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Important This Week
- Monday is the last day to sign up for the May 1 Secretary Training.
- Read an update from mission workers Nishan and Maria Bakalian.
- Learn about Associate Conference Minister Sharon Morris's sabbatical.
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Rev. Sharon Morris's upcoming sabbatical leave
From our online
PSEC Sabbatical guide
: “The term sabbatical has its roots in the Hebrew cultural-religious concept of Sabbath, or rest, after seven days or years. Genesis 2:1-3 notes that God rested from the work of creation after seven days. The versions of the Ten Commandments describe the Sabbath as a day of reflection on the blessings of God for creation (Exodus 20:8-11).”
Our Conference has a tradition of encouraging a three-month Sabbatical period after six years of ministry. Rev. Sharon Morris has served faithfully well in the role of Associate Conference Minister for Search and Call for the last six years. She has requested, and Consistory has approved, her Sabbatical leave from June 3-September 3, 2019.
During her leave, Rev. Morris will be engaged in a time of personal reflection on, and short-range planning for, retirement in 2022. A support person will be appointed in her absence on a very part-time basis to assist the staff in covering the Conference’s Search and Call and Committee on Ministry work that is time-critical.
Please add Sharon to you prayers and wish her well before she embarks on this well-earned (and much needed!) period of Sabbath rest.
Bill
Rev. William P. Worley
Conference Minister, PSEC
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Update from mission workers Nishan and Maria Bakalian
Global Ministries released this article about Mission Co-workers Nishan and Maria Bakalian in Lebanon. From 2007-2017, Nishan was pastor of Armenian Martyrs' Congregational Church in Havertown; his standing is with Philadelphia Association.
The very last day of January saw an amazing thing happen in Lebanon. The country, whose people had gone to the polls nine months earlier to elect a new government, could finally say that they had one. A "national unity" government was agreed upon, with various political parties taking a share of the cabinet posts, and leaving the population wondering what this will mean for the country's stumbling economy, crumbling infrastructure, ecological damage, emigration of its youth, and more. Nearly thirty years after the end of its civil war, Lebanon is still struggling to emerge from the turmoil that made its name synonymous with danger and unrest.
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Resources for Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 5-11
Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 5-11, a good opportunity to learn and share the risks from a land-falling tropical storm or hurricane. FEMA has prepared the following hurricane preparedness toolkits for your convenience:
- Hurricane Toolkit (complete with resources to share on your social media and talking points)
- Teen Version of the Hurricane Toolkit (gives young people information on what a hurricane is and how to be prepared)
- Older Adult Toolkit (addresses things like Social Security payments during an emergency and how to be prepared for an emergency if you have special medical or mobility restrictions)
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Webinar: Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future
On Thursday, May 2 from 3:30-4:50, the UCC Church Building & Loan Fund will be holding a webinar: Facing Your Church's Uncertain Future. When your church’s future is uncertain, it’s time to have courageous conversations and make faithful decisions. Ministry in these congregations calls for faithful, honest (and often difficult) conversations that pastors and/or their congregations might sadly avoid.
Facing Your Church’s Uncertain Future
is a NEW resource that offers good practices for discerning, discussing, and making decisions that concern a church’s future. Registration has ended for this webinar, BUT you can j
oin Conference staff and other church leaders and pastors to watch the webinar together at the Conference administrative center in Pottstown. This option is free of charge, but spaces are limited so please RSVP to
brea@psec.org.
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UCC Survey: Church Environmental Practices
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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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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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New York Times Bestselling Author featured in webinar
The featured guest for this month's
Creation Justice Webinar
recently entered into the New York Times bestseller list. Author adrienne maree brown will focus on the strategies and practices needed to build a vision-based, systemic-change-oriented movement. Brown will draw upon insights gained from years of working within organizations dedicated to environmental justice and black liberation.
Sign-up for the webinar on April 30th.
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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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Educational Opportunities
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Missed a week? Read past eNews here:
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