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Important This Week
- Annual Meeting starts is this weekend! Don't forget to look at the reports in advance. The Conference Office will close Thursday afternoon and reopen on Tuesday morning. See you in West Chester!
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'Be Reconciled'
This week the Conference staff and the volunteer organizers of our Annual Spring Conference Meeting are deep in the final preparations for what will be another inspiring and challenging gathering at West Chester University. “Reconciliation” is the theme of our worship and workshop experiences led in part by our UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, Rev Dr. Bonnie Bates the Conference Minister of Penn Northeast Conference and Jeff Chu author of the book
Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian's Pilgrimage in Search of God in America
.
The theme is central to the command of Christ who said,
“if you enter your place of worship, and about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering leave immediately go to this friend, and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.”
This gospel message is as countercultural as ever when, in our, diversity and differences are used to create false divisions that tear at the Body of Christ, our congregations, communities and our country.
I am excited that we will give ourselves opportunities for holy moments where God might reconcile all things and where our connections with each other will conjure the presence of Christ who, despite us and because of us, “reconciles all things to himself.” I look forward to seeing you soon.
Bill
Rev. William P. Worley
Conference Minister
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Deadline for Pension Board forms extended to June
Earlier this month, churches that participate in the Pension Board received a letter asking the church to complete a"Church Plan Eligibility Certification" and "Adoption Agreement" to the Pension Boards before May 31. These forms should be returned as soon as possible, but because of the number of calls the Pension Board received about these forms, the deadline to return them was extended until June 30.
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Check out the Annual Meeting materials for THIS WEEKEND
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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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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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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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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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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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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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PSEC Events
June 4: PSEC Office Closed following Spring Meeting
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Educational Opportunities
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Upcoming Church Events
Submit your 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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