Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

In Genesis 12 we read about how God called Abram to "the land I will show you." Reading on we learn that Abram "went as the Lord told him." It is in this chapter that we learn about a blessing for Abram's offspring and a famine, a lie and grace.

I admire this type of faith that responds without knowing all the details. I often try to work things through in my head ten different ways before I can move with any certainty toward God's directive. I am so glad that 2 and a half years ago I threw caution to the wind and just started walking toward Negev (aka Penn Central Conference). Serving here has certainly been a blessing in my life and the ministry that God has called me to in this time.

Your support of OCWM and the Friends Campaign allow me to do this ministry to which I am called and feel so passionately about. Please consider a Friend Campaign donation to support the ministries of the Penn Central Conference, it can let us know that these and other programs are meaningful and informative in your lives and ministries.

Many of you know that I am a teacher at heart and bringing new life to Boundary Training in ways that hopefully inform and inspire healthy ministry for our clergy has been truly meaningful work for me. Congregational Boundary awareness has been a little more elusive, but I am excited to announce a Vlog to begin in January as new church consistories and councils are beginning their work. Pastors and Consistory chairs are invited to share these 5-minute or less videos each month and lead a 2-3 question driven conversation on topics like Behavioral Covenants, Counting Money, Pastoral Power and many others. Morsels of Excellence: 5-minute Meeting Starters will be available on the Penn Central website under Lifelong Learning beginning in late December.

The Clergy Communities of Practice that move in fits and starts are beginning to gain small footholds in a few places. If you are looking to enroll in a Community, let me know. I am hopeful that a new round of these groups will begin soon. I am currently recruiting facilitators.

The Ministerial Education Forums have taken on new life! With 30 clergy in September and almost 40 at the October MEF, it is clear that these relevant topics are claiming time in busy lives of ministering. Next week, clergy and lay are gathered at St. Thomas UCC in Harrisburg learning about MissionInsite and how this demographic tool can help inspire and drive outreach ministries in their churches. Spring dates to look forward to include: March 7, April 11 and May 9.

This past summer I attended the Eastern Regional Youth Event and had an incredible time with so many youth from churches all over the northeast. There were 30 minutes of worship preparation that have stuck with me in life-giving ways and I am thrilled to be able to offer a similar experience to our clergy and music directors on January 8^th from 9-1:30 as we gather with Rev. Dr. Catherine Williams of Lancaster Theological Seminary for Extraordinary Lenten Worship: A Collaborative Planning Experience. (Additional details and registration will follow.)

I am excited about the new Manual on Ministry that informs the work (and ministry) of each Association's Committees on Ministry. I know that it is calling for a number of changes in the ways that we are and think about church, but this is not the same church that it was in the 60s or 80s. We are called to live into a new century of church leadership that is being equipped to lead new generations of disciples. All of us need each other and God's love in a world that is filling so quickly with hate and vitriol. Continuing to move with the times and following God's call into the land we don't yet see is vital to growing the kin-dom of God!

May the ministries to which each of you are called bless you as much as this calling has blessed me!

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Phoebe Messenger

Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry

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Lancaster Theological Seminary

UCCR

Calendar of Events

Link to Our Web Site Calendar

Printable Calendar - NEW!

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

Generosity

Friends of Penn Central Conference - NEW

Many thanks, Penn Central Conference, for your generosity!

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So far, we have raised $5,120 (over 30% of our goal).

Thank you for your gifts!

Here are 5 suggestions for ways YOU can give:

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, adding OCWM/Friends of Penn Central Conference in the memo line.)
Volunteer your time serving in Association/Penn Central Conference ministries. Sign up here.
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!
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!

Events and Training

PCC Events

These fall events are offered for FREE thanks to your OCWM gifts.

Click on the blue links to register today!

NOVEMBER

November 14 - MEF: X. Peter Wernett, Sr. Vice President, MissionInsite for Lay and Clergy (St. Thomas, Harrisburg) - FREE

November 28 - Clergy Advent Sojourn for Clergy (PCC Conference Office) - FREE

November 28 - Clergy Advent Sojourn Workshops - PEACE, LOVE, HOPE, JOY (please register for one along with the Clergy Advent Sojourn)

Association Gatherings

York Association - Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 1:30 PM at at Faith United Church of Christ 509 Pacific Ave., York, PA 17404

SAVE THE DATE: 2019 - NEW

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

Church Events

Veterans Day Dinner - NEW

November 10, 2019

5:00 PM

St. Paul's United Church of Christ

50 North Main Street, P. O. Box 129

Manheim, PA 17545

For additional details, please see news release.

Ten Days for Peace

38 ^th Annual Ten Days for Peace Celebration

Sunday, November 11, 2018

4:00 pm

Held at: St. Paul's UCC, Sacramento

Flyer

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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Flyer and Registration Form

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.

Flyer

Annual Meeting 2019 - NEW

Save the Date: June 6-7, 2019

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

Verse: Ezekiel 37: 4-6

Logo Contest - Please submit all entries by February 1, 2019!

For details

General Synod 32, Milwaukee

SAVE THE DATE

Community and Justice Issues

Creation Justice - NEW

You can access the video for the Coal Ash webinar by clicking on this link. Creation Justice's next webinar will be on November 12^th, and it will feature three guests who will help us unpack the election results and what it will mean in terms of legislative possibilities moving forward. You can sign-up for that webinar here.

The next Creation Justice Meeting is at 10:00 AM November 13 at the Conference Office. Anyone interested in Creation Justice is welcome to attend (either in person or via ZOOM.) Please call the Conference Office to get the ZOOM number.

DR&R - NEW

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

Clergy 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.

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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Flyer - Agenda - Speaker Bios

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To Register

Registration for LTS Students (Wednesday only)

November - December

November 11 - Beth Firme Ecclesiastical Council at Faith York UCC - 2:00 PM

December 2 - Nilda Roman Ordination at Wisdom's Table - 3:00 PM

December 2 - DiAnn Baxley Ordination at Dreisbach, Lewisburg - 3:00 PM

December 16 - Laura Ramsey Ordination at Christ, Elizabethtown - 3:00 PM

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.

Willow Street UCC, Willow Street
St. John's Union (Dry Valley) UCC
Emmanuel UCC, York
Faith UCC, York

Hartman Center

Upcoming events:

Women's Retreat - November 16-18

Middle and High School Retreat (grades 7-12) - November 16 - 18

If you're attending a retreat: Registration Form and Permission SlipThis is the form you send to us one week prior to your participation in a retreat. Medical Form This is the form you send to us one week prior to your participation in a retreat. We must have this form for all participants.

And in 2019...

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!

3 Great Loves

3 Great Loves Extended through Synod 2021

3 Great Loves will be continuing through Synod 2021! Please continue to share your stories of Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation and Love of Children with Stephanie. (We love sharing stories of our churches.)

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There is also a new Web site for 3 Great Loves - be sure to check it out and post your story!