I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.        John 15:5 (NRSV)

I learned many years ago that the expression "cool as a cucumber" is rooted in scientific fact. A cucumber lying in the sun on a hot day is as much as ten degrees cooler on the inside than it is on the outside. But this is true only for cucumbers that are still attached to the vine. Once severed, the temperature differential disappears, and the once cool cucumber begins to rot from the inside out.

Cucumbers which are cut off from the vine end up sliced into a salad. And pastors who are cut off from a supportive community often end up in a vegetative state - driven out of their mind by a stream of stresses encountered while laboring in the vineyard of Christian life. And so Jesus teaches that “I am the vine; you are the proverbial cucumbers. If anyone remains in me and I in that person, she will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

John goes on to write in a cumbersome (or “cucumbersome”) way of celebrating this fine and fruitful fellowship which connects us in the fellowship of the church that (hopefully) nourishes and sustains us all.

I have been nourished and sustained by the fellowship of the church all my life and no more so than last week when my father came to the end of his days. While he lived a long and faithful life, and his departure was somewhat anticipated, the moment of parting is always painful. Grief is exhausting. And where it not for your prayers and encouragement from scripture, the support of colleagues and our Conference staff, and the countless other forms of fellowship that keep us connected, I would be on my way to rotting from the inside out.

Stay connected my friends and help me do the same. Remain well-rooted in the gospel, cultivate the life of the spirit and continue to grow. And the One who was, who is, and who is come will continue to bless us all.

Peace,

Pastor Bill

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

Join church administrators from around the Conference for a Community of Practice on Zoom 12:00-2:00 Wednesday, April 28. We will fellowship over lunch and have some time for sharing resources and connecting with one another. Email susan@psec.org or brea@psec.org for the Zoom link.

The Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar for pastors and lay leaders offers an opportunity to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations. The seminar draws on current research, seeks guidance from the wisdom of scripture, and discusses the best practices in church-based fundraising. Class sessions held May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16, and June 23, 2021 from 6:30 – 8:00pm EST. Between class sessions, the instructors provide materials to help you analyze the culture of your own congregation and learn how to create change. Register today: The CGC Seminar is $150 per participant. Register here by April 30, 2021: cvent.me/7yV37Q.

Last week Lancaster Theological Seminary and Moravian College, including Moravian Theological Seminary, announced the formation of a joint committee to explore combining the two historic institutions. Click here to read more.

Rev. Dr. Ben Motz (St. Paul's UCC, Robesonia) shares his church's experience with a phone streaming service that shut-ins can use to listen to the church service without any internet, computer, or cell phone necessary. Read that article on the PSEC news page here.

The United Church of Christ is hosting "Anti-Racism and the Tulsa 100 Year Commemoration" on May 27 at 8:00p on Zoom. The keynote speaker will be Kevin Willmott, Academy Award winning filmmaker (BlacKkKlansman) and professor of Film at the University of Kansas. Reflections will be given by Dr. Velda Love, UCC Minister for Racial Justice, and Rev. Traci Blackmon, Associate General Minister of Justice and Local Church Ministries. For more information and a flyer to share, click here. Click here to register.

In the wake of the recent flood of concern surrounding policing and race in our country, many people are asking “How can I be an ally?” An article in Sojourners, written by Courtney Ariel, entitled “For Our White Friends Desiring to Be Allies”, Ariel writes “Being an ally is different than simply wanting not to be racist (thank you for that, by the way). Being an ally requires you to educate yourself about systemic racism in this country.” To learn how to become a better ally, click here for the full article.

The Center for Disaster Philanthropy is hosting a webinar titled “Systemic Racism: Disasters Expose It – How Do We Address It?” on May 13 at 2:00p to look at how COVID-19 and other disasters make the presence of systemic racism more obvious. Speakers will share practical tips to increase funding for equity and anti-racism work, as well as supporting BIPOC organizations responding to crises in their communities. This webinar is part of Equity in Disasters, a series of webinars, blog posts and resources highlighting systemic racial and intersectional equity issues linked with communities’ abilities to recover from and withstand disasters. Register.

Here are some suggested books that can offer new insight into what causes addiction and what matters most in recovery: Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction by Judtih Grisel; Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction by Maia Salavitz; Recovery: Freedom from our Addictions by Russell Brand. 

PSEC's Addiction Task Force is here to support our faith communities. We are a group composed of persons with lived experience, clinical and criminal justice professionals, family survivors, and committed clergy. See the resource page for this taskforce on the PSEC website. 

The US Department of Veterans Affairs will be hosting a virtual workshop on "What spiritual leaders need to know to care for veterans." The event is free on May 20 from 1:00-3:00p. Topics include suicide prevention, moral injury, end of life planning, mental health, and post traumatic stress. To view an event flyer, click here. To register, click here.

Thursday Afternoons, May 6 through June 10 (six weeks).

Meets 3:00-4:30 PM Registration

Thursday Evening, May 27 – June 10 (four weeks)

Meets 6:30 – 8:00 PM Registration

Session One: Time and Talent helps you plan and prep. Find it here: youtu.be/9t-PFd2OsPA

Session Two: Tools and Tech, premiering April 29 at 6:00p, helps you with gadgets and go live. Find it here: youtu.be/czsobF8w6KY

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.

The first-ever UCC Musicians Association Virtual Choir video is now ready to share! The Composition Chair, Dr. Keith Hampton, created a Virtual Choir Video for UCCMA, using “Bring Us Peace” (SATB, a cappella) by Michele Hecht. This video is available for you to share with your congregation in worship. Michele gives full permission to share freely; contact Michele at michele@fccge.org for a free copy of the sheet music. If you signed up to sing in the choir for UCC General Synod, you will have another opportunity to sing this song.

For more information about the UCCMA, including how to register for their annual conference on July 8-10, click here.

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.

The Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Initiative team, in promoting racial justice, is offering banners and yard signs free to churches and individuals.

For those who are able, we are suggesting a love offering of $70 per banner (image of the 4’x10’ Vinyl Banner with grommets below) and $7 per yard sign (image of the 18’’x24’’ Yard sign above right). The love offerings will go to further our efforts in this sacred ministry of racial equity and justice. To order, please email Anne Cormier at annecormier@comcast.net. Include in the subject box “banner” or “yard sign”.