Important This Week

• New church added to Ministry Opportunities
• Donate to help earthquake response in Turkey and Syria
• Update on Keystone Project
• Supply pastors needed

From the Conference Minister:

Rev. Karl Jones, our Conference’s Disaster Ministries coordinator, is a force of nature unto himself. Today he is leading a group of PSEC folk to the Eastwick neighborhood in Philadelphia to get a first-hand look at how the rebuilding work in response to Tropical Storm Isaias is progressing; work completed by members and friends from congregations around our Conference. This is just one of the ways that Our Churches Wider Mission dollars “connects our various and diverse ministries both locally and globally.” You can read more about this ministry, and learn how to volunteer, here. Thank you Karl and everyone who has given themselves to restoring hope and homes of our Eastwick neighbors.

Globally, UCC friends are coordinating efforts to help respond to the devastation of earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. You can read about that here and you can donate here. Not all of us have the ability to make an offering but we can all pray. Our Associate Minister for Global Ministries Karen Georgia Thompson offered this prayer:

God of grace and mercy, there are many who are suffering loss today. Around the world and in our communities we are mourning. Today we come holding in our prayers our siblings in Turkey and Syria who are still searching and rescuing survivors and victims of this earthquake. Be present with these families and communities during this time of crisis and need. Be a source of strength and comfort through these days ahead. Help us to be present on behalf of those in need. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

May it be so with God’s help.

Pastor Bill

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

Keystone Study Group: Communications Summary from Jan. 20

The third meeting of the Keystone Study Group* took place Friday, January 20, 2023 in Harrisburg. The Keystone Study Group (KSG) meets monthly to explore the possibilities of mutual or consolidated ministry among the four Conferences in Pennsylvania.

In the first session of the meeting, we started by identifying potential roadblocks/obstacles related to this work through several topics:

• Justification for a Consolidation – The “Why?” of what drives this spiritual work and helps create a stronger church/missional connection.
• Governance – How might we structure/govern our shared work/mission?
• Staff – What human resources would be needed to effectively resource our shared work/mission?
• Money/Assets – How could our collective assets empower and resource our shared work/mission?
• Relationships – How might we create covenantal transparency to strengthen our shared work/mission across a wider geography, and engage more deeply so every congregation feels connected and resourced?
• Inclusion – With our “big tent” and “always reforming” identity as the UCC and Pennsylvania congregations, how could we intentionally maintain and grow our connections across theological, social, and political perspectives so every congregation feels affirmed for who they are?

In the second session, we explored each of those 6 obstacles more intentionally. We also identified specific possibilities for function and structure to strengthen our missional connection. Focusing on 4 foundational principles we believe are essential building blocks for our possible shared ministry, we asked questions about:

• Spiritual and Theological Underpinnings of Our Work
• Concrete Practices of Evangelism, Outreach, and Relationship Building with Emphasis on Action
• Development of Church Leaders (Laity) to Support Worship and Celebration
• Spiritual and Theological Values Development as a Foundation for Our Collective Missional Purpose        

Our discussion of these topics will continue and will guide our conversations toward the possibility of coming together in common support of mission and ministry as one (1) Pennsylvania conference. We continue to discern in our meetings (and in other small group clusters across the 4 conferences) how we can collectively function with power, rather than exist in “survival mode.” We envision a vibrant and vital, always reforming faith that embraces new tools for ministry so we might proclaim the love of the One who is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

We welcome and appreciate your continued prayers in this journey of exploration and faith, as this body of leaders from the 4 PA UCC Conferences study and dream together, guided by the Holy Spirit and our collective desire to see the “new thing” God is doing in our midst.

Respectfully submitted,

Keystone Project Communications Team

Communications Team

Steve Davis, St. John’s UCC, Fullerton (Penn Northeast)

Sterling Fritz, Redeemer’s UCC, Littlestown (Penn Central)

Robin Hightower, Peace In Zion UCC, Zieglerville (Pennsylvania Southeast)

Deb Long, First Trinity UCC, Youngwood (Penn West)

*A study and discernment group of the 4 PA UCC Conferences – Penn West, Penn Central, Penn NE, and Pennsylvania SE

Sunday Supply pastors needed

Are you a retired pastor? A chaplain, counselor, or professor with Sunday mornings available? Please consider adding your name to the PSEC Sunday Supply list. This list is for churches and pastors to use to find Authorized Ministers and Members in Discernment to use for short-term situations (vacations, family leave, sabbaticals, etc.). If you're interested, click here for more information and the Sunday Supply profile form.

Recording of Rev. Dr. Russ Mitman's service available

The Service of Resurrection for Rev. Dr. F. Russell Mitman was held on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Church of the Good Shepherd in Boyertown. A recording of that service is available here. The obituary announcement is available here.

Online Youth Book Discussion starting in March

Rev. Ernest Glover, Youth Coordinator at House of Faith (UCC) in Philadelphia, and Rev. Anne Cormier are calling on young “Holy troublemakers and unconventional saints-in-the-making” to join them in a weekly Sunday evening (7-8 pm) Zoom conference for an open discussion on a few Holy Troublemakers. The discussion will start on the first Sunday of March and continue for eight weeks, except Easter. Both Mr. Glover and Rev. Cormier want young people (middle and high school age) to bring their honest opinions, thoughts, and ideas to the table. Mr. Glover says, “Let’s find inspiration in these pages to: do the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing, stand up for those who are standing alone; work together for the common good; and have courage when the odds are against us. The future is yours to shape. Let’s learn to be brave, cause a little trouble when necessary, and love with our whole hearts like the saints who have gone before us.” Click here for more information and to register.

Church yearend

reporting is now open

Earlier this month, emails were sent to church offices and pastors with information on year-end reporting. If you should have received that information and didn’t, please contact the Conference Registrar, Brea Rarick, at brea@psec.org or 484-949-8774 ext. 311. Also, you may visit psec.org/reporting for more information on this year’s reporting.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Words to ponder

"…the old ego will always prefer an economy of merit and sacrifice to any economy of grace and unearned love, where we have no control."

Richard Rohr, Breathing Under Water, p26.

Lay Leaders Convocation planned for April 15

Local church leaders are invited to a Lay Leaders Convocation, a full day of worship, address, workshops, and fellowship on Saturday, April 15 in Pottstown. Save the date, registration will be available by March 1. Click here for a flyer with more information.

UCC webinar: The Indigenous Land Back Movement

The Land Back Movement has been succinctly described as the generations long struggle to put “Indigenous lands back into Indigenous hands.” In this webinar, organizers and practitioners within the movement will place the struggle within the context of dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery and the ongoing work of reparatory justice. Speakers will include Katerina Gea from the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery, Angie Comeaux from Hummingbird Springs Farm, and Sarah Augustine who authored “The Land Is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery.” Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time on Feb. 8 at 1:00p, still sign up, and we will send a link to the recording. Register now!

Power & Presence of the Afro-Christian Convention in UCC

Lancaster Theological Seminary is hosting a special Zoom event, Retelling the Origin Story: The Power & Presence of the Afro-Christian Convention in the UCC, from 4:00-5:15p on Feb. 16 during Black History Month. This candid and insightful conversation features Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk, Rev. Vivian M. Lucas, Dr. Julia M. Speller, and Rev. Brenda Billips Square, with a response from the Rt. Rev. Dr. Nathan D. Baxter, retired Lancaster Seminary faculty member, retired bishop of the Central Pennsylvania Episcopal Diocese, and former dean of the National Cathedral.

The power and presence of Afro-Christian churches is an invaluable but largely unacknowledged part of the UCC's history. Join us for a discussion about this fifth stream of the UCC and how its legacy continues to be a major force in our commitment to diversity, inclusion, dignity and equity for all.

Register here by Feb. 14 and plan to join us for an enlightening and relevant discussion that expands our understanding of and appreciation for authentic diversity and inclusion.

Church Admins CoP

All Admins Welcome

Join with other "Assistants and Secretaries of the PSEC Conference for our "Community of Practice". On Feb. 15 at noon, the Church Admins will fellowship over lunch (via Zoom this time) and take time to share resources and connect with one another. All admins welcome. If you haven't joined us in the past, you are more than welcome to join us on Feb. 15. Register free, by clicking here.

Facilitators sought for table discussions at Spring Meeting

In the evaluations of last year’s annual meeting there were requests for time to bring together like-minded individuals.  

The planning team has heard this request and although our schedule is already extremely tight, it was decided that lunch time, and the round tables in the dining hall, would make for perfect, relaxed spaces to begin these conversations.

The next step is finding individuals with passions they want to share by leading these conversations. So, we are seeking anyone who is willing to take a topic and lead open discussions around that topic over lunch Saturday afternoon.

Topics could range from “pastors under 40”, “how do I help my church become ONA”, “LBGTQ”, “Consistory Presidents”, etc. There is no limit.

IF YOU have a topic and you are willing to lead that discussion during the lunch hour, please reach out to Susan at the PSEC office at susan@psec.org.

UCC 2023 Stewardship Theme Materials available to order

“Because of You, Our Church Changes Lives” is this year's UCC stewardship theme, making the connection between generosity and the ministry and mission of your church. Materials include worship resources, sermons, and faith formation for children, youth and adults. The materials provide tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts and letters. Guidance for every step of your campaign helps you make the best use of these materials. Click here to pre-order materials.

Climate Justice Team offering Green Grants for 2023

Would your church like some seed money to kick-start a new season of climate-saving activities? The Climate Justice team of PSEC invites applications for grants of up to $250, to be matched by the churches themselves. Please apply by April 1 at psec.org/green.

• Could you use $100 for seeds and soil for your community garden? 
• $100 to buy the books on climate activism and theology you’ve been meaning for your study group to read? 
• $200 toward the $400 needed to replace every light bulb? 
• $250 to add to your $250 for a $500 jump-start on replacing a drafty window? 
• $250 toward the $500 for food, books and activities for your environmental summer outdoor school for the neighborhood? 
• A couple of hundred in sight so you can go to an individual donor and ask them to match it?

Questions: Marian Shearer (uccrev77@gmail.com), Liz Brunton (lizbrunton2462@gmail.com).

Rev. Nathaniel Mahlberg installation at Valley Forge

Click the invitation below to download a PDF to share.

"When Does Closure Become an Option Workshop"

Since 2014, one PSEC congregation has closed, on average, every six months. This isn’t often talked about — partly because that news is filled with feelings of profound loss and grief. It’s the source of uncomfortable shame — that somehow church members failed to do all they could to maintain their sacred space. It provokes questions about the power and/or presence of God. Taken together, these things make it difficult to say what sometimes needs to be said: “It’s time for our church to close.” 

A workshop will be held Feb. 18 (Please note, the date has been changed.) in Limerick to create a safe space where difficult questions can be asked and information shared with congregations facing decline and potential closure. You will receive resources and hear about church closure experiences. Click here for more information and to register.

Youth opioid awareness and Narcan training event planned

Welcome Project PA will host a "Youth Opioid Awareness and Narcan Training Event" on Feb. 18 in Hatboro. This is a free educational event for youth, parents, teachers, and school administrators. Click here for more information.

Lay Leaders Support Group sets February meeting

A Lay Leadership Support Group exists for Consistory Presidents and those serving on Consistory. We gather once a month on Zoom – so please join us! We have found it to be a great place to form new friendships, to gain support, and to be educated on a variety of topics concerning our churches. The discussions are centered around sharing valuable information about what our churches are doing or maybe could be doing. For more info and free registration for the Feb. 18 meeting, click here.