Clergy News - August 2022
Greetings Clergy of Penn Central Conference!

The dog days of summer may be upon us, but we're already looking forward to fall! Plenty of events both in the conference and elsewhere to sign up for!

"Coffee With Conference Staff" will return in September 1st, 2022 at 10:00AM.

UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel has posted a new blog post about Allowing Third Parties to Use Church Property: What Churches Need to Know that covers a lot of questions local churches have been asking!
Shaping Generations: Queer Justice and Love in the UCC
2022 National ONA Gathering
 
Join us Aug. 5-7 for our first National ONA Gathering since 2019! Our virtual event will celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the ONA Coalition and Bill Johnson’s ordination as the first openly gay man authorized to serve an historic Christian church as a minister of word and sacrament.
 
Leaders include the Rev. Rhina Ramos (worship leader), Bishop Yvette Flunder (closing address and charge), the Rev. Bill Johnson and the Rev. Anne Holmes, and the Rev. Andy Lang (State of the ONA Movement).
 
To register, click here.
REGISTER NOW!!!
Intentional Interim Ministry Training

August 22-26 (registration deadline: August 5)
The Intentional Interim Ministry Training course consists of a 5-day virtual classroom experience followed by individual fieldwork. The fieldwork entails completing a project related to one of the focus points covered in class, and participating in a series of teleconferences.This 5-day course focuses on the work of the leader and the work of the congregation. It is designed for those individuals who have already discerned God’s call to interim ministry. Interim Ministry Training focuses on the work of the interim minister as s/he leads a congregation through the time of transition, as well as on the work of the congregation during this journey.
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM)
Upcoming Classes:

Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, Aug 23–Sept 27, Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor Jessica Young Brown. A Ministerial Institute class. An in-depth look at ethics in ministry, including confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care. 2.5 CEUs. $325.
 
Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.
 
The Space Between: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World
September 19, 2022 – September 21, 2022
Join us to reflect on what we've moved through as church experiencing pandemic, to recognize the innovative ways we have survived and in some ways thrived: What did we learn when faced with the need to pivot quickly and still be effectively present as church? Where do we need to stretch ourselves? What and how do we need to build capacity to resource how we're evolving as church? What might we each offer to help us become? These and other questions will be contemplated as we lean in to lessons learned about adapting with agility, and unpack potential possibility.

This is a hybrid event so you will have the choice to attend in person or participate virtually. In person sessions will take place at the Hilton St. Louis Airport as well as at Eden Theological Seminary.

Learn more and register here.
Church Vitality Workshop
Sponsored by the Congregational Empowerment Team of the Penn Central Conference
 
The “nuts and bolts” of how to be Alive and Thrive as God’s 21st Century Church!
 
Saturday, September 24 - 9am to 3pm
In person Colonial Park United Church of Christ, Harrisburg or online through ZOOM
 
Presenter: The Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola

Workshops on church vitality this past year have focused on the what and why of becoming alive and thriving for all churches of all sizes.
 
This workshop will take the topic further by asking the questions:
 
·      How do we come alive and thrive?
·      How do we change our culture to be forward looking rather than wishing for the past?
·      How do we reach out into our community?
·      How do we welcome new folks to our family of faith?
·      How do we discern if we need to come together with another church: eg share pastors, consolidate buildings?
·      What is workable for our church?
·      How do we plan the next steps for our church?
 
Have you participated in workshops with Marisa? Come and learn the “how to” steps toward vitality with a coach to guide you.
First time participating in a workshop with Marisa? Come and learn with a coach to guide you.
 
COST?             $300 for workshop and coaching sessions.
Scholarships are available
 
INCLUDES: Three Coaching sessions to follow with experienced coach
 
For Questions and to Register no later than SEPTEMBER 2,
Contact: Rev. Dr. Marisa Laviola (mlaviola@pccucc.org)
From the National Setting…UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event: The UCC Clergywomen’s Leadership Event has been postponed at least twice during the pandemic, and we are excited to be offering the event this September 27-29 in Decatur, GA. “For Such a Time: To Confront, Connect, and Create at the Intersection of Race and Gender” is open to authorized clergywomen* in the United Church of Christ. Registration is now open for the in-person and online gathering. (* This invitation is expansive to include all cis and trans women as well as non-binary people comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women.)
From United Church Homes:
Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging 2022 Annual Symposium
(PRO)LONGEVITY: The Convergence of Ethics, Tech and Spirituality

Friday, September 30, 2022
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (EDT)
Columbus, Ohio

FEATURED SPEAKER: Dr. Tracy Trothen
Professor of Ethics, Queen's University School of Religion and
School of Rehabilitation Therapies, Kingston, ON

HYBRID EVENT: In-person or virtual participation available. Learn more and register here.
Clergy Transitions
Joe Motz- last Sunday with Church of the Apostles UCC, Lancaster - July 31, 2022
Save the Date
Fall MEFs (10AM hybrid, 6PM Zoom) - now with registration links

September 20 - "Contemplatives in Action" with Janeen Adil
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom only - register here

October 18 - "Humility as Spiritual Practice" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom only - register here

November 15 - "Just War, Just Peace - A 21st Century Discussion" with Rev. Dr. Carrie Call
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PN Zoom only - register here

January 17 - "Grief and Loss" with Rev. Dr. Joel Hummel
Boundary Training - now with registration links

September 29 - "Bi-Vocational Boundaries and Ethics" with Darryl Stephens
6PM via Zoom - Register here

October - dates and topics to be announced

November 9 - "The Ministerial Code: A Way of Being" with Rev. Dr. Nora Foust
10:00AM hybrid - register here
6:00PM Zoom - register here
Penn Central Conference
717-652-1560