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Important This Week
- Conference Minister details the ecumenical trip to India that begins today
- Congratulations to top OGHS-giving churches in PSEC
- Rev. Traci Blackmon will be in Philadelphia this weekend
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From the Conference Minister: Partnership with India
The Joint Conference Ecumenical Relations Mission Team (JCERMT) connects our Conferences with ministries around the globe including the Church of South India (CSI) -- the second largest Christian church in India. The JCERMT entered into formal agreements with the Medak Diocese and Bishop A. C. Solomon Raj AND the Karnataka Central Diocese and Bishop Prasana Kumar Samuel of the Church of South India. From these two dioceses have come many immigrants to the United States who have found their church home in UCC congregations (including Grace Trinity and Emmanuel CSI in Philadelphia) in the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference.
In 2018, the JCERMT hosted a delegation from Medak, India to learn about the ministries taking place in that diocese under Bishop Solomon Raj’s leadership. Their devotion to the gospel and the commitments they have made to their church and community seemed to far surpass ours. I was moved by the witness of their communities in places where the Christian population is less than 3% of the country’s total inhabitants. Both Bishops Raj and Samuel have invited us to experience their ministry first hand and to be part of it. That experience begins today.
In a few hours I board a plane with Rev. Dr. Chandra Soans and Mr. Charles Kuthuru (Grace Trinity UCC, Philadelphia), Rev. Dr. Bonnie Bates (PNEC Conference Minister), Rev. Dr. David Charles (Jordan UCC, Allentown), and Rev. Homer Royer (Church of the Good Shepherd, Alburtis) to Hyderabad. From February 4 to February 23, we will be hosted by Christian partners in the Medak and Karnataka Dioceses. During our stay, we will meet new prayer partners, preach in different churches of both dioceses (in English), attend pre-Lenten retreats with lay and clergy and partner in the mission that both bodies (UCC and CSI) share under the same motto, “That they may all be one.”
The JCERMT also hopes to build connections with UCC Global Ministries partnerships with the Church of South India specifically with initiatives that address issues facing women and girls including (but not limited to) education and opportunities in the workplace. We also hope witness to recent partnerships Global Ministries has forged in Southern Asia around the work to end human trafficking and increase religious freedom.
I beg your prayers for the travels of our delegation, for the Good News of the gospel that we will share on behalf of both our Conferences and the lessons, dreams and visions with which we will return.
Blessings,
Pastor Bill Worley
Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
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PSEC churches recognized as top givers in the denomination
One Great Hour of Sharing has released their 2020 mission offering information. The document includes the previous year's top 100 churches based on per capita giving. Three of those churches are in Pennsylvania Southeast Conference! Congratulations to:
- Trinity Christian UCC, Skippack
- Heidelberg UCC, Schwenksville
- United Church of Christ at Valley Forge, Wayne
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A Capella University Choir wants to visit your church
Lenoir-Rhyne University (North Carolina) has an exquisite A Capella university choir. They are performing in Virginia on March 17, and in Manhattan on March 19, and want a place to stay / perform on March 18.
They are willing to perform a church concert or during worship (free of charge) at one of our churches on Wednesday, March 18. What they need in return is for a congregation (or multiple congregations) to house their 60 university students. They are aware that March 18 is right in the middle of Lent, and have a Lent-appropriate Christian repertoire. I am writing to see whether any PSEC/PNEC churches (or any cooperative combination of churches) would be interested.
Any interest or inquiries can go DIRECTLY TO Dr. Ryan Luhrs, the Lenoir-Rhyne Director of Choral Activities:
828-328-7149 or
Ryan.Luhrs@lr.edu
.
Thanks!
Rev. Leslie Mamas
Pastor, Oivet-Schwenkfelder UCC, Norristown
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Registration open for Disaster Response workshop in March
Clergy and lay people are invited to join with people from throughout southeast PA on March 10 for a day of resiliency building among human services providers, houses of worship, and disaster responding organizations.
Pennsylvania is facing more precipitation, hotter temperatures, and more volatile weather overall. Not only does our region face more frequent disruptions to daily life because of these types of events, but we also find ourselves welcoming disaster survivors from outside of our area.
In an effort to build resilience to disasters in our communities, join us on March 10 to both build relationships in our communities so we can together leverage resources when disaster strikes, and so that we can look to agencies who specialize in disaster response to help bolster local efforts when assistance is needed. We need all of us!
One of the leaders for the day will be Mr. Ken Skalitzky, Recovery Specialist for UCC Disaster Ministries at the national setting. The event is approved through TrainPA, therefore continuing education credits will be available. For more information and to register,
click here
for a flyer and please feel free to share.
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Rev. Traci Blackmon in Philadelphia this weekend
On Friday, Feb. 7, Executive Minister of Justice and Witness Ministries Rev. Traci Blackmon will be the guest lecturer for the
38th Mitchell Lectureship
through Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. Click the flyer below for a flyer to share.
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Resources available, webinar set on planned giving
Many conferences and local churches express a desire to engage their members in conversations about planned giving, but they are often lacking in time, ability or confidence to proceed. The United Church Funds wants to share and increase expertise in securing planned gifts that will benefit the future mission in all settings of the United Church of Christ. As your covenanted partners, we invite you to be in touch with us any time, so that we can discover mutually beneficial ways of carrying out this important ministry. You can also learn more about our work and planned giving generally by visiting
ucfunds.org/planned-giving/
.
We want to take this opportunity to alert you to a free planned giving webinar being led by Andrew Warner, Generosity Outreach Officer in OPTIC, on March 31. Please consider attending and sharing the availability of this resource with your staff and churches in your Conference. Learn more and register
here
.
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Faith Over Fear Trainings set for 2020 across the US
Shoulder to Shoulder will be bringing their
Faith Over Fear training
to communities across the United States in 2020. These trainings share research, tools & effective strategies for the work of faith & community leaders who wish to counter anti-Muslim bias, discrimination & violence in the US.
Below is the lineup of where they'll be over the next several months (along with links to more information & registration).
- Hickory, NC - February 18-19 - REGISTER HERE
- Nashville, TN - February 28-29 - REGISTER HERE
- Escondido, CA - March 28 - REGISTER HERE
- Sioux Falls, SD - April 17-18 - Check website for updates & registration.
- Los Angeles, CA - Summer 2020 - Check website for updates & registration.
Learn about Shoulder to Shoulder and their Faith Over Fear training series
here
.
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Spiritual life workshops being offered for lay leaders
A course on Spiritual Life will meet at Trinity UCC, Telford on Saturday mornings from 9:00-11:00 as follows:
- March 28 - Spiritual growth through congregational worship
- April 25 - Spiritual growth through personal disciplines
- May 16 - Spiritual growth through small groups.
This course is designed for church leaders but is open to anyone who feels challenged to deepen their spiritual life. The course will be led by Dr. Charles Maxfield, an ordained UCC minister with experience in lay ministry training. He will be assisted by Constance Lezenby, a spiritual director recognized by her Friends’ Meeting as a traveling minister. Cost is $25 per congregation. Registration, including names of participants, with phone and e-mail contacts, are required by March 20.
Click here
for more info including how to register.
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Did you know that year-end reporting has started
Thank you to the churches that have already completed your year-end reporting! Earlier this month, emails were sent to churches and pastors with information on year-end reporting. If you should have received that information and didn’t, please contact the Conference Registrar, Brea Rarick, at
brea@psec.org
or 484-949-8774 ext. 311. Visit
psec.org/reporting
for more information on this year’s reporting.
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College scholarship available to Berks County UCC members
The DJ Wetzel Fund awards scholarships to members of Berks County UCC churches who are continuing their education after high school at a college or university, graduate school, vocational school, or in a life enrichment program.
Click here
for more information and to apply. Applications are due March 15.
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Join PSEC on February 23 in celebrating Rev. Sharon Morris
The Pennsylvania Southeast Conference invites you to join us in celebrating Rev. Sharon Morris and wish her well on her next journey! A dessert reception will be held Sunday, Feb. 23 from 1:00-3:00 at Sunnybrook- Gatsby's in Pottstown. The cost is $25 (with $10 to go towards a "Love Offering"). Register or donate now by
clicking here
. For more info,
click here
.
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Church leaders gathering scheduled for Feb. 15
A gathering for lay leaders and Consistory Presidents will meet Feb. 15 from 9:00a-11:00a at Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC, 2077 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville, to support one another, share ideas, and pray for each other. Church lay leaders have opportunity and roadblocks facing us at all times. Our goal is to brainstorm, support, pray, laugh, and learn together in a confidential environment, so that we are strengthened to build healthy, vibrant, and faithful churches. There is no fee to attend. Contact Brenda Semach, Consistory President of Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC, with any questions and to RSVP:
kbsemach@aol.com.
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Sign-up: MA-AUCE Christian educators conference
Mid-Atlantic Association of United Church Educators will hold their 2020 Annual Conference "Holistic Faith Formation: Engaging Our Whole Selves" April 27-29 in Mt. Bethel.
Join Faith Formation colleagues for three days of learning, networking, and renewal. Workshop topics include Our Whole Lives (OWL); engaging older adults throughout your ministry; becoming a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged) congregation for mental health; and using art for reflection. We will have times of worship and spiritual practices to both renew ourselves and share with our
congregations, and as well as time for fellowship to build and renew connections.
Click here
for information and to register.
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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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Church Events
Submit Church Events
here
View a complete list of Church Events
here
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Church Openings
- St. Luke's UCC, Ottsville (part-time supply)
- Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
- Trinity UCC, Rehrersburg (part-time supply)
- St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time settled)
- St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
- St. Mark's UCC, Reading (10 hrs/ week)
- St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Sharon Morris:
morris@psec.org
or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
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Staff Preaching
Rev. William Worley
Feb. 9: Medak Cathedral, Telangana, India
Feb. 16: St. Andrew's Church, Bangalore, India
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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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