Message to the Conference | |
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Members and Friends of Penn Central Conference,
‘But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him saying, “Send her away, for she is crying after us.”’ Matthew 15:23
While I find the entire passage concerning Jesus and the Canaanite woman a fascinating and important passage, it is verse 23 that I find most instructive for us. Think of how frequently Jesus remains silent moments when those around him excitedly demand answers or action. In this case, the disciples appear wanting to avoid drawing undo attention upon them.
Rudyard Kipling wrote, “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you.” This well describes many a circumstance wherein Jesus found himself. And in those moments, the words of Psalm 46:10 strike a rich chord, “Be still and know that I am God.”
In silence Jesus expresses his dependence on and confidence in God and the Spirit for answers and direction to what is confronting him. Before ever speaking or acting, our Lord watched carefully the woman casting her ‘mites’ into the temple treasury. Quietly he drew in the dirt as men were demanding the stoning of a woman caught in adultery. We see him often praying in silence. And, silently, he confronts the sarcasm of Herod and Pilate in those sham trials. Yes, he does ultimately speak, but his words are sparse and to the point. In this manner is he not teaching us to wait patiently for the Holy Spirit’s inspiration and not give in to the din of the crowd?
I think that far too many occasions find us quick to react to situations without taking the time to think through how our words might be perceived or what unintended consequences might be the result. Clearly, in the story of the Canaanite woman seeking healing for her child, Jesus understood the difficult position in which he found himself. Whatever the reasons for his being in non-Jewish territory, he was now coping with a decision to uphold a rigid and highly biased view of traditional Jewish teaching or acting with mercy and compassion on one considered unworthy by his many critics. For even though in an alien land, word of his action would surely get back to leaders of the Temple on whatever course of action he chose.
St. Paul assures us that, “That the Spirit will intercede for us with sighs too deep for words.” Jesus was not only modeling this for our edification but living it out in this account. Facing a serious dilemma, he prayerfully allowed silence to speak volumes and permit God’s still small voice to inspire a helpful response.
Rick
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Clergy Care
Penn Central Conference
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Amid wildfires devastation, UCC makes appeal for Hawaii
by Maic D'Agostino | published on Aug 15, 2023
The United Church of Christ, through Wider Church Ministries, is issuing a special appeal to provide essential items and long-term support to those impacted by wildfires across Hawaii, including the deadly wildfires on the island of Maui. Read more here.
The Hawaii Conference also shared a link to donate as well as other information and a prayer, you can read their full message here.
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A message from Megan Swope, founder of The Period Project Harrisburg, to Penn Central Conference:
Hello! I want to continue to celebrate the contribution made at the Penn Central Conference Annual Meeting in June to The Period Project Harrisburg. As a result of those efforts, we were able to help MORE PEOPLE this month, spending less than we would have had to on our wholesale order for our Day of Impact 2023. As of August 9, ALL of the products collected by Penn Central Conference have been distributed as part of 1,000 period packs! Thanks to Penn Central Conference UCC, we were able to bless Bethesda Mission, She’s Somebody’s Daughter, Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope, Hershey Food Pantry, Hummelstown Food Pantry, Harrisburg City Schools, Brethren Housing, and Steelton-Highspire School District! Tonight, a menstruator may not have to suffer a loss of dignity, risk their health, or miss school or work… because of the generosity of Penn Central Conference donors. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I am truly honored and deeply grateful to Penn Central Conference UCC.
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Scheduling notes:
August 9 - September 4 - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust on sabbatical
August 20 - St. Paul UCC, Sacremento - Rev. Rick Luciotti preaching
August 27 - St. Thomas UCC, Harrisburg - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
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Prayers for Penn Central Conference
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)
This week, we pray for each other as we continue to live into God's calling...
Christ UCC, Codorus
Salem UCC, Columbia
St. John's UCC, Dallastown
St. Paul UCC, Dallastown
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Printable eNews are available. Pastors and secretaries, please feel free to share with your congregation members that don't get this weekly email. Download and print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events. | Educational Opportunities | |
Synod Reflections
Penn Central Conference's Synod Delegates are excited to share more about their Synod 34 experiences.
There are two ways to hear directly from our delegates in their own words. First, you can check out written reflections from Kathy Brown, Andrew Boyer, Jerry Thomason, Kelly Shiflett, Rev. Caroline Saxton and Gail Landers.
Second, Synod Seconds – A Keystone-wide Conversation – Join conference staff and delegates from across the keystone state as we explore implementation of General Synod Resolutions and looks at snap-shots of wider-church life. We’ll be starting with 3 zooms this fall, September 11, October 16, and November 13 from 6:30-8 pm. All are welcome. Please register (registration link to come.)
| Full slate of fall educational options, including Boundary Awareness and Anti-Racism Training, Synod Seconds and Ministerial Excellence Forums is now available. See links below and the full description with registration links can be found here, | |
Fifth Stream Conversations
Rev. Dr. Nora Foust is planning three fall conversations open to the whole church on the recognition of the UCC’s fifth founding stream, the Afro-Christian Convention.
3pm September 24th Mt. Zion, York In-person and Zoom
3pm October 15th St. Paul’s at the Farm, Lewisburg In-Person and Zoom
3pm November 12th ZOOM for all Participants
Register here: https://penncentralconference.regfox.com/the-fifth-stream
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Friends, the Damascus Project of the MN and WI Conferences is offering an 8 week course on lay preaching and worship leadership, open to laity, MiDs, those seeking authorization...covering the basics of sermon prep and delivery, weekly and seasonal worship planning. Send your folks our way, we'd love to have them learn with us! Online, blend of asynchronous content and facilitated zoom sessions. Registration: https://the-damascus-project.org/classes/faith-foundations-units-1-8-zf9bj-p2rhx-nk8sx-sg36n-rksae | |
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Camp Director Pastor Alice shares, "please mark your calendar for next year's HC Spirit camp at Hartman Center Campground and Retreat Center - Sunday, July 28th through Saturday, August 3rd, 2024. In addition to the cabins and lodges, the new owners are working on RV sites that should be ready before next summer. We would love it if lots of Penn Central Conference folks are able to reserve and use those sites while we are there."
Wondering how your congregation might engage in outdoor ministry? Camps and retreats aren't the only recipients of grant funds. Kayak church, fire pit fellowships, community gardens, and solar projects are just a few of the ideas discussed for funding. The application window is currently open with applications available here.
Thanks again to all who made our HC Spirit Camp a great success! We hope to see you, and more, next summer July 28-August 3.
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From our Friends and Partners | |
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Bethany Children's Home
Celebrating 160 Years
Summer Concert Series
August 19th - Anniversary Day Returns: Raffles, Live Music, Carnival Games, Food & Ride - $5.00 per car & additional costs for activities
Jeff Krick Jr: Elvis Tribute - 12:00PM
The Celtic Martins - 3:00PM
| SEAS MAY GET ROUGH: What Your Church Can Do About Climate Change is a 10 session Christian Ed elective created by the Rev. Dr. Dave Bushnell. Dave will share a 100 page PDF file with any congregation interested in offering the elective. He also offers to Zoom with pastors and lay leaders who might plan to offer the course. Each 90 minute session includes: a talk and a time for small group sharing, as well as recommended video presentations available on the internet. The elective offers an abundance of “next steps” options for individuals and congregational climate action plans. If you are interested email Dave at abushnell@aol.com | |
Vintage Brass Quintet offers sacred, secular and other music.
Our newest program: “Songs for Re-union of a Divided Nation,” a timely petition for Divine grace for a divided people seeking a path for re-union.
The program features Luther Henderson’s “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America”, Otis Redding‘s “Respect,” Randy Newman’s “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” Bobby McFarrin’s “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah,” and more.
Contact David Rutman @ vivaldi55@yahoo.com or 717-216-3027
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Rev. Dr. Aaron B. Wade, Minister for Congregational Leadership Development,
Granting & Scholarships, is delighted to share the exciting news that the 2023 Justice and Local Church Ministry Common Application is NOW OPEN. I encourage you to share the link provided below with individuals and churches who may be interested in applying for Operational support, Neighbors in Need, CASA New and Renewing Church, and Pension Board New Church Start Benefit Support grants.
Link to the application: https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/89418-United-Church-Of-Christ
This convenient link allows applicants to either print the application or start filling out the common application for any of our four grant offerings. Please note that all applications will require a reference from their respective Conference Minister.
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Our Whole Lives training
In addition to an increasing number of in-person trainings across the country, Our Whole Lives trainings will continue to be offered online in 2023 for UCC and UUA members, at a cost of only $250 plus curriculum.
Registration applications will be accepted from Aug 21-Sept 5 for an Elementary (Grades K-1 and 4-6) Training in October
Registration applications will be accepted from Sept 11-Sept 25 for an All Adult Levels Training in November
More information about these trainings, in addition to information about upcoming in-person trainings, can be found here.
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From our friends and partners | |
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PATHWAYS’ Fall Schedule of Courses
UCC History & Polity
● HT21206 UCC History & Polity (12-weeks) (Sept 6- Dec 8)
Fall I: 6-week Courses Begin August 21, 2023
● TH10603 Variety of Belief within Christianity Today (6-weeks) (Aug 21-Sept 30)
● TH10601 Making Sense of Theology (6-weeks) (Aug 21-Oct 2)
● MP10605 Spiritual Care of Self and Others (6-weeks) (Aug 21-Sept 30)
● MP20603 Small Church Administration (6-weeks) (Aug 21-Sept 30)
● TH30607 Contextual Theology (6-weeks) (Aug 21-Sept 30)
Fall II: 6-week Courses Begin October 2 or 9, 2023
● BF10602 Understanding the Bible as a Progressive Christian (Oct 9-Nov 10)
● BF20602 Old Testament Hermeneutics (Oct 9-Nov 19)
● TH30605 Ecological Theology (Oct 2-Nov 12)
● MP30609 Practicing Our Faith in the Public Square (Oct 9-Nov 19)
● HT10604 Stories of Christian Saints and Sinners (Oct 9-Nov 19)
Learn more here and register here.
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Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
- Taught by Rev. Roberta Kearney on Monday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm ET
- Sept. 11, 18, 25 and Oct. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- This class is available online. 2.5 CEUs available. $275.
Even if you are not a teacher within your congregation, the understandings of different learning styles, the relationship between age and learning, the importance of identifying teaching moments, and the actual practice of teaching are valuable components of this class. From children’s chats to adult education, teaching can take so many forms that require a range of skills.
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Phoebe Ministries is hiring a Full-time Regional Director of Pastoral Care and Education for our Allentown Campus.
Responsible for directing the pastoral care program and clinical pastoral education program. Promotes the relationship of Phoebe Ministries with its supporting churches and conferences.
Conducts and supervises a variety of religious activities and provides for the spiritual needs of residents, families and Phoebe staff; coordinating this work within the department as well as with other departments. Responds to inquiries and requests from residents, families, and staff.
Reports pertinent information to the ED of Marketing and External Relations. Hires, directs, and supervises pastoral care staff, and provides periodic reports. Develops, implements, and achieves annual goals and objectives as established in the annual coaching form.
Read more here.
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Directory
Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, Ph.D.
Conference Minister
email: ccall@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-3196
Rev. Dr. Nora Driver Foust
Associate Conference Minister
email: nfoust@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-433-2587
Rev. Rick Luciotti
Coordinator of Care to Clergy & Clergy Families
email: rluciotti@gmail.com
Phone: 717-433-6306
C. Paul Keller
Office Manager
email: pkeller@pccucc.org
Phone: 717-652-1560
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