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Important This Week
- Register for Advanced Boundary Training and/or "Virtual Hospitality" Congregational Development event
- An update on the search for a new Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call
- Year-end reporting happening now
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From the Interim Associate Conference Minister:
Common Ground: Practicing the Art of Disagreement
Yes, you read that correctly. Practicing the art of DISAGREEMENT. For ten years I was the College Chaplain at Franklin & Marshall College. I made a point to attend as many lectures, sports games, concerts, theatre productions…you name it…that I could. Ministry there was not about people only coming to events I sponsored as much as me going to the people and their events throughout the campus.
Common Hour was a weekly all campus gathering. For one hour in the gym we ate free pizza and listened to a lecture or special performance. A Question & Answer segment always followed. I would sit on the old wooden bleachers listening. After some time, I noticed how students would ask questions that always seemed to be prefaced by affirming what they heard in the presentation. Did people who didn’t like the lecture or wanted to push back sit silent eating the cold crust on their paper plates. I kept thinking about this.
Then one evening I hosted a panel on a hot topic and a student came to me after the program and said, “I wish there had been more people who didn’t think alike on the panel.” I was a little surprised because I thought there was a range of diverse points of view, but I had to listen and consider what he said. Then I thought…maybe he was on to something.
So, I started COMMON GROUND: Practicing the ART of Disagreement. Once a month I served a free lunch…because well…who doesn’t like a free lunch? I’d invite professors or students to speak on a topic. Each person had 5 minutes to present their point of view. Then there was one minute of silence. After that people were invited to respond, ask questions and push back on what they heard. The understanding was that you had to be specific, focused and avoid being rude or hateful. They were NOT to raise their hands. They had to really listen and wait until they were sure the person was finished speaking before they jumped in. Talk about discernment!!! That also cultivated a practice of responding instead of reacting. Listening instead of preparing for the kill in the argument.
Then there was a minute of silence again followed by another challenge. We made a list of where people had agreement and then a list of where there was disagreement. Then another minute of silence. Then we made a list of non-negotiables. Without fail we ended up with a list that was a mixed bag. What we could all agree on was what would give life and what would create death. It all came down to that. The non-negotiable was that no person was worth death and all needed to live. They were engaging in a spiritual practice of discernment without knowing it.
That group of people from different faiths and no faith, political camps, and life experiences always chose life over death. In my own mind I thought it was kind of a Jesus like moment. Their focus was on what would help community thrive, live, and experience a just life over positions of oppression, death and systemic evil. You see, it is far more difficult for people to live, coexist and commune in a culture of healthy disagreement that requires critical thinking, theological depth and respect for humanity.
Different points of view are fine. All fine unless those points of view and disagreements lead to death instead of life. Every time I left those sessions the bottom line…the NON-negotiables were always about healthy communal life. Life for every person in that room. AND not just life but life anchored in justice and love that was abundant. I understand that as the Jesus way of life.
For me it all comes down to which Jesus do you want to follow? The one of abundant life that allows, expects and even commands all of God’s children to freedom, accountability, truth, hope, love and promise or, the Jesus made up of people who want what for me is a distorted version of the Gospel that leaves out others for selfish gain, kills with weapons of human construction and ignores the one who died on the cross of the Empire because of us and yet rose from death to life for all of us.
This past Sunday we heard the words from Psalm 139. There are comforting words, challenging words and even harsh words if you read the whole thing to the end. Do that. At the end the Psalmist asks, “See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” May that be so…for all of us.
Rev. Dr. Susan A. Minasian
Interim Associate Conference Minister
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Updates on the Associate Conference Minister search
Conference Consistory has begun in earnest the search process for our settled Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call. Mr. Tim Kissling, Covenant Association Consistory representative, worked diligently to bring together members of the ACM/SC Profile Team. In addition to himself, they are: Rev. Karl Jones (Schuylkill Association), Rev. Mark Roberts (Covenant Association), Rev. Denise Statham (Philadelphia Association), Rev. Anne Cormier (Ursinus Association), Rev. Tony Villareal (PSEC Moderator). The first meeting of the Team will take place this Thursday, Jan. 21 with a hoped-for profile completion date of April 15, 2021. Conference Consistory is also working to appoint an ACM/SC Search Committee that will follow the same model for a Conference Minister search and be comprised of members of the Conference Personnel Committee augmented by one representative from each of our five Associations. We hope to identify a final candidate by the fall of 2021 for presentation and vote by the Conference body. Regular updates on process will come in the next issues of eNews. We beg your prayers for this search and the exciting possibilities that lay ahead for our Conference and the newly called Associate Conference Minister to whom the Holy Spirit will guide us.
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Family/Church Boundaries training event next month
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. Sometimes a spouse and/or children feel imposed upon. Sometimes the lines of being part of the same community as the church make it challenging for the pastor’s family. During this training we will consider ways to be mindful of maintaining boundaries as a clergy family. 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.
Additional advanced boundary trainings will be offered later in the year.
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UPDATED: Info for churches on recent COVID-19 legislation
The Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law on Dec. 27. The CAA is an enormous bill. For information on the sections that may be of interest to churches -- related to extensions of the Paycheck Protection Program, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, the CARES Act, and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) -- click here for a summary from the UCC legal counsel. An addition summary was sent here that specifically relates to churches and copyright. Click here to read that.
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2021 UCC yearbook church reporting open now
This week, emails were sent to church offices and pastors with information on year-end reporting. If you should have received that information and didn’t, please contact the Conference Registrar, Brea Rarick, at brea@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 311. Also, you may visit psec.org/reporting for more information on this year’s reporting.
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Virtual Hospitality events scheduled for February
Did you know that most church remembers report that 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 twice:
This seminar is paid for by your OCWM contributions!
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February Computer-side Chat (MIDs, clergy only) on profiles |
The February Computer Side Chat is for ONLY CLERGY and Members in Discernment! On Feb. 9, join me for a conversation about Ministerial Profiles. Even if you are not ready to search for a call…it is good to use Ministerial Profiles as a spiritual practice for your own discernment.
After reading profiles for almost a year now, I have some thoughts about what you might want to highlight and even some thoughts about what you might want to reconsider when preparing how you tell your story to search committees.
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.
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COVID-19 Considerations for Church Employers
On Jan. 29 at 2:00p, the Insurance Board will host "COVID-19 Considerations for Church Employers". This webcast will address issues churches face as employers during COVID-19 and provide best practice policies and procedures for managing employees and volunteers. Click here to register.
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UCC leaders suggest do's, don'ts for pre-inauguration
With a historic second impeachment of President Trump, security concerns around the upcoming inauguration of the incoming president, Joseph Biden Jr., and FBI reports of potential protests in state capitals around the country, how does the church respond? UCC leaders, clergy and advocates offer both pastoral and practical ways to deal with the political turmoil. Click here to read that.
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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:
Salt & Light (Formally Grace Christian Fellowship), Philadelphia: For the past two years we have dedicated a space on our church property as a vegetable garden. Named in honor of the recently deceased mother of our Minister of Music, Bunny's Garden grows organic vegetables and herbs. Our church is located in food dessert where fresh fruits and vegetables are not readily available. Through our garden and food pantry, we are able to offer over 50 families fresh, organic, locally grown produce.
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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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.
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 promise to be allies to all who are oppressed by these systems, committing ourselves to listen to the words of those who have been harmed by 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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Attention clergy: Thoughts needed on 2022 Convocation
It is with regret that, due to the current situation with Covid-19, the Clergy Convocation Committee has postponed Clergy Convocation 2021 to NEXT YEAR 2022. The committee is looking into different dates for 2022 and would like you to give us your opinion for which dates work best for you. Please use this link to take a quick 3 question survey so that your voice can be heard.
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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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Clergy and COVID-19 vaccines
About clergy and COVID, we have recently learned that pastors are in the second tier of vaccine distribution planned by the state. You can read more about the vaccine distribution and who is included by clicking here. The second tier of vaccines has not yet begun. However, we do expect the Governor’s office to provide information on that in the next two weeks. For more information, contact your county health office and other local officials for specific information about availability of the vaccine in your area. More info is available from the PA Council of Churches here and 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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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.
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Planning webinar for churches during, after emergencies
Churches are invited to a webinar that will provide them with the knowledge and tools to develop a continuity plan and sustain continuity of operations before, during and after an incident or emergency. The webinar will discuss the essential elements and key planning considerations for a viable continuity capability.
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Jan. 26 from 11:00a-12:30p; English
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Jan. 28 from 11:00a-12:30p; Spanish
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Apply now to be a summer chaplain for PA state parks
Exercise your gifts and skills:
- Planning creative and meaningful worship services.
- Preaching engaging sermons in an ecumenical setting.
- Visiting and sharing Christ’s love with people from different religious traditions and life experiences.
- Creating programming for all ages.
- Managing your own time and working as a member of a team.
Full-time and half-time positions for service between Memorial Day and Labor Day are available. Salary, travel reimbursement and training provided. Housing may be available at some locations. Must have an automobile, be in good health and available between May 24 and Sept. 5. For more info call 717-545-4761 or email campgroundministry@pachurches.org.
Additional information and application are available online here. Early applicants have best choice of location. |
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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Schedule Back Bay Mission trips for 2021 and 2022
Back Bay Mission was started by the Evangelical Synod of North America (a predecessor to the UCC) in 1922 in Biloxi, Miss. Since then UCC churches, including many from PSEC, have supported this mission with money and their work teams. Learn more about Back Bay Mission. Work is resuming using safety measures implemented by the mission. The Mission Trip Calendar for 2022 is open and ready for bookings! There are also some small group openings for 2021. To book email volunteercoordinator@thebackbaymission.org with your preferred dates including your first option and a second option. The email requests are fulfilled on a first come first served basis. To see the weeks that are open you can access the calendar here. Note that updates to the calendar will take some time, so please be patient.
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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)
- 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)
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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