“It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that is a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day (February 2) sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks; if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.” Every February we wait to see what will happen. We ask, Will we have a longer winter or an early spring?

The use of Groundhog Day as a metaphor for things repeating over and over again came from the movie…Groundhog Day. The character Bill Murray ends up repeating the day over and over again until he stops being selfish and becomes a caring human being. I found myself using this metaphor over and over and over and over again during this pandemic. In the early days I felt like I was just moving through the same motions every day. Like standing in place.

My hope is that each of you will make time for some prayerful discernment. I pray that how we love our family, loved ones, friends and neighbors, will help us let go of our insistence of what we may think and do for ourselves and live in a way that follows Jesus’ commandment for us to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

Rev. Dr. Susan A. Minasian

Interim Associate Conference Minister

This month's PA Emergency Management Agency's ReadyPA Monthly includes info on back-to-school weather safety, back-to-school bus safety, and National Night Out. Click here for the newsletter. Please share this information with your congregations to help keep everyone safe and prepared.

Phil Wylezik, was a pillar of St Mark’s UCC, Reading, and as devoted to his congregation as any church member possibly could be. Phil was also a very active lay leader in the life of the Covenant (formerly Reading) Association, our Conference and the United Church of Christ. He was a devoted disciple of Jesus with a big heart who is profoundly missed by his family and the people who drew strength from his Spirit. We remember him with deep gratitude and celebration of a life well lived. Click here to read the obituary.

Are you free in August or September (or later)? UCC Disaster Response, SEPA Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and many other groups need your help in rebuilding the Eastwick neighborhood of Philly. Please consider coming for a week (or a day or two), staying at the Salt and Light Church in Philly (with sleeping rooms, kitchen and even a couple TVs) and working under a skilled volunteer site manager. Your only cost would be transportation and food. If you cannot come, donations are always welcome. We currently have half the necessary funding for materials. For more info, get in touch with Judy Moore at 802-299-8290 or IsaiasRecoveryVolunteers@gmail.com. For more information about the Tropical Storm Isaias recovery work, click here.

What a blessing it was to participate in the first ever BuxMont Pride Festival on the grounds of the Abington Arts Center on July 18. There were about 1,000 individuals milling about from booth to booth with exuberant energy and curiosity. Many of those individuals stopped at the PSEC Addiction and Recovery Task Force booth to ask questions and learn more about our mission!

We were doubly blessed to be accompanied by St. Peter’s Tohickon UCC, sharing space and God’s love for all! Thanks to Pastor Steve and Kathy Hamilton!

If you have questions or would like more info, please visit us at our PSEC webpage.

Boundary Training is not just for Pastors... it also pertains to members of churches! Your church should be safe for all congregants. On Thursday, Aug. 26 at 6:30p, "Lay Boundary Training" will be held on Zoom. Discussion will include: healthy boundaries, varieties and levels of seriousness of boundary crossings and the psychological health we all need to establish boundaries. Click here for a flyer. This training is free thanks to your OCWM contributions. Click here to sign up.

This course is designed for church leaders but is open to anyone who feels challenged to deepen their spiritual life. The course will be led by Dr. Charles Maxfield, an ordained UCC minister with experience in lay ministry training. He will be assisted by Constance Lezenby, a spiritual director recognized by her Friends’ Meeting as a traveling minister. Cost is $15 per person for the three sessions. Registration is on a first-come basis. For more information including how to register, click here.

Watch the short video above to see volunteers from Shenkel UCC in Pottstown volunteering in the Eastwick Neighborhood of Philadelphia, damaged by Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020. Click here for information on how your church can help.

The Zachariah Walker Racial Justice Initiative team, in promoting racial justice, is offering banners and yard signs free to churches and individuals.

For those who are able, we are suggesting a love offering of $70 per banner (image of the 4’x10’ Vinyl Banner with grommets below) and $7 per yard sign (image of the 18’’x24’’ Yard sign above right). The love offerings will go to further our efforts in this sacred ministry of racial equity and justice. To order, please email Anne Cormier at annecormier@comcast.net. Include in the subject box “banner” or “yard sign”.