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Important This Week
  • PSEC Electronic Resources
  • Tips on Leasing Church Property
  • 2022 ONA Gathering
  • Blessed Youth Gathering THIS Week
Highlighting Electronic Resources

We hope you enjoy eNews and “Next Week in PSEC” emails and find them helpful to your ministry. This summer we’re sharing some other electronic resources that we hope you'll find helpful.

This week we’d like to share:

The Open and Affirming Coalition UCC Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/UCC.Coalition).

In addition to resources, celebrations of new ONA churches, and links to newsletters and articles, there is a daily “Morning Prayer for the ONA Family.” Begin your day at 9 am EDT with this contemplative service based on ancient traditions of Christian daily prayer, with a Taizé chant, psalms and silence. You're always welcome to join our real-time prayer community on Zoom or watch the livestream on the Facebook page. 
Tips on Leasing Your
Church Property

Heather Kimmel, General Counsel for the United Church of Christ has received numerous questions regarding leasing your church property.

Heather posted "Leasing Church Property to a Tenant: What Churches Need to Know". To access this article, click here.
"Blessed Youth" Webinar
this Thursday

Join Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, July 7th at 3:30 pm as she interviews Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund, Minister for Disabilities & Mental Health Justice, Health & Wholeness Advocacy at the United Church of Christ and author of the newly released book, Blessed Youth: Breaking the Silence about mental Health with Children and Teens. They will discuss challenges, hope, and practical resources.

To register, click here.
Here is your last chance to sign up for this choral and spiritual retreat in Lincoln, Nebraska, where UCCMA will have a presence. This gathering is sponsored by First-Plymouth UCC and will take place July 22-24, 2022. UCCMA members can get a special hotel rate. To register and for complete event info including workshop descriptions, click here.

The deadline for registration is July 15, 2022. For travel and hotel information, click here.
If you plan to go, do let President Greg Chestnut know so that he can look out for you. Send him a note here.
Three Different Advanced Boundary Trainings Available

Advanced Boundary Training "Keeping Time for Rest and Renewal" with PSEC Staff - September 14th, 9:00a - 12:00 noon, via zoom. To register for "Keeping Time for Rest and Renewal" click here.

Advanced Boundary Training "Power and the Office of Pastor" with Rev. Nora Faust - October 19th, 9:00a - 12:00 noon via zoom. To register for "Power and the Office of Pastor" click here.

Advanced Boundary Training "Pastoral Self Care" with Rev. Wanda Craner - November 2nd, 9:00a - 12:00 noon at Church of the Good Shepherd, Boyertown. To register for "Pastoral Self Care" click here.
Shaping Generations: Queer Justice and Love in the UCC

2022 National ONA Gathering

Join us Aug. 5-7 for our first National ONA Gathering since 2019! Our virtual event will celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the ONA Coalition and Bill Johnson’s ordination as the first openly gay man authorized to serve an historic Christian church as a minister of word and sacrament.

Leaders include the Rev. Rhina Ramos (worship leader), Bishop Yvette Flunder (closing address and charge), the Rev. Bill Johnson and the Rev. Anne Holmes, and the Rev. Andy Lang (State of the ONA Movement).

To register, click here.
From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Step Seven

We humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
 
 Shortcomings bring us to a state of desperation and we're ready to make the decision to have God remove these destructive aspects of our personalities. Humility is the spiritual principle of Step Seven and is a result of getting honest with ourselves. Accepting ourselves as we are is what it means to be truly humble.
 
 We take action by asking God for help and relief. Relief comes not only from God, but by accepting feedback and direction from other addicts. We are sick of what we have been doing and how we are feeling. A variety of different methods are used to show willingness while working this Step. Some pray quietly, while others share openly about their process.
 Action and prayer help us to not focus on ourselves, but rather on the will of our Higher Power. Accepting the defects of others paves the way for relief from our own defects. God works through those in recovery to bring light to our individual shortcomings. We become ready to let go and let God. We have begun our road to spiritual growth and continue with Step Eight.
Walking With God 2022
Save the Date!

The Walking With God Event will be a one day event at the New Goshenhoppen Park on Oct. 15th. Mark your calendar and save the date!
Faith-Based Security & Resilience Learning Series

The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Homeland Security (GOHS), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the three Fusion Centers (PaCIC, WPAHFC, DVIC) across the Commonwealth, Faith-based Information Sharing and Analysis Organization (FB-ISAO), and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), cordially invite you to attend the third a quarterly event of our virtual learning series for Faith-based Organizations. This learning series will provide valuable information to religious leaders, security personnel and members of the houses of worship to enhance security and resilience. The next session is on Thursday, July 28, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please see the attached flyer with additional details. Registration is now open.  
SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program

Beginning in the fall, the Southern New England Conference UCC will be coordinating a Community of Practice for youth ministry leaders and clergy through their Faith Formation Leadership program. There are already three PSEC clergy and faith formation/Christian education leaders committed to joining the group, but there are still a few open spots. The cost is $250/year. For more information or to sign up, contact Debbie Gline Allen, the SNEUCC Minister of Faith Formation, at glineallend@sneucc.org.
UCC Webinar—Wartime Threat: Increased Fossil Fuel
Production at Home

The fossil fuel industry is using the war in Ukraine to push for ramping up production in the United States. As a result, communities on the frontlines of the industry face the wartime threat of more pollution and more harm to their health.

In this webinar, we will learn about the history that shapes the threats faced, and we will hear directly from those fighting at the grassroots to protect their families and communities.

Featured speakers will include Roishetta Ozane from Healthy Gulf, Lois Bower-Bjornson from the Clean Air Council, and David J.X. González from the University of California-Berkeley.

Even if you can’t make the scheduled time of 1 pm ET on Wednesday, July 6th,
sign-up, and we will send you a recording. Register now!
Upcoming opportunities from the PA Academy of Ministry

Personal Finances for Ministers, July 12-Aug. 16. Tuesdays, 7-8:30p. Instructor Lovett Weems. Introduction to basics of personal financial management, including special considerations for religious professionals and congregations where they serve. Topics include budgeting, debt, compensation and taxes, insurance, investing, and estate planning. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125

Ministerial Ethics and Professional Development, Aug. 23-Sept. 27. Tuesdays, 7-8:30p. Instructor Jessica Young Brown. A Ministerial Institute class. An in-depth look at ethics in ministry, including confidentiality, fiduciary duty, healthy boundaries, and self-care. 2.5 CEUs. $325.

Church Finances, Oct 11.-Nov. 15. Tuesdays, 7-8:30p. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Skills for creating and presenting budgets grounded in the church’s mission, expanding means of giving and sources of income, presenting accurate tracking and reporting of giving, proper financial administration of funds, and exploring new options for funding ministry. For pastors and lay leaders. 2.5 CEUs. $125.

For information or to register, click here.
Church Openings
Many openings are on UCC's Ministerial Opportunities page. Especially note:
  • Barnesville-Delano Tri-Charge, Schuylkill County (full-time settled)
  • Bern Reformed UCC, Leesport (three-quarter time settled)
  • Brownback's UCC, Spring City (full-time interim)
  • Community UCC, Reading (full-time interim or designated)
  • Glenside UCC, Glenside (full-time settled)
  • Immanuel UCC, Shillington (half-time associate pastor)
  • St. Andrew's UCC, Perkasie (full-time settled)
  • St. James UCC, Havertown (full-time interim)
  • St. John's UCC, Lansdale (full-time interim)
  • Trinity Reformed UCC, Pottstown (full-time interim)
  • Wentz's UCC, Lansdale (full-time settled)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev. Kevin McLemore: 484-949-8774 ext. 302 or mclemore@psec.org.
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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!