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Weekly Update - April 4, 2018
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

Annual Meeting 

Church News

Generosity - NEW!

Clergy News - NEW!
Devotions  - NEW!
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ChurchNewsAnnual Meeting
Mark Your Calendars!

The call to the
 Fifty-Sixth Annual Meeting
 of the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ

ALIVE IN CHRIST
Re-visioning Key Vital Signs
 
June 8 and 9
This year, opening worship begins Friday at 2:00! 
We are excited to see you there!
Susquehanna University - Selinsgrove, PA


This year we will focus on equipping local churches with practical tools and resources to thrive.
 
Susquehanna University just let us know they are unable to provide childcare.  If your church is interested in providing childcare, please reach out to Wendy.
 
 
Annual Meeting Mission Project

 
This year's mission project is 3 Great Loves! 

We want to collect and lift up the stories of Penn Central Conference churches.  Please tell us about the knitting clubs, the food pantries, the community meals, protest, letter writing campaigns and anything else your church or organization may be doing to create a just world for all.
 
NOTHING IS TOO SMALL. Please send your church's stories and pictures to Stephanie.
 
Thank you... the work that you are already doing is significant and greatly needed.
ChurchNewsChurch News
Church Events

April 15 - Gender Revolution (Movie and Pizza) -  Movie, Pizza and Conversation at St. Paul's, Mechanicsburg


April 21 - PSEC Workshop, Necessary Endings: When Does Closure Become an Option - 9:00a-12:00. For more info and to register, click here.  For a flyer to share, click here.

May 1 - 3 - Penn Northeast and Southeast's 24th Annual Clergy Convocation For details.
 
GenerosityGenerosity
January - March OCWM - NEW
 Thank you for your OCWM gifts! 
 
Through March 31, we are tracking at 86% of 2017. This is about 60% of our 2018 budget.
 
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Money and Ministry Workshops 
 
 
 
Please join us on April 28, 2018 from 10:00 - 2:30 at St. Thomas Episcopal Retreat Center for a day that focuses on Generosity.  Hear from the National Church as well as United Church Funds about Trends in Giving: What Donors Want as well starting Planned Giving. Cost is $20 and includes lunch.
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ClergyNewsClergy News
Ministerial Education Forums - NEW
 
Ministerial Education Forums are a series of workshops designed to impact your ministry in the moment!  Attendance at all three of these afternoon sessions will earn 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU) or 10 contact hours in Healthy Ministry in the 21st Century.  Participants will enjoy a brief opening session with a member of the PCC Architects of Excellence Team and then have 3-40 minute workshops.  There will be a scheduled time for intentional fellowship with colleagues.
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THIS MEF WILL BE HELD AT COLONIAL PARK UCC. 
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
5000 Devonshire Road - Harrisburg, PA 17109
Healthy Departures (Rev. Betsy Bruaw)
Clergy Awareness in Pastoral Counseling (Rev. Dr. Jeff Hamilton)
Church Web Presence (Stephanie Rader-Titzel)
 
Samaritan Center Staff will lead the afternoon with sessions on gaining an understanding of some main tensions that can arise within a congregational system causing conflict symptoms, using an assessment guide with of powerful questions that you can use in times of congregational conflict and discovering activities and tools to use within congregations to address conflict. There will also be discussion on how to discern when the level of conflict requires outside professional assistance

How we gather (Rev. Dr. Steve Ohnsman)
Changing Landscape of Theological Education (Rev. Dr. David Mellot)
Fault Lines in the Religious Landscape (and Why It Matters) (Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith)
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The second and third sessions will be held from 1:00 - 4:00 at St. Thomas UCC - 6490 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
Hellos and Goodbyes

Hellos
  • Bonnie Whittier begins as Settled Pastor at Grace, Hanover on April 22nd
  • Robin Keating begins as Interim Pastor at Bethany, Ephrata on May 1st
  • Caroline Saxton begins as Settled Pastor at St. John's, Chambersburg on May 1st

Goodbyes
  • Jeff Diller retiring from Zion Chambersburg, last Sunday is April 8th
  • Laverne DiNino retiring from Salem, Rohrerstown, last Sunday is April 15th
  • Bonnie Whittier last Sunday at Christ, Codorus is April 15th
  • Joel Risser last Sunday at St. John's, Jonestown is April 15th
April and May News 

A pril 8th - Brian Percy Ordination at Faith UCC, York 3:00 p.m.
May 6 th - Sue D'heedene Installation at Heidelberg UCC, York 3:00 p.m.

The Potency of Hope, UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event 
Register now for the 2018 UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event, which will be held May 1-3, 2018 at the Carefree Resort and Conference Center in Carefree, Arizona.
 
Sponsored by the Antoinette Brown Society, this event will feature keynote presentations by 2017 Antoinette Brown Awardees the Rev. Day McCallister and the Rev. Loey Powell focused on the theme of "The Potency of Hope." Participants will explore the beauty of the Southwest, be inspired in worship and plenary time, share wisdom and learn from one another in workshops and affinity groups. There will also be unstructured time together (or apart!) at the newly renovated Carefree Resort.
 
This event is open to all authorized clergywomen in the United Church of Christ; the schedule and registration information can be found here. Registration deadline is April 5th.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
A Workshop Offered by Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ for the clergy of our conference.
 
 April 28 - May 12
  
We know that being a church leader can be difficult. The expectations of your calling and your profession can sometimes create stress in relationships. No matter how "well" a relationship is, it is important to take time to learn ways to enhance it.

To support you in your life beyond ministry, you are invited to spend a day learning new principles to enhance your relationship.
 

 Communities of Practice Groups
 
Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly. -Etienne Wenger
 
Clergy Communities of Practice are a place where the focus is ministry and shared knowledge is practice and experience based. These communities covenant to offer care, support and accountability to one another as they nurture practices of spiritual discipline and continually develop their craft of ministry while strengthening practices of pastoral leadership and engage in theological reflection. I have been a part of a community of practice since 2012 and absolutely cannot imagine ministry without this group of people, the covenant we share and our time together each month. It is both life-giving and ministry-sustaining time.
 
Your Penn Central Staff is committed to bringing these types of clergy communities to life among us. I am training a group of facilitators and will begin forming both affinity groups and geographic groups during February with a goal of meetings beginning in March. Some of you may already be part of a covenant group and that is wonderful! Please continue to connect with those clergy colleagues regularly. 
 

Affinity Groups:
  • Bi-Vocational & Part-Time Pastors
  • Licensed Pastors
  • Faithful and Welcoming Pastors
  • 20/30 Pastors
  • Retired Pastors
  • Would prefer geographical group
Events1Community Needs and Justice Issues
Meet Undocumented Youth: A Panel Discussion with DACA Recipients - NEW
Sunday, April 22, 2018 at  6:00 p.m.
Quentin United Church of Christ - 11 East Main Street, Quentin, PA 17083
 
The Quentin United Church of Christ invites the community to a panel discussion about the initial implementation, recent rescinding of the DACA program and its status. Undocumented activists and legal counsel from a local immigration and refugee program will discuss real-life implications of the DACA program.  For more information. 
 
For more information, contact the Quentin United Church of Christ at 717-273-6114 or quentinucc@gmail.com.
 
Please join us!
 
Overnight Housing Needed
The Pennsylvania Poor People's Campaign ( https://www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaPPC/) is seeking help from Harrisburg area congregations. Overnight housing is needed for as many of 50 persons on Sunday and Monday nights starting the week of May 13 through the week of June 17. This includes marchers and others coming to Harrisburg to take action as part of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.

If you are able to help, please let Rev. Sandra L. Straus (Director of Advocacy and Ecumenical Outreach) know and she will connect you with the campaign to make the appropriate arrangements.
 
Events1Events, Training and Resources Available
New CPE Program
Lebanon VAMC Pastoral Program.
  
 
 
The Phoebe Messenger
The Phoebe Messenger winter issue is now online!
Visit Phoebe.org/Messenger to learn more about the latest at Phoebe, including stories of our amazing residents.
Keep your eyes open for The Mini Messenger, our biannual newsletter, coming soon to your church.
For more information, contact the editor at 610-794-5124 or pmcconnell@phoebe.org.

Pastoral Care Class 
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry is offering its PASTORAL CARE class on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 9:00am to 4:00pm at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven.
 
ONLINE Polity Course
  ONLINE
UCC History, Theology and Polity Course
June/July 2018
 
A UCC History, Theology and Polity Course that meets the requirements as set forth by the UCC Polity Teacher's Network will be offered online in June/July 2018. The instructor will be Rev. David Gaewski, Conference Minister of the New York Conference, UCC. Classes will begin at 9:30am and end at 3:30pm on the following dates: June 16, 23, 30 and July 7. The platform utilized will be Zoom Video Conferencing ( zoom.us ) The tuition will be $475. For more information contact course administrator, Ms. Diana Pelletier,
Rural Ministry Workshop
May 18 - 19
Orchard Hill, Millerstown 
Association Links
UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS
 
Board of Directors Meeting - April 7, UCC Homes, Camp Hill - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 
Creation Justice - April 10, CC - East, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
 
CPONA Meeting - April 11, CC - East, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Camp Directors Training - April 14, TBD, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
 
Board of Directors, Hartman Center Committee - April 16, CC - East, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
 
York Association Celebration Banquet - April 22, Wyndham Garden York - 12:00 Noon
 
Advanced Boundary Training - April 22, Redeemer's UCC, Littlestown, 1:30 - 3:30

Committee on Ministry Consultation - April 23 and 24, LTS, Lancaster
 
Retired Boundary Training - April 24, Trinity UCC, Palmyra, 9:30 AM - Noon
 
Hartman Center Advisory Council - April 28, CC - East, 9:00 AM - 12 Noon
 
Clergy Spouse Workshop - April 28, 1st Carlisle, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 
Camp Directors Training - April 29, Faith UCC, York, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
 
Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, Hartman Center
 
Mercersburg Association Spring Meeting - May 6, TBD, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
 
Creation Justice - May 8, 6:00 PM via ZOOM
 
Clergy Spouse Workshop - May 12, Hayshire, York,  9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 
Hartman Center Golf Outing - May 12, Fairview Golf Course, Quentin - 1:30 PM
 
Basic Boundary Training - May 19, Hummelstown UCC, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Memorial Day - May 28, PCC Offices Closed

Click to see our Web site for more details.
2018 - SAVE THE DATE!
 
 
Nat'l ONA Gathering  - June 27-29, 2018, Dallas, TX
 
Partners in Peace - July 5, 2018
  
Mid-Atlantic Regional Youth Event -  July 19-22, 2018
California University of Pennsylvania
 
Widening the Welcome (Disability Ministries) - November 1-3, 2018, Niagara Falls, NY

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
ThreeGreat3 Great Loves - Faith Connection Stories
 Tell Us Your Love Story!
  
 

Hamilton Park UCC and Christ UCC, Annville
In just a few weeks (April 20 - 29) members of Hamilton Park Church will join forces with some members of Christ UCC, Annville to journey to Houston to help rebuilding efforts after last year's Hurricane Harvey. The team, fourteen in all, will be on the road for four days (two down and two back) and work for five days. The team will be staying at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church in Houston. Work assignments are provided by the Fuller Center for Housing: Disaster Rebuilders.  Read more...

Please continue to share your story with us and use #pccucc #3greatloves #loveofneighbor #loveofcreation #loveofchildren. (Or if you prefer, send or tell your story to Stephanie and she can share it for you!)
 
Read More Penn Central Conference's Faith Connection Stories where congregations passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ.
DevotionsPrayer List and Devotional
 
 
Remember Me by Marchae Grair

"God remembers God's covenant forever, the promise God made, for a thousand generations." - Psalm 105:8 
 
Prayer
In my loneliest hours of uncertainty, hear this simple prayer, O God: Remember me. Amen.
 
Read Full Devotional Here
Sign Up to receive the Still Speaking Devotional to your inbox


 
Prayers for Penn Central Conference Churches

"Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you."  (2 Thess. 3:1)
 
Beginning in 2018, we have created a prayer list to invite you to pray with us as we pray for all of our congregations. Each week we will list names of various churches in Penn Central Conference hoping you will add them to your prayer list, and hold them in prayer throughout the week.
  • Grace UCC, Hanover
  • Saint David's (Sherman's) UCC, Hanover
  • Saint Paul's (Dubs) UCC, Hanover
  • Trinity UCC, Hanover
HartmanCenterHartman Center
Grant Writers Needed
In order to assist with Hartman Center, we are looking for someone that does grant writing.  If you are able or know of someone, please reach out to Stephanie.
 
Hartman Center News and Resources
Hartman Center's 2018

If you haven't received brochures at your church,
please reach out to Patty.

2018 is shaping up to be another epic summer at Hartman Center!  In addition to popular weeks like Fishing Camp, Soccer Camp and Water World, we've expanded our popular MADD Camp theme into a whole week of arts camps for all ages!  Plus, we have added a music-focused Getting Started Camp, Arts and Crafts Camp for grades 4-6 and Creative Writing Camp for grades 7-10. 
 
As always, activities will include hiking, climbing, swimming, arts and crafts, music, theatre, campfires, games, rafting, archery, fishing and navigating the co-op trail obstacle course.  Hartman Center is a great opportunity to grow in God's love, form friendships and make memories that will last a lifetime!
 
 
Nurses Needed:
Nurses (LPN/RN) are needed for summer camp as well as for the retreat weekends.  If you are able to assist, please reach out to Patty.

Hartman Center Work Weekend:
Please join us May 4 and 5 for Hartman Center's annual work weekend as we descent upon the camp to undertake various projects to repair and upgrade Hartman Center for summer camp.  We need assistance with several projects. 
 
Click on Work Camp Assignments to see the kinds of things we hope to accomplish if people with the right skill sets can come.  To sign up or for more information, please contact Dave Bushnell
 
 
Hartman Center Golf Outing - May 12, 2018, beginning at 1:30 PM in Fairview Golf Course in Quentin
 
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And don't forget these other upcoming events:
          May 4-6 Elementary Retreat
          Summer Camp June 24 - July 28  
          Youth and women's retreats November 16-18 

Hartman Center Wish List
----Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, 2018
More details on the Hartman Center Web site!
 
Thank you for your continued support!
 
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Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
email: srader-titzel@pccucc.org   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
web: http://www.pccucc.org