Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

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Weekly Update - November 1

This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission

In This Issue...

A Message from Rev. Dr. Laurene Bowers

Join Us as a Friend of Penn Central Conference - NEW!

Generosity - NEW!

Church Leadership Resources - NEW!

Boundary/Leadership Training

Search and Call

Church Vitality

Community Needs and Justice Issues - NEW!

Training and Resources - NEW!

Clergy News - NEW!

Church Events - NEW!

Faith Connection Stories

3 Great Loves - NEW!

Hartman Center

Previous eNews

Share Your Story

A Message from Penn Central Conference Staff

Rev. Dr. Laurene Beth Bowers, Associate Conference Minister

What I hope to be remembered for . . .

To conclude each of my ministry settings, I have preached a sermon titled, "What I hope to be remembered for" (and included, "what I hope you will forget") and so as I prepare to leave my position as the Conference Associate Minister for Congregational Life and Vitality at Penn Central Conference, I thought it most fitting to offer the following reflection.

I hope to be remembered as a facilitator on the conversation about growth. In this time in our history, it is important to answer questions like, "What is the purpose of church?" "What do we have to offer to the community?" and "What are people in the community looking for from a church?" Over the past 7 years, I have witnessed so many congregations engaging in an intentional process to answer these questions to be equipped to reach out to their communities in new and creative ways. Other congregations just wanted me to give them the "quick fix" approach to church growth and were frustrated when I gave them the long version. At the end of the day, transitioning from membership to discipleship is about spiritual transformation. Numerical church growth is never the goal but it can be an indicator that disciples are beginning to practice invitational ministry.

I was once asked by the board of directors, "How many of our churches do you think can grow?" and I answered, "All of them" (either that or I would have gone home a long time ago). I hope I will be remembered as one who could see the potential in every congregation, inspired confidence in the membership to dream big and fostered hope that the best days of mainline religion in Central Pennsylvania are before us, not behind us. I hope I will be remembered for my passion to convert seekers to Christianity and to assist Christians to put their faith into practice.

You should know that each of you has had a part in renewing my faith in Jesus and the future of his church. Thank you for your willingness to take risks, try new things and tweak ideas to work in your own cultural setting. Thank you for supporting me when I tried some new things at the conference, some which worked well, others not so well. I will remember fondly our times together at Clergy Leadership, the Ezekiel Project and the other Prophet Projects. I thank God for calling me to this position where I could reflect on how I went about spiritually and numerically growing congregations. When I first arrived here, no one had ever asked me just how I did this and it has taken me 7 years to figure it out.

I am ready to return to the parish ministry and have accepted a call as the Lead Pastor at Christ Church in Bethlehem PA. It has been an honor serve among you.

Laurene Beth Bowers

Bulletin Insert

Rev. Dr. Laurene Beth Bowers Bio

Friends of Penn Central Conference Campaign

THANK YOU for your gifts and generosity!

THANK YOU for your generosity! We are so close to our goal!!

We are currently at $9225 and over 90% of our $10,000 goal. (The campaign ends November 28.) THANK YOU!!

Please continue your efforts and help us spread the news of this campaign with your friends and congregation by using this flyer.

If you haven't already given, here are suggestions of how YOU can give:

1. Follow this link to our donation page to make a one-time or monthly recurring gift. You may also send your donation by check to the Conference Office. (Please make check payable to Penn Central Conference, noted as OCWM/Friends of Penn Central Conference in the memo line.)

2. Volunteer your time serving in Association/Penn Central Conference ministries. Sign up here.

3. Secure a matching gift from your company. You can search this database to see if your company matches - http://www.ucc.org/matching-gifts. What an easy way to double your gift!

Thank you for ALL you do for Penn Central Conference!

#PCCGivingTuesday is November 28 - NEW

On November 28, we invite you to join the movement and share in a global day of giving. #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.

Please consider sharing the story of your mission and ministry on social media on the November 28th using #PCCGivingTuesday.

For more details.

PCC and Local Churches Connect through Our Mission - NEW

Celebrating our ministry together through stories about local churches living into our mission!

Penn Central Conference

where congregations passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ.

Rev. Sterling Fritz shares the story of Bethel UCC and Redeemer's UCC (both of Gettysburg Association) and St. Mary's UCC (in Maryland) working together to share "their love of God, skills and willingness to help others" in their mission project this summer. Read about 321... Mission!

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Stephanie at srader-titzel@pccucc.org.

Generosity

OCWM and Gifts to Disaster Recovery - NEW

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!!

Thank you, Penn Central Conference, for your compassionate response to disaster relief! From August 25, 2017 to October 31, 2017, you have given:

$56,559 to disaster relief

Your generosity has overflowed into OCWM monthly giving! In October 2017, OCWM gifts of $85,923 exceeded all previous months this year (and was about a 27% increase over October 2016!) With only 2 months of the year left, we are about 82% of budget.

Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to our ministry together in Penn Central Conference!

Church Leadership Resources

Leadership Resources - NEW

Why Don't People Volunteer at Church? (Lewis Center for Church Leadership)

Teen's online church draws young people from around the world (Faith and Leadership)

Lynne Baab: Why Listening Matters for Mission and Ministry Today (Alban)

Church's New Steeple, Spire Lights Up the Sky (The Daily Item - First Reformed United Church of Christ, Sunbury)

Penn Central Conference Church Resource Offerings (a list of some of the resources available from The Conference.)

Loss Control Webinars - Please Register by November 5!

The Insurance Board is pleased to present the following upcoming Loss Control webinars, available to all participants and members.

ALICE Training (Alert - Lockdown - Inform - Center - Evacuate)

Active Shooter Response Training

Saturday, November 11, 1-4, Live Webinar at Shiloh, Danville UCC

For details and to register.

Community Needs and Justice Issues

Disaster Ministries - NEW

In Houston, the recovery has just begun. Many are still unable to re-enter their homes because of mold and those that have been able to return are in need of gutting and mucking. The UCC has teamed up with partners to make two sites ready for your assistance with preparing houses for the long-term task of rebuilding - "muck and gut" is needed now.

The newest site has you serving through the United Church of Christ, International Orthodox Christian Charities and Nechama-Jewish Recovery services. The UCC has partnered with the second Houston site, Fuller Center Disaster Rebuilders, in several places around the country and globe. Information and Registration.

In Florida, the winds of Hurricane Irma (2017) and of Hurricane Matthew (2016) created havoc for Volusia County (Daytona area). Skilled roofers and other volunteers are needed as soon as possible to help people get back in their homes. Rebuilding is already in full swing. Information and Registration

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NEW NATIONAL OPENING - Program Associate, National Disaster and Refugee Ministries

Creation Justice Survey - Response Requested

Creation Justice is working to collect information on our churches. Please fill out this short survey.

Boundary/Leadership Training

Retired Boundary Training

"Healthy Practices in the Third-Third: Boundary Awareness in Retirement"

November 16 at St. John's in Lewisburg

9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

This training will count toward your association's Boundary Training requirement.

Come explore topics around vocation and identity as well as look at some of the logistics of leaving well and in some cases becoming a member instead of the pastor. With much of the expertise already in the room, we anticipate lively discussion of life in real-world retirement and how we navigate the blessings and challenges of this time in our lives.

Search and Call

Search and Call Event

Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 2-5PM

St. Thomas UCC, 6490 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg

For leaders in PCC congregations, this is an opportunity to explore current versions of both the Minister's Profile and the Local Church Profile.

Hear from a panel of leaders who have recently worked on a Local Church Profile and completed a Search Process.

Learn from ministers who have recently been in the Search process about what they experienced.

Engage with one another in conversations about Search and Call.

Please register for this event with Janice Mountain at jmountain@pccucc.org by November 1^st.

Search and Call News

Sabbatical Planning? Pastor preparing for sabbatical?

We have resources for you. Please c ontact Betsy for additional details.

Church Vitality

Would You Like a Mystery Visitor to Come to Your Church?

The conference has trained 12 Mystery Visitors who are willing to visit your church on Sunday morning and give you a detailed report. Pastors can request a visitor (and they are the only ones allowed to do so) and they will receive the report to do with it as they see fit.

These visitors will assess the website, curb appeal and hospitality (as well as the coffee!). They will not be evaluating the pastor or the service itself. While most of the mystery visitors are churched, we also have a few seekers. To request a mystery visitor, contact Laurene Bowers LBowers@pccucc.org

Events, Training and Resources Available

UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS

Communities of Practice Group - November 2; A - 10:00 - 12:00 and Group B 12:00 - 2:00, CC- West

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CANCELLED - Clergy Leadership (Saturday Session) - November 4 - CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION

Partners In Peace - November 4, 9:30 - 12:00 (CC - East Conf Room)

Lancaster Association Fall Meeting - November 5, St Luke's, Lititz

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Central Association Town Hall - November 5, St. John's Lewisburg, 2:30

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Retired Clergy Lunch (Lan/York/Getty) - November 8, 11:30 - 1:30, Mt. Zion, York

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CPONA Meeting - November 8, 2-4, CC - East Conf Room

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DR&R Mission Central Meeting - November 10, Mission Central, Mechanicsburg, 10 AM

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Advancing Healthy Ministry, Boundary Bites - November 11, 9:30 - 12

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Search and Call Event - November 12, St. Thomas, Harrisburg, 2-5

Mercersburg Association Meeting - November 12, Apostles, Waynesboro - 3:00 - 5:00

York Association Meeting - November 12, Salem Dover, 2:00

Mercersburg Fall Meeting - November 12, Apostles, Waynesboro, 3-5

Clergy Convocation Planning Meeting - November 14, CC - West

Green Justice Team - November 14, CC - East , 10:00 -12:00

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Transitional Ministry Gathering - November 15, CC - Cafeteria, 10:00 -12:00

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Retired Clergy Boundary Training - November 16, St. John's Lewisburg, 9:30 - 12:00

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Women's Retreat - November 17-19, Hartman Center

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Youth Retreat - November 17-19, Hartman Center

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Commission on Ministry - November 20, CC - East, 9:30-11:30

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Hartman Center Committee of the Board of Directors - November 20, Penn Central Conference Center, 6:00 - 8:00

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Penn Central Conference Office Closed - November 23 and 24

UEK Partnership - November 28, CC - East, 9:30 - 11:30

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Clergy Leadership - November 29, Colonial Park UCC, 1-4

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Pastor's Breakfast and Worship - November 30, Shiloh UCC, Danville, 9:30 - 11:30

Penn Central Conference Christmas Open House and Litany of Farewell for Rev. Dr. Laurene Bowers - December 9 at PCC Conference Office, 11:00 - 2:00 (Litany of Farewell at 1:00 PM)

Penn Central Conference Office Closed - December 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Penn Central Conference Office Closed - January 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Click to see our Web site for more details.

Association Links

STAY CONNECTED TO PCC ASSOCIATIONS:

Central Association Facebook

Gettysburg Association Facebook

Harrisburg Association Facebook

Harrisburg Association Web Page

Lancaster Association Facebook

Lebanon Association Web Site

Mercersburg Association Web Page

York Association Facebook

York Association Web Page

Events, Training and More... NEW

Preaching in a Digital World

Neighboring Well: Living Like Jesus in Your Community

Christmas: It's the Most Busy Time of the Year

Hope Reborn: An Advent Experience

and more

Join Our List

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Penn Central Conference Christmas Open House - NEW

Christmas Open House

Saturday, December 9 from 11:00 - 2:00

Please join us for fellowship, Christmas caroling, music, crafts for kids, fun and even a little shopping

as we say farewell to Rev. Dr. Laurene Beth Bowers.

(Litany of Farewell for Laurene at 1:00)

2018 - SAVE THE DATE!

Clergy Convocation - January 30 - February 1, 2018

Doubletree by Hilton - Willow Valley, Lancaster PA

Hartman Center Golf Outing - May 12, 2018 - Fairview Golf Course in Quentin, PA

2018 Penn Central Annual Meeting - June 8 and 9, 2018

Susquehanna University

National 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

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Please check out the SAVE THE DATE Section Under Hartman Center too!

Church News

Now Hiring: Minister of Music

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Saint Paul's UCC in West Milton seeks a part-time Director of Music
First Reformed Church United Church of Christ in Sunbury seeks part-time Director of Music.
Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata is seeking a part-time Director of Music.
Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Lancaster Twp is seeking to hire a Director of Music and an Organist.
Starview United Church of Christ in Mount Wolf is looking for a part-time Director of Music.

For details.

Advent Resources

Jesse and Natalie Turri, artists, and Rev. Dr. Christopher Rodkey, devotions and prayers

Experience the stories of the liturgical seasons in a vibrant new way this year! Coloring Advent features a new illustration and scripture reflection each day of the season to lead you deeper into the stories you've known your whole life. Make Coloring Advent part of your journey to Bethlehem!

Bulletin Inserts and Coloring Pages and To order.

UCC Advent Resources

Association Events

CENTRAL:

The Central Association will host their Town Hall on November 5, 2017. Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith will review Penn Central Conference's Strategic (Missional) Plan. For details.

LANCASTER:

Lancaster Association Fall Meeting - November 5 at 3:00 at St. Luke's, Lititz. The focus will be on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.

MERCERSBURG:

The Mercersburg Association Fall Meeting is November 12 at Church of the Apostles in Waynesboro. Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith will review Penn Central Conference's Strategic (Missional) Plan. For details.

YORK:

Dover United Church of Christ invites you to an evening of music with Buddy King and Diane Susek on Friday, October 27. The concert (and accompanying silent auction) benefits the upcoming partnership 2018 People-to-People Pilgrimage to Kenya. The concert begins at 7:00pm. The doors open 6 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5 for the concert. Silent auction items include pottery, jewelry and original artwork. The event will take place at Dover UCC, 45 W. Canal Street, Dover, PA 17315. Refreshments included. For details.

On November 12, Starview UCC in Mt. Wolf will host an opioid epidemic seminar from 12 - 2. For details.

The York Association will host Mr. Mark Lutz, the author of UnPoverty, at their Annual Meeting November 12. In preparation for his visit, Community Outreach members have prepared a study guide for you and your congregations to use as you read this book. Currently the Association has 30 copies of this book you can borrow. As you make your plans for summer and fall, please contact Rev. Cathy Sherry (CathyLHS19@comcast.net) to reserve copies for use at your church.

Clergy News

November

November 19: Brian Percy Ecclesiastical Council at Faith, York - 3:00 PM

November 19: Melissa Burkhart Ordination at St. Paul's, Manheim - 3:00 PM

November 19: Dan Schmidt Installation at St. Thomas, Linglestown - 3:00 PM

November 19: Amelia Price Ordination at Emmanuel, Penns Creek - 2:30 PM

Register Today for the Pastor's Breakfast and Worship, November 30 at Shiloh, UCC in Danville from 9:30 - 12:00. (9:30 - Coffee, 10:00 - Breakfast, 10:45 - Worship)

3 Great Loves

3 Great Loves - NEW

We have seen some great 3 Great Loves stories! Thank you for your commitment to Love of Neighbor, Love of Children and Love of Creation.

There are new 3 Great Loves resources (buttons, shirts and banners) available on the UCC Web site.

You should have received a "50 Ways to Love Your Neighbor" poster via mail at your church. (If you didn't, please reach out to Stephanie at srader-titzel@pccucc.org.) This poster is two-sided with ways to connect as well as additional details about the storytelling campaign. Please also use the following when promoting 3GL in social media - #3GreatLoves #3GLNeighbor #3GLChildren #3GLCreation #UCC #PCCUCC

Download 3 Great Loves Toolkit to review and use the resources the UCC has created for your congregation. Make your community ministry - that uses love to light the way to a more just world for all - more visible and meaningful.

Please continue to share your stories with us! We love seeing Penn Central Conference congregations connected, engaged and transformed through Christ's love!

Hartman Center

Hartman Center News and Resources

Hartman Center Wish List

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Save the Date for Upcoming Hartman Center Events:

Women's Retreat - November 17-19, 2017 flyer and registration
Youth Retreat - November 17-19, 2017 flyer and registration
Confirmation Retreat - March 16-18. 2018
Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, 2018

More details on the Hartman Center Web site!

Thank you for your continued support!

Faith 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.