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Important This Week
- World-Wide Communion PSEC Virtual Worship now available
- PAM course starting this week
- Virtual communion resource from the Mercersburg Society
- Remember Pastor Appreciation Sunday is coming soon!
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From the Conference Minister: Preaching politics
23When he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Matthew 21:23
The question leveled at Jesus in this Sunday's lectionary text from Matthew's gospel is one that is increasingly leveled at local church pastors. In our politically-charged environment, I received several questions asking what it means to have freedom of the pulpit and should pastors be preaching politics? Can they do this, should they do this, and by what authority?
UCC authorized ministers are expected to preach “the gospel without fear or favor.” Freedom of the pulpit is a spiritual freedom that gives space for the Holy Spirit to move through the preacher to challenge the status quo. As with all practices of ministry, it is not without boundaries. Freedom in the Spirit expresses what the triune God reveals to the one doing the preaching. And for that one, this freedom is located within a discerning, covenantal community that is regularly engaged grace-filled conversations about beliefs and practices. The destination of these conversations is not agreement -- it is a deeper understanding of the self and the other and an awareness God's presence moving in both.
Pastors do not preach politics; they preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. But it is naïve, and an affront to the primacy of God directing our lives, to think that the gospel of Jesus Christ does not speak to and in the political conversations that so dominate every facet of our living.
All church discussions and decisions are matters of discernment, in need of the revelations of the still speaking God. The religious leaders Jesus encountered interpreted Hebrew scripture by gathering wisdom from centuries of scripture and tradition; as do we. Yet many of their interpretations proved deficient without new revelations in the words and life of Jesus (see for instance the rest of the gospel lectionary text); as are ours. We are always in need of a revealed word and the need to recognize the witness that resonates through his life and faithfulness. And that resonate through ours in the most uncomfortable of ways.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Bill
Rev. Bill Worley
Conference Minister
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Achieving Health and Racial Equity for Everyone:
Why the Faith Community Must Act
God did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy.
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 Contemporary English Version (CEV)
The Racial, Ethnic and Health Disparities (REHD) Task Force, a cross-programmatic collaboration among Wider Church Ministries, Global H.O.P.E. Team, Justice and Local Church Ministries, Racial Justice Team and The Council on Racial and Ethnic Ministries (COREM) invites local UCC congregations and conferences to partner with us as we engage in faith work to promote Health Equity - policies, programs and actions that give people the opportunity to attain their full health and social potential. Promoting health and racial equity is a framework and a lens through which a congregation can apply to any justice issue that it chooses to work on.
Health inequities are intrinsically tied into racial inequities and disparities. They are both consequences of public policies, and such can be changed. The purpose of this survey is to 1) assess our church’s understanding of and interest in working on broad issues related to health and racial equity, 2) identify skills, training needs, tools and resources that would assist a congregation to promote health and racial equity.
For decades the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has advocated for health care as a right and priority for all people and has called for a commitment to be an antiracist church to examine both historic and contemporary forms of racism.
The Racial and Ethnic Disparities Task Force thanks you for your willingness to answer the questions on this short survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PRHCJSP. There are no right or wrong answers. This tool will help us assess the current position of the Church. Please allow the person most familiar with your church or conference to respond to this survey. We are asking that the survey be completed by Monday, Oct. 5. For more information, please contact Barbara Baylor, baylorb@ucc.org.
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World-Wide Communion service available from PSEC
Rev. Bill Worley, Rev. Dr. Susan Minasian, and Rev. Dr. Chandra Soans joined together to create a World-Wide Communion service for churches in PSEC to use for this Sunday. Click here to view or download the service.
The next service conference ministry staff will be creating for church use will be for Nov. 29 (Thanksgiving weekend and the first Sunday in Advent).
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Pastor Appreciation Sunday is coming! Thank your pastor
Sunday, Oct. 11 is Pastor Appreciation Day. This unofficial holiday began in 1992 with the establishment of Clergy Appreciation Month. I am not sure who or where this observation began but it has biblical precedent. In Timothy 1 (5:17), Paul began the concept of clergy appreciation when he stated that the elders of the church are worthy of double honor. He reiterated this idea in Thessalonians 1 (5: 12-13) when he stated that those who work hard among you should be held in the highest regard for their work.
The pandemic has pushed many of our pastors (as it has pushed most of us) to learn new skills and adapt to a constantly changing environment. This year, perhaps more than any other, I know your pastor would appreciate an affectionate word for his/her/their service. Click here for a brief list of the ways that you might help your congregation celebrate your pastor's (and your church’s) ministry. I hope you will take a few moments to consider it.
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Climate Ambassador Training for PA taking place Saturday
The Penn Central Creation Justice Ministry Team invites you to a UCC Climate Ambassador Training for Pennsylvania. This free Zoom workshop, in collaboration with UCC Environmental Ministries and Blessed Tomorrow, will train clergy and laity who want to join with others to act for climate solutions as a matter of faith. The workshop will be Saturday, Oct. 3 from 11:30a-4:00 (includes lunch break and stretch breaks). With the more severe wildfires and hurricanes that the world is experiencing now, the time for faith-rooted and hope-filled climate action is here. Click here to register or for more information.
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UCC OPTIC shares resources for fall stewardship campaigns
The UCC's Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity, & Communication has shared these resources to help churches organizing stewardship campaigns:
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Pastors are invited to join Andrew Warner, Dave Sigmund, and Kim Vasko for a webinar on “Generous Preaching” to plan out a stewardship sermon on 1 John 4: 1-7. Register here.
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Given that many congregations will be meeting virtually, here is a series of stewardship testimonial videos designed to be used in virtual worship services or as part of digital communication with a congregation. Check out the completed testimonials here.
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Rev. Andrew Warner, the Generosity Outreach Officer, and Ginny from Missouri Mid-South and Marc from Montana N. Wyoming created a dialogue sermon to support OCWM Basic Support giving. You can see that here.
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As a reminder, the Extravagant Generosity playlist on the UCC YouTube Channel provides short videos on each aspect of running an effective campaign. Start watching here.
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Mercersburg Society creates virtual communion resource
Many churches are providing Sunday morning worship via technology. Some are live streaming, others offering YouTube recordings, or Zoom conferencing. Some are emailing bulletins that can be printed out and followed individually at any time during the week. Such offerings are good and worthy to be used in these extraordinary times and in this COVID-19 season. We are all aware, however, that we do not know how long we will need to be social distancing. Pastors are asking, “What about communion?” This resource from the Mercersburg Society offers suggestions, guidelines, and liturgy for virtual communion during the pandemic.
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New book available on German Reformed Churches in the US
"Congregations of the German Reformed Church in the United States," is a new book that summarizes the life of over 4,000 Reformed churches, including the majority of churches in the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. The book begins with a social and organizational history of the denomination, including six maps, charts, and illustrations. A useful tool for genealogists, its over 700 pages also note about 1,300 Lutheran churches that were in union arrangements with Reformed congregations. Its author is the Rev. Richard H. Taylor, a former Chair of the Historical Council of the United Church of Christ. People interested in procuring a copy of the book can contact him at pilgrimrht@rcn.com or 610-438-3771. A discounted price of $31.50 is available before the end of the year, including PA Sales tax. Shipping is an additional $5.
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Churches commit to change;
PSEC 50-50-50 Challenge
The PSEC Climate Justice Working Group has started the 50-50-50 Green Church Initiative, challenging 50 PSEC churches to make a commitment to do something to mitigate climate change in the coming months. Churches can hold a special service, share educational materials, take on a project of recycling or composting, or many other things. One is example is here:
Tabernacle United Church, Philadelphia: Our pastor regularly preaches on climate change but as part of Climate Action week, she preached a sermon on the importance of trees and our kinship with God's creation. As a congregation we joined the UCC campaign to plant 50,000 trees and together we paid to plant 170 in the U.S, 14 olive trees in Palestine, and 28 trees in East Africa for a total of 212 trees! Praise God for the ability to be active for our climate, to love trees right from our homes and computers.
For a list of all churches that have made a commitment, more suggestions for actions your congregation can take, and a form you can use for your church to accept the challenge, visit psec.org/green.
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SEPA VOAD Homelessness Prevention guidance resource
Given that unemployment has increased since March, families are having difficulty meeting expenses for rent, mortgages and essential necessities. Many expect an eviction and housing crisis in the coming weeks. Click here for a resource guide for reference and referral to key resources related to homelessness prevention and homelessness. This document has been developed by the Housing and Sheltering Sub-Committee for SEPA VOAD.
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Monday Meetings with the Conference Minister continue
Each Monday at 11:00a, authorized ministers and church leaders are invited to check in with the Conference Minister, Rev. Bill Worley, on a Zoom call. Share your experiences with ministry in this season of COVID with other clergy, ask for advice, and be in community together. Click here to join the call on Monday.
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Register for PAM courses; Get a discount for bringing a friend
Recruit a classmate! If you register for Theology I and recruit another student (not already in our pipeline) to take this class, you will receive $50 credit toward your next PAM class.
Theology I: “Faith Seeking Understanding,” Oct. 3 - Nov. 12. The Rev. Holly MillerShank offers a six-week online class through the Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry at Lancaster Theological Seminary. The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit in relation to congregational leadership. This 2.5 CEU class starts Saturday, Oct 3, followed by five weeks of asynchronous online instruction. PLUS bonus Zoom sessions with the instructor: Wednesdays Oct. 21 and Nov 4 from 6-7:30p. Cost: $325. Apply by Sept. 25 at lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM.
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Theology II: “Leadership and Community,” Jan. 9 - Feb. 18. The Rev. Holly MillerShank offers a six-week online class through the PA Academy of Ministry. The class provides an introduction to Christian theology, focusing on the human condition, Christian hope, the church, ministry, and mission. Students may take this class without having taken Theology I. This 2.5 CEU class starts Saturday, Jan. 9, followed by five weeks of asynchronous online instruction and will include three synchronous Zoom sessions with the instructor. Cost $325. Apply online at lancasterseminary.edu/academics/PAM.
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Search & Call Computer-Side Chat: You Are Not Alone!!! |
My guest on Oct. 13 will be Rev. Matt Hoover. Rev. Hoover serves as the chair of JMAT: Joint Member in Discernment Assessment Team.
If YOU are a MID: Member In Discernment
OR
If you are currently serving on an Association Committee On Ministry
OR
If you have a role in your congregation supporting a MID
OR
If you are a pastor who wants to be up to date on what it means to pastor someone who is a potential MID
OR
If you are just curious and would like to learn more about this…please join us.
If you have any questions, please contact me at minasian@psec.org. The link to join that call on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at 7:00p is here. If you need information to phone in, email brea@psec.org.
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New resource for churches to share worship components
Several churches asked for more worship resources: music for live-streaming, worship components, and services from the Conference staff. In response to that, PSEC created a Google Drive for churches and pastors to share worship components. If you or your congregation recorded a service, sermon, children's moment, musical selection, or order for communion you would allow others to use, upload that video to the Google Drive. Note: each church needs to take responsibility for its own copyright use. Visit the Google Drive (drive.google.com/drive/folders/18wnxvyEEbyEaVhx0Tonj0DU_j2TbZ_by?usp=sharing) and read "PLEASE READ: Requirements" for more information.
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Updated list available: PSEC churches online this fall
If your church isn't currently worshipping or you are not able or comfortable attending services, we have compiled a list of churches in PSEC that are holding digital/ virtual worship experiences. Share this with others that might not have another option for worship. Click here for an updated list.
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Coronavirus resources available for churches, pastors
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PSEC Events
Oct. 4: PSEC Staff World-Wide Communion worship service for churches
Nov. 15: PSEC Fall Meeting
Nov. 29: PSEC Staff worship service for churches
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Church Events
Submit Church Events here
View a complete list of Church Events here
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Classified Ads
Submit Classified Ads here
View a complete list of Classified Ads here
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Educational Opportunities
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Church Openings
- Allegheny UCC (Sunday supply)
- Calvary UCC, Barto, and Pennsburg UCC (full-time designated-term)
- Glenside UCC (full-time interim)
- St. John's UCC, Orwigsburg (full-time settled)
- St. John's UCC, Pottstown (part-time interim)
- St. Paul's UCC, Birdsboro (half-time interim)
- St. Paul's UCC, Pottstown (part-time settled)
- Salem Hetzel's UCC (shared ministry; full-time interim)
- Trinity UCC, Rehrersburg (part-time settled)
- Wyomissing UCC (part-time settled)
- Zwingli UCC (full-time associate)
If you’re interested in a position, contact Rev.Dr. Susan Minasian: minasian@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 302.
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Missed a week? Read past eNews here: |
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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! |
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