Important This Week

• Register for Traci Blackmon event for Diversity Training this weekend
• UCC all-church read announced: How to Be an Antiracist
• Registration for Annual Meeting

From the Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development:

When I was a child, my siblings enjoyed playing games where we would reenact our favorite characters. During the movie, each of us would call out the character that we wanted to play. For example, while watching Star Wars, someone would say, “I am Luke Skywalker” or “ I am Princess Leah.” No one ever said, “I am Darth Vader.”

Fast forward to adulthood. I think we all do the same thing with characters from the bible. We all have a biblical character who we think we best represent. The patience of Job. The courage of Esther. The wisdom of Solomon.

I’ll bet not a single person has ever said, “I am Barabbas.” Who wants to be Barabbas, described in the bible as a known thief and murderer? I believe, however, there is not another single biblical character who represents all of humanity better than Barabbas. It’s almost implied in the generality of his name, the son of the father. But even more, here is the reason; Jesus took his place. The person who should have paid for his own crimes on that middle cross was Barabbas, but Jesus took his place. Theologically we call this substitutionary atonement, Jesus substituted himself on the cross that should have been for me. I am Barabbas. You are Barabbas. We are Barabbas.

“Was it for crimes that I have done,

He groaned upon the tree.

Amazing pity, grace unknown

And love beyond degree!”

Rev. Cean R. James,

Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development

Register for Traci Blackmon event for Diversity Training

On Sunday, April 16, Reformed Church of the Ascension in Norristown will host "Call to Action: Reconnecting the Church to a Vocation of God's Justice." Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister of Justice and Local Church Ministries for the UCC will provide the keynote address at this event, which has been approved for Diversity Training credit. The question of how to enact the role of the church in community justice work is often overwhelming for local congregations. Determining the next steps is essential for the church to live out the vocation to which God has called us. Click here to register.

UCC webinar: Getting Ready for Earth Sunday: Resources

Many churches celebrate God's creation on the Sunday closest to Earth Day (April 22). Creation Justice Ministries has created a resource that brings the lens of justice to food, the most immediate and tangible way that we connect with the natural world around us. In this webinar, Karyn Bigelow will introduce the resource and talk about ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday. Even if you cannot make the webinar on April 12 at 1:00p, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording of it. Register now!

2023 Ecumenical Advocacy Days registration open

Join UCC staff and advocates at Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2023, a virtual conference to worship, educate, and advocate for the innovative and courageous policies needed to realize the prophet Micah’s vision: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”

The conference this year will again be virtual, and will start with worship at 10:00a on April 25. All worship, plenaries, and workshops will be recorded for later viewing. Registration is $50 and scholarships are available. Register today!

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Words to ponder

“Prayer is not about our changing God, but being willing to let God to change us”

Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water, p.96

Nollau Leadership Institute is open for the 2023-24 class

The Nollau Leadership Institute is CHHSM’s signature program with more than 250 attendees in its 20+ years. Enrollment is open and the short online application can be found here. Registration closes April 28. 

Grounded in the health and human service organizations of the United Church of Christ, this program offers a unique space in which to experience leadership formation. Each year, Nollau brings together a community of leaders committed to creating a just, caring, and compassionate world. Such values deepen during the program, as participants grow in their leadership skills from a place of belonging. Cultivating this connection between others, the world, and within themselves is the heart of the Nollau experience.

Through retreats, online interactions, and peer mentoring, this program supports leadership formation through a variety of learning modalities and within a community of practice. The use of rituals, art, poetry, embodiment, and time to simply be in nature are all part of the program — alongside the interactive didactic sessions. Guided by CHHSM's commitment to issues of Race, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice, leadership will be examined and practiced through the lenses of anti-oppression and social justice. You can learn more about the curriculum here.

The program consists of two in-person retreats at Bellwether Farm, online interactions in between the retreats, and an additional day of programming at the CHHSM 86th Annual Gathering, which concludes by commissioning the class as Diakonal Ministers. 

2023-34 Schedule:

1st Retreat: May 22-26

2nd Retreat: Oct. 2-6

Annual Gathering: March 11-14, 2024

Registration open for PSEC Annual Spring Meeting

The Annual Spring Meeting will be June 2-3 at West Chester. The theme will be "May They All Be One: Unleashing the Spirit", focusing on ways to re-imagine what it means to be the Body of Christ. That includes building partnerships between local churches who share resources (including pastors), merging ministries, and connecting with community partners. Representatives from congregations share how this has been life giving for them and how they overcame longtime resistance to making it happen. Similarly, representatives of the Keystone Study Group will share their conversations about creating partnerships between and among our four PA Conference that may lead to a four Conference merger. Click here for more information and to register.

Church Merger workshop with Rev. Cean James next month

Many churches are exploring the best way to maintain their ministry during a time of decline. Several churches have found merging with another congregation to be a life-giving decision that energizes both congregations and produces a new ministry that is equipped for the church of today and tomorrow. Merging churches is not an easy decision or an easy process, but when done well many congregations have discovered that they are better together. This workshop is for church leaders who are anywhere in the process of discerning church merger. The workshop will be offered April 29 in Limerick and the same workshop again on May 6 on Zoom.

Stewardship Team is now 'Generosity Mission Team'

We're changing our name! The Stewardship/Development Mission Team is now the Generosity Mission Team. We all know that words matter, and we feel our new name better speaks to our team's overall mission of inspiring generosity throughout PSEC. As always, be sure to check out our page on the PSEC website for helpful resources, including our awesome OCWM video featuring our Conference Minister, Bill Worley, and snapshots from congregations throughout PSEC.

Treat your church admins: Register for annual luncheon

Church administrators and secretaries are invited to the annual PSEC Admin Luncheon on Administrative Professionals Day, April 26. We will check in, fellowship over lunch, and enjoy a presentation on a ministry of the Conference. Click here for information and to register. We hope churches will pay the $20 cost of the event.

Rev. Sonja Ingebritsen installation at Glenside UCC

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Registration open for PSEC Boundary Training events

Six hours of Boundary Training is required for every PSEC authorized minister who hasn't received Exempt Standing. Registration is now open for several upcoming Boundary Training opportunities. Click the event name below for more information and to register:

• Advanced Boundary Training: The Limits of Pastoral Care. April 26 from 9:00a-12:00p on Zoom
• Basic Boundary Training. May 2 from 9:00a-4:00p in Norristown
• Basic Boundary Training. September 14 from 9:00a-4:00p in Schuylkill Haven

Chaplain in the Park Opportunity at Locust Lake

Do you love the outdoors? Do you enjoy worshipping surrounded by God’s beautiful creation? Consider becoming a campground minister this summer at Locust Lake State Park!

Every summer, chaplains lead Sunday worship in many Pennsylvania State Parks through the Campground Ministry program of the Pennsylvania Council of Churches. Chaplains can be -- but need not be -- ordained ministers. Duties include the worship service as well as visiting campsites to lend a listening ear and invite campers to worship.

Wonderful ministry comes out of this ministry! If you are interested, you can learn more and apply here. You can also contact Rev. Maureen Duffy- Guy for more information: mduffyguy@hotmail.com or text her at 717-619-8337.

UCC All-Church Read:

How to Be an Antiracist

On behalf of national UCC leaders of Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice, your PSEC Racial Justice Initiative encourages you to take part in the All Church Read of Ibram X Kendi’s book How to Be and Antiracist.

UCC minister and JTM lead Rev. Velda Love said of Kendi’s book “How to Be an Antiracist compels us to read and gather for respectful community conversations, listening deeply to our neighbors and working together toward dismantling racism. The book offers multiple opportunities for reeducation as a way forward toward meaningful conversations across all ethnicities, cultures, gender identities and geographical locations.”

The All Church Read is planned to run from the beginning of April through June.

A faith-based facilitator’s guide and conversation prompts will be available at the JTM webpage, along with posted conversation groups to join, and virtual gatherings to explore. The All Church Read will culminate during a virtual Juneteenth celebration.

Free clergy training on aiding veterans' whole health

From May 11-12, Cranaleith Spiritual Center, in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, is offering a two-day training to educate clergy about issues facing returning Veterans and their families following deployment. Rev. Dr. Chris Antal, a veteran of the U.S. war in Afghanistan, and staff chaplain at the CMCVAMC, will facilitate the training.

Training topics will address post-deployment readjustment challenges, the psychological, physical, behavioral, and spiritual effects of war trauma on survivors, such as moral and spiritual injury, and the important role of community in helping to reduce mental health stigma and support Veterans and their families.

For more information:

Click here for a flyer

Click here for a press release

Click here to register

Join the First Ever

UCC Earth Day Summit

This online event will take place Saturday, April 22 at 11:00a. The theme is “What’s Possible?: Earth Day Stories of Hope.” This 2.5 hour summit will feature a keynote from Rev. Jim Antal, a panel of speakers, the presentation of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award, and a video showcasing the story of Mayflower UCC in Minneapolis. Even if you cannot make the event at its scheduled time, sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording. Register now!