Message to the Conference |
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Members and friends of Penn Central Conference,
“Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Couldn’t I wash in them and be cleansed?” 2 Kings 5:12
“Why this river?” My camp director, Rev. Curly Stumb, asked this question as a sermon title on this passage many years ago. The sermon was pointing us to Johns River, our church camp, but the question still hangs with me every time I have a question that God answers with wisdom that seems too easy, or challenging, or straightforward, or uncomfortable. I think about Naaman and his response to the healing offered by Elisha, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed” (v. 10b).
So clear and yet so hard for Naaman to hear and do. I am on the eve of sabbatical, a season of rest and renewal. I know God has called me to this season and still I resist. I do not know how to do that to which I am so clearly called. And still I follow. I will rest. My spiritual cup will be refilled. I will be restored.
In those moments when God’s call to you is clear - a call to teach, to plant, to harvest, to share, to work, to rest, to give, to receive, to… - how do you respond?
Are you Naaman and ask “why this river?” or are you like the servant that says “just try it?” I am going to do the thing that I do not know how to do because I know it is God’s calling. I encourage you to push past the comfortable “why this river,” and do that which God calls you to do today, even if you don’t know how to do it.
Shalom,
Nora
Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
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Most videos from the workshops and business meeting on our YouTube channel are up now and the last few should be up in the coming days. Check them out and feel free to share with your congregation! |
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Scheduling notes:
July 1 - October 1 - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust on sabbatical
July 3 - Hummelstown UCC, Hummelstown - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
July 17 - Solomon's UCC, Chambersburg - Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola preaching
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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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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...
Starview UCC, Mt. Wolf
Faith UCC, State College
St. Peters UCC, State College
Trinity UCC, State Line
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Outdoor Ministries
Watch for Rev. Nora Foust's emails on Thursdays for links to register for Outdoor Ministries events and a taste of the summer camp curriculum. Read last week's here or on our Facebook page. If you aren't getting these emails, contact Paul to be added to the mailing list. And don't forget to use code PENNCENTRAL2022 for 50% off camp at both HC Spirit Week and Lutheran Camping Corporation camps
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SUMMER CAMP programs from June-August To learn more about and to register for youth camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for family camp summer programs, visit here.
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To learn more about and to register for elder camp, visit here.
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HC Spirit Week - What's in a Name?
"Naming and Claiming Who God Made Us to Be"
Saturday, August 6
through Friday, August 12
Camp Mt. Luther
See the full brochure here for all the details!
Register online here or mail your registration form to the PCC offices. |
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The Lutheran Camping Corporation's 2021 annual report is now available here.
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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! |
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"Bivocational clergy are increasingly common in Lancaster County and beyond" by ELIZABETH EVANS | For LNP and LancasterOnline
Increasingly, in Lancaster County and elsewhere, so-called bivocational (or multivocational) pastors look less like the future of the church, and more like its present
PCC's own Amelia Price is among the clergy featured in this article, which you can read in full here.
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Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World:
Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues
Pastoral Colloquy 2022
Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022 - Learn more and register here.
What? A week of learning, discussion, and fellowship
Where? Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
When? Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July, 2022
Weekend visits before and after the colloquy are available for our German guests.
Why? “All we are saying is ‘Give peace a chance!’” ~ John Lennon, 1969
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Urgent! An additional host is needed to host one of our German Colleagues the weekend after the PCC-UEK Colloquy, July 29-August 1. The guest will be flying out of Philadelphia airport, so if it is possible to also provide, or provide guidance on transportation, it would be ideal. For more information email Julie Holm at [email protected] or call her at 814-349-5515. |
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Election Year Reminder: Churches Can Be Political But Not Partisan
UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel shares important information to consider as another election cycle heats up. Read her blog post here.
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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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The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World
September 19, 2022 – September 21, 2022
Join us to reflect on what we've moved through as church experiencing pandemic, to recognize the innovative ways we have survived and in some ways thrived: What did we learn when faced with the need to pivot quickly and still be effectively present as church? Where do we need to stretch ourselves? What and how do we need to build capacity to resource how we're evolving as church? What might we each offer to help us become? These and other questions will be contemplated as we lean in to lessons learned about adapting with agility, and unpack potential possibility. Learn more and register here.
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From our friends and partners |
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) |
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It doesn't get any better than this:
1. Nuts and bolts classes on financial basics. Two upcoming classes: Personal Finances for Ministers (begins July 12) and Church Finances (begins Oct 11).
2. Nationally recognized instructor. Dr. Lovett Weems is Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership and Founding Director/Senior Consultant of the G. Douglass Lewis Center for Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary.
3. Reduced price. PAM applied for and was awarded a grant from the Walters/Unitarian Universalist Church Trust of Lancaster to subsidize registration costs for these classes. Cost for each class is only $125.
4. Scholarships available. A generous seminary board member has provided funds for full scholarships for two new PAM participants for each class. Interested persons should complete the PAM application and indicate that they would like to be considered for the scholarship. Awards for the first class will be determined on July 5.
WE ARE LITERALLY GIVING IT AWAY! Who could pass up a chance to study with Dr. Weems at no cost!?
Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, instructor Jessica Young Brown, Aug 23–Sept 27, 2022. A Ministerial Institute class. Confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care in ministry. $325.
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Creating Safe & Affirming Spaces for Transgender Children
July 15-17, 2022
Kirkridge Retreat and Study Center; Bangor, PA
A hybrid (in person & online) community event for teachers, counselors, chaplains, faith leaders & families
This program is designed to create safe and affirming spaces for transgender or gender expansive children at home, school and faith communities. These are the 3 places children need to be affirming if they are to thrive. These are also the spaces that parents need support to become effective advocates for their transgender or gender expansive children.
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Forty Days: A Pilgrimage of Peace
July 15 - August 25
Louisa, Virginia USA
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Songs of Desire: New Music for the Churches
Saturday July 9, 2:00Pm - Sunday July 10, 9:00PM
Suggested Donation: $50 including accommodation and meals.
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2022 Business Continuity and Emergency Preparedness Conference
September 22, 2022
This workshop is designed to improve the knowledge in the business continuity planning areas related to an armed intruder incident. It is intended for professionals from the public and private sectors as well as faith-based organizations responsible for business continuity planning and emergency planning. This workshop is free of charge courtesy of the South Central PA Task Force, Millersville University and grants from US DHS! Seating is limited so register soon.
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Team Leader and Minister of Gender & Sexuality Justice/Executive Director, United Church of Christ HIV & AIDS Network (aka UCAN)
The Team Leader will be 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 use the link below to view the full position description and to apply. https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=4719656.
The National Ministries endeavors to recruit employees from backgrounds that vary by race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and
expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, genetic information, past, present or future service in the uniformed services, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state or local law. The National Ministries is proud to be a multicultural, multiracial, open and affirming, accessible to all, Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Accompanist Position Available
We are searching for an Accompanist to bring their gifts to our church where we appreciate a blend of contemporary and traditional music.
General Responsibilities:
In support of the vision of the church, this year-round, part time, salaried position will provide music for worship and other events in a manner that enhances the spirit of worship and enriches the congregation's appreciation of music.
The current music ministry of HPUCC consists of one volunteer choir, as well as instrumental and vocal soloists.
For more information, please call the church at 717-397-9791 or email: [email protected]. If interested, please mail or email resume to: Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Attn: Search, 1210 Maple Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 |
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Audio/Visual System Operators Needed
Church of the Apostles, United Church of Christ in Wayne Heights is looking for two people to operate our Audio/Visual system during Sunday morning worship services at 10:45 am (summer worship at 10 am, beginning the first Sunday in June and ending with Labor Day weekend). Other services would include weddings, funerals, Lenten services and Christmas Eve. These are part-time, independent contractor positions; paid per service. Responsible teenagers will be considered. Training will be provided. Read the full description here.
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-2587
Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola, Ph.D.
Associate Conference Minister
Phone: 717-433-3564
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
Phone: 717-652-1560
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