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Important This Week

  • New Finances Classes Coming
  • Victory for Same-Sex Partners and Survivor Benefits
  • Trauma Training in February
Watch for New Finances Classes Being Offered
Next week, the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry will announce a new program, Financial Basics for Church Leaders. The program consists of four, six-week PAM classes and a half-day conference during 2022.
This program was created, in part, in response to the requested need for nuts and bolts classes for ministers, on topics such as how to read a budget. The four classes are:
  • Fundraising Fundamentals for Churches and Nonprofits, February 22–March 29, 2022
  • Understanding Multi-vocational Ministries, April 19–May 24, 2022
  • Personal Finances for Ministers, July 12–Aug 16, 2022
  • Budgets and Spreadsheets as Tools for Ministry, Oct 11–Nov 15, 2022
PAM has obtained grant funding to subsidize the registration costs for participants. We are offering all four classes for the price of one. Along with the half-day conference on Multi-vocational Ministry on May 14, the entire program will cost only $350.00 per participant. Successful participants will earn 10.3 CEUs and a certificate of completion.

Once received, we will share the link for registration in a future eNews. The registration deadline for the first class is February 17. 
From the Addiction & Recovery
Taskforce:  
Parent to Parent
Another insight into how families deal with addiction is shared below by a family member. This one emphasizes the need for family members to know they are ok.
The following excerpt is an anonymous quote, used with permission, from A Family’s Struggle in Help and Hope

As a family member, you need to know that YOU are OK. YOU did not do anything wrong. Open up and let people know what is happening in your life. There are people out there to support you, but they cannot help you if they don’t know. It is the addict that has made the wrong choice and they need to be responsible for it. They also can find love and support if they are willing to try. There are many resources out there to help us get through these trying times. Use what is available. There is someone who can send you off in the right direction if you are willing to ask.
 
Visit here for a FREE download of the book. 
Trauma Training Program
Trauma Trainings for Clergy and Ministry Leaders
in the United Church of Christ [UCC]

A partnership between The Welcome Project PA, Lakeside Global Institute, & the PSEC

Saturday, February 26th, 9:00am-2:00pm

The Welcome Project PA [WPPA], in partnership with Lakeside Global Institute and the Pennsylvania SE Conference of the United Church of Christ [PSEC], is pleased to offer professional trauma training modules for ministry leaders in their respective contexts, so as to prepare them to better assist their constituents who have suffered trauma. The purpose of this program is to assist professionals in their caring for people who have suffered various forms of trauma, to create an awareness of the causes and consequences of trauma, and how it affects our human relationships and social interactions. Finally, this program strives to enable those who have suffered/continue to suffer from trauma, a path forward to progress and a way out of destructive cycles.

For more information click here. To register, click here.
Victory! Lambda Legal Secures Social Security Survivor's Benefits for Same-Sex Partners
Lambda Legal has been victorious in their legal efforts to get access to Social Security Survivors' Benefits to widows and widowers of same-sex couples that were not able to be legally married prior to one partner's death.
If you want to read about it, click here to link to Lambda Legal.
Trending HR Considerations for Ministries
The new year presents emerging HR issues for ministries in 2022. Churches are learning how to pivot and adapt to managing risk during COVID-19 vaccine mandates, discipline and terminations, disability leave management, and updating policies and procedures to account for new changes in the law. Termination of ministry in the call agreement template is also proving to be challenging for some pastors.
Join us on January 28th at 2:00 p.m. EST as Conference Minister Rev. David J. Ackerman and Attorney Dean A. Rocco discuss HR issues and offer legal considerations for your ministry.
Click here to register.
Next Generation Leadership Initiative
UCC Pension Boards
 
The Next Generation Leadership Initiative (NGLI) is a transformative leadership initiative of the UCC Pension Boards. NGLI equips, energizes, and empowers younger United Church of Christ local church pastors to build vibrant congregations that change lives and further God’s mission in the world.
 
Those who meet the following requirements are encouraged to apply by the deadline of February 1, 2022:
1. 35 years of age or under by June 1, 2022
2. Served a total of five years or less as an authorized minister in a parish
3. Authorized for ministry in and on behalf of the UCC by an Association/Conference
4. Hold a called position of 20 hours per week or more in a parish setting
5. Committed to long-term ministry in local churches of the United Church of Christ
 
Click here to learn more about the program, including how to apply.
2023 Mission Trip Calendar
is now Open
The Mission Trip Calendar for 2023 with Bay Back Mission is now open and ready for bookings! To book please email the volunteer coordinator with your preferred dates including your first option and a second option. The email request are fulfilled on a first come first served basis. 

To see the weeks that are open you can access the calendar here. Please note that updates to the calendar will take some time. So please be patient. 
UCC weekly webinar schedule released for first quarter

Worship. Grief. The Bible. Bias. Black History Month. Contemplation. The rural church. Youth and young adults.

Those are among the topics of weekly United Church of Christ webinars now set for the first quarter of 2022. To view the schedule for the "Thursdays for the Soul" webinars, click here.
PA Ready Monthly Newsletter
The January newsletter from PA Ready can be accessed by clicking here.
Every month, Ready PA publishes a newsletter highlighting preparedness and readiness news for the residents of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Read up and be ready!
Disaster Relief Challenge has begun in PSEC & PNEC

The Susquehanna Area Mission Council of the Penn Northeast Conference is inviting all churches in both PNEC and PSEC to share in its annual mission project. If your congregation is willing to participate in this offering supporting our common disaster relief ministry, please include this insert in your Sunday bulletin on Jan. 9 and/or 16, along with information about how gifts should be made in your congregation.
A short video explaining this Challenge can be found here.
Donations received should be forwarded to your Conference office at the conclusion of the campaign, marked "High 5 for Disaster Relief". Many thanks from the SAMC.
Disaster Ministry Opportunities
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is offering grants of up to $5,000 to community organizations, including churches, to assist individuals with disabilities in response to emergencies and disasters. The support could be access to information that will educate, prepare, and decrease the negative impacts of the emergency situation, and ensure your programs and resources are accessible and inclusive to all. All projects funded through this effort must be in direct relation to responding to an emergency situation. Activities must serve the purpose of providing resources or education. And activities must be developed and implemented with the assistance of individuals with disabilities. Click here for more information and application.
AND
The Disaster Ministries Team at the UCC national setting is now accepting applications for the newly forming Emotional and Spiritual Care Team. Interested persons can find the application here. Please feel free to share this link with others who would have the skills and interest to join the team. The Rev. Martha Jacobs serves as the Team Facilitator. 
Celebrate & Embody the Dream
Justice seeking is not only for those individuals who are invested in economic, racial and social justice; it is also in large part, the vocation of the church – the body of Christ.
The Racial Justice Initiative Team of the PSEC of the UCC would like to share with you these links to both days of the Racial Justice Symposium held in October, 2021. We had the blessing of two great keynote speakers, the Rev. Dr. Drew Hart and the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer. The wisdom they shared with us was so invaluable we wanted to share it with the whole conference and beyond. 
Day 1 - Click here
Day 2 - Click here
 
"When love is the lens through which we see the world, justice is possible."
- Rev. Traci Blackmon
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Barnesville-Delano Tri-Charge, Schuylkill County (full-time settled)
  • Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
  • Christ Church UCC, Norristown (full-time designated)
  • Glenside UCC, Glenside (full-time settled)
  • Huff's Union Church, Alburtis (full-time settled)
  • New Goshenhoppen Reformed UCC, East Greenville (settled senior pastor)
  • St. James UCC, Limerick (3/4-time settled)
  • St. Peter's UCC of Wilshire (full-time interim)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian: 484-949-8774 ext. 302 or minasian@psec.org .
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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!