Important This Week

• Registration open for several events, including Boundary Training and Diversity Training events
• Update to Rev. Dr. Peter Doghramji's service time
• UCC climate webinar on wildfires

Register, mark your calendar, share upcoming events

One Shepherd, Two Flocks: Advice and Guidance on Sharing a Pastor

Saturday, August 12 on Zoom

Rev. Kevin McLemore and others will conduct a free workshop on why sharing a pastor with another congregation is a good option for many congregations in this time of pastoral scarcity. Pastor McLemore and others will share practical strategies on how to talk to your congregation about this possibility, how to find a pastor and congregation willing to do so, and how other churches are already doing it successfully. Pastors who currently pastor two congregations will join us to share both the blessings and challenges of this arrangement, and how to avoid some of the mistakes they’ve witnessed in their own settings.

60th anniversary of the March on Washington event

Sunday, August 27 in Philadelphia

Join together across the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington! Friends from across the region will join together to celebrate and remember through a modest neighborhood march (as you are able), eyewitness testimony, and worship in the historic House of Faith (the former Harold O Davis)

In-person Basic Boundary Training

Thursday, September 14 in Schuylkill Haven

Basic Boundary Training offered by Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, facilitated by Rev. Matthew Hoover. Cost is $40 for UCC members ($50 for non-UCC participants). The training will be 9:00a-4:00p at First UCC, Schuylkill Haven.

Advanced Boundary Training: Managing Pastoral Transitions

Wednesday, September 27 on Zoom or asynchronous

Facilitated by Rev. Cean James and Rev. Kevin McLemore

Transitions for clergy moving between churches and for clergy moving into retirement has always been a challenge, even for those with healthy boundaries. In this workshop, we’ll explore best practices for clergy who are transitioning into new churches, and the boundaries needed with the congregations they have ceased serving. The workshop will include case studies, small group discussion, and a set of guidelines that can avoid some of the common ethical mistakes made during seasons of transition.

If you cannot make the scheduled time: We are offering an option to "view the recording of the event on your own time and complete a one-page synopsis of what you viewed".

PSEC Addiction Taskforce

Training for Pen Pals

Sunday, June 25 in East Greenville or on Zoom

The Addiction Task Force is working with Rev. Russ Gates, former Chaplain at Phoenix Maximum Security State Prison (in Graterford) to raise awareness of the people held in our criminal justice system and to remember that they too are children of God and worthy of our compassion. We hope to offer our conference an email “Pen Pal” program (pun intended). This program would give some caring individuals a safe and effective way to communicate with some inmate electronically. The purpose is to simply relate person-to-person and give that stranger some hope of knowing that others care about their wellbeing. The communication would be through a secure App, sanctioned by the Department of Corrections. No personal phone or address information would be exchanged.

Church Admins

Community of Practice

Wednesday, July 19 on Zoom

Join with other "Assistants and Admins of the PSEC Conference for our quarterly "Community of Practice" meeting. We will fellowship over Zoom, spend time sharing resources and address questions.

Advanced Boundary Training: From Gutenberg to ChatGPT: Tools, ethics, technology and best practices in the life of Church

Wednesday, October 18 on Zoom

Facilitated by Rev. Ryan Henderson

It has been over 500 years since the Reformation empowered and equipped the church to adapt through a major shift, today is not much different. In this time together we will explore

1. Best practices and talk about what is working in our churches
2. Brainstorm/dream about where we might go and
3. Talk about new growing edges (and ethical struggles) in technology including the use of Artificial intelligence and ChatGPT.

Diversity Training

Wednesday, November 8 on Zoom

Facilitated by Rev. Cean James and Rev. Kevin McLemore

Diversity - what is it, how does it increase the vitality of our communities and congregations and our commitment to Christ? All authorized ministers are required to regularly complete training on Cultural Diversity/Sensitivity and Institutional Racism.

If you cannot make the scheduled time: we are offering an option to "view the recording of the event on your own time and complete a one-page synopsis of what you viewed".

Update to Rev. Dr. Peter Doghramji viewing time

On Thursday, we shared an email announcing the passing of Rev. Dr. Peter B. Doghramji, former PSEC Conference Minister. (You can read that email here.) We have received an update, that the viewing will begin at 9:30a at Armenian Martyrs' Congregational Church.

MESA offering Retired Ministers Boundary Training

Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years" along with case studies, will provide the content of this training. Rev.

Stephen Boyd and Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness

Training for those entering and living in retirement. Click here to register for Retired Ministers Boundary Training on Wednesday, June 21 from 5:00-8:00p. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training

ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry. 

Peru Mission Trip postponed

A mission trip to Peru, coordinated by Friedens UCC in Oley, that we previously advertised in eNews emails, has been postponed until July 2024. More info about the new dates will be shared later.

UCC Webinar: Wildfires, climate, and a path forward

How can we find a path forward in addressing the wildfires that have created a landscape of crisis in our climate changed world? This webinar will feature leading thinkers and practitioners in answering this question. Panelist John Vaillant has recently released an acclaimed book entitled "Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World,” while panelist Kimiko Barrett from Headwaters Economics is a wildfire research and policy analyst who has been interviewed by national news outlets for her insights. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on July 12 at 1:00p, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Support for Friends, Families. You are not alone!

Al-Anom/Alateen are in your community

From www.al-anon.org:

“Al Anon is a mutual support program for people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. By sharing common experiences and applying the Al-Anon principles, families and friends of alcoholics can bring positive changes to their individual situations, whether or not the alcoholic admits the existence of a drinking problem or seeks help.

“Alateen, a part of the Al-Anon Family Groups, is a fellowship of young people (mostly teenagers) whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking whether they are in your life drinking or not. By attending Alateen, teenagers meet other teenagers with similar situations. Alateen is not a religious program and there are no fees or dues to belong to it.”

Disaster partner fundraiser coming up in Norristown

The PSEC Disaster Ministry team is working with the Disaster Case Management Program funded by FEMA and the state of PA. One of the organizations in Montgomery County with whom we are working is Montgomery County OIC. Here is a poster for an event that MC OIC is having to benefit survivors of Hurricane Ida. Please let people in our congregations know about this event.  

Volunteer builders needed in Eastwick this summer

Volunteer Builders are needed in Philadelphia. The Eastwick survivors are coming up on the 3rd anniversary of their disaster. The Eastwick Unmet Needs Roundtable is hoping to get them to full recovery soon. Therefore, volunteers are needed for flooring, drywall, and painting on these Saturdays July 8 and Aug. 12. Registration is required. Contact pr-volunteers@epaumc.org. Learn more.

Online event on keeping kids safe on church property

The PA Office of Homeland Security has partnered with other organizations in offering a quarterly virtual learning series to faith-based organizations on Thursday, June 29 from 1:00-4:00p. This learning series will focus on keeping our kids safe at schools, camps, and day care centers that are affiliated with, or on the property of or adjacent to, religious institutions. Click here to learn more. Click here to register.

UCC grant application now available online or to print

The 2023 Justice & Local Church Ministry Common Application is open. Use this link to apply for Operational support, Neighbors in Need, CASA New and Renewing Church, and Pension Board New Church Start Benefit Support grants.

New federal security

resource for churches

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the FBI released a new resource titled Protecting Places of Worship: Six Steps to Enhance Security Against Targeted Violence Fact Sheet. This outlines actions churches can take to increase security, focusing on steps that can help protect places of worship against potential threats in a cost-effective manner that maintains a welcoming environment. The product provides training, exercise and grant resources, and interagency contact points to assist churches with protecting their places of worship, obtaining funds for security improvements and recognizing/ reporting potential threats in their areas.