Important This Week

• Recap from the Fall Conference meeting that was held on Sunday
• Save the date for Rev. Dr. Kim Stryjak at St. Peter's/Wilshire UCC on Dec. 10
• Support PSEC on Giving Tuesday

From the Conference Moderator and Conference Minister:

More than a hundred and seventy-seven members and friends met in person and online Sunday for our Fall Conference Meeting at St. Paul’s UCC in Douglasville. Their gracious hospitality created a wonderful welcome for our gathering! This was our second attempt at a hybrid Fall meeting, and a great improvement over the first thanks to the work of Revs. Zack Jackson and John Folk.

The meeting opened with worship and music lead by Rev. Steven Simpson and Martha Sitler based on Joshua 24 with reflections on the grace of God in whom we share our being and a call to serve. An offering of more than $1,100 was dedicated to God and the Justice Witness ministries that happen through our three Conference taskforces (Addictions/Recovery, Racial Justice, Environmental Justice).

We welcomed special guest Mr. Jayaker Daniel Erpula the President of the YMCA of greater Hyderabad who was a gracious host to the members of our Conference on two ecumenical mission trips to the Church of South India in 2020 and in February of this year. Conference Treasurer Rev. Dr. Bob Fogal shared the challenging news that we are behind in OCWM contributions year-to-date and ahead of Conference expenses (for a quick financial snapshot click here). The Generosity Team celebrated the ways congregations large, small and in-between contribute to Our Church’s Wider Mission and presented a new OCWM video that explains what those offerings do locally and globally (which you can see here and share with your church!). We passed our 2024 Conference spending plan which you can see here. Finally, we heard a presentation of some of the work being done by the Keystone Study Group to lead the four Pennsylvania Conferences in conversation about the possibility of becoming one and engaged in meaningful conversation about that.

To all those who traveled from near and far to St. Paul’s, Douglasville and those who joined online, to the Annual Meeting Planning Team, the Conference Consistory, the Conference staff and especially to Rev. Steven Simpson and the brothers, sisters, and siblings of St. Paul’s, and to everyone who generously supports the work of their local church and the United Church of Christ, we say thank you and bless you!

In the Spirit of the Risen Christ,

Mr. Charles Kuthuru                                      Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Moderator                                  Conference Minister

UCC Webinar on

environmental justice

Webinar—You Can’t Stop Justice: A Dialogue between Rep. Justin Pearson and the Rev. Benjamin Chavis, Jr. In this Giving Tuesday event, two prophetic leaders will join in an online conversation about the never-ending river of justice that extends from one generation to the next. Rev. Dr. Benjamin Chavis, Jr. coined the phrase "environmental racism" and helped lead the struggle for environmental justice, while Rep. Justin Pearson went from leading a grassroots environmental justice organization to serving as a state representative who made headlines around the world for his courageous stand in calling for commonsense gun legislation. Join us on Nov. 28 at 12:00p to hear from these leaders. Register today!

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Holidays

The holidays are fast approaching. For all of us the holidays can bring many reactions: joy and excitement as well as sadness for those who are not with us. Family tensions can come to the surface. Emotions may run high. For those in recovery this can serve as a trigger to seek a relief in old habits such as alcohol or drug abuse.

When you are hosting a holiday event be sure to include a good selection of nonalcoholic beverages. If someone says no to the offer of an alcoholic drink, accept what they say and do not press them. Where I live in Schuylkill County, Christmas is boilo time. People compete for the best recipe. It is potent alcoholic mix that is shared in love. But love comes in many ways and the best way to love someone in recovery is to support that recovery.

Support OCWM in your Giving Tuesday generosity

Giving Tuesday restores some balance to the flurry of buying sprees around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Our Conference is part of this Giving Tuesday movement! Using the "Giving Tuesday" button on the PSEC Donate page (https://secure.myvanco. com/L-ZJ53/home), you can support Our Church's Wider Mission. OCWM supports mission taskforces, disaster response, new ministries, search and call, pastor trainings, justice work, and so much more!

We hope you will share this opportunity with your congregation, and support PSEC on Giving Tuesday or donate early! Our goal is to receive 50 gifts; and the first $3,000 will be matched by a lead donor.

Rev. Dr. Kim Stryjak installation at St. Peter's Wilshire

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Addiction Taskforce holding Winter Clothing Drive

Note: an additional drop-off location has been added:

• Zwingli UCC, 350 Wile Ave., Souderton

Click the flyer below for it to open larger in another window.

Apply now: Ministers'

Financial Vitality Initiative

UCC authorized ministers interested in joining the Ministers’ Financial Vitality Initiative for the 2024 cohort, follow this link to apply. Spaces are limited and requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis. MFVI is a three-year Faith and Finance program of the Pension Boards to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders, which seeks to empower UCC ministers with financial tools and strategies to better manage their personal finances so they can serve their ministries more effectively. To learn more, read our Frequently Asked Questions.

This email is brought to you by your generous gifts to OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission)! Thank you!