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Important This Week
- PSEC endowments divesting from fossil fuels.
- PSEC hired a new bookkeeper.
- Tomorrow is the last day to register for this weekend's "Jesus Tweet" event in Philadelphia.
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From the Conference Minister: Worldwide celebration of diversity
This Sunday is World Communion Sunday a celebration of the Body of Christ that goes far beyond those who circle our individual tables. “I take communion,” writes Pastor Danielle Shroyer of
Journey Church
in Dallas, “because I am hungry for a place of radical acceptance, where the tragedies and hopes of life are confronted. I am hungry for food that reminds me God's love is so abundant it feeds the whole world. I take communion because I have been hungry for the wrong things. At the table, I am reminded of my hunger --and of the Only One whose bread does not leave me empty.”
World Communion is an opportunity to join with all God's family -- past, present, and future -- in an act of fellowship that spans time and space. It is extended to people we will never meet inviting us to live in the world that does not need walls because every person is a sibling in Christ.
We are challenged to live into the diversity we celebrate this Sunday. Diversity is difficult. It requires a level of vulnerability that is always uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous but absolutely necessary if the glory of God and the transformative power of the resurrection is to be fully revealed in life changing ways.
To that end, participants at last’s week’s Diversity Training workshop have formed a working group to create resources for clergy and congregations to converse and commitment to deepening diversity is all its forms -- particularly cultural and racial diversity. You, reader, will answer my prayer if you take seriously this invitation to join that working group. Simply reply to this eblast, “I’m in.”
Living into the wondrous diversity by which God created all things is hard and unending and we will keep at it until the aspirations of which we sing become the reality that we live. “In Christ there is no east or west, in Christ no south or north. But one community of love throughout the whole wide earth.”
Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
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PSEC announces new bookkeeper: Kim Kulesa
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The Pennsylvania Southeast Conference recently hired a new bookkeeper: Ms. Kim Kulesa. Kim is excited to be working for the Conference office. She also currently works part time at a local UCC church as an Office Administrator. Kim has a degree in business management from Peirce College in Philadelphia and an extensive background in accounting.
She was raised in Delaware County and moved to the Gilbertsville area with her family almost 20 years ago. She and her husband, Steve, are blessed with two children and she enjoys cooking, reading, gardening, traveling with her family, and her dog, Gus.
- Assistance with church-requested statements
- Help with OCWM giving
- Basic financial questions
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Pastoral Leadership in Congregational Systems
The Penn Northeast Conference is hosting two series of courses in Pastoral Leadership in Congregational Systems.
Pastoral Leadership in Congregational Systems 101 --
Oct. 9, Feb. 12, March 6
Authorized ministers are invited to join three days of Experiential Learning about Congregational Systems. Each gathering will be from 9:00a-5:00p in Center Valley. The registration is $350.
Click here
to read more and to register.
Pastoral Leadership in Congregational Systems 201 --
Nov. 13, March 4
Those who have already received basic training in Congregational Systems are invited to these advanced days. Each gathering will be from 9:00a-5:00p in Center Valley. The registration is $220. Click here to read more and to
register.
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PSEC endowments divesting from fossil fuels
In 2015, the General Synod voted in response to climate change, to call for the complete elimination of fossil fuels for energy by 2040. United Church Funds took seriously this charge and established funds which offer investments free of companies exploring for or producing fossil fuels. The PSEC Endowment Committee also took this seriously and voted unanimously to move 10% of the balance of each of our investments with UC Funds to the fossil fuel free funds beginning in 2016. With the intention of those investments being totally in fossil free funds within 10 years or so, depending on performance.
To date, the fossil fuel free fund that has been utilized has been performing well and very close to the performance of the Moderate Balanced Fund that our investments have been in. The Conference Consistory encourages all our churches to look at their investments and to divest from fossil fuels wherever possible. For more information,
click here
.
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Read the National Study on Churches' Economic Practices
The National Study on Congregations’ Economic Practices recently released a study by the Lake Institute of the School of Philanthropy providing an in-depth look at a broad range of congregations in every faith tradition. This study is helpful to see the larger picture of how congregations raise, use, and manage money.
Click here
for the 2-page summary or 36-page report.
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Webinar: Matching Property with Ministry & Mission
On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Cornerstone Fund will host a free webinar for pastors, church staff, and lay leaders on "Matching Ministry with Property & Mission; Part 1: Designing It." The one-hour webinar will start at 1:00p. This two-part webinar series includes panelists that will discuss how to first design property that helps your congregation better match it to your ministry and mission, and then how to best build it. Each webinar includes a 45-minute panel presentation with 15-minute question and answer session.
Click here
to register.
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Spirituality and Sustainability Colloquium set in WestChester
On Oct. 3, the 2nd Spirituality and Sustainability Colloquium will be hosted at West Chester University at 7pm in the Sykes Student Union Theater. Guest speaker, Dr. Catherine Keller, is a professor of constructive theology at the Theological School of Drew University whose work attends to matters of social and ecological justice, postmodern philosophy, and ecofeminist theology. She is the author of numerous books, including her most recent,
Political Theology of the Earth: Our Planetary Emergency and the Struggle for a New Public
, which develops a constructive political theology for the Anthropocene. Dr. Keller will talk about the relevance of political theology for the present ecological emergency, the ongoing struggle for an ecopolitical common good, the complex relationship between theory and practice, and the importance of distinguishing hope from optimism. Dr. Tabassum Ruby will serve as respondent and Dr. Jea Sophia Oh as presider.
An evening reception will be held at 6:30p prior to Dr. Keller's presentation. This event is sponsored by the Greater Philadelphia Philosophy Consortium, The Sustainability Advisory Council, Philosophy Department, Women's and Gender Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and the Office of Sustainability at West Chester University.
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Sign up for workshop on how to thrive with part-time clergy
Switching from full-time to part-time clergy is an unfortunate step many of our churches are facing. But would switching to part-time lead to irreversible decline? This workshop says no, it doesn’t have to. In fact, the switch to part-time can lead to more vitality if it’s managed well to repurpose assets and embrace new opportunities. Journalist, author and part-time UCC minister G. Jeffrey MacDonald will share insights from his forthcoming book, Part-Time is Plenty: Thriving Without Full-Time Clergy. He'll guide attendees through exercises tailored to discern what's possible. Participants will leave with practical tips and a game plan for joining the ranks of thriving congregations with part-time pastors.
Click here
for more information and to register.
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Clean-up Buckets needed by Church World Service
UCC Disaster Ministries is asking churches to help overcome a shortage of cleanup buckets, stocked with essential supplies for after a natural disaster strikes. Disaster Ministries is offering matching grants of up to $250 as an incentive to assemble Church World Service kits — in particular, the Emergency Cleanup Buckets. To learn more about these kits and how to apply for the grant
click here
. For a list of PSEC and PNEC congregations that have offered to be drop-off locations for the kits you assemble, visit
psec.org/drop-off
. Email
kjones275@comcast.net
with your stories and pictures so we can share your story.
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UCC releases annual survey to get your opinion on climate
Each year the UCC partners with
Blessed Tomorrow
to conduct a climate survey to help us know what our members are thinking, how opinions change from year to year, where future possibilities for collective action reside, and how our denomination compares with the broader population.
Take this 15-minute survey now!
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Registration is open for the PSEC Fall Youth Event 2019
The PSEC 2019 Fall Youth Event will be Nov. 8-10 at South Mountain YMCA Camp
for youth in grades 7 thru 12. The theme is "Caring for Creation." The focus scripture is Psalm 24:1 "
The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it." The r
egistration fee ($90) includes meals, lodging, events, and activities. The
deadline is Nov. 1.
Click here
for info.
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UCC Disaster Recovery Specialist presenting tonight
Ken Skalitsky, Disaster Recovery Specialist for UCC Disaster Ministries, will present on Oct. 1 from 7:00-9:00p on volunteer response and recovery operations throughout PA and the USA at the Delaware County Emergency Services 911 Center in Media. For more info, to register, and a for flyer to share,
click 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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Church Openings
- St. Mark's UCC, Reading (10 hrs/ week)
- UCC Valley Forge (full-time interim)
- St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
- St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Sharon Morris:
morris@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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Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
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