Important This Week

• Lay leadership support group meeting this Saturday on Zoom
• Registration open for opportunities for Boundary and Diversity training
• Important message for churches regarding new fraud concern

From the Conference Minister: Partnership with India

Our joint Conference Ecumenical Relations Mission Team (ERMT) with representatives from PSEC and PNEC connects our Conferences with ministries around the globe including the Church of South India (CSI) – the second largest Christian church in India. The ERMT entered into a formal ecumenical agreement this past summer with the Karimnagar Diocese and their Bishop, The Right Rev. Dr. Reuben Mark. From this region many immigrants have come to eastern Pennsylvania and found spiritual homes in UCC congregations (including Grace-Trinity UCC and Emmanuel CSI in Philadelphia).

Two weeks ago, six ERMT representatives traveled to the Karimnagar Dioceses at the invitation of Bishop Reuben to experience their ministry in the poorest areas of the Telangana Province. We witnessed how the Christian faith is growing in culturally complex and economically repressed communities. We learned about the historic missional connection of the UCC and CSI through our American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions — the forerunner to UCC Global Ministries. We also become familiar with the Dalit theological tradition that emerged among the Dalit caste in India in the 1980s and how that shapes preparation for, and the practice of, ministry.

We hope to use the lessons learned to broaden the understanding of clergy and congregations in our PA Conferences of the tremendous ministries done with diminished resources in the Karimnagar region – a reality that affects most US congregations. And that we are joined in Christian ministry with friends far away but close at heart who pray Jesus’ prayer, “that they may all be one” (the motto of both the CSI and the UCC).

The ERMT will continue to build connections with UCC Global Ministries (who graciously funded our India travels) and its partnerships with the Church of South India specifically with initiatives that address issues facing women and girls including (but not limited to) education and opportunities in the workplace. We also hope to witness to recent partnerships Global Ministries has forged in Southern Asia around the work to end human trafficking and increase religious freedom.

I beg your prayers for the ongoing work of the ERMT and for ministry partners around the world who work toward unity in the face of global division and offer my deepest gratitude for the ERMT representatives who have committed much of themselves to this effort:

Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates (PNEC), Conference Minister

Mrs. Kelly Johannsen (PSEC), Member of New Goshenhoppen UCC

Mr. Sukumar Kuthuru (PSEC), Member of Grace-Trinity UCC and PSEC Moderator

Pastor Janet Newett (PNEC), Pastor, UCC Greenawalds, Allentown

Rev. Dr. David Charles Smith (PNEC), Pastor, Jordan UCC, Allentown

Blessings,

Pastor Bill Worley

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

Important message for churches: Employee Retention Credit

In recent weeks, the Employee Retention Credit, a program implemented by the CARES Act of 2020 and revised by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, has been given renewed attention. In particular, service providers have popped up promising to help churches and other companies apply for the ERC and receive money from the federal government, in exchange for a percentage of what the church is entitled to. Some of these consultants are reaching out to churches directly and aggressively. 

Church settings must tread carefully here as some of these providers are inexperienced, unqualified, and may even be fraudulent. The requirements to qualify for ERC are specific, and making false or misleading representations under the penalty of perjury on an application for ERC funds may result in investigation and prosecution.

Churches who are interested in this, must talk to a local CPA, not a company created for the Empoloyee Retention Credit. Many are faudulent and take a large part of the refund as their payment. Then the company will close or disappear before the IRS realizes that the church has fraudulantly received the funds.

Churches should consult with a qualified accountant to review eligibility criteria for ERC. Some church settings may legitimately qualify. This credit is only for Social Security and Medicare taxes paid, so churches without large lay staffs have very little refund opportunity.

Here is one really good article from a noted accounting firm that provides services to churches and other religious organizations. Here is the same firm’s warning about the pop-up industry of ERC service providers.

Announcing the passing of Mrs. Mary Doghramji

Mary Doghramji (née Bedikian), age 93, of Havertown, passed away peacefully on March 1, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary was the beloved wife of the Rev. Dr. Peter B. Doghramji. Click here to read the full obituary.

March Lay Leaders Support Group meeting this Saturday

The Lay Leadership Support Group will gather THIS Saturday from 10:00a-noon on Zoom. The Lay Leadership Support Group is for Consistory Presidents as well as those serving on Consistory. We gather once a month on Zoom – so please join us!

We have found it to be a great place to form new friendships, to gain support, and to be educated on a variety of topics concerning our churches. The discussions are centered around sharing valuable information about what our churches are doing or maybe could be doing.

If you would like to join the group for the first time, please contact Susan at the PSEC office at susan@psec.org for the zoom link.

Register for Traci Blackmon event for Diversity Training

On Sunday, April 16, Reformed Church of the Ascension in Norristown will host "Call to Action: Reconnecting the Church to a Vocation of God's Justice." Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister of Justice and Local Church Ministries for the UCC will provide the keynote address at this event, which has been approved for Diversity Training credit. The question of how to enact the role of the church in community justice work is often overwhelming for local congregations. Determining the next steps is essential for the church to live out the vocation to which God has called us. Click here to register.

Registration open for PSEC Boundary Training events

Six hours of Boundary Training is required for every PSEC authorized minister who hasn't received Exempt Standing. Registration is now open for several upcoming Boundary Training opportunities. Click the event name below for more information and to register:

• Advanced Boundary Training: The Limits of Pastoral Care. Wednesday, April 26 from 9:00a-12:00p on Zoom
• Basic Boundary Training. Tuesday, May 2 from 9:00a-4:00p in Norristown
• Basic Boundary Training. Thursday, September 14 from 9:00a-4:00p in Schuylkill Haven

Register for the Lay Leaders Convocation on April 15

Local church leaders are invited to a Lay Leaders Convocation, a full day of worship, address, workshops, and fellowship on Saturday, April 15 in Pottstown. If you are a consistory president, elder, deacon, council member, or active member of your church community, this event is for YOU. Click here for more information and to register.

Stewardship webinar: Learning from Millennial donors

The next UCC Stewardship Webinar will be March 22 at 7:30p on the topic of "Changing Landscape of Giving: What We Can Learn from Millennial and Gen Z Donors." Click here to register.

Registration open for PSEC Annual Spring Meeting

The Annual Spring Meeting will be June 2-3 at West Chester. The theme will be "May They All Be One: Unleashing the Spirit", focusing on ways to re-imagine what it means to be the Body of Christ. That includes building partnerships between local churches who share resources (including pastors), merging ministries, and connecting with community partners. Representatives from congregations share how this has been life giving for them and how they overcame longtime resistance to making it happen. Similarly, representatives of the Keystone Study Group will share their conversations about creating partnerships between and among our four PA Conference that may lead to a four Conference merger. Click here for more information and to register.

Calvary UCC, Reading to host Dr. Robert P. Jones

In cooperation with Albright College, Calvary UCC in Reading will host Dr. Robert P. Jones, president and founder of PRRI and author of two award winning books, "The End of White Christian America" and "White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity". Dr. Jones will lead a workshop in the morning and hold a round-table discussion at lunch on March 31. Click here to register for this free program. Spots are limited so register today. Dr. Jones will be speaking at Albright on March 30, at 7pm.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Point to ponder

“Grace is inherent to the creation from the beginning (Genesis 1:2), just like springtime; but it is a lot of work to get out of the way and allow that grace to fully operate and liberate.”

Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water, p52

UCC webinar: Leaky Stoves and Deadly Gases

In the media and social media, gas and electric stoves have recently been a "hot topic." In this webinar, we will seek to put this "heated debate" within its proper ethical context in terms of environmental justice, public health, and concerns about methane pollution. This webinar will prepare faith communities for informed action in caring for our neighbors and our planet. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on March 8 at 1:00p, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

Tammie Wisniewski ordination

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

Indiana-Kentucky Conference scheduling work camps

The Indiana-Kentucky Conference UCC disaster ministry is scheduling work camps for Summer and Fall 2023. Full recovery in south-central/western Kentucky from the 2021 tornadoes will take years. And we’re committed to being there for the long haul.

Whether you're a group or an individual considering partnering with multiple churches to form your team, all are welcome! We need 6-week notice of when you would like to volunteer to plan for work and housing. The registration forms are available on the IKC website. Questions? Email Rev. Greg Denk: gdenk5258@att.net

New security grants available to churches through FEMA

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program can provide funding support to nonprofit organizations, including churches, that are at high risk of terrorist attack. This funding can help your organization implement physical security enhancements and activities. Click here for more information.

Phoebe Berks looking for kneeling benches for chapel

If your church is looking to sell or get rid of one or two keeling benches, please contact Rev. Leah Knox (lknox@phoebe.org).

Climate Justice Team offering Green Grants for 2023

Would your church like some seed money to kick-start a new season of climate-saving activities? The Climate Justice team of PSEC invites applications for grants of up to $250, to be matched by the churches themselves. Please apply by April 1 at psec.org/green.

• Could you use $100 for seeds and soil for your community garden? 
• $100 to buy the books on climate activism and theology you’ve been meaning for your study group to read? 
• $200 toward the $400 needed to replace every light bulb? 
• $250 to add to your $250 for a $500 jump-start on replacing a drafty window? 
• $250 toward the $500 for food, books and activities for your environmental summer outdoor school for the neighborhood? 
• A couple of hundred in sight so you can go to an individual donor and ask them to match it?

Questions: Marian Shearer (uccrev77@gmail.com), Liz Brunton (lizbrunton2462@gmail.com).