Message to the Conference
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Dear Friends of Penn Central Conference -
“
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love…not neglecting to meet together…but encouraging one another
.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
This past week at the Clergy Sabbath I facilitated a discussion about why it is that we might resist engaging in practices that would build a greater sense of balance in our lives. We have all talked about personal-professional balance and how hard it can be, but we don’t often dig down into what actually makes it so difficult to achieve. It’s easy to say that a lack of balance in one’s life happens because “we don’t have enough time” or because “the demands of the job are too much.” However, we need to dig deeper.
One way to do this is to ask the question, “What are the voices in your head saying?” When I did this at the Sabbath event there was a tsunami of responses, all of which give some explanation as to why we push ourselves so hard. Consider these voices and how they affect our work ethic: “You’re not good enough”, “You have to prove yourself”, “You’re lazy”, “You need to put in more hours”, “You need to prove your holiness (or calling, or expertise, or perfection)”, or “You need more people in the pews” and, ultimately, “You need to prove your worth”.
When there are voices inside of us telling us that we are consistently on the edge of failure, we tend to push ourselves to prove that we are not failures, and thus the cycle continues. The striving may be reinforced when we meet with colleagues and we feel the slight edge of competition, or fear being judged, and we put our shop-window personas into place and refuse to be vulnerable with one another because it’s too dangerous. We may be terribly out of balance within and not a soul can see it on our faces. We may be broken and need of healing, but settle for limping spiritually in silence.
This hamster-wheel of striving grows with expectations that are placed on us by others and by ourselves. We can quote scripture to each other, but we may not internalize it. Our faith sustains us, but we are still not good enough. The truth is that for many clergy – and lay members – our deepest selves are hidden because we fear vulnerability more than just about anything.
The words of scripture do matter. We must remind each other that we are blessed and that Jesus is with us. We are indeed good enough and we do have new life in Christ. Yet the Clergy Sabbath reminded me that we also need places of spiritual refuge where we can share our insecurity and failures without fear. In an ideal world our congregations provide this kind of refuge for our members through dinner groups, fellowship circles, or formation classes. But how do clergy build these types of communities if they do not have a refuge themselves?
In the next few months I plan to initiate conversations with clergy about how we might facilitate small gatherings of refuge and renewal. These may take a variety of forms (Short retreats? Dinner groups? Writing circles?), and I welcome your engagement and ideas. In order to build the beloved community in our congregations, we must also build it among our leaders.
Peace,
Carrie
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Preaching Around the Conference
February 9
- Faith UCC, State College - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call - 9:00AM
February 16
- Trinity UCC, Centre Hall - Rev. Nora Foust - 10:45AM
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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...
Trinity UCC, Cashtown
Trinity UCC, Centre Hall
Saint John's UCC, Chambersburg
Solomon's UCC, Chambersburg
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UNITE! Perdue 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 Perdue University, please contact
Rev. Nora Foust
so we can UNITE! our Penn Central presence!
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Climate Justice
From the Pollinator:
As we continue our special 10-week series devoted to the
Kairos Call to Action
from the UCC Council for Climate Justice and its call for churches to engage in an all-out mobilization to address climate and inequality, I am reminded of something the famous organizer Saul Alinsky once wrote. In the work of seeking change, he stressed making sure that people are “having a ball doing it.” Finding joy in the doing of justice was essential. I thought of this in reading this week’s suggested kairos action. The focus is on one of the greatest untapped resources of many churches: their land. This land can be used for serious matters like pulling carbon out of the air, but at the same time, it can be used for producing enjoyable, delicious food! If there is one thing we can always count on in a church, it is that people like food. Any effective mobilization strategy needs this key ingredient to success.
With gratitude for your ministry,
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Pledge Forms
We are grateful for the monthly OCWM gifts and appreciate those churches that added OCWM as a line item in their 2020 annual budget. Please let us know what you have pledged to OCWM in the coming year by completing and submitting this
online pledge form
or by sending this
paper form
into Paul via email or mail.
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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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.
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Salem's Closet
located at Salem UCC, 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, Pa. will be open on February 15th from 10AM to Noon.
The Closet is in need of blankets, pillows and socks, but it is in desperate need of Children's clothing. We give clothing not only to those who come on open days but also to various shelters such as the one for Abused Women. Many children are at these shelters and some only have the clothing on their back. If you have anything to donate please call Sandy Sgrignoli at 717-635-0569.
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Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils & Ordinations
February 9
- Installation of Pastor Ron Heagy at Trinity Roth’s UCC, Spring Grove - 3:00PM Clergy are invited to wear a favorite stole.
February 22
- Ordination of Amy Fishburn at Grace UCC, Lancaster - 2:00PM
February 23
- Installation of Craig Munnel at Trinity UCC, Lewistown - 3:00PM
June 7
- Ordination of Gary Nottis at St. John's UCC, Lewisburg - 3:00PM
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Association Meetings and Ministeriums
February 3
-
York Association Ministerium Pre-Lenten Retreat w/Scott Watts - Trinity (Roth’s) UCC,Spring Grove - 9-12:30 pm
The theme for the retreat is “Exploration of Exercise of Power in Pastoral Ministry”
March 9
- Mercersburg Ministerium–Spiritual Care in the Congregation with Rev. Nora Foust - 9:00am
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Association Special Events
February 3
- Harrisburg Association Town Hall w/ Rev. Carrie Call - Chapel Hill UCC, Camp Hill - 6:00PM
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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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Boundary Training & MEFS
May 13
- Ordinary Team Worship Planning - Colonial Park UCC - More info to come
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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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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
Laura Dalton
Administrative Assistant/Search & Call Assistant
Phone: 717-652-1560 ex. 10
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If you have future eNews stories, please send them to
C. Paul Keller
.
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