Greeting Penn Central Conference friends and members,

“Because of the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to shine upon those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79) 

As I sat waiting for a pre-op check-up yesterday, I listened to an elderly mother argue with her middle-aged daughter about the recent election. I wanted to lean over to them and say, “Isn’t it time we put these things aside for awhile?” I knew their arguments would convince neither and besides, I wanted peace and quiet. Obviously, that was a selfish wish. And yet I know that many of you yearn for peace too. Not only in public where negativity seems to spread like a virus, but also in our hearts, where various needs, desires, fears, and hopes wrestle. And so we come to the second Sunday in Advent when we light the Peace candle. It seems particularly timely. 

At times, the Advent lectionary includes unexpected or unusual bits of scripture that we do not usually see. This week it offers (as an alternate reading) a section of Luke that comes from the prophesy by John the Baptist’s father Zechariah. In this prophecy John’s role is distinguished as necessary for preparing the way for the Lord who will “guide our feet into the way of peace.” This phrase has been rolling through my mind for days. When we look outside of ourselves, we may see little peace. Globally, war and suffering continue. Nationally, our politics lead us away from domestic peace, stoking instead wars of ideology. Locally, simple meanness shows up in policies and decisions that bring confusion and suffering in their wake. Looking around us doesn’t offer much evidence of peace. 

So, looking for peace, I decided to look within and consider my own life. Because, after all, the only thoughts, words, and behaviors I can control – to the best of my ability – are my own. I wondered at the ways I practice peace daily, with and toward those around me. And how was I practicing peace with myself?  

I want to encourage you, especially considering the second candle of Advent, to conduct your own ‘peace inventory’. We are easily overwhelmed by the lack of peace around us, and we may want to hide, or scream, or run away into the woods! Instead, focus on how God guides your feet in the ways of peace and whether (and to what extent) you fight that guidance or follow it. For me, I found my own answers/practices were related to patience and mindfulness of speech (especially tone). These things seem small, perhaps, but impatience and intemperate speech rarely ever bring or facilitate peace. Additionally, I might have more peace toward myself if I prayed for greater gentleness and acceptance. 

We each have an inventory to complete. What does yours reveal? Let’s consider our hearts, speech, and actions. How do we shine the light of peace? Advent is a good time to recommit to the Lord who will guide our feet in the way of peace - if we but follow. 

Peace,

Carrie,

Rev. Dr. Carrie Call

Conference Minister

Penn Central Conference

Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events.

Scheduling Notes

December 1 - Bethel UCC, Spring Grove - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching at Zoë D'heedeene's ordination

Prayers for Penn Central Conference

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...

Richfield UCC, Richfield

Grace Evangelical & Reformed UCC, Richfield

St. Paul's UCC, Sacramento

Salem Walmers UCC, Annville

Christmas Fund Offering is December 22, 2024

The Christmas Fund for the Veterans of the Cross and the Emergency Fund is a Special Mission Offering that congregations have been supporting for over 100 years.  The offering is administered through the United Church Board for Ministerial Assistance, the charitable arm of the Pension Boards.  Funds provide direct financial support to those who serve the church and are facing financial difficulties.  Active and retired clergy, lay employees, and their surviving spouses may be eligible for the Supplementation of Small Annuities, Supplementation of Health Premiums, Emergency Grants, and/or Christmas “Thank You” Gift Checks.

This offering is received on the Sunday before Christmas.

 Order envelopes here.

The United Church of Christ has established the Hurricane Helene Recovery Appeal and the Hurricanes 2024 Appeal. Your support for these appeals will ensure that communities are supported and accompanied for years as they rebuild. You can donate through your local church, with your gifts going through the Conference to the Appeal. Gifts can be made through PCC here. Under “Directed Gifts” choose “Disaster Relief” and notate “Hurricane Relief”. And you can always mail a check to the PCC offices with the same notation.

Outdoor Ministries

With all the holiday hustle and bustle did you miss the early bird deadline for the Youth Retreat? You're in luck - we've extended it through Friday!

Rock and Roll With It

Hartman Center Winter Youth Retreat

We will be returning to Hartman Center Campground as guests.

5725 Old US Highway 322, Milroy, PA 17063 

January 17-19, 2025

Grades 6 through College Grad (or age 22)

Meals and Lodging included

$100 until December 2, 2024 Extended through Friday, December 6!

$150 after December 2, 2024

Use coupon code PCC2025 if you would like to use a Penn Central Conference Outdoor Ministries scholarship of 50% off your registration fees.

Register here!

Local Church

If anyone is interested in Choir robes, St. Johns in Denver is looking for a new home for a few sets. They also have quite a bit of four-part music for anthems and cantatas, most of the material dating back to early twentieth century. 

If you might be interested in having some of this, please contact Pastor Brad Haws at revhaws@ptd.net

Educational Opportunities

From New York Conference

This fall, we're offering monthly opportunities to take Refresher Boundary Awareness Training via Zoom:

Thursday, December 12, from 8 am - 2 pm

Glad to have folks from around the UCC. We can give partial scholarships if needed (email mpurnine@uccny.org before registering). For more information:

https://www.shelbygiving.com/App/Form/66f26fe1-8247-4fe4-a60f-11ef73be0bd0

2025 PA UCC Women’s Clergy Retreat – “Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”

January 14, 2025 @ 4:00 pm - January 16, 2025 @ 12:00 pm

“Fearfully and Wonderfully Made”

$190 per person (massages available for additional fee)

Registration closes January 3rd.

Join us for 44 transformative hours with your Sisters in Christ at a serene retreat center in Shillington, PA. Together, we will celebrate the incredible truth that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. This retreat offers a peaceful environment to nurture your soul and body, with a few group gatherings focused on healing, self-recognition, and embracing the beauty of the person you were created to be.

Expect plenty of opportunities for laughter through fun group activities, as well as time for personal renewal. Unwind with a soothing massage, curl up with a good book in a cozy corner, or enjoy the refreshing outdoors with a peaceful walk. For deeper connection, gather in the living room for heartfelt conversations and lots and lots of snacks!

Additionally, there will be opportunity for one-on-one Gestalt Pastoral Care healing sessions with Deaconess Susan Silhan, our presenter, to reflect and receive spiritual guidance. This retreat is designed to refresh, heal, and uplift—don’t miss this chance to connect, grow, and be celebrated as you truly are!

To register, click here.

Questions? Please contact: Kim Berenotto at kimberlyberenotto@gmail.com or Tammie Wisniewski at tammie@psec.org

From Pennsylvania South East Conference

Examining the Ministerial Code of Ethics' Boundary Training 

On Saturday, Feb. 1 from 9:00a-3:00p, join members of the PSEC Ethics Committee in Limerick for a boundary training on "Examining the Ministerial Code of Ethics". In this training we will cover:

·     the moral and ethical expectations of the pastoral office, identifying the “gray” areas of ministry

·     the purpose of the Ministerial Code of Ethics

·     the sections of the Ministerial Code of Ethics

·     the top ethical issues facing pastors today

·     the issues that lead to Boundary violations and Fitness Reviews

·     the Fitness Review Process

For more info and to register, click here.

Church Futures Commission

Discover What Coaching Could Do For You: Free Initial Coaching Session for all Penn Central Clergy & Consistory/Council Presidents

The Penn Central Church Futures Commission invites you to experience the clarifying, empowering, and strategic benefits of coaching. Unlike a mentor or a consultant, coaches aren’t there to tell you what to think, feel, believe, or do. Coaches’ deep listening and intuitive questions support clients in their identified growth, problem solving, and strategy implementation, while evoking new awareness. One of the greatest benefits of coaching is that it provides an intentional partner who is there to confidentially support, encourage, and strengthen you in your ministry. The best way to understand what coaching is, is to experience it yourself. Therefore, the Church Futures Commission is providing free initial coaching sessions for all Penn Central clergy and Consistory/Council Presidents. For those wanting to pursue additional coaching, the next three sessions, scheduled over a four-month period, will be available at a 50% discount. Click here to access the Church Futures webpage, where you can learn about our two professionally trained coaches and to schedule your initial session with one of them.

UCC National Setting

UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

Reclaiming Our Democracy

Dec 11, 2024 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

UCC Webinar: Reclaiming Our Democracy

After the election, commentators like Tom Nichols urged people to "stay engaged and make their voices heard at every turn.” But most still wonder how, and even if, they can make a difference between elections. What are the options? (1) Protesting? Vital, but usually not the long game. (2) Signing email form letters, which only 3% of Congressional staff says is highly effective? Just gestures. (3) Taking a 2-year nap until the next election? Sadly, the preferred route for many. Few know about (4) transformational advocacy which helps you change an issue while you also become changed in the process. In his book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy," Sam Daley-Harris writes about people who have successfully brought about social change and personal transformation. Join us for this webinar as Daley-Harris shares his stories and wisdom gained from years of leading and coaching advocacy organizations such as Citizen's Climate Lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Catholic Relief Services, and RESULTS. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Wednesday, December 11th at 1 pm ET, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. Register now!

Justice Leadership Program – 4 month cohort starting in January

Do you feel called to work for justice? This online program is for adults interested in weaving social justice into the fabric of their faith in a meaningful and transformative way. Deepen your understanding, learn practical skills, and gain the confidence to take meaningful action through this foundational program. Participants meet weekly.

Apply by December 15

Scholarships available for UCC members (inquire upon applying)

www.justiceleadership.org

info@justiceleadership.com

Pathways Theological Education

Are you a pastor seeking continuing education related to your current faith community?

Or are you seeking ordination and need to find a contextual education series?

The Supervised Ministry Series is designed to provide a practical internship in pastoral ministry over an eighteen-month progression. The arc of this series begins with entering a new place of ministry and concludes with leaving a place of ministry. Along this arc, six 9-week asynchronous online courses explore such issues as pastoral role, identity, leadership, ministry functions, organizational dynamics, and theological reflection. The nine-week courses for this series are:

SM 1 Entering a Place of Ministry

SM 2 The Transformative Context of Pastoral Care

SM 3 The Practice of Worship Leadership

SM 4 Faith Formation in the Parish

SM 5 Leadership in the Midst of Change

SM 6 Leaving a Place of Ministry

A participant partners with a site supervisor and a member advisory group while taking each course in a particular ministry setting. Here is a way to deepen your pastoral experience aligned with the Marks of Faithful and Effective Ministers.

Go to the PATHWAYS website to see the course schedule and to sign up for a class or a certificate or continuing education.

Current Openings - UCC National Setting

Philanthropy

Generosity Officer, Great Lakes Region Close Date: Open until filled

Penn Central Conference Ministry Opportunities Page