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Weekly Update - March 21, 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!

Church News

Generosity 

Clergy News - NEW!
PCC Bay - NEW!
Hartman Center - NEW!
Devotions  - NEW!
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NoraA Message from Our Conference Minister and President
On a Journey to the Cross (Mark 11: 1-11)

 
"Hosanna!" the crowd shouted as they laid down their cloaks and branches on the ground for Jesus to ride on.  Hosanna was not an unusual greeting for that time of year. It was used as a prayer request asking God to "save us."

Riding into Jerusalem and being flanked by cloaks and branches was symbolically reserved for kings like David coming home from a victory. But Jesus' entry on a colt, instead of a horse, made this festive occasion seem somewhat muted.

Jesus rode all the way into Jerusalem with the festal procession, got to the temple, entered the temple, looked around, then left. It was late, so he and his disciples left the temple and went back to Bethany. No, he did not teach. No, he did not clear the temple with righteous anger (that was delayed until later in the chapter). 

Without a compelling storyline or imagery, Jesus was not portrayed by the gospel writer Mark as someone who can save us from life's overwhelming woes. So, who then will save us? We occasionally turn to Hollywood for the latest superhero movie. And for lack of heroes to save us, we look for ways to save ourselves, sometimes relegating God to a last resort.

When life comes at us in unexpected ways, God's ways do not always make sense and God's timing might only make sense in hindsight. In our everyday lives, when we least expect it, God's voice can echo through common sense advice from friends who tell us to "rest when you are tired." The kind of simple yet sage advice that brings calm to anxious moments, changing our cries of "save us... (hosanna)" to sighs of gratitude.

Hymns like "Hosanna, Loud Hosanna" willbe sung ina few churches this Palm Sunday recounting the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem, on his way to the cross. The congregation will wave palms as they sing, ushering in Holy Week.

Invite friends and family to Holy Week services (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday). And, welcome all who enter the church this week as fellow travelers on a journey to the cross ... to experience the fullness of God's love for us. Jesus did not die to make God love us but to demonstrate how much God already loves us.

As we listen to Jesus preach words of love and forgiveness from the cross on Good Friday, may his words remind us of God's caring voice amidst life's troubles and pain.

Journeying together to the cross,
Monica
Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith
Conference Minister and President
 
p.s. A reflection on Mark 11:1-11 from the Christian Century

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.
 
Annual Meeting Mission Project - NEW

 
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

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.
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ClergyNewsClergy News
Housing Allowance for Clergy - NEW!
Please read the following memorandum from Heather Kimmel, UCC Counsel, regrading the housing allowance ruling.


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

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
We encourage each of you to volunteer with UCC Disaster Ministries and to encourage others to volunteer too!
 
Here are the current UCC volunteer sites that are open and accepting volunteers:
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Overnight Housing Needed - NEW
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
Pastoral Care Class - NEW
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 - NEW
  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,
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.
 
Rural Ministry Workshop
May 18 - 19
Orchard Hill, Millerstown 
Association Links
UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS
      
CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW - Lenten Pastor's Breakfast and Worship - March 22, Zion UCC, Arendtsville, 9:30 AM -  CANCELLED

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.
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
 
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.
 
Bibles - NEW
  
If anyone has RSV Bibles that they are not using, please reach out to Rev. John Miller.
  
ThreeGreat3 Great Loves - Faith Connection Stories
 Tell Us Your Love 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 Marchae Grair

We Make too Much of this Poor Life
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." - Psalm 143:8

Prayer
Blessed Savior, thank you for a Love that doesn't stop lifting. 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 Paul's of Hamlin UCC, Fredericksburg
  • Trinity UCC, Gettysburg
  • New Hope(Fissel's), Glen Rock
  • Trinity UCC, Glen Rock
HartmanCenterHartman Center
Thank you - NEW
 
Thank you for your generosity to Hartman Center!
 
Gifts this year have totaled $10,975 so far!

If you haven't sent your Love Offering yet, please be sure to indicate on the remittance form that the amount given to Hartman Center was the result of the 
Love Offering.
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!
 
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