Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

I recently saw the documentary film on the life and work of Fred Rogers, entitled Won't You Be My Neighbor. His personable style and loving demeanor with a message for children of safety and acceptance was remarkable. It is difficult not to be moved by the genuine caring presence he offered to children over the years his TV program aired on PBS.

And yet, even Mr. Rogers did not escape conflict. There is footage in the documentary of TV pundits declaring that Fred Rogers is evil. What was most interesting is how he dealt with conflict while testifying before Congress when program funding was to be slashed by $20 million. I found his response to conflict instructive, in that it stimulated some thought as to how we react in situational conflicts, whether at home, at work or in church.

Chris Gambill writes in an article of Congregations magazine entitled, Emotional Intelligence and Effective Conflict Management, that we can develop conflict management styles. He describes the five styles as:

Competing- The competitive style involves behaving in aggressive and uncooperative, power oriented ways. In competition each person pursues one's own goals at the expense of others.
Accommodating- Accommodation is the opposite of competing. It is characterized by behaving in an unassertive and cooperative manner. It can involve giving in to another's wish, but can be useful in building trust and goodwill.
Avoiding- The avoidant style is unassertive and uncooperative. The person may simply walk away, sometimes to postpone a response and cool down.
Collaborating- Collaboration is the opposite of avoiding, in that a collaborator is assertive in a healthy way that includes cooperation. It includes exploring the disagreement to learn more with the hope of finding a creative solution. Collaborating takes a good measure of trust, is time consuming and therefore best employed for big decisions.
Compromising- The compromise style is both assertive and cooperative in an effort to find a mutually satisfying solution.

I find that generally we have one or two styles that are our "go to" positions when operating in the midst of conflict. You might be able to identify your preferred style. In some ways this style of dealing with conflict has worked for us. However, I wonder if the first three styles of competing, accommodating and avoiding may entail some unintended consequences for ourselves and others. For those who are competitive, freedom may mean realizing that I don't have to win every time and rediscover that I can be valued even when I don't win. For those who are accommodating, it might mean stating clearly what I believe or desire unapologetically and find renewed respect. For those who avoid conflict it might mean facing a dreaded task, responsibility or person and recovering a sense of empowerment.

The power of the program, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood was grounded in Fred Rogers's faith, his personal integrity and professional adherence to his mission of providing safety and acceptance to all children, even in the midst of loss, death, political assassination, war and divorce. He did not shy away from conflict, nor did he impose cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, he invited children to think, be open and trust. His reflective style that communicates safety and acceptance is one that we can adapt as we move toward a more collaborative style of dealing with conflict.

Scott M. Watts, MS, MDiv, LPC, NCC

Facilitator of Care to Clergy and Clergy Families

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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 abundant generosity!

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We kicked off our Friends of Penn Central campaign for OCWM on October 20. So far, just 11 days in the campaign, we have raised over $5,000 (over 30% of our goal) and we have 100% support from the PCC staff.

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 at Free or nominal charges thanks to your OCWM gifts.

Click on the blue links to register today!

NOVEMBER

November 12 - Boundary Training - Educating Educators (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)

Association Gatherings

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

Lancaster Association - Sunday, November 4 at 3:00 PM at Lancaster Theological Seminary Reflectory

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

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: MEF, 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.

Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work - NEW

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

Ten Days for Peace - NEW

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 - NEW

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

General Synod 32, Milwaukee - NEW

SAVE THE DATE

Community and Justice Issues

DR&R - NEW

Thank you, UCC Disaster Ministries mission team from St. John's Boalsburg for working in Volusia County, Florida from 10/22-26

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 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)

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)

October - November - December

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

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.

Mazeppa Union, Lewisburg
Saint Paul's UCC, West Milton
Saint Peter's UCC, Lewisburg
New Covenant UCC, Williamsport

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- NEW

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!