Important This Week

• Report from the Keystone Project
• Church Closure workshop scheduled
• Register for the Addiction and Recovery Taskforce book study in the new year
• Racial Justice Team planning movie discussion on TILL

From the Conference Minister:

I have been swirling around the often-shared quote by Meister Eckhart that, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is “thank you”, it will be enough.” You are on my mind and heart this week as I pray that prayer.

Thank you to friends in every ministry setting around our Conference who have been sources of patient grace and persistent faith. Thank you for every sermon preached, for every prayer said, for every handheld moment that has kept people in the presence of all that is Holy. Thank you for your non-anxious presence in a world overdosing on anxiety. Thank you for the ways you have inspired others while struggling to find inspiration for yourself. Thank you for inspiring generosity in all its forms when the presence of fear and scarcity tempt us to hold onto more and give less.

Thank you to the members and friends of our congregations and faith communities who have looked out for each other, followed the spiritual and biblical lead of your pastor or chaplain, and loved him/her/them for their service and their sacrifice. Thank you for loving their family and for being kind to them and to each other in a world where kindness now seems almost heroic. Thank you all for your commitment to unity in a diversity where people who don't look like us, think like us or act like us still come together to love each other by Jesus’s example and prayer ‘that we all may be one.’

I pray that Thursday's Thanksgiving celebration will bless you and the people you love in ways great and small, and that Sunday’s beginning of our Advent season will draw us closer to the Christ light that shines in even in the darkest of these days. May you be safe and well in the care and keeping of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you.

Pastor Bill

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

Keystone Project: Summary from Nov. 11 Gathering

Communications Team

Steve Davis St. John’s UCC, Fullerton (Penn NE)

Sterling Fritz         Redeemer’s UCC, Littlestown (PCCUCC)

Robin Hightower   Peace In Zion UCC, Zieglerville (Penn SE)

Deb Long              First Trinity UCC, Youngwood (PWC)

On Friday, November 11, 2022, the second gathering of the Keystone Study Group (a study and discernment group of the 4 PA UCC Conferences – Penn West, Penn Central, Penn NE, Pennsylvania SE) continued to build our understanding and framing around the possibility of coming together for the work of mission and ministry as one (1) Pennsylvania conference. Over the last several months, using resources provided by all 4 conferences, initial conversations have occurred to explore what new thing God may be calling together in our area.

We spent much of our time identifying a vision for healthy congregations, the supports needed from the conference, and the potential roadblocks to moving forward together. As churches and leaders across many denominations discern the changing landscape of “doing church” and how we can “Be the Church” in new and life-giving ways, we are exploring what we, as conferences, could do to help local congregations and pastors experience deeper connections and provide support for vitality. We are identifying the challenges of navigating through uncertain times and new ways of intergenerational connections to our present and future communities with the message of hope our faith, experience and tradition has to offer. Together, the study group will be asking the significant questions to strengthen the connection between pastors and local congregations and larger conference networks of the PA UCC conferences to share support, resources, experiences, training and equipping and offer hope.

We welcome and appreciate your prayers as this body of leaders from the 4 PA UCC Conferences study and explore together, gaining valuable information from you and melding the ways we work together to imagine and see the possibilities God is bringing to us. We hold all these things in sacred trust of our shared covenantal relationships.

Respectfully submitted,

Keystone Project Communications Team

Attention Committee chairs: Send meeting info for calendar

For those wondering “what does the Conference do”, it was decided to offer to all PSEC committees/groups the opportunity to add your meeting dates and times to the PSEC website calendar.

Although this is not mandatory, we will be happy to post your meeting dates if you desire us to do so.

This does not mean, we will be posting Zoom information and suddenly everyone is now invited to your meetings, the intent is to show how busy you all are doing God’s work.

If you’d like your meetings placed on the PSEC calendar, please contact Susan Creswell at susan@psec.org.

Addiction team hosting study on Richard Rohr book

Starting Jan. 10, the Addiction and Recovery Taskforce will host a book study on Breathing Under Water by Richard Rohr. The book is written within the framework of the 12 steps for those experiencing addiction. The number of sessions will be determined by the group. If you're interested in learning more about spiritual healing, click here to register.

Theology with a Twist: Hidden History of Christmas Carols

The Dec. 6 Theology with a Twist at the Kutztown Tavern will be on the topic "The Hidden History of Christmas Carols." Rev. Kim Berenotto and Marji Hughes will lead this month's discussion and SING-A-LONG! Join us to explore the history and traditions behind your favorite holiday songs -- and whether those songs actually reflect the Christmas story we know from scripture. Click here for more information.

Spirit on Tap tonight on

'Caring for Our Neighbors'

“Caring for Our Neighbors” by Craig Poole will be presented at Spirit on Tap on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:00p at the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading.

The DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Reading, under the leadership of its General Manager, Craig Poole, has initiated a policy of hiring local people of various needs. In one of the poorest, most crime-filled cities in Pennsylvania, Craig sought persons who felt hope for their city and gave them the opportunity to not only change their own lives, but people’s lives in the city. From recent immigrants and formerly incarcerated, to persons facing economic difficulties in hard times, the DoubleTree has demonstrated a caring attitude toward our Reading neighbors and has provided a model of corporate responsibility for community development.

Click here for more information.

Insurance Board Webcast: Keeping Your Ministry Safe

The Insurance Board will host "Abuse Prevention Considerations: Keeping Your Ministry Safe" featuring Christy Schiller, Vice President of Account Services, Praesidium. Failure to discover a sex offender can affect those in your care, your reputation, financial stability, and trust within the community. Join us on Nov. 30 at 2:00p to learn about targeted solutions that will strengthen your ministry’s abuse prevention efforts. Click here to register.

"When Does Closure Become an Option Workshop"

Since 2014, one PSEC congregation has closed, on average, every six months. This isn’t often talked about — partly because that news is filled with feelings of profound loss and grief. It’s the source of uncomfortable shame — that somehow church members failed to do all they could to maintain their sacred space. It provokes questions about the power and/or presence of God. Taken together, these things make it difficult to say what sometimes needs to be said: “It’s time for our church to close.” 

A workshop will be held Feb. 4 in Limerick to create a safe space where difficult questions can be asked and information shared with congregations facing decline and potential closure. You will receive resources and hear about church closure experiences. Click here for more information and to register.

Securing Sacred Spaces webinar set for Dec. 8

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, State Police, Emergency Management Agency, the three Fusion Centers across the Commonwealth, Faith-based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization, and the Anti-Defamation League, invite you to attend the 4th quarterly event of our 2022 Faith-based Security & Resilience Learning Series Workshop. This learning series will provide valuable information to religious leaders, security personnel and members of the houses of worship to enhance security and resilience. Join us Dec. 8 from 1:00p to 4:00p. Click here for a flyer with additional details and click here to register.

Racial Justice Team hosting discussion on film

Dec. 1, 7p.m. The Racial Justice Team will lead a conference-wide discussion of the movie TILL, exploring the powerful truth-telling, justice-seeking spirit of Mamie Till, and what we can do as people of faith to thwart, change and dismantle the culture of white domination (white supremacy) and its’ centuries long systemic oppression of, and violence against, Black people and Black communities. We encourage congregations to coordinate a “Movie Night” viewing of TILL at your local theater and then join us for a time of thoughtful, faithful discussion and introspection, and an opportunity to explore what social justice campaigns or truth-telling topics your faith community is willing to actively engage in. To register for the TILL discussion click here. Registration is free.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Fentanyl strips

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports that of the 5,343 overdose deaths that occurred in PA in 2021 78% involved fentanyl. It is odorless, tasteless and cannot be easily detected. It is often found in street drugs without the user being aware it is there in what could be a deadly dose. Until November 3, the state of Pennsylvania classified fentanyl strips as drug paraphernalia. On that date Governor Wolf signed a bill making them legal. These strips would allow people to test drugs before use, which may save their lives. This is part of Harm Reduction initiatives being brought forward across the country. As of January 2023, these strips will be available from nextdistro.org and other resources.

From the Racial Justice Team: Native American Heritage Month --How we honor Indigenous people matters!

In 1990 that President George H W Bush signed a joint resolution designating the entire month of November as the first, then named National American Indian Heritage Month, expanding the original Ford admiration’s Native American Week (1976).

Native American Heritage Month is set aside to celebrate Indigenous peoples past and present and to rededicate ourselves to honoring Tribal sovereignty, promote Tribal self-determination, and uphold the United States’ solemn trust and treaty responsibilities to those nations.

It’s no secret that the US has failed in this arena over centuries. Continue reading.

Sharing virtual services for Christmas morning

PSEC is offering assistance to churches for worship on Sunday, Dec. 25. Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley will record a Christmas sermon that can be shared. The transcript of that sermon will also be available for anyone who wants to read it in church. Additionally, we will provide a list of churches providing live-streamed or pre-recorded services for Christmas that you can share.

If you are willing to add your church's service to that list, please send an email to brea@psec.org no later than Dec. 5 and include:

• the name of the church, including location
• the name of the pastor
• the website where the online service will be available
• if the service is live-streamed, the time the service will begin
• if the service will be pre-recorded, when it will be posted

On Dec. 13 we will send you an email with the list of virtual services, the recording of Rev. Worley's sermon, and the transcript of the sermon.

UCC accepting applications for Generosity Officers

The United Church of Christ, National Setting has an opening for four Generosity Officers to be deployed throughout the U.S. by region. The Generosity Officers will assist the Director of Philanthropy, the Development Strategist, OPTIC team, and volunteers in carrying out the major gift program/planned giving program of the national setting of the UCC. Each will hold primary responsibility for the solicitation of individual gifts of $10k or more for the UCC. These positions will be charged to identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward 75-100 prospects and donors, concentrating on one of the identified Regions of the UCC, partnering with other staff and conference offices and local churches as appropriate. This position will require both electronic and direct face-to-face solicitation and stewardship, with an expectation of travel. 

Generosity Officer: PNEC, PSEC, Penn Central, Penn West, Central Atlantic – Apply here

Registration now open for

2023 Women's Clergy Retreat

Join us for the 2023 Women’s Clergy Retreat Jan. 24-26! This retreat will be centered around YOUR NEEDS; so you will be able to choose what activities are beneficial for your well-being and the refreshing of your spirit. There will be opportunities for worship, discussion, engaging in spiritual practices, and more – all centered on the theme "Unprogram Yourself" and unplugging from the demands of our day-to-day life. Massages will be available for an additional fee.

The retreat will take place at Mariawald Retreat Center, 1094 Welsh Road in Reading. Modest linens/towels and simple meals are provided – you are welcome to bring snacks and drinks to share! Rooms are double occupancy and cost $130 – space is limited! First floor rooms available on request, and be sure to include the name of a roommate if you have a preference. Full vaccination and a negative home COVID test required up to 48 hours before the retreat.

To register, click here.

Apply now: Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative

Since 2017, the Ministers' Financial Vitality Initiative (MFVI) has worked to increase and improve financial wellness for more than 210 UCC authorized ministers who are overburdened with debt.

Each year, a selection of 60 commit to a three-year personal finance education that encourages participants to draw upon the expertise of an Ernst and Young financial planner to help meet their financial goals, as well as obtain unlimited access to tools and educational resources – available at no cost to the participant.  

The program provides a yearly financial incentive of $3,000 for three years, which participants can use to alleviate their debt, or seed an Annuity Plan account to secure lifetime income. 

Active UCC authorized ministers who are interested in joining the MFVI program for the 2023 cohort can send an email to MFVI@pbucc.org for instructions on how to apply. Application deadline is Dec. 31. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis. Learn more by reading the Frequently Asked Questions.