Message to the Conference | |
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Greetings members and friends of Penn Central Conference,
On July 4th the 34th UCC General Synod in Indianapolis ended. Synod is our denomination’s biennial gathering during which we conduct the business of the National Church, attend seminars and learning sessions, celebrate new and newly affiliated congregations, attend worship, and be inspired by guest speakers, all to renew and strengthen our covenantal relationships. Our Conference was blessed by the faithful commitment of 21 volunteer delegates who lent their voices to the movement of the Holy Spirit in wide-ranging discussions, debates, and decisions. Here are a few highlights.
Our Keynote speaker, Rev. Nadia Boltz Weber, galvanized many of us by reminding us of the “gorgeous” gift of forgiveness and salvation given to us by Jesus, and urged us to practice that same forgiveness in our own lives. Weber reminded us that the Devil will go trolling through the garbage of our past actions looking for things to show us, so we remain trapped by regret and recrimination instead of embracing the gift of forgiveness. (This powerful image was attributed to Martin Luther.) Her message was both deeply personal and broadly applicable to the wider church. Weber has the remarkable gift of weaving together traditional Christian images and language (e.g., principalities and powers, the throne of the Lamb) with contemporary spiritual and psychological challenges. I confess to being deeply moved while also recognizing the rarity of hearing such a voice.
We celebrated the historic election of Karen Georgia Thompson, the first black female General Minister and President of the UCC! Rev. Dr. Thompson was already known to many of us via her work in wider church and global ministries. She brings a unique ecumenical perspective and has broad experience with various expressions of religiosity. No doubt the UCC is forging new paths. To read about the election, go here.
The UCC By-laws amendment passed (by a single vote), changing Synod frequency to every three years beginning with Synod 36 in 2028. No surprise that this discussion was the most contentious of our gathered time together. The change in frequency is a step that recognizes the enormous human, financial, and environmental costs of a Synod event. It also recognizes and responds to the changing face of the denomination as we become much smaller, and our national staff shrinks.
Years of work by the UCC Historical Council resulted in the formal recognition and celebration of the Afro-Christian Convention as the “Fifth Stream” of the UCC, joining the Congregationalist, Christian, Evangelical Synod, and German Reformed traditions. This was a recognition that was long, long overdue. Following the recognition, our General Minister and President John C. Dorhauer took the stage to offer a humble, moving apology for the ways the UCC has stifled or ignored the voices and contributions of the Afro-Christian Convention over time. Read more about this historic moment here.
Our dedicated and thoughtful delegates were busily engaged with work around the proposed resolutions. You can see a listing of the resolutions with their original wording and the amended versions at https://generalsynod.org/proposed-resolutions I commend our delegates for completing some intensive work and engaging fully in the process. I hope you will hear of their experiences at upcoming Association gatherings. The experience of Synod is always eye-opening! There are several resolutions of particular interest to our delegates, so watch for opportunities to help us implement that work. To hear directly from our delegates in their own words, check out the reflections from Kathy Brown, Andrew Boyer and Jerry Thomason.
Thank you to the Conference and Associations for providing the funds for our delegates to travel and engage with the wider church in Indianapolis!
Peace,
Carrie
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
| Annual Meeting Service Project Update | |
We are so pleased with the generosity of our churches at this year's Annual Meeting! We delivered 227 packages of maxi pads, 158 packages of tampons and 83 packages of wipe (for a total of 468 packages of products) to The Period Project Harrisburg. We have also received $370 to pass on to the Period Project.
| We have begun uploading video from the 61st Annual Meeting to YouTube. We have several workshops up now, with more to come, as well as the photo booth slide show up now. Watch our channel for more workshops and clips from the meeting soon! | |
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Scheduling notes:
July 16 - Trinity UCC, Palmyra - Rev. Rick Luciotti preaching
July 16 - St. John's Blymire's UCC, Dallastown - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
July 16 - Willow Street UCC, Willow Street - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
July 23 - St. Luke's UCC, Lititz - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
August 13 - September 4 - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust on sabbatical
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Prayers for Penn Central Conference
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
Salem (Spring Mills) UCC,Spring Mills
Emmanuel UCC, Abbotstown
Christ UCC, Annville
Zion UCC, Arendtsville
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Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events. | |
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Carol Dieffenbach Kantner of Bernville will speak at Himmel’s Church, 107 Covered Bridge Road, Dornsife on Sunday, August 6, 2023 at the 9:00 a.m. service. Kantner is a church organist and a direct descendant of Christian Dieffenbach who was an organ builder from Berks County. In 1818 after the stone edifice was built at Himmel’s, there was $800 left in the building fund. That money was used to purchase a pipe organ for the church. Because no other local churches at that time had an organ, Himmel’s became known as the “organ church.” That organ was in use until about the 1940s and was destroyed in the 1959 fire in the frame church at Himmel’s. Kantner is also a member of the Dieffenbach Organ Preservation Society.
The Dieffenbach family came to America and settled in Schoharie, New York in 1709. In 1723 along with ancestors of the Kobel, Reed and Schneider families at Himmel’s, they sailed down the Susquehanna River and settled in the Tulpehocken area of Berks County. John Jacob Dieffenbach built his first organ between 1776 and 1778. He made wagons, furniture and coffins and wanted to build an organ. When he heard that a pipe organ had been purchased by a church in Philadelphia, he stuffed his pockets with dried beef and bread, a notebook and measuring stick and walked 75 miles to Philadelphia to learn about it. Thus began the Dieffenbach Organ builders’ story. Christian Dieffenbach was a son of John Jacob Dieffenbach. Ms. Kantner will share the story of the organ builders during her talk. For those who cannot attend in person, you can watch later on the Himmel's Church Facebook page.
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Looking for a good choice for a book club or book discussion group in your church? Try Learning to See: A Memoir of Southern Africa, by the Rev. Dr. Rich Christensen, long-time pastor, missionary and church historian. Taking the reader on a journey through an African culture where magic spells are a reality, tribal meetings gather for as long as eight hours to resolve community problems, and vibrant singing in four-part harmony overwhelms visitors with its beauty, the book relates the story of Rich and his family as they lived and worked in the early 1980’s at a secondary school in Botswana. It’s a story of family, genuine hospitality, and the gospel that keeps hope alive in difficult circumstances.
Professor Lee Barrett of Lancaster Seminary describes the book as “a rare combination of spiritual insight, theological reflection, poignant interpersonal anecdotes, and political passion. It provides a nuanced critique of the implicit colonialism in many missionary movements in southern Africa without minimizing the value of spreading the gospel in word and deed.”
The book is available through wipfandstock.com or amazon.com or support your local bookstores like Hearts and Minds.
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This year, the churches of the Northern Association of the Penn Central Conference are hosting an Outreach Mission Event to fight world hunger. The Association is working with the organization "Rise Against Hunger", a group striving to end world hunger in our lifetime. Rise Against Hunger is a program that packages nutritious dehydrated meals of rice, soy, vegetables, and 23 essential vitamins and minerals. The packaged meals are then sent to developing countries and areas affected by natural disasters as needs dictate.
The Association meal packaging event will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at the Centre Hall Lion's Club beginning around 10 am. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please consider contributing to this event either by volunteering to help package the meals and/or donating to the event (each meal costs 38¢).
This is a great fun activity and no special skill or equipment is required. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Volunteers can vary in age from 5 years old to 99 years old. The goal is to package 20,088 meals--meaning we need to raise $5,850 to cover the meals and transportation expenses of the Rise Against Hunger Team traveling from Pittsburgh. We will also need approximately 60 volunteers. We are looking to run two shifts 10 am to 12 noon; and 1 pm to 3 pm. and 30 volunteers for each shift. If you feel comfortable you can sign up for both shifts. You may register online at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/Centrehall2023 or you may contact Susan Rudy at 1-303-349-3028 and provide her your information and she will register you. We are also looking for a few strong arms to lift 50 pound bags when the truck arrives to unload. They would need to arrive around 8:30 am that day July 29, 2023.
To make your tax deductible donation please make checks payable to Northern Association and mail them to:
Trinity United Church of Christ
ATTN: Bob Rumbaugh
PO Box 212
Centre Hall, PA 16828
(please note in memo line "Rise Against Hunger")
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Events with our partners at Lutheran Camping Corporation
Summer Camp with Lutheran Camping Corporation - use code PENNCENTRAL2023 to use a 50% campership from PCC's Outdoor Ministries!
Hartman Center Homecoming week
July 31 through August 5, 2023
We will be returning to Hartman Center Campground in Milroy, PA as guests.
Camping experiences for all ages, including intergenerational camps.
2 night camps - Monday, July 31 at 4PM through Wednesday, August 2 at 4PM
Getting Started - Grades 1 and 2 ($125)
Intergenerational Camp ($125)
3 night camps - Wednesday, August 2 at 4PM through Saturday, August 5 at 11AM
Intergenerational Camp ($190)
Camp of the Heart ($250)
5 night camps - Monday, 31 at 4PM through Saturday, August 5 at 11AM
Elementary - Grades 3 - 5 ($300)
Junior High - Grades 6 - 8 ($300)
Senior High - Grades 9 - 12 plus ($300)
Leadership - Grades 9 - 12 plus ($300)
If you'd lole
For more information, contact Rev. Alice Rauch alirauch07@gmail.com (director)
or Rev. Amelia Price aashivers@gmail.com (registrar)
Register here and print a brochure here
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From our Friends and Partners | |
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Bethany Children's Home
Celebrating 160 Years
Summer Concert Series
July 14th - Flamin' Dick & the Hot Rods - 5:00PM, $5.00 per car
August 19th - Anniversary Day Returns: Raffles, Live Music, Carnival Games, Food & Ride - $5.00 per car & additional costs for activities
Jeff Krick Jr: Elvis Tribute - 12:00PM
The Celtic Martins - 3:00PM
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UCC Webinar— Seeing through the Smoke: Wildfires, Climate, and a Path Forward
How can we find a path forward in addressing the wildfires that have created a landscape of crisis in our climate changed world? This webinar will feature leading thinkers and practitioners in answering this question. Panelist John Vaillant has recently released an acclaimed book entitled "Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World,” while panelist Kimiko Barrett from Headwaters Economics is a wildfire research and policy analyst who has been interviewed by national news outlets for her insights. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on July 12th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!
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Rev. Dr. Aaron B. Wade, Minister for Congregational Leadership Development,
Granting & Scholarships, is delighted to share the exciting news that the 2023 Justice and Local Church Ministry Common Application is NOW OPEN. I encourage you to share the link provided below with individuals and churches who may be interested in applying for Operational support, Neighbors in Need, CASA New and Renewing Church, and Pension Board New Church Start Benefit Support grants.
Link to the application: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/89418-United-Church-Of-Christ
This convenient link allows applicants to either print the application or start filling out the common application for any of our four grant offerings. Please note that all applications will require a reference from their respective Conference Minister.
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Our Whole Lives training
In addition to an increasing number of in-person trainings across the country, Our Whole Lives trainings will continue to be offered online in 2023 for UCC and UUA members, at a cost of only $250 plus curriculum.
Registration applications will be accepted from July 17-July 31 for a Jr Sr High Level Training in September
Registration applications will be accepted from Aug 21-Sept 5 for an Elementary (Grades K-1 and 4-6) Training in October
Registration applications will be accepted from Sept 11-Sept 25 for an All Adult Levels Training in November
More information about these trainings, in addition to information about upcoming in-person trainings, can be found here.
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From our friends and partners | |
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2023 Festival of Biblical Storytelling
AUGUST 2,3, AND 4, 2023
At the Maritime Conference Center near BWI and Baltimore, MD
Learn more and register here.
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
email: ccall@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
email: nfoust@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-2587
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
email: rluciotti@gmail.com
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
email: pkeller@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-652-1560
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