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

A Message from Stephanie Rader-Titzel - NEW!

Resources 

Calendar  - NEW!

Events and Training 

Generosity - NEW

Community and Justice Issues 

Clergy News - NEW!

Prayers and Devotions - NEW!
OtherResolutionNews from Penn Central Conference
A Message from Stephanie Rader-Titzel - NEW
As we approach Thanksgiving, I have spent November celebrating the countless blessings in my life. I count Penn Central Conference, my coworkers, our pastors, our churches and members near the top of that list.
This year has almost been a blur (a very good blur!). I have seen amazing work by our Associations and churches and I feel so inspired by the abundant generosity here - the volunteerism, the gifts of time and talent and the financial gifts. Thank you!
At the Conference, we kicked off two new workshops around generosity. The first was geared toward reflecting upon the changes in generosity and how to establish planned giving in your church. The second focused on narrative budgets and tying mission and ministry into money.
As we move into 2019, we will have even more opportunities to explore generosity. I challenge all of us to make generosity OUR culture for 2109. You can start by looking at your church and answering a few questions like:
  • Who are we?
  • What are we about?
  • What do we want to do? 
From there, identify whether you are a Pay-the-Bills congregation or a Share-the-Vision congregation.
If you recognize yourself more in Pay-the-Bills, you may want to move your congregation toward a Share-the-Vision model. Here are a few best practices to consider. (These are from the United Church of Canada's study and what they consider keys to fiscal success. Churches that embraced these best practices saw an 82% increase in per capita giving over 6 years.)
As always, I am happy to come to your church to help you further these strategies.  Please don't hesitate to reach out.  In the meantime, please continue sharing your work with me so we can highlight our successes here within Penn Central Conference and throughout the denomination through 3 Great Loves. I hope that you will also consider a gift to the Conference's "Friends of Penn Central Conference" campaign for OCWM to help us further our mission for 2019.
We have great programs planned for 2019 (some of which you have seen hinted at in our staff letters) and we are looking forward to a great year. Thank you for sharing your gifts and inspiring me!
In Christ,
Stephanie 
 
 
ResourcesResource Links
 
CalendarofEventsCalendar of Events
 
        
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
 
Mid-Winter Clergy Sabbath (formerly Clergy Convocation) - January 22 - 24, 2019

Annual Meeting - June 7-8, 2019, Susquehanna University

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
EventsandTrainingGenerosity
 Friends of Penn Central Conference - NEW
Many thanks, Penn Central Conference, for your generosity!
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So far, we have raised just under $6,000.
Thank you for your gifts!

Here are 5 suggestions for ways YOU can give:  
  1. Follow this link to our donation page to make a one-time or monthly recurring gift.
  2. You may also send your donation by check to the Conference Office. (Please make check payable to Penn Central Conference, adding OCWM/Friends of Penn Central Conference in the memo line.)
  3. Volunteer your time serving in Association/Penn Central Conference ministries. Sign up here.
  4. Secure a matching gift from your company. You can search this database to see if your company matches - What an easy way to double your gift!
  5. Invite others to give to OCWM - if you have creative ideas, we would love hear them!
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Your generosity supports the important work we do with our local churches, Associations and the wider church.  This enables us to invest in the programs, resources and tools needed to help our congregations flourish.
 
THANK YOU! 
OCWM through October - NEW
Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to our ministry together in Penn Central Conference!

October OCWM 2017 gifts totaled $70,071 , about a 20% decrease from October 2017 (October 2017 OCWM was $85,923.).  We are currently tracking at 94% of 2017 but OCWM giving (YTD) is only 75% of the budgeted goal through October.
 
 
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS! 
EventsandTrainingEvents and Training
SAVE THE DATE: 2019


March 7 - April 11 - May 9
Details and registration will follow.
All forums will be held at St. Thomas UCC - 6490 Linglestown Road - Harrisburg, PA
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Light refreshments will be served.
 
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Pastors and Music Directors, Please plan on joining us for EXTRAORDINARY LENTEN WORSHIP:
A Collaborative Planning Experience.  This is a mini retreat to plan the thematic flow for Lenten worships at your church with Rev. Dr. Catherine Williams.
January 8, 2019
 
Registration for 2019 events will be coming soon!
Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work
Dr. Jeff Hamilton is a leader in the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work program from the Gottman Institute.  Here is his Training Schedule
ChurchEventCommunityandJusticeChurch Events
St. John's UCC (Shamokin) Craft Fair
Craft Fair
Saturday, November 17
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Fellowship Hall
Hand craft items, various vendors and food!
St. John's UCC
117 N Eighth Street - Shamokin, PA
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Trinity UCC, Waynesboro Celebrates Its 200th Anniversary 
Trinity UCC, Waynesboro will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in November with a variety of events.

On Saturday, November 17th, they will be hosting a concert by Essence of Joy Alumni Singers at 7:00 PM.   See poster for details. The Essence of Joy Alumni Singers are from Penn State University under the direction of Dr. Anthony T. Leach and they will perform sacred and secular music from the African and African-American choral traditions. 
  
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On Sunday morning, November 18th at the 10:45 worship service, Rev. John C Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, will deliver the message for the morning and communion will be celebrated. All are welcome to join us.
Trinity UCC - 30 W North Street - Waynesboro, PA
 
Lucie Blue Tremblay Concert
Dover UCC celebrates our 4th anniversary of becoming an Open and Affirming Church on November 18.  At 3 pm on November 18, we will sponsor a concert held at Heidelberg UCC, 47 W. Philadelphia St, York by Lucie Blue Tremblay. 
 
Lucie Blue is an amazing singer/songwriter from Canada.  She has been writing, recording, and performing since 1982.  Her music carries a global message of honor, strength, tolerance and peace.  As a member of the LGBTQI community, she approaches songwriting with love and truth as she honors women's music from her core.  Her music goes straight to the heart and soul ofher listeners.  Her trademark whistle delights and wows her audience.  She has just released her latest CD, Counting My Blessings.  CD's will be available at the concert.  Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.

You may call Dover UCC at 717-292-3743 or email [email protected] for more information.
 
Annual Meeting 2019 - NEW
Save the Date: June 7-8, 2019

Theme: Renaissance Ministry: BE-ing the Church Today!

Verse: Ezekiel 37: 4-6
 
Logo Contest - Please submit all entries by February 1, 2019!
 
General Synod 32, Milwaukee
SAVE THE DATE
June 21st - 25th 2019
 
New Synod Web Site
 
CommJust Community and Justice Issues
DR&R
Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Mt. Zion UCC, Cleveland, Ohio
 
The Mattens with 8 of 12 of their Global Ministries travel mates to Ghana, Africa in September/October 2018
 
ClergyWebsiteClergy News
Rev. John Dorhauer at Mercersburg Association Ministerium November 19
Rev. John Dorhauer will be attending Mercersburg Association ministerium on November 19th.  This event is open to the all clergy in the Conference.
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St. Paul's UCC, Mechanicsburg
626 Williams Grove Road - Mechanicsburg, PA
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Monday, November 19
10:00 (gathering at 9:30 for coffee and fellowship)

Please RSVP to Terry at 717-766-7931 or [email protected]
 Clergy Advent Sojourn
  • Clergy are invited to come to the Penn Central Conference Office on November 28, 2018 from 9:30 AM - 12:00 Noon to enjoy breakfast, worship and workshops themed around advent.  To Register for the event.  Please also register for a workshop - PEACE, LOVE, HOPE, JOY. 
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    Mid-Winter Clergy Sabbath
    Building Sacred Relationships in a Time of Conflict and Fear
    January 22 - 24, 2019
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    Please join us at a new location this year!  Sheraton Hotel, Harrisburg - 4650 Lindle Road - Harrisburg, PA
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     December
     
  • December 2 - Nilda Roman Ordination at Wisdom's Table - 3:00 PM
  • December 2 - DiAnn Baxley Ordination at Dreisbach, Lewisburg - 3:00 PM
  • December 9 - Beth Firme Ordination at Faith, York - 3:00 PM
  • December 16 - Laura Ramsey Ordination at Christ, Elizabethtown - 3:00 PM
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    Prayers1Prayers 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.
    • Grace Reformed Church, York
    • Hayshire UCC, York
    • Heidelberg UCC, York
    • Locust Grove UCC, York
    HCHartman Center
     
     
    Spring Confirmation Retreat - March 15-17  --  please contact Patty if your church is interested in participating.
     
    May 7-9, 2019 Hartman Center Work Weekend!
    ---Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, 2018
    More details on the  Hartman Center Web site!
      
     
    Thank you for your continued support!
     
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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