More than 87,000 Americans died of drug overdoses over the 12-month period that ended in September, according to the federal government. The DEA reports that “According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers, 4.9 million people misused prescription stimulants, and 5.9 million people misused prescription tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019.”

The 2021 Ecumenical Advocacy Days virtual worship service is now available online for viewing and download. If you or your local church would like to use the whole service or pieces of it for Earth Day Sunday, you can find the videos on the website here. The theme is Ecological Justice. EAD started Sunday and goes through Wednesday. 

The US Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a virtual workshop on "What spiritual leaders need to know to care for veterans." The event is free on May 20 from 1:00-3:00p. Topics include suicide prevention, moral injury, end of life planning, mental health, and post traumatic stress. To view an event flyer, click here. To register, click here.

The first-ever UCC Musicians Association Virtual Choir video is now ready to share! The Composition Chair, Dr. Keith Hampton, created a Virtual Choir Video for UCCMA, using “Bring Us Peace” (SATB, a cappella) by Michele Hecht. This video is available for you to share with your congregation in worship. Michele gives full permission to share freely; contact Michele at michele@fccge.org for a free copy of the sheet music. If you signed up to sing in the choir for UCC General Synod, you will have another opportunity to sing this song.

For more information about the UCCMA, including how to register for their annual conference on July 8-10, click here.

Across the US, Americans congregate in faith-based venues to worship, learn, play, and bond as a community. CISA is committed to supporting efforts to maintain safe and secure houses of worship and related facilities while sustaining an open and welcoming environment. This resource page is designed to guide houses of worship through building improved security and safety protocols for their organization’s congregants and facilities. These tools help identify and report suspicious behavior; build positive community relationships; develop partnerships with law enforcement; and implement emergency operations plans and screening procedures while enhancing security awareness. By utilizing these resources, houses of worship can easily develop a continuing security improvement cycle. To learn more visit Houses of Worship | CISA.

Earth Day is an occasion to affirm our relationship with God's creation, and our responsibility to care for the earth and its natural resources. Many congregations designate the Sunday closest to Earth Day as Earth Day Sunday. You can use this date as an occasion for special worship, education, and advocacy focused on the environment.

The United Church of Christ has partnered with Creation Justice Ministries to produce thematic worship resources and educational materials for Earth Sunday. This year’s theme is “A New Heaven and a New Earth: Health, Environmental Racism, and Eco-Justice. "

Session One: Time and Talent, premiering April 22 at 6:00p EDT, helps you plan and prep. Find it here: youtu.be/9t-PFd2OsPA

Session Two: Tools and Tech, premiering April 29 at 6:00p, helps you with gadgets and go live. Find it here: youtu.be/czsobF8w6KY

Thursday Afternoons, May 6 through June 10 (six weeks).

Meets 3:00-4:30 PM Registration

Thursday Evening, May 27 – June 10 (four weeks)

Meets 6:30 – 8:00 PM Registration

The Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Initiative team, in promoting racial justice, is offering banners and yard signs free to churches and individuals.

For those who are able, we are suggesting a love offering of $70 per banner (image of the 4’x10’ Vinyl Banner with grommets below) and $7 per yard sign (image of the 18’’x24’’ Yard sign above right). The love offerings will go to further our efforts in this sacred ministry of racial equity and justice. To order, please email Anne Cormier at annecormier@comcast.net. Include in the subject box “banner” or “yard sign”.

“Deepening our Connections, Deepening the Journey” is the theme, and the hope, of PSEC’s Annual Spring meeting that begins Friday, June 4 with nationally celebrated social justice leader and guest presenter Sister Simone Campbell, a Catholic nun who, with a few sisters in faith, chartered a bus to change the world.

Our connecting continues with Saturday’s conferring sessions, workshops and worship services to honor anniversary clergy and congregations, to lament the losses endured through the pandemic and to welcome the hope of better days ahead. We gather online in a new virtual meeting space (“Whova”) for our (hopefully) last completely virtual Conference gathering. Click here to access the Call to Annual Meeting. Click here to access the annual meeting page on the PSEC website which includes the link to registration. 

If you would be interested in leading such a “Meet-up”, please reach out to Susan at the Conference office at susan@psec.org.

The deadline to take advantage of this opportunity is April 26. If interested, please reach out to Susan at the Conference office at susan@psec.org.

The Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar for pastors and lay leaders offers an opportunity to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations. The seminar draws on current research, seeks guidance from the wisdom of scripture, and discusses the best practices in church-based fundraising. Class sessions held May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16, and June 23, 2021 from 6:30 – 8:00pm EST. Between class sessions, the instructors provide materials to help you analyze the culture of your own congregation and learn how to create change. Register today: The CGC Seminar is $150 per participant. Register here by April 30, 2021: cvent.me/7yV37Q.

If your church isn't currently worshipping or you are not able or comfortable attending services, we have compiled a list of churches in PSEC that are holding digital/ virtual worship experiences. Share this with others that might not have another option for worship. Click here for an updated list.

Each Monday at 11:00a, authorized ministers and church leaders are invited to check in with Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley on a Zoom call, share experiences in this season of COVID, ask for advice, and be in community. We encourage you to join this opportunity for theological and practical reflection and discussion. Click here to join the call on Monday.

Phoebe Ministries is accepting applications for its Summer Intensive CPE Group. For more information, click here for a flyer.