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Important This Week
- It's not too late to sign up for Secretary Training next week on year-end reporting, files, and more!
- Register now for two upcoming active shooter training events.
- Registration is open for the 25th Annual Clergy Convocation.
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An exciting accomplishment for PSEC churches
I am incredibly proud and deeply grateful for the news I am about to share. With the impending close of our Conference financial books for 2018, our OCWM receipts from local churches and individuals were within $1,500 of our 2018 OCWM budget of $848,682. Since coming to our Conference five years ago, our OCWM shortfall has been in the $20,000-$30,000 range. In one year we cut that shortfall by more than 94 percent!
Furthermore, in the last week of the year, we received an anonymous, individual contribution to our Conference for $2500. So dear friends, we can say, faithfully and legitimately, that we ended 2018 over our OCWM contribution budget by $1,000!!! We will also close out the expense side of our financials underbudget.
This could not have happened without the generous hearts and souls of brothers and sisters in every local church making a difference on every Sunday with every offering. It could not have happened without the hard work of the lay and ordained leaders of our Conference who facilitate programs and events with a mindful eye on the faithful stewardship of our resources. And it could not have happened without the support of a dedicated Conference staff who push us every day in a “collaborative direction to effect for God and for good the lives of all people living in Southeast Pennsylvania and beyond.”
I am beyond proud of what we have accomplished. It’s hard NOT to wonder, what great thing can (and will) we do next? Whatever it is, by the grace of God, it will be so!
Thanks be to God and to you!
Bill
Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
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Cean James presenting for Compolo Lecture Series
The Compolo Center for Ministry at Eastern University has announced the Spring 2019 Compolo Fellows Lecture Series, including PSEC Associate Conference Minister Rev. Cean James. These lectures, sermons, and discussions are open to the public. For details,
click here
.
Cean will speak three times Jan. 30-Feb. 1 on “Christianity Unboxed”. Modern American Christianity is as tribal as ever. The two big boxes into which most Americans try to fit, and sometimes force, their faith are “conservative” and “progressive.” Like any labels, these are both defining and restrictive. What might be possible if the church returned to the big tent philosophy of both/and, determined to be a church of Spirit and Truth?
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Long-Term Recovery to report on current work, future plans
On Friday, Jan. 18, please join the Greater Philadelphia Long-Term Recovery Committee, at Taller Puertorriqueño, 2600 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, at 10am. (Parking is behind the building off of West Huntington Street.) The GPLTRC will be providing a comprehensive report to the community on the services and resources provided to Hurricane Maria evacuee families, current initiatives, and ongoing needs, especially in light of evolving resource availability. The Pennsylvania Southeast Conference and the United Church of Christ have been vital partners in this ministry. The meeting will also be a time to reflect on the lessons learned as we look to the future, moving forward to become a stronger community. RSVP to Julia Menzo, Chair, GPLTRC, at
jmenzo@libertylutheran.org
,
so we can prepare accordingly!
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Free VA Community Clergy Training events scheduled
St. Andrew’s UCC in Perkasie, has partnered with the Philadelphia Department of Veterans Affairs to set up Community Clergy Training (CCT) events at sites throughout PSEC. CCT is a program of the Veterans Administration to resource clergy. The trainer will be Rev. Chris Antal, VA Chaplain and five-year partner with St. Andrew’s UCC in the growth of their veterans Ministry. The Community Clergy Trainings equip pastors in veteran care, helping to identify veteran needs, tend to difficulties of homecoming, and have the capability to make appropriate referrals. Members of the St. Andrew’s Veterans Ministry Team will accompany Chris for each of the presentations.
Training events will be held this winter/spring at PSEC churches in Wyomissing, Souderton, and Schuylkill Haven. Addition training will be held at Moravian Seminary and the Cranaleith Retreat Center in Philadelphia. For more information on these free VA Community Clergy Training events, including registration links, click here to download an event flyer:
VA Clergy Training Schedule Philadelphia Region Winter Spring 2019
.
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Worship resources for Health & Human Service Sunday
Sunday, Jan. 27 is recognized as Health and Human Service Sunday in the United Church of Christ. The UCC Council for Health & Human Service Ministries has shared a worship resource for use on that Sunday. Click here to download
liturgical elements and prayers
for use on Jan. 27.
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Lay Boundary Training planned for January 26 in Boyertown
Boundary Training is not just for Pastors... It also pertains to church members! Learn about the boundaries that should exist within the church, child clearances, mandatory reporting and more! The training will be Saturday, Jan. 26 from 9:00a-12:00p at Church of the Good Shepherd, Boyertown. Registration is $20.
Click here
to register now!
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Register: Boundary Awareness Training 2019 opportunities
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Each Association of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference requires that authorized ministers regularly participate in Boundary Awareness Training. most associations require six hours every three years. Registration is now open for several BAT opportunities for 2019.
- Basic Boundary Training, Saturday, March 2 in Lansdale
- Basic Boundary Training, Tuesday, March 26 in Quakertown
- Advanced Boundary Training on Over-Functioning and Addiction, Tuesday, April 2 in Reading
- Basic Boundary Training, Wednesday, May 15 in Kutztown
- Basic Boundary Training, Thursday, Oct. 3 in Schuylkill Haven
- Advanced Boundary Training on Pastoral Transitions, Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Norrsitown
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Have you heard? Year-end church reporting is now open
Last week, emails were sent to churches and pastors with details on year-end reporting. If you should have gotten that information and didn’t, contact Brea Rarick, at
brea@psec.org
or 484-949-8774 ext. 311. Also, visit
psec.org/reporting
for more information on this year’s reporting.
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Rebuild Mission to Puerto Rico has a few openings this spring
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The PSEC and PNEC will sponsor two rebuild mission trips to Puerto Rico this spring! The first trip is full. The second
–
from May 12-18
–
still has a couple of openings. If you are interested register as soon as possible. The cost will be about $800 per person, including: transportation, food, lodging, supplies, etc. Registration requires a $50 deposit. Make the check payable to Penn Northeast Conference and mail along with this
PR Mission Trip Application
. To learn more about the rebuild site and the work go to
click here
.
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MA-AUCE Christian educators conference announced
Mid-Atlantic Association of United Church Educators will hold "Cutting Edge Faith Formation 2019: Meeting the Needs of ALL God's People" April 1-3 in Mt. Bethel. Join your Faith Formation colleagues for this conference which will include highly engaging, practical workshops. You will leave with usable tools and ideas that you can implement in your ministry context. In addition, we will have time to share our successes and struggles, network, worship together, and relax and rejuvenate. Whether you work full-time, part-time, or very part-time, are paid or volunteer, are a pastor, Christian Ed professional, or lay leader, this conference is for you!
Click here
for more information and to register.
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Lancaster Seminary to hold UCC History, Polity & Theology
UCC History and Polity will be taught at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Spring, beginning Friday, Feb. 22 and ending Friday, April 12. The class will be held on 7 Fridays from 2:00-5:00p. Assignments include reading and writing, resulting in a History and Polity paper that can be used as part of the ordination paper requirement for authorization. Successful completion of assignments in the class will result in a Certificate of Completion that may be shared with the individual's Committee on Ministry. This class is non-credit.
Registration is required
. The course fee is $ 300. Registration deadline is
Feb. 15
.
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January Secretary Training event open for registration
Sign up for the January Secretary Training event in Souderton. The topic will be year-end reporting, churches annual reports, record keeping and more. The training will be Jan. 22 from 12:00p-2:00p. Bring your own lunch and the hostess will provide drinks and dessert. The workshop is free, but
you need to register
.
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Classified Ads
Submit Classified Ads
here
View a complete list of Classified Ads
here
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Church Openings
Gulph UCC: part-time beginning ASAP
St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown: part-time beginning ASAP
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev. Sharon Morris:
morris@psec.org
or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
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Church Events
Submit Church Events
here
View a complete list of Church Events
here
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Educational Opportunities
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Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
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