A Message from Our Acting Conference Minister, Rev. Ann Graves - NEW
Peace and blessings to the people of Penn Central Conference. As this will be my last week as your Acting Conference Minister, I wanted to say thank you for all your support and prayers during the past few months as we have journeyed through this time of change and transition. It has certainly been a challenge and more than I expected to be doing at this time in my life! I have been honored to be able to serve the conference I love in this way. I have been impressed yet again with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit during these weeks. I have often experienced the Spirit at work among us as we have shared together in ministry, and that is a true blessing.
I thought this would be an upbeat last note to you all, but I have to report yet more difficult news for us. On Monday this week, I received the resignation of Stephanie Rader-Titzel as our Director of Communications and Generosity with deep regret and sadness. She will be leaving us on August 2. We have come to rely on her gifts of organization and communication to keep us informed and her enormous help and input in planning and organizing our Clergy Sabbath gatherings and Annual Meetings. Her considerable expertise and wonderful generous spirit were a great blessing to us. I am extremely grateful for all of her talents, hard work and commitment that she has given us over the last two and a half years. As you know, these have been very difficult years for the conference, and Stephanie decided that with the arrival of new conference leadership, this was the right time for her to move on to other things. I wish her only the best and thank her for all that she has given to us. She will be deeply missed. I hope you will reach out to her and express your appreciation for all that she has brought to us.
Although we have made some important decisions and have begun to move in new directions, we obviously still have a lot more yet to be done. I know is that God is never done with us and continues to challenge us on our way. We are all called to be faithful in our mission and response to God's call.
I am delighted and ready to welcome the Rev. Dr. Carolyne Call (Carrie, as she is known by many) as our Transitional Conference Minister. She will begin her work among us on the first of August. She brings many gifts and skills, as well as experience in conference ministry. I am looking forward to working with her as I resume my position as Moderator of the Board of Directors for the next year. During this coming year she will be working on several transitional tasks with us, with the goal that next spring, the Board will make the decision to recommend her as the candidate to be our settled Conference Minister.
As we move onward, please continue your support and prayers for Rev. Call and her ministry, as well as for the work of the Board of Directors. As you all know very well, this is a significant time of change in the church, just as it is in our society as well. I know that God is at work among us, but it can be challenging to discern what that means for us, as we Be the Church - living, loving and being God's people reaching out to serve all of God's beloved people however and whoever they may be on our journeys in faith.
Thank you and many blessings always to Penn Central Conference.
Ann
Rev. Ann Graves,
Acting Conference Minister
Clergy News
Advent Planning
Please join us for time with colleagues,
reflection and collaborative exploration.
We will be envisioning worship, dedicating time to plan for the seasons as well as spend time pooling our resources and thoughts.
Installations, Ecclesiastical Councils and Ordinations
September 22- Installation of Rev. Tony Fields at Christ Church UCC, Annville - 3:00 PM
Tea with MOM
August 25th: 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.
Hartman Center
Craft Building Donations
Some of us are working on a plan that would make the work on the Craft Building cost effective AND by volunteer labor. First, this story...
In 2007, Eli Frailey, 5 year old son of Deb and Peter Frailey died as a result of an accident. That same year, Abigail Butz, 10 month old daughter of Kristine and Tim Butz died of a rare disease. Both families had been, and continue to be, outstanding leaders in summer camping programs at Hartman Center. In fact, that following year, 2008, both the Fraileys and the Butzs directed Family Camps. This summer, Kristine and Tim Butz are directing Getting Started Camp and an Intergenerational Camp. Deb Frailey is directing Arts and Crafts Camp.
The Craft Shop at Hartman Center is a place filled with memories. Over the years, every camper in our summer program has spent time there creating artistic expressions, using the most natural of items, like rocks (to paint), or recycled materials (making treasures out of trash). Today, the Craft Shop, while structurally sound, is in need of a new roof, new windows, and some inside renovation so that future campers can continue to make memories there.
This year, 2019, Eli Frailey would have been graduating from high school. Abigail Butz would be in middle school. When the families were approached with the idea of making renovations to the Craft Shop in memory of Eli and Abigail, everyone liked the idea. What better way to raise funds and garner the support of volunteer workers to provide the labor for the work needed?
How much would be needed? We estimate $7,000 would get the job done. The thought of having a GO FUND ME appeal was considered, BUT we didn't want to have to spend money to raise money. We believe that by using our own Hartman Center website and especially the Hartman Center Facebook page, we can raise the dollars needed. Any funds raised in excess of the Craft Shop project will be used for renovations of Michaux Lodge.
No contribution is too small. Make checks payable to Penn Central Conference and send them to Penn Central Conference, 900 S. Arlington Ave. Rm. 227A, Harrisburg, PA 17109.
We expect renovations to made this summer and early fall with a special dedication to occur at the Hartman Center Fall Festival, October 12, 2019.
Friday, August 30, 2019 beginning at 7 p.m. - Monday, September 2 ending at 9 a.m. register online.
Forgiveness: A Path for Healing
Monday, September 23, 2019 at 2 p.m. - Wednesday, September 25, 2019 at 3 p.m.register online.
A Marriage Enrichment Weekend - "It's a Wonderful Life"
Friday, November 8, 2019 at 7 p.m. - Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 3 p.m. register online.
Women's and Men's Retreats: SAVE THE DATE
COMING IN NOVEMBER:
The FALL WOMEN'S RETREAT is planned for Nov. 15-17. (Friday the 15
th at 7 p.m. to Sunday the 17
th at 11 a.m.) Leaders will be Sue D'heedene and Winnie Kowalik.
COMING IN JANUARY 2020:
The FIRST ANNUAL MEN'S RETREAT January 17-19 Planned by pastors and laymen of the Conference. Possible theme: Seasons of a Man's Life. Watch for details this fall.
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August 25th:
