The NEPA Synod of the ELCA is offering in-person Basic Boundary Training for churches in our region in 2022. There are three in-person options, dates, and locations in May for that training:

For more info and to register, click here.

If you missed the Pennsylvania By The Numbers presentation with Dr. Erica Dollhopf of CARDD last week, you can watch the video here. You can also find the slides presented here. And a link to the the Faith Community's Today report referenced in this presentation.

July 24-29, clergy from some UCC conferences and their German partner churches will gather for the 2022 Pastoral Colloquy in Elizabethtown, PA. The theme will be "Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World: Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues." For information on the Colloquy or to register, click here.

Congratulations to the United Church of Christ's newest Open and Affirming (ONA) congregation: Wentz's United Church of Christ in Lansdale. Congratulations to Wentz's UCC, the 1757th church to become ONA since 1985. Their Open and Affirming Covenant reads:

Churches and pastors can go to PEMA.PA.gov/Grants/NSGP for detailed information. Some of the NSGP webinars will be open forums, designed to address any questions relating to the Nonprofit security grant program.

Take a Prayer Break every Thursday at noon during Lent join colleagues from the four PA UCC conferences for a short time of prayer on Zoom. Each gathering will be led by a conference staff member and will include readings, reflection, and a time for intercessory prayer. All are welcome to join. Zoom information is below and is the same for every week until they end on April 14.

With the recently released report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the dire situation faced by our world has never been clearer. To help meet this moment, Creation Justice Ministries has created an ecumenical resource to assist churches. The resource is entitled “Weathering the Storm: Faithful Climate Resilience.” It specifically helps churches respond to the question, “How can our churches be hubs of resilience, helping our neighbors weather the physical and spiritual storms of the climate crisis?” The resource can be used year-round and is also particularly useful in preparing for Earth Sunday (April 24). In this webinar, Avery Davis Lamb, Co-Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries, will introduce the resource and talk about specific ways churches can deliver a powerful message and experience on Earth Sunday. Even if you can’t make the planned time of 1:00p on Wednesday, April 13, sign-up and we will send you a recording. Register now!

Trinity United Church of Christ in Telford has started a program to open their doors to people affected by the disease of addiction to allow them to have fun, fellowship and recreation. They are working with a nation program called The Phoenix.

If you would like to know more about the program, please contact Deborah Clemens at deborahrahnclemens@gmail.com

Sitters may work one shift, an entire day or both days. Sitters will receive free lunch and/or dinner if covering both shifts on either side of those meal times. Compensation will be $20/hour. Please share this opportunity with childcare/ nursery attendants you know. Anyone interested should contact Susan at the Conference office at susan@psec.org.

The Future of Multivocational Ministries, April 21–May 17, instructor Darryl W. Stephens. For lay and clergy leaders seeking to understand the benefits and challenges of bivocational and multivocational ministry. Participants will receive a copy of the forthcoming ebook, Bivocational and Beyond. $125* (supported by a grant from the Walters Trust). Register by April 18.

Personal and Spiritual Development, May 24–June 28, Tuesdays, 7-8:30pm. This Ministerial Institute class is taught by PCC Conference Minister Carrie Call. Participants will learn about spiritual disciplines, congregational systems, and vocational discernment. Appropriate for lay leaders, clergy, and MIDs. $325. Register by May 18.

For information and registration click here.

The Church of the Brethren Disaster Services (a VOAD partner with the UCC) will present an in-person Children’s Disaster Services Volunteer Workshop on May 13-14. The event will begin on Friday at 4:30p and conclude at 5:30p on Saturday. The event will be held at the Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 Orange St., Lititz. The CDS Volunteer Workshop is a comprehensive 25-hour workshop that uses applied, experiential activities to help the participants integrate their learning. The workshop will train you to understand and respond to children who have experienced a disaster. Participants will experience a simulated shelter, sleeping on cots and eating simple meals. Once the training is completed, participants have the opportunity to become a certified Children’s Disaster Services volunteer. Click here for an event flyer. Register.