Important This Week

• Upcoming event with Sarah Drummond in Shillington
• Register for 'Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations' discussion
• Taskforce hosting free event for grandparents raising grandchildren
• Stewardship materials available

From the Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call:

It goes without saying the only constant in life is change, and those of us within the church know that to be as true as the Gospel itself. For those within lay and clergy leadership roles, the challenge of change is present and will be there in the future. One of the ways the Conference is preparing us for the future is supporting lay leadership in our churches by hosting the Lay Leadership Convocation on Saturday, April 6 at the Church of the Good Shepherd (register here) in Boyertown. At the meeting, various workshops will be presented, and we encourage the laity of our conference to join us for this special event. In addition, we will be welcoming the Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond, who will be giving the keynote speech, and leading a workshop on sharing leadership, which is part of the UCC way of being in community.

However, there is another event that I want to highlight that is meant for lay leaders and clergy, related to the change we’re all experiencing in local churches. Dr. Drummond will be leading another event the day after Lay Leadership Convocation (Sunday, April 7 in the afternoon) at Immanuel UCC in Shillington centered on her wonderful book entitled Dynamic Discernment: Reason, Emotion, and Power in Change Leadership. This is an opportunity to engage with Dr. Drummond and clergy and lay leaders around what is needed to navigate effectively as a change agent in your own settings. Pastors and lay leaders are encouraged to do a book study together before their time with Dr. Drummond on April 7. Even if that is not possible, please join others as we learn together how to navigate seasons of change. There is a separate registration for this event at Immanuel UCC in Shillington, which can be found at this location. We hope you’ll join us at both important events! 

To purchase the book, here are some links to buy it online: Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Pilgrim Press.

Rev. Bill Kevin McLemore

Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call

'Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations'

What effect does the act of leading worship and a religious community have on its leaders, particularly clergy and their capacity to be agents of holy healing? That question was taken up by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research in their project Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations. On March 14, clergy are invited to join in discussing the results of this study and its results. For more information and to register, click here.

2024 Stewardship Materials

“Imagine Together” is the theme for the UCC's 2024 stewardship campaign. Materials for your congregation's 2024 stewardship efforts are now available. This year's theme is "Imagine Together," helping people understand the impact our congregations can make in our communities when we support them.

Materials include eight complete worship services, hymn suggestions, sermon starters from eight different authors, and faith formation sessions for children, youth, and adults. Also provided are practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. Guidance for every step of your campaign help you make the most of these robust materials.

Print materials or digital downloads available. Click here to order.

Black History: Unsung Heroes of Environmental Justice

For Black History Month, the UCC will be celebrating past environmental justice leaders and their historic contributions to the movement. We will lift up and reflect upon the lives of champions for justice such as Dana Alston, Damu Smith, Hazel Johnson, and others. To fully appreciate their impact and legacy, we will hear from those in the movement who knew them. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Feb. 14 at 1:00p, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

Spiritual Exploration Project events coming this month

On Feb. 8 at 10:30, the Contemplative Spirituality group will meet at St. John's UCC in Kutztown at 10:30a. Jim Skelton and Harry Serio will talk about "Resonance" and its meaning and implications for our lives. Click here for more information. Before that, Craig Bennett will lead our book discussion of The Brothers Karamazov as we near the end of this muti-dimensional book. Even if you haven't read the book, you may find the group dialogue interesting. Click here for more information.

Every sentence of Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now rings with truth and power. Charlie Curtis will lead a discussion and guide us in meditation at Soul Cafe on Feb. 20 at 9:30a at West Lawn United Methodist Church. Click here for more information.

At Spirit on Tap at the DoubleTree on Feb. 27, Harry Serio will speak about the Celts' special reverence for holy ground and thin places where access to other dimensions of reality becomes accessible. Then the Shanachians will offer a lively concert of familiar Irish tunes, reels, and jigs. Click here for more information.

Theology with a Twist tonight: Faith Formation and Families

The next Theology with a Twist will be held Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 7:00p on the topic "Faith Formation and Families." The evening will include discussion on faith formation, programs that work and don't work, and how the church tends to be one step behind what families want and need in their faith lives. The panel includes Marjorie Hughes, Kimberly Berenotto, and Sara Hertzog. For more information, click here.

Grant opportunity for Latino/a/e seminarians

The Rev. Dr. Hector E. Lopez Scholarship is intended to prepare future Latina, Latino, and Latine ministers educated in the socially and theologically progressive seminaries related to the UCC. The deadline to apply is March 1. Click here for more information and to apply.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce:

'You Are Not Alone' Grandparents Raising Grandchildren event

Conflict Resolution Skills for Pastors workshop

On Thursday, Feb. 22 at 1:00p, PSEC will host a training on "Conflict Resolution Skills for Pastors." Conflict is a normal part of life; unfortunately, the church is not exempt. This three-hour session will introduce (or refresh) participants to basic insights and skills necessary to manage conflicts in congregations. Join colleagues to learn to regard conflict not as a negative force, but as a positive opportunity for reconciliation, spiritual growth, and a renewed awareness of God’s intention for your church. For information and to register, click here.

Registration open for 2024 Lay Leadership Convocation

On Saturday, April 6 from 8:30a-3:00p, PSEC will hold the 2024 Lay Leadership Convocation in Boyertown. This year's theme will be Sharing Leadership. For agenda, workshop descriptions, and registration, click here.

Registration open now for

2024 Clergy Convocation

Registration is now open for Clergy Convocation, May 7-9 in Lancaster. Open to UCC clergy in Pennsylvania, our time together will focus on rest, renewal, connection and healing. Healing in our ministries and our world often begins with healing within. We know how important it is for clergy to have time away from their ministry settings and to find support. There will be time dedicated for worship, reflection, gathering of affinity groups, and free time. Click here for more information, a tentative agenda, and registration.

PSEC supports Phoebe Ministries; find out more

Phoebe Ministries has long been a significant Ministry partner for the pastors, people, and members of both eastern and central Pennsylvania UCC conferences. They are continually recognized and awarded for exceptional care of our eldest community members. Our conference contributes about $9,000 annually to the support that care. Click here to find very simple yet informative facts about this valued Ministry partner. 

Non-profit FEMA grant intro seminars scheduled

FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate invites interested organizations to attend webinars regarding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The NSGP is a competitive grant awarded to nonprofit organizations at high risk of a terrorist or other extremist attack for the purposes of facility hardening and other security enhancements. It is strongly recommended that you review the NSGP resources found here to maximize the benefit of attendance.

• Thursday, Feb. 8, 2:00p. Register.
• Friday, Feb. 16, 1:00p. Register.
• Thursday, Feb. 22, 3:00p. Register.
• Thursday, Feb. 29, 1:00p. Register.
• Friday, March 8, 2:00p. Register.
• Thursday, March 14, 4:00, Register.
• Friday, March 22, 2:00p. Register.

Following registration, you will receive a calendar invitation via email for the webinar. The link to join the webinar will be contained in that calendar event email. 

Weekly virtual Lenten study from PA conferences

The Penn West, Penn Central, Penn Northeast, and Pennsylvania Southeast conferences of the United Church of Christ invite you to join in this virtual Lenten opportunity! Meeting each Wednesday in Lent at 7:00p, this Bible Study explores the foundations of our identity as Christians and members of the UCC as we explore what the future may hold. Each week is unique so if you cannot attend every date you can still participate in as many as you are able. If you have questions, or you would like to participate in this study, email pattyr@pnec.org to receive the link.

Topics will be:

• Feb. 21: Unity and Foundation
• Feb. 28: United Church of Christ
• March 6: Lent in Context
• March 13: The Priesthood of All Believers
• March 20: Communion

Pennsylvania UCC Noontime Lenten Prayer Gatherings

The 4 PA UCC Conference Ministers and UCC Staff Members will lead weekly prayer gatherings during Lent on Wednesdays from 12:00-12:30p. The first prayer time is Wednesday, Feb. 21 and will follow each Wednesday until March 20. To register, click here. Leaders will be:

• Feb. 21: David Ackerman
• Feb. 28: Nora Foust
• March 6: Carrie Call
• March 13: Bill Worley
• March 20: Bonnie Bates

Forum on Youth Ministry at Princeton in April/May

The Institute for Youth Ministry’s Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary will be themed “Craft: The Future of Youth Ministry,” and the dates are April 30-May 3 on the seminary campus. The Forum is a unique opportunity for youth ministry leaders who crave a community of peers seeking to be transformed through theological reflection that meets practical application in ministry with young people. Click here for more info.

Clinical Pastoral Education set for this summer at Phoebe

Phoebe Ministries will be holding a summer CPE unit beginning in June. It will be a full-time commitment: 40 hours a week for 10 weeks for a full unit with ACPE. We do recognize, however, that students have other responsibilities and duties and may need to begin their clinical hours early and/or finish them after the official end of unit. We are willing to work with students on this if they are committed to completing a CPE unit with us at Phoebe this summer. For more info, click here.

UCC Scholarships and Grants

Click here to check out the brochure of United Church of Christ Scholarships and Grants. The traditional timespan for applications is Dec. 1-March 1.

This email is brought to you by your generous gifts to OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission)! Thank you!