The Future of Multivocational Ministries, April 21–May 17, instructor Darryl W. Stephens. For lay and clergy leaders seeking to understand the benefits and challenges of bivocational and multivocational ministry. Participants will receive a copy of the forthcoming ebook, Bivocational and Beyond. $125* (supported by a grant from the Walters Trust). Register by April 18.

Personal and Spiritual Development, May 24–June 28, Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm. This Ministerial Institute class is taught by PCC Conference Minister Carrie Call. Participants will learn about spiritual disciplines, congregational systems, and vocational discernment. Appropriate for lay leaders, clergy, and MIDs. $325. Register by May 18.

For information and registration click here.

Recently the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and the DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships presented an excellent webinar, Protecting Places of Worship: A Religious Observance Briefing on Safety and Security. You can listen or share the recording which highlights multiple ways faith and community organizations can enhance the safety and security of their institutions and communities by taking practical steps ahead of religious observances. Click here for webinar resources and references.

Take a Prayer Break every Thursday at noon during Lent join colleagues from the four PA UCC conferences for a short time of prayer on Zoom. Each gathering will be led by a conference staff member and will include readings, reflection, and a time for intercessory prayer. All are welcome to join. Zoom information is below and is the same for every week until they end on April 14.

The Church of the Brethren Disaster Services (a VOAD partner with the UCC) will present an in-person Children’s Disaster Services Volunteer Workshop on May 13-14. The event will begin on Friday at 4:30p and conclude at 5:30p on Saturday. The event will be held at the Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 Orange St., Lititz. The CDS Volunteer Workshop is a comprehensive 25-hour workshop that uses applied, experiential activities to help the participants integrate their learning. The workshop will train you to understand and respond to children who have experienced a disaster. Participants will experience a simulated shelter, sleeping on cots and eating simple meals. Once the training is completed, participants have the opportunity to become a certified Children’s Disaster Services volunteer. Click here for an event flyer. Register.

And keep watching psec.org/annual-meeting-2022 for the agenda, reports, and more!

Sitters may work one shift, an entire day or both days. Sitters will receive free lunch and/or dinner if covering both shifts on either side of those meal times. Compensation will be $20/hour. Please share this opportunity with childcare/ nursery attendants you know. Anyone interested should contact Susan at the Conference office at susan@psec.org.

The mission of the PSEC Addiction & Recovery Task Force is to share God’s love with people suffering from the destructive disease of addiction and their affected family members and friends. Our goal is to decrease stigma surrounding addiction by broadening individual knowledge, awareness, and understanding while providing support, resources, and other vital information about this disease to ministers and congregations. This live continuing education event on Wednesday, May 11 is designed to help you do that! For more info and to register, click here.

Attached to all UCC Ministerial Profiles are criminal background checks provided by Oxford Document Management Company. For the first time in more than a decade, the price of that background check will increase from $160 to $175. This change will take place on April 1. Background checks are valid for 18 months from the date they were completed. If you have questions about ministerial profiles or this change, contact Rev. Kevin McLemore, Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call, at mclemore@psec.org.

On Tuesday, May 31 at 2:00, an Advanced Boundary Training will be held on the topic of "Healthy Boundaries for Retirees Serving Churches." This training will be available at the PSEC Conference Office in Pottstown or via Zoom. Note: this is a change of location and date. Registration for this 3-hour training is open here.

Pastoral Relations Committees provide essential leadership in the life of a congregation. On April 4 at 7:30p, come to this workshop from the UCC's Ministerial Excellence, Support, and Authorization (MESA) Team to explore what the purpose of a PPR Committee is and is not. We’ll be talking through and naming the priorities and commitments of a well-functioning PRC. Revs. Tara Barber and Stephen Boyd will share best practices from around the church and be prepared to answer your questions. Open to pastors, lay leaders and judicatory staff. Register here.

Does your congregation desire to be more prepared for disasters, both to protect yourselves and to help your neighbors in time of need? Willing to Respond is for you!

This new and rapidly growing network is providing congregations with practical tools, training and relationships, including online resources and connection to denominational, ecumenical and other disaster response resources. It's simple to access and easy to register.

Willing to Respond is a joint project of United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries, Disciples of Christ Week of Compassion, Houston Responds, and a growing list of other churches.

If you have questions,please feel contact our Conference Disaster Coordinator, Karl Jones, at kjones275@comcast.net.

This week, on the "Classified Ads" section of the PSEC website, two closing congregations have advertised items available for other churches. Communion sets, art, furniture, and more are listed. For more information, check out psec.org/classified-ads.