Important This Week
  • Boehm's UCC hosting faith-based LGBTQIA+ cultural competency training on Saturday
  • 'Confronting Violence in Houses of Worship' webinar this week
  • Thursday is the deadline to register for the Women's Clergy Retreat
From the Conference Minister: Voice from heaven

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you.” Matthew 3
 

Who whispered in your ear when you were very young? Whose whispering voice do you still hear even now?
 
Before this story, Jesus does not speak. He does not act -- at least not that Matthew records. But when Jesus emerged from the baptismal waters a voice from heaven said, “You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you.”
 
That would make more sense if it had been said after Jesus had healed the sick, embraced the outcast, and preached good news to the poor. Then we might conclude that God’s favor was about what he had done. Instead, God’s voice speaks, as at creation, before there is anything of which to speak.
 
It can be difficult to hear that voice. There are a lot of other voices out there, the voices of friends, strangers and family members; the voices of the culture and endless news that is impossible to escape. Insane voices this week calling for war in places where not one more human needs to die. And astonishingly dishonest voices that fake the truth from even the highest office of the land.
 
The voice that calls you beloved can be all but drowned out by these voices that may say very different things, like, “You’re nothing special,” “You don’t matter.” “Truth doesn’t matter. Neither do your actions.”
 
Many people whispered in your ear when you were very young. You may still hear some of their voices telling you who you are in a way that shaped the person you’ve become. Some of those voices are probably encouraging, while other voices you may have spent much of your life trying to silence. But before all of those voices, and above all of those voices, is the One voice that, before you could do anything or say anything, said, “This is my child, the beloved; my favor rests on you.”
 
To love others, as Jesus did, to tell the truth, to live in peace with all of humanity and our life giving planet, first we are reminded by God that we are loved -- and have been since before the beginning, even as Jesus was.
 
Thanks be to God,
Pastor Bill

Rev. William Worley
Conference Minister
UCC Officers call for prayer, fasting for peace during Epiphany

When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flocks,
The work of Christmas begins: To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among people,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman

“To bring peace among the people” - such is the calling of the disciples of the one we know as the Prince of Peace.

Having celebrated Christmas and the birth of Jesus, now preparing for the season of Epiphany, we call upon the congregations, the members and the clergy of the United Church of Christ to join together in a time of prayer and fasting for peace throughout the world.

Threats to that peace are numerous and can be felt in all corners of the globe. Today especially we are mindful of the global unrest ensuing given the  latest actions  of the United States and Iran. Both governments have taken steps that the other could determine to be an act of war – a war this world does not want, does not need and will not win. It is a war that many fear, once started, could trigger disasters felt in every part of the world.

We are calling on all affiliated with the United Church of Christ to use this prayer either in worship or in their personal prayer life during the season of Epiphany as a means of advocating for peace in these days.

We also invite all who are willing and able to commit to a day of fasting for peace – a personal commitment of spiritual practice and discipline centering on the mindfulness that makes for peace between peoples and nations.

Please also feel free to  contact  your elected representatives and let them know that you are participating in a time of prayer and fasting for peace and would encourage them to use the power of their office to do what they can to avoid any further escalation which could lead to war.

In the words of a beloved hymn, “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.”

Your humble servants in Christ,
The Rev. John C. Dorhauer
General Minister and President

The Rev. Traci Blackmon
Associate General Minister

The Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson
Associate General Minister
LGBTQIA+ workshop approved as Diversity Training

The Faith-based LGBTQIA+ Cultural Competency Training that Boehm's UCC is hosting on Jan. 11 was approved by all Associations as meeting the requirement for Diversity Training (or continuing education hours). The training will be from 9:00a-12:00p and costs $5. This is open to everyone. Registration is available here. Click here for a flyer to share.
2020 mileage reimbursement rates released by IRS

Beginning in 2020, the standard mileage rates for business miles driven has decreased from 58 cents in 2019 to 57.5 cents per mile for 2020 . Charitable mileage remains at 14 cents per mile.
Register now for next week's Church Admins gathering

Join with other Assistants and Secretaries for our quarterly "Community of Practice". We will fellowship over lunch (you bring your own - host provides drinks and dessert) and then we will take time to share what is happening, followed by training. The event is free, but you must register. Click here to sign up by Thursday.
Annual UCC church reporting starts this week

Wednesday the annual UCC Year-end Reporting will open for churches. Details will be emailed to churches and pastors tomorrow afternoon. If you have questions or need help with reporting, contact Brea at brea@psec.org .
Violence in Churches webinar scheduled for Thursday

The Insurance Board is hosting a webinar this week: "Confronting Violence in Houses of Worship" on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 2:00p. To register, click the flyer below.
PSEC Women's Clergy Retreat: 'Practice Makes Presence'

Join us Jan. 14-16 at Mariawald Retreat Center in Reading for the Women's Clergy Retreat, where we will spend time engaged in different spiritual practices. You’ll hear the stories of other clergywomen about what refuels them and fills their spirits outside of the church walls. Plus you’ll get a chance to try your hand at a few different spiritual practices. Enjoy this relaxed time of revival and renewal with the option for a free professional massage, too! Our time in-between will be filled with large and small group discussion and scripture that reflects our efforts to be present pastors by cultivating our own spiritual practices. Click here to register and for more information. The deadline to register is Thursday.
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.
What do you think about the GS resolution process?

The UCC Board, discerning what new ways of experiencing the ministry of General Synod may look like, is interested in input on the resolution process. A survey on the standing rules of General Synod is available here through Friday.
Disaster Ministries hurricane recovery sites open in NC

Volunteers are now being accepted to repair and rebuild homes in Eastern North Carolina. Hurricanes Dorian (2019), Florence (2018) and Matthew (2016) caused severe flooding and wind damage, the effects of which continue to be felt.
UCC Disaster Ministries is collaborating with the United Methodist Church North Carolina Conference Disaster Ministries to recruit work teams for 15 sites and a call center in Garner, N.C. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities for anyone willing to serve, such as building disaster kits, answering phones in the Call Center, and repairing homes. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome.   Read more.
PSEC 2019 financial giving deadline announced

The PSEC financial books will close for 2019 on Friday, Jan. 17. OCWM contributions and pass-throughs for 2019 must be received in our office by the close of business Friday, Jan. 17 in order to be counted for 2019.
Recommend something to the conference reading list

Have a book to recommend for other clergy and lay leaders? Send an email to brea@psec.org with a 100-200 word description of the book and why you're recommending it and we'll add your recommendation to the PSEC reading list and share it in eNews.  Check out all of the recommended books at psec.org/booklist.
Transitions
Week of December 29
Rev. Sharell Shippen's first day as Interim Pastor at United Church of Christ at Valley Forge

Rev. Michael Baal's first day as Supply Pastor of Olivet Reformed UCC, Reading

Rev. Suzanne Spaulding's first day as designated pastor of Shenkel UCC
PSEC Events

Jan. 14: 2020 Women's Clergy Retreat in Reading

Jan. 21-22: Interim Minister Training

Jan. 24: Cultivating Generous Congregations in Boyertown


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
Classified Ads

Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
Church Events
Jan. 12: Doxa Gospel Ensemble concert in Wernersville

Jan. 12: New Year's Wish in Alburtis

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:
  • Calvary UCC, Barto (part-time interim)
  • St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (half-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.
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!