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Important This Week
- Trauma Training - Register Now
- New Generation Leadership Initiative
- Disaster Ministries Opportunities
- Boundary Training NEXT Wednesday
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From the Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development:
Recently I heard a segment on NPR that addressed one of the unseen scars of the pandemic. Long after the physical ramifications of this dark hour are gone, there will still be many emotional, psychological, and spiritual byproducts that remain. One of those comes in the form of the many plans that have been altered due to covid. We have all been excited about the possibility of something that we were looking forward to for a long time, only to have those plans altered and cancelled and our excitement crushed. It could be the graduation that was only virtual, the prom that never happened, the wedding where guests couldn’t make it, or even the Christmas service that had to be done only virtually. Because of this, psychologists say that we are becoming afraid to hope, anticipating that our hopes will always be dashed. They call this phenomena hope fatigue. I can’t think of anything that we need right now more than hope! Our recently departed brother, Bishop Desmond Tutu, said that hope is the ability to a glimmer of light, even while traversing through a dark tunnel. The Covid-19 pandemic has been a very dark tunnel, but Paul gave us a formula that I believe is helpful right now; suffering produced endurance. Endurance produces character. Character produces hope and hope never fails. For those of us who have our hope built on “Jesus blood and righteousness,” even in the midst of this pandemic I believe the best is yet to come!
Blessings,
Cean
Rev. Cean James, Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development
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Trauma Training Program
Trauma Trainings for Clergy and Ministry Leaders
in the United Church of Christ [UCC]
A partnership between The Welcome Project PA, Lakeside Global Institute, & the PSEC
Saturday, February 26th, 9:00am-2:00pm
The Welcome Project PA [WPPA], in partnership with Lakeside Global Institute and the Pennsylvania SE Conference of the United Church of Christ [PSEC], is pleased to offer professional trauma training modules for ministry leaders in their respective contexts, so as to prepare them to better assist their constituents who have suffered trauma. The purpose of this program is to assist professionals in their caring for people who have suffered various forms of trauma, to create an awareness of the causes and consequences of trauma, and how it affects our human relationships and social interactions. Finally, this program strives to enable those who have suffered/continue to suffer from trauma, a path forward to progress and a way out of destructive cycles.
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Basic Boundary Training
NEXT Wednesday-
Register Now
On Wednesday, Jan. 26, Basic Boundary Training will be offered from 9:00a-3:00p on Zoom. The cost is $40 for UCC participants ($50 for non-UCC participants). To register, click here.
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Celebrate & Embody the Dream |
Justice seeking is not only for those individuals who are invested in economic, racial and social justice; it is also in large part, the vocation of the church – the body of Christ.
The Racial Justice Initiative Team of the PSEC of the UCC would like to share with you these links to both days of the Racial Justice Symposium held in October, 2021. We had the blessing of two great keynote speakers, the Rev. Dr. Drew Hart and the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer. The wisdom they shared with us was so invaluable we wanted to share it with the whole conference and beyond.
"When love is the lens through which we see the world, justice is possible."
- Rev. Traci Blackmon
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From the Addiction & Recovery
Taskforce:
The Family
Have you ever wondered what the families in your congregation with children struggling with drug addiction go through? Here is a small window.
Hours of Internet research, multiple outpatient rehabs, countless hours of individual therapy later, and there was still not a complete reversal of behavior…a nightmare indeed! I became quite versed in drug lingo and assorted tricks of the trade (vodka in water bottles, stuffing marijuana in cigars, various ‘tools’ used for drug prep, etc.) This was an education I didn’t sign up for. My son’s personality completely changed over time. I was having trouble recognizing the sweet, sensitive boy I once knew and loved. Where did he go? I endured many hours of tears and prayers. Would he come back? I honestly didn’t know.
After many months of heartache, fear, financial and emotional drain and familial strife, and many months of family treatment, we began to see a slow and steady improvement. What a joy to see my son return to us: an amazing gift!
Reprinted with permission. Please
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Disaster Relief Challenge has begun in PSEC & PNEC
The Susquehanna Area Mission Council of the Penn Northeast Conference is inviting all churches in both PNEC and PSEC to share in its annual mission project. If your congregation is willing to participate in this offering supporting our common disaster relief ministry, please include this insert in your Sunday bulletin on Jan. 9 and/or 16, along with information about how gifts should be made in your congregation.
A short video explaining this Challenge can be found here. Donations received should be forwarded to your Conference office at the conclusion of the campaign, marked "High 5 for Disaster Relief". Many thanks from the SAMC.
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Next Generation Leadership Initiative
UCC Pension Boards
The Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) is a transformative leadership initiative of the UCC Pension Boards. NGLI equips, energizes, and empowers younger United Church of Christ local church pastors to build vibrant congregations that change lives and further God’s mission in the world.
Those who meet the following requirements are encouraged to apply by the deadline of February 1, 2022:
1. 35 years of age or under by June 1, 2022
2. Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish
3. Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference
4. Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting
5. Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ
Click here to learn more about the program, including how to apply.
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Trending HR Considerations for Ministries |
The new year presents emerging HR issues for ministries in 2022. Churches are learning how to pivot and adapt to managing risk during COVID-19 vaccine mandates, discipline and terminations, disability leave management, and updating policies and procedures to account for new changes in the law. Termination of ministry in the call agreement template is also proving to be challenging for some pastors.
Join us on January 28th at 2:00 p.m. EST as Conference Minister Rev. David J. Ackerman and Attorney Dean A. Rocco discuss HR issues and offer legal considerations for your ministry.
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Disaster Ministry Opportunities |
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is offering grants of up to $5,000 to community organizations, including churches, to assist individuals with disabilities in response to emergencies and disasters. The support could be access to information that will educate, prepare, and decrease the negative impacts of the emergency situation, and ensure your programs and resources are accessible and inclusive to all. All projects funded through this effort must be in direct relation to responding to an emergency situation. Activities must serve the purpose of providing resources or education. And activities must be developed and implemented with the assistance of individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information and application.
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The Disaster Ministries Team at the UCC national setting is now accepting applications for the newly forming Emotional and Spiritual Care Team. Interested persons can find the application here. Please feel free to share this link with others who would have the skills and interest to join the team. The Rev. Martha Jacobs serves as the Team Facilitator.
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2023 Mission Trip Calendar
is now Open
The Mission Trip Calendar for 2023 with Bay Back Mission is now open and ready for bookings! To book please email the volunteer coordinator with your preferred dates including your first option and a second option. The email request are fulfilled on a first come first served basis.
To see the weeks that are open you can access the calendar here. Please note that updates to the calendar will take some time. So please be patient.
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UCC weekly webinar schedule released for first quarter
Worship. Grief. The Bible. Bias. Black History Month. Contemplation. The rural church. Youth and young adults.
Those are among the topics of weekly United Church of Christ webinars now set for the first quarter of 2022. To view the schedule for the "Thursdays for the Soul" webinars, click here.
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PA Ready Monthly Newsletter
The January newsletter from PA Ready can be accessed by clicking here.
Every month, Ready PA publishes a newsletter highlighting preparedness and readiness news for the residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Read up and be ready!
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Church security webinar scheduled from state of PA
The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, in partnership with the U.S. DHS, PEMA, PA State Police, the three Fusion Centers across the Commonwealth, Faith-based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization, and the Anti-Defamation League, is offering a quarterly virtual learning series to Faith-based Organizations. This learning series will provide valuable information to religious leaders, security personnel and members of houses of worship to enhance security and resilience. The first quarterly event will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27 from 1:00-4:00p, with keynote speaker Director Shawn Brokos, a retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent and current Director of Community Security at the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. Director Brokos will provide a case study on the Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy and lessons learned. This presentation will review the importance of security procedures in houses of worship, and how to best implement these procedures based on national best practices and potential funding sources. David Kohanbash, Security Committee Chair, Shaare Torah Synagogue, in Pittsburgh, will also speak about building a security committee and the significance of having a security team. Guidance and further resources will be provided via handouts, and there will be time set aside at the end for Questions & Answers.
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Church Openings
- Barnesville-Delano Tri-Charge, Schuylkill County (full-time settled)
- Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
- Christ Church UCC, Norristown (full-time designated)
- Glenside UCC, Glenside (full-time settled)
- Huff's Union Church, Alburtis (full-time settled)
- New Goshenhoppen Reformed UCC, East Greenville (settled senior pastor)
- St. James UCC, Limerick (3/4-time settled)
- St. Peter's UCC of Wilshire (full-time interim)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian: 484-949-8774 ext. 302 or minasian@psec.org .
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Classified Ads
Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
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Missed an email? Read past emails here:
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PSEC is the link that connects our church’s various and diverse ministries both locally and globally. Together, we provide our local churches, pastors and congregations with the training and inspiration they need to carry out our church’s wider mission. We are stronger together; therefore, we embrace diversity, and above all, we spread God’s love! |
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