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Important This Week
- Read a Presidents Day reflection from the Conference Minister.
- Registration is low for the Saturday, March 2 Boundary Training. Register now or we might need to cancel.
- There are only two weeks left for year-end church reporting.
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From the Conference Minister: A Presidents Day reflection
Its Presidents Day -- or at least it was yesterday when I wrote these words. A few fortunate folks had the day off and an end to a long weekend; or at least had a chance to engage in some highly publicized therapeutic consumerism.
The relative quiet of the day gave me a few moments to remember the reason for the day, to recall the devotion of former Presidents and the contrast every single one of them makes with the current office holder. How far we have come from that mythical childhood moment in the life of George Washington -- "I cannot tell a lie, I cut down the cherry tree." As the story goes, Washington’s father, who had confronted his hatchet-wielding son, embraced him and rejoiced that his son’s honesty was worth more than a thousand trees. Where did that value for honesty go? And can we ever get it back?
As challenging as it is to bear daily witness to pathological dishonesty from the highest office of our land, my allegiances (and attention) fall in line behind my commitment to Christ and his challenge to judge not lest I be judged. And then there’s that daunting line in this week's gospel lesson: “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." There is a lifetime of encouragement in Luke 6:27-38 to be, think and act in ways that set us in a direction entirely counter to most of the country. I'm not sure his words would get us back to where we want to be, but I am certain they lay out the best way to go forward.
Jesus might never get elected President, but I pray he is the One to preside over your life and mine.
The best of God's Blessings,
Bill
Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
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Musicians Association opens registration for summer event
The "Uniting Church and Community Through Music & Art" summer conference will be held in Madison, Wisconsin June 25-28. (The days after General Synod, at a church just an hour east of Milwaukee.) Registration is open for the event, which features workshops, music for purchase, and networking opportunities. Workshops will range from organ, choral and handbells to drumming, liturgical art, liturgical movement, to working with a variety of aged voices, and promoting the arts in a variety of ways.
Click here
for more details and to register.
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Ecumenical Advocacy Days and UCC Pre-meeting event
On April 5-8, the
2019 Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference
(EAD) will be held in Washington DC. EAD uses music, art, worship, education, and social activities to inform and engage participants on how to work for positive change and to live out their faith.
The UCC’s Washington office will host a pre-meeting for UCC advocates on Friday, April 5. This will be a time to connect with one another and find points of intersection between the work of the national setting and the many justice movements which our advocates are engaged in. Register for the
UCC gathering here
.
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Bi-vocational pastors: Register for Boundary Training now
Committees on Ministries and Conference staff have heard many complaints from bi-vocational pastors that it is hard to fulfill the Boundary Training requirements while holding a secular job. Therefore, a Boundary Training workshop has been scheduled for Saturday, March 2 in Lansdale. Registration has been very low considering how many people who have requested this training.
If there aren't enough registrations by Feb. 22, we might have to cancel the event.
Please register for upcoming BAT opportunities:
- Basic Boundary Training, Saturday, March 2 in Lansdale
- Basic Boundary Training, Tuesday, March 26 in Quakertown
- Advanced Boundary Training on Over-Functioning and Addiction, Tuesday, April 2 in Reading
- Basic Boundary Training, Wednesday, May 15 in Kutztown
- Basic Boundary Training, Thursday, Oct. 3 in Schuylkill Haven
- Advanced Boundary Training on Pastoral Transitions, Tuesday, Oct. 22 in Norrsitown
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Don't forget to complete your church's year-end reporting
Thank you to the churches that have already completed the year-end church reporting! To start this week, some associations have more than a quarter of churches reporting! For more information on your church's reporting, visit
psec.org/reporting
or contact Brea Rarick at
brea@psec.org
.
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UCC Racial Justice Ministry starting first Book Discussion
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The United Church of Christ Racial Justice Ministry will host its first Book Discussion featuring, “
Preaching as Resistance: Voices of Hope, Justice & Solidarity”
edited by Phil Snider Thursday, March 7, 12 noon – 1 pm via live webinar discussion. You must
register
and proceed to the Racial Justice webpage to join the discussion. Registration includes a free book for the first 10 registrants.
Book discussions are meant to stimulate new ideas for equipping yourself and others to act justly and dismantle systems of injustice. Book discussions are also intended to:
- Gather people for a lively and necessary conversation about issues impacting the Church and society
- Listen, learn, and develop new ideas and relationships
- Engage your congregation, community, and organizations toward racial equity and justice
- Learn more about Sacred Conversations to End Racism, a UCC restorative justice journey curriculum
- Meet some of the authors and ask relevant questions that will move your work and journey forward
- Recommend the books and invite others to join
Remember, the first 10 registrants will receive a free book. For more information contact Alegra Martin
martina@ucc.org
(216) 736-3712
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Register for PA Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Seminary
Registration is now open for the Ministerial Institute of Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary. This is a three-year nondegree program for lay ministers pastoring churches, pastoral leaders in part-time or bi-vocational ministries, individuals in discernment, and laity serving churches. The program will begin in July and registration is open now.
Click here
for more information.
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Consistory Presidents gathering scheduled for March
To All Consistory Presidents:
A Gathering Community for Consistory Presidents is forming now.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good
– 1 Corinthians 12:7
Many of our Pastors meet regularly in clergy groups to support one another, share ideas, and pray for each other. A gathering community for Consistory Presidents will offer similar opportunity for these critical lay leaders. As Presidents of Consistory (or other governing body of your church), we have opportunity and roadblocks facing us at all times. Our goal is to brainstorm, support, pray, laugh, and learn together in a confidential environment, so that we are strengthened to build healthy, vibrant, and faithful churches.
There is no fee to attend.
Brenda Semach, Consistory President of Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC, invites you to a gathering on
Saturday, March 16
, from 9 – 11AM, held at Falkner Swamp, 2077 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville, PA (Covenant Association). Please RSVP to her directly:
kbsemach@aol.com
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
– 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
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Joint PSEC/PNEC Disaster Ministry Team to meet in March
For some time both PA Southeast and Penn Northeast conferences have been active in disaster ministries in eastern PA and throughout the UCC. We can celebrate the ministry that we have had, but now it is time to take a fresh look at what God is calling us to do and be. Over the past few years our Conferences have affirmed that we share a ministry relationship, even though we are not moving forward with the unified conference council at this time. Therefore, we are seeking to consult with people who have a passion for Disaster Ministries as we seek to discover if and how we can work together. Therefore, you are invited to the initial meeting of the joint PNEC/PSEC Disaster Ministry Team on March 11 at 6:30p at the Penn Northeast Conference Office (a Zoom option will be available). We will explore some
"What if..."
questions, seeking ways to grow and enhance our Disaster Ministries Initiatives:
- What if … our Conferences would be engaged in a collaborative disaster ministry program, sharing leadership and resources? Is this the right time?
- What if … we could get others involved? Who should that be?
- What if … we had some common goals and objectives? What protocols should guide our collaborative ministry?
- What if … we would start working together? What are the first steps we would take?
We ask that you pray about your response to this opportunity. If you will participate, respond to
kjones275@comcast.net
, so we can prepare for your attendance.
Karl
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