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Important This Week
- Workshop this Saturday on Combining Virtual and In-Person Worship
- Pension Board increases for 2021
- Save the USPS toolkit
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From the Conference Minister:
Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.
There are some passages of scripture that do not need commentary. Romans 12 is one. At the risk of detracting from the simplicity of Paul’s timeless wisdom, let me add a few words of testimony.
The best piece of advice ever given me by my mentor was simple: “Love your people.” I’ve heard from many ministry colleagues who were offered the same. Love covers a multitude of sins — poor sermons, missed meetings and the mispronunciation of names at key moments — in funerals and weddings among the rest. This is true, too, for teachers, managers, and anyone committed to living in community. Love your people. Not as an attempt to get the love we might be missing in other parts of our lives. “Love your people” with the certain knowledge that God loves you and everything about you. Hold fast to that truth. There are many other things of which to hold fast…
Hold Fast to each other. We have not been able to do that well in the pandemic. If we have not learned new ways to do church, I pray we have at least found a new appreciation for, and a commitment to, being together and holding onto each other.
Hold Fast to the stranger. Widows, orphans and strangers — from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22, God is very clear about the obligation of God’s people to care for them. I am beyond sad that the biblical mandate to “care for strangers” has become a political statement.
Hold Fast to the certain knowledge that the people of this world are in desperate need of loving, belonging, meaning, mission and purpose and make it your business (from where you live and work) to see that they have it.
Hold Fast to your call to GO and make disciples. The church is the only organization that exists only for its non-members.
Hold Fast to the transformative power of the resurrected spirit of Jesus Christ.
Hold Fast to the promise of God’s presence.
The words are simple. The living of them is hard. Prayers for you and me as we go into the world today to live them.
Blessings,
Pastor Bill
Rev. Bill Worley
Conference Minister
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Saturday: Combining Virtual and In-Person Worship event
Many churches have, by necessity, become very creative in managing online worship during the pandemic. Knowing that in-person worship will return at some point, our communities should think about how in-person worship can begin while still maintaining quality online worship. There are several ways this can be accomplished, but each requires intentionality. In order not to be caught unprepared, this workshop will offer suggestions on how to continue online while returning to in-person worship and doing both in a meaningful way. Facilitated by Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development Rev. Cean James, the online workshop will be this Saturday at 10:00a. Click here to register.
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Pension Board shares 2021 insurance changes
The Pension Boards have let us know that the 2021 medical and dental insurance rates for clergy and lay employees will change as follows:
- Non-Medicare Plan: 5% increase (no change to co-pays and deductibles)
- Pharmacy co-pays: No change
- Dental Plan: No change
- Vision Plan: No change
- Life and Disability Plan: No change
When the new rates are available online, we will share that information here.
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Save the USPS Toolkit from UCC Justice and Witness
It’s been a big week for the US Postal Service! The situation has, and continues to change over the past week and we anticipate it will continue to be in flux. But the basic principles remain, the USPS is an essential service that should be protected and any changes to service or reduction in access is harmful to our communities. Furthermore, we need to shore up the USPS to make sure mail-in voting is accessible to all (especially in the age of COVID). Every effort should be made by federal, state, and local entities to make voting as accessible and easy as possible, and anything but that is voter suppression. Here is the link to the toolkit with a sample action alert, sample tweets and action steps you can share with your network.
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Registration open for Men's Clergy Retreat in October
"Releasing Your Inner Warrior" will be the theme of the 2020 Men's Clergy Retreat being held at Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor, PA. The event, taking place Oct. 6-8 (Tues.-Thurs.) will be a mixture of worship, small group discussions and relaxation! Click here for more information and to register.
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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 the Conference Minister, Rev. Bill Worley, on a Zoom call. Share your experiences with ministry in this season of COVID with other clergy, ask for advice, and be in community together. Click here to join the call on Monday. (Use this link every Monday through Oct. 6.) There will be no meeting on Sept. 7 for Labor Day.
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Church World Service buckets and kits needed for disasters
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Search & Call: Computer-Side Chat scheduled for Sept. 8
The next Computer-Side Chat will be on Sept. 8 about Call Agreements. Join us at 7:00p via Zoom and learn more about what a Call Agreement is, what needs to be in it and why this is not just a negotiated contract but another covenant of how an authorized minister and a congregation appreciate all that is shared in ministry. This meeting would be valuable for search committees, consistory/council members of churches in the search process (or who anticipate a retirement or search soon), and pastors. The link to join that call is here. If you need information to phone in, email brea@psec.org.
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Amazing Stargazing Zoom events starting tomorrow
The Lutheran Alliance for Faith, Science and Technology is hosting "Amazing Stargazing" Zoom events on Wednesdays at 8:00p:
- Wonders of the Universe (Aug. 26) - Discover ways to make new faith connections with some of the most exciting objects in the cosmos.
- Touring our Solar System (Sept. 2) - Discover what you may expect to see through telescopes as an amateur astronomer.
- Introductory Stargazing (Sept. 9) - Learn the basics of telescopes and binoculars and easy ways to locate some deep sky objects.
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Save the Date: Building Church Differently webinar series |
The UCC Church Building & Loan Fund is hosting a 2020 web seminar series on "Building Church Differently." The cost is $25 total for three webinars from 2:00-3:30:
- Make an Impact (Sept. 17)
- Lead with Technology (Sept. 24)
- Transform Communities (Oct. 1)
Registration will open soon.
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Aug. 27 virtual forum on hate crime and religious institutions
The Protecting Places of Worship Forum, facilitated by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, will educate faith leaders on hate crimes laws; how to prevent and respond to hate crimes that target houses of worship and religious institutions; and how to secure places of worship leveraging resources and best practices from government agencies. Speakers include representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and FEMA. Click here to register.
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PSEC climate team challenges churches to commit to change
Climate change is one of the most complex issues facing us today. It involves many dimensions and is a global problem. However, it is felt on a local level and there are solutions that any one of us and our churches can do. The PSEC Climate Justice Working Group invites churches to commit to doing something "green". The Working Group challenges 50 PSEC churches to make a commitment to do something to mitigate climate change in the coming months. Churches can take on garden-planting, recycling, composting, tree planting, and/or preaching about caring for the earth. It only takes a couple of people to listen to climate webinars at ucc.org or read one of many books. For a list of churches that have made a commitment, suggestions for actions your congregation can take, more information, and a form you can use for your church to accept the challenge, visit psec.org/green.
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Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors
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Updated list available: PSEC churches online this summer
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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Church Openings
- Allegheny UCC (Sunday supply)
- Calvary UCC, Barto, and Pennsburg UCC (full-time designated-term)
- Glenside UCC (full-time interim)
- St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time settled)
- St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
- St. Luke's UCC, Ottsville (part-time settled or designated)
- St. Paul's UCC, Birdsboro (half-time interim)
- St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)
- Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
- Trinity UCC, Rehrersburg (part-time settled)
- Wyomissing UCC (part-time settled)
- Zwingli UCC (full-time associate)
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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PSEC Events
Nov. 15: PSEC Fall Meeting at New Goshenhoppen UCC, East Greenville
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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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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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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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