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Important This Week
- Conference Minister on what he has learned from churches in PSEC.
- This week is the last chance to register for Fall Youth Event.
- Sign up for a Discover Day at Lancaster Theological Seminary this weekend or next week.
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Lessons from Pennsylvania Southeast Conference churches
At the beginning of my tenure as Conference Minister, I set upon the task of preaching in every one of our (now) 161 congregations. I have returned several times to some for anniversaries and ordinations. I hunger to go back to others but now have less than twenty churches to visit. This has been one of the best experiences of my work. I have encountered amazing places of vitality including just last Sunday at St John’s, Birdsboro for a 225th Anniversary celebration of a small church with a mighty spirit. I have witnessed growing congregation connections with communities, like at the Evening Worship Service at St. Peters in Tremont two weeks ago where members of the Schuylkill Association gathered with flood-ravaged neighbors to give thanks for deliverance and the generosity of Conference neighbors near and far. I witnessed the members of St. Peter’s Tohickon offer gracious hospitality to a Muslim neighbor who spoke in celebration of that church’s long and faithful history.
I have learned a few things and confirmed my sense of others. First, a handful of people on fire with the transformative power and presence of the resurrected spirit of Jesus Christ can change the world — and do. Second, it really is possible to welcome all people when the sole agenda is the working of Jesus Christ as that happens differently in the life of each person. Third, where vitality is happening there is a vitalized, faith-filled visionary leader training and inspiring other leaders. Finally, I am fond of the question, “If your church burned down on Friday would you all show up on Sunday to worship in the ashes?” I know the answer almost as soon as I walk in the front church door. There is an unmistakable atmosphere of connection among people who love being together AND who can’t wait to include new people in that togetherness; born not from a need to save a church or find a committee or contribute to a budget but from a desire to widen the circle of friends and to share the faith.
That is happening all around our Conference and I am blessed beyond measure to witness it, celebrate it and give thanks to God for it. And for you.
Pastor Bill
Rev. William P. Worley
Conference Minister
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Two full-time UCC Disaster Ministries positions available
There are two full-time positions -- one based in North Carolina, the other in Texas -- for Disaster Ministries employees. Click the job title below for more information.
Questions should be directed to: Zach Wolgemuth, Executive, UCC Disaster Ministries at 410-259-6194.
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PSEC Fall Youth Event registration deadline this week
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Registration is now open for the Fall Youth Event! Youth in grades seven through twelve are invited to retreat at South Mtn. YMCA Camp Nov. 2-4. This year’s theme is “This is my story…” around the Psalm 46 “Be still and know that I am God.” Register by Oct. 26 by
clicking here
.
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Register now for conference 2018 Fall Meeting on Nov. 10
We know our past, we are living our present and at the 2018 PSEC Fall meeting we will decide our future. Join fellow members to review the 2019 Budget, get an update on the Pension Board Campaign Proposal, learn about the new Manual on Ministry and most importantly decide the future of our conference. The final vote on the possible merger with the Penn Northeast Conference will take place at this meeting. The meeting will be Saturday, Nov. 10 from 10:00a-4:00p at Church of the Good Shepherd, Boyertown.
Click here
to register for Fall Meeting.
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One more Pre-Fall Meeting Conversations scheduled
Conference Minister, Rev. William Worley and t
he Joint Conference Vision and Development Team are offering the opportunity to discuss items on the Fall Meeting agenda, including: 2019 Budget, The Pension Board Campaign Proposal, the new Manual on Ministry, and the merger with Penn Northeast Conference.
Pre- Fall Meeting events are set for:
- Nov. 6: Zoom meeting (check next week's eNews for the link)
Registration for the pre-meeting is NOT necessary.
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Flood Recovery Efforts Continuing in Delaware Co.
Many residents of Delaware County are still in need of help cleaning up after the
Aug. 12
flooding. Needs include: removing debris, mucking out mud, gutting out wet drywall, pressure washing walls, and remediating mold. Volunteers are particularly needed for Saturday, Oct. 27. If anyone is interested in helping at the telephone center on Oct. 15 or receive leader training on Oct. 25, contact both Ed Kline (whose contact info is on this
recovery flier
) and Rev. Karl Jones, PSEC Disaster Response Coordinator at
kjones275@comcast.net
.
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Bookkeeper/Treasurer Training Set for November 3
PSEC Bookkeeper/Treasurer Training will be held Nov. 3 from 9:00a-12:00p at Calvary UCC, Barto. Topics to be covered include: general bookkeeping/accounting issues you should understand, accountable vs non-accountable reimbursement plans, budgeting, credit card policies, employee issues, Our Church’s Wider Mission (pledging), best practices, W2s or 1099s, gifting and in-kind contribution rules, housing allowance calculation, record retention, FICA/SECA tax, and any other questions you may have. Registration is $10.
Click here
to register.
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New Community of Practice group forming in Fleetwood
Clergy interested in joining a Communities of Practice group that will meet monthly in Fleetwood should contact Rev. Sharon Morris at
morris@psec.org
. Communities of Practice are groups of ministers who meet monthly to check in and learn together. For program details,
click here
.
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Shenkel UCC, Gestalt Pastoral Care hosting a Spirituality Fair
Come to Shenkel UCC, 1580 Shenkel Rd., Pottstown, with curiosity and questions to explore a variety of spiritual practices to engage your spirit. Sessions will be in and around the church, so one can “dip into” different experiences. The fair will be on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 10:00a. For details, view (and share!) this flyer,
click here
.
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Free conference on making churches safer set in Philly
"Securing the Sacred: How to Make Religious Institutions Safer" will be a free conference on Nov. 13 from 8:30a-12:00p at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Topics will include Active Shooter Prevention and Response, Countering Radicalization, and White Supremacist Threats. Speakers from the Anti-Defamation League, FBI, Philadelphia Police Department, and US Attorney's Office will participate. This conference is for clergy and lay leaders in eastern Pennsylvania. To register,
click here
.
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Registration now open for PSEC, PNEC Puerto Rico trips
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PSEC and PNEC will sponsor two rebuild mission trips to Puerto Rico this spring! The first trip is April 28-May 4; the second May 12-18.The cost per person will not exceed $1,000, including all costs: transportation, food, lodging, supplies, etc.
Registration requires $50 and
this application sent to
Penn Northeast Conference.
The deadline to register is Nov. 15.
The next planning meeting will be Tuesday, Nov. 20, at 6:30p at Greenawalds United Church, 2325 Albright Ave., Allentown. If you want to be on the list of potential participants and receive trip info directly, email Gilberto at
gilbertor@pnec.org
; and
CC Karl Jones:
kjones275@comcast.net
.
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Discover Days scheduled at Lancaster seminary
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On Saturday, Oct. 27 and Wednesday, Oct. 31, Lancaster Theological Seminary will host Discover Day events. Discover Days are open to all, and offer the chance to experience the life of our community, sit in on a class, worship in chapel, and get to know some current students. The Oct. 27 event is ideal for those interested in the weekend format for our two master's degree programs: Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Ministry & Leadership. The Oct. 31 open house is the better option for those considering our weekday master's programs.
Get more information and register for a Discover Day here
.
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Church Events
Submit Church Events
here
View a complete list of Church Events
here
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Classified Ads
Submit Classified Ads
here
View a complete list of Classified Ads
here
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Educational Opportunities
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Church Openings
Gulph UCC: part-time beginning ASAP
St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown: part-time beginning ASAP.
St. Peter's, Molltown: part-time beginning ASAP
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev. Sharon Morris:
morris@psec.org
or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
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Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
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