Message to the Conference | |
The Penn Central Conference urges you to congratulate Trinity UCC in East Petersburg on their 175th anniversary. They were inadvertently left off the list for church anniversaries announced at Annual Meeting. Please accept our apologies! If any other churches or clergy were missed, please let us know! | |
|
Greetings members and friends of Penn Central Conference,
This past Friday & Saturday, the 2023 PCC Annual Meeting was held in Lancaster at the Double Tree Inn and Conference Center. This was the first primarily “in-person” meeting held since 2019, with a hybrid online option available to delegates and guests.
More than 175 people gathered in person and online, including 155 voting delegates and PCC clergy with standing and vote. That far surpassed the 90 that were needed for a quorum! The meeting was not without its technical issues (sound in particular) and we deeply apologize for that. At a technical test done before the meeting, all seem to be up and running well. We know this is an area that we will need to address and improve greatly at any future hybrid meetings.
It was wonderful to worship together both in the opening and closing services and sing our praises to God together in person once again. Rev. Bill Worley, Conference Minister of the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, gave the sermon at the opening service, and Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, our Conference Minister, gave the sermon at the closing communion service. Both challenged us to be open to God’s call and to see where God may be leading us into a new covenantal future.
On Friday evening, Rev. Jane Fisler Hoffman was our keynote speaker. She shared her journey and reflections on covenant-making. Rev. Dr. Dean Vanessa Lovelace, who is the Associate Dean & Associate Professor of the Old Testament and Hebrew Bible at Lancaster Theological Seminary, and Rev. Dr. Heather Vacek, Vice President, Dean and faculty member of Moravian Seminary both shared theological reflections over the weekend on our focus passage from Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a, “It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. If one falls down, the other helps.” (The Message).
We held two workshop sessions for in person participants at the meeting on a variety of topics, as well as online workshops the week before the Annual Meeting.
In the business sessions, the two proposed PCC bylaws amendments passed nearly unanimously. You’ll find those amendments here. To summarize, one amendment creates a new “Church Futures Commission,” to further the work of the Congregational Empowerment Team. The other amendment creates a new PCC Budget Meeting to be held each year in the fall, no later than November 15 via Zoom. This new meeting allows the board Finance Committee more time to collect data to build an accurate budget for the PCC’s coming financial year.
As part of the full plenary session on Saturday morning, Carrie Call & Bill Worley shared about the work of the Keystone Project in greater detail. (Note: You can find summaries of the Keystone Project’s monthly meetings in the PCC e-news.) Carrie announced the idea of a joint 2024 Annual Meeting with all four conferences. It was shared that any resolution brought to the 2025 General Synod would still allow for time for the conferences to grow into any partnership or merger. Not every detail and financial matter would need to be finished by that time. The work of the Project will continue with meetings held each month with staff and key leaders from every conference continuing the dialogue and work.
The meeting concluded with a time of celebration of significant ordination anniversaries from 25 to 65 years of our PCC clergy, and PCC churches celebrating anniversaries of the founding of their congregations from 175 to 290 years, the latter being Hill Church UCC in Lebanon.
Lastly, I want to thank the entire 2023 PCC Annual Meeting planning team headed by Shirley Keith-Knox and everyone on our PCC staff, especially Paul Keller for all his work handling the registration process and more. I want to thank all our volunteers from our youth stewards to our worship planners and participants, and anyone and everyone who helped in ways great and small to make this meeting a success! There was a bit of rust coming back to a mainly in-person meeting, but it was a true joy for the PCC to come together incarnate once again!
Respectfully,
Rev. Dwight C. Hein
Moderator
PCC Board of Directors
| |
|
Scheduling notes:
June 18 - Zwingli UCC & Mt. Olivet UCC, East Berlin - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust preaching
June 18 - Salem UCC, Campbelltown - Rev. Rick Luciotti preaching
June 18 - Faith UCC, State College - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching
August 13 - September 4 - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust on sabbatical
| |
|
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...
St. Peter's UCC, New Columbia
New Covenant UCC, Williamsport
Willow Street UCC, Willow Street
St. John's (Dry Valley) UCC, Winfield
| |
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. | |
|
Christ Church United Church of Christ in Elizabethtown PA are the stewards of the Alwine Scholarship, an endowed scholarship established in 1957 by H.K. Alwine in memory of Anna Hershey Alwine. The scholarship is to assist a female student who is attending Hood College in Frederick, MD. The scholarship was established to first awarded to a female member of Christ Church, United Church of Christ, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania or second, a female member of the same denomination from Lancaster, Lebanon or Dauphin Counties (Pennsylvania). Christ Christ UCC, Elizabethtown does not have a female high school senior who will be using the scholarship in 2023.
Does your congregation have a female student who might be eligible and interested in this scholarship (a 2023 graduating female student who would want to attend Hood College, who has been accepted to Hood College and who will need to be in contact with Christ Church UCC, Elizabethtown to be awarded the scholarship)? If we get multiple interest we will need to have an application process to award the scholarship to one student. Please contact Grace Wells and our Pastor Galen Russel with any interest by June 18th.
Grace Wells email: vgwells@comcast.net
phone: 717-572-2270
Galen Russel galenrussel@etownucc.org
| |
Congratulations! The United Church of Christ has awarded St. Paul's UCC, Stoverstown in Spring Grove, PA with a $250 matching grant for their fundraising efforts and commitment to assemble 144 Hygiene Kits. These Hygiene kits mean the difference between sickness and health for struggling families facing natural disasters, violence, or poverty. We are so proud of this church's ministry! | |
St. Paul's UCC, Dallastown has a large quantity of Chalice Hymnals they no longer need. If your church is in need of them, please contact the church via email or phone (717) 244-2090. | |
Is your church looking for a local mission project? Starview UCC, Mt. Wolf has been partnering with Servants in York County for nearly two decades. Churches can assist with a variety of residential home repairs for people in need, or with meals for volunteers and homeowners. Learn more here. | |
Bethel UCC, Spring Grove will be celebrating 150 years with a Concert and Hymn Sing on June 24m from 2-4PM. Join them for food, fellowship and games! | |
St. Thomas UCC, Harrisburg is having their annual blueberry sale! $34 for a ten pound box, last day to order is Tuesday, June 27 with pickup on July 7. | |
|
Northern Cluster Pig Roast and Concert – June 25
On Sunday, June 25, beginning at 5pm, the Northern Cluster of UCC Churches will host a free pig-roast and concert at MYO Park in Millersburg. Brothers in Grace, a Southern Gospel quartet from the Hershey area, will provide the music. Bring a covered-dish to share, and a lawn chair. A free-will offering will be received. All are welcome – come join us for great food, music, and fellowship!
| |
|
Events with our partners at Lutheran Camping Corporation
Summer Camp with Lutheran Camping Corporation - use code PENNCENTRAL2023 to use a 50% campership from PCC's Outdoor Ministries!
Hartman Center Homecoming week
July 31 through August 5, 2023
We will be returning to Hartman Center Campground in Milroy, PA as guests.
Camping experiences for all ages, including intergenerational camps.
2 night camps - Monday, July 31 at 4PM through Wednesday, August 2 at 4PM
Getting Started - Grades 1 and 2 ($125)
Intergenerational Camp ($125)
3 night camps - Wednesday, August 2 at 4PM through Saturday, August 5 at 11AM
Intergenerational Camp ($190)
Camp of the Heart ($250)
5 night camps - Monday, 31 at 4PM through Saturday, August 5 at 11AM
Elementary - Grades 3 - 5 ($300)
Junior High - Grades 6 - 8 ($300)
Senior High - Grades 9 - 12 plus ($300)
Leadership - Grades 9 - 12 plus ($300)
For more information, contact Rev. Alice Rauch alirauch07@gmail.com (director)
or Rev. Amelia Price aashivers@gmail.com (registrar)
Register here and print a brochure here
|  | |
Summer camp with St. John's UCC, Chambersburg
2023 Summer Camps
Camp Galilee (9-12) June 18-23
Camp Kum Ba Yah (5-8) June 25-30
Camp Noah (K-4) June 26-30
Learn more here.
| |
|
Upcoming Trainings sponsored by the National Setting. Please click the Title link to register
Wednesday, June 21, 5:00-8:00 pm: Retired Ministers Boundary Training
Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years" along with case studies, will provide the content of this training. Rev. Stephen Boyd and Rev. Tara Barber will offer this focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.
| |
Our own Conference Minister Carrie Call will be speaking at the Mt. Gretna Tabernacle Friday Night Services on June 23, 2023. Learn more at http://mtgretnatabernacle.org/ | |
From our Friends and Partners | |
|
Bethany Children's Home
Celebrating 160 Years
Summer Concert Series
July 14th - Flamin' Dick & the Hot Rods - 5:00PM, $5.00 per car
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
| |
On June 15, Phoebe will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our Clinical Pastoral Education program with current students, alumni, staff, generous donors and members of the community. The Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart, currently Director of Faith-Based and Interfaith Affairs for the city of Philadelphia will be speaking at the event. She is a graduate of Lancaster Seminary and an ordained UCC minister. The event will take place at the Lehigh Country Club, at 2319 S Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103.
If your church, business or organization would like to be a sponsor for the event, here is the link to the sponsorship page on our website: https://phoebe.org/cpe-25-years-sponsorship-form/ If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to be in contact with me.
| Are you interested in singing inspirational and fun music for Central Pennsylvania Pride? MCC of the Spirit's choir is welcoming UCC and UU singers to join our rehearsals for Voices United Pride Concert (July 28th, 7:00PM) and the Spirits United Interfaith Pride Service (July 30th, 5:00PM) Rehearsals begin every Thursday from 7:00-9:00PM starting June 1st at MCC of the Spirit, 2973 Jefferson St., Harrisburg, PA 17110, plus additional optional rehearsals Mondays in July at Colonial Park UCC. Ability to read music not required, just have a willingness to learn and make a joyful noise. The choir will be singing religious, inspirational and pop pieces. Contact Rev. Lawrence at revlawrence@mccofthespirit.org for more details or to let him know if you are interested. | |
|
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.
| |
|
"Making All Things New"
General Synod 2023
"Making All Things New” will be the theme of the 34th biennial General Synod of the United Church of Christ, scheduled for June 30–July 4, 2023, in Indianapolis.
Delegates and visitors will meet June 30 through July 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
For the full press release, click here.
| |
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 July 17-July 31 for a Jr Sr High Level Training in September
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.
| |
From our friends and partners | |
Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) | |
BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION 2
July 11 - August 15, 2023
Tuesday evenings via Zoom.
Clergy and laity are invited to join instructor Kelsey Wallace for an introduction to the art and practice of biblical interpretation. We will consider issues of historical context, translation, literary analysis, and social location and the skills necessary to be a responsible public interpreter of scripture.
For clergy/pastors and lay leaders
$325 for each of the two series of six classes
2.5 CEUs may be earned for each series
Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/
| |
|
2023 Festival of Biblical Storytelling
AUGUST 2,3, AND 4, 2023
At the Maritime Conference Center near BWI and Baltimore, MD
Learn more and register here.
| |
|
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
| |
| | | |
