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Important This Week
- PBUCC insurance increase available
- Save the date for the Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Symposium
- Register: Boundary Training, Lay Boundary Training, Men's Clergy Retreat, Building Church Differently
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From the Conference Minister:
Dear PSEC Friends,
I try to read the newsletters from your local churches as often as possible. I can’t claim great success at seeing them all. Every once and awhile I read something that I wish I wrote. Rev. Steve Myren, Pastor at Ridge Valley UCC shared the perspective below to encourage his congregation. With his permission, I share them to encourage you and your congregation.
Greetings My Brothers and Sisters,
There is a story in the Bible about Jesus and his disciples. As they are walking to Jerusalem two of Jesus’ disciples, the brothers James and John, privately come to Jesus with a request. When Jesus arrives at his glory, they want to be seated in the places of honor at his immediate left and right. Jesus tells them that he does not have the power to grant their request. Those places have already been prepared for others.
One would think that would be the end of the story: request made and denied. However, as always seems to happen, word of the brothers’ request leaks to the other disciples, who begin to argue among themselves. Jesus calls them together and tells them that even though the Gentiles argue as they are arguing, it was not to be so among his followers. They were to treat one another differently: “Whoever wants to be first must be a servant of all.”
There is a whole lot of anger being expressed right now in our communities, more than at any time I can remember in my lifetime. I believe the anger is the manifestation of the anxiety people are feeling. A lot of bullying behavior is taking place instead of people talking to one another. It seems that the loudest and angriest voices are trying to get their way simply by being the loudest and the angriest. It is a sad and depressing spectacle, a breakdown of relationships within our communities that threatens their very fabric. Words are being spoken that cannot be taken back; actions are being taken that cannot be undone. Great damage is being done around us. I wonder if healing will be possible.
There is also a great deal of anxiety bouncing around in our family of faith right now, more than we have experienced in twenty years. The reasons for the anxiety are manifold: the continued pressure of COVID as it unceasingly impacts and controls our lives, disagreements over COVID distancing guidelines, concerns for the future of RV. The anxiety in our midst is a mirror of the anxiety in the world around us. We cannot help but be affected.
I know that you are tired. I am tired, too. I know that you are anxious. I am anxious, too. I know that you are worried. I am worried, too. I know that you are angry. I am angry, too. I know that you are depressed. I am depressed, too. But need I say it: In our midst at RV, we do not need to respond to the anxiety as we are seeing it expressed in our communities. It is not to be that way among you, the followers of Jesus.
Be aware of your anxiety. Name your anxiety. Look at your life to see how you are acting out of your anxiety. Then, make the conscious decision that you will not let your anxiety control you and your actions towards others, your relationship with others. We can be better than the theatrics we are seeing around us. As servants of one another we must respect one another, must accept our differences, must work for the common good of all, must sacrifice for others. I say that we must do these things or face the possibility of doing great and lasting damage to our life together at RV. We are in this together, servants of one another. Servants put others first. Believe me, I know all too well what happens to relationships when we act out. Let us strive to be great in Jesus’ eyes.
Today, we face a challenge in our life together unlike anything we have faced in two decades. Take a deep, deep breath. God is still with us, working in our lives and our life together. Everything will work out unless we take actions that cannot be undone and say words that cannot be taken back. That is up to us.
God be with you,
Pastor Steve
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Save the Date: Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Symposium |
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Boundary Training next week from Penn Central Conference
10am is IN PERSON only at St. Thomas on Linglestown Road, Harrisburg. 6pm is ZOOM only, register for the meeting link.
September 15: 10am (Register) and 6pm (Register) – Power and the Pastoral Office with Rev. Nora Foust
Drawing from writings of Karen Lebacqz and Richard Gula, we will explore some of the aspects of the professional power that comes with the pastoral office. The power that pastors have is often understated and misunderstood. Some of you may remember this example from FaithTrust Institute and Margaret Atwood.
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She unlocks her office door, then locks it behind her to disguise the fact that she’s in there. It’s not her office hours but the students take advantage. They can smell her out, like sniffer dogs; they’ll seize any opportunity to suck up to her or whine, or attempt to impress her, or foist upon her their version of sulky defiance. I’m just a human being, Tony wants to say to them. But of course she isn’t. She’s a human being with power. There isn’t much of it, but it's power all the same.” Robber Bride, Margaret Atwood
Like that of a professor and student, the pastoral relationship is one of unequal power between minister and congregant. Unequal power does not necessarily indicate abuse, but it is something for us to consider with some regularity and intentionality.
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Pension Board insurance rates for 2022 now available
The Pension Boards UCC announced that in 2022, the price of Health Insurance will increase by 5%. There will be no changes to Dental and Vision benefits cost in 2022.
Additionally, the Conference Consistory has approved a 3% salary increase for Conference Compensation Guidelines. To view the 2022 guidelines, click here.
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UCC issues appeal for Hurricane Ida recovery
More than 20 U.S. states from the South to the Northeast are reeling from the impact of Hurricane Ida and its sizeable remnants with catastrophic water and wind damage, including significant power outages. Both short- and long-term recovery needs will be massive, with damage estimates in the billions of dollars. UCC Disaster Ministries issued an appeal to help support recovery. For more info or to contribute, click here.
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Register: Building Church Differently training event |
You are invited to join the Church Building and Loan Fund on Sept. 22- 23 for Partners in Building (PIB) 2021. PIB is a multi-day training event, where leaders from congregations are invited to engage in various presentations and workshops.
PIB connects pastors and other church leaders with information on how to repurpose, finance, and manage church-owned property through presentations and workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from and engage with experts including a variety of topics: Navigating Land Use, Repurposing Resources for Mission, Faith Based Entrepreneurs, Fund Raising, Social Media & Marketing and so much more.
At just $30 a ticket, you get access to a whole host of innovative faith leaders and transformative content. Click here to register.
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Neighbors in Need special offering materials available
The 2021 Neighbors in Need “Unfailing Love” offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects serving our homeless and immigrant neighbors and communities. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to provide funding grants to UCC churches and organizations leading justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects in their communities. Most churches collect the offering on Oct. 3 as part of World Communion Sunday, but contributions can be made at any time. Click here for all the NIN 2021 information and PDF downloads. Or order these print items for your church free with free shipping: offering envelopes, 11"x17" glossy poster.
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Training for UCC churches: Serving Afghan refugees
The UCC National Setting will host a "Training for UCC Churches: Serving Afghan Refugees" on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 5:00p. This hour and a half training builds on the new toolkit Welcoming and Advocating for Afghan SIVs and Other Afghan Refugees, tailored for UCC congregations that want to engage in support for Afghan SIVs and other Afghan refugees being resettled to the US. The training will include stories and insights from Afghan SIVs, churches who have built successful refugee ministries, and migration professionals concerning effective ways that churches can make an impact. Presenters will offer resources for congregations and take questions from churches wanting to build responsive ministries. Need more info? Contact Irene Hassan, UCC Minister for Refugee and Migration Services, at hassani@ucc.org.
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Brownback's UCC makes change in the community |
A few months ago, Brownback’s UCC in Spring City (Ursinus Association), started a new ministry to help the church’s children learn about generosity and supporting charities. The “Change 4 Change” initiative collected almost $300 for Good Samaritan Services. Click here to read the story.
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From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce:
The Maze of Resources
If you are seeking help in the struggle against addiction, or looking to refer a member of your congregation, you might well be AMAZED at the MAZE of resources that are available to choose from. In fact, because there are so many, it might be difficult to make sense of them. There are various kinds of support groups, countless educational pamphlets and videos, different professional counselors, dozens of detox centers, recovery houses, and government funded programs in existence today.
The Penn Southeast Conference Task force’s mission is to help local congregations minister in a nonjudgmental and loving way to all affected by this disease.
Part of that mission, of course, is to help steer people into finding the services they may need. Our web page has plenty of material already.
However, We Do Know that if there was One way to beat the disease, we would have found it by now.
The facts: Some things might work for some, others for others. Most of the addicted try numerous kinds of treatment before finding the help they need. Relapse is expected.
Some places are charities and thus free. Some are profit making and expensive. Some take insurance, Others do not.
In the next number of weeks, we will be highlighting in this PSEC email some of the resources we think are worth trying. Regardless of the success or failure of these remedies, remember, our role as Christian communities is to continue to be loving, accepting, and encouraging of those in search of healing.
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Continuing Ed: Leading Transformational Ministry
The Office of Continuing Education at Princeton Theological Seminary would like to invite you to a new online course, Leading Transformational Ministry, taught by United Methodist Bishop Peter Weaver. This intensive online course will explore planning and leading transformational ministry, especially in our current times.
Leading Transformational Ministry will meet Monday through Friday, Sept. 20-24 from 9:00a to noon. The course fee is $150. Click here to learn more about this course.
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Webinar: 50 years of the US gov't causing the climate crisis
The UCC’s next Creation Justice Webinar will feature one of the leading voices in environmentalism over recent decades: James Gustave Speth. Among his many accomplishments, Speth served the Carter administration, founded the Natural Resources Defense Council, and spent ten years as Dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. In August, he is releasing a new book entitled, They Knew — The US Federal Government's Fifty-Year Role in Causing the Climate Crisis. Naomi Klein has described it as "a damning record that will become a potent tool for justice.” Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 1:00 on Sept. 8, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
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Important note: Sending OCWM to the UCC
You may have received an email this week from the United Church of Christ giving an update for where to mail contributions. This change of address at the national church should not effect how OCWM contributions are sent to PSEC. Please continue to send your contributions to the PSEC office as before. If you have questions, contact tammie@psec.org.
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Free Lay Boundary Training event rescheduled for Sept.
Boundary Training is not just for Pastors... it also pertains to members of churches! Your church should be safe for all congregants. On Sept. 29 at 6:30p, "Lay Boundary Training" will be held on Zoom. Discussion will include: healthy boundaries, varieties and levels of seriousness of boundary crossings and the psychological health we all need to establish boundaries. Click here for a flyer. This training is free thanks to your OCWM contributions. Click here to sign up.
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UPDATED: Rev. Dionne Boyice installation at St. James UCC
Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.
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Racial justice banners and yard signs available |
The Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Initiative team, in promoting racial justice, is offering banners and yard signs free to churches and individuals.
For those who are able, we are suggesting a love offering of $70 per banner (image of the 4’x10’ Vinyl Banner with grommets below) and $7 per yard sign (image of the 18’’x24’’ Yard sign above right). The love offerings will go to further our efforts in this sacred ministry of racial equity and justice. To order, please email Anne Cormier at annecormier@comcast.net. Include in the subject box “banner” or “yard sign”.
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Sign up for the Men's Clergy Retreat in October
"Releasing Your Inner Warrior" will be the theme of the 2021 Men's Clergy Retreat being held at Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor, PA. The event, taking place Oct 5-7 (Tues-Thurs) will be a mixture of worship, small group discussions and relaxation! The facilitator of the group will be Rev. Dr. Tom Johnson, UCC Pastor and co-founder of The Neighborhood Academy. Full vaccination is required to attend. For event flyer, click here. To register, click here.
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Computer-side Chat: Bivocational Ministry!
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Bivocational ministry! Come and hear what it is and what it isn’t. Bivocational ministry has been around as long as the church has been in existence. The early disciples were tent makers and involved in a vocation of ministry that extended beyond what people think is a church vocation.
Come and engage in a conversation with our very own Tammie Wisniewski and hear how she is not only serving on Conference Staff, but also pastors a congregation and works in an accounting office. ALL of that is her vocational/ministerial life.
Join us Tuesday Sept. 14, 7-8 pm. Email brea@psec.org to receive the Zoom link.
October we will be talking with a pastor who is engaged in ministry with two congregations in a SHARED MINISTRY.
November we will be talking with a pastor who is engaged in a ministry with two congregations who are SHARING a MINISTER.
Hope to see you on these Computer Side Chat Zooms.
Rev. Dr. Susan Miniasian
Interim Associate Conference Minister
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Spiritual life workshops for lay leaders planned for this fall
A course on Spiritual Life will meet at Trinity UCC, Telford on Saturday mornings from 9:00-11:00 as follows:
- Sept. 18 - Spiritual growth through congregational worship
- Oct. 9 - Spiritual growth through personal disciplines
- Oct. 30 - Spiritual growth through small groups.
This course is designed for church leaders but is open to anyone who feels challenged to deepen their spiritual life. The course will be led by Dr. Charles Maxfield, an ordained UCC minister with experience in lay ministry training. He will be assisted by Constance Lezenby, a spiritual director recognized by her Friends’ Meeting as a traveling minister. Cost is $15 per person for the three sessions. Registration is on a first-come basis. For more information including how to register, click here.
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Classified Ads
Director of Christian Formation Position available in Glenside
Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
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Educational Opportunities
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Church Events
Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
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Church Openings
- Allegheny UCC, Mohnton (Sunday supply)
- Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
- Christ Delong, Bowers, and St. Peter's, Topton (3/4-time interim)
- New Goshenhoppen Reformed UCC, East Greenville (settled senior pastor)
- St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
- Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
- UCC Valley Forge (full-time settled)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Dr. Susan Minasian: minasian@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
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Missed a week? Read past eNews 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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