Important This Week
  • Sunday service from PSEC staff
  • Sign up for Continuing Ed., Diversity, Boundary workshops by this Friday
  • Conference staff are off Monday for Memorial Day; no Zoom call
  • Register: Special PSEC meeting
Memorial Day message from the Conference Minister:

“Monuments come and monuments go but monumental lives linger long into the future.” I don’t know when I first heard that expression but stuck long ago among the mental treasurers that clutter my cerebral attic. There is no monument of stone or marble that can replace the monuments we build in our hearts to the memory of loved ones. Memorial Day weekend is for both kinds of monuments — ones hewn from hearts the other from marble.

Historically, Christian worship is not a place to celebrate monumental patriotism. It is a place to celebrate Jesus Christ and his call to live in ways not of this world — to turn the other cheek, to love enemies; to serve one Master and one another; to go into the world baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit — in other words to live monumental lives.

That said, I’m thankful to be an American citizen. While the pandemic has shown a bright light on the things that divide us and the liabilities of inept and corrupt leadership that have been with us since our nation’s founding, I still believe deeply in the unique and enduring principles of our Constitutional Democracy and the core values that undergird them. I’ve been in places where the only and most beautiful colors were red, white, and blue and I value the monumental sacrifices that have been made for our country. To them, I have added a few small sacrifices of my own.

My Christian obligations include being a good citizen and honoring the memory of other good citizens who’ve encouraged our present, inspired our future and whose sacrifices in our day amid the pandemic safeguard public health and wellness. And so, this weekend we remember the honored dead of wars past. They should not be driven out of time and we will not do that. We gather at many monuments, including those built in our hearts and minds, to honor their monumental sacrifices.

Most importantly, we remember the saints who died to the glory of God. They should not be driven out of our time lest we be driven from the grace of God and we will not do that. We Christians gather every Sabbath at one cross to offer honor and praise to the one sacrifice that has made monuments of us all— members of the living breathing body of Christ.

I pray for your safety and wellbeing and that the sacrifices we all make now will plant the seeds of a joyous and health filled reunion — soon.

Grace and Peace,
Bill

Rev. Bill Worley
Conference Minister
Sunday worship service from PSEC ministry team

Our Conference staff has recorded a worship for Sunday, May 24. Reverends Bill Worley, Susan Minasian and Cean James and the music of Grace Christian Fellowship feature in this proclamation of gospel. The link for this video is here ( https://youtu.be/6pfmN4iUX_c ). A copy of Rev. Dr. Minasian's homily is available here .
Registration open: PSEC Special Meeting this summer

Let us joyfully come together for fellowship, praise, healing, and to conduct a bit of important Conference business! A special PSEC meeting will be held at Zwingli UCC, Souderton at 1:00p on Saturday, Aug. 15. There is no fee for this meeting, but registration is required. For a flyer to share, click here . To register, click here .
Updated PSEC Financial snapshot now available

The PA Southeast Conference Financial Snapshot as of April 30 is available on the PSEC website. To read that, click here .
Updates to Prayer Pause, Conference Minister check-ins

Prayer Pause: Starting Wednesday, June 3, our week-day Prayer Pause will become a “Mid-Week Prayer Pause” led by staff from PSEC, Penn Central and Penn Northeast conferences. Take a break from your labors and restore your soul at noontime every Wednesday through June. You can Zoom into that gathering here:
 
Check in with the Conference Minister on Mondays at 11:00a online. Use this link to join the Zoom call and check in, share, and seek help from colleagues and conference staff. There will be no call on Monday, May 25 because of Memorial Day. View previous calls:
Daily home devotions made available from PSEC pastor

Rev. Dr. Deborah Rahn Clemens created Daily Home Devotions for Ascension Day to Pentecost 2020. This is a resource offered to any who wish to deepen their spiritual life while staying in their own home environment. This resource is designed to carry us together, though separately, in devotion between the two great Christian holy days: The Ascension of our Lord, and The Coming of the Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. Click here for that resource.
Rescheduled: PNEC installing fourth Conference Minister

The installation of Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates as the fourth Conference Minister of the Penn Northeast Conference has been rescheduled for Nov. 7 during the PNEC fall meeting.
Register for June 4 continuing education event, workshops

Training events that were scheduled for Thursday, June 4 prior to the (now-cancelled) annual meeting have been moved to the Zoom platform and registration is open. Sign up today for one of the following events. Workshops will not happen without at least 20 registrants and that deadline is Friday. All workshops will be 2:00-5:00p June 4.
Click here for a flyer with more info.
Creation Justice webinar with Sen. Cory Booker, others

Statistics and studies have demonstrated the link between COVID-19 death rates and environmental injustice. This UCC Creation Justice webinar will address this link from three perspectives: scientific research, front line experience, and government response. Sen. Cory Booker, Harvard researcher Francesca Dominici and Rev. Lionel Murphy from the frontlines of the cancer alley in Louisiana will be featured guests as we consider what faith communities can do to make a difference on this vital matter. Register today!
Apply now: Sabbath Reading for Preachers event in October

We invite you to experience 3 days of Sabbath-keeping and renewal Oct. 27-29. We will gather at the Mariawald Renewal Center in Shillington. You will spend three days with 15 other colleagues. It will be a time of nourishing rest and reflection, beginning Tuesday morning and ending mid-afternoon on Thursday. The event is being facilitated by Daniel Moser, Hilary Barrett, Jonathan Hauze, Tony Villareal, and Teresa Martin. Click here for more information and to apply.
Continuing ed on death from addiction set for next month

The Center for Loss and Bereavement will hold an "Addiction Aftermath Live Webinar" Thursday, June 11 from 12:00-2:00. The opioid epidemic has brought the pain and struggle of addiction to the forefront. While the incidence of death from opioids is rising and is certainly more visible now than ever before, death from all types of addiction can be devastating to families. We will explore death by addiction from the perspective of the survivor and how to help them cope with this complicated loss. How can we help them adjust to the challenges they face and process their response to loss, which is often isolating and confusing? To register and for more info, click here .
Continuing ed opportunity from Institute for Sex & Faith

The Incarnation Institute for Sex & Faith is announcing that registration is now open for a continuing education opportunity this summer. Professionals with training in either sexual health or religion are invited to apply. The facilitators are Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale, adjunct professor at Lancaster Theological Seminary and Rev. Lacette Cross, founder of  Will you Be Whole Ministries  in Richmond, VA. The purpose of this unique seminar series combining insights from two disciplines, sexuality and theology, is to help pastors and sexual health professionals address Christian sex negativity in ways to bring about sexual wholeness and greater possibilities for intimacy without guilt, fear and shame. The nine week online course offered on Thursday evenings begins July 9. Space is limited. For more details and to apply go to  IncarnationInstitute.org . 
PSEC climate team starts
50-50-50 green church initiative

The PSEC Climate Justice Workshop Group invites churches to commit to doing something "green". The 50-50-50 Challenge is that 50 PSEC churches will commit to do something to mitigate climate change during the 50 days of Easter for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. For a list of churches that have made a commitment, suggestions for actions your congregation can take, more information, and a form you can use for your church to accept the challenge, visit psec.org/green .
New pandemic loan from the Cornerstone Fund

Leaders of the financial ministries of the United Church of Christ have created a loan vehicle shepherded by the Cornerstone Fund to make available low interest loans to UCC congregations. $50,000 has been made available to congregations in our Conference. You can apply for low interest (2.5%) short term loans (1 year). Details about this opportunity can be found in a FAQ’s document here . You can find the loan application here . Loan applications are due July 15, 2020. Here's a flyer on the loan.
Church leading online Mental Health inclusivity study

Lead your congregation and community to be WISE -- (W)elcoming, (I)nclusive, (S)upportive, and (E)ngaged with those who are affected by mental health challenges. The United Church of Christ Mental Health Network developed a toolkit to facilitate this life giving process. Rev. Michael Caine, Pastor, Old First UCC in Philadelphia, is gathering names of interested participants to work at becoming WISE together. The first ZOOM meeting is set tentatively for Saturday, May 16 at 9:00a. Contact Rev. Caine directly for more information and/or to join the meeting ( michaelwcaine@gmail.com ).
Pandemic book discussion scheduled for this week

PSEC, PNEC and PCC clergy, lay leaders and friends are gathering on line to discuss Faith in a Time of Pandemic by Bruce G. Epperly Wednesday, May 20 at 3:00p via Zoom ( Join Zoom Meeting ). You can download or order the book here .

The Coronavirus is changing our church and culture (and the culture of church). It’s provoked isolation and self-interested individualism. It also inspires kindness, generosity, patience, and compassion. Facing the pandemic with God as our companion deepens our sense of agency as well as peace. Bruce Epperly’s very short treatise provides a theological, pastoral, and spiritual pathway to help us find a way through the wilderness of the Coronavirus pandemic.Join the discussion!
Share this list of churches online with your congregation

If your church isn't currently worshiping, we have compiled a list of churches in PSEC that are holding digital/virtual worship experiences. Share this with others that might not have another option for worship. Click here for an updated list.
PPP Loan Forgiveness Tracking Spreadsheet available

If your church received Payroll Protection Program funds, this worksheet can help track them. The calculation of utilizing 75% for payroll and the other 25% for utilities, rent, etc., isn't as clear cut as it seems. This worksheet helps so that you will not be surprised when you report back to the bank at the end of this 8 week period. If you have questions about the loans, contact PSEC Finance Operations Manager Tammie Wisniewski at tammie@psec.org .
Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors

For resources churches and pastors may find helpful in practicing ministry during the pandemic v isit ucc.org/coronavirus or psec.org/coronavirus .
Book recommendations from Hearts and Minds Books

One of the things that clergy look forward to each year at Clergy Convocation is browsing, discussing, and buying books from Byron Borger from Hearts and Minds Books. Clergy Convocation planning chair Rev. Nick Pence virtually met with Byron to discuss book recommendations to share. You can view that conversation here . If you don't have enough time to listen to the entire 70-minute conversation, click here for a list of the books Byron recommends. Next to the name of the author, you'll find at what time in the video Byron talks about that author. Order books from the Hearts and Minds Books website .
Churches share how they spent PSEC support money

We asked church leaders to let us know how they put to work the $1000 shared by the Conference. This is what we’ve heard back so far:
  • Augment declining offerings – 9
  • Passed on to Community ministries – 5
  • (Boyertown Area Multi Service, Conrad Weiser Food Pantry, Operation 1-4-3, Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities-2)
  • Returned to OCWM – 1
  • Returned for use on “another rainy day” – 3
  • Support church staff – 2
  • Support of ministries (food banks, community meals, etc) – 10
  • Support new online ministry – 2
If your church has not yet let us know how you put the funds to use, please feel free to do so.
Resources: returning to church in COVID-19 recovery steps

In case you missed it last week, here are documents we shared for discerning your return to church once we reach the Yellow Phase of Governor Wolf’s three phase return plan. You can also check out these helpful links shared by PSEC Colleagues:
Church closure training from Church Building & Loan Fund

A Zoom Webinar titled “The Last Pastor: Faithfully Closing a Church” will be held on May 21. How does closing a church impact pastors? Learn leadership skills that lead to grace-filled transformations and church closure in a webinar with Gail Cafferata, author of  The Last Pastor: Faithfully Steering a Closing Church .  Rev. Cafferata will speak from her interviews and research with pastors who served closing congregations, as well as her own congregation’s experience. Cafferata helps pastors and church leaders understand the complexity of concluding a ministry with sensitivity to the spiritual and practical dimensions of closing a church. Register here. Sponsored by the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund.
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Allegheny UCC (Sunday supply)
  • St. James UCC, Havertown (full-time settled)
  • St. John Hill UCC, Boyertown (full-time settled)
  • St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time settled)
  • St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
  • St. Luke's UCC, Ottsville (part-time settled or designated)
  • St. Mark's UCC, Reading (10 hrs/ week)
  • St. Paul's UCC, Kutztown (full-time settled)
  • St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)
  • Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
  • Trinity UCC, Rehrersburg (part-time settled)
  • Wyomissing UCC (part-time settled)
  • Zwingli UCC (full-time associate)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Dr. Susan Minasian: minasian@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
PSEC Events

June 4: Diversity Training on Zoom


Aug. 15: PSEC Special Meeting at Zwingli UCC, Souderton



Sept. 24: Advancing Sexual Health - Continuing Education in Schuylkill Haven



Nov. 15: PSEC Fall Meeting at New Goshenhoppen UCC, East Greenville

View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Classified Ads

Treasurer wanted in Reading

Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
Educational Opportunities
View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Church Events
Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
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!