Weekly Update - November 28, 2018
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

A Message from Rev.Patty Dodds - NEW!

Resources 

Calendar  - NEW!

Events and Training - NEW!

Generosity - NEW

Clergy News - NEW!

Prayers and Devotions - NEW!

Hartman Center - NEW!
Open Positions - NEW!
OtherResolutionNews from Penn Central Conference
A Message from Rev. Patty Dodds - NEW
 At Hartman Center summer camp we sing a song called "No Longer Strangers." The final line is "No longer strangers, we're sisters, brothers, friends." I think that this is one of the most important aspects of the camp experience. In this ministry, we strive for loving acceptance of each individual. Earlier this month, youth gathered for their annual retreat and numerous joyful re-connections were made from summer camp attendees. One young person remarked that people can grow very close in a short time when they are in the camp atmosphere - a safe place away from other distractions.
The Hartman Center Advisory Council (HCAC) has identified three goals for our campers and retreatants:
  • Experience God in Creation
  • Know the joy of Christian Community
  • Connect to God's Spirit
Along with the Summer Staff, volunteers, and the HCAC, I strive to make this a reality. YOU are also a huge part of making this reality for young persons and adults who come to Hartman Center. Our expenses are not fully covered by registration fees so your donations and support of our Fundraisers are important; as are your gifts to Our Church's Wider Mission. Hartman Center is OUR CAMP and the support of the Penn Central Conference has been great!  
Join us this spring for any of these events:
  • March 15 -17              Confirmation Retreat
  • May 2 - 5                    Work Days (come for 1 day or more)
  • May 17-19                  Elementary Retreat
Contact me for more information on any of these events or check our Web site.
 
Finally, please consider ways you might use our facilities for your home church, a reunion, or another group of which you may be a member.  
Thanks again!
 
Peace and blessings,
Patty
 
Hartman Center Stone House
This house was built in the 1830s, survived an 1880s fire and has a wonderfully rich history.
Many of you may be wondering what has happened to the Stone House at Hartman Center since the January 2018 water damage. The good news is the Stone House has had all the damaged walls and contents removed and the insurance claim monies have been received. 
At the PCC Board meeting in October, a decision was made to leave the Stone House as is and form a Historical Preseveration Committee.  It will the this committee's responsibility to find a way to historically preserve the Stone House by obtaining grants and other funding sources to preserve the house for future generations.
How can you help maintain and preserve this 1830s Stone House?
If you are interested in serving on a Historical Preservation committee or know of someone who has an interest in Historical Preservation and would like to help, please contact the Conference Office at 717-652-1560.  Thank you.
ResourcesResource Links
 
CalendarofEventsCalendar of Events
 
 
 
 
 
Penn Central Conference Offices will be closed from December 22 - January 1.
Merry Christmas!
        
Upcoming Events
 
Mid-Winter Clergy Sabbath (formerly Clergy Convocation) - January 22 - 24, 2019
 
Spring Confirmation Retreat - March 17-19  --  please contact Patty if your church is interested in participating.
 
Hartman Center Work Weekend - May 2-5
 
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 $6,270.
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! 
ClergyWebsiteClergy News
Clergy Advent Sojourn - NEW
  • Thank you to the clergy that attended today's Clergy Advent Sojourn. 
  • Special thanks to Scott Siciliano and Patty Dodds for inspiring worship, Wendy Hepler for a yummy breakfast and our workshop presenters who brought us Peace (Rachel and Chris Schwab), Hope (Scott Watts), Love (Cindy Garis) and Joy (Sue D'heedene.)
     
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    		•
     Advent Bulletin Inserts
    • Advent bulletin inserts focusing on the 3 Great Loves for Advent are now available.

    Please share how you and your congregation celebrate Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love this Advent Season; use #3greatloves on social media.
     

    Jerusalem Tables - NEW
     
    In a moment of great change and growth in the early church, Paul and Barnabus went up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem with their testimonies. In Acts 15:7b-9, 12a Paul addressed this body, "Siblings, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.  8  God, who knows the heart, showed acceptance of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as it was given to us.  9  God did not discriminate between us and them, for their hearts were purified by faith." The whole assembly became silent as they listened.
     
    The Council at Jerusalem reminds us that from its e arliest roots the Church had challenging conversations about the Church . Now is time for another Jerusalem conversation.

    In Apostolic tradition, let us gather for discussion about BE- ing the Church in the world today.

    Thursday, February 7, 2019
    12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM
    (Please bring a b rown bag lunch)
     
    Clergy Sabbath: January 22 - 24
      
    Please register by January 9, 2019!
    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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    To Register - If you need to register and pay by check, please call the Conference Office.
    Ministerial Excellence Forums, Spring 2019


    Please join us on the following dates from 1:00 - 4:00 at St. Thomas United Church of Christ.
      
    March 7 - Dr. Greg Carey, Pastoring Everyone in Divisive Times
    April 11 - Rev. Jes Kast and Rev. Megan Malick, Back at the Table
    May 9 - Rev. Dr. Carolyne M. Call, Emotional Intelligence
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    Light refreshments will be served.
     
     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
    		•
    ChurchEventCommunityandJusticeChurch Events
    Annual Meeting 2019
    Save the Date: June 7-8, 2019
    Theme: Renaissance Ministry: BE-ing the Church Today!
    Verse: Ezekiel 37: 4-6
     
    We invite members of the Penn Central Conference who are called or inspired to create a logo to be used at our Annual Meeting.  Please consider our verse and theme and then submit your logo to Stephanie by February 1, 2019. The PCC Annual Meeting committees will vote and winner will be notified by February 14, 2019.  For details
    General Synod 32, Milwaukee
    SAVE THE DATE
    June 21st - 25th 2019
     
    New Synod Web Site
     
    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 prayers.
     
    • Zion UCC, York
    • Saint Jacob's UCC, York

     
    HCOpen Positions
     
    Trinity UCC @ State Line, PA is actively looking for an organist/pianist to cover weekly 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship services.  Email  [email protected] or call 717-597-0585.

    Zion UCC Arendtsville and the Cashtown/McKnightstown Charge participate in an ecumenical partnership called Upper Adams Christians Together (UACT). This partnership is seeking  a part-time Youth Coordinator.  UACT is a collection of 8 congregations (Lutheran & UCC) in Adams County.  Responsibilities include administration, teaching, and future planning.  Job description is available on request.  Contact Pastor Dennis Probst at [email protected], or Pastor Kim Blocher at [email protected] for more information.

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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