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

A Message from Our Conference Minister and President 

Annual Meeting - NEW!
 Yearbook Information - NEW!

Church News - NEW!

Generosity - NEW!

Hartman Center - NEW!
Devotions  - NEW!
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NoraA Message from Our Conference Minister and President
Epiphany Testify! (John 12:20-33)

 
When you meet people who are easy to talk to, an hour long conversation can seem like only a minute. I met someone like that recently on a flight home from a meeting. I often imagine that Jesus was like that; someone you enjoyed being around and who was easy to engage in conversations across various topics.
 
In John's gospel some Greeks, who were visiting for the religious festival, stopped by to see and talk with Jesus. News traveled far and wide back then, even without CNN and Fox News. It is likely that these Greeks heard about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead and wanted to learn more about the miracles and signs he performed.
 
The Jewish community was in the midst of a festive Passover celebration, remembering God's deliverance from slavery and death. But Jesus' mood was not very festive. Instead, he said, "Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-'Father, save me from this hour'?" (v. 27) Jesus wrestled with the reality of his impending death.
 
Dying presents a challenge we would rather avoid or ignore. Perhaps that is why Jesus chose to use metaphors to talk about his impending death. He used an agricultural metaphor about a grain of wheat dying to produce many more grains; a purposeful dying which in turn brings forth new life. Then to explain the type of death he would suffer, he told them he would be lifted up to draw all people to himself: "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." (v. 32) Being lifted up in this way, of course, meant being crucified on a cross and being very visible for everyone to see.
 
Crucifixion was a very public event. A crucifixion during a Passover was, in a sense, a very international event because people from all over the ancient world, including non-Jews, would be there in Jerusalem to see it. In being lifted up high on a cross Jesus would be seen by all people, Gentiles and Jews alike.
 
In John's gospel this was significant because "to see" was code for "to believe." So, said another way, all people would be afforded the opportunity to believe in Jesus. This meant that people who were once distant from God would be brought near into God's kingdom and God's love. Jesus' life and death were purposeful in bringing forth a new relationship between God and all humanity.
 
I remember watching an interview on television with a man whose son and his son's entire family died in a plane crash in Montana. Rather than despair, he said, speaking to a national and international audience "we are people of faith and we believe we will see our son and his family again." This man testified to his belief in the eternal life that is available for all people, through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 
May we, like the man on the news, stand ready to testify to how faith in Jesus Christ has changed our lives and given us hope for the future. May it be so.

Lenten Blessings,
Monica
Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith
Conference Minister and President
 
 
Bulletin Insert

   
 
NoraYearbook
YearbookYearbook Data - There is Still Time!  NEW

Yearbook data was due March 7; however, there is still time.  If you haven't completed your forms, please complete the paper forms below and send them to the Conference Office this week.  (We will put them in DataHub for you.)

 
PAPER FORMS OPTIO N

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

 Registration begins in April.
 
Youth, Ages 13 - 18 for Youth Service Team
S ome youth may want to be part of the Youth Service Team. This is a group of youth from our Penn Central Conference churches who help make our Annual Meeting run smoothly. They serve as ushers, monitor the microphones at business sessions, assist persons at check-in and carry out a variety of other duties. The team is asked to arrive by 10:00 AM, Friday, June 8 th and is finished at the end of annual meeting, Saturday evening, June 9 th .

Youth entering grade 8 next fall through graduating seniors are eligible to apply. Approximately 15 applicants are chosen. If they are chosen to serve on the team, there is no cost for them to attend annual meeting. Youth need to be nominated to serve on the Youth Service Team. Use the Youth Service Team form to nominate youth from your congregation.

 
ChurchNewsChurch News
Church Events - NEW
March 17 - Making a Killing, 6:30 PM at Faith UCC, State College

March 24 - ONA Winter Gathering, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM at Penbrook UCC, Harrisburg. 
  • For details  and for more information about the ONA Ministry Team, contact: Committee Lead:  Shirley Keith Knox, [email protected]  
    • 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
    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.
    ---
    ---
     
     
    ClergyNewsClergy News
    Forums for Ministerial Excellence - NEW!
    Mark Your Calendars! 
    March 21 - April 18 - May 16, 1: 00 PM - 4:00 PM at St. Thomas on Linglestown Road in Harrisburg
     
    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.
    (Please register via specific link - highlighted in blue or with Janice Mountain by the Monday prior to each event so that handouts and snacks can be prepared.)
    1:00-1:10              Gathering Devotion
    1:10-1:25              Architect of Excellence
    1:30-2:10              First Workshop
    2:15-2:55              Second Workshop
    2:55-3:15              Fellowship and Refreshment
    3:20-4:00              Third Workshop
     
    • Clergy Awareness in Pastoral Counseling (Rev. Dr. Jeff Hamilton)
    • Church Web Presence (Stephanie Rader-Titzel)
    • Healthy Departures (Rev. Betsy Bruaw)

    Samaritan Center - Systemic Issues Affecting Conflict: Using the energy of conflict for transformation
     
    • 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)

    UCC Planning and Evaluation Survey
    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!
     

    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 7 - 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.
     

    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

     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
    Creation Justice - NEW

    Keeping Comfortable in our Home or Church Building
    Part 3

     

    We all like to stay comfortable wherever we go. In the winter, we turn on the furnace to stay warm, and in the summer, we turn on the air conditioner to stay cool.  But how does this work? 

     

    Read on to find out more...

       
     
    DR&R - NEW
     
    Serving on a disaster recovery work team involves much more than painting or putting up drywall, as important as that can be. It's also very much about building relationships. Read more.
     
    Events1Events, Training and Resources Available
    Rural Ministry Workshop
    May 18 - 19
    Orchard Hill, Millerstown 
    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, 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
    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
     
    UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS
       
    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
     
    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.
    ThreeGreatPCC Bay
    Nursery - Kitchen - Fellowship Hall Needs
      
    Saint Paul's West Milton finds itself in a great place, a place of revival and renewal! With this renewal comes the need for items the church no longer has or items that have outlived their usefulness.
     
    The following items would be helpful at Saint Paul's:
     
    Nursery:  Pack and Plays, Baby Changing Table (portable or permanent), clean and in good working order, and Toys
    Kitchen:  Plates, coffee cups, glasses, pots and pans suitable for a commercial gas range, and roasters 
    Fellowship Hall/Classrooms:  Folding or stackable chairs, chair caddies, clean and in good working order, possibly tables, possibly a good studio piano, a long boardroom-style conference table and chairs.
     
    If your church starts spring cleaning and realizes you may have a few items to share, please contact Pastor Tim @ Saint Paul's UCC West Milton via email or the church at (570) 568-1433, and we'll make arrangements to pick them up.
     
    ThreeGreat3 Great Loves - Faith Connection Stories
     Tell Us Your Love Story!
      
     
    On Saturday, January 6, 2018, 27 volunteers, from ages 12 to 81, from 2 states, 3 different UCC conferences, and 4 different UCC churches, Bethel, Spring Grove, Redeemer's, Littlestown, St. Mary's, Silver Run, MD, and St. Paul's, Fleetwood, PA, came together to repaint the beautiful wooden trim work at the Hanover Day Nursery.  Read their story.

    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
     
     
    Still Speaking Devotional by Matt Fitzgerald

    We Make too Much of this Poor Life
    "Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals." - Psalm 146:3

    Prayer
    Dear Lord, forgive our overburdened gods. Then let them leap to life. 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.
    • Zion Reformed UCC, Ephrata
    • Saint John's Union UCC, Spring Mills
    • Trinity UCC, Fort Loudoun
    • Saint John's UCC, Fredericksburg
    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 - NEW
    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
     
    ---     ---
     
      
     
    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!
     
    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