900 S. Arlington Avenue - Room 227A - Harrisburg, PA 17109
www.pccucc.org  717.652.1560
Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/penncentralconferenceucc
 PENN CENTRAL CONFERENCE
Connected - Engaged - Transformed
  Weekly Update - August 2

This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

 

Message from Our Conference Minister and President

Generosity 

Church Leadership Resources

Church Vitality 

Community Needs and Justice Issues

Hartman Center

Previous eNews

Share Your Story

 

 
MonicaMsgMessage from Our Conference Minister and President
  Blessed, Broken and given for Service! (Matthew 14:13-21)
 
After hearing the news that his cousin John the Baptist had been executed, Jesus withdrew to a deserted place. The crowds followed him and stayed there a long while listening to him preach and teach.
 
When the disciples realized it was getting late and the crowd of over 10,000 hungry people (men, women, children) had nothing to eat, they brought their concern to Jesus. The disciples' recommendation was for Jesus to send the crowd away to go to their homes and find food. This seemed reasonable since such a small group of disciples could not handle feeding such a large crowd. The disciples weren't being selfish or unkind. They were being compassionate by showing care for the multitude of hungry people.
 
Like the disciples, we want unmet needs to go away but Jesus tends to draw near to them. When Jesus looked at the crowd he responded with compassion, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." (v.16) Jesus changed the focus from what the disciples wanted to do, to what he wanted them to do.
 
"Bring them here to me ," (v.18) Jesus told them. The disciples gave away everything they had, which was five (5) loaves and two (2) fish. In the face of such overwhelming need, it was not much but Jesus blessed it, broke it and gave it to the disciples for service to others.
 
After everyone had eaten, the disciples gathered 12 baskets of leftovers. When they trusted and followed Jesus they had more than they could have ever imagined.
 
It was a miracle and recorded as such in all four (4) gospels. However, Barbara Brown Taylor has a problem with miracles that "mesmerize" us because they tend to lead us to leave everything up to God. "Miracles," she writes, "let us off the hook. They appeal to the part of us that is all too happy to let God feed the crowd, save the world and do it all." Taylor argues that God tells us, "Not me but you; not my bread but yours; not sometime or somewhere else but right here and now...Stop waiting for food to fall from the sky and share what you have. Stop waiting for a miracle and participate in one instead."
 
When Jesus gave bread to the disciples to feed the crowd, it was a foreshadowing of what can happen when we participate. As followers of Jesus, we too are called into active ministry to meet human needs.
 
May it be so.
 
In Christ,
Monica
Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith
Conference Minister and President
 
 
 
OCWMGenerosity
NEW - Financial Ministry Resources
 
As you are looking at your 2018 budget, it is a great time to dive deep into church finances.
Review your mortgage rates - are they competitive? Is there debt that needs to be addressed? Or if not debt a surplus that should be responsibly managed?
Money is a big issues in churches and one that must be diligently and wisely lead. The UCC has resources that are here to help.
  • Cornerstone Fund  - Planning improvements to your church's building or grounds? Considering a new wing or building? Looking to refinance an existing building loan? The Cornerstone Fund offers competitively-priced loans specially designed to meet the needs of UCC churches. www.cornerstonefund.org or [email protected] or 888.822.3863
  • United Church Funds (UCF) - UCF is the institutional investment ministry of the United Church of Christ (UCC). UCF offers a diverse family of socially responsible investment funds to churches, conferences, associations and ministries of the UCC and faith-based organizations. Their goal is simple: to make more money available for ministry.  www.unitedchurchfunds.org or [email protected] or 877.806.4989
  • Church Building and Loan Fund - The UCC Church Building & Loan Fund assists new and renewing United Church of Christ congregations that are planning to buy a first church building or land site, or who want to construct, renovate or develop a church building, school, parsonage or other church-owned real property that advances the mission of the Church. www.cblfund.org or www.chhsm.org/contact or 216.437.2250.
 
 
NEW - Generosity Resources 
                                                                                       

LeadershipChurch Leadership Resources
Applications Being Accepted - 2017 Partners in Building

 
Partners in Building (PIB) is an annual training event that educates new and renewing congregations on ways to reinvent the concept of church through innovative uses of buildings and space. PIB is designed for church leaders who want to learn how to build, purchase, develop, manage, renovate, re-purpose or refinance church-owned properties. PIB is the best first step a church can take to understand the products and services offered by CB&LF.
 
A $100 registration fee is required.  PIB will cover travel and meal expenses.
 
If you are interested, please reach out to Stephanie at [email protected].
 
WHEN:  September 22-23, 2017
WHERE: Cleveland, Ohio
For more details

NEW - Resources 
Safe Church Summer Highlights Newsletter (Samaritan Safe Church)
                                                                                       
                                                                            
Big Gifts in Small Packages - Church Vitality in Small Churches Workshop Please join us October 28, 2017 with Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi, Director of the United Church of Christ's Center for Analytics, Research and Data (CARD). More details to follow!

Lancaster Seminary News 
 
 
 
Lancaster Seminary opens key courses for audit
Because in ministry you never stop learning, Lancaster Seminary is opening some popular courses for audit, taught by esteemed faculty. Lee Barrett presents Knowing God, Julia O'Brien presents Gender, Sexuality and the Bible, and Greg Carey teaches Luke and Acts. There also are courses just for pastors - like Ministerial Ethics - and courses for spiritual practice - like Writing as a Spiritual Practice. Term One starts in August, Term Two starts in October, and Term Three begins in February. Come, learn with us! Details at lancasterseminary.edu


JusticeCommunity Needs and Justice Issues
NEW - The Pollinator
 
The new Pollinator is out.  Read When Justice Leads Us Beyond Comfort, Sustaining Creation: A Faith Journey for Small Group and Continuum of Climate Work here - http://www.ucc.org/pollinator
 

VitalityChurch Vitality
Next Vitality Workshop August 6 - Lancaster
  Have you noticed a drop in worship attendance?
Are you wondering how to get more visitors to show up on Sunday morning?
What kinds of changes to worship can be made that will have the biggest impact ?
 
This workshop walks pastors and leaders through the process of reaching out to the community and attracting new people to attend worship. Once they are attending worship, three changes will be recommended to ensure their return . We will explore Web sites , visitor tabs and using the Smart Phone as a device for evangelism. Key learnings will be around worship days and times, how to make Holy some of the secular Holidays and how to do small groups in the middle of worship.
 
There is no cost to attend. Please read Transformative Worship: Changing Lives through Religious Experience by Laurene Beth Bowers (available on Amazon). This will prepare you to ask questions and have a conversation about how to incrementally grow your church.
 
REGISTER TODAY with Janice Mountain at [email protected].
 
  Vitality Workshop "How to Increase Worship Attendance"
All Workshops are from 1:00 - 4:00
August 6: Apostles, Lancaster
August 20: Dreisbach, Lewisburg
September 24: Hayshire, York
 

Would You Like a Mystery Visitor to Come to Your Church?

The conference has trained 12 Mystery Visitors who are willing to visit your church on Sunday morning and give you a detailed report. Pastors can request a visitor (and they are the only ones allowed to do so) and they will receive the report to do with it as they see fit.

These visitors will assess the website, curb appeal and hospitality (as well as the coffee!). They will not be evaluating the pastor or the service itself. While most of the mystery visitors are churched, we also have a few seekers. To request a mystery visitor, contact Laurene Bowers   [email protected]

Events1Events, Training and Resources Available
UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS
                                                                                
                               
Community of Practice Group - August 3, 12-2, Penn Central Conference Center (East Room)
       
Vitality Workshop: How to Increase Worship Attendance - August 6, Apostles, Lancaster

Vitality Workshop: How to Increase Worship Attendance - August 20, Dreisbach, Lewisburg                                       
 
Labor Day Holiday - September 4 - Penn Central Conference office closed                                              
 
Advancing Healthy Ministry: Boundary Bites - September 7 - 9:30-12, St. Paul's UCC, Selinsgrove                                      
 
Green Justice Team - September 12 - 10-12, Penn Central Conference Center (East Room)                                               
      
Commission on Ministry - September 18 - 9:30 - 11:30, Penn Central Conference Center (East Room)                                                
   
Finance Committee - September 21 - 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Penn Central Conference Center (East Room)                                                 
 
UEK Partnership - September 26 - 9:30 - 11:30, Penn Central Conference Center (East Room)
                                                       
            
2018
SAVE THE DATE!
 
Clergy Convocation - January 30 - February 1, 2018
  Doubletree by Hilton - Willow Valley, Lancaster PA

  2018 Penn Central Annual Meeting - June 8 and 9, 2018
Susquehanna University
 
National 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

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
Follow Us!

Like us in the eNews?  Our Facebook page has daily updates and allows us to share some of the great programs going on in our Associations and churches.  You'll find stories, UCC national news, pictures and fun.  Connect with us on Facebook Today! 
PAM Classes

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry announces the first of a four class series in Old & New Testament studies. 

Old Testament 1 - August 12th from 9am to 4pm
 at First UCC on Route 61 in Schuylkill Haven.
The Rev. Dr. Debra Winters of Palmer Theological Seminary will be teaching the series. 

Old Testament II - Oct 21st
    New Testament I - Dec. 9th
  New Testament II -Jan. 13, 2018. 

Please go to www.paacademyofministry.org to register online. Reading assignments and pre-class writing assignments can be found on the 2nd page of the registration.  Deadline for registration is August 5th.
 
These classes are excellent forms of continuing education for our Licensed Ministers or for laity interested in expanding their biblical knowledge. 

2017 Loss Control Webinars

The Insurance Board is pleased to present the following upcoming Loss Control webinars, available to all participants and members.
 
Keeping Your Ministries Safe: 5 Things Churches Can Do to Prevent Abuse
Wednesday, September 13th, 2pm Eastern (Praesidium)
 
  How to Avoid Background Screening Litigation
 Wednesday, October 11th, 2pm Eastern (Praesidium)
  
Here's a link to their Web site to register:
 
Join Our List

Get the latest and greatest eNews from Penn Central Conference... sign up today!

 

Join Our Mailing List
Association Links
ChurchNewsChurch News
Choral Directors and Music Staff
 
Penn Central Conference's German Partnership (UEK: Next Generation) trip in May generated excitement and energy for events that would continue to strengthen our relationship. Music is certainly a powerful medium, so an idea for partnering UCC and UEK music groups in the future has been born. To that end, Penn Central Conference would like to be in touch with choral directors and music staff from our congregations to make them aware of this and other possibilities for collaboration.
 
Please sign up to stay in touch to get information on music news, events and updates.
 
 
Now Hiring!

 
 
CRN Event "I Wish I Would Have Done Something"
St. Paul's Mechanicsburg invites you to learn how to effectively and sensitively intervene when someone is being verbally or physically harassed.
August 2, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00 at St. Paul's Mechanicsburg
For additional  details.
Mercersburg Association Clergy and Family Picnic
 Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 11:00 A. M. to 4:00 P. M
St. Matthews United Church of Christ - 3240 Spring Road, Carlisle PA
 Hot Dogs and Beverage provided but please bring a bring a dish to share and come out for games, fun and fellowship. 
RSVP to Pastor Mike Boehm at [email protected] or (717)536-0163
 
125th Anniversary and Homecoming - St. Paul, Lemasters
 Happy birthday to St. Paul's, Lemasters who celebrates their 125 th Anniversary this year!
On September 17 at 4:00 p.m. they have scheduled a "Homecoming Celebration"  
NEW - Central Association Town Hall
The Central Association will host their Town Hall on November 5, 2017.  Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith will review Penn Central Conference's Strategic (Missional) Plan.  For details.
 
 
York Association November Association Annual Meeting
The York Association will host Mr. Mark Lutz, the author of UnPoverty, at their Annual Meeting in November. 
 
In preparation for his visit, Community Outreach members have prepared a study guide for you and your congregations to use as you read this book.  Currently the Association has 30 copies of this book you can borrow.  As you make your plans for summer and fall, please contact Rev. Cathy Sherry ( CathyLHS[email protected] ) to reserve copies for use at your church.   
 
Partners in Peace, 2018
If you are between the ages of 18 and 25 and would like to be one of three participants for the next Partners in Peace adventure, please see attached flyer
Questions can be directed to Peter Emig at [email protected].
OrdinationsClergy News
August - October

August 6: Margaret Wise retiring from Zwingli, East Berlin
August 13: Art Grahe retiring from St. Stephen's UCC, York
August 27:  Gene Edwards last Sunday at Trinity Roth's in Spring Grove
August 27: Priscilla Denham's last Sunday at Hummelstown
 
October 1: Ken Evitts Installation at St. John's East Earl - 3:00 PM
October 1: Will Whitmore Ordination at Mercersburg Academy - 3:00 PM
October 23: Jackie Lingelbach's last Sunday at Quentin
October 29: Elizabeth Nocheck Installation at Hamilton Park, Lancaster - 3:00 PM

 

HartmanCenterHartman Center
Hartman Center News and Resources
  
Hartman Center Web Site
-----
Have you seen the Hartman Center Pool Dedication Video On Facebook?

Swimming Pool Fund -  You can donate by credit card by going on line here . 
 
Camp Schedule - Intergenerational Camp runs Labor Day Weekend!
 
 
 
Thank you for your continued support!
 
FaithConnectionStoriesFaith Connection Stories
NEW - Our Faith Connection Stories!
 
We love to hear stories of Penn Central Conference congregations working within their communities to passionately declare and demonstrate their courageous love of Christ. 
 
 
 
Share your story today!  Click here to share your own congregation's story  - please send to [email protected].

 
ArchiveArchive
Our Previous eNews
 

July 26, 2017,  July 19, 2017, July 12, 2017, July 5, 2017

June 28, 2017, June 21, 2017, June 14, 2017, June 7, 2017,

May 31, 2017, May 24, 2017, May 17, 2017, May 10, 2017, May 3, 2017

 
ShareYourStoryHave a Story to Share?!
We would love to hear from you!
 
Please email Stephanie at [email protected] if you have a story to share or something to add to our eNews.
 
Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
email: [email protected]   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
web: http://www.pccucc.org