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Important This Week
- Diversity Training offered
- Lay Leadership Support Group
- Support for your Church Admin
- Free Youth Service Project Curriculum
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Diversity Training Offered
Diversity - what is it, how does it increase the vitality of our communities and congregations and our commitment to Christ?
The PSEC presents a Diversity Awareness Training for pastors on Thursday, October 13th from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, via Zoom. Good for 3 Diversity Training contact hours.
Presenters: Rev. William P. Worley, Rev. Kevin McLemore and Rev. Cean James.
$20.00 for UCC members and $25.00 for non-UCC members.
All authorized ministers are required to regularly complete training on Cultural Diversity/Sensitivity and Institutional Racism. Click here to register. |
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Opportunities for Church Leaders and Assistants
Please share!
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Lay Leadership Support -
Share with Church Leaders
A Lay Leadership Education Team, has been formed. Their hope is to be a support team for Consistory Presidents and/or representatives. Wouldn’t it be helpful if Lay Leaders had a place to ask questions, find support, and to learn from each other?
Pre COVID several Consistory Presidents and/or representatives started gathering once a month. It was a great place to gain support, knowledge and form friendships. We are revising this gathering. Here are the details.
Date: Saturday September 17, 2022
Time: 10am to 12pm (noon)
Place: St John’s UCC Lansdale
500 Main St., Lansdale, Pa 19446
(Entrance by rear of church)
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Church Admins CoP
All Admins Welcome
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Join with other "Assistants and Secretaries of the PSEC Conference for our "Community of Practice"
On August 17th from 12:00 - 2:00 pm the Church Admins will fellowship over lunch (via zoom this time) and take time to share resources and connect with one another.
Topics of discussion include but not limited to: 1) a shared space where we could communicate easily and share files 2) what is your community presence 3) services from the conference
All admins welcome. If you haven't joined us in the past, you are more than welcome to join us on August 17th. Register free, by clicking here. |
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Free Youth
Service Project Curriculum
Justice and Local Church Ministries, and the Faith Education, Innovation and Formation team are proud to share "Understanding our Mission - Service Project Curriculum 2022", a free curriculum for youth groups engaging in service work over the coming months.
This curriculum is in direct response to what has been asked for and provides four sessions of engagement with youth in preparation for, during, and after service projects, focusing on themes of meaning making, understanding difference, working together, and bringing it all home and back to your communities. For more information, click here. |
QUIET DAYS taking place at
New Goshenhoppen Church
"Quiet Days" sponsored by the Spiritual Life Mission Team of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, will be held at New Goshenhoppen Church on Tuesday, August 2nd, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Previously these events were being held at New Goshenhoppen Church park.
Along with your Bible, notebook and pen, please bring your own morning drink, snacks, and lunch. Masks are optional.
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Global Ministries
Hosts
Mission Dash!
This August, Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is hosting its very first Mission Dash, and you are invited to join us! Walk, roll, run, jog, advocate, or spiritually sprint wherever you are! You may choose to do the dash with your neighbors, friends, family, church, or on your own. The cost is $25 per person, and each registrant will receive a collapsible water bottle and magnet.
Throughout the 5K month of August, there will be opportunities to participate in climate justice advocacy actions in solidarity with international partners. Part of the registration fee will also support the work of international partners in their climate justice efforts and additional fundraising opportunities are available.
You are encouraged to do the 5K anytime between August 1 and August 31, 2022.
Make plans to join us today!
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From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Step Ten
We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
This step helps us to stay aware of our defects and frees us from the wreckage of our present. We form a habit of looking at ourselves, our actions, attitudes and relationships regularly.
Today we have a choice not to be trapped by old patterns. This step helps us correct our present problems and prevents recurrence. We take the time to examine our day and what our role may have been in any problems that arose. We admit when we are wrong so that issues are not left to fester.
We ask ourselves several questions about our physical, mental, or spiritual state and whether or not we are being drawn into old patterns. A lot of our problems are due to lack of life experience so we look to others for guidance.
We take the time to examine our actions, reactions, and motives while it is still fresh in our mind. This may be done by writing at the end of each day. This step is preventative against repeating actions that make us feel bad.
It is just as necessary to examine the good times so that when we are hurting, we can use the things that helped us during those times.
This step helps us to accept ourselves in the here and now and gives us personal freedom. With a better understanding of who we are, we move on to Step 11.
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Webinar- Faithful Abortion Access: Then And Now
The Clergy Consultation Service was a nationwide network of getting people access to safe abortion services and resources before it was legal. Hosted by Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, join alongside To Offer Compassion: A History of the Clergy Consultation Service On Abortion authors D.A. Dirks and Patricia Relf to learn more about the extensive network of the time, and hear the testimony of Rev. Donna Schaper about her work along the way. Faith Choice Ohio’s Executive Director Elaina Ramsey will join alongside Dr. Sherry Warren, the United Church of Christ’s Minister for Gender Justice in speaking towards ways people of faith can show up now that we look towards mounting state-led barriers to abortion access. Click here to register.
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Help replenish CWS storm supplies
UCC Matching Grants for congregations assembling CWS Emergency Cleanup Buckets and other Kits are still available. UCC congregations may apply for up to $250 to supplement their own efforts to assemble these life-giving supplies.
Completed kits get warehoused, ready to send out on quick notice.
Priority is Emergency Cleanup Buckets, but other kits also are welcome.
Learn more about these kits and church drop off locations by clicking here.
Take your pictures and record your stories and send them to Karl Jones so we can inspire others with your story.
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UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event
The UCC Clergywomen’s Leadership Event has been postponed at least twice during the pandemic, and we are excited to be offering the event this September 27-29 in Decatur, GA. “For Such a Time: To Confront, Connect, and Create at the Intersection of Race and Gender” is open to authorized clergywomen* in the United Church of Christ. Registration is now open for the in-person and online gathering. (* This invitation is expansive to include all cis and trans women as well as non-binary people comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women.)
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Phoebe Requests
your Help
Phoebe is asking for your assistance to Keep Temporary Nursing Assistant (TNA) Flexibilities. Phoebe is facing the
possibility of losing approximately 90 of their Temporary Nursing Assistants (TNA’s) because of this issue within the state regarding training and competencies. They would appreciate your help in contacting your representative to let Congress know how their actions will negatively impact Phoebe.
Click here for the "Make your voice heard" webpage. Simply click the box "Ask Congress to Keep Temporary Nursing Assistant (TNA) Flexibilities" and then enter the information into the blocks on the right side of the screen.
Thank you for your advocacy efforts on behalf of Phoebe Ministries.
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Shaping Generations: Queer Justice and Love in the UCC
2022 National ONA Gathering
Join us Aug. 5-7 for our first National ONA Gathering since 2019! Our virtual event will celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the ONA Coalition and Bill Johnson’s ordination as the first openly gay man authorized to serve an historic Christian church as a minister of word and sacrament.
Leaders include the Rev. Rhina Ramos (worship leader), Bishop Yvette Flunder (closing address and charge), the Rev. Bill Johnson and the Rev. Anne Holmes, and the Rev. Andy Lang (State of the ONA Movement).
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Please share: New Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline
On Saturday, July 16, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is rolling out a new, nationwide 988 dialing code that will connect callers to a network of more than 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country.
Similar to the 911 emergency number, the 988 Lifeline is designed to be an easy-to-remember direct connection to care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress, including thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance abuse crises, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
The 988 system will connect with callers via call, chat, or text. The lifeline provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the Unites States. Numerous studies have shown that the Lifeline works – most callers are significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to a Lifeline crisis counselor.
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May ReadyPA Monthly available online now
This month's PA Emergency Management Agency's ReadyPA Monthly includes info on hurricane preparedness in PA, wildfires, dam safety, and more. Click here for the newsletter. Please share this information with your congregations to help keep everyone safe and prepared.
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"Making All Things New"
General Synod 2023
Making All Things New” will be the theme of the 34th biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ, scheduled for June 30–July 4, 2023, in Indianapolis.
The General Synod of the United Church of Christ will get back to business a year from now. And it will do so in person.
After an all-virtual experience in 2021, the UCC’s biennial national meeting will require all voting delegates to be in Indianapolis in 2023. That’s according to the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, the associate general minister who serves as Synod administrator.
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Single Day
Volunteer Opportunities
Assist the Eastwick neighborhood in Philadelphia to rebuild.
Who: Volunteers with general construction/carpentry skills & those willing to learn ages 18+
What: Rebuilding residential homes (insulation, flooring, painting, framing, taping, etc.)
When: Saturday, August 6th
Wednesday, September 14th Thursday, September 15th
Why: To help our neighbors recover after damage from Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020
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Church Openings
- 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)
- 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.
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Classified Ads
Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
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Missed an email? Read past emails here:
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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! |
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