Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

As we begin to share some information from our Associations, we hope that you will feel the strength of community as well as witness some great ministry and mission at work.

Penn Central Conference - Connected - Engaged - Transformed

Connections Between Children of God

-Rev. Chris Schwab

We are created in this world to be socially interactive, to be able to connect and communicate (listening and talking) with the people around us. God calls us into the world, to be present and participate in community and through relationships in and around the rest of the world. It is my belief that while this is a common understanding for people, and we understand the impetus placed before us, that sometimes we still fall short when it comes to making connections. Life gets busy, things occur in our lives that cause us to forget to stretch out ourselves, to be in communion and relationship with people around us.

Each of the Associations within the Penn Central Conference has its own unique shape and experience. I think that one of the distinctive markers of The Mercersburg association is it covers an extended geographic area. It is not uncommon for people to travel at least a couple of hours to reach a designated location. Certainly, we are not the only Association with this feature, but between the topographic landscape and the road alignments, travel can add to the experience of driving through an Association filled with a rich assortment of cultures and faith communities. The people of this Association are faithful in attending meetings and worshipping in their respective locations. One of the challenges or concerns that has been identified has been the growing edge of making better connections. So, after some reflection on the issue being identified, some potential plans were identified as ways to bring people closer

Here are a couple of things that are being attempted in the Mercersburg Association to address the potential shortfall of connections we face:

The first is that we have formed sub clusters within the associations defined county lines (geographic regions). While we have regularly schedule meetings for clergy to gather, it also seemed prudent to arrange for smaller groups of people to meet in order that people might feel more supported and better linked.
A second plan is to have churches partner together to engage in specific activities. Whether it is a pulpit exchange, a gathering of churches to look at a specific topic, or a collection of churches engaging in a service project, all of these efforts can lead to new and strengthened affiliations.

We continue to live and grow from these attempts and efforts.

There is always work to be done in this world that God has created for us. Taking steps that will build up the Realm of God is something we all need. Along with the usual expected objectives of worship, prayer, mission and outreach, we need to be relating with one another in loving and constructive ways.

May we do our part to build up our respective communities, this day and all days.

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Links to Our Partners

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!

Widening the Welcome (Disability Ministries) - November 1-3, 2018, Niagara Falls, NY

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

Events and Training

PCC Events

These fall events are offered at Free or nominal charges thanks to your OCWM gifts.

Click on the blue links to register today!

OCTOBER

October 17 - MEF: Scott Watts, Facilitator of Care to Clergy and Clergy Families, Self- Differentiation in your Ministry,Clergy ONLY (St. Thomas, Harrisburg) - FREE

NOVEMBER

November 12 - Boundary Training - Educating Educator's (Trinity, Dalmatia) - $10

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)

October 30 Webinar with Pastor Tim Hogan-Palazzo - NEW

When Pastor Tim Hogan-Palazzo arrived at West Milton two years ago, average church attendance was 20. It's currently 82 and the surprising thing is the socio-economic and political diversity of the congregation. Tim will be sharing some of the innovative things he's done toward "being the church" and growing his congregation.

Join the Webinar

Association Gatherings - NEW

Central Association - Saturday, November 3, 2018 from 10 AM-12 Noon at Trinity United Church of Christ (570-538-1070) - 602 Main St, Watsontown, PA 17777

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

Links for Fall Events

Fall Conference Events and Hartman Center Fall Events

Church Events

Trinity UCC, Waynesboro Celebrates Its 200th Anniversary - NEW

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

St. John's UCC (Shamokin) Craft Fair - NEW

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

2018 CROP Walks

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Lancaster CROP Walk

Hanover CROP Walk

Generosity

It's Stewardship Season- NEW

How do we in our organizations lay a solid foundation around our stewardship practices while also being willing to challenge ourselves and those entrusted to our care to expand our imaginations? That's the challenging work to which I believe we are called. So this fall and into next year, I challenge you to try something new: ask members to increase their giving, take a portion of your budget to give away to another ministry, let donors young and old tell their story. But by all means, let's expand our stewardship imaginations and take a risk because it's stewardship season! Read more in It's Stewardship Season. Take a Risk!

Community and Justice Issues

DR&R Visits Ghana - NEW

Ellen and William Matten, delegation members from St. John's UCC in Boalsburg, signed up because they realized how important knowledge of the wider church is to local church members.

"We came on the trip because we must," said William Matten. "We have discovered that it is important that we reach out to our fellow man so that we might learn who we are; so that we might better understand the world that we live in."

Ellen Matten concurs. "Our prayers are for understanding what we don't understand, and to be an example for our children, grands and church family - and to share what we have experienced with them."

Creation Justice - NEW

Sign-up to receive monthly notices about upcoming webinars that feature speakers who will assist churches in learning about best practices for ministries related to caring for God's creation. Each webinar will have a focus pertaining to one of the four areas of discernment for Creation Justice Churches: theology and worship, institutional life and practice, circles of awareness and advocacy, and connections to a broader movement. Participation in the Creation Justice Churches program is not required to join a webinar.

Creation Justice Webinar Series

UCC's Date with Nature Photo contest : Submissions are to capture one's love of God's creation. Pick out your favorite and be prepared to share about it as a possible source of inspiration, renewal, or reflection in our climate ministry.

Clergy News

Rev. John Dorhauer at Mercersburg Association Ministerium November 19 - NEW

Rev. John Dorhauer will be attending Mercersburg Association ministerium on November 19th. This event is open to the entire 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)

Central Association: Appreciation Breakfast

All Central Association clergy and members of ministry in our communities are invited to a Clergy Appreciation Breakfast on October 25, 2018 at 9 a.m. on the campus of Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, Lewisburg, PA. The breakfast will be an informal time of food and fellowship amongst local clergy and members of ministry. It will provide everyone with an opportunity to connect with other workers of the harvest. For details...

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.

SAVE THE DATE - Clergy Sabbath

October - November - NEW

October 14 - Rev. Sue D'heedene Installation at Heidelberg, York - 3:00 PM

October 14 - Pastor DiAnn Baxley Ecclesiastical Council at Dreisbach UCC - 3:00 PM

October 21 - Rev. Dr. Fred Young Installation at Trinity, Gettysburg - 3:00 PM

October 21 - Rev. Amelia Price Installation at St. Paul's Verdilla - 3:00 PM

November 3 - Scott Scilliano Ecclesiastical Council at Colonial Park UCC - 10:00 PM

November 14 - Beth Firme Ecclesiastical Council at Faith York UCC - 2:00 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.

Faith UCC, State College
Trinity UCC, State Line
1st Reformed UCC, Sunbury
Peace UCC, Swartzville

Hartman Center

HARTMAN CENTER FALL FEST - This Weekend!

Hartman Center Fall Fest - October 13 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Poster

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!

Job Announcements

Salem UCC, Harrisburg - NEW

Salem UCC, Harrisburg is look for a church secretary. For details.