gospel of new life in Christ. A gospel of forgiveness, redemption, and peace. That is what Paul guards while in prison and while suffering. That is the treasure of which he is never ashamed. Maybe before haggling over resources, we could instead share words about the treasure within us. How that gospel treasure provides us life and hope and has greater value than anything else, including stained glass and communion silver!

Take the time to reflect so we may each be good guardians. As Jesus reminds us, “For where your treasure is, there your heart shall be also.”

Peace,

Carrie

Rev. Dr. Carrie Call

Conference Minister

Penn Central Conference

The Virtual Choir is kicking off a third season of music!  Between now and next summer they will record and deliver 5 new pieces which can be used by any of your churches!   We're starting off with a Jazz-inspired anthem with social justice themes for the fall, and we'll do a Rutter Christmas Carol as well as other contemporary and traditional anthems.

If you'd like to join us to sing, or receive notice of the anthems as they come out (they are also in this newsletter) contact Julie Holm at [email protected].

Scheduling notes:

October 2 - Grace UCC, Spring Mills - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching

October 6 - 10 - C. Paul Keller- on vacation

October 9 - St. Paul UCC, Sacramento - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching

October 9 - Salem UCC, Elizabethville - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching

October 9 - Faith UCC, Lancaster- Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

October 9 - Church of the Redeemer UCC, Hershey - Rev. Rick Luciotti preaching

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.

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...

Christ UCC, Codorus

Salem UCC, Columbia

St. John UCC, Dallastown

St. Paul UCC, Dallastown

Hybrid Hope

Church of the Future for Churches with a Future

Rev. Dr. Michael Piazza Workshop

Saturday October 1 from 9:00-2:00

Church of the Apostles United Church of Christ

1850 Marietta Ave. Lancaster, PA – (717)392-5718

Register here

Sunday, October 9 - Installation Service of Rev. Brad Haws - St. John's UCC, Denver - 3:00PM

Sunday, October 16 - Installation Service of Rev. Carla Christopher - Heidelberg UCC, York - 3:00PM

Sunday, October 23 - Installation Service of Rev. Ken Peterkin - Emmanuel UCC, Hanover - 3:00PM

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!

Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom) - now with registration links

October 18 - "Humility as Spiritual Practice" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom only - register here

November 15 - "Just War, Just Peace - A 21st Century Discussion" with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PN Zoom only - register here

Boundary Training - now with registration links

September 29 - "Bi-Vocational Boundaries and Ethics" with Darryl Stephens

6PM via Zoom - Register here

Can ministry really be part-time? What is reasonable to expect of your bivocational pastor? How can pastors and congregations successfully navigate shared or bivocational ministry? This advanced boundaries training workshop is designed for clergy, MIDs, and consistory members as they consider issues distinct to bivocational or multivocational ministry. Topics include: time management, scheduling, and self-care; clarification of roles and responsibilities; and preparing the congregation for bivocational ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Darryl W. Stephens is director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry and director of United Methodist Studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary.

October 17 - Retired Clergy Boundary Training with Revs. Tara Barber, Stephen Boyd, and Rev. Melanie Oommen

Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. Using "A Sure Foundation," "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperley's new book, "The Jubilee Years,” Rev. Stephen Boyd, Rev. Tara Barber, and Rev. Melanie Oommen will offer a focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry. 6:00 – 9:00pm via Zoom - register here

November 9 - "The Ministerial Code: A Way of Being" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

10:00AM hybrid - register here

6:00PM Zoom - register here

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.

Narrative Budgets: Telling your Story by the Numbers- September 28, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Partners in Building 2022- September 29

Preparing for Advent 2022: Days to Come - September 29 @ 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

A New Breed of OWL: Formatting for K-1 and Beyond! October 5, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

The Small Church Story Project in the Maine Conference - October 6, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Releasing, Blessing, and Sending Rev. Dr. Chris Davies - October 11,  3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

"Making All Things New"

General Synod 2023

"Making All Things New” will be the theme of the 34th biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ, scheduled for June 30–July 4, 2023, in Indianapolis.

Delegates and visitors will meet June 30 through July 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.

For the full press release, click here.

New OWL materials available! Designed for use with parents and caregivers of children and teens, this free PDF resource can be downloaded here.

Produced jointly by the UCC and the Unitarian Universalist Association, they’re the latest offerings from Our Whole Lives. The two denominations have occasionally expanded and updated the unique curriculum and its companion, Sexuality and Our Faith, since introducing it in the 1990s.

Christianity in America: Sacred or Supremacist?

Presented by PA Council of Churches Ministry of Public Witness

Colonial Park UCC 5000 Devonshire Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17109

October 6, 2022 11:30am to 4:15pm

To be live-streamed to satellite locations throughout Pennsylvania.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert P. Jones

This dialogue on Christian Nationalism is a topic of rising interest in a critical election year where many candidates are describing themselves as members of this movement. Dr. Jones’ presentation will be followed by a panel discussion which, in addition to him, includes:

• Marilyn Mayo, Senior Research Fellow, Center on Extremism, Anti-Defamation League, addressing anti-Semitism in the movement;
• Rev. Dr. Gregory Edwards, Founder and Senior Pastor, Resurrected Life Community Church, United Church of Christ, Allentown, addressing racism and white supremacy; and
• Rev. Jennifer Butler, Founder in Residence, Faith in Public Life, addressing a scriptural response to the movement.
• Dr. Greg Carey of Lancaster Theological Seminary will moderate.

Learn more and register here.

The Embrace Gala: A Celebration of Inclusive Faith

National Coming Out Day

Tuesday, October 11 7:00 p.m.

First Reformed Church 40 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA

A celebration of the work of Lancaster County communities of faith and clergy in moving towards open, affirming, and inclusive practices of faith regardless of sexuality or gender identification, and the work of Embrace in supporting them. Light refreshments available after the event.

Please register online at Lanc-Embrace-Gala.eventbrite.com

Upcoming Classes:



Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.

Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/

Full scholarships available! A generous donor has provided money to pay for two new PAM students to enroll in Lovett Weems's class, Church Finances, which begins Oct 11. This class is ideal for both lay and clergy leaders. Persons interested in applying for this scholarship should contact Darryl Stephens at [email protected]. 

Office Administrator - Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown

The Office Administrator provides administrative support for Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown's pastors and lay leaders and coordinates church-wide communications. The Office Administrator position is Part Time—4 days per week, 7 hours per day, 28 hours total.

The Office Administrator should have education and/or training and/or experience in secretarial, clerical and computer skills—specifically in databases and publishing software; mainly MS Publisher, MS Word both for word processing, skill in inter-personal relationships, ability to honor confidences, and organize and implement an office routine.

The Office Administrator should have education and/or training and/or experience in secretarial, clerical and computer skills—specifically in databases and publishing software; mainly MS Publisher and MS Word, bookkeeping and accounting skills, skill in inter-personal relationships, ability to honor confidences, and organize and implement an office routine.

The communities of United Church of Christ Homes are currently seeking candidates to fill several positions, including Certified Nursing Assistants, Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Dining Service Assistants. If you or someone you know is looking for a new employment opportunity, please visit UCC Homes Employment Opportunities page on our website at https://www.ucc-homes.org/employment-opportunities/ for more details or to fill out our Quick Application Form.

Position Highlight:

The Corporate Office of UCC Homes is seeking an Executive Assistant for a full-time position, working 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday. The Executive Assistant performs clerical services for the President/CEO including recording/transcribing meeting minutes, data processing, handling mail, maintaining files, answering phone calls, and overseeing office supplies and petty cash. The successful candidate will have exceptional hospitality skills, the ability to multi-task with ease, and exhibit poise under pressure. A High School diploma or GED is required. An Associate Degree and three years experience as an Administrative Assistant is preferred. Excellent wages and benefits including retirement plan. Interested persons should please mail, fax or email resume and letter of interest to UCC Homes, Attn: Beth McMaster, 30 N. 31st Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011; (717) 303-1607 FAX or [email protected] by September 23, 2022.

UCC National Positions:

Team Leader and Minister of Gender & Sexuality Justice/Executive Director

The Team Leader/Executive Director is responsible for oversight and coordination of United Church of Christ (UCC) strategies, programs and resources related gender, gender expression, and LGBTQI+ education, equity, and advocacy. This includes serving as the Executive Director of the United Church AIDS Network (aka UCAN), and assigned liaison to The Open and Affirming Coalition of the UCC, United Church of Christ Wellness Ministries, and the Unitarian Universalist Association specifically regarding agreements related to Our Whole Lives Program. Please follow the link to view the full position description and to apply: 

https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=4964409.

Hospice & Community Care

Chaplain- Home Hospice/Inpatient Unit

Per Diem (as needed)

Works in collaboration with the Home Hospice team and Palliative Medicine Consultants assessing and addressing spiritual care needs of patients and caregivers. Qualifications include board certification w/APC or NACC (or ability to be certified within 5 years of hire). M.Div. or equivalent from an accredited theological institution. Accredited training and a minimum of 4 units of CPE required. Must be able to complete 6-8 weeks of a FT, day shift orientation. 

www.hospicecommunity.org