Important This Week

• Rev. Dr. David Williams to be installed at New Goshenhoppen this weekend
• Register for Fall Meeting, Recovering Racists book study, and "Changing the way the Church Views Racism"
• PSEC churches work together to help with disaster recovery

From the Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call:

In my home state of Mississippi, the only presence of the United Church of Christ that I knew of for many years was Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS. I’ve taken a youth group from Houston and led members of two congregations, one from rural Michigan and another from Chicago, to help rehab houses of those who can’t afford to do so on their own. It was during one of the first trips to Back Bay Mission that I learned the history of this lonely outpost of the UCC in a state that had no UCC churches at the time.

It was in Biloxi that the beaches of the South begun the process of integration. Up until the late sixties, most beaches were segregated, but between 1959-1963, three “wade-ins” happened in Biloxi, causing a fierce and violent backlash by white residents and police officers. The African American physician Dr. Gilbert Mason led the fight, with few allies from the white community. However, the three white pastors of the local UCC joined him and the local black community in this effort, only to find that their churches were closed by the early seventies as their white parishioners deserted their congregations. Back Bay Mission had been formed decades earlier to help the fishermen and their families during some of the lean months of the year. In the end, Back Bay Mission was the lasting legacy of those three closed churches, and it continues its service to the most vulnerable of Biloxi. It’s also a reminder to me that sometimes when you do the right thing, death is often the consequences of that choice (see Jesus) – and that God still deals in resurrection, over and over again.

The worth of mission trips such as the ones my churches and youth groups went on can be debated, but more than the labor provided by us, it was what we learned about others and ourselves in places like Back Bay Mission that was the most important piece of the trip. I’d invite you to consider doing some “mission work” in places like Biloxi or in Eastwick in Philly (learn how to help out in Eastwick further down in this email!), or wherever your helping hands are needed, including right next door to your church. I’ve been part of an Association-wide adult and youth mission trip to Back Bay Mission, and I know of churches who have done a mission trip together. One of my fondest memories of a Back Bay mission trip was when our Houston youth group had just helped to rehabilitate a home, only to have Hurricane Katrina swept through the area a month later. The care and concern of those youth about the damage done to mission itself and the safety of that older couple they had just helped made me so proud of them – I do think God changed some of our hearts that week and the weeks afterwards.

For more information about Back Bay Mission and its volunteer opportunities, go to thebackbaymission.org and to learn more about local opportunities to serve, contact the Rev. Karl Jones, our PSEC Disaster Relief Coordinator at kjones275@comcast.net

Rev. Kevin McLemore

Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call

PSEC churches step up to help with Hurricane Ian recovery

Because of the generosity of the churches of Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, we have been able to help those in Florida who are trying to clean up following Hurricane Ian. Previously, we have told you about the clean-up buckets that went from Zion Blue Mountain Church in Strausstown. Here is part two.

A few weeks ago, Michele Smith, a member of St. Mark’s UCC, Cressona, and an employee of R & J Transportation in Pottsville, contacted the PSEC Disaster Coordinator, Karl Jones, asking what they could do to help the people in Florida. She said, “There are so many local families who have relocated or spend their winters in Florida, Jay Newswanger and I just felt our business, R & J Transportation, Inc. should do something to help.”

Karl’s response was a request to help transport clean up buckets and hygiene kits from Zwingli UCC, Souderton, to Mission Central in Mechanicsburg for shipment to Florida. R & J said “Yes” to the request.

The next step was to get the buckets and kits organized at Zwingli Church. The church office staff and Jim See, who manages the bucket inventory at Zwingli Church, answered that call. Jim picked up buckets at St. Stephens’ UCC, Perkasie, and arranged for help to move buckets from the basement of Zwingli Church to the parking lot. They were then to be picked up by a minibus from R & J. You can imagine the surprise on everyone’s face when a motor coach appeared in the parking lot at Zwingli. And it was needed. In all, 87 buckets and 52 kits were loaded at Zwingli Church.

Jay (owner of R & K Transportation, Inc.) and Diane Newswanger are members of First UCC, Schuylkill Haven. Learning that there were buckets at their church, Diane called Pastor Shawn Van Dyke, who provided 19 additional buckets to be picked up at First UCC, Schuylkill Haven. In all 106 buckets and 52 buckets were delivered to Mission Central on Monday morning by R & J Transportation. (The market value of these kits and buckets exceeds $8,000.)

Michele reflects: “It felt extremely fulfilling to donate our time, energy, and transportation to help get these buckets off to Florida. Just the little things, such as transporting these buckets, can make a big difference in someone’s life.”  

Diane says, “It was a wonderful feeling to do something to make a difference and really help people who were really in need.”

We are blessed in this Conference to have churches and people who are willing to work together to enable this amazing outreach to the citizens of Florida and their road to recovery.

And the story continues: There is a great need to replenish our inventory of buckets and kits. You can learn how you can be a part of this effort by clicking here and clicking here. The national setting of the UCC is still offering $250 matching grants to churches to put together buckets.

See more photos at the News story posted at PSEC.org

Chan

The

Rev. Dr. David Williams Installation at New Gosh

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Preview a draft of the UCC Manual on the Local Church

At the 32nd General Synod, the church was charged with convening a working group representative of the whole denomination to produce a Manual on the Local Church. The Manual on Church Working Group has worked diligently over the past two and a half years towards these ends. Beginning with building relationship and theological reflection amid a global pandemic, these representative leaders are pleased to share the fruits of this common labor.

Though there is additional work forthcoming, it is with joy and humility that we share with you today the first resources of this collective work. 

Click here to view drafts of the: Definition of a Local Church; Marks of Faithful and Vital Local Churches; The Congregational Code for Local Churches; Local Church Accountability Procedures; and Local Standing in the UCC for new or affiliating Faith Communities. You are encouraged to complete a brief feedback survey after each section with your initial reactions.

Rev. Raymond Jachowski Installation at Parkside UCC

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Let's reach the finish line! Help with storm recovery in Philly

Rebuilding continues following Tropical Storm Isaias in the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia. Volunteers and Contractors needed!

Since Tropical Storm Isaias brought devastating flooding to the Eastwick neighborhood of Philadelphia in August 2020, the Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable identified 50 families who needed help with rebuilding of homes and replacement of heating and cooling systems.

The Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable is a partnership of community organizations like Eastwick United CDC, Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition, as well as disaster recovery non-profits like The Salvation Army, UCC Disaster Ministries, Lutheran Disaster Response, The Elevated Studio, The Eastern PA Conference of the United Methodist Church. Government partners include Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation, and Pennsylvania Emergency Management.

Volunteers have contributed 4,000 hours to date. Contractors have installed 26 air handlers and 6 hot water heaters as well as repaired electric and plumbing in several homes.

Help us complete the remaining 15 cases by the end of the calendar year. Volunteers, skilled in general construction/ carpentry, as well as those willing to learn, are needed. We also are looking for licensed and insured contractors. Full funding is available for all materials and contractor labor.

Opportunities:

• Volunteer on Saturday November 12, 2022!
• Indicate your interest in volunteering on other days that become available. 
• Insured and Licensed Contractors: Please contact us for opportunities related to general construction.

Contact: Volunteer Coordinator, Sharon Sgriccia, isaiasrecoveryvolunteers@gmail.com

Long term recovery from disasters takes many years and is a very slow and difficult process for survivors. We hold in our hearts those just beginning to recover from Hurricanes Fiona and Ian. Please consider this opportunity closer to home as a way of standing in solidarity with all disaster survivors in all places.

Spirit on Tap tonight:

Many Religions, One God

“Many Religions, One God” by Rev. Dr. Stephen Ohnsman will be presented at Spirit on Tap on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7:00p at the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading.

The gathering will explore common truths and points of similarity in all faiths and will seek to find ways to overcome the danger of religious exceptionalism.

Click here for more information.

'Changing the Way the Church Views Racism' hybrid event

The PSEC Racial Justice Team is helping to sponsor “Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” featuring Rev. Dr. Drew Hart Saturday, Oct. 29, beginning at 2:00p. Ascension UCC, 1700 W Main Street, Norristown, in collaboration with One Book, One Norristown will be hosting the event. Dinner/Reception following. Registration is free for this hybrid event – in-person or online. Click here to register.

This free event has been approved by the PSEC Church and Ministry Council as meeting the requirements for Diversity Training for PSEC authorized ministers.

2022 Fall Book Study

Recovering Racist: Dismantling White Supremacy and Reclaiming Our Humanity

The PSEC Racial Justice Initiative is offering a 2022 Fall Book Study on Recovering Racist: Dismantling White Supremacy and Reclaiming Our Humanity by Idelette McVicker.

As a white Afrikaner woman growing up in South Africa during apartheid, Idelette McVicker was steeped in a community and a church that reinforced racism and shielded her from seeing her neighbors' oppression. Recovering Racists shares McVicker's journey over thirty years and across three continents to shatter the lies of white supremacy embedded deep within her soul.

She helps us realize that grappling with the legacy of white supremacy and recovering from racism is lifelong work that requires both inner transformation and societal change. As we work for the freedom for everyone, we also find freedom for ourselves. Join us for five on-line sessions, Tuesdays Nov. 1-29, 3p or 7p each week.

Approved for PSEC Diversity Training Credits

Registration is free! To register click here.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce:

A Lifeline: Harm Reduction

From the National Harm Reduction Coalition:

Those who work with harm reduction:

Accept, for better or worse, that licit and illicit drug use is part of our world and chooses to work to minimize its harmful effects rather than simply ignore or condemn them.

Recognize that the realities of poverty, class, racism, social isolation, sex-based discrimination, and other social inequalities affect both people’s vulnerability to and capacity for effectively dealing with drug-related harm.

Call for non-judgmental, non-coercive provision of services and resources to people who use drugs and the communities in which they live in order to assist them in reducing attendant harm.

Please attend the Workshop: Resurrecting Hope: Harm reduction and Healing Centered Engagement to End Overdose on Nov. 10 (in-person or on Zoom). Register here.

Webinar: Trending Business Concerns for Ministries

Misclassification of workers, including ministers, as independent contractors when they are legally employees may result in financial liability to churches as well as unfairness to employees. Understanding the difference between an employee and an independent contractor is key to reducing this risk.

Allowing community groups to utilize your facility may further your church’s mission as well as offset some of the costs of operating your church. Good stewards of church assets will consider the legal and financial risks associated with a third party’s use of the church property when establishing or revising the church’s facilities use policy.

Join the Insurance Board for this webinar on Oct. 26 at 2:00p. Click here for more information and to register for the webcast.

PSEC 2022 Fall Meeting

Sunday, November 13  ~  3:00-5:00p

Salt & Light Community Church, Philadelphia

The PSEC 2022 Fall Meeting will be a hybrid meeting. This means you may attend in person or attend via a Zoom link. Both options will allow you to vote and participate in the meeting. The meeting will take place at Salt & Light Community Church at 5736 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia.

• Click here to register
• Read the Call to Fall Meeting
• Fall Meeting webpage (includes agenda, standing rules, election report, and more)

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.

PSEC All Saints Special Offering materials available

All Saints Sunday is the first Sunday in November. We celebrate long ago saints and those known to us as saints. Some of the PSEC pastors who retired years ago are in need of special assistance. Because their retirement income is low, the churches of the PSEC supplement the cost of their health benefits. We remember these saints as we receive the All Saints offering. 2022 resources for that are available here. 

Webinar: Planning for transition to retirement

If you are an actively-contributing Pension Boards member, 45 years of age or older, you may be interested in their upcoming Financial Wellness Seminar entitled, “Planning for the Transition to Retirement.” Whether you are planning to retire soon or are in the middle of your career, clergy or lay, this seminar is designed to help you prepare for the decisions you’ll need to make prior to retirement. 

We invite you to join us for this important session with our Pension Counselors on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 12:00p to 4:00p. Register here by Nov. 1.

Addiction and Recovery Taskforce hybrid event Nov. 10

Join the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce on Nov. 10 either online or in Fort Washington for "Resurrecting Hope: Harm Reduction and Healing Centered Engagement to End Overdose." Click here for more information and to register.

Theology with a Twist: Ministry that Ran Away with the Circus

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, attend Theology with a Twist at the Kutztown Tavern for "The Ministry that Ran Away with the Circus." Sister Dorothy Fabritze (MSC) shares about her unique, 20-year-long, ministry with Ringling Brothers Circus, Roberts Brother Circus, and Circus Vargas (just to name a few). Using pictures, stories, and humor she will reflect on the meaning of relating to others with peace, joy, and compassion.

Theology with a Twist is meets at 7:00p the First Tuesday of the month at the Kutztown Tavern, 272 Main St Kutztown, in the upstairs room. For more info go to our Facebook page or call 610.926.3907. 

Upcoming PA Academy of Ministry Classes

Jews and the American Civil Rights Movement, Jan. 11-Feb. 15. Wednesdays, 7-8:30p via Zoom. Instructor, Rabbi Jack Paskoff. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.

Church History To the Reformation, Jan. 10-Feb. 14. Weeknights via Zoom. Instructor, the Rev. Matt Deal. Ideal for lay and clergy leaders.

Click here for more information and registration.