“And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.” Mark 9:3-5

You’ve heard the sermon on this story — We must not linger on the mountaintops of our spiritual experiences (those of us lucky enough to have them). We must return to the valley of human need and suffering and meet the needs of the people around us.” I've heard it and I've preached it. It’s an important message. Especially given this extended time of sequestration when we are often restricted from serving in the valleys of human suffering.

“Perhaps the most deadening aspect of our Christianity .. is that we know the story,” writes Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault an Episcopal priest and writer. “We know how the plot comes out. We know who the winners are. ... The Bible contains the complete and divinely authorized biography of Jesus and furnishes the complete guide to what [we] should do to become his disciple. Everything needed for [our] personal salvation is right there. ...”

At the same time, we have long witnessed major paradigm shifts in faith expression that the pandemic has thrown into overdrive. There is a critical need to reengage in core questions related to, “What is it that we mean by ‘Christianity’? Who is this Master that we profess and confess as we call ourselves Christian?” These questions chase us from the revelations of Epiphany into the confessions of Lent, from the pre- to post- pandemic church, from denominational to post-denominational religious life.

“When we approach the [Transfiguration story] with the attitude, “I’ve heard that already, I know what that means,” writes Rev. Bourgeault, “we fall asleep rather than allowing ourselves to be shocked awake. ... For all such spiritual sleepwalking bypasses that crucial first step, that moment when the heart has to find its way not though external conditioning but through a raw immediacy of presence. Only there — in “the cave of the heart,” as the mystics are fond of calling it — does a person come in contact with his or her own direct knowingness…” In that knowingness lies the transfiguration of each one of us and the world.

I hope you find some time this week to spend on the mountain.

Blessings,

Pastor Bill

So join me 7:00p for a conversation. If you have any questions contact me at minasian@psec.org. To sign up, so that you will receive the Zoom link, email brea@psec.org.  

Did you know that most church members report they are more comfortable inviting a friend or family member to online worship than in-person worship? Virtual church provides a wonderful opportunity to invite new people to experience your church from the comfort of their homes. It is also important to make sure you recognize and welcome people when they join your online community for the first time. This workshop will explore ways we can all be both invitational and welcoming in this “new normal” of congregational life. Virtual Hospitality – Developing a Welcoming Atmosphere For Online Church, facilitated by Rev. Cean James, will be offered on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 10:00a. Register here. This seminar is paid for by your OCWM contributions!

PSEC has an opportunity to purchase a block of cybersecurity training videos. This is a 3 year, once per year, training commitment that will take place from the comfort of your own computer at your own convenience. The training will take less than an hour of your time each year for 3 years. In this time, cybersecurity is incredibly important as those who would cause harm to our computers, our private information, our friends who may not have the savvy to understand the difference between a safe email and a phishing email, are getting more sophisticated in their tactics when trying to infiltrate our computers and when spoofing our own email addresses. If you don't know what a phishing email is, what spoofing means, what ransomware and malware are, what a trojan horse is or a worm is, what spear phishing is or what clickjacking is, you might want to consider signing up for this training. Again, it is a 3 year, one hour per year training on the internet. If you are interested, let your intent known to Tammie Wisniewski at tammie@psec.org. The cost is $66 per person for all 3 years and must be paid upfront when we would purchase the course. More information will follow on that piece. Please email your interest asap to Tammie so we can discern if there is a need for this cybersecurity support in the Conference.

On Feb. 22 at 7:00p, Rev. Stephen Boyd, from the UCC Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization team, will lead a workshop on Healthy Pastoral Relations Committees (PRC). PRCs provide essential leadership in the life of a church. This workshop explores what the purpose of a PPR Committee is and is not. We’ll talk through a newly developed PRC covenant to help name the priorities and commitments of a well-functioning PRC. Stephen will share best practices and be prepared to answer your questions. Click here to register.

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.

On Saturday Feb. 20, 9:00a-2:00p, Love In Action UCC and The Welcome Project PA will host a Fresh Produce Outreach. Families and individuals in need of fresh fruits and vegetables may pick up at 2131 Palomino Dr. Warrington, PA 18976 [St. Paul's UMC]. For questions and more info, please contact Rev. Josh Blakesley, josh@rctransform.com. Download a flyer or a social media graphic to share.

Words are important. If you want to nurture a plant you call it a flower. If you want to kill it you call it a weed.

Calling someone an addict, drug abuser or alcoholic defines them by their disease. The rest of the person disappears in the powerful negative images and connotations people associate with addiction. The person with a substance abuse disorder is someone’s child, spouse, or loved one. They are a child of God fighting the battle of their life. It is easy to dismiss a drug addict, but not so easy to dismiss a child a God.

Watch your language. You may be encouraging stigma with your words. Use person first language. Say a “person with a substance abuse disorder” rather than an “addict”. An “individual with alcohol use disorder” rather than an “alcoholic.” A “person in recovery” rather than a “former addict.”

God calls us all to Himself. Let us watch what we call His children.

Join us for a Zoom chat on this subject on Feb. 15 at 11:00a with Bill Worley. Click here on Feb. 15 to join that call.

"Introduction to Worship Leadership and Liturgical Practices" will be taught by Rev. Dr. Marty Kuchma, equipping worship leaders to plan, prepare, and practice congregational worship, rites, and rituals. Particular attention paid to baptisms, weddings, and funerals/memorial services. Students will be asked to articulate their own self-understanding of the pastoral role in relation to these practices. The class will be six-weeks online, meeting via Zoom on the following dates: April 10, 17, 24, May 1, and 15 from 10:00a–noon and May 6 from 6:00p–8:00p. The cost is $325. Register here by March 30.

This month's PA Emergency Management Agency's ReadyPA Monthly includes info on winter weather, Burn Awareness Week, winter utility disruption preparedness during COVID-19, and more. Click here for the newsletter.

She has responded to disasters across the United States and its territories, from Alaska to Puerto Rico. Click here to download more about Lesli Remaly.

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:

Calvary UCC, Reading: Calvary agreed to put its social concerns committee to work helping found the Reading-Berks Chapter of Citizens' Climate Lobby. The Consistory endorsed the Carbon Fee and Dividend bill, now H.R. 763, and Calvary members have lobbied our congresspersons in person and on line, attended CCL regional meetings, published letters to the editor, and "tabled" at numerous events in the community, asking people to let Congress know they are concerned about climate change and want Congress to act.

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.

~ with gratitude, PSEC staff, Consistory, and Budget and Finance Team

Are you anxious about your church’s upcoming annual meeting being held via zoom? Do you know how to handle the voting process? Do you know how to handle attendance and manage Zoom bombers? If you are uncertain and have questions, reach out to PSEC staff member Sue Creswell at susan@psec.org. 

Penn Northeast Conference is offering virtual Ministerial Boundary Training for $75. Once registered, participants can work at their own pace to complete the five modules and required written reflections. Click here for details and registration. Registration is open until Feb. 11 and a check must be received before that point.

An Advanced Boundary Training on Family/ Church Boundaries will be held March 11 from 9:00a-12:00p. Sometimes pastors and their families feel like they live in a glass house, a spouse and/or children feel imposed upon, or the lines of being part of the same community as the church make it challenging for the pastor’s family. This training will offer ways for clergy family to maintain boundaries. We will look at a couple of cases and then use the collective wisdom of the group to consider healthy ways to navigate those situations with faithfulness and good boundaries. Click here to register. The fee is $20.

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.

On Feb. 18, renowned preacher, author and civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III will lead an online presentation and discussion on "Using the Arts in Black Worship & Preaching. Register here.

With its size and its collective power, evangelical Christianity has had a significant presence in the political, cultural, and religious landscape of the US. As such, it becomes important to understand evangelical Christianity in relationship to the climate crisis. The next Creation Justice Webinar features a panel of speakers who will help us develop this understanding. Even if you can't make the webinar on Wednesday at 1:00p, sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Sign-up now!

Feb. 16: Pastoring Challenging Parishioners: A Mental and Relational Health Perspective

Yearend church reporting is now open. Last month, the Church Admin Community of Practice heard a presentation on reporting 2020 numbers, especially calculating virtual attendance. You can see the PowerPoint presentation from that meeting and other resources at psec.org/reporting If you have any questions about reporting or need assistance, contact Conference Registrar Brea Rarick at brea@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 311.