Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

We are asking for your help once again for a special Support of the Friends Campaign with a goal of raising $15,000 in additional OCWM funds. Last year, the goal was to raise $10,000 and we exceeded that goal by our giving of $14,300! Thanks to everyone that helped us do that. The Board of Directors will be meeting on October 20, and will launch their giving efforts at that time. It is my personal intention to give generously and I am asking you to join me in giving whatever you are able for your contribution to OCWM.

Penn Central Conference has blessed me and my ministry in many ways over the years that I have served here, both as a lay person before I went to seminary, and since then in providing the personnel support, committee involvement, and workshop opportunities that have enhanced my learning and participation at many levels of conference work.

Several years ago, we did an extensive self-study Conference-wide and out of that came some goals that we are working to achieve. We have developed a Strategic Plan for the conference that has recommended our associations look at ways they may join with neighboring associations to become more efficient and unified in their various ministries. Northern and Central Associations have already taken significant steps in that direction, and others are in the discussion process. As our ages increase and some of our churches decline in numbers, it's essential that we find more ways to work together.

We are presently in the process of searching for the next Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Discernment (basically, this is our search and call process.) We must be able to pay appropriately for the hard work all our Conference Ministerial staff do for all of us.

I am also excited about the many various workshops and clergy gatherings that are now being offered for the support of our churches and their ministries. Do you need help with financial concerns or stewardship? We have workshops for that! Do you need help with forming new kinds of ministry efforts or growing your congregations and mission involvemnent? We have offered workshops and some grants for that! We have Ministerial Education Forums that meet on a regular basis to discuss and educate pastors in many areas of ministry.

By extending your OCWM giving to directly include the conference, you are increasing the ways that we can offer the help and support you have indicated you need. I hope you will all join me in praying, by volunteering for various ministry teams and by offering financial contributions, doing all that you can to support our conference and its work on behalf of us all.

Blessings,

Ann

Ann Graves, Moderator of the Penn Central Conference Board of Directors

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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!

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!

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)

Pre-Retirement Webinars (Pension Boards) - NEW

Pre-Retirement Seminars/Webinars are held annually in each of the six geographic regions of the United Church of Christ for individuals age 50 and older and their spouses/partners.

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Why Your Church Needs a Planned Giving Program: Webinar - NEW

As a financial ministry of the United Church of Christ, United Church Funds (UCF) understands the importance of planned giving and how a planned gift today can help ensure the future sustainability of a church or ministry. Five Steps To A Successful Planned Giving Program - Join the Webinar!

October 30 Webinar with Pastor Tim Hogan-Palazzo

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

Lebanon Association - October 21, 3:00 PM, at Grace, Lebanon

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

Mercersburg Association - Sunday, November 4 at St. John's in Chambersburg from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

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

Church Events

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

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

2018 CROP Walks

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Lancaster CROP Walk

Hanover CROP Walk

Community and Justice Issues

DR&R Visits Ghana

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

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

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...

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 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)

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

October 28 - Rev. Jessica Hainley Installation at Quentin UCC - 3:00 PM

November 3 - Scott Siciliano Ecclesiastical Council at Colonial Park UCC - 10:00 AM

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.

Paradise UCC, Milton
Trinity UCC, Turbotville
Tusseyville UCC, Emmanuel
Saint John's UCC, Tylersville

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!

Job Announcements and PCC Bay

Salem UCC, Harrisburg

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

Choir Gowns Available - NEW

St. Luke's UCC in Malta (Dalmatia) has 16 green choir gowns and stoles that they would like to donate to a church that could use them. Please contact Bonnie for details.