Message to the Conference | |
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Greetings members and friends of Penn Central Conference,
"Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh. Jonah 3:2-3
I love the call stories in scripture. Jonah is one of my favorites because I really appreciate how hard Jonah works to say “no.” It reminds me a lot of myself - and a good number of folks I know.
God is clear in this verse what it is that Jonah is being asked/told to do. And perhaps to the reader’s surprise, Jonah does it. We know from the fuller context that Jonah is none too thrilled to go to Ninevah, much less deliver the message God is giving him. Let’s review the first two chapters of Jonah and listen for parallels in our own lives.
Chapter 1 starts out with Jonah being called by God to go to the city of Nineveh and deliver a message. However, Jonah tries to escape from this responsibility by boarding a ship heading in the opposite direction. A great storm arises, and the sailors on the ship realize that Jonah is the cause. Jonah suggests throwing him into the sea, and reluctantly, the sailors do so, leading to his being swallowed by a large fish. (Running from what you think God is asking you to do?)
Then Jonah finds himself not dead, but alive and inside the belly of the fish. In his distress, he prays to God, acknowledging his disobedience and seeking forgiveness. Despite his dire circumstances, Jonah expresses gratitude for God's mercy and vows to fulfill his original calling. God commands the fish to vomit Jonah onto dry land, demonstrating divine intervention and Jonah's redemption. (Asking God to help in this crisis and you will change your ways and do the things God asks?)
In today’s verses from this week’s lectionary passage, God gives Jonah a second chance, instructing him to go to Nineveh and deliver the message of impending judgment. Jonah obeys and enters the city, proclaiming that Nineveh will be overthrown in forty days. The people of Nineveh respond by repenting and turning to God.
Jonah’s response of obedience and the people’s response of repentance are life changing. Jonah did the hard thing that God asked, and because of that obedience the people did the hard work of repentance. Lives were changed.
Doing the hard work that God calls us to is not always our first choice either, but do we really need consequences as dire as the belly of a fish or complete destruction of our communities in order to do the work?
How does the ministry of your congregation respond to God's calls in ways that change lives? No person or congregation can do everything, but each one of us can do the things God calls us to, and in that doing, lives will be changed.
Go out this week and be a Jonah - do the hard thing you hear God calling you to do. Or go out this week and be a Ninevite, doing the internal work that God is calling you toward. Be responsive to God’s call this week and know that a life is changed, most certainly yours and quite possibly those around you.
Shalom,
Nora
Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
Associate Conference Minister
Penn Central Conference
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Yearbook data collection has begun! This data is vital for the conference and the national setting to serve our churches to our best ability. Learn more about how to enter Yearbook data before the deadline of March 6, 2024 here. | |
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Scheduling notes:
January 28 - Locust Grove UCC - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
February 4 - Church of the Redeemer UCC, Hershey - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
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Prayers for Penn Central Conference
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
Zion UCC, Newburg
St. Paul's UCC, New Oxford
Incarnation UCC, Newport
Elias UCC, Newmanstown
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Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events. | |
Creation Justice
Is your church looking for ways to care for creation in 2024? Rev. Mitch Nelson has shared an article to the UCC website on raising Monarch butterflies. If you don't have the space or volunteers for a full pollinator garden, you can learn how to care for Monarchs in his article, found here.
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Hartman Center Homecoming Camp 2024
Registration is now open!
Sunday, July 28th through Saturday, August 3rd, 2024
We will be returning again to Hartman Center Campground in Milroy, PA as guests.
Check out the full list of camping experiences for all ages and register here.
In addition to the cabins and lodges, RV sites will be available. We would love it if lots of Penn Central Conference folks are able to reserve and use those sites while we are there. Check the website here.
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Camp makes a great Christmas gift. Check out the summer options from our partners at Lutheran Camping Corporation's Kirchenwald (and Nawakwa) here
I love going to camp because of all the fun I have with the activities. I love going to camp for the learning experience. The community is amazing, and I always feel accepted at camp. I have so many great memories which always keep me coming back each year. That is just some of the reasons I love camp Kirchenwald. ~ Hugh Dickel (12 years old. He has attended Arts and Crafts Camp and Guppies Camp)
The reason I like to go to camp is all the friends that I make. I also had a good time with all the counselors there. All of the activities we do are fun. Everyone has a good time at camp as well. Some people I meet I still talk to outside of camp. It’s always nice to take a break from technology and get outside. Every time I come back home I want to go back again because I enjoy it so much. - William Dickel (15 years old. He attended Beach Camp this past year, Kayak Camp, and Kirkenquest Camp in prior years.)
We always feel really good about sending our kids to Camp Kirchenwald and don’t think they miss us at all, the weeks they are at camp! They come home telling us about the fabulous new experiences they’ve had, the new friends they’ve made, and the positive interactions they’ve had with the counselors (great role models!). I can not think of a better way for kids to grow in their faith, gain independence, challenge themselves in learning new skills, and have technology-free time in God’s beautiful creation. Most of all I know they had FUN! And no doubt, will have wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. - Ed Dickel
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Association Events
York Association - Ecclesiastical Council for Rev. Dr. Kellie Turner - February 4, 2024 - 3PM
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Educational Opportunities | Registration is important for planning purposes, even for virtual events, so please let us know if you need to cancel your registration so we have the most accurate numbers. | |
"Where Have All The Clergy Gone?"
January 24, 2024 10:00AM & 6:00PM
We know the church is changing. One of the most obvious shifts is the availability of clergy for our churches. What has happened and how did we get here? Join us for a zoom presentation that will cover the trend in clergy numbers in the UCC and what affects them. We will discuss what might come next and what we can do to help our local churches.
Register here.
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Worship Planning for Lay Leaders
Feb 5, 2024, 6:30PM
Many members of consistories and church councils are finding themselves needing to do more with worship planning for their congregation, some are even stepping into the pulpit. Our Penn Central Churches are experiencing longer and longer seasons of transition and interim and supply leadership is just not filling the whole of the growing need. This 90-minute workshop will look at available resources to assist lay leaders with worship development like liturgies, prayers, hymn selection, lectionary passages, and more, as well as touch on sermon preparation for those filling that need. All are welcome, please register.
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The Penn West, Penn Central, Penn Northeast and Penn Southeast Conferences of the United Church of Christ cordially invite you to participate in this virtual Lenten opportunity! Meeting each Wednesday in Lent at 7pm, this Bible Study explores the foundations of our identity as Christians and members of the UCC as we explore what the future may hold! Each week is unique so if you cannot attend every date you can still participate in as many as you are able. If you have questions, or you would like to participate in this study, please email pattyr@pnec.org to receive the link. Thank you!
February 21: Unity and Foundation
February 28: United Church of Christ
March 6: Lent in Context
March 13: The Priesthood of All Believers
March 20: Communion
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Retired Minister Boundary Training with Rev. Tara Barber
March 14, 1:30 – 4:30PM ET
Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years" along with case studies, will provide the content of this training. Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.
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Boundary Training in 2024
All dates are 10am and 6pm for 2-hour zooms.
February 20, 2024 Intersectionality and Power Dynamics In this session, ACM Rev. Dr. Nora Foust will discuss ways in which we as leaders in the church navigate ever changing power dynamics as culturally more and more important intersections are defined. Her participation in a training event with Rev Lori Tapia, the DOC National Pastor for Hispanic Ministries, and Dr. Sharon Fennema, our UCC Curator for Join the Movement, led to the development of this culturally relevant discussion. Register here. (This will be repeated October 15, 2024.)
March 19, 2024 The Ministerial Code – This is the ordained minister’s code of ethics and should underpin our ministry. It’s a grand document. Join Nora as we look at it line-by-line and examine the practical implications of living a life worthy of the calling to which we’ve each been called. Register here. (This will be repeated September 17, 2024.)
April 16, 2024 Money Matters – Financial Health and Vitality can be a challenging conversation and in this two-hour session we will look at the various ways in which money does matter in ministry, personally and vocationally. Financial Misconduct is in the top-five reasons for fitness reviews and conference staff receive numerous questions about how to move in healthy ways when it comes to church money. Come out and we’ll take a deep dive into this sensitive topic. Register here. (This will be repeated July 16, 2024.)
May 21, 2024 Healthy Beginnings and Endings – All ministries have beginnings and endings. In this session, participants will look at healthy expectation setting in new calls as well as ethical departure requirements. Register here. (This will be repeated August 20, 2024.)
Boundary Training at Keystone Annual Meeting
June 7, 2024 Undercurrents and Riptides Online – A two-hour session will be offered as part of the Keystone Annual Meeting (this one will not be via Zoom.) In this session, we will discuss the hidden (and obvious) dangers of ministry in an online world. From Social Media to AI to Pornography, the internet can pull us in many directions and not all of them are good for us. Watch for registration links in February. (This will be repeated November 19, 2024 in Zoom format.)
Topics are subject to change, but changes will be announced.
Basic Boundaries for Congregations will be offered via zoom, 6:30-8pm April 15, 2024. This session will feature discussion on Behavioral Covenants, Financial Boundaries, and Pastoral Relations. Anyone is welcome to join, consistory/council members are highly encouraged to attend. Nora is also available for this session at a church or group of churches if desired. Register here. (This will be repeated October 14, 2024.)
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Healing Together: Healing Me, Healing Us
You are not alone. Our time together for Clergy Convocation will focus on rest, renewal, connection and healing. Healing in our ministries and our world often begins with healing within. We know how important it is for clergy to have time away from their ministry settings and to find support. We will have times dedicated for worship, theological reflection, gatherings of affinity groups, connecting with folks from other Conferences, and free time.
Clergy Convocation 2024 – Tentative Agenda
To register, click here.
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2024 Financial Ministries Webinars
4th Wednesdays of the Month – 7:30pm Eastern (6:30 Central)
Jan. 24 – Orientation for Financial Leaders
https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvcuGsqT0iG900QU6jmOnzJWFHo0e9Seoi
The presentation reviews basic aspects of the treasurer, financial secretary, and trustee roles in a local congregation. We will discuss creating a “financial dashboard” to help fellow board members understand the finances of the congregation, effective ways to record and thank donors for their gifts, and best practices around cash controls and cash management.
See full 2024 list here.
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From our friends and partners | |
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
PAM Open House, Tuesday, January 23, 7pm via Zoom. Hosted by the Rev. Dr. Darryl Stephens. Bring your questions and meet folks!
Introduction to Preaching. Jan 30–March 5, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor: the Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler. For lay and clergy, any level. 2.5 CEUs.
Preaching and Worship through the Year. April 9–May 14, 2024. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm EST via Zoom. Instructor: the Rev. Dr. Ronnette Comfort-Butler. Lectionary planning, sermon series, music and arts, special services, and more. 2.5 CEUs.
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Are you looking for a rewarding career in a mission-minded organization? Mission Central might be your place! We are looking for a Director of Development and Communications to join our dynamic team.
The ideal candidate would have fundraising and communications experience, ideally within a nonprofit entity, covering areas such as development of a comprehensive fundraising program, major gift fundraising, grant writing, website content, newsletters, social media, and donor communications. The ability to take knowledge, transform it into exciting and useful messages, and disseminate it is critical.
Please help us spread the word and encourage interested individuals to access our full job description and application process here. Thank you!
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The Lykens Valley Charge, comprised of Peace UCC (Berrysburg PA) and St. Peter’s UCC (Lykens PA), is seeking a passionate ministry leader to serve as the Children,Youth, & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator. This person will play a key leadership role in planning and implementing programming for children, youth, and young adults, including but not limited to Sunday school, VBS, youth group, Bible study, service outreach, and other special events as scheduled. Reporting to the pastor and church consistories, the CYYA Ministry Coordinator works to reach, equip, and empower young people to be lifelong followers of Jesus Christ. This is a part-time (15-20 hours/week) position.
For more information or to apply, please email lvcucc@berrysburg.comcastbiz.net. (11/22/2023)
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
email: ccall@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
email: nfoust@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-2587
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
email: pkeller@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-652-1560
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