Trouble viewing this email? Click here to view as webpage.
Important This Week
  • Juneteenth resources and info from the Racial Justice taskforce
  • Spring Meeting reflection from pastor Conference Moderator
  • LGBTQA+, allies sought for event
  • Clergy in the news
Spring Meeting reflection from past Conference Moderator:

Reflecting on the recent Spring Conference meeting, I am filled with wonderful memories. It was good to be together after a two years absence. I missed being with friends, meeting new friends, and sharing with fellow Christians in worship. It was very good to be together.

The meeting incorporated the theme of “Living the Jesus Life: Contemplatives in Action” in all aspects. From the beginning call together with the drumming to the final communion service, we explored many different methods and ways of experiencing contemplative practices in the ordinary of everyday. Even during the business plenaries, I found the influence of the emphasis on contemplative practices to be helpful.

We adopted changes to the Bylaws of the Conference to better reflect our practices. 

But we also explored ministries that sought to address justice and care of the environment, addiction and relationships in our society. We shared how we as a people seek to care for one another in disaster outreach.

And, we worshipped! The gathering of the body of Christ in worship is one of the joys of returning to in person meeting. We experienced inspiring music, singing with our many voices combining in joyful praise, uplifting my soul as I shared with you. The Word was prophetically proclaimed by robust preaching, and joyful singing. We officially welcomed Rev. McLemore with his installation service. We concluded the meeting with a moving communion experience as we bade a joyful sabbatical leave for our Conference Minister, Rev. Worley.

But, the best part of this Conference gathering was getting together one with another. You made the meeting inspirational, meaningful. Sharing time with one another in conversation and fellowship; during meals, meetings, and one on one connections was the highlight of our renewed gathering. It was good to be with one another, it made the time very special.

As the outgoing moderator, I want to thank the Planning Committee for envisioning such a gathering, and executing the program with care. I also want to thank the Worship Team for very inspiring and challenging worship experiences; and, the Tech Team for enabling all the aspects of the meeting to be shared with the visuals, sound, and out on the web for other to participate.

I would also thank the Staff; our Conference Minister, Associate Conference Ministers, the Support staff, and the many volunteers, who helped to make the meeting run smoothly and inspiringly.

Most importantly, I want to thank you for participating and making this truly a gathering of the body of Christ in worship and service to the world!

In Christian Love,

Rev. Antonio L. Villareal, Past Moderator
IRS mileage reimbursement rates to increase on July 1
 
Beginning July 1, the standard mileage rates for business miles driven has increased to 62.5 cents per mile. Charitable mileage remains at 14 cents per mile. For more information, click here.
LGBTQA+ clergy and allies: Event, new Facebook group

Some PSEC clergy have created an LGBTQA+ Facebook group: PA UCC LGBT Clergy. Use that link to join. This is a place for LGBTQIA+ Clergy (or MIDS) in the Pennsylvania Conferences of the UCC to have a space for community building and camaraderie.

Also, they are looking for any LGBTQ-affirming clergy who would like to take part in a "Listening and Blessing" tent at the Bucks-Mont Pride Festival on June 26. Clergy can join any time from 12:00-5:00p at the Abington Art Center, 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown. We will be at the Love in Action table. For more information or to volunteer, contact Rev. Elaine Ely at pastor_elaine@yahoo.com.
Immanuel UCC receives Berks County youth grant

The Berks County Youth Advisory Board has awarded $15,000 in grants, focusing on mental health as a major concern for students. Immanuel UCC, Shillington, received $5,000 for its music and mental health program. Read this Reading Eagle article on the grants for more information: Berks teen philanthropists award $15,000 in grants to 4 organizations.
Open Table UCC pastor speaks at Pottstown protest

Last week, about 30 people protested outside offices of state Rep. Tim Hennessey for failing to support fairer school funding for PA school children. Rev. Nichole Jackson, pastor of Open Table UCC spoke at the protest. Read this Pottstown Mercury article on the protest, including quotes and a picture of Rev. Jackson: Rep. Tim Hennessey among targets for fair school funding protesters.
SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program

Beginning in the fall, the Southern New England Conference UCC will be coordinating a Community of Practice for youth ministry leaders and clergy through their Faith Formation Leadership program. There are already three PSEC clergy and faith formation/Christian education leaders committed to joining the group, but there are still a few open spots. The cost is $250/year. For more information or to sign up, contact Debbie Gline Allen, the SNEUCC Minister of Faith Formation, at glineallend@sneucc.org.
Scholarship available for upcoming PAM class

A generous donor has provided money to pay for two new PAM students to enroll in Lovett Weems's class, Personal Finances for Ministers, which begins July 12. Anyone interested in applying for this scholarship should complete the PAM application found online and indicate that they would like to be considered for the scholarship. Scholarship recipients will be selected by noon on July 5.
Webinars: Organizations preparing for emergency needs

FEMA will present two webinars on “Organizations Preparing for Emergency Needs (OPEN) Part 1 and 2,” on June 28 and June 29 from 1-2:30p. Churches that are unable to sustain operations during an emergency incident exponentially impact individuals and the community who rely on them. The OPEN program offers a ten-step action plan for essential community resilience. This webinar will review the steps of the action plan and explain how churches can use OPEN to identify risks, locate resources, and consider immediate preparedness actions. Click here for June 28 registration. Click here for June 29 registration.
From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Step Four

We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

The purpose of the Fourth Step is to find out who we really are. As we prepare for this step, our fear must be put aside. Instead, we turn to the loving, personal God that we have found. A written inventory will help us to unlock parts of our subconscious that deny our true nature. Honest self assessment is one of the keys to our new way of life, and most of us find that we are neither as terrible nor as wonderful as we once thought.

Step Four is not a confession of how horrible we are or what a bad person we have been, rather we gain strength and insight. Steps One, Two, and Three are the necessary preparation before taking this step. We put our inventory on paper so that we can see it for what it really is and release it. Writing honestly and thoroughly may seem impossible but we turn to our Higher Power for the strength to be fearless and thorough. We write about our defects, assets, relationships and past and present history. The way to write an inventory is to simply write it. Thinking or talking about it will not get it written.

At times this may seem difficult or painful but we come to realize how much we have to gain, and the pain of doing it is less than the pain of not doing it. Pain can be a motivating factor in recovery.

When issues surface, we write about them. The inventory process releases the stress trapped inside of us. We ask for God's help to reveal the things that cause us pain and suffering. We are not perfect, we are human, but we develop an ability to survive our emotions using the tools in recovery. We want to continue this journey by taking an equally thorough Fifth Step.
Juneteenth National
Independence Day (June 19th)
 
The PSEC Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Team encourages all PSEC congregations to recognize and celebrate Juneteenth.
Click here for Juneteenth worship resources.
Click here for full article on the history and meaning of Juneteenth. 
Sign up to financially support PSEC when shopping Amazon
 
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same selection of products and the same prices, but the foundation donates 0.5% of eligible purchases to the charitable organization selected by the customer. Make sure that your purchases are benefiting the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference by clicking here.
 
If you are a member of Amazon Prime, "Prime Day" sales -- one of the biggest shopping days of the year -- will be coming up in July. Make sure you shop those deals at Smile.Amazon.com and support PSEC!
Upcoming opportunities from the PA Academy of Ministry

Personal Finances for Ministers, July 12-Aug. 16. Tuesdays, 7-8:30p. Instructor Lovett Weems. Introduction to basics of personal financial management, including special considerations for religious professionals and congregations where they serve. Topics include budgeting, debt, compensation and taxes, insurance, investing, and estate planning. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125

Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, Aug. 23-Sept. 27. Tuesdays, 7-8:30p. Instructor Jessica Young Brown. A Ministerial Institute class. An in-depth look at ethics in ministry, including confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care. 2.5 CEUs. $325.

Church Finances, Oct 11.-Nov. 15. Tuesdays, 7-8:30p. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.

For information or to register, click here.
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Barnesville-Delano Tri-Charge, Schuylkill County (full-time settled)
  • Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
  • Brownback's UCC, Spring City (full-time interim)
  • Community UCC, Reading (full-time interim or designated)
  • Glenside UCC, Glenside (full-time settled)
  • Immanuel UCC, Shillington (half-time associate pastor)
  • Pleasantville UCC, Chalfont (full-time interim)
  • St. Andrew's UCC, Perkasie (full-time settled)
  • St. James UCC, Havertown (full-time interim)
  • St. John's UCC, Lansdale (full-time interim)
  • Trinity Reformed UCC, Pottstown (full-time interim)
  • Wentz's UCC, Lansdale (full-time settled)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev. Kevin McLemore: 484-949-8774 ext. 302 or mclemore@psec.org.
Classified Ads



Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
Missed an email? Read past emails here:
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!