Important This Week

• Register now for "Are you Being Called to Ministry", 60th anniversary of the March on Washington event, shared pastor workshop
• New church added to openings list
• Lay Leadership Support Group meeting coming up this Saturday

From the Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development:

Rev. Cean James, our Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development, shared the following reflection with the members of Salt and Light UCC/Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. I share them here for the deep meaning they convey about this weekend’s celebrations and in memory of Cean’s father who joined the Church Triumphant this past Saturday. Please keep Cean and his family in your prayers as they grieve his father’s passing and celebrate his life. –Pastor Bill

With the addition of Juneteenth to the list of federal holidays, there is a synergy of holidays this time of year that is extremely meaningful to me. Father's Day and Juneteenth fall just days apart and some years they will be celebrated on the same day.

It is meaningful to many black fathers, myself included, that our fatherhood and liberation are celebrated on the same day. This brings to my mind the countless black fathers who watched their wives and children being sold in slavery and prayed for the day when their families would be free.

To Jesse James, Sr., the patriarch of my family, who died fighting for his family, and countless other black fathers of the era of slavery, reconstruction, and Jim Crow, I say Happy Father's Day and Happy Juneteenth! I hope to see you on Sunday as we celebrate our Fathers and our Liberation.

Blessings,

Rev. Cean James, Pastor, Salt and Light

PSEC ACM for Congregational Development

Next week: 'Are You Being Called to Ministry' event

On June 21, Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley will host a one-hour gathering on Zoom to help curious individuals explore "Are you being called to ministry?", what it means to be called to ministry and answer questions. In addition, you’ll hear brief stories of others who have answered the call to serve the church in these roles. For more information, click here.

60th anniversary of the March on Washington event

Join together across the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington! Friends from across the region will join together to celebrate and remember through a modest neighborhood march (as you are able), eyewitness testimony, and worship in the historic House of Faith (the former Harold O Davis). Click here for more information and the link to register.

Register for shared pastor event this August on Zoom

One Shepherd, Two Flocks: Practical Advice and Guidance on Sharing A Pastor will be held Saturday, Aug. 12 from 9:00a to noon. Rev. Kevin McLemore and others will conduct a free workshop on why sharing a pastor with another congregation is a good option for many congregations in this time of pastoral scarcity. Pastor McLemore and others will share practical strategies on how to talk to your congregation about this possibility, how to find a pastor and congregation willing to do so, and how other churches are already doing it successfully. Pastors who currently pastor two congregations will join us to share both the blessings and challenges of this arrangement, and how to avoid some of the mistakes they’ve witnessed in their own settings. Click here for more information and the registration link.

MESA offering Retired Ministers Boundary Training

Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years" along with case studies, will provide the content of this training. Rev.

Stephen Boyd and Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness

Training for those entering and living in retirement. Click here to register for Retired Ministers Boundary Training on Wednesday, June 21 from 5:00-8:00p. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training

ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry. 

Philadelphia's Inaugural Interfaith Pride Service June 25

The Inaugural Interfaith Pride Service will be held Sunday, June 25 at 3:00p at 17th and Arch. Click the image below for a larger photo.

Lay Leadership Support

Group via Zoom!

A Lay Leadership Support Group exists for Consistory Presidents as well as those serving on Consistory. We gather once a month on Zoom -- so please join us at our next meeting June 17 at 10:00a.

We have found it to be a great place to form new friendships, to gain support, and to be educated on a variety of topics concerning our churches. The discussions are centered around sharing valuable information about what our churches are doing or maybe could be doing. This meeting will be online to make ease of attendance for all!

All past attendees will automatically receive an email with the Zoom link the Thursday prior to the meeting. If you are new to the group, please reach out to Susan at the PSEC office at susan@psec.org to be added to the list.

Trinity Reformed UCC, Pottstown 275th anniversary

On Sunday, Trinity Reformed UCC in Pottstown celebrated their 275th anniversary. Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley preached at the service and members of nearby Zion's UCC attended. The event was covered by a WFMZ news story. Click here to see that clip.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce:

Who would want to join an Addiction Task Force?

What kind of a person would want to join an Addiction Task Force?

Someone with nothing better to do with themselves?  WRONG!

A person with a Messianic complex who thinks they can save the world? HARDLY!

One with sadistic tenancies who likes tragedy? O GOD NO!

WHO THEN?

People who believe all are children of God and whether sick or healthy deserve a chance for healing.

People who realize non-judgmental communities are key to compassionate recovery.

People who know of at least one person or family suffering from this disease.

People who are laughing, caring, hopeful, and helping.

People like you? Absolutely !!!  

Give it a try. Contact us to get a link to visit our next Zoom meeting.

psec.ar.taskforce@gmail.com

UCC webinar: Strengthening EPA Protections

As UCC congregations across the country embark upon collecting thousands of signed postcards for the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the Climate Hope Cards campaign, this webinar will cover how the coming months at the EPA present a significant opportunity to save thousands of lives, address societal inequalities, and put the US on a path to achieve 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on June 14 at 1:00p, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

New federal security

resource for churches

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI have released a new resource titled Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence Fact Sheet. This resource outlines actions faith-based organizations can take to increase security, focusing on overarching steps that can help protect places of worship against potential threats in a cost-effective manner that maintains an open and welcoming environment. The product also provides training, exercise and grant resources, and interagency contact points to assist places of worship with protecting their places of worship, obtaining funds for security improvements and recognizing/ reporting potential threats in their areas. These products include a security self-assessment and the Protecting Houses of Worship Video resource that is currently translated into Spanish, Chinese, and American Sign Language. To find out more about the Department of Justice Protecting Places of Worship Program, visit justice.gov/file/1376571/download, and for Hate Crimes Prevention and Enforcement resources, visit US Dept. of Justice-Hate Crimes.

Disaster partner fundraiser coming up in Norristown

The PSEC Disaster Ministry team is working with the Disaster Case Management Program funded by FEMA and the state of PA. One of the organizations in Montgomery County with whom we are working is Montgomery County OIC. Here is a poster for an event that MC OIC is having to benefit survivors of Hurricane Ida. Please let people in our congregations know about this event.  

Volunteer builders needed in Eastwick this summer

Volunteer Builders are needed in Philadelphia. The Eastwick survivors are coming up on the 3rd anniversary of their disaster. The Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable is hoping to get them to full recovery soon. Therefore, volunteers are needed for flooring, drywall, and painting on these Saturdays July 8 and Aug. 12. Registration is required. Contact pr-volunteers@epaumc.org. Learn more.

UCC grant application now available online or to print

The 2023 Justice & Local Church Ministry Common Application is open. Use this link to apply for Operational support, Neighbors in Need, CASA New and Renewing Church, and Pension Board New Church Start Benefit Support grants. The link allows applicants to print the application or start filling out the common application for any of our four grant offerings.

Online event on keeping kids safe on church property

The PA Office of Homeland Security has partnered with other organizations in offering a quarterly virtual learning series to faith-based organizations on Thursday, June 29 from 1:00-4:00p. This learning series will focus on keeping our kids safe at schools, camps, and day care centers that are affiliated with, or on the property of or adjacent to, religious institutions. Click here to learn more. Click here to register.