Important This Week

• PSEC 2023 Conference Compensation Guidelines
• Theology with a Twist: Christian Nationalism (led by Dr. Greg Carey)
• Registration open: Walking with God

From the Conference Minister: Compensation Guidelines

Dear PSEC Pastors and Presidents,

I pray this message finds you well and in the keeping of the Holy Spirit.

The current economic downturn is negatively impacting everyone in some way. I know this will add to the stress and anxiety of your church’s annual budget process which likely includes conversation about clergy and staff compensation.

Each year, the Conference Personnel Committee reviews current market data (the Consumer Price Index, Current Inflation Rate, Inflation Rate Forecast, SSI benefit adjustments, increased cost for medical benefits) to determine what, if any, increase in clergy compensation is necessary. Their recommendation is reviewed by the Conference Budget and Finance Committee and finally approved by Conference Consistory. In the past ten years, Consistory has approved compensation rate increases that have ranged from 0 to 4%. Also, while there are no guidelines for other church staff positions, we highly recommend commensurate increases for non-ordained staff members. 

In the context of the current rate of inflation (8.3% for the 12 months ended August 2022), our 2023 Clergy Compensation Guidelines include a recommended increase of 6%.

I am very aware that this recommendation will create significant concerns and challenges for many congregations particularly those experiencing membership and financial decline. Other congregations, blessed with the resources to do so, will budget salary increases closer to the current inflation rate. When that is not possible, there are other options:

• Offer pastor and staff more paid leave
• Reduce the pastor and staff’s responsibilities
• Offer a onetime bonus
• Agree on a catch-up schedule—churches experiencing a temporary setback, specify—in writing—how to make up future salary increases.

If there are additional options that have worked well in your ministry setting, please pass them along to me so I can share them around our Conference. I also want to suggest that you keep in mind the following:

• Do not use consideration of clergy compensation as grounds to evaluate the performance of your pastor. Do have a regular annual evaluation process for your pastor, your staff, and the ministry you share together.
• Use historic financial trends to map future costs for ministry and have a long-range plan (3, 5 or 10 years) to address them. The costs for being the church will continue to increase, as they have for the last many years, for the foreseeable future.
• Do have honest, transparent, and ongoing conversations about how to meet financial challenges and invite God's presence and guidance into them. Every crisis or challenge is an opportunity for creativity.
• Consider the possibility of shared ministry with another UCC or Formula-of-Agreement congregation in your community. There are several pastors and lay leaders in our Conference who can lend their experience/expertise to you move in this direction.

Finally, if you come to an impasse about compensation, consider inviting me or one of the Conference staff to help facilitate a conversation.

Needless to say, these are uncertain times. But we will pass through them by the very certain presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

In the Spirit of the risen Christ,

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

View the updated Conference Compensation Guidelines and a downloadable copy of this letter at psec.org/compensation-guidelines/

Christianity in America: Sacred or Supremacist?

PSEC Racial Justice Initiative is proud to be a sponsor!

The PA Council of Churches is beginning a dialogue on Christian Nationalism, a topic of rising interest in a critical election year where individual candidates describe themselves as part of this movement. The Council of Churches will present a forum titled “Christianity in America: Sacred or Supremacist?” on Oct. 6 at Colonial Park UCC, 5000 Devonshire Road, Harrisburg.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Robert P. Jones, the President and founder of Public Religion Research Institute and the author of White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity and The End of White Christian America.

Dr. Jones’ presentation will be followed by a panel discussion which, in addition to him, includes: Marilyn Mayo, Senior Research Fellow, Center on Extremism, Anti-Defamation League, addressing anti-Semitism in the movement; Rev. Dr. Gregory Edwards, Founder and Senior Pastor, Resurrected Life Community Church UCC, Allentown, addressing racism and white supremacy; and Rev. Jennifer Butler, Founder in Residence, Faith in Public Life, addressing a scriptural response to the movement. Dr. Greg Carey of Lancaster Theological Seminary will moderate.

We also plan to livestream the program via YouTube Live inclusive of remote sites for groups to participate throughout the state.

Click here for more information and to register. Registration is free!

Rev. Mark Johnson Installation

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Register for Walking with God

Registration is now open for "Walking with God", scheduled for Oct. 15 in East Greenville. Please join us for a day of fellowship, fun, laughter, and learning, ending with worship and communion. This year’s retreat will be held in the New Goshenhoppen Church park where many activities can take place outside, (in God’s Good Creation). The park includes a covered band shell and dining hall, in case of inclement weather. For more information and to register, click here.

Christian Concern seeking

new board members

Board Members are needed for Christian Concern Management and Development (CCMD), Jefferson Apartments and Jefferson East Apartments. Jefferson and Jefferson East are living facilities that provide quality housing for lower income people.

CCMD is the management company that oversees Jefferson Apartments and Jefferson East Apartments. Our Boards oversee all three entities. We have four quarterly meetings a year: December, March, June, September. On three of our four meeting dates, we have one meeting which includes CCMD and both residences. Thus our meetings are not long unless there is a particular problem which needs to be addressed by the Board. The fourth meeting requires that we have an individual meeting for each entity but again, it is not a long drawn out evening. Our meetings are held at Jefferson Apartments in Norristown.

If you have an interest in helping to make sure that our seniors have good housing conditions that are affordable, and would like to serve on a Board of Directors who have been overseeing such living facilities for many years, please call and we can answer any additional questions you may have. It is not a terribly time consuming on taking, but this is one small way we, ordinary people, can help to do an important part of God’s work.

If you have any questions or would like to share in our ministry, please contact: Betty Booraem, Secretary. 610-639-8774.

Insurance Board newsletter now available for Summer '22

The Summer 2022 issue of The Steward, the Insurance Board's newsletter on insurance concerns that affect churches, is available now. Get cybersecurity resources for churches, lessons learned from cybersecurity claims, cyber and finance for seniors, and more. Click here to read.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Our Response

At a time when preventable drug overdose deaths continue to grow, it is essential to ensure that spiritual community building and care with people with lived experience of substance use and overdose is aligned in a way that optimizes connection, decreases stigma, is strengths based, and reduces the social and health complications associated with drug use.

Join us as we examine harm reduction in practice and principle, and its spiritual impact. Together we will illustrate the gospel of harm reduction, the power of language in shaping liberation, make connections with harm reduction movements for social, racial, and economic justice, and explore opportunities for faith communities to co-create healing with people who use drugs and their loved ones.

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.

Ministry Loss Control workshop in Pottstown

The Insurance Board is hosting a Loss Control Workshop for all PA Southeast Conference Churches on Oct. 25 from 5:00-8:00p at Shenkel UCC in Pottstown. Topics of the workshop include, Active Shooter Awareness and Response, Abuse Prevention Considerations, Church Operations and Trending HR Concerns, Financial Controls Best Practices and Cyber Awareness. A member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will be in attendance as a presenter of the Active Shooter segment of the program.

Click here for a PDF brochure and click on the “To Register Click Here” section of the PDF to register for this event.

Should you have any questions regarding this workshop, please contact Gabe Michaels at 215-322-0815 x-126 or Mike Doyle at 215-357-8600 x-112.

Theology with a Twist returning to Kutztown

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, attend Theology with a Twist at the Kutztown Tavern. Dr. Greg Carey (Biblical scholar, author, and Professor of New Testament at Lancaster Theological Seminary) will speak on Christian Nationalism: what it is, how it has developed, and why it is dangerous for democracy and for the church. Click here for more information.

Theology with a Twist is BACK! We are meeting at 7 PM the First Tuesday of the month at the Kutztown Tavern, 272 Main St Kutztown, in the upstairs room We will no longer have a server upstairs. Feel free to enjoy dinner in the restaurant prior to the meeting. You are also welcome to purchase food and drink at the bar to take upstairs. For more info go to our Facebook page or call 610.926.3907. 

Response to Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico (Sept. 18)

On Sunday, Sept. 18, Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, causing power outages for millions of homes and businesses and life-threatening flooding across the island. For information on the impact to the UCC, the UCC's response efforts, and how you can help, click here to read a disaster update.

Justice and Local Church Ministry grants from the UCC

Justice and Local Church Ministry grants fund justice and love of community around the country. This article details past recipients, as well as provides information for applying for the 2023 grants.

Clinical Pastoral Education opportunity at Phoebe

Phoebe Ministries is accepting applications for a CPE unit from January through May. For more information, click here for a flyer.

Upcoming PA Academy of Ministry course on finances

Church Finances, Oct. 11-Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm via Zoom. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. $125. Scholarships available — contact dstephens@lancasterseminary.edu.

Pathways Theological Education registration open

Pathways Theological Education has opened registration for winter courses. Pathways is an online program in progressive theology for those on the path to authorized ministry, clergy looking for continuing education opportunities, or anyone interested in a certificate in Biblical Studies, Preaching, Theological Studies, or Foundational Theology. Courses are aligned to the UCC Marks for Faithful and Effective Ministers. Courses include an online CPE unit and UCC History & Polity. For details, visit pathwaystheological.org.

Climate Hope Cards contest

The UCC is launching a national art contest for children and youth that will be part of a larger campaign to generate hope in making a difference when confronting the climate crisis. How to participate?: Draw or paint about climate hope, environmental justice, or protecting the Earth. Sunday school class and youth group participation encouraged. Click here for more information and to register.

Christian Faith and Civic Engagement

by Rev. Leslie Mamas, PSEC Racial Justice Initiative

We are rapidly approaching the 2022 election. In the past few years there were already challenges to free and fair elections: the influence of wealthy corporations, gerrymandering (rigging the district maps), and losing key provisions of the Voting Rights Act (we currently have fewer voting protections than we did in 1965). As such, it may be tempting to withdraw and disengage completely from the political process. Instead, I urge you to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8. As Christians it matters that we vote, and that we continue to protect the right of others to vote too. In fact, the Untied Church of Christ has a campaign called “Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice,” which emphasizes how essential and unique faith voices are in the electoral process. When divisive and mean-spirited rhetoric dominates the public dialogue, people of faith can set an example of compassion, thoughtfulness, and civility across differences. Additionally, we are called to live out the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. Voting is a potent way to give voice to the change we want to see in the world. By voting, we help lift up a vision for the common good in a world that cries out for healing. Voting is a very real way that we can help ensure a just and compassionate world for all. As a citizen and as a Christian, voting is a sacred duty and responsibility. For the whole article and links to voting resources and conversational guides and so much more click here.

From the Conference Minister: COVID Guidance

Despite President Biden’s remarks in Sunday’s "60 Minutes" interview that, “the pandemic is over," Covid-19 is still designated by the federal government as a public health emergency and will continue to be so through at least October 13 when that declaration is up for possible renewal. Viruses in general have a consistent track record of increasing during fall and winter months and there is no compelling reason to believe this year will be any different. There is no immediate change in the public health guidance which includes:

• Promoting the importance of being up to date with vaccination.
• Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, COVID-19 positive people need to isolate.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
• Physical distance and masking are still important components to protect yourself and others.
• Be attentive to Covid levels and prevention recommendations in your local area which, for Pennsylvania, you can find here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

While there has been tremendous relief in the return to the daily rhythms of pre-COVID life, I encourage all congregations and ministry settings to maintain a faithful level of vigilance to the safety and wellness of the people God calls us to love and serve.

With Prayers for your good health,

Pastor Bill

Change to General Synod frequency proposed

The General Synod review committee has recommended, and the UCC Board of Directors has affirmed, that General Synod be held every three years in a hybrid format, allowing in person and virtual participation. This change would require the 2023 General Synod to change the bylaws. For more information on this proposal, including the motivations behind it, benefits of the new model, and next steps, click here.

SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program

Beginning in the fall, the Southern New England Conference UCC will be coordinating a Community of Practice in Pennsylvania Southeast Conference for youth ministry leaders and clergy through their Faith Formation Leadership program. There are already three PSEC clergy and faith formation/Christian education leaders committed to joining the group, but there are still a few open spots. The cost is $250/year. For more information or to sign up, contact Debbie Gline Allen, the SNEUCC Minister of Faith Formation, at glineallend@sneucc.org.