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Important This Week
  • Boundary Training next week
  • Sign up for a Community of Practice
  • Robert Fogal will be ordained and installed at Carversville Christian Church on May 23
From the Conference Minister:

And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias;
and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:26

I’m not sure many of us cast lots as did the Apostles to choose Judas’ successor – at least, not for major decisions like choosing a pastor, undertaking a building project, ending a ministry or making pandemic policy. This story from Acts is one of the readings from this Sunday’s lectionary celebration of the Ascension when I will ask Jesus (with all due reverence) to take COVID-19 with him.

With the number of vaccinated people growing, warmer weather setting in, and our State Government set to re-open the Commonwealth by May 31, many congregations will be joining those who are already worshipping in-person.

Several of you have asked what practices and policies other congregations implemented during the pandemic. You can read about that from the information gathered in our Annual Yearbook Report Process. (Click here to read a report about the information collected.) Others have been hoping for updated Covid protocols as we move into the summer. So, here is some current information as well as a few suggestions:

As of April 27, the CDC changed its recommendations for those people who are fully vaccinated. This site includes important updates to share with your congregation.

As of May 31, all capacity restrictions will end for bars, restaurants, and indoor/outdoor events. HOWEVER, you will need to wear a mask when indoors in public places with mixed groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated people and outside when in a crowd. The mask protocol in PA will be lifted when we reach a 70% vaccination rate (“It’s a simple ask, wear a mask.”)

Our friends in Penn Central Conference shared the following entirely helpful insights:
  1. Your church members are in different psychological and emotional places as a result of the pandemic. Some individuals will be eager to re-join in person and will gladly sing outside without a mask. Others will not feel comfortable in any group gathering. Be sensitive to anxiety and accept people where they are. Pay attention, provide opportunities for feedback, and engage in non-anxious congregational decision-making when possible.
  2. Encourage outdoor worship when possible. If you are outside, it’s okay to sing without a mask if you are socially distanced. (Some will continue to wish to wear a mask while singing. Comfort levels vary.)
  3. If worshipping indoors and in-person, your leadership team sets the protocols for worship. Social distancing while indoors is not necessary for vaccinated people. HOWEVER, mask-wearing is. Make worship decisions and communicate them clearly (7 different ways) with your members. Make sure everyone is aware of your expectations.
  4. You can sing indoors, with masks, as long as that space has ample air flow. Keep your doors open! Up-to-date guidance about congregational singing can be found here: https://congregationalsong.org/covid-updates-congregational-song/.
  5. Continue (or start!) to offer hybrid worship (in-person and on-line).
  6. I strongly encourage getting vaccinated. We can only return to some sense of ‘normal’ the sooner we reach a high vaccination rate.

Finally, some of you have asked “Can a church require its members to disclose whether or not they have been vaccinated?” The short answer from our UCC National Attorney is “yes, a church can require that. A church is a private membership organization and can impose any requirement on its members (within reason). A church is also not subject to HIPAA (except in very specific circumstances such as when it has a parish nurse program or is providing licensed counseling services).” HOWEVER, our attorney goes on to write that, “[J]ust because we can do something under the law doesn’t mean we should do it.” The potential this requirement creates for confrontation and conflict is high making it difficult “to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Therefore, I do not recommend it. Think, plan, and implement with extraordinary diligence if you choose otherwise.

It is going to take time to reemerge from our long pandemic nightmare, but we are rising above this adversity and ascending to a better, healthier and, with the help of our Brother and Christ, holier place than when we began. No need to cast lots about that and I for one say Thanks Be To God!

Pastor Bill
Rev. Bill Worley
Conference Minister
CORRECTION: Email address for Phila. disaster response

Last month, in eNews and on the PSEC website, an article was shared about "Disaster Response help needed rebuilding in Philadelphia." Today we were informed that the email link on our website was incorrect. Emails for those interested in helping should be sent to IsaiasRecoveryVolunteers@gmail.com.
Advanced Boundary Training next week: Good Leave-taking

Accepting another call can be exciting…until the reality about departing your current ministry sets in (a fear that sometimes keeps us from leaving when we should). Before saying hello to one congregation, there must be a time of saying goodbye to the other. Leaving well is very important for the spiritual wellbeing of the clergy person and the congregation. How to leave with grace and in a healthy way is not always easy but is a part of our covenantal responsibility. Leaving a congregation without a call can be challenging for a variety of reasons. This kind of leaving can create a very different dynamic. Even so, the same process is necessary for the spiritual health of the pastor and congregation.

On Saturday, May 22 from 9:00a-12:00p, an Advanced Boundary Training will be held on Zoom on the topic of "Good Leave-taking." During this training we will consider the emotional aspects of transitions, the details that are a part of the timeline for parting and how all of this can be done faithfully in our covenantal relationships with one another. Click here to register.
Gifts will help hospitals fight COVID surge in India
Global Ministries, a partner of the United Church of Christ, is collecting funds to help three hospitals in India during that country's deadly COVID-19 wave. Read more in this article from the Global Ministries website -- The deadly second wave of COVID-19 in India -- or in this article from the UCC website -- Gifts will help 3 hospitals fight COVID surge in India.
Bob Fogal to be ordained this month by North Penn Assoc.

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.
Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Good Samaritan

Many people have no knowledge of what Narcan (naloxone) is, how it is used and how it saves lives. People will often dismiss it as giving a drug addict another drug. If you want to know more, a wonderful resource is the training tape by Dr. Rachel Levine, former director of the Pennsylvania Department of Health and now assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services. On this tape she explains what Narcan is, how it is used and walks you step by step to through the process. It is a short training that could teach you how to save a life. Please take the time to view the training if you have Narcan, are considering getting Narcan and especially if you have no idea what Narcan is.

The Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs states: “Members of the community, family members, friends, and bystanders may be prescribed naloxone and can lawfully administer the drug to someone who is experiencing an overdose. Pennsylvania's Physician General has written standing orders for the general public to be able to obtain naloxone without a prescription from their doctor. Although not necessary in order to obtain the medication it is recommended that individuals receive training to recognize the signs and symptoms of an overdose and to learn how to properly administer naloxone.”
 
You can watch the Dr. Levine's naloxone training video on TRAIN PA to get your certificate of completion that will protect you legally as a Good Samaritan trying to help someone in need.
To receive a certificate of completion, you must watch the video on TRAIN PA (http://bit.ly/PANaloxoneTraining). You will NOT receive a certificate for watching on Facebook or YouTube.
 
If you have received Narcan, please view the training to have Good Samaritan coverage.
2021 Virtual Annual Meeting
Please register for Annual Meeting today
“Deepening our Connections, Deepening the Journey” is the theme, and the hope, of PSEC’s Annual Spring meeting that begins Friday, June 4 with nationally celebrated social justice leader and guest presenter Sister Simone Campbell, a Catholic nun who, with a few sisters in faith, chartered a bus to change the world.

Our connecting continues with Saturday’s conferring sessions, workshops and worship services to honor anniversary clergy and congregations, to lament the losses endured through the pandemic and to welcome the hope of better days ahead. We gather online in a new virtual meeting space (“Whova”) for our (hopefully) last completely virtual Conference gathering. Click here to access the Call to Annual Meeting. Click here to access the annual meeting page on the PSEC website which includes the link to registration. 

There is less than a month until the registration deadline and we are not at quorum yet.
Invite church members to Spring Meeting

We've created this graphic for congregations to share on their social media pages or in emails to help find volunteers to attend the upcoming Spring Meeting. You can click the image at right to open it as a PDF, click here to access it as a JPG file, or you can visit the PSEC Facebook page to share the graphic from our page to your church's.
Book discussion planned by PSEC Racial Justice Taskforce
Strengthen the Church offering collected this month
 
“Strengthen The Church” (STC) offering is Pentecost Sunday, May 23. This is our second “Five for Five” UCC offering of the year. STC reflects the shared commitment of people across the United Church of Christ to build up our “United and Uniting” church. Conferences and the national setting equally share the gifts given by members and friends through their local congregations. Your offering will support leadership development, new churches, youth ministry, and innovation in existing congregations. More information about this offering may be found here: Strengthen the Church - United Church of Christ. Thank you for your commitment to Strengthen the Church!
Register today: Mercersburg Convocation online June 7-8
 
The Annual Mercersburg Convocation will be held virtually June 7-8. "Polarization and Reconciliation: Hints from the Mercersburg Tradition" is the theme, with presenters: Lee Barrett, Ph.D., William Evans, Ph.D., and Linden DeBie, Ph.D. Click here for an event flyer or click here for a brochure.
Communities of practice forming for second half of 2021
 
Communities of Practice (COP) are small groups that give authorized ministers an opportunity to gather with colleagues for spiritual renewal, group learning and support. While this was an important offering pre-COVID, it has become even more apparent how necessary it is for this kind of peer support. Typically, PSEC runs Communities of Practice groups on a calendar year, but due to additional stress clergy are currently facing, we've been asked to start more groups now.
 
If you are interested in being part of a Community of Practice and are looking for life-sustaining friendships, a new perspective, a renewed calling, a time for reflection and support, then sign up today. Click here to register before Wednesday, May 19. The annual cost is $250, which is often paid by the local place of ministry. Scholarships may also be available. If you have any questions about Communities of Practice or joining a group, contact Brea Rarick at brea@psec.org.
UCC webinar tomorrow: Job creation and climate action

To emerge from the pandemic, an economic recovery that prioritizes jobs and justice is desperately needed. Now is a time to cast a vision for a holistic recovery that is guided by a commitment to employment, affordable housing, racial justice, public health, and a transition to a decarbonized economy. This webinar will focus on what a just recovery would look like and what faith communities can do to call for legislation that embodies our values. Three panelists will share with us. Natalie Mebane is a policy specialist for 350.org, one of the nation’s largest climate organizations. Bracken Hendricks has served as a climate advisor to former president Bill Clinton and the Clinton Foundation in addition to more recently advising Jay Inslee in his presidential campaign. The Rev. Dr. Ambrose Carroll founded Green the Church, which works at the intersection of Black churches and environmental justice. Even if you can't make the webinar’s scheduled time on Wednesday, May 12, at 1:00p, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording of it. Sign-up now for the webinar!
Webinar: How disasters expose systemic racism

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is hosting a webinar titled “Systemic Racism: Disasters Expose It – How Do We Address It?” on May 13 at 2:00p to look at how COVID-19 and other disasters make the presence of systemic racism more obvious. Speakers will share practical tips to increase funding for equity and anti-racism work, as well as supporting BIPOC organizations responding to crises in their communities. This webinar is part of Equity in Disasters, a series of webinars, blog posts and resources highlighting systemic racial and intersectional equity issues linked with communities’ abilities to recover from and withstand disasters. Register.
'Anti-Racism & the Tulsa 100 Year Commemoration' event

The UCC is hosting "Anti-Racism and the Tulsa 100 Year Commemoration" on May 27 at 8:00p on Zoom. The keynote speaker will be Kevin Willmott, Academy Award winning filmmaker (BlacKkKlansman) and professor at the University of Kansas. Reflections will be given by Dr. Velda Love, UCC Minister for Racial Justice, and Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister of Justice and Local Church Ministries. For more information and a flyer to share, click here. Click here to register.
Racial disparities and environmental issues

NBC 10 News recently put together a collection of news stories highlighting regional racial disparity in environmental issues. To view the clips, please click this link. Big thank you to Karl Jones for sharing this information with us.
COVID-19 Resource Page
 
Visit the Coronavirus Resources page at PSEC.org for resources related to re-opening, virus facts, disaster resources, and worship resources. Also on that page is the PSEC virtual church list. If your church isn't currently worshipping or you are not able or comfortable attending services, use this list to find a church in PSEC that is holding online worship.

The most recent addition was a study from the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Maryland: Measurements and Simulations of Aerosol Released While Singing and Playing Wind Instruments. This study looks at the risk of COVID-19 spreading due to singing and musical performances. You can read that complete article here or view a summary here from the Center for Congregational Song.
New book by Harry Serio published
 
A new book by Rev. Dr. Harry Serio (Covenant Association) was published last month: The Mysticism of Ordinary and Extraordinary Experience. Read more on the PSEC news page here.
PAM: Bivocational Ministry for Congregations and Pastors
 
The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Seminary announces: Bivocational Ministry for Congregations and Pastors, taught by the Rev. Dr. Darryl Stephens, Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30p, May 26-June 30, via Zoom. Generous grant funding allows us to offer this 2.5 CEU class for $100 per participant (or $50 for auditors, no credit). Click here for registration and instructions for payment.
Is your congregation considering a part-time pastor? Are you considering a career in ministry alongside a secular job? This class is appropriate for lay leaders and clergy alike. We will explore what it means to be bivocational in ministry. We will study the example of Paul as tentmaker and discuss challenges facing the church today. Students taking this class for CEUs will develop a covenant of expectations between congregation and pastor for successful ministry in a changing world.

Also upcoming: Ministry Job Search Toolkit: Bivocational and Beyond, instructor TBA, July-August 2021. Grant funding allows us to offer this 2.5 CEU class for $100 per participant (or $50 for auditors, no CEUs).

More info on the Academy of Ministry.
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”.
Theology of Liturgy discussions happening now

Do you spend much time thinking about the theology behind the elements of the liturgy? Do you ever ask why we use a prayer of confession? Or what happens in communion? Or why we use the lectionary?
 
If so, we’d like to invite you to join us for a deeper discussion into our worship elements. We have designed a 6-week, limited-size gathering that will explore the theology under our liturgies – their history, formation and practice today.
 
This is the first in a series of theological discussion programs offered by Penn Central Conference with an invitation to clergy of PSEC. Together we will broaden, sharpen and deepen our personal theological knowledge and language. Space is very limited so register ASAP.
 
Two Options:
Thursday Afternoons, May 6 through June 10 (six weeks).
Meets 3:00-4:30 PM Registration
 
Thursday Evening, May 27 – June 10 (four weeks)
Meets 6:30 – 8:00 PM Registration
 
Topics Include:
  • Call to Worship
  • Confession & Assurance
  • Communion
  • Scripture and Word
  • Prayer
  • Lectionary and Liturgical Calendar
Monday Meetings with the Conference Minister continue

Each Monday at 11:00a, authorized ministers and church leaders are invited to check in with Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley on a Zoom call, share experiences in this season of COVID, ask for advice, and be in community. We encourage you to join this opportunity for theological and practical reflection and discussion. Click here to join the call on Monday.
Educational Opportunities


May 22: Trouble the Water racial justice event on Zoom

View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Church Events

Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Allegheny UCC, Mohnton (Sunday supply)
  • Armenian Martyrs Cong'l Church, Havertown (full-time bridge pastor)
  • Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
  • Christ Delong, Bowers, and St. Peter's, Topton (3/4-time interim)
  • Immanuel UCC, Shillington (1/2-time bridge associate)
  • St. Andrew's UCC, Perkasie (full-time interim)
  • St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
  • Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Dr. Susan Minasian: minasian@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
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!