Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

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Weekly Update - October 25

This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission

In This Issue...

A Message from Stephanie Rader-Titzel

Join Us as a Friend of Penn Central Conference - NEW!

Generosity - NEW!

Church Leadership Resources - NEW!

Reformation Resources

Boundary/Leadership Training

Search and Call

Church Vitality

Community Needs and Justice Issues - NEW!

Training and Resources - NEW!

Clergy News - NEW!

Church Events - NEW!

Faith Connection Stories - 2 NEW STORIES!

3 Great Loves - NEW!

A Message from Penn Central Conference Staff

Stephanie Rader-Titzel, Director of Communications and Generosity

Last week, I celebrated my 6 month anniversary here! I can't begin to describe what a blessing it is to work with all of you in Penn Central Conference and the United Church of Christ.

This summer, I attended both Annual Meeting 55 at Susquehanna University and General Synod 31 in Baltimore and then in September; I attended "Partners in Building" in Cleveland. What an amazing opportunity to see the interworking of the wider United Church of Christ and our Penn Central Conference delegates in action!

I have also visited some of our churches to assist with Web sites, work on budgeting and financial planning and help create generosity campaigns and calendars. This is one of my favorite things to do - I love getting out to our churches - so please reach out to me if your church needs assistance.

Hopefully you are a weekly follower of our eNews and know it comes out every Wednesday at 1:00. J We are always happy to include what is going on in your church and Association. If you have friends or fellow members of your congregation who don't subscribe to our eNews, here is the link. Please encourage them to subscribe! We want everyone (all 30K+ members) to get a chance to see and read about the great things going on in Penn Central Conference.

In addition to the eNews, we use Facebook as a platform to show Penn Central Conference churches in action as they "passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ." Please "Like Us" on Facebook and feel free to tag us in your church's story, event or picture sharing or use the hashtag #pccucc.

Our Friends of Penn Central Conference campaign that started on September 20 is going strong. Thank you, Penn Central Conference, for your abundant generosity! To date, we have received $8,050 in gifts to OCWM of our $10,000 goal. The campaign comes to a close on November 28 so there is still plenty of time to give.

In addition to our Friends campaign, there have been natural disasters and causes that need our response. Clearly, when you see epic disasters, you respond in epic ways. I am in awe of the generosity here! Over $20,000 was given to disaster relief in September from Penn Central Conference churches (and almost $50,00 year to date.) THANK YOU!

I am impressed and inspired every day by the work that goes on in our churches. So much of what is already going on in Penn Central Conference falls directly in line with The United Church of Christ's 3 Great Loves storytelling initiative. Now through Lent, the focus is Love of Neighbor. Please continue to send and share stories and ideas with me and I will take the lead on sending them along to Cleveland.

Thank you all for the warm wishes and the great start of my time here. I am happy to be a resource in any part of your communications and generosity planning and am available at the Conference office x11 or by email at srader-titzel@pccucc.org.

Peace,

Stephanie

Stephanie's Bio

Bulletin Insert

Friends of Penn Central Conference Campaign

THANK YOU for your gifts and generosity!

THANK YOU for your generosity!

We are currently at $8,150 and over 80% of our $10,000 goal. (The campaign ends November 28.)

Please help us spread the news of this campaign with your friends and congregation by using this flyer.

If you haven't already given, here are suggestions of how YOU can give:

1. 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, noted as OCWM/Friends of Penn Central Conference in the memo line.)

2. Volunteer your time serving in Association/Penn Central Conference ministries. Sign up here.

3. Secure a matching gift from your company. You can search this database to see if your company matches - http://www.ucc.org/matching-gifts. What an easy way to double your gift!

Thank you for ALL you do for Penn Central Conference!

PCC and Local Churches Connect through Our Mission - NEW

Celebrating our ministry together through stories about local churches living into our mission!

Penn Central Conference

where congregations passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ.

Rev. Dr. Chris Rodkey speaks of St. Paul UCC, Dallastown (York Association), "We are ONA, we are theologically progressive, we have become very active with substantive interfaith work with Muslims, we have been in national and international news for being the tolerant and diversity-promoting congregation in the area." Read some of their outreach initiatives.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Stephanie at srader-titzel@pccucc.org.

Generosity

OCWM and Gifts to Disaster Recovery - NEW

Thank you, Penn Central Conference, for your generosity to disaster relief! To date, almost $50,000 has been given. THANK YOU!

$49,370 in disaster relief

August-September-October

This generosity overflowed into OCWM! Through 10/23, we are currently tracking (October YTD) at 86% of October 2016. With a few days left in October, we are at 78% of budget year to date.

Thank you for your ongoing support and generosity!

Church Leadership Resources

Leadership Resources - NEW

Struggling Maplewood church finds new life by living 'like you are dying' (Star Tribune)

Using an Oft-Neglected Asset to Fund Ministry (R. Mark King, Using Church Land to Fund Ministry)

Ministry Matters: New Worship Connection (free subscription available)

Penn Central Conference Church Resource Offerings (a list of some of the resources available from The Conference.)

WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITY - Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi

Big Gifts, Small Packages: Church Vitality in Small Churches - a workshop about healthy churches.

Date: October 28, 2017

Time: 9:30 (registration), 10:00 - 3:00 presentation with lunch

Place: Mt. Zion UCC - 1054 Ridgewood Road - York, PA

Cost: $15 per person, $12 per person for groups of 3 or more, includes lunch

500th Anniversary of the Reformation

Reformation Resources

The PCC-UEK Partnership Team, which supports our Conference partnerships with our German partners in the Rhineland and in the Berlin area, would like to offer some respources for worship materials that you might wish to use in your observance of this year's 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.

Please use them responsibly and observe any copyright restrictions. And in any case, please acknowledge the sources of any materials you may use.

We hope that you will find blessing in observing this major event in the church's history!

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From Conflict to Communion

Impact of the Reformation

Lutheran World Federation Liturgy for Reformation 2017

Our Reformation Roots - UCC

Other Resources:

"Sola Gratia" - Hymn written at Craigville Colloquy

Spirit on Tap - October 31 at 7:00 with Dr. Jane Ellingwood - The Reformation at 500 and Beyond

Community Needs and Justice Issues

Disaster Ministries

Bucket Drop Off Sites

St. John's UCC in Boalsburg will be a local drop-off point for clean up buckets. Please call the church office at 814.466.7162 before coming. The collection will continue until October 31.

CWS has a direct drop off site in Carroll County, Maryland as well. If you are interested, please contact Brethren Disaster Ministries.

601 Main Street, P.O. Box 188

New Windsor, MD 21776-0188

Phone:1-800-451-4407

Fax: 410-635-8739

E-mail bdm@brethren.org

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UCC Disaster Recovery

UCC Response to Puerto Rico

Creation Justice Survey - Response Requested

Creation Justice is working to collect information on our churches. Please fill out this short survey.

Boundary/Leadership Training

Training for Our Whole Lives

Training for Our Whole Lives, a series of sexuality education programs developed jointly by the UCC and UUA, will come to the Lancaster Association on October 27-29, 2017.

Retired Boundary Training

"Healthy Practices in the Third-Third: Boundary Awareness in Retirement"

November 16 at St. John's in Lewisburg

9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

This training will count toward your association's Boundary Training requirement.

Come explore topics around vocation and identity as well as look at some of the logistics of leaving well and in some cases becoming a member instead of the pastor. With much of the expertise already in the room, we anticipate lively discussion of life in real-world retirement and how we navigate the blessings and challenges of this time in our lives.

Search and Call

Search and Call Event

Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 2-5PM

St. Thomas UCC, 6490 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg

For leaders in PCC congregations, this is an opportunity to explore current versions of both the Minister's Profile and the Local Church Profile.

Hear from a panel of leaders who have recently worked on a Local Church Profile and completed a Search Process.

Learn from ministers who have recently been in the Search process about what they experienced.

Engage with one another in conversations about Search and Call.

Please register for this event with Janice Mountain at jmountain@pccucc.org by November 1^st.

Search and Call News

Sabbatical Planning? Pastor preparing for sabbatical?

We have resources for you. Please c ontact Betsy for additional details.

Church Vitality

Would You Like a Mystery Visitor to Come to Your Church?

The conference has trained 12 Mystery Visitors who are willing to visit your church on Sunday morning and give you a detailed report. Pastors can request a visitor (and they are the only ones allowed to do so) and they will receive the report to do with it as they see fit.

These visitors will assess the website, curb appeal and hospitality (as well as the coffee!). They will not be evaluating the pastor or the service itself. While most of the mystery visitors are churched, we also have a few seekers. To request a mystery visitor, contact Laurene Bowers LBowers@pccucc.org

Events, Training and Resources Available

UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS

Clergy Leadership - October 25, Colonial Park UCC, 1-4

Bi g Gifts in Small Packages, Church Vitality in Small Churches Workshop - October 28 with Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi

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Clergy Leadership (Saturday Session) - November 4, Colonial Park UCC, 9-12

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Central Association Town Hall - November 5, St. John's Lewisburg, 2:30

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DR&R Mission Central Meeting - November 10, Mission Central, Mechanicsburg, 10 AM

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Advancing Healthy Ministry, Boundary Bites - November 11, 9:30 - 12

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Search and Call Event - November 12, St. Thomas, Harrisburg, 2-5

Mercersburg Association Meeting - November 12, Apostles, Waynesboro - 3:00

York Association Meeting - November 12, Salem Dover, 2:00

Green Justice Team - November 14, Penn Central Conference Center, 10-12

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Transitional Ministry Gathering - November 15, Penn Central Conference Center, 10-12

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Retired Clergy Boundary Training - November 16, St. John's Lewisburg, 9:30 - 12

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Women's Retreat - November 17-19, Hartman Center

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Youth Retreat - November 17-19, Hartman Center

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Commission on Ministry - November 20, Penn Central Conference Center, 9:30-11:30

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Hartman Center Committee of the Board of Directors - November 20, Penn Central Conference Center, 6-8

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Penn Central Conference Office Closed - November 23 and 24

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Clergy Leadership - November 29, Colonial Park UCC, 1-4

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Pastor's Breakfast and Worship - November 30, Shiloh UCC, Danville, 9:30 - 11:30

Penn Central Conference Christmas Open House and Litany of Farewell for Rev. Dr. Laurene Bowers - December 9 at PCC Conference Office, 11:00 - 2:00

Click to see our Web site for more details.

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Association Links

STAY CONNECTED TO PCC ASSOCIATIONS:

Central Association Facebook

Gettysburg Association Facebook

Harrisburg Association Facebook

Harrisburg Association Web Page

Lancaster Association Facebook

Lebanon Association Web Site

Mercersburg Association Web Page

York Association Facebook

York Association Web Page

Events, Training and More...

Reading the Qur'an as a Non-Muslim

A Case of the Wiggles: Helping Children Focus without Shaming

Breaking Down Digital Barriers

Safeguards in Youth Ministry

Making Disciples: Every Church Needs a Plan for Adult Discipleship Groups

and more

Loss Control Webinars

The Insurance Board is pleased to present the following upcoming Loss Control webinars, available to all participants and members.

Active Shooter Response Training

Saturday, November 11, 1-4, Live Webinar at Shiloh, Danville UCC

Here's a link to their Web site to register:

https://www.insuranceboard.org/online-learning

Pathways Courses - NEW

PATHWAYS course offerings this month include a course in Old Testament Hermeneutics that Bible study leaders will find engaging and informative.

Gaining an appreciation of worship as both part of the shared life of the congregation and an individual's spiritual practice is the focus of the course The Art of Worship.

Both courses begin on October 23, last six weeks, and are available online. For more information, visit www.pathways-ucc.org.

2018 - SAVE THE DATE!

Clergy Convocation - January 30 - February 1, 2018

Doubletree by Hilton - Willow Valley, Lancaster PA

Hartman Center Golf Outing - May 12, 2018 - Fairview Golf Course in Quentin, PA

2018 Penn Central Annual Meeting - June 8 and 9, 2018

Susquehanna University

National ONA Gathering - June 27-29, 2018

Dallas, TX

Partners in Peace - July 5, 2018

Mid-Atlantic Regional Youth Event - July 19-22, 2018

California University of Pennsylvania

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Please check out the SAVE THE DATE Section Under Hartman Center too!

Church News

Happy Anniversary!

Salem UCC, Harrisburg celebrates their 230^th Anniversary on October 29

Trinity UCC, York celebrates their 275th anniversary on October 29

St. John's, New Columbia celebrates their 200th anniversary on October 29

*Please let us know if your church has an anniversary they are celebrating.

Now Hiring: Minister of Music

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Saint Paul's UCC in West Milton seeks a part-time Director of Music
First Reformed Church United Church of Christ in Sunbury seeks part-time Director of Music.
Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata is seeking a part-time Director of Music.
Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Lancaster Twp is seeking to hire a Director of Music and an Organist.
Starview United Church of Christ in Mount Wolf is looking for a part-time Director of Music.

For details.

Advent Resources - NEW

Jesse and Natalie Turri, artists, and Rev. Dr. Christopher Rodkey, devotions and prayers

Experience the stories of the liturgical seasons in a vibrant new way this year! Coloring Advent features a new illustration and scripture reflection each day of the season to lead you deeper into the stories you've known your whole life. Make Coloring Advent part of your journey to Bethlehem!

Bulletin Inserts and Coloring Pages and To order.

UCC Advent Resources

Association Events

CENTRAL:

The Central Association will host their Town Hall on November 5, 2017. Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith will review Penn Central Conference's Strategic (Missional) Plan. For details.

LANCASTER:

Lancaster Association Fall Meeting - November 5 at 3:00 at St. Luke's, Lititz. The focus will be on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation.

MERCERSBURG:

The Mercersburg Association Fall Meeting is November 12 at Church of the Apostles in Waynesboro. Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith will review Penn Central Conference's Strategic (Missional) Plan. For details.

YORK:

Dover United Church of Christ invites you to an evening of music with Buddy King and Diane Susek on Friday, October 27. The concert (and accompanying silent auction) benefits the upcoming partnership 2018 People-to-People Pilgrimage to Kenya. The concert begins at 7:00pm. The doors open 6 p.m. There is a suggested donation of $5 for the concert. Silent auction items include pottery, jewelry and original artwork. The event will take place at Dover UCC, 45 W. Canal Street, Dover, PA 17315. Refreshments included. For details.

On November 12, Starview UCC in Mt. Wolf will host an opioid epidemic seminar from 12 - 2. For details.

The York Association will host Mr. Mark Lutz, the author of UnPoverty, at their Annual Meeting November 12. In preparation for his visit, Community Outreach members have prepared a study guide for you and your congregations to use as you read this book. Currently the Association has 30 copies of this book you can borrow. As you make your plans for summer and fall, please contact Rev. Cathy Sherry (CathyLHS19@comcast.net) to reserve copies for use at your church.

Clergy News

October - November

October 29: Elizabeth Nocheck Installation at Hamilton Park, Lancaster - 3:00 PM

November 19: Brian Percy Ecclesiastical Council at Faith, York - 3:00 PM

November 19: Melissa Burkhart Ordination at St. Paul's, Manheim - 3:00 PM

November 19: Dan Schmidt Installation at St. Thomas, Linglestown - 3:00 PM

November 19: Amelia Price Ordination at Emmanuel, Penns Creek - 2:30 PM

Register Today for the Pastor's Breakfast and Worship, November 30 at Shiloh, UCC in Danville from 9:30 - 12:00. (9:30 - Coffee, 10:00 - Breakfast, 10:45 - Worship)

3 Great Loves

3 Great Loves - NEW

We have seen some great 3 Great Loves stories! Thank you for your commitment to Love of Neighbor, Love of Children and Love of Creation.

You will be receiving a "50 Ways to Love Your Neighbor" poster via mail at your church. This poster is two-sided with ways to connect as well as additional details about the storytelling campaign. Please also use the following when promoting 3GL in social media - #3GreatLoves #3GLNeighbor #3GLChildren #3GLCreation #UCC #PCCUCC

Download 3 Great Loves Toolkit to review and use the resources the UCC has created for your congregation. Make your community ministry - that uses love to light the way to a more just world for all - more visible and meaningful.

Please continue to share your stories with us! We love seeing Penn Central Conference congregations connected, engaged and transformed through Christ's love!

Hartman Center

Hartman Center News and Resources

Hartman Center Wish List

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Save the Date for Upcoming Hartman Center Events:

Women's Retreat - November 17-19, 2017 flyer and registration
Youth Retreat - November 17-19, 2017 flyer and registration
Confirmation Retreat - March 16-18. 2018
Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, 2018

More details on the Hartman Center Web site!

Thank you for your continued support!

Ebay, Penn Central Style

Choir Robes and Candle Holders

Christ Church, Elizabethtown has 50 adult choir robes in off white/blue.

Faith UCC, New Cumberland has robes to gift.

Emmanuel UCC, Hanover has candle holders for sale at $1/each. Order yours today!

For Details

Faith Connection Stories

Passionately Declaring and Demonstrating the Courageous Love of Christ - NEW

We love to hear stories of Penn Central Conference congregations working within their communities to passionately declare and demonstrate their courageous love of Christ.