Clergy News - July 2022
Greetings Clergy of Penn Central Conference!

Summer is in full swing! As the temps rise and the calendar fills with cookouts, camping and vacation, PCC events are a little less frequent than in other seasons. But we are looking ahead to fall's MEFs and boundary trainings (see dates at the end of this email) and the Pastoral Colloquy with our German partners is still to come this month!

And let's not forget - Camping season has begun at our partners in the Lutheran Camping Corporation (but still time to sign up for camps) and the PCC volunteer led HC Spirit Week at Camp Mt. Luther is also accepting registrations.

"Coffee With Conference Staff" will return in September 1st, 2022 at 10:00AM.
Election Year Reminder: Churches Can Be Political But Not Partisan

UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel shares important information to consider as another election cycle heats up. Read her blog post here.
"Building a Just Peace in an Unjust World: Learning with and from Our Anabaptist Colleagues" Pastoral Colloquy 2022 - Sunday, 24 July, through Friday, 29 July

The need for the church to continue working on peace-making is as urgent today as it was when the colloquies began—perhaps even more so. Since central Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest populations of what are called the “historic peace churches,” it seemed logical to make use of that valuable resource for learning more about how the church at every level can be an effective agent for peace in the world, in our communities, and in the church itself.

We are extremely pleased that the world-famous Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies has agreed not only to cooperate with us in developing our colloquy but also to host us for this event. We hope that you will join us for study, worship, and fellowship in July. FULL SCHEDULE AVAILABLE HERE.

Learn more and register here.

NEW ATTENDANCE OPTION: the conference planners are working diligently to create hybrid option for attendees. If you would like to attend on-line, register for the "commuter rate." Please be aware that only the primary sessions (plenaries) would be available to view.
PAM classes in financial basics

It doesn't get any better than this:
 
1. Nuts and bolts classes on financial basics. Two upcoming classes: Personal Finances for Ministers (begins July 12) and Church Finances (begins Oct 11).
 
2. Nationally recognized instructor. Dr. Lovett Weems is Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership and Founding Director/Senior Consultant of the G. Douglass Lewis Center for Church Leadership, Wesley Theological Seminary.
 
3. Reduced price. PAM applied for and was awarded a grant from the Walters/Unitarian Universalist Church Trust of Lancaster to subsidize registration costs for these classes. Cost for each class is only $125.
 
4. Scholarships available. A generous seminary board member has provided funds for full scholarships for two new PAM participants for each class. Interested persons should complete the PAM application and indicate that they would like to be considered for the scholarship. Awards for the first class will be determined on July 5.
 
WE ARE LITERALLY GIVING IT AWAY! Who could pass up a chance to study with Dr. Weems at no cost!?
 
The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World
September 19, 2022 – September 21, 2022
Join us to reflect on what we've moved through as church experiencing pandemic, to recognize the innovative ways we have survived and in some ways thrived: What did we learn when faced with the need to pivot quickly and still be effectively present as church? Where do we need to stretch ourselves? What and how do we need to build capacity to resource how we're evolving as church? What might we each offer to help us become? These and other questions will be contemplated as we lean in to lessons learned about adapting with agility, and unpack potential possibility.

This is a hybrid event so you will have the choice to attend in person or participate virtually. In person sessions will take place at the Hilton St. Louis Airport as well as at Eden Theological Seminary.

Learn more and register here.
Clergy Transitions
Jess Hainley - last Sunday with Quentin UCC, Quentin - June 12, 2022

Barry Smock - last Sunday with Pleasant Hill Chapel UCC, Jonestown - June 26, 2022
Save the Date
Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom) - registration links coming soon!

September 20 - "Contemplatives in Action" with Janeen Adil

October 18 - Humility as Spiritual Practice" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

November 15 - "Just War, Just Peace - A 21st Century Discussion" with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call

January 17 - "Grief and Loss" with Rev. Dr. Joel Hummel
Boundary Training - registration links coming soon!

September 29 - "Bi-Vocational Boundaries and Ethics" with Darryl Stephens
6PM via Zoom

October - dates and topics to be announced

November 9 - "The Ministerial Code: A Way of Being" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom
Penn Central Conference
717-652-1560