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Weekly Update - February 14, 2018
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

A Message from Our Conference Minister and President 

Yearbook Information - NEW!

Church News

Generosity - NEW!

Clergy News - NEW!
3 Great Loves - NEW!
Hartman Center - NEW!
Devotions  - NEW!

  PLEASE REMEMBER TO SUBMIT YOUR YEARBOOK UPDATE
NoraA Message from Our Conference Minister and President
EpiphanyLove God, Love People!  (Isaiah 58:1-12)

   
The prophet Isaiah said "Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet..." (v.1) A trumpet is used to call people to war, a serious time. Lent, for Christians, is a serious and solemn time. It is an invitation to be changed from the inside out.
 
In response to Lent's trumpet call, many of us will assemble today, February 14, to observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. With ashes made from last year's dried palms, the minister will inscribe a cross on our foreheads. As it is being inscribed on our forehead, may it also be inscribed on our hearts.
 
Jesus' 40 days of testing in the wilderness was a significant time in his ministry. Our faith calls us to emulate Jesus' ministry and his compassion toward people. Our faith calls us to love God and to love people.
 
How might we embody this faith as we walk through Lent?
 
As we seek to emulate Jesus, let us love and show compassion toward all people; paying close attention to those around us who are poor, homeless and hurting. To better understand a life lived in poverty, consider adding one or more of the following to your Lenten practice:
  • Spend $2 (or less) on a meager meal and pray for people around the world who live on $2 per day or less
  • Place a glass of water on a table to remember and then pray for the millions of people who suffer disease, poverty and conflict because they lack clean water to drink, or have a limited water supply
  • At the end of each day when you come to the door of your home and place the key in the lock, after stepping inside, pause to reflect and pray for people who are homeless
 
Along with prayer, do what you can to help people in need in your community and around the world.
 
Other common Lenten practices include abstinence from: chocolate, coffee, making hurtful remarks to others, or from thinking negative thoughts. Devotional Lenten practices might include:

  • Daily inspirational readings (e.g. 2018 UCC Stillspeaking Lent Devotional)
  • Frequent prayers (e.g. focus on prayers of gratitude)
  • Writing a letter each week to someone who feels lonely or isolated
 
Whatever you decide will be between you and God, so ensure that "...your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."(Matt. 6:18)
 
As we move together into the season of Lent, may we find ways to love God and to love people with our whole lives. Amen.
 
Lenten Blessings,
Monica
Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith
Conference Minister and President

p.s. Thank you for submitting the 2018 Yearbook information and the 2018 OCWM pledge forms! If you have not yet submitted your church's information, there is still time to do so.



NoraYearbook
YearbookIt's Yearbook Time!  - NEW

Every year, the UCC asks for updated data from all their churches and makes it available in the  UCC Yearbook & Directory , Access UCC, and Find A Church on ucc.org.  
 
Reporting your data is now easier and less time-consuming! You can enter the  information directly into the UCC database via the "DataHub" (see instructions below).
 
However, filling out the paper forms (attached below) is still an option if you're not comfortable using the DataHub. Please send completed forms to the Conference office by the deadline: March 7, 2018.   We will happily take it from there!
 
DATAHUB OPTION
 
PAPER FORMS OPTIO N

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT TO BE ENTERED INTO OUR DRAWING
 
As a Special Thank You for your efforts (and for a bit of fun), yearbook data and OCWM  pledge forms received by February 14 (Valentine's Day) will be entered into a drawing for one of the following gifts: 
  • Winter Warming Bundle (Equal Exchange coffee, UCC coffee mug and UCC fleece blanket)
  • Summer Reading List (4 books)
  • FREE Pastor Registration for Annual Meeting

 

Random drawing will be held for 5 winter warming bundles, 5 summer reading lists and 1 Pastor Annual Meeting registration.  Winning churches will be notified February 16 by email.

  

If you have questions or need assistance, please call Stephanie, Wendy, or Janice at the Conference office.

 

 
 
ChurchNewsAnnual Meeting
Mark You Calendars! - NEW

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, 2018
Susquehanna University - Selinsgrove, PA


This year we will focus on equipping local churches with practical tools and resources to thrive.

 Registration begins in April.
 
ChurchNewsChurch News
Events, Training and More...
Conflict Management Workshop 
Systemic Issues Affecting Conflict
Conflict, however minor in appearance, is often not what it seems.  Did you ever observe or experience a congregation go through cycles of conflict situations? Does your congregation effectively manage conflict or is conflict definitely something to be avoided?!

STEM Scholarships
Trinity College Preparatory Academy: Jacob DeHoff Learning Center, a program designed to assist youth in their quest for higher education, is pleased to announce the full funding of twelve (12) student scholarships for its July 2018 STEM Program.

Jazz for the Journey

Jazz: A Language of Faith and Model for Ministry, A " Life at Eden" Program, March 2-3, 2018, For Details


Northern Cluster of Churches Lenten Concert and Potluck - March 11
Gender Revolution (Movie and Pizza) - April 15
GenerosityGenerosity
Generosity Resources - NEW
During the month of February, we will explore Planned Giving
 
UCC Resources
 
A resource for congregations designed to aid pastors and lay leaders in developing a congregational Planned Giving ministry. Includes sections devoted to establishing and promoting a Planned Giving program, congregational endowments, wills emphasis, how life-income gifts work, and more. The quintessential Planned Giving resource!
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ClergyNewsClergy News
Ordinations, Installations and Celebrations - NEW
  • Bruce Druckenmiller Installation on March 4th at Trinity, Waynesboro 3:00 p.m.
  • Brian Percy Ordination on April 8th at Faith, York 3:00 p.m.
  • Closing Worship Celebration at Grace, York on April 15th at 3:00 p.m.
Hellos and Goodbyes - NEW
  • Hello: Rev. Guy Johnson will begin February 27th as Interim Minister at Hummelstown UCC.
  • Goodbye: Rev. Mike Cromer's last Sunday at Apostles UCC in Waynesboro is February 25th.
         
UCC Planning and Evaluation Survey - NEW
UCC Planning and Evaluation Survey
The UCC's Center for Analytics, Research and Data  (CARD) is conducting a survey to identify potential needs around planning and evaluation within all settings of the United Church of Christ. The goal is to compile the responses and create the most helpful resources for effective planning and evaluation, with special attention to resources for local churches.
 
The survey will take between 15-20 minutes to complete . Responses are anonymous, although we do ask for the name of your setting to reduce overlap in response. The results of the survey will be shared with various stakeholders across the United Church of Christ.
 
Please complete the survey by Friday, March 16. Thank you for taking the time to provide your valued feedback!
 

Parsonage and Housing Allowance Information
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.
  
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.
 

Next Generation Leadership Initiative
Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) application deadline is February 19! This is a transformative leadership initiative of the Pension Boards. Ideal candidates are:  
  • 35 years of age or under by June 1, 2018,
  • Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference,
  • Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish
  • Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting,
  • Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ

Read more
Lenten Clergy Breakfast and Worship

March 22, 2018
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

9:30 - Gathering for Coffee
10:00 - Complimentary Breakfast
10:45 - Worship

Zion UCC - Arendtsville - 3 Gettysburg Street, Arendtsville, PA 17303

Please register online  - RSVP by March 13
Lenten Resources
Lenten Book Studies: Writing to God
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Eastern Region Youth Event
 
The planing committee for the Eastern Regional Youth Event (July 19-22, 2018) is looking for congregations that have youth groups.  Please email Rev. Dr. Monica Ouellette if you have a youth group.

ERYE2018, Eastern Regional Youth Event
at California University in PENNSYLVANIA
July 19-22, 2018

Contemporary live music, worship, youth workshops, service project, keynote speakers, special gifts, market place, YOUTH from FROM MARYLAND TO MAINE!
  
For more info or to register for the event, visit eryeucc.org
Church Educators Workshop
Mid-Atlantic Association of United Church Educators announces their 2018 workshop, 'Cutting Edge Faith Foundation, 2018" from April 9 - 11.  For details and agenda 
 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. If you would like more information or are ready to register for these new Communities of Practice, please contact Rev. Nora Foust.

Affinity Groups:
  • Bi-Vocational & Part-Time Pastors
  • Licensed Pastors
  • Faithful and Welcoming Pastors
  • 20/30 Pastors
  • Retired Pastors
  • Would prefer geographical group
 Clergy/Clergy Family Care Program Highlights
 
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Any clergy interested in serving as an Association Chaplain should contact Rev. Rick Luciotti, program facilitator at 717-679-0001 for more information.
 
Sabbatical Planning
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Sabbatical Planning?   Pastor preparing for sabbatical?  We have resources for you.  Please c ontact Rev. Betsy Bruaw for  additional details. 
LeadershipChurch Leadership Resources
Leadership Resources - NEW
JusticeCommunity Needs and Justice Issues
Creation Justice - NEW
 
Keeping comfortable in our home or church building
and the effect on our weather and climate
(Part One)
We all like to stay comfortable wherever we go. In the summer, we turn on the air conditioner to stay cool, and in the winter we turn on the furnace to stay warm. There is a variety of equipment that we use to accomplish this cooling or heating, each with a different effect to the weather and climate.  Read more...
 
DR&R - NEW

 
 
The year of 2018 will find the PCC DR&R Team & UCC Disaster Ministries confronted with another very busy schedule.  Here are the current UCC Disaster Ministries work sites that are open and accepting volunteers.
 
 
ONA - NEW
ONA Winter Gathering - March 24, 2018 from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM  For details
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What is the Open and Affirming Ministry Team?  
The ONA Ministry Team seeks to support the Open and Affirming Movement within the Penn Central Conference.  Assistance is provided to local congregations as they consider and move through the United Church of Christ's Open and Affirming process.  Support is also provided to congregations "after the vote" as this journey continues long after the official voting.  Types of support can include:  information about the process, access to other ONA churches who can share their ONA experiences, and connections to local resources.

For more information about the ONA Ministry Team, contact: Committee Lead:  Shirley Keith Knox, [email protected]  
Pilgrimage to Peace

February 18 from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Lancaster is the first stop in the Pilgrimage to Peace, a one-week speaking tour given by the national consortium Churches for Middle East Peace. For details.
 
Events1Events, Training and Resources Available
Pathways
 
Register now for:
UCC History and Polity
Theology in the Public Square
Insurance Board Webinars
 
 
The following webinars are scheduled for 2018. These webinars are free and open to all. All webinars are scheduled to begin at 2 PM EST. To register for one of these webinars click on this link, and click on "Insurance Board Webinars":
Wednesday, March 14: Driver Management for Owned and Non-owned Vehicles (The Hartford)
Wednesday, April 11: Risk Management for Camps (The Insurance Board)
Wednesday, May 9: Ladder Safety (The Hartford)
Additional webinars and recorded webinars available under the Online Learning section.
 
Association Links
Lancaster Theological Seminary

NOW HIRING!
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Lancaster Theological Seminary is accepting applications for:
 
 
Open Music Positions - NEW
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UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS
Yearbook Contest Drawing Deadline - February 14

Harrisburg Association Strategic Plan Presentation  - February 18, 2018, Colonial Park UCC - 2:00 PM 

Community of Practice Facilitators - February 20, CC - East, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
 
Board of Directors Hartman Center Committee - February 20, PCC CC - East, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
 
Communications Commission - February 22, PCC - East, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
 
Lay Boundary Awareness Training - March 3, Trinity East Petersburg, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
 
Nominations Commission - March 7, PCC CC - East, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
 
Yearbook Forms Final Due Date - March 8

Creation Justice - March 13, 6:00 PM via ZOOM
 
Confirmation Retreat - March 16 - March 18, Hartman Center, 6:00 PM - Noon
 
Advanced Boundary Training - March 20, Faith UCC, York, 9:30 AM - Noon
 
Lenten Pastor's Breakfast and Worship - March 22, Zion UCC, Arendtsville, 9:30 AM

ONA Winter Gathering - March 24
 
Good Friday - PCC Office Closed, March 30
 
UEK Partnership - April 3, CC - East, 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  
Clergy Spouse Workshop - April 7, Saint Paul's, Selinsgrove 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

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
 
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!
 
 2018 Penn Central Annual Meeting - June 8 and 9, 2018, Susquehanna University
 
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
 3 Great Loves - NEW
  
A few changes have happened to the 3 Great Loves initiative at the national setting.  In addition to celebrating and sharing Love of Neighbor stories, we can also share Love of Creation and Love of Children stories now (versus waiting until end of the year or 2020.)
Please continue to share your story with us and use #pccucc #3greatloves #loveofneighbor #loveofcreation #loveofchildren.

(Or if you prefer, send your story to Stephanie and she can share it for you!)

We love seeing Penn Central Conference congregations connected, engaged and transformed through Christ's love!  
 
DevotionsPrayer List and Devotional
 
 
Still Speaking Devotional by Matt Fitzgerald
 
Until Tenderness is Real
"Dear Lord! Please! Dear God of Israel." - Psalm 69:6

Prayer
Dear God, let that day come soon. 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.
  • Saint John's UCC, Dallastown
  • Saint Paul UCC, Dallastown
  • Zion (Stone Valley) UCC, Dalmatia
  • Shiloh UCC, Danville
HartmanCenterHartman Center
Hartman Center News and Resources
Hartman Center's 2018

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!
 
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Confirmation Retreat

The Confirmation Retreat is on the weekend of March 16-18 at the Hartman Center and the cost is $110.  Please check the eNews in future weeks for a registration link.
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Elementary Retreat   - May 4-6, 2018, Save the Date!

----Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, 2018
More details on the Hartman Center Web site!
 
Thank you for your continued support!
 
FCSFaith Connection Stories
Passionately Declaring and Demonstrating the Courageous Love of Christ 
 
We love to hear stories of Penn Central Conference congregations working within their communities to passionately declare and demonstrate their courageous love of Christ. 
 
 

Faith Connection Stories
 
 
Testimonials
1st UCC Carlisle (Mercersburg Association)
St. John's Boalsburg (Northern Association)
St. Paul's Sacramento (Harrisburg Association)
Trinity East Pete (Lancaster Association)
Fredericksburg UCC  (Lebanon Association)
St. Paul's Dallastown (York Association)
First Reformed UCC, Sunbury (Central Association)
David's UCC - Hebe (Central Association)
 
PICTURES!!  WE WANT PICTURES!
We would love to use your pictures on our social media pages!  If you have pictures you are willing to share that show your church actively engaged in our mission "where congregations passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ", please send them to Stephanie.
 
Share your story today!  Click here to share your own congregation's story  - please send to [email protected].

 
ArchiveArchive
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Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
email: [email protected]   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
web: http://www.pccucc.org