Important This Week
  • A Christmas message from the Conference Minister
  • Conference staff is working from home between the holidays.
  • The deadline is approaching for the Interim Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call position.
From the Conference Minister: Merry Christmas to you

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1

Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas you who are worn out by the heightened pastoral needs and expectations of this holiday season.
Merry Christmas you who are pursued by a 24 hour news cycle that there is more darkness than light in the world.
Merry Christmas you who are stressed by Christmas gift giving and endless domestic demands.
Merry Christmas you who are alone and certain that no one sees you.
Merry Christmas you who are in loving, human relationships and because of them better know and share God’s love.
Merry Christmas you the joy-filled one who can hear the whispering of angels from distant fields.
Merry Christmas you grieving the loss of a loved one absent for the first time this holy day season.
Merry Christmas you who are blessed by a child’s first Christmas.
Merry Christmas you who are aware that the kingdom of God lives in you.
Merry Christmas to all who will light a candle tonight and stand in defiance of darkness, in all its forms, to declare once more that eternal life and life has come into the world in person of Jesus Christ.
The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not, has not and will never, overcome it.

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to you and the people you love and serve.
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Bill

Rev. Bill Worley
Conference Minister  
PSEC Office holiday hours

The Pennsylvania Southeast Conference office will be closed Monday, Dec. 23 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Staff will be available, but working from home Dec. 23, 26-31.

Also, please note that during inclement weather staff may work from home on days where the school district in which they live is closed. If there is questionable weather in Berks/Montgomery Counties, please call before visiting the Conference Office.
Position posted for Interim Associate Conference Minister

In November, we shared news of Rev. Sharon Morris’s resignation. If you missed that, you can find it here . Conference Consistory posted a denomination-wide invitation for candidates interested in serving as Interim Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call. You can see that here . The deadline to submit profiles for consideration is Dec. 31. Consistory anticipates a year-long interim process while Conference leaders discern the current and future needs of our ministry related to this position.
LGBTQIA+ workshop approved as Diversity Training

The Faith-based LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Training that Boehm's UCC is hosting on Jan. 11 has been approved by all Associations as meeting the requirement for Diversity Training (or continuing education hours). The training will be from 9:00a-12:00p and costs $5. This is open to everyone. Registration is now open. Click here for a flyer to share.
Lehigh Presbytery sets 2020 Boundary Training workshops

The Pennsylvania Southeast Conference has a reciprocal relationship with other local judicatories to accept one another's Boundary Awareness Training workshops. In 2020, the Lehigh Presbytery will be offering training. Workshop and registration information is available here . If you need Boundary Training in 2020, please save these dates now:

  • March 12 in East Stroudsburg
  • May 21 in Bethlehem
  • October 14 in Reading
PSEC 2019 financial giving deadline announced

The PSEC financial books will close for 2019 on Jan. 17. OCWM contributions and pass-throughs for 2019 must be received in our office by the close of business Friday, Jan. 17 in order to be counted for 2019.
Save the date: Mark your calendar for these 2020 events

Did you know PSEC has scheduled more than three dozen events so far for 2020? Read this news story for a complete list of events on our website.
Recommend something to the conference reading list

Have a book to recommend for other clergy and lay leaders? Send an email to brea@psec.org with a 100-200 word description of the book and why you're recommending it and we'll add your recommendation to the PSEC reading list and share it in eNews.  Check out all of the recommended books at psec.org/booklist.
PSEC Events

Jan. 14: 2020 Women's Clergy Retreat in Reading

Jan. 24: Cultivating Generous Congregations in Boyertown


Feb. 22: ALICE Training in Bernville

March 7: ALICE Training in Quakertown

May 5: Clergy Convocation in Lancaster

View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Calvary UCC, Barto (part-time interim)
  • St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (half-time designated)
  • St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
  • St. Mark's UCC, Reading (10 hrs/ week)
  • St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)

If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Sharon Morris: morris@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
Educational Opportunities
View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Church Events
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve in Laureldale

Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Worship Services in Alburtis


Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
Classified Ads

Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
Missed a week? Read past eNews 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!