Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

Recently, I was asked to talk with those gathered at the Central Association Spring Meeting about covenant and connection in these times of division and derision. John's Gospel records the words of Jesus, "I am the vine, you are the branches, remain in me." Covenant, connection, vines and branches, mutual care and concern, bold new decisions are what bring us together today. It is no secret that we are created for relationships, and that we have more in common than not. Everyone notices the change swirling around us, and it is easy to become anxious in the midst of it all.

We can explore the possibility of new growth in our faith, in our relationships by visiting a familiar place: the elementary school playground. I went to Lincoln Elementary School in Shamokin, now Lincoln Towers Apartments. The school yard had a backstop for kickball and plenty of blacktop on which to run, jump rope and play tag. Our teachers were with us during recess. My children both attended Hershey Elementary School, which had several different play areas for different grade levels. Teachers released the children to the recess aides, gratefully. Miss Martha was my favorite. Why? She:

Had a keen awareness of where the children were in relation to one another
Had a quick awareness of those who were alone, needed someone to listen
Brought special projects like finger crochet for those in need of something to do
Offered special attention through hair braiding and beads for boys and girls alike
Made sure every child was respected and loved and called by name

Miss Martha understood the vine and branches of the school community, and made sure that each small leaf had a safe space in which to flourish and grow. Oh, there were tears and arguments. Bullying happened, but rarely on Miss Martha's watch. She knew how to manage that space, knew what each child needed. She used the principles of the now-popular Buddy Bench: every child needs to learn that they are respected, and that they need to show respect to others.

Miss Martha is my hero; she is also a keen model for ministry, as you may already see, to heighten our awareness of what is happening in us, between us and around us in our covenant connections. How do the churches of Penn Central Conference individually and corporately live out the mission set before us?

Knowing where we are in relation to one another is very important. In days past, churches were built for people within a 2-3 mile radius, a short wagon ride or walk. As the mobility of society increased, and as farms were replaced by subdivisions, having churches that close together became more about what services and programs churches offer. People would drift from place to place depending on which church was offering what. Sort of like groups on the playground each vying for the participation of "cool kids."

In today's world, there is recognition that the competition model of being church has only harmed our relationships, and as church is less prominent in daily life for many, in the church we are finding our way back to one another. There is room on the bench for everyone. Looking at the big picture, we see that we belong to one another, our mutuality is in Christ. Our life together is be a reflection of that mutuality.

Over the last few years I have worked with congregations to rediscover their mutuality within and outside their walls. Within, I lead a workshop on behavioral covenants. After conversation around how to effectively speak, listen, make and support decisions in the life and mission of the congregation, they create a statement to which they refer when both easy and difficult conversations and decision arise. Reminded of their mutuality, there are healthy conversations and decisions as well as love and grace for all involved. Remain in me......

Think back to the playground analogy:

Sometimes there are tough conversations
Sometimes we have to give a little
Sometimes we need to support another's idea

Beyond the walls of our churches, we can give joy by being a blessing to others:

By supporting outdoor ministry at Hartman Center; you may not have camp-aged kids in your congregation, but what about finding a camper in your community to send? What about snack donations? What about items from the Hartman Center wish list?

"I am the vine, you are the branches, remain in me, because apart from me you can do nothing".....we are our connections, covenants, relationships. We would do well to remember and live that truth in the coming days.

Blessings,

Betsy

Rev. Betsy Bruaw

Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Discernment/Search and Call (Designated)

Annual Meeting - Share Your Love!

Mark Your Calendars - NEW Resolution

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

(Colossians 2: 6-19)

This year, opening worship begins Friday at 2:00!

We are excited to see you there!

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

What are real ways that participation connects individuals to that which is holy?

How can churches collectively reflect on that?

How is the church a community connected spiritually in their missional work?

Annual Meeting will seek to answer these questions and also provide opportunities for fellowship, education and an opportunity to worship together.

Other Annual Meeting details on our Web site!

Business Items

PCC 2018 Annual Meeting Mission Project

Resolution Updates - Timeline and A Guide to the Proposed Changes

NEW RESOLUTION - REGARDING THE USE OF PLASTIC FOAM (i.e. Styrofoam®)

Costs:

Friday Registration - $35

Saturday Registration - $35

Friday Dinner - $13

Saturday Breakfast - $6.50

Saturday Lunch - $10.50

Double Occupancy - $40 OR Single Occupancy - $50

----

TO REGISTER

Please register by May 15!

Youth Service Team - NEW

We are in need of YST Members!

Some 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 a variety of other duties. The team is asked to arrive by 10am, 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.

Children's Annual Meeting

Cultivating Vital Heart Beats

Lead by Rev. Nate and Kara Druckenmiller, please join us for fun, games, workshops, speakers and more in our Mini Annual Meeting for Penn Central Conference's children!

Flyer and Registration

ONA and the Bible with Andy Lang

Successful Practices of ONA Churches: Learn about the strategies used by churches within Penn Central Conference that has led to an Extravagant Welcome - Topic Areas include: Successful ONA Vote, A Community Presence, Spreading understanding with a particular focus on children and youth, and Welcoming and Healing.

June 8 - Before Annual Meeting at 9:30 at Susquehanna University

Flyer and Registration

Justice and Community Issues

Peterson Toscano at Shiloh Danville - NEW

UCAN National Conversation on HIV

UCAN National Conversation on HIV

Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 2.00 pm, Eastern Time

Online Registration Required:

https://ucan-hivtesting-8may2018.eventbrite.com

Everyone has a status - The church and HIV Testing

On May 8, UCAN launches the first in a series of online national conversations on HIV with a focus on HIV testing. A popular HIV testing slogan is, "Everyone has a status, do you know yours?" In preparation for National Testing Day, Wednesday, June 27, Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer will moderate this conversation via Zoom about the importance of everyone knowing their HIV status and the status of the church in promoting and facilitating HIV testing.

Resource Links

Join Our Weekly eNews Mailing List

PCC UCC Links

Links to Our Partners

Phoebe Messenger

Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry

----

Lancaster Theological Seminary

UCCR

Calendar of Events

Link to Our Web Site Calendar

Printable Calendar

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!

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

Church News

Church Events

May 17 - Northern Association Spring Banquet at Hartman Center, Milroy. Registration 6:00 and Dinner at 6:30. For details.

Organist/Choir Director

First Reformed UCC in Sunbury is looking for a Organist/Choir Director. Please reach out to Bill Unger.

Events and Training

PCC Classes and Resources

Ministerial Education Forums - Join us May 16 at St. Thomas UCC on Linglestown Road in Harrisburg for Workshops that will impact your ministry at the moment!

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work - Join us May 12 for a workshop geared to support you in your life beyond ministry to learn new principles to enhance your relationship.

Communities of Practice Groups Sign up for a place where the focus is ministry and shared knowledge is practice and experience based. These communities covenant to offer care, support and accountability while they nurture practices of spiritual discipline.

Sabbaticals can be such a crucial part of healthy ministry for pastor and people. Intentional planning, knowing what resources are available to support the sabbatical (grants, supply preaching, pastoral care, etc.) and activities for the congregation during sabbatical are just a few things to consider.

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work

Please join us May 12 at Hayshire UCC to learn new principles to enhance your relationship. Open to all couples in Penn Central Conference (lay, clergy, LBGTQ).

Saturday, May 12 at Hayshire UCC in York.

Details and Registration

Pastoral Care Class

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.

For more information.

Mount Gretna Tabernacle 2018

The Friday Nights in June Ecumenical Series

GOD IS is the common theme for Friday night worship services during June at the Mt. Gretna Tabernacle. Come, enjoy and learn.

June 1 - 29

June 29 at 7:00 PM "God Is... Therefore We are" Rev. Holly MillerShank, Director of Ministerial Excellence

ONLINE Polity Course

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,

Generosity

Generosity - NEW

This past weekend, we hosted our first workshop on generosity for 2018, titled "Money and Ministry". Scott Shirai from the National Church and Howard Hawkins presented on "What Donors Want" and a new planned giving microsite through UC Funds.

While talking about money isn't something comfortable for many, it is a key aspect of ministry. In many ways, generosity drives mission and ministry.... And it is important. In the months ahead, we will be hosting different workshops (both in person and via webinar) on various topics around generosity. I would love to hear from you about what is the most important to you and your church.

We are also collecting stories and best practice showcasing successful generosity. It might be a noisy offering lead by children, thank you notes sent out within your church, a great volunteer drive or even a capital campaign. Please send your story/best practice in to me. (I will be sharing them throughout our eNews so everyone can see the abundant generosity here... and maybe even pick up a few best pactices.)

In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to Stephanie if you have questions or if I can be of any assistance.

Strengthen the Church

The suggested offering date is

Pentecost Sunday, May 20, 2018.

The Strengthen the Church offering supports the expansion of ministry and growth of UCC local congregations. Your support of this offering will help the UCC fulfill on its commitment to creating a just world for all by investing in new ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities.

As God calls our congregations to be the church in new ways, your generosity will plant new churches, awaken new ideas in existing churches and develop the spiritual life in our youth and young adults.

Promotional items for the 2018 offering:

2018 Strengthen the Church Worship Insert

2018 Strengthen the Church Facebook Post

2018 Strengthen the Church Twitter Post

Clergy News

Facilitator of Clergy Care and Clergy Family Care - NEW

A recent resignation has created a position opening on the Conference staff for a part-time Facilitator of Care for Clergy and Clergy Families.

Please continue to call into the Conference Office with clergy concerns until we have identified someone to fill this position. Interviews will begin after the May 18 deadline for applications. Thank you for your patience during this time of transition. Please apply or refer someone who might serve well in this position.

April - May - June

May 6 - Ecclesiastical Council for Donald Snyder, Jr - Trinity UCC, Watsontown - 3:00 PM

June 3 - Installation of Bonnie Whittier - Grace UCC, Hanover - 3:00 PM

Hartman Center - Camp and More!

Hartman Center Team Needed

We are working to develop a team of people who are able to assist and serve the needs of Hartman Center. This is open to anyone who values the ministry of Hartman Center and this can be long term or one time commitment.

Duties may include:

Working during camp work days

Communication of Hartman Center activities and events

Driving fund raising and development initiatives

Hartman Center News and Resources

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! View our Camp Schedule ! To register

Nurses Needed:

Nurses (LPN/RN) needed for summer camp as well as for the retreat weekends. If you are able to assist, please reach out to Patty.

Snacks:

This year we are providing our own snacks for campers. Please contact Pastor Patty if you can help with food items OR with grocery store gift cards (Dollar General, Weis, or Giant)

Hartman Center Work Weekend:

Please join us May 4 and 5 for Hartman Center's annual work weekend as we descend 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

And don't forget these other upcoming events:

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!

Prayers for Our Churches

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.

Salem UCC, Jacobus
Pleasant Hill Chapel UCC, Jonestown
Saint John's UCC, Jonestown
Church of the Apostles UCC, Lancaster

PCC Bay

Electronics - NEW

Penn Central Conference has some electronics we are looking to rehome. (Many of them are older but may be of some value to you.)

Panasonic VHS Recorder
ELMO HP 3K-DX Overhead Projector
Quasar VHS Recorder
Kodak Carousel (slide projector)

Please email Stephanie if you are interested.

14 Robes - Free to a Good Home

-----

For more information about them, contact the church office, Geri Neese, Administrator, Saint Paul's United Church of Christ, (570) 568-1433.

Hammond Organ

----

Grace UCC in Spring Mills has a Hammond organ, C-3 model, that is in good condition. It was probably built in the early 1960's and includes the original book that came with it. A date in the book says 1961. The asking price for the organ is $3,000.

If interested, please contact Leigh Pick at 814-422-8075 or at [email protected] .