Important This Week

• Registration deadline this weekend for the 2022 Men's Clergy Retreat
• Change to General Synod frequency proposed
• COVID Guidance

From the Conference Minister:

14Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Take these deeds, both this sealed deed of purchase and this open deed, and put them in an earthenware jar, in order that they may last for a long time. 15For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.      Jeremiah 32:14

Now is probably not a good time to buy land in Ukraine. Who would invest in real estate that is laid siege to by an occupier promising annexation? Jeremiah. Jeremiah did that. Because he trusted that,  “Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land.” He looked to the hope from the past to see the promise of the future and the presence of God in both.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer referred to this verse about houses and fields when writing from his Nazi prison cell to Maria, his fiancée:

“When Jeremiah said, in his people’s hour of direst need, that ‘houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land,’ it was a token of confidence in the future. That requires faith, and may God grant us it daily. I don’t mean the faith that flees the world, but the faith that endures in the world and loves and remains true to the world in spite of all the hardships it brings us. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Love Letters from Cell 92, quoted in https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-26-3/commentary-on-jeremiah-321-3a-6-15).

Bonhoeffer’s situation was as bleak as that of the besieged Jerusalem. He too looked to the hope from the past to see the promise of the future. And while his life was cut short, as was Jeremiah’s, it continues to inspire generations.

I suspect many of you reading this find yourselves in bleak situations. It's stewardship and budget season in many churches which is always a challenging time made even more bleak this year buy a 10% rate of inflation. It's an election year. Messengers of fear and scarcity are diligently driving real and imagined wedges of dissension. It's hurricane season and the folks in Puerto Rico need more than our prayers. It's always immigration season and I now work with Rev. Karl Jones and our partners in disaster ministries to prepare the City of Philadelphia to receive busloads of people from places bleaker than I can imagine.  

If I were to live as though any of these things would overwhelm me, then I would have to believe that Jeremiah did not prophecy (he did); that the houses and fields and vineyards that he bought were not restored (they were); that Dietrich’s letters do not still inspire (they do); and the power of the resurrected spirit of Jesus Christ doesn't make a difference (it does!).  

Look to the hope from the past to see the promise of the future and the presence of God in both. Thus says the Lord of Hosts, good things will come to this land and to your life.

With The Peace of Christ,

Pastor Bill

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

From the Conference Minister: COVID Guidance

Despite President Biden’s remarks in Sunday’s "60 Minutes" interview that, “the pandemic is over," Covid-19 is still designated by the federal government as a public health emergency and will continue to be so through at least October 13 when that declaration is up for possible renewal. Viruses in general have a consistent track record of increasing during fall and winter months and there is no compelling reason to believe this year will be any different. There is no immediate change in the public health guidance which includes:

• Promoting the importance of being up to date with vaccination.
• Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, COVID-19 positive people need to isolate.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
• Physical distance and masking are still important components to protect yourself and others.
• Be attentive to Covid levels and prevention recommendations in your local area which, for Pennsylvania, you can find here: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

While there has been tremendous relief in the return to the daily rhythms of pre-COVID life, I encourage all congregations and ministry settings to maintain a faithful level of vigilance to the safety and wellness of the people God calls us to love and serve.

With Prayers for your good health,

Pastor Bill

Change to General Synod frequency proposed

The General Synod review committee has recommended, and the UCC Board of Directors has affirmed, that General Synod be held every three years in a hybrid format, allowing in person and virtual participation. This change would require the 2023 General Synod to change the bylaws. For more information on this proposal, including the motivations behind it, benefits of the new model, and next steps, click here.

From Knowing to Transforming Your Community

First UCC in Quakertown is offering Free Training for Faith Leaders on Thursday, Sept. 22. This training has been approved by the PSEC Church & Ministry Council for 7.5 hours of Continuing Education. For more information click here. For a flyer click here, and click here to register.

Registration deadline Sunday for Men's Clergy Retreat

This year's Men's Clergy Retreat, taking place Oct. 4-6 at the Kirkridge Retreat Center, will focus on the theme "Racism in Church and Society: Past and Present." Attending this retreat will fulfill the Diversity Training requirement for pastors. The deadline to register is this Sunday. To register, click here.

Theology with a Twist returning to Kutztown

Theology with a Twist is BACK! We are meeting at 7 PM the First Tuesday of the month at the Kutztown Tavern,272 Main St Kutztown, in the upstairs room We will no longer have a server upstairs. Feel free to enjoy dinner in the restaurant prior to the meeting. You are also welcome to purchase food and drink at the bar to take upstairs. For more info go to our Facebook page or call 610.926.3907. Click here for info on the Oct. 4 event.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Join us November 10

Join the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce on Nov. 10  either online or in Fort Washington for "Resurrecting Hope: Harm Reduction and Healing Centered Engagement to End Overdose." Click here for more information and to register.

2022 Stewardship materials

“From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving” makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching and teaching about stewardship throughout the year, as well as campaign guidance and calendars to help leaders make the best use of these robust materials for their specific context. Available as downloads or print materials in a variety of quantities. See item listing on uccresources.com for specific details.

SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program

Beginning in the fall, the Southern New England Conference UCC will be coordinating a Community of Practice in Pennsylvania Southeast Conference for youth ministry leaders and clergy through their Faith Formation Leadership program. There are already three PSEC clergy and faith formation/Christian education leaders committed to joining the group, but there are still a few open spots. The cost is $250/year. For more information or to sign up, contact Debbie Gline Allen, the SNEUCC Minister of Faith Formation, at glineallend@sneucc.org.