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Important This Week
- No Monday Meeting with the Conference Minister this week
- Today is the deadline to sign up for a 2021 Community of Practice
- Add your church to the list of online holiday services (coming tomorrow)
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From the Conference Minister:
What’s your favorite Christmas movie? It’s A Wonderful Life? Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer? Home Alone 1,2, or 3? Elf? Unknown to most folks is that the message of John the Baptist is in every one of them. The message is simple…your life has gotten off track. You are not where you are supposed to be. Repent. Which means, turn around.
So, George Baily, and Rudolph, and Kevin McCallister, and Walter Hobbs have gotten very, very lost. There is so much more to life and we, the audience, get to join in the excitement and joy of those characters discovering it for themselves and living it to a happy ending. The hope and promise fulfilled for them is ours, too.
A Conference Minister colleague shared that his favorite Christmas movie this year is The Grinch the story of a dejected, curmudgeonly creature atop Mount Crumpet whose main source of aggravation are Christmas celebrating neighbors in Whoville. His antidote to the aggravation – steal Christmas and silence the Whos' holiday cheer. “COVID feels like this year’s Grinch,” said my colleague, “trying to steal away the parties, concerts, family gatherings and rituals that make Christmas what it is. I’m not letting the COVID Grinch steal my Christmas.”
You may have already come to this realization and resolved to not let the COVID Grinch steal your Christmas. The world needs your determination to sing (in safe spaces), to light a candle in the darkness and to proclaim again that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not, has not, and will not overcome it.”
May the Christ light come to rest in your heart and the hearts of the people you love and serve.
Pastor Bill
Rev. Bill Worley
Conference Minister
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Today is the deadline to join a Community of Practice for 2021
This year, perhaps more than ever, it has become evident that clergy need the support offered by Communities of Practice (COPs). COPs are small groups of authorized ministers, who meet regularly to worship, check-in, share, and learn together with a trained facilitator. The groups offer an opportunity to gather with colleagues for spiritual renewal, group learning, and support in a confidential space.
COPs are open to all authorized ministers. This year, sign ups are open for:
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existing groups with a few openings for authorized ministers (all groups are currently meeting via Zoom; the previous meeting location is listed on the sign-up page in case they decide to meet in person later in the year)
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group on Christian spirituality and direction (more information below)
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group for retirees and those who plan to retire over the next year (The group will read Parker J. Palmer’s book “On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old.”)
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newly-formed group of chaplains and ministers serving settings outside the church
If you are interested in being part of a Community of Practice and are looking for life-sustaining friendships, a new perspective, or a renewed calling, then sign up today. Click here to register; the deadline is today, Tuesday, Dec. 22. We ask that the local place of ministry cover the $250 cost of their pastor attending this group; scholarships are also available. If you have any questions about Communities of Practice or joining a group, contact Brea Rarick at brea@psec.org.
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Virtual Christmas Eve service list coming tomorrow; sign up
On Dec. 23, we will be sending you a list of congregations holding a virtual/digital worship experience for Christmas Eve. If your church isn't currently worshipping or if you are not able or comfortable attending services, we hope this list will be helpful to you. If your church is planning an online Christmas Eve service and you would like to add it to the list, send the name of the church, church city, and the time and link for the service(s) to brea@psec.org.
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Sign the PSEC
Anti-Racism Statement
The Zachariah Walker Racial Justice task force of the PSEC of the United Church of Christ is inviting individuals and entire congregations to join our anti-racism initiatives and sign this anti-racism statement. Please click here to sign: ipetitions.com/petition/psecucc-antiracism-statement.
The statement with signatures will be released to the media on Jan. 15, the start of the weekend of MLK Day.
It is our hope that as we circulate this statement during Advent and Christmas-tide it promotes both reflection and discussion. Together, with courage in our hearts, we pray that Christ gives us the ability to understand this as a white problem that mars the soul of Christianity and our nation.
"We acknowledge the role that white Christians have played in both denying and, at the same time supporting, racist structures and attitudes, and we humbly beg forgiveness for our conforming to the evil of racism."
Click here to read the entire statement and add your signature. Click here to share the statement to your Facebook page (or a page you manage).
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Monday Meetings with the Conference Minister continue
Each Monday at 11:00a, authorized ministers and church leaders are invited to check in with Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley on a Zoom call, share experiences in this season of COVID, ask for advice, and be in community. We encourage you to join this opportunity for theological and practical reflection and discussion. Click here to join the call on Monday. There will be no gathering on Dec. 28.
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Join a Community of Practice on Christian spirituality
A new Community of Practice, focusing on Christian spirituality, will re-form to begin in January. Through conversation and experiential learning, the group will reclaim a tradition of spiritual practices and disciplines, ones maintained within some Christian faith traditions, yet less so among mainline Protestants. Group spiritual direction (formal or informal) will be an option.
Topics for previous gatherings included discernment; "Mary for Protestants"; Ignatian spirituality; anger; the Enneagram; lamenting in Lent; the dignity model; various prayer practices, and more.
This Community is facilitated by Janeen Adil, a Commissioned Minister of
Christian Spirituality, a trained spiritual director through Kairos: School of Spiritual Formation. She offers spiritual direction through her Hungry Soul Ministries and has led a variety of workshops and retreats
The group will meet on a Wednesday from 9:00-11:00, with a commitment to gather at least 10 times during 2021. For the foreseeable future, meetings will be via Zoom. When it's safe to gather again in person, the Community will meet at Janeen's home in Robeson Twp.
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Churches commit to change;
PSEC 50-50-50 Challenge
The PSEC Climate Justice Working Group has started the 50-50-50 Green Church Initiative, challenging 50 PSEC churches to make a commitment to do something to mitigate climate change in the coming months. Churches can hold a special service, share educational materials, take on a project of recycling or composting, or many other things. One is example is here:
Falkner Swamp UCC, Gilbertsville: Falkner Swamp UCC has decided to plant pollinator plants around the grounds of the church as a kickoff to any other endeavors that we will pursue. We would also like to have a youth-hosted meatless meal, and form a small working group within our church to get the ball rolling on other measures to combat climate change. We will start moving in this direction once our county moves to green due to the COVID19 crisis. We are hopeful that we can plant the pollinator plants within the next month.
For a list of all churches that have made a commitment, more suggestions for actions your congregation can take, and a form you can use for your church to accept the challenge, visit psec.org/green.
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Next Computer-side Chat on Local Church Profiles |
PROFILES!!!
Why do we have to do them?
How do we start?
How honest do we have to be?
Are they only good for the search process?
Many congregations don’t even think about a Congregational Profile until they have to do one. There are many pieces to consider and it can seem like an arduous task.
Join me at 7:00p Jan. 12 for a conversation that just might change your mind. We will also explore how useful that document can be for the life of your ministry beyond the search process. The link to join that Zoom meeting on Jan. 12 is here. If you need info to phone in, email brea@psec.org.
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PowerPoint from Monday Mtg on Handling Objections
On Monday, Rev. Ken McDowell presented at the Monday Check-in Meeting with the Conference Minister on "Handling Objections." Leaders who understand how to handle objections are proven to be more effective and are able to foster healthier communities and avoid unnecessary alienation. To download the PowerPoint of that presentation, click here.
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Spirituality of Generosity webinar coming next month
On Jan. 20, Pennsylvania Southeast, Penn Northeast, and Penn Central conferences will co-host a seminar on the Spirituality of Generosity. Jesus talked about money second only to the kingdom of God, yet many in the church today treat money as a non-spiritual topic. We can theologically engage questions of money, wealth, and giving. Teaching and preaching about generosity and the use of our financial resources can deepen the faith life of our congregations. For a flyer on this event, click here. To register, click here.
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Zoom UCC History and Polity course starting in February
Lancaster Theological Seminary will partner with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call (and Penn Central Conference staff) to offer UCC History and Polity via synchronous Zoom sessions. This course satisfies the History and Polity requirement for authorization by association Committees on Ministry. Join us live on Zoom each Friday from 2:00p-5:00p Feb. 12-March 26. Cost of the course is $100 and you can register now. The course is fun and informative and will change the way you think about the UCC.
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Seminary
Nondegree classes are ideal for:
- Lay Ministers already pastoring churches
- Pastoral Leaders in part-time or bi-vocational ministries
- Individuals in discernment
- Laity serving Christian denominations and independent churches
Theology: “Leadership and Community,” Jan. 9-Feb. 18. Rev. Holly MillerShank offers a six-week online class through the PA Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary. The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on the human condition, Christian hope, the church, ministry, and mission. This 2.5 CEU class starts Saturday, Jan. 9, followed by five weeks of asynchronous online instruction. Cost $325. Registration deadline is Dec. 21. Apply online.
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PSEC 2020 Giving Cut-Off
Books of the PSEC will close Jan. 18. All OCWM contributions for 2020 must be in our office by that date or they will be counted towards 2021 contributions.
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December ReadyPA Monthly available online now
This month's PA Emergency Management Agency's ReadyPA Monthly includes info on National Flu Vaccination week, COVID-19 Holiday Safety, the COVID-19 Alert App, and more. Click here for the newsletter.
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New newsletter from the Pension Board started in Dec.
Starting this month, the Pension Boards have begun sending a weekly e-newsletter "Gateway" with articles, resources, and helpful information for participants. You can click here to read the latest issue. If you could like to subscribe to Gateway, email info@pbucc.org.
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Updated list available:
PSEC churches online
If your church isn't currently worshipping or you are not able or comfortable attending services, 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.
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Mid-Atlantic Association of United Church Educators event |
This has been a truly strange year and continues to be so. We were forced to cancel our gathering in 2020, and missed the valued time of being together and sharing successes and challenges. Providing Christian Education has never been more mystifying whether you are a pastor, youth minister, children's program coordinator, or lay leader. We need each other and the sooner the better. So our 2021 retreat is going virtual – like everything else. We've changed the dates from a mid-week event to a Friday-Saturday event hoping to make it accessible for more of our churches' part-time leaders. Workshops will include an opening presentation, small group reaction/ sharing, and large group report outs. All of our conversations will include ideas for virtual, in-person, and hybrid situations.
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Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors
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Church Openings
- Allegheny UCC (Sunday supply)
- Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
- Calvary UCC, Barto, and Pennsburg UCC (full-time designated-term)
- Christ Delong UCC, Bowers and St. Peter's UCC, Topton (3/4-time interim)
- St. James UCC, Limerick (3/4-time, interim)
- St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
- St. John's UCC, Schuylkill Haven
- Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
- 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.
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Classified Ads
Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
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Church Events
Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
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Educational Opportunities
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Missed a week? Read past eNews here: |
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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! |
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