Important This Week

• Update from the Keystone Working Group
• New pastoral opening added to list
• Early registration deadline this week for Clergy Convocation

From the Conference Minister:

“They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”    Mark 1

Two different conversations came together last week around the importance of “inner work.” First, in the workshop on Dealing With Conflict, led by Rev. Dr. Stephen Treat and then in the Faithful Anti-Racism book discussion led by Rev. Ann-Therese Ortiz and Liz Brunton. Both underscored the importance of bringing to consciousness the difficult and unresolved feelings we hold deep within ourselves that get projected onto the people around us. This inner work relies on an “inner authority” that is the agent of both grace and accountability.  

Jesus did his inner work that was, in part, a wilderness awareness of what God was doing in him. On my best days he is the leader of my inner work. He is both the authority from beyond and from within. Richard Rohr helpfully observed that “The two wheels of Scripture and Tradition can be seen as sources of outer authority, while our personal experience leads to our inner authority. I am convinced we need and can have both. Only when inner and outer authority come together do we have true spiritual wisdom.”

Rohr also warns that “Information from outer authority is not necessarily transformation, and we need genuinely transformed people today, not just people with answers.” The church needs transformed people. We need leaders to claim and act from Jesus shaped authority to deal healthfully with conflict and constructively with racism. We need those authorized for ministry to teach, peach and heal with a gospel authority beyond and within themselves. We may astound ourselves and others when we do.

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

Keystone Working Group --

Summary of February 16 meeting

We invite you to share this summary widely in your ministry settings.

Meeting February 16 by Zoom, the Keystone Working Group discussed ongoing efforts to share information with all the congregations across our four regions with our website (psec.org/keystone/). Delegates will receive a booklet containing our “Story of Why We Are Here” and theological statements and rational for our merger. It will contain responses to Frequently Asked Questions. To prepare for our June 7-9 Gathering, we discussed plans for the combined plenary sessions. We want to encourage conversation and how we feel the engagement of the Holy Spirit in this process.

The Communications Team also prepared a new video to share the creative process of a possible new unified Keystone Conference logo. In March, we will present the newly edited video on the website and a link available for all to share in our excitement, believing “Together We Are Stronger!”

Conference Ministers and Task Groups shared updates on their preparations and initial conversations:

• Staffing – A Staff Retention Statement is being prepared in consultation with current staff of all 4 conferences.
• Governance – Dates for a possible Transition Plan for Governance is being developed in anticipation of an affirming vote on a merger resolution in November 2024.
• Finance – A consolidated baseline budget draft for 2025, a dream budget and what’s “realistic” at current funding and resource levels, as well as a report of combined assets is being developed. Additional policy and possible budgets for 2026 and 2027 are also being drafted.
• Approval Process – A draft resolution will be proposed in the March meeting, with prayer and editing considerations in April to present as part of the 4 conferences’ combined gathering in June for our collective conversation and discernment.
• Legal – This subcommittee has not yet met, pending Governance and Finance considerations.

We continue to share our excitement around the group regarding our plenary sessions, sharing what we have heard from around our four areas that is compelling and life-giving about coming together. There is growing anticipation for what we can accomplish together. Our Together We Are Stronger affirmation continues to drive our thinking and empower our spirit.

Please visit the Keystone Conference Project website hosted by the PSEC at psec.org/keystone/. We can always share questions and comments by email at Keystone.Conference.Project@gmail.com or direct mail through your own area Conference Office.

Remember to Save the Date for the joint meeting of all 4 conference areas, June 7-9, 2024 at State College. Registration details and a Communications Booklet will be available in early March to prepare for the event.

Sharing our progress in grace and hope,

KWG Communications Team

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

Heather Kurtz, Zion UCC, Arendtsville (PCC)

Deb Long, First Trinity UCC, Youngwood (PWC)

(Open Position), (PSEC)

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

Early registration deadline Thurs. for Clergy Convocation

Registration is now open for Clergy Convocation, May 7-9 in Lancaster. Open to UCC clergy in Pennsylvania, our time together will focus on rest, renewal, connection and healing. Healing in our ministries and our world often begins with healing within. We know how important it is for clergy to have time away from their ministry settings and to find support. There will be time dedicated for worship, reflection, gathering of affinity groups, and free time. Click here for more information, a tentative agenda, and registration.

Spirit on Tap tonight on 'Holy Ground and Thin Places'

At Spirit on Tap at the DoubleTree on Feb. 27, Harry Serio will speak about the Celts' special reverence for holy ground and thin places where access to other dimensions of reality becomes accessible. Then the Shanachians will offer a lively concert of familiar Irish tunes, reels, and jigs. Click here for more information.

'Compassion in Action' from Phoebe Institute on Aging

The Phoebe Institute on Aging presents “Compassion in Action” featuring keynote speaker Stephen Trzeciak, MD, MPH, physician scientist, professor, clinical researcher, intensivist (specialist in intensive care medicine), and co-author of “Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference” (2019), and “Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself.”

Presented on Thursday, April 18, from 7:45a to 4p at DeSales University, University Center, 2755 Station Ave, Center Valley, the conference will examine how compassionate care can support goals like workforce well-being, both long-term care resident and patient experience, safety, quality, and innovation, as well as additional content to support caregivers and leaders during this challenging time.

For more information and registration, click here or call 610-794-5163. Register by March 1 to receive the early bird pricing of $35. Continuing Education Units are available for health care professionals, social workers, and clergy. 

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce:

Why I joined the taskforce

When I heard that the Penn Southeast Conference had voted to establish a Task Force around the concerns of addiction I was right in. My ministry has included a deliberate attempt to listen to, understand, and reach out to serve people infected with this epidemic disease and their families since 2008. I have grown to see the disease as a theological issue. I have encountered amazingly loving and committed people willing to share in the effort to embrace this population as our sisters and brothers in Christ. We have seen miracles. We are willing to speak in congregations. We have seen how the disease touches all of us. Our little group has done so much. I only wish more people would get involved. 

- Deborah Rahn Clemens

Does your church have

VBS materials to share?

Is your church storing supplies, decorations, or curriculum from a previous Bible school that's in good condition but likely won't be used again soon? If you have VBS materials available that you would be willing to loan or donate to other churches, email brea@psec.org. In a few weeks we'll share a list of available materials in this email.

Forum on Youth Ministry at Princeton in April/May

The Institute for Youth Ministry’s Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary will be themed “Craft: The Future of Youth Ministry,” and the dates are April 30-May 3 on the seminary campus. The Forum is a unique opportunity for youth ministry leaders who crave a community of peers seeking to be transformed through theological reflection that meets practical application in ministry. Click here for more info.

Register now: 2024 UCC Clergywomen Event

Registration is now open for the 2024 UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event. “Weaving our Tapestry” takes place April 16-18 in Charleston, SC, with the 2023 Antoinette Brown Awardees as the keynote presenters. This event is open to all authorized UCC Clergywomen.

Clinical Pastoral Education at Caron Treatment Centers

Caron Treatment Centers in Wernersville has openings for its Clinical Pastoral Education Unit which gives practical experience and education in working with clients living with behavioral, alcohol, or substance use disorders seeking recovery. Our program is designed for clergy, seminary students, or qualified members of any faith background. The internship placement can be on campus at Caron, or at a designated existing workplace (when discussed with Rev. Zoë). Dates are coming up quickly! Our next part-time sessions start March 4, July 8, and Nov. 11. For more information, click here.

Exploring the UCC workshop on March 23 on Zoom

The Southern New England Conference UCC will host "Exploring the UCC: Our History, Our Beliefs, Our Identity on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30a-12:30p. Click below to see the flyer. Click here for more information or to register.

'Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations'

What effect does the act of leading worship and a religious community have on its leaders, particularly clergy and their capacity to be agents of holy healing? That question was taken up by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research in their project Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations. On March 14, clergy are invited to join in discussing the results of this study and its results. For more information and to register, click here.

Chaplain in the Park: Locust Lake State Park

Do you love the outdoors? Do you enjoy worshipping surrounded by God’s creation? Consider becoming a summer campground minister at Locust Lake State Park! Every summer, chaplains lead Sunday worship in many State Parks through the Campground Ministry program of the PA Council of Churches. Chaplains can be, but need not be, ordained ministers.

The chaplain visits folks in the campground, welcomes them, answers questions about God or where to go for firewood or which trail is the hardest. The chaplain invites campers to worship and conducts a Sunday worship service each week from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends. Wonderful ministry happens every summer! If you are interested, you can learn more and apply here. You can also contact Rev. Maureen Duffy-Guy for more info: mduffyguy@hotmail.com or text at 717 619-8337.

Next Theology with a Twist: Faith & the upcoming elections

The next Theology with a Twist will be held Tuesday, March 5 at 7:00p on the topic "Faith and the Upcoming Elections," by Dr. Lee Barrett. The nation's increasingly combative political polarization is partly fueled by the tension between "red state" and "blue state" forms of Christianity. Join Dr Lee Barrett as we explore the visceral spiritual hungers and fears that motivate each of these factions and consider possible ways to promote a less belligerent conversation. For more info, click here.

Caroline Bashore ordination scheduled for March 17

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share. Don't forget to RSVP.

Registration open for 2024 Lay Leadership Convocation

The Lay Leadership Convocation will be held Saturday, April 6 from 8:30a-3:00p in Boyertown on the theme Sharing Leadership. Click here for agenda, registration, and workshop descriptions.

Join PNEC for Faith Formation Leadership Retreat in May

A Faith Formation Leadership Retreat will be held May 3-5 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center in Canadensis. Cost is $195 and includes all programming and three meals on Saturday and Sunday breakfast. Click here for an event flyer. To register, email pattyr@pnec.org or you can register here. Any questions, contact Rev. Janet Newett at pastorjanetn@gmail.com.

Register: PATHWAYS Spring II and Summer courses

Wherever you are on life's journey, PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. welcomes you! Click here to learn about PATHWAYS. Check out Spring II and Summer courses. You can see the schedule here and registration is open.

This email is brought to you by your generous gifts to OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission)! Thank you!