Weekly Update - September 12, 2018
This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission
In This Issue...

Partners in Peace - NEW!

Resources 

Calendar  - NEW!

Events and Training - NEW!

Church Events - NEW!

Community and Justice Issues - NEW!

Clergy News - NEW!

Previous eNews
OtherResolutionPartners in Peace
Partners in Peace - NEW
   
In July of this year, three young adults from Penn Central Conference - Marissa from St. Johns UCC in Boalsburg, Samantha from Hamilton Park UCC in Lancaster and Trista from Zion Reformed Church in Chambersburg - traveled to Germany for two weeks where they participated in the Partners in Peace Experience.
Hosted by the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland and the Evangelical Church in Berlin-Brandenburg, they were joined by young adults from Germany, Namibia and the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. During their time there, they toured parts of Germany, visited Parliament, attended Peace Rallies, met with organizations that assist refugees and participated in numerous workshops that examined peace and justice. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity for these young adults that they will never forget.
The following are some reflections from this year's participants.
Trista - The Partners in Peace Experience 2018 trip to Germany was a wonderful experience that I am so happy I was able to participate in. While in Germany, we learned of the many different actions groups in Germany are taking in order to achieve peace. For example: One youth group was going to document the route refugees take on land to raise awareness of the dangers and hardships refugees face. Another group of young adults helps to save refugees in the Mediterranean Sea who have a high chance of drowning but receive no help from coastal countries in the UN. There is also a group of churches that assists refugees already in Germany achieve sanctuary.
The Partners in Peace group interacted very well together. We all felt very close to each other and were able to have deep conversation in and out of group discussion. We breached all manner of topics, such as LBGT issues, what is peace, how the world is being kept from peace and each other's personal issues. Overall, the trip to Germany taught me many different perspectives and solutions I see for peace.
Samantha - I've been thinking about the trip on a daily basis - it really did change the way I see the world. The hardest part of the trip was coming back and not having that excitement/feeling of "What I am doing is going to change the world." Especially upon hearing the news of Toni's late husband, I'm still not sure how to react. Here - almost a month after returning - I want that realm of Godliness and adventures and hope to be the change to continue, in all of us. I want there to be a way that we can continue this mission. What options do we have? I would love to get something going in Namibia in the upcoming years.
I loved meeting with refugees. Long shot here - is there a way to invite a group of refugees to go along on and spend a few days with us instead of a few hours? Even doing more mission work at a refugee church would have been really neat.
I also loved our morning/evening devotions. (I plan to tie them in when I organize a service at my church alter this month!)
I cannot pick just a few highlights - there are way too many.
Finally if there is a chance that we can come to the national UCC Conference and have a panel or something to discuss awareness of youth being involved with Partners in Peace Experience and possibly growing the program, let me know. I would LOVE to help and be a part of that.
Marissa - Being able to participate in Partners in Peace was amazing. I got to talk to, meet and experience the lives of people who I would've probably never gotten the chance to in my lifetime. Before this trip. I had just finished a trip to China where I saw a non-Western culture and society. It taught me a lot of about how others live, se the world and about myself as well. This trip did exactly the same thing but with three times the exposure with people from Germany, Namibia and from my own country on the Lakota Native American reservation in South Dakota. Each of these three groups had different languages, ways, ceremonies and denominations.
A big theme of our discussions and activities was that we all have a desire and want for peace, both as who we are and within our religions, with the ethics and morals they taught us.
The trip allowed me to see how others worked for peace and that the world is full of good people fighting the good fight. It also taught me that if we come together and talk and share across borders and language and cultures, teaching for peace will become a lot easier.
Personally, some of my favorite parts of this trip were the individual conversations we got to have with one another, as those will stay in my heart now that the trip is over and I will carry them with me throughout my life. Some more of my favorite parts included getting to see the parliament building in Germany, preparing meals together from each of our home countries and exploring Germany and the countryside itself.
Before going on this trip, I had no idea what to expect, had very little details but had trust and faith that this was the right thing. I am so thankful and blessed to have been able to participate in this amazing opportunity.
This was the third PIPE adventure, the first being in Pennsylvania in 2013 and the second on the Cheyenne River Reservation in 2016. Hopefully, it will not be the last! Discussions will soon begin to plan the next Partners in Peace experience that will possibly take place in 2021. If you'd like to become part of the planning process, please contact Peter Emig at [email protected]. Peace!
 
ResourcesResource Links
 
CalendarofEventsCalendar of Events
 
        
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 
EventsandTrainingEvents 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!
 
SEPTEMBER


September 23 - Money Matters: Managing God's Money (St. Paul's Selinsgrove) - FREE

September 27  (NEW DATE!)  - Retired Clergy Boundary Training (St. Paul's, Mechanicsburg) - $10

September 30 - Money Matters: Managing God's Money (Hayshire UCC, York) - FREE

OCTOBER
  
October 6 - Healthy Church Workshop (First UCC, Carlisle) - $5

October 8 and 9 - Clergy Wellness Retreat sponsored by the Pension Board (LTS) - FREE


October 20 - Lay Boundary Training (Middleburg UCC) - $15
  
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

 
 Resources through Church Building and Loan - NEW
Pathways Classes Now Forming
  
Singing the Bible (4 weeks for 1.5 CEU's beginning September 12)
 (tuition: $129)
 
Howard Thurman: Living Wisdom for God's Justice and Love (4 weeks for 1.5 CEU's beginning September 12)  (tuition: $129)
 
Practicing Our Faith in the Public Square (6 weeks for 4 CEU's beginning October 3)  (tuition: $295)
 
For members of UCC COMs and Conference Staff, a special section of Professional Boundaries and Ministerial Self-Care  (6 weeks for 4 CEU's beginning October 3).
 

Coloring Women of the Bible

There is now a link active on it where you can download a FREE companion curriculum called  Dreaming in Color.  The 50+ page curriculum has a small group guide, plan for a retreat, reflections for individual use, and a proposal for use in congregations for sexual and domestic violence awareness. It also has some additional theological stuff, music resources, etc.
  
The book is now for sale in bulk from Chalice, online, and at stores like Hearts & Minds. No purchase is necessary to download the curriculum.

ChurchEventCommunityandJusticeChurch Events
Community Safety Fair - Shiloh UCC, Danville
Shiloh UCC, Danville is hosting a community Safety and Preparedness Fair

September 15, 2018
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

512 Bloom Street - Danville, PA


Kenya Bus Benefit - Emmanuel, York
Emmanuel United Church of Christ, York
Kenya Bus Benefit Concert
Sun., Sept. 16 at 3:00 PM
At Heidelberg UCC
47 West Philadelphia Street, York

Concert includes gospel, jazz, contemporary and show tunes.
Performers include Dominique Denman, Kellie Turner and more.
Sponsored by Emmanuel United Church of Christ hosted by Heidelberg UCC

For details...
Emmanuel UCC, Hanover - CROP WALK
Emmanuel UCC of Hanover has a team of walkers that will be walking in this year's Hanover CROP Hunger Walk.  Join them - 10/21/2018 beginning at 1:00pm. (Registration begins at 12:30pm). 
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CommJust Community and Justice Issues
  Disability Ministries - NEW
Disability Ministries is looking for feedback.  Please fill out this survey.  Also, if you would like to be contacted directly or are interested in joining our work, please contact Paul Fogle.
Energy Star - NEW
Energy Star Events - September 25 - 27
ENERGY STAR is the nation's voluntary program helping congregations, businesses, schools, homeowners, and tenants save energy and water-and therefore money. Local Pennsylvania faith communities are hosting ENERGY STAR presentations on tools, training, and technical support freely available on their Web site. 
  DR&R - NEW
Dear Friends.
 
We have received several calls and emails about an appeal letter sent from a local church (Tremont, PA) in the Penn Southeast Conference of the UCC. Unfortunately, due to weather related issues, the issue is bigger than just one church. Several Pennsylvania area churches are faced with similar challenges as the ones named in the appeal letter.
 
If you would like to assist with local recovery efforts, here are 12 ways you can help.
 
To help even more churches, consider giving to Disaster Ministries. Find out how your donations are used to help others.
 
Thank you for your compassionate response to your neighbors and their needs.
 
Blessings,
 
Monica
 
Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith
Conference Minister and President
Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
  Community Garden at St. Paul's Mechanicsburg - NEW
It was just church people doing what church people do: leveraging 'the miracle of many hands'. We had handy folks design and build fencing to keep out the bunnies. We had lots of people who had never held a hoe or rake before volunteer to weed, water, and pick. That first year, we barely had enough produce to serve a few token veggies at our own Harvest dinner. But we had built a garden; and a process. Our garden plot was only about 50 feet by 30 feet. Not huge. But something we could manage...
Over the next 4 years we donated an annual average of 1,000 pounds of beans, tomatoes, carrots, squash, onions, potatoes and lettuce to New Hope Ministries to distribute.
Lift Your Voice in Solidarity with Refugees
CWS in Lancaster is looking for individuals to lift your voice in solidarity with our refugee neighbors from all over the world.
Call Congressional Offices 1-866-961-4293-- call the same number three times to connect to your 2 Senators and 1 Representative.
Here is an example of what to say:
"I'm your constituent from [CITY/TOWN], and I urge you to protect the refugee resettlement program from another drastic cut by the administration. The White House is considering setting the refugee admissions goal at 25,000 for next year, which would be a new all-time low. Please do everything in your power to see that the administration commits to resettle at least 75,000 in 2019. Resettlement is a core American legacy that allows refugees to rebuild their lives. My community welcomes refugees, and I urge you to reflect the best of our nation by supporting refugee resettlement."

UCC Council for Climate Justice Affinity Groups
To better meet the UCC Council for Climate Justice's dual purpose of raising awareness in the UCC about climate justice and bringing members together for action, 15 different types of affinity groups have been suggested. These affinity groups would have a special focus and be connected to the council via a liaison who would bring to the larger council reports, requests, and proposals from the affinity group. Indicate which of the following groups you would join if it was created. You may say that you will join more than one. A minimum of five interested persons will be needed to form a self-directed group. Any member of a UCC church is welcome to join. For Details...

ClergyWebsiteClergy News
 September - October
  • September 16 - Ecclesiastical Council Panel for Laura Ramsey & Nilda Roman at Christ UCC, Elizabethtown - 3:00 PM 
  • September 30 - Rev. Jessica Hainley Ordination at Wisdom's Table, Lancaster - 3:00 PM
  • October 14 -  Rev. Sue D'heedene Installation at Heidelberg, York - 3:00 PM
  • October 14 - Pastor DiAnn Baxley Ecclesiastical Council for DiAnn Baxley 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
    		•
    Prayers1Prayers 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.
    • Salem - Walmers UCC, Indiantown Gap
    • Saint Paul's UCC, Selinsgrove
    • Mt. Zion Congregational, Shamokin
    • St. John's UCC, Shamokin
    HCHartman Center
    More Upcoming Events
    Upcoming events:
    Elementary Retreat (grades 3-6) - September 21 - 23
    Women's Retreat - November 16-18 
    Middle and High School Retreat (grades 7-12) - November 16 - 18

    If you're attending a retreat:

    1. Registration Form and Permission Slip This 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.

    Hartman Center Fall Fest - October 13 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
     
    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!
     
    ArchiveHelp Wanted
    UCC, Hummelstown Looking for Church Office Administrator
    The United Church of Christ in Hummelstown is seeking a Church Office Administrator, working 16-20 hours per week Primary days in office will be Tuesday through Thursday.  For details...
    ArchiveArchive
    Our Previous eNews
    Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
    email: [email protected]   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
    web: http://www.pccucc.org