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Important This Week
- Rev. Marian Shearer will be the PSEC support person this summer
- Consistory presidents will gather this weekend to support one another
- Monday is the deadline to register for Boundary Awareness Training
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From the Conference Minister: Shepherd's Sunday
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27
My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.
28
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:27-28 (NRSV)
This Sunday, ‘Shepherd’s Sunday,’ has long been one of my liturgical favorites for its invitation to close out all the voices that relentlessly compete for my attention and tune into
the Voice
that spoke my name into being.
It’s an important voice to know. I’ve learned that is does not always answer questions, or solve problems but it does quiet the anxiety of uncertainty. It comes from a place deep within and its reverberation connects me to the REAL world wide web. Whether choosing a college, or retirement home or life partner or any of the countless moments of major life change — this is the voice that stills the storm.
Brain McLaren, the guest presenter at our upcoming Annual Spring Conference Meeting heard this voice at a critical moment in his ministry. He writes:
I seriously considered dropping out of the pastorate, and even the faith, on several occasions… I was tired of bailing out of ship that seemed full of leaks and whose captains seemed intent on steering straight into yesterday's Sunset. I was ready to swim for shore.
But there was a problem. Whenever I quieted my heart, never once did I hear the spirit whispering, “Give up”. “Turn back”. “Drop out.” Instead, again and again, I heard, “go further!” “Don't Be Afraid!” “Hang in there!” “Go forward!” So I strove to do so, and the titles of my books tell the story of a relentlessness, a quest, a spiritual journey or migration.
(Brian McLaren, The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking A Better Way to be Christian, p.7).
“Don't Be Afraid!” “Hang in there!” “Go forward!” Sounds like words a Shepherd would say to sheep. They are words I need to hear regularly.
There is very little ease about living on this earth or about being a Christian and especially about being a pastor. But there IS a Good Shepherd who has conquered life, and who comes among us
—
atheists, agnostics, seekers, novices, and advanced disciples alike
—
and says, ‘I give you eternal life and you will never die.’ Don’t be afraid. Hang in there. Keep going. I will be with you, even to the ends of earth.
May it be so for us all,
Pastor Bill
Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
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Rev. Marian Shearer to serve as PSEC support person
Rev. Sharon Morris,
Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call,
will be on sabbatical June 3 to Sept. 3.
Rev. Marian Shearer has been appointed
to assist staff in covering the conference's Search and Call and Committee on Ministry work
for a few hours a week during that time
.
The Rev. Marian P. Shearer, ordained in 1977 in Genesee Valley Association, NY Conference, served churches in Hilton and Albany, NY, and Philadelphia, before joining the NY Conference staff in 2001. She retired as associate conference minister in 2015, then she and husband Jim moved to the Reading area to be near their two grandsons. She’s been enjoying supply preaching around Berks County, leading the Reading-Berks chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, facilitating a Community of Practice clergy group, and singing in the choir at Calvary UCC in Reading where she and Jim are members.
And yes, it was she who fell over a chair at the fall annual meeting in Boyertown and broke her shoulder. She promises not to fall over anything in West Chester.
Make sure you welcome Marian at the Spring Annual meeting and keep her in your prayers this summer. As always, if you need anything, call the conference office directly and we'll help you find the best person to help.
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Register now for next week's Boundary Awareness Training
In every association of PSEC, authorized ministers are required to regularly complete Boundary Awareness Training. In most associations, the requirement is six hours every three years for all authorized ministers who do not hold exempt standing. There are only three more chances to complete this training in 2019 and one is next week. The 2019 workshops are:
Click on the date above to register for any of these workshops.
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Insurance Board tips: Open your doors, but not your risk
Churches frequently extend the use of their premises to third parties for one-time only events such as weddings, and for recurring events such as AA Meetings. The use of church premises for these activities exposes the church to liability in the event someone is injured on church premises, or inadvertently causes damage to the church. It is recommended that when outsiders use the church premises, the church obtain a signed Facility Use Agreement and obtain a Certificate of Liability Insurance from the party. The Agreement spells out who is responsible for what, and the Liability Insurance is there to pay for accidents that result in Bodily Injury or Property Damage. What if the third party does not have insurance? Through a product called TULIP (Tenants and Users Liability Insurance Program), a third party can obtain liability insurance specifically for use of your church. TULIP allows the Tenant or User entity to purchase a low cost general liability product to cover their liability related to the utilization of the church premises, protecting the entity as well as protecting the church by providing an extra layer of insurance protection and including the church as an additional insured. Upon approval of a short application, and premium payment from the third party user, Insurance Board is able to provide TULIP coverage. If your church is a participant in the IB program, and has interest, please contact your agent for more details.
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Free webinar with Climate Scientist Katharine Hayhoe
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LGBTQ+ Identity and Spirituality event tomorrow
On Wednesday, May 8 at 7:00p, Love in Action UCC is hosting "LGBTQ+ Identity and Spirituality" as part of a Year of Civil Conversations via Interfaith Philadelphia and On Being. Join a diverse group for a conversation about LGBTQ+ identity and spirituality, and the intersections of various identities across a spectrum. This event is FREE and open to the public. To ensure a safe and meaningful environment for all, please register your attendance by
signing up here
.
Click here
for a flyer to share with your churches and friends.
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Resources for Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 5-11
Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 5-11, a good opportunity to learn and share the risks from a land-falling tropical storm or hurricane. FEMA has prepared the following hurricane preparedness toolkits for your convenience:
- Hurricane Toolkit (complete with resources to share on your social media and talking points)
- Teen Version of the Hurricane Toolkit (gives young people information on what a hurricane is and how to be prepared)
- Older Adult Toolkit (addresses things like Social Security payments during an emergency and how to be prepared for an emergency if you have special medical or mobility restrictions)
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Joint PNEC/PSEC Disaster Ministry Team meeting May 13
On May 13 the joint Disaster Ministry Team of the Pennsylvania Southeast and Penn Northeast conferences will meet from 6:30-8:30p at Zion Union Church, Maxatawny. A ZOOM option will be available.
You are invited to join with others who are passionate about helping our neighbors through disaster ministries. We will learn more about:
- The UCC Disaster Ministry program and how you and your church can be involved.
- What our Conferences are involved in at this moment.
- How our churches can be more prepared.
We will also explore how our Conferences can work together to achieve our mission.
If you are expecting to participate please respond to
kjones275@comcast.net
, so we can prepare for your attendance.
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Church opens day-long mission trip up to others
St. Peter's UCC in Pine Grove is traveling to Mission Central in Mechanicsburg on July 27. Mission Central is a mission of the Susquehanna Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. They are a fantastic resource for disaster ministries and much more, who are continuing to assist in the flood recovery efforts in eastern PA. The purpose of the trip is to do some work around their warehouse. The group from St. Peter's be leaving their church at 7:45a and working in Mechanicsburg from 9a-2p. To get more information or register please contact Pastor Jason Stump at
757-630-6577 or
pastorstump@gmail.com
.
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Cornerstone Fund features Grace-Trinity UCC in story
Rev. Dr. Chandra Soans of Grace-Trinity United Church of Christ is particularly proud of Grace Neighborhood Academy School, a funded project through the Cornerstone Fund. With the help of his wife Betsy, Grace-Trinity UCC, and other ministries in the area, this funded project has helped to revitalize and strengthen one of Philadelphia’s most economically-challenged neighborhoods.
Read more.
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Suicide Prevention resource available for faith leaders
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Register now for this summer's Craigville Colloquy
The 36th Craigville Theological Colloquy will be July 8-12 at Craigville Retreat Center in Cape Cod, Mass. Attendees will encounter those from various faiths and faith journeys, all gathered for a time of discussion, reflection, challenge, worship, and prayer. This year's topic will be "Faith and Science: The Choices We Make." For a flyer,
click here
. Registration is
open
.
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PNEC Hosting Effective Transitional Ministry training
On May 24 from 9:00a-5:00p, the Penn Northeast Conference will host an Interim Ministry Network "Effective Transitional Ministry Training" event. Registration for the one-day event is $200.
Click here
for a registration form.
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Consistory Presidents gathering scheduled for May 11
A Gathering Community for Consistory Presidents is forming now. Many of our Pastors meet regularly in clergy groups to support one another, share ideas, and pray for each other. A gathering community for Consistory Presidents will offer similar opportunity for these critical lay leaders. As Presidents of Consistory (or other governing body of your church), we have opportunity and roadblocks facing us at all times. Our goal is to brainstorm, support, pray, laugh, and learn together in a confidential environment, so that we are strengthened to build healthy, vibrant, and faithful churches. There is no fee to attend.
Brenda Semach, Consistory President of Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC, invites you to a gathering
9:00-11:00a
Saturday, May 11
at Falkner Swamp,
2077 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville
(Covenant Assoc.). Please RSVP to her:
kbsemach@aol.com
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Educational Opportunities
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