Weekly Update - April 17 , 2019
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

News from Penn Central Conference - NEW!

Conference Events - NEW!

Community and Justice Issues - NEW!
Events/Training - NEW!
Clergy News  - NEW!

Prayers and Devotions - NEW!


We are looking for volunteers for Annual Meeting.  If you are interested, please fill out this survey or email Stephanie.  THANK YOU for your assistance with our 'PCC Family Reunion.'
OtherResolutionNews from Penn Central Conference
A Message from our Acting Conference Minister, Rev. Ann Graves - NEW
     
Greetings to everyone during this most holy week of our Christian year. As we walk toward the cross, may we know the deep love of Jesus for each one of us. This love is so amazing that there is nothing too great for us to bear because that love reaches out to us, in our most difficult times and when we are at the highest peak. I pray that you all know and live that love each day. May you experience the grief and sorrow of Good Friday becoming the joyful resurrection we celebrate on Easter morning.

At the Conference level, there is good news coming, too. The Search Committee for the Transitional Conference Minister is working hard and I'm excited about the possibilities before us. Even in our journey through difficult days, I trust that in God's love for us, there will be rejoicing once again. We will keep you informed as we go through this process.

Wendy Hepler announced her retirement at the end of June back last winter. With very mixed feelings, we have announced the job opening for the position of office manager, and are already receiving applications. I hope that you will encourage anyone to apply that you know may have the interest and skills we need for this position. Shirley Keith-Knox, Vice Moderator of the Board and I will be doing the interviews in early May.

It will be difficult to say good-by to Wendy. We have greatly appreciated her work for us over the years. She has been such a gift and blessing to us all. We will celebrate her retirement at Annual Meeting in June, and wish her many joyful days of retirement in the years to come.

At least one association has already held their annual meeting, and I know there are several more to come in the next few weeks. Conference representatives will be trying to make as many of them as possible to thank you for your continuing OCWM gifts to the church and handing out certificates for your giving. Thank you to all our churches for your faithfulness to Penn Central Conference and the work of the United Church of Christ. You are making a difference to us all!
 
With abundant joy and hope,
Ann
A Lenten Message from Rev. Nora Foust - NEW

     
Read Psalm 70
Over the weekend, Mike kept telling me I was missing the trees for the forest. Then as the palm branches waved on Sunday, I wondered just how true that statement may be for disciples of Christ, both then and now.
Today's Psalm (70:4) reads "May all who seek you rejoice and be glad! Let God be exalted!" Many of us may still be in the mood of Sunday's parade. But time marches on and as we disciples - both then and now - continue to muddle through this week, we are as sure of Friday's coming crucifixion as we are Sunday's promise. I wonder though, do we focus so broadly on that Resurrection moment and aftermath that we miss some of the details of the journey that is the gift of Holy Week?
It's true, we know what's coming, but I invite you to suspend reality and be fully present in the "not yet" and move together through these last days of the Lenten season as though it is the first time. Observe each tree that casts its shadow upon you. Jesus is teaching a lot this week in the gospel narratives. Revisit these stories to see how the tree flowers in this season of our Christian calendar as well as in your own living. See, rejoice and be glad as you exalt God through your living.
EventTrainingConference Events
For Pastors and Music Directors 
 
Listening to Prophets: A Workshop on the Continuous Old Testament Readings for Ordinary Time with
 
 
For Pastors and Laity - NEW



Morsels of Excellence (April) Your Church Mission
Morsels of Excellence (April) Your Church Mission


Evaluation Form - We greatly appreciate your feedback!



 
Please Save the Date for Our Upcoming Workshops
September 14 - Being the Church Today
All sessions are 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM.    See flyer for additional details.
For Clergy


Please join us on the following dates from 1:00 - 4:00 at St. Thomas United Church of Christ.
  
May 9 - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Emotional Intelligence

Light refreshments will be served.
 

EventTrainingCommunity and Justice Issues
Commonwealth Interfaith Service: Prayers for Justice & Peace 

Monday, April 29, 2019, 6:00 p.m.
Hadee Mosque, 245 Division Street, Harrisburg, PA
(across from Italian Lake)

Free parking available in the lot next to the Mosque
(enter lot from Division; enter Mosque from front/Division St. entrance)

The many sponsoring organizations invite you with open arms to celebrate the rich diversity of faith traditions in Pennsylvania

Caring for Creation
 
May 4 at 1:00 pm

Colonial Park United Church of Christ 
500 Devonshire Road - Harrisburg, PA

 Reverend Mitch Hescox, co-author (along with meteorologist, Paul Douglas) of the book entitled "Caring for Creation", will speak on the vital topic of climate change    from a Christian perspective.  Reverend Hescox leads the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN), the largest evangelical group dedicated to caring for creation.  He is a native of Pennsylvania with a strong family history of working in the coal industry.

Set a Welcome Table
EventTrainingEvents and Training
Association Spring Meetings
  • York Association - April 28 - 12:30 PM at Wyndham Garden Hotel, York
  • Harrisburg Association - May 4 - 9:00 AM
  • Gettysburg Association - May 5 - 3:00 PM at Homewood
  • Mercersburg Association - May 5 - 3:00 PM at Solomon's UCC, Chambersburg
  • Northern/Central Association - May 5 - 1:30 PM at Rebersburg UCC
Join Wisdom's Table for Holy Week - NEW


Webinar: Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future 

When your church's future is uncertain, it's time to have courageous conversations and make faithful decisions. Ministry in these congregations calls for faithful, honest (and often difficult) conversations that pastors and/or their congregations might sadly avoid.  Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future  is a NEW resource that offers good practices for discerning, discussing, and making decisions that concern a church's future. Pastors and congregational leaders are invited to join in this zoom webinar presenting theological, liturgical and helpful insights for congregations, including closure and legacy. Webinar presenters are: Rev. Quentin Chin, author of the  Worship Resources on Discernment, Decision-Making and Closure; and Rev. David Schoen, author of  Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future: Helpful Practices for Courageous Conversations & Faithful Decisions. 
Register now for this online Webinar for Pastors and Congregational Leaders.
  • $10 Registration includes receiving the resource, Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future (digital download or print version). Register by April 18th to receive the resource before the webinar.
  • $5 Registration Webinar only

Pathways: UCC Polity Course

UCC History & Polity (May 1 - July 20) - 
The purpose of this course is to explore the history, polity, theologies, and practices of the United Church of Christ and its predecessor denominations. Successful completion of this course will fulfill the history and polity requirement for authorized ministry in the United Church of Christ in many associations and conferences. ($595)

Parish Resource Center - NEW
The Parish Resource Center is hosting author, speaker, and public theologian Brian McLaren on April 27 at 7:00 pm at Highland Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, PA.
   
Please note that anyone attending a PRC Member church receives a special discount for this event. Register online at www.parishresourcecenter.org or by calling 717-299-1113.


Beyond Bullet-Points: Preaching with Screens (4 class series)

Wednesdays, May 8, 15, 22, and 29
9:30 am - 11:30 am
$60 for PRC members
 

Roundtable: Engaging Team Dynamics and Personalities

May 9th, 2019
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Ministerial Institute 
Lancaster Theological Seminary is launching the new Ministerial Institute of the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry that will offer a new, non-degree program to prepare people for ministerial leadership. 
 
The Ministerial Institute's three-year program includes online classes plus an on-campus summer session for one week each year. The Seminary is accepting applications for the first summer session to run from July 21 - 26. An associate degree or higher is required for admission. Tuition is $3,000 per year for the three-year program. Individual classes, ranging from one to three units each, cost $600 per unit.  For more information.
Tea with MOM (Manual on Ministry) - NEW
May 19th: How Shall We Approve Individuals for Ministry?
3:00-4:30 PM at Lancaster Theological Seminary Dietz Hall Refectory (Gypsy Kitchen)
 
Join us for a facilitated discussion about how the preparation for authorization might be changing in light of the new Manual on Ministry. We will explore the possibilities of multiple paths and how they work. We will also discuss the potential new assessment committee to be formed at the Conference setting for assessment of all Members in Discernment. 

We promise great food from the Gypsy Kitchen and stimulating dialog with colleagues! Please register in advance and we look forward to hearing your reflections on this critical topic for the church. 
PCC Annual Meeting - NEW

Penn Central Conference Annual Meeting
June 7 and 8, 2019
Susquehanna University

Please refer to our  Web site for additional details.  
(Our Web site will continue to be updated!)

 

Resolutions, workshop and Display forms are due April 30, 2019.
YST nominations are still being accepted!
 
If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this survey.

Special thanks to Colleen Franciscus from St. Paul's UCC, West Milton for our beautiful logo!

Boundary Training at Annual Meeting - NEW

Please join Rev. Nora Foust for You, Your Ministry and the Internet Boundary Training at Annual Meeting

10:00 - 12:00 at Susquehanna University
(just before Annual Meeting kicks off!)

NO FEE, 2 credits


Walking with Joy - NEW
Walking with Joy
Giving Thanks for the Healing Ministry of Gestalt Pastoral Care

HOST CHURCH: Zwingli United Church of Christ
350 Wile Avenue, Souderton, PA 18964

Saturday, June 29, 2019

Registration/Gathering: 9:00 AM, Program: 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Suggested Donation: $65/person
General Synod 


Matthew 5:16 
"In the same way let your light shine before others . . ."

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 21 - 25, 2019


Great News - Trinity, Waynesboro and Creation Justice's resolution on Plastic Foam is headed to Synod!  Thank you to Kathy Brown, Gail Landers, Bill Lochstet, Wendy Anderson, Tom Hocking and Libby Loser for all your work on this!

CalendarofEventsCalendar of Events
 
   
      
Annual Meeting - June 7-8, 2019, Susquehanna University

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

2020 Clergy Sabbath
SAVE THE DATE - January 21-23
ResourcesResource Links
 
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
CNWebsiteClergy News
Installations - NEW
April 28 - Installation of Jes Kast at Faith UCC, State College - 3:00 PM
May 5 - Installation of Rev. Christina Fidanza at Emmanuel UCC, Freysville - 3:00 PM
May 26 - Installation of Rev. Dr. David Stewart at New Hope (Fissel's) UCC, Herndon - 3:00 PM
June 2 - Installation of Rev. Brian Damrow at Penbrook UCC, Harrisburg - 3:00 PM
Clergy News and Information 
Clergy News
Even if you are getting the eNews, we have a PCC Clergy distribution list as well.  Please sign up to get the latest news, events and information just for clergy.
HCWebsiteHartman Center
Hartman Center Golf Outing - NEW
WE HAVE SPACE FOR JUST 3 MORE FOURSOMES!

Hartman Center 12th Annual Golf Outing
May 11, 2019 1:30pm start

Fairview Golf Course, Quentin (Lebanon), PA 2399 Quentin Road, Lebanon, PA 17042

in memory of Rev. Lee Lawhead

Registration and Online Registration
Summer Camp 

It's Time to Register for Summer Camp at Hartman Center



Hartman Center News
 
Hartman Center Legion

Lots of people committed to many different opportunities to serve in many different ways. And the organization of such a group needs "called out".  And so in 2019, we are announcing a Hartman Center Legion.  For details...

Prayers1Prayers for Penn Central Conference
 
Ephesians 6:18 (NLT):  18 
 
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
 
  • Faith UCC, Grantville
  • Grace UCC, Greencastle
  • Emmanuel UCC, Hanover
  • Grace UCC, Hanover
ArchiveArchive
Our Previous eNews
Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
email: [email protected]   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
web: http://www.pccucc.org