Important This Week
  • Join a Search and Call Computer-side Chat tonight on Call Agreements
  • Worship service available from PSEC; two more upcoming services announced
  • Registration open for new events
From the Conference Minister:

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times."               Matthew 18:21

Among Jesus’s preaching priorities money and forgiveness are very near the top. Those are the things he talks about in the context of demonstrating the love of God and the kingdom of heaven. Money — how we give what we have and forgiveness — how we give who we are says a lot about who we have decided to be.

Will Willimon, dean of the chapel at Duke, once said "Forgiveness is not natural; it is not a universal human virtue. Vengeance, retribution, violence are more natural human qualities." There is plenty of evidence in our public discourse, and even in some of our church circles, to that effect. But it need not be this way.

Fred Luskin, once the director of Stanford University's Forgiveness Project, taught people how to forgive — like you would teach someone to ride a bike or learn a foreign language. His teaching built on extensive findings that holding on to anger increases your chances of a heart attack as well as cancer, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other illnesses. Whereas forgiveness helps you sleep better at night, boosts a positive change in your attitude and your self-esteem, lowers your blood pressure, and reduces chronic pain (It's nice when recent science confirms ancient wisdom).

“Forgiveness,” according to Christina Baldwin, “is the act of admitting we are like other people.” That's a radical notion in the context of a campaign season determined to define us against each other. If it is true that there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, that we are all one in the body of Christ, then we need a different kind of campaign season; one that diminishes the distance between us. The shortest route across that distance, forgiveness, is also the hardest. But in a day when compassion is weakness in mercy and service are for losers; when forgiveness has almost dropped entirely out of our public lexicon; we, the church must put it back. And make sure it stays there.

Rev. Bill Worley
Conference Minister
Tonight: Join the Search & Call Computer-Side Chat at 7:00p

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.
Service available from PSEC PLUS: Save the dates for more

Last week, we shared a new worship service that Revs. Bill Worley and Cean James recorded with the musicians at Grace Christian Fellowship. One of the videos that you'll find on the Google Drive is a service recorded this week by Conference Minister Rev. Bill Worley and Associate Conference Minister Rev. Cean James. Churches are encouraged to use this service in the next few weeks to give your pastors a much-needed break.

Conference staff will be creating services for Oct. 4 (World-Wide Communion) and Nov. 29 (Thanksgiving weekend and the first Sunday in Advent). We hope you plan to take advantage of those services, too.
UCC announces assessment of racial diversity in churches

Noting that the UCC is “among the whitest Christian denominations in America,” the church’s leaders are launching an assessment of “racial diversity, equity and inclusion” throughout the church. The United Church of Christ Board of Directors announced the assessment in a Sept. 1 “letter to the wider church” and began seeking consultants to the process by posting a request for proposals at the UCC website. The letter was signed by UCC Board Chair Yvette Wynn and the three national officers of the church, the Revs. John Dorhauer, Traci Blackmon and Karen Georgia Thompson. To read the letter and learn more, click here.
Politics and the Pulpit event scheduled for later this month

On Tuesday, Sept. 29 from 2:00-4:00p, a continuing education opportunity will be offered online on "Politics and the Pulpit in an Election Year." Facilitated by Rev. Dr. Carrie Call and Rev. Bill Worley, this is a free event compliments of your OCWM contributions, but you must register. Click here to register and for more information.
UCC President Avery Post died this week at age 96

The Rev. Avery D. Post, president of the United Church of Christ from 1977 to 1989, died Monday, Sept. 7, at Kendal Retirement Community in Hanover, N.H. He was 96.

Through a career that also included heading the UCC’s statewide body in Massachusetts and pastoring local churches in three states, Post was known as an ecumenist, an advocate for social justice, and a skilled preacher. He led the denomination through years that included Cold War peace dialogues, racial-justice activism and support for emerging movements for women’s and LGBTQ rights and inclusion. Read more
Register for 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 is now open: click here.
UCC hiring a new Sermon Seeds writer/editor

The UCC is accepting applications for a "Sermon Seeds Writer and Editor." This position is 10 hours a week. For more information, click here.
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.)
Watch Rev. Jayme Babczak's ordination online now

Rev. Jayme C. Babczak was ordained into Christian Ministry on Sunday, Sept. 6 at Immanuel UCC. If you missed that service, you can watch it now by clicking here.
New resource for churches to share worship components

Several churches have asked for more worship resources: music for live-streaming, worship components, and services from the Conference staff. In response to that, PSEC has created a Google Drive for churches and pastors to share worship components. If you or your congregation has recorded a service, sermon, musical selection, children's sermon, order for communion, or liturgy that you would like to allow others to use, please upload that video to the Google Drive. If your congregation is in need of any of those resources, they're there for you to download. Please note: each church needs to take responsibility for its own copyright use. Visit the Google Drive (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18wnxvyEEbyEaVhx0Tonj0DU_j2TbZ_by?usp=sharing) and read the document "PLEASE READ: Requirements" for more information.
Survey shows how churches are adapting during pandemic

Last month, a survey was sent to all of the churches and church pastors in the Conference with questions about virtual worship services, finances, and re-opening plans. The results from the survey may be helpful to your church's leadership to see what other congregations are doing at this point. If you missed those results in last week's eNews, they are available here.
Updated list available: PSEC churches online this fall

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.
Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors

For resources churches and pastors may find helpful in practicing ministry during the pandemic visit ucc.org/coronavirus or psec.org/coronavirus. New to PSEC.org this week is a resource from the Mercersburg Society with suggestions and guidelines for virtual worship during the pandemic.
UCC Webinar: Children and youth speak: Your vote matters

With the climate crisis and the struggle against inequality, the younger generations have served as today's prophets in provoking a global reckoning of the dire situation faced. As the elections approach, children and youth are raising their voices again with a moral urgency as they awaken us to how much is at stake. This webinar will present children and youth from ages 10 to 18 who have a message and perspective that needs to be heard before those older than them vote. Register now!
VA Benefits for non-profit, religious, organizations

On Sept. 24, Veterans Affairs will host "Virtual Benefits And Services Symposium For Faith-Based, Non-Profit and Community Organizations" from 12:30-5p. To register or join, click here. This informative symposium will allow faith-based and community leaders the opportunity to learn about VA benefits and services for veterans in their congregation and the communities they serve. Don't miss this opportunity to be empowered with knowledge to help our nation's veterans! 
Christian Ed workshop on 'Virtual Sunday School' set

On Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 6:30p, a Christian Ed. workshop will be held on "Virtual Sunday School." This is a follow-up to a similar conversation earlier this summer, but it is not a requirement to have attended the first one. For more information and to register, click here.
Upcoming virtual conference on Clean Energy and Health

Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania and Earth Quaker Action Team invite you to join them Sept. 14-28 for a virtual conference on Clean Energy and Health. All presentations will be pre-recorded and available to view on-demand. By registering, you will be able to participate in a Q&A with the presenters via online comments throughout the two weeks. Click here to register.
PSEC climate team challenges churches to commit to change
The Working Group challenges 50 PSEC churches to make a commitment to do something to mitigate climate change in the coming months.
September is upon us. This is a good time to renew your church’s commitment to the 50-50-50 Green Church Initiative.

The PSEC Climate Justice Working Group invites you to celebrate the Season of Creation, which begins Sept. 1, the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. It concludes Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology. For more on The Season of Creation go to seasonofcreation.org. The Season of Creation is a monthlong prayerful observance that calls Christians to pray and care for God's creation. The Season of Creation is an ecumenical initiative and “a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together.” We are called to join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home. 

The theme this year is "Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope." Jubilee, in biblical terms, refers to a period of restoration every 50 years, when the land rests and justice is restored. The theme recognizes 2020 as the 50th celebration of Earth Day, so it fits nicely into our 50-50-50 Green Church Initiative. There is still time for churches to do something for both the Season of Creation and the PSEC Challenge:
  • Hold a special service that reflects the sacredness of creation
  • Hold a service to honor those working on environmental protection and sustainability
  • Create a special bulletin insert with information and prayers for the season
  • Hold a service to bless the animals
  • Take on projects like recycling, composting, tree planting
  • Preach about caring for the earth.
For a list of churches that have made a commitment, more suggestions for actions your congregation can take, and a form you can use for your church to accept the challenge, visit psec.org/green.
Recording from workshop on virtual/in-person worship

Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development Rev. Cean James, led a worship on "Virtually Present - Combining Virtual and In-Person Worship." If you missed that training (or want to look back at what you learned!) a recording is available here.
Upcoming continuing ed. opportunities from PNEC

Dimensions of isms
(Anti-Racism Training)
On Saturday, Oct. 3, PNEC will host an online anti-racism training from 9:00a-4:00p. The cost of the event is $100. The training will cover "Defining Racism," "How Do We Undo Racism," and "Challenging the Isms." (Please check with your Association COM before registering if you would like to apply this training toward your Diversity Training requirement.) For more information, click here.

Ministry Day: Caring For Our Mental and Spiritual Health
On Saturday, Oct. 24, PNEC will host an online Ministry Day from 9:00a-3:00p. The cost of the event is $25 and will focus on the topics of "Mental Health and the Church" and "Listening to the Spirit." Guest speakers include Lee Barrett, Megan Snell, and Bruce Stevenson. For more information, click here.

The Story of Worship
(open to both authorized ministers and lay worship leaders)
On Saturday, Nov. 14, PNEC will host "The Story of Worship", led by Rev. Dr. Matthew Gorkos. Cost of the event is $50. For more information, click here.
'The Ally Virtual Tour' for women of faith set for October

Registration is now open for "The Ally Virtual Tour: Women to Women on Faith, Gender & the Future of America" on Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26. The event will include four nights of conversation including seven incredible women: Lisa Sharon Harper, Jen Hatmaker, Brenda Salter McNeil, Nadia Bolz Weber, Alexia Salvatierra, Kirsten Powers, and Sarah Holland. For more info -- including registration -- click here.
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • 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. 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.
PSEC Events


Oct. 6: Men's Clergy Retreat at Kirkridge



Nov. 15: PSEC Fall Meeting

View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Church Events

Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
Educational Opportunities
View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Classified Ads


Worship Leader needed in East Goshen

Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
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!