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Important This Week
- Register for "Necessary Endings" When Does Church Closure Become an Option" workshop.
- This week is the deadline for churches to complete their yearend UCC reporting.
- Read a message from UCC leaders on sexual misconduct.
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A Pastoral Letter on Sexual Misconduct
"
Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan,
and the Lord will hear my voice.”
Psalm 55
In recent months, there have been numerous stories of sexual misconduct by men of power in various settings of business, media, entertainment, and politics. In each case, it took the courage of one to name their experience of being sexually harassed or abused by someone more powerful than themselves in order for the sin of sexual abuse to finally be recognized.
We confess that the United Church of Christ (UCC) is not immune to these sins of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct. We repent when those in power at any setting of the UCC has acted inappropriately and violated others with their words, actions, or power. We, the Church, have sinned, and we ask for forgiveness from those, who have been violated.
We recognize the stories of courageous women and men in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures who, when they were sexually assaulted by men of power, God provided them strength, courage, and love already within them because they were created in God’s image. So, too, we honor that all are created in God’s image and have the capacity for wholeness in the midst of sexual abuse and misconduct.
We, the leaders of the United Church of Christ, are committed to providing safe space for all, where sexual harassment, abuse, or misconduct is not tolerated. Our Committees on Ministry along with MESA (Ministerial Excellence, Support, and Authorization) seek to ensure our churches, authorized ministers, and volunteers safe space from sexual misconduct of power.
May God’s Peace be with us as we seek to create a Just World for All, which starts with safe space for all.
Faithfully yours,
The National Officers of the United Church of Christ
The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President
The Rev. Traci Blackmon, Executive Minister, Justice and Witness Ministries
The Rev. James Moos, Executive Minister, Wider Church Ministries
The Council of Conference Ministers of the United Church of Christ
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Only days left to complete annual church reporting
This Wednesday, March 7 at midnight is the deadline for churches to complete UCC Year-end Reporting. For instructions, resources, frequently asked questions, information on why reporting is important, and more, visit
psec.org/reporting
. If you have any questions or need help with the reporting, contact Brea at 484-949-8774 ext. 311 or
brea@psec.org
.
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Registration is now open for Annual Meeting 2018
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Join us for Annual Meeting June 1-3 at West Chester University as we work to deepen our relationship with Jesus Christ and each other and to strengthen our gifts to ministry in service to God’s people. Friday, Conference Minister, Bill Worley, hosts a conversation, “Reconciling Past and Future”, for laity and clergy to both experience and engage the possibilities beyond attempting to “fix” the church to an orientation of God unfolding new possibilities before us.
Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister & President, will preach during Opening Worship Friday evening. Conference business will be handled Saturday morning followed by an afternoon of workshops, including one with Jeff Chu who will also be the speaker for the Saturday evening program. There will be Celebration Worship Sunday morning with guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates, followed by lunch and fellowship to end the meeting.
For more info on Annual Meeting, including an agenda and workshop descriptions,
psec.org/annualmtg18.
To register now and get early registration rates,
click here.
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PSEC church closure event scheduled for April
On Saturday, April 21 from 9:00a-12:00, there will be a workshop on the topic of
Necessary Endings: When Does Closure Become an Option
. On an average day in the United States, nine churches close their doors for good. Since 2014, one PSEC congregation has closed, on average, every six months. Join other church leaders who are considering the future of their church and pastors and lay leaders who have church closure experiences to talk about this difficult topic and to receive resources that could help you moving forward.
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PSEC Bus for ACT Now! Unite to End Racism in Washington
On April 4, the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., faith leaders from around the country will join for a ACT Now! - Unite to End Racism rally in Washington DC. The PSEC Justice & Witness Team is organizing a bus for conference laity and clergy who want to participate in this faith-based demonstration against racism. For more on the rally,
click here
. For more on the PSEC bus on April 4 and to register,
click here
. Transportation will cost $40.50 per person and is available on a first-come first-serve basis.
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Save the Date: Eastern Regional Youth Event
Save the date and share widely among the youth in your church: The Eastern Regional Youth Event will be July 19-22 at California University of Pennsylvania.
Click here
to download a flyer to share at your church. For more information, visit
eryeucc.org
.
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PA VOAD looking for help housing refugees
Since Hurricane Maria devastated the Caribbean in late September, hundreds of people have self-evacuated to PA. Many of these families are in need of short-term housing as they look for permanent and sustainable futures for their families. FEMA Temporary Housing Assistance program is set to end on March 20 and the Pennsylvania Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (PA VOAD) is working to help. For more information, including how to help,
click here
.
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Registration open for PA Academy of Ministry courses
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PA Academy of Ministry will hold
Church Leadership
(
formerly Church Administration
)
March 10
from 9-4 at First UCC, Schuylkill Haven. While this class is an Advanced Level class for those seeking Licensed Ministry preparation, it is also a refresher for clergy or lay leadership who are looking for new ways to beef up their administrative and leadership skills.
Click here
for the registration form or go to the
PAM website
to register and pay online.
PAM will offer
Church History
on
April 7
from 9am to 4pm at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven but you can also attend via live broadcast. This class will focus on the history of the church beginning with the first century through the Crusades, Reformation and today. This is a basic class for our Licensing Prep curriculum and a refresher for clergy and laity of our roots in the Church.
Click here
for a registration form with the reading assignment for the class or you can register and pay online on the
PA Academy of Ministry website
.
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Interfaith Gatherings that Work event slated for Philadelphia
The Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia will hold an event to explore: “Interfaith Gatherings that Work: Together in Times of Crisis and Celebration” on Thursday, March 8 from 9:00-12:00p with an optional networking lunch to follow (suggested $15 donation). Registration is required.
Click here for more information.
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Upcoming Boundary Awareness Training events
Here are opportunities for clergy to complete their required Boundary Training. If you aren't sure about the requirement or if you are due to take a course, contact your association Committee on Ministry.
Sponsored by PSEC
Click here for a flyer or click the event name to register
Sponsored by Northeastern PA Synod, ELCA
$25 per person, includes lunch. Each workshop is 9:00a-4:00p
Tuesday, May 22 at Bern Lutheran Church, Leesport
Wednesday, May 23 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Whitehall
Tuesday, Oct. 23 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Dallas
Wednesday, Oct. 24 at Christ Hamilton United, Stroudsburg
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Discipleship Workshops coming to three location
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Much emphasis is given today to churches reaching new people, and rightfully so. The real area of untapped potential in any congregation and community are not the people outside the church, but the people sitting in your pews every Sunday (or every other Sunday). The worship is designed to equip pastors and lay leaders with modern tools for doing an ancient work: making disciples out of those who are in our care.
Facilitated by Rev. Cean James, Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development, there are two more chances to attend this workshop, each 10a-12p. The workshops are free, but registration is required. Click the links below to register and for more information.
Event flyer
.
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Educational Opportunities
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Upcoming Church Events
Submit your Local Church Events
here
View a complete list of Church Events
here
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Classified Ads
Submit your Classified Ads
here
View a complete list of Classified Ads
here
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Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
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