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Important This Week
- Updates on the PSEC/PNEC merger
- Register now for:
- PSEC Fall Meeting
- Fall Youth Event
- Bookkeeper/Treasurer Training
- Men's Clergy Retreat
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Updates on the PSEC/PNEC merger
I hope by now you have heard that Penn Northeast and Pennsylvania Southeast Conferences have been in conversation about joining together. I hope you have joined in that conversation at Annual Conference Meetings, in Zoom video calls or at Association or Ministerium meetings; or at least read the online documents that have begun to shape our potential future.
I realize this conversation may be far removed from the local ministry on which we’re primarily focused but the theological and ecclesial principles that form it are fundamental to our ministerial identity -- from the individual to the global level.
We are a people who are bound together by covenant. We are aware that among some of our congregations the level of unity in our “United Church” is at best loose. We have placed our value of autonomy above the ties that bind us in the Body of Christ. We are convinced that a reclamation of our commitment to covenantal connections and the embrace of new relationships is an act of faith that will increase our capacity to realize the dream “that they may all be one.”
(from the ‘
Case Statement for a New Conference
’)
Both the PSEC Consistory and the Penn Northeast Board recently approved a resolution to consolidate and become a new conference. (You can
read that here
.
) That resolution will come before both Conference bodies for consideration and vote -- at our Annual Fall Meeting Saturday, November 10, 2018. Registration for that event is now open. (
Click here
to register.)
The Joint Conference Vision Development Team posted to our conference web site several documents that will help you and our congregations discern the movement of the Holy Spirit in this process. (You can find those here:
psec.org/conference-merger/
) AND have scheduled times to meet face-to-face and digitally to share information, answer questions, hear concerns and dream dreams. Information about that is in this eblast. Keep reading. And keep praying.
Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
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September is National Preparedness Month;Prepare your Church
United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries encourages our churches to learn how to prepare for emergencies in September, which is National Preparedness Month.
“It is important for churches to be ready for a possible emergency,” said Eastern PA UCC Disaster Coordinator, Karl Jones, who also serves as the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) vice-chair of the Community Preparedness Committee. “It can be overwhelming to get started, but these simple tips will get you on the right path.”
- There is a fire in your church and you need to leave quickly. What are the best escape routes from your church? Find at least two ways out of each room. Now write it down, educate your people, and you’ve got the beginning of an emergency plan. Perhaps even have a fire drill.
- There is an accident or medical emergency at your church. Make sure you have people who know basic first aid or CPR and empower them to act.
- Learn how to turn off utilities in your church in the case of emergency. Make sure there is nothing blocking access to the shut-off valves and switches.
- Review insurance policies and coverage to ensure it is adequate for the hazards you may face.
- Build up an emergency fund. Could your church operate if you received no income for a month or more.
This year’s theme for National Preparedness Month is “Disasters Happen. Plan Now. Learn How.” Churches can use this opportunity to train it’s leadership and members how to respond during an emergency and what to do when disaster strikes. The goal of this effort is to increase the overall number of individuals, families, and communities that engage in preparedness actions at home, work, businesses, school, and places of worship.
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Three Pre-Fall Meeting Conversations scheduled
The Joint Conference Vision and Development Team and the Conference Minister, Rev. William Worley, want to offer you the opportunity to discuss items that will be appearing on the upcoming Fall Meeting agenda. Those items include: 2019 Budget, The Pension Board Campaign Proposal, the new Manual on Ministry, and the merger with the Penn Northeast Conference.
Pre- Fall Meeting events have been set at the following times and locations:
- Oct. 16: Zion Blue Mountain UCC, Bernville at 6:30
- Oct. 23: Reformed Church of the Ascension, Jeffersonville at 6:30
- Nov. 6: Zoom meeting (check future eNews issues for the link)
Registration for these pre-meetings is NOT necessary. Simply attend the meeting that fits your schedule and plan to be part of the discussion.
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Clergy are invited to PNEC's Ministry Day
The Penn Northeast Conference has extended an invitation to PSEC authorized ministers to join in "Ministry Day 2018." From 9:00a-3:30p on Oct. 13 at Faith UCC, Center Valley, clergy will gather to address "Embracing Conflict in our Churches." Take the day to learn: how to allow for and even encourage conflict at times, exploring Biblical case studies of conflict, who are the types of people who generate dangerous conflict, and how do we explain and handle our differences in such a way that our members can work with them. For more information, including how to register,
click 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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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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PSEC Fall Youth Event registration open now!
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. 17 by
clicking here
.
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Plans forming for PSEC, PNEC Rebuild Trip to Puerto Rico
PSEC and PNEC will sponsor a rebuild mission trip to Puerto Rico April 28-May 4. The cost will not exceed $1,000 per person, including all costs: transportation, food, lodging, supplies, etc. Registration details will be released soon; the deadline for registration is Nov. 15. The next planning meeting will be Oct. 2, at 6:30p at Trinity UCC, 101 S Main St, Telford. If you cannot attend in person, join via ZOOM.
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Learn How to offer Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care
The Greater Philadelphia Long-Term Recovery Committee, Pennsylvania VOAD, and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance are holding an event on "How to Offer Disaster Emotional and Spiritual Care." The program will be Friday, Sept. 28 from 9:00-3:30 at the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities Services, 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia. Lunch will be provided. To register,
click here
.
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Free Flooding and Recovery Workshop Scheduled
PNEC, PSEC, and our ecumenical partners active in disaster are sponsoring a workshop for anyone interested in flood relief and recovery for community response. Topics will include:
- the new Crisis Cleanup Tool being used in Pennsylvania that helps families self identify as having needs, and gives churches and community groups the ability to see where those needs are located.
- Safety tips for cleaning out basements
- Resource Information
- Spiritual and Emotional Care overview
- Best practices for long term rebuilding and recovery coordination in communities
- An overview of the whole relief and recovery process.
The training is free but prior registration is required. Please email Julia Menzo at
jmenzo@libertylutheran.org
if you are interested in attending.
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Educational Opportunities
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Church Events
Submit your Church Events
here
View a complete list of Church Events
here
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Church Openings
St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown: part-time beginning in Oct.
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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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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