Trouble viewing this email? Click here to view as webpage.
Important This Week
  • Candidate for Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call named
  • Registration open for workshops on maintaining fellowship during COVID
  • Register for the Racial Justice Symposium next month
Announcing the Candidate for Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call:
The Rev. Kevin J. McLemore

On Saturday, September 18, Conference Consistory received from the Associate Conference Minister Search Committee a unanimous and enthusiastic recommendation of the Rev. Kevin J. McLemore for the settled position of Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call. The Consistory received a report of the search process as well as testimony of Search Committee members regarding Rev. McLemore’s candidacy. After a period of introductions and questions of the candidate, the Consistory unanimously approved the Search Committee’s recommendation. Rev. McLemore will be presented to the Conference at our Fall Meeting, Sunday, November 14, for a formal vote and call. (Click here to register for Fall Meeting.)

Please take advantage of the opportunities to meet Kevin before the November meeting by reading his biography and ministry statement that follows (and please share this with others) and then by joining one of the Zoom opportunities. Rev. McLemore will be present at several of our Fall Association meetings and at two Conference-wide Zoom “Meet and Greet” gatherings on Thursday, October 21 at 7:00p and Sunday, November 7 at 3:00p. (Registration for those Meet and Greets will be available in an upcoming eNews.)
Biography and Ministry Statement
The Rev. Kevin J. McLemore

Greetings members of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference,
 
I’m grateful to the PSEC Associate Conference Minister Search Committee and the Conference Consistory for nominating me as your potential next ACM, with a focus on “Search and Call,” supporting the Committees on Ministry, and other ministries of the Conference. I’ve been asked to give you a brief biography and ministry statement as you consider my candidacy before the November Fall Meeting.
 
My family is from Mississippi, though I was born in Singapore to a family whose father worked in the oil business. At age 2 we were transferred to Indonesia, and I stayed there until I was around 12 years old when we moved back to the United States. My parents were not religious people, and I was essentially the same until I became a Christian at age 13, which transformed my life and my life journey. That encounter with the living Christ changed my world, and I become involved in various Southern Baptist churches. At a Southern Baptist youth camp in Oklahoma, I walked “the sawdust trail” and accepted a calling to pastoral ministry at age 15 or 16.
 
However, during my senior year of high school I came to realize that I was a gay man and I spent some time struggling with my future in the church during the first few years of college. Eventually I became involved with a local Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation near the University of Alabama campus and remained Presbyterian up until my senior year at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Because the PC(USA) was not ordaining openly LGBTQ persons at that time, I chose to seek a path where I could be open and honest about my identity, eventually becoming a minister in the Metropolitan Community Churches. In 2005, I was granted Privilege of Call in the UCC, which was a moment of theological homecoming of sorts for me. I deeply love this collection of churches that is the United Church of Christ and am so glad to call it my denominational home. I am appreciative of our proclamation of the Gospel in both words of love, and welcome for all and in our deeds meant to bring about justice in this world.
 
Over 23 years of ordained ministry, I have served as a part-time pastor, while holding down 2 other jobs, a new church start pastor, an associate pastor in two different settings, one being at a large church that had 2100 attendees on Sunday, and a small church pastor in a rural setting. Currently I am in my 10th year of serving as the Lead Pastor of the good people of Epiphany UCC in Chicago, IL. I have pastored congregations that have numerically grown and numerically declined and ones where money was never an issue to congregations that told me not to cash my weekly $300 paycheck until the plate offering was deposited a few days after my payday. One of those churches I served has even closed. Like many of you, I have seen tremendous changes in the church, and new challenges I could never have imagined 23 years ago, but I must bear witness that God has been present for me in all that change and challenge and for that I am thankful. 
 
If you should elect me as your next ACM, I promise that I will bring my experience within different kinds of ministry settings to the work of supporting congregations in their search and call process and doing so as creatively and passionately as possible. I am aware of how difficult this work is right now, both in PSEC and elsewhere, but I am by nature a person of hope, and believe that God still has great use for us, the church, in bringing about the realm of God’s grace, love and justice to this world. 
New PSEC weekly email

Hopefully you noticed the "Next Week in PSEC" email that you were sent last week. This email will be in your Inbox every Friday morning, highlighting events and registrations that are happening over the next week. eNews will continue to be sent each Tuesday, but by sending the brief "Next Week in PSEC" email, it will help make eNews shorter and remind you of upcoming events.
Registration now open for PSEC 2021 Fall Meeting

The annual PSEC Fall Meeting will occur on Sunday, Nov. 14 via Zoom. The agenda will include election for an Associate Conference Minister of Search & Call, the OCWM report and approval of the 2022 Spending Plan, and a report from a UCC Global Missionary. There is no fee to attend the Fall meeting, however registration is required to set quorum and confirm delegates. To register, click here.
Neighbors in Need special offering materials available

The 2021 Neighbors in Need “Unfailing Love” offering is focused on supporting organizations and projects serving our homeless and immigrant neighbors and communities. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to provide funding grants to UCC churches and organizations leading justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects in their communities. Most churches collect the offering on Oct. 3 as part of World Communion Sunday, but contributions can be made at any time. Click here for all the NIN 2021 information and PDF downloads.
Disaster loans available for Ida recovery; webinar this week

Churches that were damaged by Hurricane Ida may qualify for federal assistance. Churches in Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester, and Delaware can apply for a SBA loan just like any other business. Churches may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website, and should apply under SBA declaration #17165.
 
Chris Evans, Director, Disaster Recovery Assistance for PEMA, says that churches may also be eligible for Public Assistance (PA) grants when and if PA is declared. However, he urges churches to contact their county EMA office to record their damages and get on their distribution list so they get future notices. These costs may be eligible for reimbursement through PA:
  • clean-up and protective measures
  • most storm damages, but churches have to apply to the SBA first.
  • Anything a loan doesn't cover FEMA may.
Click here for the FEMA Fact Sheet.  
 
The DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in partnership with FEMA’s Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Divisions, is hosting a webinar to provide information about FEMA funding opportunities for churches: “Prepare to Protect: Resources for Faith-Based and Community Leaders to Access FEMA Recovery and Mitigation Programs” on Thursday, Sept. 30 at 2:00p. These opportunities include funds available for hazard mitigation projects and recent changes to recovery programs to increase equity and ensure that faith-based and community organizations can compete for funding. Register here. 
Workshop on maintaining fellowship during a pandemic
Are you prepared to admit that the pandemic is going to last a lot longer than we thought? If so, then you are also prepared to admit that what we have lost the most in our congregations is our spirit of fellowship and connection. Here is another question; are you crazy enough to believe that God will always provide a solution to every problem?

This workshop will explore the various ways that churches are, 1. Creating new connections, 2. Reconnecting with those who fell away, 3. Maintaining connection with the faithful, during this pandemic. Bring what has worked for you and hear what is working for others. This workshop, facilitated by Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development, Rev. Cean James, will take place twice. For an event flyer, click here. To register, click on the links below:
  • Oct. 30 - IN PERSON at First UCC, Schuylkill Haven at 10:00a. Register
  • Nov. 6 - VIA ZOOM at 2:00p Register
This week: Prayer Vigil for Wisdom, Unity Against COVID

On Thursday, Sept. 30 at 6:00p, the PA Council of Churches and members of the Philadelphia Mayor's Interfaith Advisory Council are hosting an Interfaith Prayer Vigil for Wisdom and Unity Against COVID-19. They are holding this vigil because so many people who resist vaccination are using religious arguments to support their opposition to vaccines. At this event, faith leaders will speak out and provide sound spiritual guidance. Click here to register.
From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce:
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

Founded in Los Angeles, CA in 1953 by Jimmy K., Narcotics Anonymous was created because Jimmy recognized that AA focused solely on alcohol and not drug use. The same 12-step model developed for AA was adopted for NA. The program defines drug addiction to be any mind or mood-altering substance affecting body, mind, and spirit.

The Basic Text was published in 1983 and membership grew rapidly expanding into more than a dozen countries. Today, NA is present in 144 countries worldwide and offers over 70,000 meetings weekly.

Membership is free and the only requirement is a desire to stop using. Daily meetings are held in person and virtually by using peer-to-peer support. Participants work thru 12 Steps with a sponsor and learn coping mechanisms while examining their own life patterns and relationships.

Additional information about this program and meetings can be found on na.org.
Webinar: Exploring the 'Guides to Expanding Mitigation'

Join FEMA for the webinar, "Exploring the “Guides to Expanding Mitigation”: Zombie Apocalypse Guide and Cemeteries Guide" on Oct. 6 from 12:00-12:30p. The webinar will focus on the Zombie Apocalypse Guide and the Cemeteries Guide in the “Guides to Expanding Mitigation” series. Every community faces risks from natural hazards that could impact their important cultural resources, including cemeteries. Learn how to account for the dead – and undead – in your community’s mitigation program. Who should attend? The whole community – individuals and families, volunteer and faith-based organizations, local, state, federal government and private sector. Click here to register.
Registration open: Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Symposium

Registration is now open for "White Supremacy, Racism, & the Christian Church: The Call to a Discipleship of Liberation and Justice" to be held online Oct. 23 and 24. Clergy who attend may receive Diversity Training credit. For more information, click here.
How to help Afghan evacuees arriving in southeastern PA

Material goods are not being collected right now at the Philadelphia locations where people from Afghanistan are arriving. The best way to support individuals and families is through monetary donations to vetted groups who are providing immediate long-term relief. Philadelphia's Office of Immigrant Affairs is working with the Nationalities Services Center and HIAS Pennsylvania which have donation pages on their websites. If you wish to donate material goods, the Coast Guard Atlantic Strike Team has a list of materials that can be dropped off or mailed to Fort Dix, NJ. For more information on that, click here.
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”.
Classified Ads



Job Opportunities Available at Phoebe locations

Director of Christian Formation Position available in Glenside

Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
Missed an email?
Read past emails here:
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Allegheny UCC, Mohnton (Sunday supply)
  • Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
  • Christ Delong, Bowers, and St. Peter's, Topton (3/4-time interim)
  • New Goshenhoppen Reformed UCC, East Greenville (settled senior pastor)
  • St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
  • St. Peter's UCC of Wilshire (full-time interim)
  • Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
  • UCC East Goshen (full-time
  • UCC Valley Forge (full-time settled)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian: 484-949-8774 ext. 302 or minasian@psec.org .
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!