Greeting Penn Central Conference friends and members,

“Our Lord, you are King!

Majesty and power

  are your royal robes.

You put the world in place,

  and it will never be moved.” (Psalm 93:1 CEV)

This Psalm really resonates with me right now as I process so much of the change in the world around me. Change that I am both excited about and that causes anxiety, and other feelings, to rise within me. Some changes in which I have some agency and other changes about which I have absolutely no control. 

Those who know me are aware that I am a bit of a control freak. I like to know what is going on, be prepared for a variety of possible outcomes, even direct impossible outcomes. Surprisingly though, I can lose myself in the many, many details necessary to pull things together, also known as the weeds. 

And lately the lost moments, the overwhelmed and not sure what's next moments, the reliance on God moments - have really increased. 

“The sea is pounding hard.

Its mighty waves are majestic,

but you are even more majestic,

  and you rule over all.” (Psalm 93:3b-4 CEV)

Whether it's Keystone, politics, family, church conflict, unexpected loss, death, or building out 2025's education calendar - I find deep comfort in God's majesty, knowing God is in control. Whatever feels large, sad, or overwhelming in your life this week, I hope you can find comfort in the majesty of God, too.

“You are even more majestic,

  and you rule over all.

Your decisions are firm.” (Psalm 93:4b-5a CEV)

Shalom friends.

Nora

Rev. Dr. Nora Foust

Associate Conference Minister

Penn Central Conference

Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events.

Scheduling Notes

December 1 - Bethel UCC, Spring Grove - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching at Zoë D'heedeene's ordination

Prayers for Penn Central Conference

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...

Trinity UCC, Palmyra

Jacob's Church Reed's Station UCC, Paxinos

St. Peter's UCC, Paxinos

Salem-Zion Church of Pillow

Vespers of Consolation

The vote for a Keystone Conference was a resounding yes with 90+% in each conference, but that does not mean that everyone is wholeheartedly supportive or ready for this movement. ACM Nora will lead a vesper service on the evening of Sunday, November 24th at 6:30 pm to open space for those grieving the outcome as well as those moving forward with hesitancy in their hearts. Here there will be space to name your grief, hold your anxieties, and open yourself to the Spirit’s consolation. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqd-uhrTMiG93cSlkul55JHQsWE7U5FbGU

The United Church of Christ has established the Hurricane Helene Recovery Appeal and the Hurricanes 2024 Appeal. Your support for these appeals will ensure that communities are supported and accompanied for years as they rebuild. You can donate through your local church, with your gifts going through the Conference to the Appeal. Gifts can be made through PCC here. Under “Directed Gifts” choose “Disaster Relief” and notate “Hurricane Relief”. And you can always mail a check to the PCC offices with the same notation.

Outdoor Ministries

Rock and Roll With It

Hartman Center Winter Youth Retreat

We will be returning to Hartman Center Campground as guests.

5725 Old US Highway 322, Milroy, PA 17063 

January 17-19, 2025

Grades 6 through College Grad (or age 22)

Meals and Lodging included

$100 until December 2, 2024

$150 after December 2, 2024

Use coupon code PCC2025 if you would like to use a Penn Central Conference Outdoor Ministries scholarship of 50% off your registration fees.

Register here!

2025 Meck and Moss Award Nominations

Nominations accepted through November 30

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Meck and Moss Awards. The Meck and Moss Awards are awarded annually to Lancaster Theological Seminary alumni, of any denomination, who demonstrate commitment to the excellence of ministry. The Alumni Council’s Awards and Recognition Committee will select award recipients.

The Meck Award honors the memory of Allan S. Meck, who graduated from the Seminary in 1911 and served as president from 1947 to 1957. The Meck Award is presented for distinguished service in the practice of pastoral ministry. 

The Moss Award honors Robert V. Moss Jr. ’45, who graduated form the Seminary in 1945 and served as president from 1957 to 1969. The Moss Award is presented for distinguished service in the practice of specialized ministry (i.e., chaplain, administrator, educator, judicatory staff, etc.).

Learn more about the selection criteria here. Submit a nomination by November 30th here.

Local Church

If anyone is interested in Choir robes, St. Johns in Denver is looking for a new home for a few sets. They also have quite a bit of four-part music for anthems and cantatas, most of the material dating back to early twentieth century. 

If you might be interested in having some of this, please contact Pastor Brad Haws at revhaws@ptd.net

Educational Opportunities

From New York Conference

This fall, we're offering monthly opportunities to take Refresher Boundary Awareness Training via Zoom:

Thursday, December 12, from 8 am - 2 pm

Glad to have folks from around the UCC. We can give partial scholarships if needed (email mpurnine@uccny.org before registering). For more information:

https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/66f26fe1-8247-4fe4-a60f-11ef73be0bd0

From Pennsylvania South East Conference

Examining the Ministerial Code of Ethics' Boundary Training 

On Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9:00a-3:00p, join members of the PSEC Ethics Committee in Limerick for a boundary training on "Examining the Ministerial Code of Ethics". In this training we will cover:

·     the moral and ethical expectations of the pastoral office, identifying the “gray” areas of ministry

·     the purpose of the Ministerial Code of Ethics

·     the sections of the Ministerial Code of Ethics

·     the top ethical issues facing pastors today

·     the issues that lead to Boundary violations and Fitness Reviews

·     the Fitness Review Process

For more info and to register, click here.

Church Futures Commission

Discover What Coaching Could Do For You: Free Initial Coaching Session for all Penn Central Clergy & Consistory/Council Presidents

The Penn Central Church Futures Commission invites you to experience the clarifying, empowering, and strategic benefits of coaching. Unlike a mentor or a consultant, coaches aren’t there to tell you what to think, feel, believe, or do. Coaches’ deep listening and intuitive questions support clients in their identified growth, problem solving, and strategy implementation, while evoking new awareness. One of the greatest benefits of coaching is that it provides an intentional partner who is there to confidentially support, encourage, and strengthen you in your ministry. The best way to understand what coaching is, is to experience it yourself. Therefore, the Church Futures Commission is providing free initial coaching sessions for all Penn Central clergy and Consistory/Council Presidents. For those wanting to pursue additional coaching, the next three sessions, scheduled over a four-month period, will be available at a 50% discount. Click here to access the Church Futures webpage, where you can learn about our two professionally trained coaches and to schedule your initial session with one of them.

UCC National Setting

UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

Nurture the Soul: Immigration: Will There Be Calm After the Storm?

Nov 21, 2024 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Nurture the Soul Special Offering: An Ecumenical Gathering for Prayer and Action for World AIDS Day 2024

Dec 2, 2024 | 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Stories from the Pacific Basin

Dec 3, 2024 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Reclaiming Our Democracy

Dec 11, 2024 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

UCC Webinar: Reclaiming Our Democracy

After the election, commentators like Tom Nichols urged people to "stay engaged and make their voices heard at every turn.” But most still wonder how, and even if, they can make a difference between elections. What are the options? (1) Protesting? Vital, but usually not the long game. (2) Signing email form letters, which only 3% of Congressional staff says is highly effective? Just gestures. (3) Taking a 2-year nap until the next election? Sadly, the preferred route for many. Few know about (4) transformational advocacy which helps you change an issue while you also become changed in the process. In his book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy," Sam Daley-Harris writes about people who have successfully brought about social change and personal transformation. Join us for this webinar as Daley-Harris shares his stories and wisdom gained from years of leading and coaching advocacy organizations such as Citizen's Climate Lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Catholic Relief Services, and RESULTS. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Wednesday, December 11th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

Justice Leadership Program – 4 month cohort starting in January

Do you feel called to work for justice? This online program is for adults interested in weaving social justice into the fabric of their faith in a meaningful and transformative way. Deepen your understanding, learn practical skills, and gain the confidence to take meaningful action through this foundational program. Participants meet weekly.

Apply by December 15

Scholarships available for UCC members (inquire upon applying)

www.justiceleadership.org

info@justiceleadership.com

Pathways Theological Education

Are you a pastor seeking continuing education related to your current faith community?

Or are you seeking ordination and need to find a contextual education series?

The Supervised Ministry Series is designed to provide a practical internship in pastoral ministry over an eighteen-month progression. The arc of this series begins with entering a new place of ministry and concludes with leaving a place of ministry. Along this arc, six 9-week asynchronous online courses explore such issues as pastoral role, identity, leadership, ministry functions, organizational dynamics, and theological reflection. The nine-week courses for this series are:

SM 1 Entering a Place of Ministry

SM 2 The Transformative Context of Pastoral Care

SM 3 The Practice of Worship Leadership

SM 4 Faith Formation in the Parish

SM 5 Leadership in the Midst of Change

SM 6 Leaving a Place of Ministry

A participant partners with a site supervisor and a member advisory group while taking each course in a particular ministry setting. Here is a way to deepen your pastoral experience aligned with the Marks of Faithful and Effective Ministers.

Go to the PATHWAYS website to see the course schedule and to sign up for a class or a certificate or continuing education.

United Church of Christ Homes is accepting letters of interest and resumes for the position of President/CEO.

The President/CEO is responsible for carrying out the mission of United Church of Christ Homes, "In the spirit of Christ's love, the ministry of United Church of Christ Homes is to provide care and service to the elderly through acts of love and compassion." The President develops and monitors organizational policy in conjunction with other management personnel and the Board of Directors.

Read the full posting here.

Current Openings - UCC National Setting

Philanthropy

Generosity Officer, Great Lakes Region Close Date: Open until filled

Office of the Associate General Ministers

Associate General Minister, Love of Church Close Date: November 30, 2024

Associate General Minister and Co-Executive for Global Ministries, Love of Neighbor Close Date: November 30, 2024

Penn Central Conference Ministry Opportunities Page