Important This Week
  • Consistory names Interim Associate Conference Minister
  • PSEC reaches OCWM giving goal
  • Register now for upcoming Christian Education workshops
Consistory names Interim Associate Conference Minister
The Pennsylvania Southeast Conference Consistory is pleased to introduce Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian as the Interim Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call. Susan's selection concludes a search that began Dec. 1 after the announcement of Rev. Sharon Morris’s resignation. The Consistory created a brief interim profile, solicited potential candidates, conducted interviews and selected Susan for her considerable gifts and skills for ministry gleaned from more than thirty years of experience.

Susan is no stranger to our Conference. She was the pastor of Tabernacle United Church in Philadelphia at the beginning of her Ministry. She has served on the staff of Lancaster Theological Seminary (Adjunct Professor and Director of Admissions), was the chaplain of Franklin & Marshall College, the founder of Disciples Community Church in Lancaster and most recently pastored Sojourners United Church of Christ in Charlottesville, Virginia. Susan will begin her work on February 24th to provide leadership for pastors and congregations in the Search and Call process and to work closely with the Conference Staff and Consistory during the interim period to discern the future pastoral, spiritual leadership needs and structures of our Conference.

Writing about her sense of call Susan shared, “I believe my call to authorized ministry began with my baptism into the church. I was nurtured in an Armenian family that embraced God as love and my parents found that embodied in this denomination. Later I was confirmed and then ordained to Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ… It was through theological education that this call by God took on a different shape. I was launched into spiritual practices that have shaped my identity as a clergy person. I was steeped into the love of learning and now as one who has earned my Doctor of Ministry degree I feel as though lifelong learning is a spiritual practice I will always embrace as a way of deepening my understanding of the mysteries of God. I have experienced moments in my life that could have sent me into total despair. In spite of that, there has always been this spark of God that has been my constant nudge to not only survive the challenges and suffering in life but to thrive. I believe that this call is one of healing, justice and empowerment because I have not only read about these miracles in the sacred texts but I have lived them in my life. When I meet people full of despair I don't talk them out of it. I do however, remind them that we are never alone and that we are not only made in God's image but we are called to an abundant life.”

Please pray for Susan and our Conference ministries as we prepare to embark on this new and exciting relationship and this time of Spirit-led transition and transformation.

Ms. Jennie Strauch, Conference Moderator
Rev. Bill Worley, Conference Minister
PSEC surpassed 2019 OCWM goal for contributions
PSEC friends, you did it! As of Friday, January 17, 2020, the OCWM contributions surpassed our 2019 goal by $818. Congratulations and thank you to all who pushed to get their year-end reconciliations complete in order to help us close the year within budget and thank you to all who have faithfully and regularly sent in your support throughout the year! Blessings to you and your 2020 ministries!
~with gratitude, PSEC staff and
Budget and Finance Team
Register for Christian Ed. workshops starting this month

PSEC is sponsoring a series of workshops in 2020 for Christian Educators, Pastors, Teachers, Sunday School Superintendents, and anyone interes ted in Christian Faith Formation. Click the links below for more info on the topics and to register. The registration fee for each workshop is $20 per class. Also, click here for a flyer advertising all of the events to share with your congregation.

One Room School House Model for Sunday School - Sunday, Jan. 26 from 2:30-4:30p at Calvary UCC, Reading

Children's Sermons - Saturday, March 21 from 9:30-11:30a at Trinity UCC, Telford

Let's Brainstorm - Saturday, May 2 from 9:30-11:30a at St. John's UCC, Phoenixville

Rotation Workshop Model - Using Multiple Intelligence in Sunday School - Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9:30-11:30a at Glenside UCC

Inter-generational/All Generations (ages 3-93) Sunday School - Sunday, Nov. 8 from 2:00p-4:00p at St. Mark's UCC, Cressona
UCC Asylum Accompaniment webinar set for this Friday

Join the United Church of Christ on Friday, Jan. 24 at 1:00p for a webinar on How to Do Asylum Seeker Accompaniment. This is a collaboration between Justice and Local Church and Wider Church Ministries. Over the past year and a half, the number of asylum seekers arriving to the U.S. has increased significantly, and faith and community groups across the country - including numerous UCC churches - have taken the faith-full step to offer care and welcome to those seeking protection. This webinar will cover the basics of asylum accompaniment, while providing a space to share expertise and experience from congregations engaged in this work. This webinar coincides with the release of the UCC Asylum Accompaniment Toolkit to help walk churches through a new or on-going ministry. To register, click here .
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.
Resources: Jan. 26 is Health & Human Service Sunday
This Sunday, Jan. 26 is "Health and Human Service Sunday". The United Church of Christ's Council for Health & Human Services Ministries (CHHSM) has provided worship resources for your congregation to use. Suggested scriptures, a prepared liturgy, and a logo are available here .
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.  
PA State Police share human trafficking prevention resource

The Pennsylvania State Police shared their poster they developed for January: "Human Trafficking: What can you do?" ( letter format ; tabloid size )
 
Also available is this document passed down from DOH that provides information on the SOAR Human Trafficking trainings. Please feel free to share this as well.

TRAIN PA is a gateway into the TRAIN Learning Network, the most comprehensive catalog of public health training opportunities for professionals who serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. TRAIN is a free service for learners from the Public Health Foundation: train.org/pa/welcome .
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.
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.
UCC helps with disaster relief for Puerto Rico earthquakes

Puerto Rico was hit by a series of earthquakes and aftershocks beginning on Dec. 28. Numerous homes and structures have been damaged and one casualty has been reported. Folks on the island are in the midst of assessing damage and needs.Here are some ways you can help:

Giving
The UCC launched this webpage for the Puerto Rico appeal, with a goal of raising $250,000. There is also a bulletin insert, and more information about the response.

A Prayer for Puerto Rico
Holy God, source of light and life, our hearts are once again grieving as we witness the many tragedies around us. We pray today for our siblings in Puerto Rico who have awaken to the challenges of these earthquakes. We pray for their strength and resilience. We pray for those who experienced loss and ask their peace and comfort. Help us to be a source of your presence and love with all in this moment. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
By Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson
Assoc. General Minister for Wider Church Ministries and Operations Co-Executive for Global Ministries

More Information
Save the date: LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Training

The LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Training that was scheduled for last Saturday at Boehm’s UCC has been rescheduled. The training will be Saturday, May 9 from 9:00a to 12:00p, with optional luncheon to follow. For more information, visit boehmschurch.com .
Few spots open for 'Effective Transitional Ministry' training

PSEC, Penn Central and Penn Northeast conferences are presenting an Interim Ministry Training led by the Interim Ministry Network (IMN). This 10-hour training will be Jan. 28-29, beginning at 5:30p on Jan. 28 until 9:30p. We will reconvene Jan. 29 at 8:30a until 5:30p.

The title of the training is “Effective Transitional Ministry”. Even if you are not presently an interim, this will be a great teaching event for you as all of our churches are in the state of transition. This training will cover the 5 focus tasks for interims plus looking at change theory, family systems, differentiation, triangulation and conflict. 

The three conferences are subsidizing this event so you can attend for a small fee of $50. You may want to encourage your congregation to pay for this event because I believe it will be a blessing for your congregation as well as you.

The event is being held at Zion (Blue Mountain) UCC, right off of I-78, exit 19. The address is 6573 Old Route 22, Bernville. There is lodging in Hamburg.

At this time, we have 5 openings . PLEASE contact Rev. Sharon Morris at 484-949-8774 ext. 302 or morris@psec.org if you are interested. First come, first served.
Read the ReadyPA Monthly on disaster preparedness

Here is the latest Ready PA Monthly . This issue stresses the importance of safe driving over the winter months. We “Ask a Plow Truck Driver” about how PA roads are cared for during winter storms, look at how to maintain oil and propane supplies for the winter, share suggestions to help pets stay warm and healthy throughout the winter, and the State Meteorologist has provided “The Cold, Hard Facts” of winter. 
Lancaster Seminary holding meeting on lay ministry

Lancaster Theological Seminary is launching a new Ministerial Institute to provide lower cost and more accessible theological education for lay and pastoral leaders through the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM). If you believe you might have the gifts, skills and interest in part-time, theological, hands on church leadership training, this program is for you. You will not earn a degree but you will be better prepared to lead in your church.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, from 7–8pm, a video conference will be held t o address whatever might block your participation (time, travel, etc.) and to gather info for this program. To RSVP and receive log-in info, email PAM Director Darryl Stephens: dstephens@lancasterseminary.edu .

If you are unavailable on that date, contact Darryl Stephens for information about the dates and times of the focus group meetings offered in partnership with other UCC conferences.
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Transitions
Week of January 21
Dr. Sharon Barley's last Sunday at St. John's (Hain's) United Church of Christ, Wernersville

Rev. Dr. Jill Bierwirth's last Sunday at Salem Hetzel's UCC, Pine Grove
PSEC Events
Jan. 24: Cultivating Generous Congregations in Boyertown


Jan. 28-29: Interim Minister Training

Feb. 22: ALICE Training in Bernville

March 7: ALICE Training in Quakertown


May 5: Clergy Convocation in Lancaster

View more events on the PSEC Calendar
Church Events
Jan. 26: Celtic Concert in Souderton

Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:

  • St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time designated)
  • 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.
Staff Preaching
Rev. William Worley
Jan. 26: St. Paul's UCC, Sellersville

Rev. Sharon S. Morris
Jan. 26: St. John's UCC, Pottstown
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!