|
|
Important This Week
- The deadline for the Joint Conference Vision and Development Team "Valentine's Day Match Up" is this week.
- Free webinar next Wednesday on Preventing sexual harassment in your church
- Conference Minister, Rev. Bill Worley, writes on the direction of the UCC.
|
|
The trajectory of the National Church
What does it mean to be UCC? That question prompts laughter from some (Unitarians Considering Christ; Utterly Confused Christians), anger from others (a liberal church that does not represent my worldview), inspiration from many (a church committed to social justice), and confusion from most (‘doesn’t that have something to do with Church of Christ’). The confusion stems, in part, from the freedom granted each local church to discern and decide how it will live its UCC understanding into being. Other things add to the confusion (poor teaching, thin clergy/congregation connections, lapses in leadership) and diminish clarity about what we are called to do.
I said in my last “eblast” that I have a deep concern for the mission of the United Church of Christ and the identity from which that mission springs. I love the UCC for its historic commitment to church tradition and the belief that we are stronger together than we are apart. I aspire to every form of partnership that springs from the vision "that they may all be one.” I still believe in “the big tent” where all are truly welcome. I am heartened that our General Minster and President, Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, regularly consults with Rev. Bob Thompson who represents the more conservative ‘Faithful and Welcoming’ congregations of our progressive denomination. Making disciples in a just world for all is easy among people who think, speak and act the same. But that's not why I sought ordination in the United Church of Christ.
There is an unmistakable progressiveness to the trajectory of our national church. That prompts laughter from some, anger from others and inspiration from many. It requires a great deal of work to be informed and take personal responsibility to communicate differences carefully, thoughtfully and respectfully. The political culture we now live in has surrendered that entirely and created a heightened (and I would say false) sense of separation between and among people whose lives are lived too closely to be anything other than connected. We in the UCC were once the truly inclusive antidote to that division and I pray we might be again. It was the place where deep gladness and the world's deep hunger met. In Fred Buechner's words, the place God calls us to be.
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William P. Worley, Conference Minister
|
|
UCF celebrates anniversary of Beyond Fossil Fuels
The United Church Funds (UCF) Beyond Fossil Fuel Funds (BFF) – the Beyond Fossil Fuels Fund and Beyond Fossil Fuels Balanced Fund – celebrated its third anniversary in November. Since its introduction, the Beyond Fossil Fuels Fund outperformed its respective benchmark for one and three years, as of December 31.
While one out of five U.S. dollars under professional management is currently managed in a sustainable or responsible manner, there is a lingering perception that responsible investing involves giving up investment returns in exchange for doing good in the world. “This perception is simply not true, and the BFF Funds are a good example that you do not have to sacrifice good returns to support environmental and social responsibility." ...
To see the performance results and the full press release,
click here
.
|
From the PSEC Disaster Coordinator
Zach Wolgemuth, Executive for UCC Disaster Ministries published the
Commentary: Justice work means working with the most vulnerable
. Rev. Karl Jones, PSEC Disaster Coordinator, recommends this short read, saying that it's very good and "tells why we are doing what we are doing in many places, including in southeast PA."
|
Phoebe seeking volunteers for dementia program
The Spirit Alive program at Phoebe Ministries is an innovative way of leading worship with residents who live in Phoebe’s memory support neighborhoods. The program involves sharing stories with residents that illustrate great spiritual truths, such as God’s love, care, and forgiveness. Based upon Montessori principles of engagement and specialized pastoral care practices, multi-sensory stimulation is used to convey each story and ensure full engagement by each member of the group.
Phoebe is currently seeking volunteers who enjoy sharing stories of faith and interacting with older adults living with dementia, to lead small group sessions at skilled care centers in Allentown, Wernersville, Richlandtown and Wyncote.
A training session to become Spirit Alive Facilitators will be held from noon-4:00p on Feb. 23 and from 8:00a-4:00p on Feb. 24 at the Richlandtown campus. Attendance at both sessions is required. To register or for more info, contact Alisha Tatem, Spirit Alive Coordinator, at
atatem@phoebe.org
or 610-927-8554 by Feb. 8. Faith communities interested in beginning a Spirit Alive program at their place of worship are also welcome to inquire.
|
|
An update on Rev. Alan Miller
Dear PSEC Friends,
Some of you know that Rev. Alan Miller, former PNEC Conference Minister, has battled cancer these last many years. The treatment of that has led to other health complications. Please continue to keep them in your prayers if you have been and add them if not. Contact information, via
Caring Bridge
and their home address, follows in a note from Candy below.
Dear Friends in Christ,
Alan and I are overwhelmed with the outpouring of get well wishes, letters, cards and comments left on Caring Bridge. We are deeply grateful for each and every one of you.
Alan and I open and read each card together while visiting in the hospital. He loves reading them. He is amazing. Even though his short and long term memory is compromised, he still remembers names and faces.
Alan has touched so many lives throughout his career. After reading his cards, I never knew to what extent.
It has been heartbreaking for Mark, Tina and I to see Alan so ill and not to remember events in his life, unable to crack the jokes and come back with those famous "Alan Miller" one liners.
Continue following our updates on
Caring Bridge
. If you would like to send Alan a card, please send to our home: 4080 Saint Johns St., Highpoint, NC 27265.
We love all of you,
Alan and Candy
|
Webinar: Preventing sexual harassment in your church
Insurance Board will present a free webinar Feb. 7 at 2:00
on what sexual harassment is, how it manifests itself in congregations, and how to respond in the current legal landscape. The presenter will share case studies and answer questions. Better understand this important topic, how to prevent it, and what to do if it is happening in your church.
Click here
to register.
|
Registration open for Phoebe Ministries benefit
Phoebe Ministries will honor Bill Hacker and Eric Blew of Arbor Insurance with the Rev. Dr. Grant Harrity Award for Exemplary Service to the Aging at their annual Institute on Aging Benefit on Thursday, March 22 in University Center at DeSales University, 2755 Station Avenue, Center Valley. The cocktail attire event will feature dinner and dancing and begins with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. Music will be provided by The Craig Thatcher Band. Tickets are $125 per person, $200 per couple, or $1,000 for a table.
Click here
for the invitation.
Click here
to register.
|
|
Conference Merger updates
Updates from the Joint Conference Vision and Development Team are regularly posted at
psec.org/conference-merger. Check it out for information on what's going on with the JCVDT including:
- a retreat day for COMs
- "Healthcare: Education & Action Mission Day"
- the Valentine's Day Match Up for PNEC and PSEC churches
- a Lenten devotional
The deadline for churches to sign up to be matched with a PNEC church in the Valentine's Day Match-up is this Sunday, Feb. 4.
Click here for the application.
|
PNEC Annual Youth Retreat
The Penn Northeast Conference will be holding its Annual Youth Retreat on May 4-6 at Spruce Lake. PSEC youth in grades 7-12 are invited to join! The retreat cost is $130/person. Registration and a deposit are due by Feb. 12. For more information and the registration form,
click here
.
|
|
Discipleship Workshops coming to three location
|
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 three opportunities to attend this workshop, each from 10:00a-12:00p. The workshops are free, but registration is required. Click the links below to register and for more information.
Event flyer
.
|
|
PSEC Events
June 1-3: PSEC Annual Spring Meeting in West Chester.
|
Educational Opportunities
|
|
Upcoming Church Events
Submit your Local Church Events
here
View a complete list of Church Events
here
|
Classified Ads
Submit your Classified Ads
here
View a complete list of Classified Ads
here
|
|
Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
