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Important This Week
- New church opening posted - settled pastor at Bern Reformed UCC
- Next Computer-Side chat set for next Tuesday on discernment
- Three churches come together for joint Confirmation class
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Council of Conference Ministers calls churches to action
(I was pleased to join a group of Conference Minister colleagues to help draft the following letter on behalf of the Council of Conference Ministers to all members of the United Church of Christ. Following last week’s national conversation in which some political leaders could not, or world, not simply and clearly denounce white supremacy, it is imperative that we in the church do — and that we go far beyond that to build up the Body of Christ in which there is ‘neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male and female, for we are all one. May God bless us and keep us safe, Pastor Bill)
October 2020
Dear Members of the United Church of Christ:
Grace and peace to you in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ.
In August the National Setting of the UCC committed to hire a consulting firm to lead them through “an objective racial equity assessment” to hold the national setting of the church accountable to the ideals the church has espoused regarding racial equality and inclusion.
We recognize that the history of the UCC incudes a wide array of narratives: those of myriad immigrants, formerly enslaved persons, colonists, indigenous communities, and more. Our predecessor bodies included abolitionists as well as slave owners; those who believed that racial inequality was established by God, and those who affirmed God-given racial equality with passion and fervor. Our predecessor bodies included those who pressed for the forced assimilation of indigenous peoples as well as those who stood in solidarity with and advocated on behalf of indigenous people. Our history contains the very best of American history regarding racial equality and it contains some of the worst. As a body made up of myriad traditions, theologies, languages, and geographies, our predecessor bodies reflected the society and time around them. Yet out of that complexity and contention arose something new: a movement of unity in the face of difference, our United Church of Christ.
The tragic events we have witnessed in 2020 have magnified awareness of the disparities in our church and society based on race. The Council of Conference Ministers affirms the commitment of the national setting to racial equality and inclusion and recognizes the need to engage in our own process of critical self-reflection. Therefore, in this moment, the Council of Conference Ministers invites the congregations and members of our conferences to recognize and affirm our call to:
- Consider anew how racism has divided us, damaged and at times destroyed our siblings in Christ, and broken the bonds of peace;
- Ask for forgiveness for our silence in the face of racial injustice;
- Take responsibility for our part in the struggle for racial justice;
- Recognize the political, theological and spiritual diversity of our congregations and to heed the great commandment of Matthew 22:37 to love God with all our souls and with all our minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves;
- Witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ by engaging in deep self-reflection to “remove the log from our own eye” (Matthew 7:5) so that we may become more aware of our own racism and repent of it;
- Build processes of racial inclusion and equity in church membership, leadership, and service; and
- Engage in the sacred work of dismantling racist structures and white supremacy where we find them in the church and the community.
As Conference Ministers, we are on this journey with you; and will facilitate and support this work by providing resources that will enable reflection, dialog and action in addressing systems of institutional racism and white supremacy. The reflection and engagement will be different in each conference depending on its unique histories and narratives.
Our covenant is that we will move into self-reflection and clear-eyed conversations with open hearts to hear one another without fear or judgment. We understand that talking about racism, white supremacy and privilege in the church is difficult. However, due to our shared commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and in response to God’s invitation to unity, we are empowered to engage in these daunting and uncomfortable conversations. May we do so, as we are led by the Holy Spirit as God’s people.
With Grace and Gratitude,
The Council of Conferences Ministers
United Church of Christ
September 2020
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Friedens UCC, Oley completes pyramids of emergency kits
The mission team of Friedens United Church Of Christ, Oley, recently completed a project that resulted in 28 cleanup buckets and 120 hygiene kits being prepared for Church World Service. Shown are pictures of the pyramids they created.
This project is made possible with the UCC’s partnership with Church World Service. UCC congregations may apply for up to $250 to supplement their own efforts to assemble these life-giving supplies. Priority is Emergency Cleanup Buckets, but other kits also are welcome. Click here for information and to apply.
The buckets and kits were dropped of at Trinity United Church of Christ, 2449 Cumberland Ave, Reading (Mt. Penn). Trinity Church is one of 10 PSEC Churches who act as a drop off location. For a complete list of locations click here.
Recently, all the buckets we had stored in Schuylkill Association were used for the flooding in Gilberton. Thanks to Zion Blue Mountain Church and Team Orwigsburg for helping to rebuild that inventory.
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Three churches come together for joint Confirmation class
Brownback's UCC in Spring City (Rev. Mark Stryjak), St. Matthew's UCC in Chester Springs (Rev. Ron Hughes), and Wentz's UCC in Worcester (Rev. Dale Davis) are working together to share a three-church Zoom confirmation class. To read a description of that effort, written by Rev. Stryjak, click here.
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Rental housing needed in the Pottstown tri-county area
Chester County’s Department of Community Development provided an update on the progress of the 45 families displaced from their apartments by the devastating fire at Ashwood Apartments on July 30 in North Coventry Twp. Twenty families still need to find a home, with ten of these families now living in hotels. For more information on the recovery from this fire and how you can help, click here.
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Churches commit to change;
PSEC 50-50-50 Challenge
The PSEC Climate Justice Working Group has started the 50-50-50 Green Church Initiative, challenging 50 PSEC churches to make a commitment to do something to mitigate climate change in the coming months. Churches can hold a special service, share educational materials, take on a project of recycling or composting, or many other things. One is example is here:
St. Peter’s/Wilshire UCC, Reading: We have eliminated disposable plastic cups and switched to glass cups when offering communion. We will include more plants in our church gardens that attract pollinators with goals of becoming a Monarch Waystation and providing a bee-friendly environment. We offer education to parishioners about the environment via church talks, posters about current issues and are planning to include various environmental articles in the monthly newsletter. We hope to involve the church-sponsored Boy Scout troop in making/ installing bird houses on the property
For a list of all churches that have made a commitment, more suggestions for actions your congregation can take, and a form you can use for your church to accept the challenge, visit psec.org/green.
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Stewardship workshops on 'Generous Preaching' planned
Preparing for a Stewardship Sermon this month? Join Rev. Andrew Warner for a conversation on "Generous Preaching." We explore how to preach and teach about generosity and the use of our financial resources. Dave Sigmund and Kim Vasko of the Three Great Loves Initiative will co-lead this conversation designed to help prepare pastors for a fall stewardship sermon focused on 1 John 4: 1-7.
There are two options available:
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Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day: Here are resources
From the Open and Affirming Coalition: Next Sunday, Oct. 11, is National Coming Out Day — our annual celebration of the millions whose stories of coming out of the closet are also stories of minds and hearts that were changed. "Coming Out" isn't an opportunity only for LGBTQ people, but for our friends and allies—and especially churches. When ONA congregations come out in their communities, they are claiming the power to change the world.
You can celebrate in three ways:
1. Observe Sunday, Oct. 11, by including thanksgiving for your LGBTQ members and neighbors. Visit our website for prayers and other worship resources.
2. Plan in your congregation for strategies that will help your congregation become more visible in your community as an Open and Affirming church. Attend our "ONA 201" webinar Thursday night, Oct. 8: we'll share best practices we've learned from ONA congregations that are making a difference, including tips on marketing and communication.
3. Contact the Coalition if we can support your church in any way in helping you expand your ONA mission, ministry, and advocacy.
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UCC to host digital Faith Rally: Election Day Home Stretch
Feeling bruised, battered, or fatigued by this election season? Looking for a source of uplift down the home stretch to Nov. 3? Then, this digital event is for you. This will be a time to renew our energies and our focus as we approach an election day with so many profound implications for those who care about the climate crisis and the many interconnected issues of justice that we face today. Our three featured speakers are: Karenna Gore of Union Theological Seminary, Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. of the Hip Hop Caucus, and Rev. Gerald Durley of Interfaith, Power & Light. The webinar will be co-hosted by Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt of the UCC’s Environmental Justice Ministry and Rev. Michael Malcom of Alabama Interfaith Power & Light. Even if you can't make its scheduled time on Oct. 14 at 1:00p, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Click here to sign up.
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Webinar: Impact of Faith Leaders on Human Trafficking
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (a division of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Act), the first comprehensive law in the US to address the transnational crime of human trafficking, child sexual exploitation and forced labor. To commemorate the Act, the Department of Homeland Security Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives is hosting a webinar on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 2:00 to highlight the contributions of faith and community leaders, our frontline service providers who diligently work to counter the detrimental effects of modern day slavery in all of its forms. Click here to register.
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Pastor Appreciation Sunday is this week! Thank your pastor
Sunday, Oct. 11 is Pastor Appreciation Day. This unofficial holiday began in 1992 with the establishment of Clergy Appreciation Month. I am not sure who or where this observation began but it has biblical precedent. In Timothy 1 (5:17), Paul began the concept of clergy appreciation when he stated that the elders of the church are worthy of double honor. He reiterated this idea in Thessalonians 1 (5: 12-13) when he stated that those who work hard among you should be held in the highest regard for their work.
The pandemic has pushed many of our pastors (as it has pushed most of us) to learn new skills and adapt to a constantly changing environment. This year, perhaps more than any other, I know your pastor would appreciate an affectionate word for his/her/their service. Click here for a brief list of the ways that you might help your congregation celebrate your pastor's (and your church’s) ministry. I hope you will take a few moments to consider it.
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World-Wide Communion service available from PSEC
Rev. Bill Worley, Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian, and Rev. Dr. Chandra Soans joined together to create a World-Wide Communion service for churches in PSEC to use for this past Sunday. If you missed it, click here to view or download the service.
The next service conference ministry staff will be creating for church use will be for Nov. 29 (Thanksgiving weekend and the first Sunday in Advent).
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Monday Meetings with the Conference Minister continue
Each Monday at 11:00a, authorized ministers and church leaders are invited to check in with the Conference Minister, Rev. Bill Worley, on a Zoom call. Share your experiences with ministry in this season of COVID with other clergy, ask for advice, and be in community together. Click here to join the call on Monday.
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Updated list available: PSEC churches online this fall
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.
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New book available on German Reformed Churches in the US
"Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States," is a new book that summarizes the life of over 4,000 Reformed churches, including the majority of churches in the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. The book begins with a social and organizational history of the denomination, including six maps, charts, and illustrations. A useful tool for genealogists, its over 700 pages also note about 1,300 Lutheran churches that were in union arrangements with Reformed congregations. Its author is the Rev. Richard H. Taylor, a former Chair of the Historical Council of the United Church of Christ. People interested in procuring a copy of the book can contact him at pilgrimrht@rcn.com or 610-438-3771. A discounted price of $31.50 is available before the end of the year, including PA Sales tax. Shipping is an additional $5.
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Search & Call Computer-Side Chat: You Are Not Alone!!! |
My guest on Oct. 13 will be Rev. Matt Hoover. Rev. Hoover serves as the chair of JMAT: Joint Member in Discernment Assessment Team.
If YOU are a MID: Member In Discernment
OR
If you are currently serving on an Association Committee On Ministry
OR
If you have a role in your congregation supporting a MID
OR
If you are a pastor who wants to be up to date on what it means to pastor someone who is a potential MID
OR
If you are just curious and would like to learn more about this…please join us.
If you have any questions, please contact me at minasian@psec.org. The link to join that call on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7:00p is here. If you need information to phone in, email brea@psec.org.
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New resource for churches to share worship components
Several churches asked for more worship resources: music for live-streaming, worship components, and services from the Conference staff. In response to that, PSEC created a Google Drive for churches and pastors to share worship components. If you or your congregation recorded a service, sermon, children's moment, musical selection, or order for communion you would allow others to use, upload that video to the Google Drive. Note: each church needs to take responsibility for its own copyright use. Visit the Google Drive (drive.google.com/drive/folders/18wnxvyEEbyEaVhx0Tonj0DU_j2TbZ_by?usp=sharing) and read "PLEASE READ: Requirements" for more information.
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SEPA VOAD Homelessness Prevention guidance resource
Given that unemployment has increased since March, families are having difficulty meeting expenses for rent, mortgages and essential necessities. Many expect an eviction and housing crisis in the coming weeks. Click here for a resource guide for reference and referral to key resources related to homelessness prevention and homelessness. This document has been developed by the Housing and Sheltering Sub-Committee for SEPA VOAD.
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Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors
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Mercersburg Society creates virtual communion resource
Many churches are providing Sunday morning worship via technology. Some are live streaming, others offering YouTube recordings, or Zoom conferencing. Some are emailing bulletins that can be printed out and followed individually at any time during the week. Such offerings are good and worthy to be used in these extraordinary times and in this COVID-19 season. We are all aware, however, that we do not know how long we will need to be social distancing. Pastors are asking, “What about communion?” This resource from the Mercersburg Society offers suggestions, guidelines, and liturgy for virtual communion during the pandemic.
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Church Openings
- Allegheny UCC (Sunday supply)
- Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
- Calvary UCC, Barto, and Pennsburg UCC (full-time designated-term)
- Glenside UCC (full-time interim)
- St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time settled)
- St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
- St. Paul's UCC, Birdsboro (half-time interim)
- St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)
- Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
- Trinity UCC, Rehrersburg (part-time settled)
- Wyomissing UCC (part-time settled)
- Zwingli UCC (full-time associate)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Dr. Susan Minasian: minasian@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
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Classified Ads
Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
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Educational Opportunities
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PSEC Events
Nov. 15: PSEC Fall Meeting
Nov. 29: PSEC Staff worship service for churches
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Church Events
Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
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Missed a week? Read past eNews here: |
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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! |
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