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Important This Week
- From the Conference Minister: From 'Decoration Day' to a three-day holiday weekend
- Check out advance materials for next week's Annual Meeting
- New UCC Polity Curriculum released for local churches to use
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From 'Decoration Day' to a three-day holiday weekend
Most of us know that Memorial Day began as Decoration Day, when people of the South and North looked for some way to make sense of, and live with, the carnage of the Civil War. After Americans lost more soldiers in more wars, Memorial Day became a nationwide observance on the last Monday in May.
Memorial Day is now part of a three-day weekend, making it more a mini-vacation (for many people but few pastors) than a dedicated holy day of remembrance. But the joy of summer’s unofficial beginning still has in its shadow the grief for those loved and lost in service to the nation.
Veterans (and their families) are particularly attuned to this grief and the unfulfilled wish that their war would have been the last war; that the sacrifice of their friends would not only have contributed to a valiant and historic victory but that it would have ended all future suffering. Still, the fighting goes on.
It is right and good to remember that although we work and pray for peace, sometimes peace is broken. Evil is real and while war is always the failure of humans to find creative ways to solve their differences, there are times when the alternative is worse. Let us pray without ceasing that our leaders always know the difference. Acting otherwise cheapens the ultimate gift that so many gave to change the world.
Our ancestors marched into battle bravely, sometimes reluctantly but always with the hope that if they fought gallantly not only would they be remembered, the world would be better because of their sacrifice. Those of us who are their descendants and benefactors cannot do any less. I encourage you to spend some time this weekend asking, ‘What sacrifice of mine will make this world just a little bit better?’ I implore you to spend the rest of your life living into the answer.
Bill
Rev. William P. Worley
Conference Minister
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Geneva Gowns wanted for upcoming Ghana mission trip
St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Fleetwood, has several ongoing ministries with a community in Ghana. For a trip to Ghana next month, they are looking for a donation of three Geneva Gowns for:
- 6' for 36" waist
- 5' 10" for 36" waist
- 5' 10" for 42" waist
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2018-19 PNEC Vitality Days with Michael Piazza
What:
4 one-day training sessions with Michael Piazza of Agile Church (
Monthly gatherings for church leaders with trained coaches to
assist them in maintaining positive momentum.
)
When:
Each Session will run from 9AM - 4:30PM
Session 1 - Transformational Worship - September 22,2018
Session 2 - Structure and Stewardship - November 10, 2018
Session 3 - Craft Church Evangelism - March 23, 2019
Session 4 - Vintage Church Renewal - May 18, 2019
Locations to be determined based on applications.
Cost:
$1,000 - all four days of training for church teams (up to 10 people from each congregation) and the monthly coaching session.
$15 per person for lunch on training days
Process for participation:
3. Once the application is accepted, process your payment
4. Identify the members of your team and get ready to begin
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UCC Polity curriculum released for Local Congregations
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A new curriculum has been released by the United Church of Christ for churches to explore UCC History, Polity, and Identity. By looking at the denomination’s core values, participants will be introduced or have a chance to deepen their understanding of what it is to be a part of the UCC. The curriculum is easily adaptable for small groups, search committees, consistories, new members, confirmands, and more. Each learning session includes a facilitator guide, video, resources, and activities to help folks explore the UCC. Access all the lessons and resources through this site, as well as download any files you need:
Exploring UCC Polity
.
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Update on Clergy Housing tax exempt legal challenge
From Heather Kimmel, our UCC National Council, comes the following message regarding the legal challenge to the clergy tax exempt housing allowance case now in the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals:
The Church Alliance, a coalition of the leaders of nearly 40 denominational benefit programs in which the Pension Boards participates, recently
filed an amicus brief
in the clergy housing allowance litigation. The Association of Conference Attorneys received a presentation by Rick Walters, Associate General Counsel for the Pension Boards—United Church of Christ, on this issue. Church Alliance frequently advocates for issues affecting active and retired ministers. We are grateful to the Church Alliance for its advocacy in this litigation. Please know that the Church Alliance is also exploring other ways to support clergy in the event that the district court’s decision in the housing allowance case is upheld, including advocating for new legislation on the issue. If you would like more information on the Church Alliance’s work, I encourage you to contact the Pension Boards.
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PAM Offering Consistory/ Council 101 Educational Series
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The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry will be conducting a 3-part educational series called
Consistory/ Council 101
on Sept. 15, Oct. 6 and Oct. 27 from 10a to 12 noon. The 3 sessions are titled: (Sept. 15)-
Making Our Church Meetings Effective
, (Oct. 6)-
Pastor and People Working Together
and (Oct. 27)-
Connecting Beyond Ourselves
.
We are asking all Consistory/Council Presidents to place this educational opportunity on their upcoming agenda for consideration. We are looking at presenting this course via LIVE STREAM to locations in EACH of the Penn Northeast, Penn Central and Pennsylvania Southeast Conferences where groups of laity can join together in viewing the presentations and participate in discussion questions.
Click here
for a registration form so your group can receive the link to the LIVE STREAMED event. A subsequent email will be sent to all registrants indicating locations where groups can be found in your area and all groups will receive discussion questions with their link to the webinar. In a climate where churches are struggling to remain open or remain financially secure, we know that a well-educated leadership is crucial to that goal. We hope that you will consider this course for your Consistory or Council so to encourage vitality and strengthen an already vibrant leadership in our local churches.
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Check out the Annual Meeting materials for next week
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Get ready for next week's Annual Meeting, June 1-3 at West Chester University. Annual Meeting info, including an agenda, workshop descriptions, and advance materials are at
psec.org/annualmtg18
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Free webinar set for churches considering going solar
As part of the monthly Creation Justice Webinar series, the UCC has teamed with GreenFaith to offer a webinar designed to assist churches who are interested in going solar. On May 30, the Rev. Fletcher Harper will address issues related to technology, finance, physical plant, communications, and more.
Sign-up today
for this webinar! Also, look up
past webinars or subscribe for monthly updates
on future webinars.
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URGENT help needed for Puerto Rico hurricane recovery
The UCC Disaster Ministries has put out an urgent call for work teams in response to 2017 hurricanes. Starting June 1, groups of up to 15 volunteers can travel to Puerto Rico to help clean up and repair homes and church properties. To schedule your group or for more information, visit
ucc.org/disaster_puerto_rico
.
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PSEC Events
June 4: PSEC Office Closed following Spring Meeting
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Educational Opportunities
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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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