Important This Week

• Overview of this week's Fall Meeting
• Rev. Dr. Russ Mitman named Conference Minister Emeritus
• Rev. Beth Eusts installation set for this Sunday at St. James UCC, Limerick
• Racial Justice Team planning movie discussion on TILL

From the Conference Moderator and Conference Minister:

More than two hundred thirty delegates and friends met in person and on-line Sunday for our Fall Conference Meeting at Salt and Light Community Church UCC in Philadelphia. Their gracious hospitality created a wonderful welcome and spiritually alive setting for our gathering! This was our first attempt at a hybrid event, and we ran into several tech issues that required grace and patience (and the quick problem-solving skills of many people including Revs. Zack Jackson and Cean James). We’ll keep working at that, so our meetings continue to be meaningful (tech issue free) experiences for as many participants as possible.

The meeting opened with inspiring music by the Salt and Light praise and worship team and pastors from the Philadelphia Association. Rev. Cean James shared the stirring story of church resurrection and renewal in Salt and Light’s partnering/ merging with their Presbyterian church neighbors. Dr. Joe Birli, Executive Director of Bethany Children’s Home, offered uplifting news of the good work that he and the Bethany staff have done to provide emergency shelter for homeless children, address child sex trafficking, and solidify the financial footing on which Bethany’s ministry stands.

We conferred the title Conference Minister Emeritus on Rev. Dr. Russ Mitman and celebrated with him and Ruth their long and faithful service to the church. We heard reports from our three Conference Ministry Task Forces (Addiction, Environmental Justice, and Racial Justice) and from Disaster Ministries. Our Conference Stewardship Team attempted to share a video introducing the Conference to local churches which you can see here. Conference Treasurer Rev. Dr. Bob Fogel shared the good news that we are ahead in OCWM contributions and behind on Conference expenses (for a quick financial snapshot click here). We received $1,400 from the meeting offering for our church’s wider mission — a mission that includes responding to the needs of migrant families being bused to Philadelphia from Texas. Finally, we passed our 2023 Conference spending plan which you can see here.

To all those who traveled from near and far to Salt and Light and those who joined on line, to the Annual Meeting Planning Team, the Conference Consistory, the Conference staff and especially to Rev. Cean James and the brothers, sisters, and siblings of Salt and Light, 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 

Links from Sunday's PSEC Fall Meeting

Don't forget that an important component of conference-wide meetings is taking the information you've learned back to your congregation!

Check out the PSEC YouTube channel to see:

• the OCWM video that was meant to be shared at the meeting
• video of the entire meeting
• and an excerpt from the meeting where Rev. Bill Worley speaks about the importance of OCWM and some important ministries PSEC is supporting.

Visit the PSEC website's Fall Meeting page to read any reports you may have missed and the financial plan that was approved.

Click here or visit PSEC.org and click "Donate" to contribute to OCWM, where the offering went from Sunday.

Rev. Beth Eustis Installation at St. James UCC, Limerick

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Rev. Dr. Russ Mitman named Conference Minister Emeritus

At this weekend's Fall Meeting, the Rev. Dr. Russ Mitman was honored with the title "Conference Minister Emeritus." For the text of that resolution and some pictures, click here.

Lay Leadership Support Group November meeting set

A Lay Leadership Support Group has been formed for Consistory Presidents as well as those serving on Consistory. We will be gathering once a month on Zoom – so please join us!

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.

Our next meeting will be online November 19. Registration is free. Click here for more information and to register.

Apply now: Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative

Since 2017, the Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative (MFVI) has worked to increase and improve financial wellness for more than 210 UCC authorized ministers who are overburdened with debt.

Each year, a selection of 60 commit to a three-year personal finance education that encourages participants to draw upon the expertise of an Ernst and Young financial planner to help meet their financial goals, as well as obtain unlimited access to tools and educational resources – available at no cost to the participant.  

The program provides a yearly financial incentive of $3,000 for three years, which participants can use to alleviate their debt, or seed an Annuity Plan account to secure lifetime income. 

Active UCC authorized ministers who are interested in joining the MFVI program for the 2023 cohort can send an email to MFVI@pbucc.org for instructions on how to apply. Application deadline is Dec. 31. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions.

Racial Justice Team hosting discussion on film

Dec. 1, 7p.m. The Racial Justice Team will lead a conference-wide discussion of the movie TILL, exploring the powerful truth-telling, justice-seeking spirit of Mamie Till, and what we can do as people of faith to thwart, change and dismantle the culture of white domination (white supremacy) and its’ centuries long systemic oppression of, and violence against, Black people and Black communities. We encourage congregations to coordinate a “Movie Night” viewing of TILL at your local theater and then join us for a time of thoughtful, faithful discussion and introspection, and an opportunity to explore what social justice campaigns or truth-telling topics your faith community is willing to actively engage in. To register for the TILL discussion click here. Registration is free.

Transgender Day of Remembrance Service planned

The Coatesville VA Medical Center is having their second annual Transgender Day of Remembrance service Friday Nov. 18 from 11am-12pm at the Episcopal Church of the Trinity (downtown Coatesville— address on the flyer), in which they will also be joined by a handful of community partners, including Phoebe Ministries Department of Pastoral Care (who have already graciously assisted in several vital ways). They will also feature a resource fair and light food/refreshments after the service has concluded.

Click here to view an event flyer, and for those who are planning to come in person, please RSVP to Christina Clements at 610-384-7711, ext. 2806.

For those who cannot attend in person, the zoom information is:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83049880294?pwd=QnVhQ3EyL0dhT3RDempNMWYyVzV2QT09

Meeting ID: 830 4988 0294

Passcode: 552291

Anyone with additional questions can reach out to Rev. Brynn White, Acting Chief, Chaplain Service at Coatesville VA Medical Center (Brynn.White@va.gov)

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Harm Reduction is a Justice Issue

The way we treat people can change their lives. Those of us who were at the Harm Reduction program, Resurrecting Hope, on Nov. 10 were blessed with the presence of three speakers on the front line of the overdose epidemic in America. We heard hard facts, moving stories and Christian approaches to providing care and compassion for those in the dark night of addiction. Harm reduction is working with people without judgment, coercion, discrimination or requiring them to stop use as a precondition for support. It recognizes that poverty, class, racism, sex and trauma are elements of the epidemic. It is a model of public health as a justice issue.

For those unable to attend the program on the 10th, we hope there will be a video of the program available in the near future for your own and your congregation’s and community’s benefit.

From the Racial Justice Team: Native American Heritage Month --How we honor Indigenous people matters!

In 1990 that President George H W Bush signed a joint resolution designating the entire month of November as the first, then named National American Indian Heritage Month, expanding the original Ford admiration’s Native American Week (1976).

Native American Heritage Month is set aside to celebrate Indigenous peoples past and present and to rededicate ourselves to honoring Tribal sovereignty, promote Tribal self-determination, and uphold the United States’ solemn trust and treaty responsibilities to those nations.

It’s no secret that the US has failed in this arena over centuries. Continue reading.

Registration now open for

2023 Women's Clergy Retreat

Join us for the 2023 Women’s Clergy Retreat Jan. 24-26! This retreat will be centered around YOUR NEEDS; so you will be able to choose what activities are beneficial for your well-being and the refreshing of your spirit. There will be opportunities for worship, discussion, engaging in spiritual practices, and more – all centered on the theme "Unprogram Yourself" and unplugging from the demands of our day-to-day life. Massages will be available for an additional fee.

The retreat will take place at Mariawald Retreat Center, 1094 Welsh Road in Reading. Modest linens/towels and simple meals are provided – you are welcome to bring snacks and drinks to share! Rooms are double occupancy and cost $130 – space is limited! First floor rooms available on request, and be sure to include the name of a roommate if you have a preference. Full vaccination and a negative home COVID test required up to 48 hours before the retreat.

To register, click here.

Conference Planning Team Seeking Additional Members

The PSEC Planning Team is the group that facilitates the PSEC Spring Annual and Fall Meetings. The committee is looking for new members who can bring creative ideas and new energy to meet the needs of our conference members. The committee meets via Zoom once a month. If you feel called to serve in this ministry, please reach out to Susan Creswell at the PSEC office at susan@psec.org or 484-949-8774 x 312.

November ReadyPA Monthly available online now

This month's PA Emergency Management Agency's ReadyPA Monthly includes info on winter weather safety, snow squall preparedness, and more. Click here for the newsletter. Please share this information with your congregations to help keep everyone safe and prepared. 

Sharing virtual services for Christmas morning

PSEC is offering assistance to churches for worship on Sunday, Dec. 25. Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley will record a Christmas sermon that can be shared. The transcript of that sermon will also be available for anyone who wants to read it in church. Additionally, we will provide a list of churches providing live-streamed or pre-recorded services for Christmas that you can share.

If you are willing to add your church's service to that list, please send an email to brea@psec.org no later than Dec. 5 and include:

• the name of the church, including location
• the name of the pastor
• the website where the online service will be available
• if the service is live-streamed, the time the service will begin
• if the service will be pre-recorded, when it will be posted

On Dec. 13 we will send you an email with the list of virtual services, the recording of Rev. Worley's sermon, and the transcript of the sermon.

UCC accepting applications for Generosity Officers

The United Church of Christ, National Setting has an opening for four Generosity Officers to be deployed throughout the U.S. by region. The Generosity Officers will assist the Director of Philanthropy, the Development Strategist, OPTIC team, and volunteers in carrying out the major gift program/planned giving program of the national setting of the UCC. Each will hold primary responsibility for the solicitation of individual gifts of $10k or more for the UCC. These positions will be charged to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward 75-100 prospects and donors, concentrating on one of the identified Regions of the UCC, partnering with other staff and conference offices and local churches as appropriate. This position will require both electronic and direct face-to-face solicitation and stewardship, with an expectation of travel. 

Generosity Officer: PNEC, PSEC, Penn Central, Penn West, Central Atlantic – Apply here