Important This Week
  • Last chance to register for Advanced Boundary Training and Continuing Edudcation next week
  • Register for PAM courses now
  • Attend a climate webinar; join the 50-50-50 initiative
From the Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development: 'We are that rock'

If you are a parent, grandparent, or caretaker of a school aged child, you have my sympathy! I don’t know that there is anything in the last 20 years of my life that has stretched me more than managing three students who are trying to attend class, all at the same time, in the same house, using the same Wifi. My wife and I have concluded that we are now the teacher, teacher’s aid, principal, assistant principal, lunch lady, custodian, gym teacher, tech specialist, and counselor, all in one person. This isn’t what we were expecting for our oldest son’s senior year of high school and our youngest’s first year of middle school.

There is a hymn of the church that begins, “Time is filled with swift transitions.” Things happen. Very rarely does life line up exactly the way we want it to. In an uncertain world, in the midst of uncertain times, people are looking for those rare rocks of stability they can count on. Believe it or not, as much as we, the church, have adjusted during this pandemic, we are that rock. You may not hear it expressed directly, but the people who you serve are so grateful for all the ways that your church has continued to minister during this season. While virtual and online worship and prayers and meetings may have been a technical nightmare for you, please know that your labor is not in vain! There is someone, somewhere in your sphere of influence, who dealt with a week of upside down circumstances, only to log on for your worship service; the only sure thing they could count on.

This is what we do. Since the first days of persecution, the church has always adjusted. Just as the writer of Hebrews reassured those early believers, “ God will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10

Rev. Cean R. James
Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development
Register for PAM courses; Get a discount for bringing a friend

Recruit a classmate! If you register for Theology I and recruit another student (not already in our pipeline) to take this class, you will receive $50 credit toward your next PAM class.
 
Theology I: “Faith Seeking Understanding,” Oct. 3 - Nov. 12. The Rev. Holly MillerShank offers a six-week online class through the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary. The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in relation to congregational leadership. This 2.5 CEU class starts Saturday, Oct 3, followed by five weeks of asynchronous online instruction. PLUS bonus Zoom sessions with the instructor: Wednesdays Oct. 21 and Nov 4 from 6-7:30p. Cost: $325. Apply by Sept. 25 at lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM.

Introductory video ( youtu.be/BL_ae5d_BLQ):
Theology II: “Leadership and Community,” Jan. 9 - Feb. 18. The Rev. Holly MillerShank offers a six-week online class through the PA Academy of Ministry. The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on the human condition, Christian hope, the church, ministry, and mission. Students may take this class without having taken Theology I. This 2.5 CEU class starts Saturday, Jan. 9, followed by five weeks of asynchronous online instruction and will include three synchronous Zoom sessions with the instructor. Cost $325. Apply online at lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM.
New resource for churches to share worship components

Several churches asked for more worship resources: music for live-streaming, worship components, and services from the Conference staff. In response to that, PSEC created a Google Drive for churches and pastors to share worship components. If you or your congregation recorded a service, sermon, children's moment, musical selection, or order for communion you would allow others to use, upload that video to the Google Drive. Note: each church needs to take responsibility for its own copyright use. Visit the Google Drive (drive.google.com/drive/folders/18wnxvyEEbyEaVhx0Tonj0DU_j2TbZ_by?usp=sharing) and read "PLEASE READ: Requirements" for more information.
Service available from PSEC PLUS: Save the dates for more

Earlier this month, we shared a new worship service that Revs. Bill Worley and Cean James recorded with the musicians at Grace Christian Fellowship. That is available here. Churches are encouraged to use this service in the next few weeks to give your pastors a much-needed break.

Conference staff will be creating services for Oct. 4 (World-Wide Communion) and Nov. 29 (Thanksgiving weekend and the first Sunday in Advent). We hope you plan to take advantage of those services, too.
Last chance: Boundary Training, Continuing Ed.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale will lead an Advanced Boundary Training on "Sexual Decision-Making: How to teach it, how to live it" from 9:00a-12:00p on Zoom. Registration for that is available here and closes on Monday. The cost of this training is $20 and it qualifies for three hours of Boundary Training.

Additionally, there will be an opportunity for continuing education from 1:00-4:00p on "Advancing Sexual Health for the Christian Clergy." Few pastors receive training in sexuality even though we are often put it on positions to counsel people with intimacy and relationship concerns. It is also true that the Western Christian Church has dogma that has been harmful to people's self-esteem and ability to enter and maintain healthy relationships. Using some of the insights from the book "Advancing Sexual Health for the Christian Client" coauthored by Beverly Dale, this workshop will identify some of the religious sources for intimacy problems and offer some of the tools to assist in pastoral counseling situations. The workshop will include lecture, discussion and experiential exercises. Registration for that is available here and also closes on Monday. This cost of this training is $20 and fulfills three hours of continuing education.
Climate webinar; Attend and register as a 50-50-50 church

More than 45 global interfaith organizations gathered a year ago for our first interfaith-based consultation to address the climate emergency. The second interfaith consultation, entitled "Good Trouble for a Healthy Planet", is a virtual consultation, addressing the impact of human activity on the planet, the urgent need for action to obtain sustainable communities, and the development of recommendations for moving forward. Two keynote presentations and eight concurrent workshops will be supported with web-based materials and social media tools to equip participants. The event will be Thursday, Sept. 24 from 10a - 1p. Click here to register by Sept. 22. Click here for a description of each workshop.

Attending this workshop is just one example of a way your church can make a commitment to help mitigate climate change. To sign up as a church in PSEC making that commitment, or to learn more about the 50-50-50 Challenge, visit psec.org/green.
Monday Meetings with the Conference Minister continue

Each Monday at 11:00a, authorized ministers and church leaders are invited to check in with the Conference Minister, Rev. Bill Worley, on a Zoom call. Share your experiences with ministry in this season of COVID with other clergy, ask for advice, and be in community together. Click here to join the call on Monday. (Use this link every Monday through Oct. 6.)
Register for Building Church Differently webinar series
The UCC Church Building & Loan Fund is hosting a 2020 web seminar series on "Building Church Differently." The cost is $25 total for three webinars from 2:00-3:30:
  • Make an Impact (Sept. 17)
  • Lead with Technology (Sept. 24)
  • Transform Communities (Oct. 1)
Registration is now open: click here.
Politics and the Pulpit event scheduled for later this month

On Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 2:00-4:00p, a continuing education opportunity will be offered online on "Politics and the Pulpit in an Election Year." Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Carrie Call and Rev. Bill Worley, this is a free event compliments of your OCWM contributions, but you must register. Click here to register and for more information.
UCC Webinar: Children and youth speak: Your vote matters

With the climate crisis and the struggle against inequality, the younger generations have served as today's prophets in provoking a global reckoning of the dire situation faced. As the elections approach, children and youth are raising their voices again with a moral urgency as they awaken us to how much is at stake. This webinar will present children and youth from ages 10 to 18 who have a message and perspective that needs to be heard before those older than them vote.The webinar will be at 3:00p Saturday. Register now!
Christian Ed workshop on 'Virtual Sunday School' set

On Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6:30p, a Christian Ed. workshop will be held on "Virtual Sunday School." This is a follow-up to a similar conversation earlier this summer, but it is not a requirement to have attended the first one. For more information and to register, click here.
Recording from workshop on virtual/in-person worship

Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development Rev. Cean James, led a worship on "Virtually Present - Combining Virtual and In-Person Worship." If you missed that training (or want to look back at what you learned!) a recording is available here.
Survey shows how churches are adapting during pandemic

Last month, a survey was sent to all of the churches and church pastors in the Conference with questions about virtual worship services, finances, and re-opening plans. The results from the survey may be helpful to your church's leadership to see what other congregations are doing at this point. If you missed those results in last week's eNews, they are available here.
Updated list available: PSEC churches online this fall

If your church isn't currently worshipping or you are not able or comfortable attending services, we have compiled a list of churches in PSEC that are holding digital/ virtual worship experiences. Share this with others that might not have another option for worship. Click here for an updated list.
Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors

For resources churches and pastors may find helpful in practicing ministry during the pandemic visit ucc.org/coronavirus or psec.org/coronavirus.
Upcoming continuing ed. opportunities from PNEC

Dimensions of isms
(Anti-Racism Training)
On Saturday, Oct. 3, PNEC will host an online anti-racism training from 9:00a-4:00p. The cost of the event is $100. The training will cover "Defining Racism," "How Do We Undo Racism," and "Challenging the Isms." (Please check with your COM before registering if you would like to apply this training toward your Diversity Training requirement.) For more info, click here.

Ministry Day: Caring For Our Mental and Spiritual Health
On Saturday, Oct. 24, PNEC will host an online Ministry Day from 9:00a-3:00p. The cost of the event is $25 and will focus on the topics of "Mental Health and the Church" and "Listening to the Spirit." Guest speakers include Lee Barrett, Megan Snell, and Bruce Stevenson. For more information, click here.

The Story of Worship
(open to both authorized ministers and lay worship leaders)
On Saturday, Nov. 14, PNEC will host "The Story of Worship", led by Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos. Cost of the event is $50. For more information, click here.
PSEC climate team challenges churches to commit to change
The Working Group challenges 50 PSEC churches to make a commitment to do something to mitigate climate change in the coming months.
September is upon us. This is a good time to renew your church’s commitment to the 50-50-50 Green Church Initiative.

The PSEC Climate Justice Working Group invites you to celebrate the Season of Creation, which begins Sept. 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. It concludes Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. For more on The Season of Creation go to seasonofcreation.org. The Season of Creation is a monthlong prayerful observance that calls Christians to pray and care for God's creation. The Season of Creation is an ecumenical initiative and “a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together.” We are called to join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. 

The theme this year is "Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope." Jubilee, in biblical terms, refers to a period of restoration every 50 years, when the land rests and justice is restored. The theme recognizes 2020 as the 50th celebration of Earth Day, so it fits nicely into our 50-50-50 Green Church Initiative. There is still time for churches to do something for both the Season of Creation and the PSEC Challenge:
  • Hold a special service that reflects the sacredness of creation
  • Hold a service to honor those working on environmental protection and sustainability
  • Create a special bulletin insert with information and prayers for the season
  • Hold a service to bless the animals
  • Take on projects like recycling, composting, tree planting
  • Preach about caring for the earth.
For a list of churches that have made a commitment, more suggestions for actions your congregation can take, and a form you can use for your church to accept the challenge, visit psec.org/green.
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Allegheny UCC (Sunday supply)
  • Calvary UCC, Barto, and Pennsburg UCC (full-time designated-term)
  • Glenside UCC (full-time interim)
  • St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time settled)
  • St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
  • St. Paul's UCC, Birdsboro (half-time interim)
  • St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)
  • Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
  • Trinity UCC, Rehrersburg (part-time settled)
  • Wyomissing UCC (part-time settled)
  • Zwingli UCC (full-time associate)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Dr. Susan Minasian: minasian@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
Church Events

Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
Educational Opportunities
View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Classified Ads


Worship Leader needed in East Goshen

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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!