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Important This Week
- Sunday, April 14 is the registration deadline for the Spring Youth Event.
- Register for the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society's 'President's Reception,' the Craigville Colloquy, and PNEC's Effective Transitional Ministry training
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From the Conference Minister: Palm Sunday courage
The longer I am in ministry (especially Conference Ministry) the more I am humbled by Jesus’ Palm Sunday courage. The beauty and pageantry of the Palm Sunday parade has faded for me into the presence of the deep pain he confronts. He isn’t just heading towards those who plot his death. He will fail his followers (which brings to mind John Ortburg’s observation that, "Leadership is the art of disappointing people at a rate they can stand."). He knowingly moves towards the confrontation that would let down those who had laid so many expectations upon him. But he went anyway.
Brené Brown, in her book
Daring Greatly
, writes about how creativity and living fully requires vulnerability. If we’re going
to do
great things we need to be willing
to dare to do
great things. This demands us to bear risk: risking failure, disappointing others and disappointing ourselves.
Jesus is the icon of many great things, but he is the perfect image of a life lived free of shame and in the full acceptance of God’s grace. Jesus does not begin with the sick assumption that he is not enough; that he needs more “likes” on Facebook or more followers on Twitter. If Jesus approached life like most of us, he’d be crushed — internally pulverized from all the rejection and persecution.
In this sense, Palm Sunday is a microcosm of his ministry: the brief attention of a multitude, which quickly leads to the rejection of the same multitude.
To brave that takes a huge heart. To brave that and still be in love with those who reject him — and be willing to die for them? That’s the stuff of which miracles are made.
But, Jesus shows us that disappointment doesn’t have to have the last word. In fact, disappointment can walk out of a tomb and shatter the present powers of this world.
Jesus is enough. And because of what he did and who we are (children of the living God), so are we.
May God bless you as you approach Jerusalem,
Bill
Rev. William P. Worley
Conference Minister, PSEC
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Sign up for the E&R Historical Society President's Reception
On Saturday, May 11 from 3:00-5:00p, the Evangelical and Reformed Historical Society (ERHS) will be hosting a President’s Reception at Falkner Swamp UCC, 2077 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville. Join ERHS President Richard Berg for an inspiring afternoon of history at America’s oldest German Reformed church. There will be a keynote address by Rev. Dr. Lee Barrett of Lancaster Theological Seminary, a presentation by Rev. Dr. Martha Kriebel on her new book,
Promise Kept with a Paintbrush
, and remarks by Rev. Frances Chester, Pastor of Falkner Swamp UCC. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is free; donations to ERHS are greatly appreciated. RSVP to ERHS by email
erhs@lancasterseminary.edu
or by phone 717.290.8734.
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Free green webinar: So, how COOL is your congregation?
Learn 25 ways
under $25 to transform your church into a greener space at this free webinar by the Cornerstone Fund at 2:00p on Tuesday, April 23.
Click here to sign up
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Register now for this summer's Craigville Colloquy
The 36th Craigville Theological Colloquy will be July 8-12 at Craigville Retreat Center in Cape Cod, Mass. Attendees will encounter those from various faiths and faith journeys, all gathered for a time of discussion, reflection, challenge, worship, and prayer. This year's topic will be "Faith and Science: The Choices We Make." For a flyer,
click here
. Registration is
o
pen.
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PNEC Hosting Effective Transitional Ministry training
On May 24 from 9:00a-5:00p, the Penn Northeast Conference will host an Interim Ministry Network "Effective Transitional Ministry Training" event. Registration for the one-day event is $200.
Click here
for a registration form.
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Early registration ending for Musicians Association event
The "Uniting Church and Community Through Music & Art" summer conference will be held in Madison, Wis June 25-28. (Starting after General Synod, at a church an hour east of Milwaukee.) Registration is open for the event. Workshops will range from organ, choral and handbells to drumming, liturgical art, liturgical movement, to working with a variety of aged voices, and promoting the arts in a variety of ways.
Click here
for more details and to register. The early bird discount deadline is
Saturday, April 15
.
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Disaster Recovery Challenge Simulation set in Norristown
You are invited to a special event at Norristown State Hospital on April 29, as resilience, access to services, and poverty are intrinsically linked. Register for
Disaster Recovery Challenge: A Poverty Simulation.
This will be a hands-on half-day simulation with discussion focused on disaster recovery inclusive of low income populations. Click here for an
event flyer
. To register, you'll need to create a free PA Train account. Instruction for that are
available here
. Questions? Contact PSEC Disaster Response Coordinator Rev. Karl Jones at
kjones275@comcast.net.
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Consistory Presidents gathering scheduled for May 11
A Gathering Community for Consistory Presidents is forming now. Many of our Pastors meet regularly in clergy groups to support one another, share ideas, and pray for each other. A gathering community for Consistory Presidents will offer similar opportunity for these critical lay leaders. As Presidents of Consistory (or other governing body of your church), we 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.
Brenda Semach, Consistory President of Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC, invites you to a gathering
9:00-11:00a
Saturday, May 11
at Falkner Swamp,
2077 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville
(Covenant Assoc.). Please RSVP to her:
kbsemach@aol.com
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Read 'The Great Spiritual Migration' for Annual Meeting
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As previously announced
author, speaker, activist, and public theologian
Brian McLaren will join us for our Spring Meeting. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. Brian’s presentations during the weekend will be based on his book: “The Great Spiritual Migration – How the World’s Largest Religion is Seeking a Better Way to be Christian”. Not to confuse you, the book can be found in two formats, hardback and paperback, each with a different cover. BOTH books are the same. Watch for more info on Annual Meeting and the possible opportunities to discuss “The Great Spiritual Migration”. Spring Meeting will take place May 31-June 1 at West Chester University.
Click here
to register.
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Educational Opportunities
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