Important This Week

• Tech-Support Hire at PSEC
• Safe the date for upcoming Affirmation of Ministry
• Men's Retreat Fulfills Diversity Requirement
• Preaching Classes Offered

PSEC Announces Addition of

Tech Support Individual

It is with pleasure that we announce that PSEC has hired Rev. Zachary Jackson as an “as needed” Tech Support Person. Zack’s responsibilities will be varied but will center around, tech issues for PSEC meetings, tech classes to assist our churches, podcasts and marketing videos to name a few.

We believe most of the Conference knows Zack but for those of you who have not yet had the pleasure, a bit of background on Zack. He was most recently the Pastor at Community Church in Reading and is currently, along with his wife, Rev. Nichole Jackson, in the midst of a new church start, “Open Table UCC” which is beginning in Pottstown. He and Nichole are busy relocating their family (2 sons: Charlie and Theo) to Pottstown. 

Read future versions of eNews for information on tech webinars and other information from Zack.

Preaching Classes Offered

All Welcome!

Rev. Dr. Steve Ohnsman, Pastor of Calvary UCC in Reading is offering preaching classes. It doesn’t matter if you are lay or clergy, all are welcome. 

The first class will meet on October 2nd from 12-2pm. We will cover the

basics of exegesis, different ways to prepare sermons, and better public

speaking skills. We will choose 5 more two hour classes that will end in May. The class is free and will be held at Calvary UCC, 640 Centre Ave., Reading

For more information contact Steve Ohnsman at ohnsman@comcast.net.

Affirmation of Ministry Service

for Peter Detterline

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Men's Retreat to Fulfill

Diversity Training Requirement

This year's Men's Clergy Retreat, taking place October 4-6 at the Kirkridge Retreat Center, will fulfill the Diversity Training requirement for pastors.

This year's theme for the Men's Clergy Retreat is "Racism in Church and Society: Past and Present"

To register, click here.

Community UCC Receives

Clean-up Kits Grant

“Thanks to Community UCC, Reading, for their work in putting together Emergency Cleanup Kits for Church World Service. Community UCC just received a $250 matching grant to help with the costs related to that. For more information on compiling kits and applying for grants,

click here.

"Thank You" From Illinois

The community at St. John United Church of Christ in Freeport, IL lifts up a thankful prayer for the mission partners in the Illinois Conference United Church of Christ, and throughout the United Church of Christ, who have sent flood relief buckets, supporting donations, and unending prayers for all of Stephenson County affected by last week's flooding.

The family of UCC Conference Disaster Coordinators gives thanks for the faithful response of St. John UCC, Freeport. As they shared in a recent Facebook post: "When trouble comes to our town, the community at St. John UCC is ready to "stand up" and step forward. We are proud mission partners with Stephenson County COAD and the Northwest Illinois Chapter American Red Cross, aiding in the flooding recovery in Stephenson County."

If you would like more information about this response, please contact CDC Roger Dart at disaster@ilucc.org. 

Annual Campaigns 101

Webinar Tomorrow

The UCC is offering an Annual Campaigns webinar tomorrow evening at 7:30 pm.

Designed for pastors and lay leaders planning an annual pledge campaign, we will explore ways to create an effective campaign. We will reflect on core purpose of a campaign, discuss practical steps leaders can take, and explore creative ideas to design a campaign uniquely suited to your congregation.

Join this webinar to develop and strengthen plans for a successful fall campaign.

To register, click here.

Climate Anxiety Webinar

Recently the New York Disaster Interfaith Service held a “Lunch & Learn” climate resilience webinar on pastoral care for those experiencing climate grief.

The speaker, Nobuko Hori, allowed participants to “walk in her shoes” to better understand what it means to experience climate anxiety and ecological grief. The YouTube recording of the webinar can be found by clicking here.

Moving Through Life With Embodied Grace Webinar Thursday

How do we connect the inspired mind of Christ to the often tired Body of Christ? What spiritual practices allow us to tap into the “fount of every blessing” even as we engage the urgencies of our time?

For more information and to register, 

click here.

Neighbors in Need 2022

"Behold"

The Neighbors in Need "BEHOLD!" offering focuses on economic justice. With inflation impacting all of our households, we wanted to provide a way to discuss this topic through a faith lens.

Join us by promoting this year's campaign at your church. Explore the promotional toolkit, which contains a four-week bible study, coloring book, three posters, social media banners, and a leader's guide. These materials will assist you in planning and carrying out the 2022 NIN

campaign.

Items available by clicking here.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: New Resource

Over the last number of weeks, two members of the Addiction and Recovery Task Force have shared their journeys through the Twelve Steps. For those of us who have walked that journey with them through their words, it has been a revelation about the healing process that the Twelve Steps can provide for those seeking to recover.

Their discussion of the Twelve Steps is now available at the PSEC website on the Addiction and Recovery page under the heading “Walking the Twelve Steps with Gratitude.” There is a separate link to each of the steps. This is a great resource for sermons, for understanding Twelve Step programs, and for those working the Twelve Steps.

We hope you make use of this remarkable resource.

Click here for the August Ready PA newsletter.

 2023 Rates and Plan Enhancements

Announced by the Pension Boards

The following premium rates and plan enhancements for the 2023 plan year will be effective January 1, 2023. 

·    UCC Non-Medicare Plan: 8.5% Increase (no change to co-pays and deductibles)

·    UCC Pharmacy Plan: No change to co-pays

·    UCC Medicare Advantage Plan: 5% Increase

·    UCC Dental Plan: 4% Increase

·    UCC Vision Plan: 10% Increase

·    UCC Life and Disability Plan: No change

The following benefit enhancements are also effective January 1, 2023:

·    UCC Dental Plan: Coverage for Lifetime Orthodontic Services increases to $2,000

   UCC Vision Plan: Coverage of new eyeglass frames every year, with an allowance up

                 to $170

UCC Polity Course Offered

The PATHWAYS Theological Education Board of Directors invites all questioning, curious people of faith to join us for our

6-week courses beginning Fall I (mid-August) and Fall II (beginning late September) (see website for details and registration links). The 12-week UCC Polity course runs three times a year beginning September 7, January 11 and May 17. 

Enroll now at PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.

From Knowing to Transforming Your Community

First UCC in Quakertown is offering Free Training for Faith Leaders on Thursday, September 22nd. This training has been approved by C&M for 7.5 hours of Continuing Education. For more information click here. For a flyer,

click here and click here to register.