Important This Week

• 2024 PSEC Compensation Guidelines now available
• Register for the PSEC Fall Meeting
• Registration open for two Town Hall meetings to discuss Keystone Project and Fall Meeting

From the Conference Minister:

2024 PSEC Compensation Guidelines available

Each year, the Conference Personnel Committee reviews current market data (the Consumer Price Index, Current Inflation Rate, Inflation Rate Forecast, SSI benefit adjustments, increased cost for medical benefits) to determine what, if any, increase in clergy compensation may be necessary. Their recommendation is reviewed by the Conference Budget and Finance Committee and finally approved by Conference Consistory (While there are no guidelines for other church staff positions, we highly recommend commensurate increases for non-ordained staff members). There are two changes to this year’s guidelines. First, we have changed the membership size increments to reflect a majority of our smaller congregations and the corresponding clergy compensation for each. Second, in the context of the current rate of inflation (3.67%) our 2023 Clergy Compensation Guidelines include a recommended increase of 3%.

I am very aware that this recommendation is simply out of reach for some congregations particularly those experiencing significant membership and financial decline. Other congregations, blessed with the resources to do so, will budget salary increases closer to this recommendation. When that is not possible, there are other options:

• Offer your pastor and staff more paid leave
• Reduce the pastor and staff’s responsibilities
• Agree on a catch-up schedule — churches experiencing a temporary setback, specifying — in writing — how to make up future salary increases.

If there are additional options that have worked well in your ministry setting, please pass them along to me so I can share them around our Conference. If you come to an impasse about compensation, consider inviting me or one of the Conference staff to help facilitate a conversation.

Needless to say, these are anxious and uncertain times. But we will pass through them by the very certain presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

In the Spirit of the risen Christ,

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

The 2024 Compensation Guidelines are available now here on the PSEC website.

In pervious emails, we have shared the Pension Boards' 2024 rates, those include:

• UCC Non-Medicare Plan: 3% increase (no change to copays and deductibles)
• UCC Pharmacy Plan: No change to copays
• UCC Medicare Advantage Plan: 1.5% increase
• UCC Dental Plan: 4% increase
• UCC Vision Plan: No change
• UCC Life and Disability Plan: No change

For specific rates, visit the 2024 Rate Locator web page.

Register now for PSEC 2023 Fall Meeting

The 2023 Fall Meeting will be held Nov. 12 as a hybrid meeting — join us online OR we would love to have you in person at St. Paul's UCC in Amityville (Douglassville). Come together with clergy and church delegates for worship and to do the business of our conference. The agenda includes OCWM 2023 report and approval of the 2024 Spending Plan and a presentation from the Keystone Study Group. Click here to register.

Registration opens at 2:00p. Refreshments will be available as you visit tables manned by some of the PSEC Committees. The meeting will be from 3:00-5:00p.

Town Hall Discussions set on Keystone Project, Fall Meeting

Prior to Fall Meeting we are offering two opportunities to join Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley and others in presentations about the work of the Keystone Study Group and the Fall meeting. There will be opportunities for questions. Town Halls will be Oct. 30 at 7:00p and Nov. 8 at 2:00p. (Click the date you would like to attend to register.)

New PSEC OCWM video

What is OCWM and why do we donate to that? Those are two of the most often asked questions when it comes time to draft a church budget or have any conversation about the mission of the church. This short video will help answer those questions and offer some important insight and inspiration about how our shared resources make for a stronger church and a better world. Enjoy!

Conversation planned: Are you being called to ministry?

Have you ever had the experience of leading worship and felt that you were called to do more of it? Has anyone ever said to you that you should think about being a pastor? Discussions around these questions and what it means to be “called” were part of a conversation that began this summer. That conversation continues. You need not have attended the first session to join this one. On Oct. 25 at 7:00p on Zoom, we will hear more brief stories of people who have answered the call to serve the church in this specific way and reflect on what we’ve discerned since the first session. For more information, click here.

Video from Commemoration of anniversary of March on Wash.

On August 27, the PSEC Racial Justice Initiative hosted a Commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Images from that event are available in the video below.

Insurance Board benefit: Discounted water sensors

Insurance Board has partnered with HSB to provide a water sensor program to Insurance Board policyholders at a discounted price. Insureds can purchase water sensors directly from HSB through IB’s partnership with HSB to protect their ministry from unexpected water leaks and frozen pipes that cause disruption to your church. Click here to learn more about how real-time alerts can help you prevent costly damage and repairs.

Rev. Darryl Cruz installation at Ridge Valley UCC

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Hospice chaplain positions in Lehigh Valley/Schuylkill area

There are two open Hospice Chaplain positions with St. Luke’s Hospice. The service area covers the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos, Schuylkill, and upper Bucks county. More information is available here.

Diversity training opportunities in Allentown, Reading

The Northeastern PA Synod ELCA is hosting Racial Justice, Diversity, and Cultural Competency Training for Church Leaders in October. On Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 9:00-3:00, the training will be offered at the Synod Office in Allentown. On Saturday, Oct. 21 from 9:00-3:00, the training will be offered at Trinity Lutheran Church in Reading. Registration is $25 and includes lunch. For more information and to register, click here.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Families and other loved ones

Loved ones of those struggling with addiction often do not know how to help the loved one or how to deal with their own feelings. They often despair in secret shame and fear. Many do not reach out to others. Our congregations can be places of safety and recovery. We can offer support groups not only for those struggling with addiction but also for the families and friends. September may be a time when it would be especially appropriate to list local resources for these loved ones including the websites for Alanon, Families Anonymous, and the Friends and Family resources for the SMART Recovery movement. 

Continuing ed opportunity: Prayer webinar lecture set

The 2023 Sawitski Lecture "Imaging God, Imaging Ourselves: The Exercise of Prayer" on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10:00a to noon (Arizona time). The event will feature keynote by Rev. Rachel Hackenburg and the poet Tina Datsko de Sanchez. Desert Garden UCC invites you to this free webinar lecture. This is the 4th Sawitski Memorial Lecture, in recognition of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Sawitski, our former pastor, and his passion for teaching. Two hours of continuing education hours will be available for clergy. Click here to register.

Theology with a Twist on Theology of Personhood

Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 7:00p Theology with a Twist presents "Be You Be Barbie: Toward a Transformational Theology of Personhood." Join us as we discuss our identities, God, and Barbie with Rev. Rebecca Hoover. Visit the PSEC website for more information.

Theology with a Twist meets at Kutztown Tavern at 272 W Main St, Kutztown. We gather in the upper room of the tavern the first Tuesday of each month for a time of learning and discussion about a variety of spiritual, religious, and theological topics presented by local experts. The event is free but food and drink can be purchased in the restaurant downstairs and brought to our event space. Parking is available in the lot behind the tavern or on Main Street.

PSEC's Annual Bookkeeper/ Treasurer FREE training

Saturday, Oct. 14, 9:00-11:00 on Zoom

Do you have questions about 1099 reporting? How about financial reporting to your Board or Consistory? Do you understand housing allowance? Cash basis vs accrual basis? Do you have Balance Sheet or Income Statement questions?

Email tammie@psec.org your intention to attend and bring your questions! Click here for a flyer to share.

Neighbors in Need offering materials available

In 2023, the Neighbors in Need “BEHOLD!” theme continues. This year’s focus is on environmental justice. Plastics, electronics, and other non-compostable wastes are being shipped across, and even tossed into, our waterways, launched into space, and buried in landfills. As people of faith, we believe these egregious acts are sinful and unholy. We must be better stewards of our planet!

Please join us in promoting this year’s NIN campaign at your church! Many churches will collect the offering on Oct. 1, as part of World Communion Sunday. Free resources available to download or print assets at UCC Resources webpage.

Upcoming training options:

Advanced Boundary Training (Managing Pastoral Transitions) on Sept. 27 on Zoom (or view the recording of the event and complete a one-page synopsis). More info

Advanced Boundary Training (From Gutenberg to ChatGPT: Tools, ethics, technology and best practices in the life of Church) on Oct. 18 on Zoom. More info

Diversity Training on Nov. 8 on Zoom (or view the recording of the event and complete a one-page synopsis). Click here

Registration open for Men's Clergy Retreat in October

Clergymen, give yourself the gift of joining the PSEC/PNEC Clergy Men’s Retreat, Oct. 3-5. Take a step back from all the demands placed on you, step out of your comfort zone with friends you can trust, rest and spend time in nature. Engage in thoughtful conversation that will help give perspective on life’s biggest obstacles and have some fun. Guys from the Retreat Planning Committee will facilitate conversation based on Richard Reeves book Of Boys and Men. You don’t have to read the book to be on the retreat and our conversations will go far afield from that text. So feed your soul to strengthen your ministry this October at Kirkridge. Click here for more information and to register.

The 2024 Clergy Women's Retreat will be held from Jan. 16-18 at Mariawald Retreat Center in Shillington. Please mark your calendars to save the date and watch future eNews emails for more information.

Lay Leadership courses scheduled for the fall

Growing Our Spiritual Lives

The first step in making our churches more vibrant, faithful and effective, is for each of us to cultivate our spiritual lives. Our congregations are like trees: in order to reach out with our branches and bear fruit, we must first deepen our roots in our faith. This course on Spiritual Life will meet for three sessions at Saint James United Church of Christ, 321 S Limerick Rd, Limerick, on Saturday mornings from 9:00-11:00 as follows:

• October 7: Spiritual growth through congregational worship
• October 28: Spiritual growth through personal disciplines
• November 4: Spiritual growth through small groups.

The course will be led by Laura Walters and Charlotte Fiedler. They have received training from Wanda Craner, and Charlotte received a certificate in Spiritual Life from Immaculata University. Click here for more information and to register.

Discerning Our Mission

How do we go about reaching out to the world in the name of Christ? This course on Mission will meet for three sessions at Saint James United Church of Christ, 321 S Limerick Rd, Limerick, on Saturday afternoons from 12:30-2:30 as follows:

• October 7 - What is mission?
• October 28 - Local mission
• November 4 - Global mission

This course will be led by Dr. Charles A. Maxfield, a minister of the United Church of Christ, with a Ph.D. in Church History with an emphasis on mission history. Click here for more information and to register.

Installation of the UCC's 10th General Minister and President

Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson will be installed on Friday, Oct. 20 at 5:00p in Lakewood, Ohio. The service will be livestreamed. More info is available now at ucc.org/gmp-installation. More on the livestream and registration coming soon.