Important This Week

• Information from the Conference Minister on this week's General Synod
• Update from the Keystone Study Group meetings
• Glenn Rarick ordination scheduled

From the Conference Minister:

General Synod 34 begins this week at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis around the theme, “Making All Things New,” based on the scripture from Isaiah 43:18-19 (generalsynod.org). If you’re not aware of the work of General Synod, this is our denomination’s biennial gathering where the business of the National Church, seminars and learning sessions are conducted, new and newly affiliated congregations are celebrated, worship and guest speakers inspire, all to renew and strengthen our covenantal relationships.  

Our thirty-one PSEC delegates will have much to consider this year. They will elect a new General Minister and President. Nominated for that position is Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson, the current Associate General Minister and Vice President, Wider Church Ministries and Operations and Co-Executive for Global Ministries. If elected she will be the first woman of African descent to lead our denomination. You can learn more about Dr. Thompson here: GMP Nominee Updates - United Church of Christ General Synod 34

Our delegates will also consider amendments to the UCC Bylaws that would change the frequency of General Synod from two years to three years. This potential change has been the source of a many years long conversation and debate and is certain to create lively discussion on the Synod floor this year. Fourteen resolutions, which you can find here: generalsynod.org/proposed-resolutions, will be discerned and decided giving shape to our future ministries.

Our Conference is blessed by the faithful commitment of thirty-one volunteer delegates who will lend their voices to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for each of them as they travel through the very long days that participation in Synod requires. And check our Conference’s Facebook page (facebook.com/PSEC.UCC) for daily updates about their experiences representing our Conference to the National Church and beyond.

Covenant

Rev. Kim Adamson, St. Paul's UCC, Kutztown

Mr. Robert Ames, St. Paul's UCC, Fleetwood

Mr. Rick Deerfield, Epler's Church UCC

Rev. Selina Hamilton, Rosedale UCC

Rev. Linda Kozlowski, Good Shepherd/Tuckerton UCC

North Penn

Rev. Jon Bauman, First UCC, Quakertown

Mrs. Julia Bauman, First UCC, Quakertown

Rev. Alan Miles, Zwingli UCC

Ms. Alisa Unell, Salem UCC, Doylestown

Philadelphia

Ms. Sheri Reed, Glenside UCC

Rev. Cean James, Salt & Light Community Church UCC

Ms. Nancy Krody, Collenbrook United Church

Mr. Immanuel Regunesan, Grace Trinity UCC

Pastor William Scott, House of Faith Baptist Church UCC

Mr. Max Staley, Old First Reformed Church UCC

Schuylkill

Ms. Caitlin Brossman, St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg

Rev. Maureen Duffy-Guy, St. Peter's UCC, Orwin / Trinity UCC, Tower City

Ms. Alison Holler, St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg

Mr. Randall Koppenhaver, Frieden's UCC, Hegins

Pastor Ray Riegel, St. Paul's UCC, Auburn

Ursinus

Ms. Liz Brunton, Reformed Church of the Ascension UCC

Mrs. Robin Hightower, Peace in Zion UCC

Rev. Nichole Jackson, Open Table UCC

Rev. Dr. James Mills, Wentz's UCC

Rev. Dwayne Mosier, Reformed Church of the Ascension UCC

Rev. Suzanne Schwarz-Green, Trinity Reformed Church UCC, Collegeville

Ms. Peg Schwarz-Green, Trinity Reformed Church UCC, Collegeville

Alternates

Mr. Alec Hoffman, Friedens UCC

Mr. Allen Benner-Smith, St. Paul's UCC, Exton

Mr. Cole Benner-Smith, St. Paul's UCC, Exton

Rev. Elaine Ely, First UCC, Quakertown

Moderator

Mr. Charles Kuthuru, Grace Trinity UCC

Keystone Study Group -- Summary of 6/16 meeting

The sixth meeting of the Keystone Study Group* took place Friday, June 16, 2023. Guided by the Spirit, the study group whole-heartedly affirms the possibility of becoming ONE Keystone Conference. In our May and June meetings, we clarified WHAT a Keystone Conference would look like. We were mindful of all the ways a Keystone Conference can serve, support, challenge and unite our diverse faith communities and ministries. In all we addressed, we aimed to imagine a vibrant way of being the Body of Christ in our areas. 

We focused on four additional areas of conference leadership. Considering Search and Call process and resources, we delved into how congregations connect with the conference and leadership authorization. With Church Futures we explored how ministry priorities may define where resources may be best used. Creating healthier places of ministry remains our goal. Digital Ministry & Technology and Communication at all levels, will help us build a “together we are stronger” culture and relationships. We recognized the conference role to fulfill its covenant with all areas of ministry: the urban hubs and rural settings, local congregations and specialized ministries.

Participants in all four conference meetings both affirmed and expressed important reflections about a Keystone Conference. Overall, meeting attendees shared energy, enthusiasm and support for continuing our study and work toward recommendations for Conference leaders and congregations. Our consensus remains, “Together we are stronger! The Keystone Conference.”

Our partnered work is greater than our individual efforts. We choose to embody what we want to see! May the Spirit of Christ inspire us all in the next steps of our journey in the assurance that . . . “Together We Are Stronger! The Keystone Conference.”

Sharing our progress in grace and hope,

KSG Communications Team

Steve Davis, St. John’s UCC, Fullerton (PNEC)

New Addition (TBA), from PNEC in July

Robin Hightower, Peace In Zion UCC, Zieglerville (PSEC)

Deb Long, First Trinity UCC, Youngwood (PWC)

With appreciation to Bob Fogal (PSEC) for additional review support.

*A study and discernment group of the 4 PA area UCC Conferences – Penn West, Penn Central, Penn NE, and Pennsylvania SE

Visit psec.org/keystone for previous meeting summaries.

Glenn Rarick ordination

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Support for Friends, Families. You are not alone!

Narcotics anonymous/Narateen

From www.nar-anon.org:

“Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. As a Twelve-Step Program, we offer our help by sharing our experience, strength, and hope. The only requirement for membership is that there be a problem of addiction in a relative or friend. Our program of recovery is adapted from NA and uses our Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts.”

“Narateen groups, which are part of the Nar-Anon fellowship, are formed to provide support to teenage family members and friends of addicts. A Narateen group is a safe environment where teenagers can share and work on their recovery.”

Online event on keeping kids safe on church property

The PA Office of Homeland Security has partnered with other organizations in offering a quarterly virtual learning series to faith-based organizations on Thursday, June 29 from 1:00-4:00p. This learning series will focus on keeping our kids safe at schools, camps, and day care centers that are affiliated with, or on the property of or adjacent to, religious institutions. Click here to learn more. Click here to register.

Shared pastor event for churches set for August

On Saturday, Aug. 12 a workshop will be held on Zoom on "One Shepherd, Two Flocks: Advice and Guidance on Sharing a Pastor." Rev. Kevin McLemore and others will conduct a free workshop on why sharing a pastor with another congregation is a good option for many congregations in this time of pastoral scarcity. Pastor McLemore and others will share practical strategies on how to talk to your congregation about this possibility, how to find a pastor and congregation willing to do so, and how other churches are already doing it successfully. Pastors who currently pastor two congregations will join us to share both the blessings and challenges of this arrangement, and how to avoid some of the mistakes they’ve witnessed in their own settings. Click here for more information.

60th anniversary of the March on Washington event

Join together across the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington! Friends from across the region will join together on Sunday, Aug. 27, to celebrate and remember through a modest neighborhood march (as you are able), eyewitness testimony, and worship in the historic House of Faith (the former Harold O Davis). Click here for more information.

UCC Webinar: Wildfires, climate, and a path forward

How can we move forward in addressing the wildfires that have created a landscape of crisis in our climate changed world? Panelist John Vaillant released an acclaimed book entitled "Fire Weather: A True Story from a Hotter World”; panelist Kimiko Barrett from Headwaters Economics is a wildfire research and policy analyst who has been interviewed by national news outlets for her insights. Even if you cannot make the webinar July 12 at 1:00p, sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording. Register now!

Upcoming Training events

Registration is open for:

Basic Boundary Training on Sept. 14 in Schuylkill Haven. Click here for more information.

Advanced Boundary Training (Managing Pastoral Transitions) on Sept. 27 on Zoom (or view the recording of the event on your own time and complete a one-page synopsis). Click here for more information.

Advanced Boundary Training (From Gutenberg to ChatGPT: Tools, ethics, technology and best practices in the life of Church) on Oct. 18 on Zoom. Click here for more information.

Diversity Training on Nov. 8 on Zoom (or view the recording of the event on your own time and complete a one-page synopsis). Click here for more information.