Important This Week

• Register now for the Women's Clergy Retreat for unplugging and rest
• Dates announced for 2023 Basic Boundary Training events
• Addiction & Recovery Taskforce gives tips for recovery in the holidays

From the Conference Minister:

When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" 

Matthew 11:2-3

John is looking for clarity-- Is Jesus the Messiah, the “one”? Jesus does not offer a simple “yes”. But his answer does convey power, possibility, and purpose. I would like clarity too. About many things. Will the stock market crash (again)? Will there be a wider war in Ukraine? Will the planet die before my new granddaughter? Is another pandemic on the way? Will we meet this year’s budget? Will the Eagles win the Super Bowl? I would like clarity. But I will settle for the power, possibly and purpose so as to thrive amid the ambiguity.

Matthew’s portrayal of John and his doubts is striking but it makes sense to me at Christmas, when I, too, at times, feel wedged between God’s promises made (which are many) and God’s promises kept (which seem far fewer); when I live in between Christ’s first coming at Bethlehem and his second coming which sometimes seems stuck on pause; when I am disappointed by my limitations and self-sabotages, and find myself whispering a prayer as desperate as it is ancient and simple: Come Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel-- and captive John, and captive me, and the rest of the captive world, that mourns in lonely exile here, until the Son of God appear.

Come Holy Spirit, come.

Pastor Bill

Passing of former PNEC Conference Minister

My friend and Conference ministry mentor and our pastoral colleague Rev. Alan Miller joined the saints in heaven this past Saturday. We join together in prayer for his spirit, for his wife Candy, their children Mark and Tina and their families.

You can read about Alan’s faithful career here.  A service to celebrate his life will take place at the beginning of the New Year. More information about that will be forthcoming.

With The Peace of Christ,

Rev. Bill Worley

Register now for the

Women's Clergy Retreat

Attention all Authorized women clergy! Jan. 24-26, the Clergy Women's Retreat is back after COVID-19!  It will be held again at Mariawald Retreat Center in Reading. We have invited our women clergy friends from Penn Northeast to join us this year so we are hoping to fill the center! We would like to get as many people registered as soon as possible so the committee knows how many to plan for. Who doesn't need 42 hours or so of unplugging and resting after Advent and Christmas season? Join us and let us know by registering now! If funding is an issue, please reach out to Rev. Bill Worley.

We are asking everyone to be vaccinated and to get a negative Covid test within 48 hours of the retreat.

PSEC 2022 Giving Cut-Off

Books of the PSEC will close Jan. 17. All OCWM contributions for 2022 must be in our office by that date or they will be counted towards 2023 contributions. Please mail your contributions as soon as possible due to possible mail delays.

Online events Thurs. on funds for energy efficient projects

Dec. 8 Webinar to Learn About Energy Efficiency Financing Opportunities

The new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, provides the Department of Energy with $50 million over five years for an energy efficiency materials pilot program for nonprofit organizations. This new program will provide grants of up to $200,000 to nonprofits to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities. The nonprofit Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) is developing a wide range of resources to help interested nonprofits understand and prepare to quickly apply for this opportunity once the program opens early next year. On Dec. 8 at 12:00p, EESI experts will discuss the multiple benefits of energy efficiency, describe the pilot program authorized by IIJA, and share ideas about benchmarking facilities, designing cost-effective projects, leveraging other funding sources, and developing plans to evaluate results. Following a brief presentation, EESI experts will be available to answer questions from webinar participants. The webinar can be accessed here via Zoom.

Dec. 8 Briefing on Federal Funding Resources for Non-Profits and Houses of Worship

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) includes the greatest investment in climate care provisions in history. The nonprofit Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and religious organizations are presenting a webinar for non-profits and congregations to learn about resources to improve worship facility energy efficiency. Additionally, the bipartisan Act provides the Department of Energy $50 million over five years for an "energy efficiency materials pilot program" for nonprofit organizations. This new program will provide grants of up to $200,000 to nonprofits to improve facility energy efficiency. Interfaith Power & Light will be joined by EESI, the United Church of Christ, and the Unitarian Universalist Association to provide a briefing on DOE’s Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program on Dec. 8 at 4:00p to learn how to prepare to apply for grants for your congregation’s energy efficiency work. Register for the briefing here.

Theology with a Twist: Hidden History of Christmas Carols

The Dec. 6 Theology with a Twist at the Kutztown Tavern will be on the topic "The Hidden History of Christmas Carols." Rev. Kim Berenotto and Marji Hughes will lead this month's discussion and SING-A-LONG! Join us to explore the history and traditions behind your favorite holiday songs -- and whether those songs actually reflect the Christmas story we know from scripture. Click here for more information.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce:

Recovery in the Holidays

For the Recovering Person:

Holidays can be both joyous and difficult and it is necessary to keep recovery first!

12-Step recovery meetings are available around-the-clock during holidays. Meetings are a safe space to share concerns, fears, anger, gratitude, and joy.

When attending a holiday event, bringing a recovering friend provides accountability and strength to stay clean and sober. It is suggested that recovering persons discuss a plan with a sponsor, such as an early exit strategy. This is especially important if feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable. If a person cannot legally drive, bringing another recovering person or even asking a family member to take them home is often the best solution.

Recovering persons should not feel obligated to attend holiday parties where there may be substance use.

For Friends or Family Members of a Recovering Person:

If a loved one or friend is in recovery, consider having a non-alcoholic holiday. If alcohol is served, have other alcohol- free options available. Do not offer non- alcoholic renditions of a beverage as these are known triggers for people in recovery. Being patient, supportive, and compassionate during these times will make all the difference.

If a recovering person declines the invitation to attend, understand that this can be a life-or-death decision and should not be taken personally. Prayers and well wishes for a safe and happy holiday will be deeply appreciated.

Basic Boundary Training opportunities in 2023

PSEC is hosting three opportunities for Basic Boundary Training in 2023:

• Saturday, Jan. 14 in Quakertown
• Tuesday, May 2 in Norristown
• Thursday, Sept. 14 in Schuylkill Haven

Click here for more information and to register for the January training. Registration will open for the other trainings closer to the events.

Details on 3-hour Advanced Boundary Trainings will be announced at a later date.

Securing Sacred Spaces webinar set for Dec. 8

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, State Police, Emergency Management Agency, the three Fusion Centers across the Commonwealth, Faith-based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization, and the Anti-Defamation League, invite you to attend the 4th quarterly event of our 2022 Faith-based Security & Resilience Learning Series Workshop. This learning series will provide valuable information to religious leaders, security personnel and members of the houses of worship to enhance security and resilience. Join us Dec. 8 from 1:00p to 4:00p. Click here for a flyer with additional details and click here to register.

Webinar: Midterms & Beyond: A Path for Climate Justice

In this webinar, we will discuss the results of the midterms with an eye to what is possible for climate justice in 2023 and beyond. A full discussion of the midterms entails assessing the power of young voters and voters who care about the climate crisis, tracking the successes of state ballot initiatives, and bringing a lens of justice to the issues faced today. This webinar will equip faith-rooted advocates for advancing climate justice in the coming year. The webinar will be Dec. 14 at 1:00p. Register for this webinar to learn more!

"When Does Closure Become an Option Workshop"

Since 2014, one PSEC congregation has closed, on average, every six months. This isn’t often talked about — partly because that news is filled with feelings of profound loss and grief. It’s the source of uncomfortable shame — that somehow church members failed to do all they could to maintain their sacred space. It provokes questions about the power and/or presence of God. Taken together, these things make it difficult to say what sometimes needs to be said: “It’s time for our church to close.” 

A workshop will be held Feb. 4 in Limerick to create a safe space where difficult questions can be asked and information shared with congregations facing decline and potential closure. You will receive resources and hear about church closure experiences. Click here for more information and to register.

Stewardship event: Generosity and Vitality in the NOW Normal

On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Southeastern PA and Northeastern PA Synods of the ELCA will host "Generosity and Vitality in the NOW Normal - a Stewardship Extravaganza." This in-person event will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale. For more information, including workshop descriptions, registration link, and an event flyer, click here.

Addiction team hosting study on Richard Rohr book

Starting Jan. 10, the Addiction and Recovery Taskforce will host a book study on Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr. The book is written within the framework of the 12 steps for those experiencing addiction. The number of sessions will be determined by the group. If you're interested in learning more about spiritual healing, click here to register.

Resources and webpage from the PSEC Stewardship team

The PSEC Stewardship/Development Mission Team now has a page on the PSEC website with resources for churches, including the OCWM video that was supposed to premier at the Fall Meeting, but technical difficulties prevented us from showing. The Stewardship/Development webpage can be found by visiting psec.org/stewardship-development-mission-team/ or by going to psec.org and clicking the first sliding "banner."

Phoebe Richland accepting applications for chaplain

A full-time staff chaplain is being sought at Phoebe Richland to conduct a variety of religious activities and provide for the spiritual needs of residents and families and ministry with staff. Click here for more information and to apply. For questions or inquiries contact Marie Joseph at majoseph@phoebe.org or Scott Brooks-Cope at scope@phoebe.org.

UCC accepting applications for Generosity Officers

The United Church of Christ, National Setting has an opening for four Generosity Officers to be deployed throughout the U.S. by region. The Generosity Officers will assist the Director of Philanthropy, the Development Strategist, OPTIC team, and volunteers in carrying out the major gift program/planned giving program of the national setting of the UCC. Each will hold primary responsibility for the solicitation of individual gifts of $10k or more for the UCC. These positions will be charged to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward 75-100 prospects and donors, concentrating on one of the identified Regions of the UCC, partnering with other staff and conference offices and local churches as appropriate. This position will require both electronic and direct face-to-face solicitation and stewardship, with an expectation of travel. 

Generosity Officer: PNEC, PSEC, Penn Central, Penn West, Central Atlantic – Apply here

Apply now: Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative

Since 2017, the Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative (MFVI) has worked to increase and improve financial wellness for more than 210 UCC authorized ministers who are overburdened with debt.

Each year, 60 authorized ministers commit to a three-year personal finance education that encourages participants to draw upon the expertise of an Ernst and Young financial planner to help meet their financial goals, as well as obtain free access to tools and educational resources.  

The program provides a yearly financial incentive of $3,000 for three years, which participants can use to alleviate their debt, or seed an Annuity Plan account to secure lifetime income. 

Active UCC authorized ministers interested in joining the MFVI program for the 2023 cohort can email MFVI@pbucc.org for instructions. Application deadline is Dec. 31. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions.