Important This Week
  • New church openings were added to the list of part-time vacancies
  • Lancaster Seminary holding lay ministry meeting this week
  • Register now to celebrate Rev. Sharon Morris on Feb. 23
From the Associate Conference Minister:
We are vulnerable, but the Lord is my Shepherd

This has been one of those weeks when one comes face to face with the fragility of life. The news of the death of Kobe Bryant and 8 other people in a helicopter shattered the idea that we, as humans, are in control. It is the kind of tragedy that makes you want to hold your children just a little tighter and to make sure you tell your family you love them before you leave for work.
There are many people who are experiencing these kinds of tragedies every day — cancer, other diseases, the death of a loved one, relationship problems, addiction, and it goes on and on. It is during these times that we realize how vulnerable our souls are to darkness and hopelessness. 

It is no accident that the 23rd Psalm begins with “The Lord is My Shepherd”. We as humans are vulnerable creatures just like sheep. There are some differences though. We as humans can see danger coming and we anticipate that danger. We see that the walkway is covered with ice and so we are careful to walk very carefully. We anticipate the actions of the driver of the other car and therefore can avoid an accident. We see a wild animal, sense the danger, and our adrenal glands kick in and we can get ourselves safely away. However, the same is not true when it comes to our souls. It is much harder to see danger that may be headed for our souls. Attacks on our souls are much less evident to us. Unlike our physical bodies, our souls are often caught off guard against the attacks of life. And because our souls are unprepared, we are very vulnerable creatures much like sheep.

This is the reason that Jesus compares us to sheep. Our souls are vulnerable. We need someone to be the Caretaker of our souls. We need the Good Shepherd to restore our souls when we are under attack and on the verge of becoming depleted.

This week is one of those weeks when it feels as if our souls are under attack. But what we need to remember are the words that begin Psalm 23, “the Lord is my Shepherd”. The Lord is your Shepherd. The Lord is the caretaker of our souls.

We can be confident that the Good Shepherd, the Caretaker of our souls, who knows us by name, is present with us each and every day. Thank God, we have a Good Shepherd who makes us lie down in green pastures when our lives become so burdened that we feel as though we cannot make it another day. Thank God, we have the Good Shepherd who cares for our soul enough to lead us by streams of quietness so that we might be restored.

And even during these times when we find ourselves in the dark valleys of our lives, our Shepherd will not forsake us. We will not be afraid because the Good Shepherd will give us all the strength that we need to endure this time of trial and tribulation and we will be comforted. 

This is the Good News that we can hang on to. This is the Good News that we can hang on to every day of our lives.
Rev. Sharon S. Morris
Associate Conference Minister
Consistory names Interim Associate Conference Minister
Last week, the Conference Consistory announced the appointment of Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian as the Interim Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call. If you missed that announcement, you can read more about Rev. Dr. Minasian and the search on the PSEC website .
UCC Disaster Ministries January newsletter released
The UCC Disaster Ministries has released its January 2020 "News from UCC Disaster Ministries" newsletter. To read about the Puerto Rico earthquake appeal, Hurricane Michael recovery work in Florida, workshop opportunities, webinars, and resources, click here .
Join PSEC on February 23 in celebrating Rev. Sharon Morris

The Pennsylvania Southeast Conference invites you to join us in celebrating Rev. Sharon Morris and wish her well on her next journey! A dessert reception will be held Sunday, Feb. 23 from 1:00-3:00 at Sunnybrook- Gatsby's in Pottstown. The cost is $25 (with $10 to go towards a "Love Offering"). Register or donate now by clicking here . For more info, click here .
Spiritual life workshops being offered for lay leaders

A course on Spiritual Life will meet at Trinity UCC, Telford on Saturday mornings from 9:00-11:00 as follows:
  • March 28 - Spiritual growth through congregational worship
  • April 25 - Spiritual growth through personal disciplines
  • May 16 - Spiritual growth through small groups.
This course is designed for church leaders but is open to anyone who feels challenged to deepen their spiritual life. The course will be led by Dr. Charles Maxfield, an ordained UCC minister with experience in lay ministry training. He will be assisted by Constance Lezenby, a spiritual director recognized by her Friends’ Meeting as a traveling minister. Cost is $25 per congregation. Registration, including names of participants, with phone and e-mail contacts, are required by March 20. Click here for more info including how to register.
Did you know that year-end reporting has started

Thank you to the churches that have already completed your year-end reporting! Earlier this month, emails were sent to churches and pastors with information on year-end reporting. If you should have received that information and didn’t, please contact the Conference Registrar, Brea Rarick, at brea@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 311. Visit psec.org/reporting for more information on this year’s reporting.
Church leaders gathering scheduled for Feb. 15

A gathering for lay leaders and Consistory Presidents will meet Feb. 15 from 9:00a-11:00a at Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC, 2077 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville, to support one another, share ideas, and pray for each other. Church lay leaders have opportunity and roadblocks facing us at all times. Our goal is to brainstorm, support, pray, laugh, and learn together in a confidential environment, so that we are strengthened to build healthy, vibrant, and faithful churches. There is no fee to attend. Contact Brenda Semach, Consistory President of Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC, with any questions and to RSVP: kbsemach@aol.com.
College scholarship available to Berks County UCC members

The DJ Wetzel Fund awards scholarships to members of Berks County UCC churches who are continuing their education after high school at a college or university, graduate school, vocational school, or in a life enrichment program. Click here for more information and to apply. Applications are due March 15.
Lancaster Seminary holding meeting on lay ministry

Lancaster Theological Seminary is launching a new Ministerial Institute to provide lower cost and more accessible theological education for lay and pastoral leaders through the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM). If you believe you might have the gifts, skills and interest in part-time, theological, hands on church leadership training, this program is for you. You will not earn a degree but you will be better prepared to lead in your church.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, from 7–8pm, a video conference will be held t o address whatever might block your participation (time, travel, etc.) and to gather info for this program. To RSVP and receive log-in info, email PAM Director Darryl Stephens: dstephens@lancasterseminary.edu .

If you are unavailable on that date, contact Darryl Stephens for information about the dates and times of the focus group meetings offered in partnership with other UCC conferences.
Sign-up: MA-AUCE Christian educators conference

Mid-Atlantic Association of United Church Educators will hold their 2020 Annual Conference "Holistic Faith Formation: Engaging Our Whole Selves" April 27-29 in Mt. Bethel. Join Faith Formation colleagues for three days of learning, networking, and renewal. Workshop topics include Our Whole Lives (OWL); engaging older adults throughout your ministry; becoming a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) congregation for mental health; and using art for reflection. We will have times of worship and spiritual practices to both renew ourselves and share with our
congregations, and as well as time for fellowship to build and renew connections. Click here for information and to register.  
Classified Ads

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View a complete list of Classified Ads here
Church Events
Feb. 1: Free Community Breakfast in Gilbertsville

Feb. 9: Taylor Made Barbershop Quartet in Wernersville

Feb. 22: What do Beer & Church have in common? in Shillington

Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:

  • St. Luke's UCC, Ottsville (part-time supply)
  • Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
  • Trinity UCC, Rehrersburg (part-time supply)
  • St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time designated)
  • St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
  • St. Mark's UCC, Reading (10 hrs/ week)
  • St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)

If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Sharon Morris: morris@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
PSEC Events
Feb. 22: ALICE Training in Bernville

Feb. 23: Celebration of Rev. Sharon Morris in Pottstown

March 7: ALICE Training in Quakertown



May 5: Clergy Convocation in Lancaster

View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Staff Preaching
Rev. William Worley
Feb. 2: Hegins Valley charge
Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
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!