Members and friends of Penn Central Conference,

"For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

Jesus' usage of this verse from Proverbs 25:6-7 reminds us that though virtually every culture urges a sense of humility, those desirous of attaining status in life at best only pay lip service to the advice. I suspect most everyone has had to wrestle with the temptation of status seeking at some time. Likewise, I suspect we have each been chagrined by moments of our own such personal striving for such status.

It is beguiling to begin thinking that somehow, we are more important than others. What others think of us, our reputation within whatever community to which we are most closely affiliated, too often is more motivating of our actions than are our proclaimed values. Jesus utilizes the perceived seats of honor at the banquet to drive home this point. In this scenario our Lord portrays, seating appears to have been the initial choice of the guests and then the host rearranges in a way they deemed proper. though helpful, it does not eliminate the grumbling or subsequent pay back by those who thought they had been somehow disrespected by the seats assigned to them.

Striving to achieve and/or maintain cultural status is an exhausting and never-ending process. There will always be newer and trendier personalities coming along to challenge our perceived sense of our own importance. Our Lord's admonition is, I believe, to strive always to be of service to others and ready to acknowledge a sense of community wherein everyone is regarded as equal. 

Scripture's call for a humbler approach to our days would would seem to be a message that should require little commentary. Sadly, even within religious circles we at times witness displays of self-advancement at the expense of our stated mission. I believe it essential for us to maintain a personal vigilance regarding how we promote our faith journeys. The culture is ever more skeptical of religious claims and promotions, which as we can conclude from the text is nothing more than pretentious piety. May we always keep in mind another, similar adage, "Pride goeth before the fall."

And though in our lifetimes we may not experience the elevation of humbleness Jesus proclaims, it remains our calling. Whatever our title may be, may we choose always to understand them as conveying a responsible authority to serve our neighbor. 

Rick

Rev. Rick Luciotti

Clergy Care Coordinator

Penn Central Conference

Scheduling notes:

July 1 - Sept 1 - Rev. Dr. Nora Foust on sabbatical

September 11 - St. John Center UCC, East Earl - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

September 18 - St. John UCC, Denver - Rev. Dr. Carrie Call preaching

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 PDFand print this PDF with the weekly message to the conference, prayers for Penn Central and brief list of events.

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...

Salem (Spring Mills) UCC, Spring Mills

Emmanuel UCC, Abbotstown

Christ UCC, Annville

Zion UCC, Arendtsville

The history of Old Zion German Reformed Church, Brickerville, is commemorated each year during its annual Anniversary Worship Service. The theme for this year’s Anniversary Service will be “Old Zion During the Revolution.” During the Revolutionary War, Old Zion, then known as Reyer’s German Reformed Church, served as a hospital for wounded soldiers following the Battle of Brandywine and the Philadelphia campaigns of 1777-1778. Revolutionary War veterans are buried in the cemetery.

Rev. William LaSalle will give the sermon, playing the part of Rev. John Christopher Gobrecht, the pastor from 1770-1779. The worship service will include music and hymns from the time period with soloist Amanda Mrenna and J. P. Welliver on Old Zion’s pump organ.

Gary Meyers of the German Battalion and other Revolutionary War reenactors will be present and offer a display of Revolutionary War equipment they might have carried.

Seeking to following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), while indoors masks are encouraged and remain optional at Old Zion events.

Old Zion German Reformed Church is located near Brickerville at 187 Reifsnyder Rd., Lititz, PA.

Sunday, September 25 - Installation Service of Rev. Heather Kurtz - Zion UCC, Arendtsville - 3:30PM

Sunday, October 23 - Installation of Rev. Ken Peterkin - Emmanuel UCC, Hanover - 3:00PM

UCC Webinars

These webinars are designed to help you enhance your local church ministries. Most are free to attend. Check out the calendar here.

Annual Campaigns 101 - August 24, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Moving Through Life With Embodied Grace - August 25, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Gather in Joy…Go in Justice  -  September 1, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

You Know, Sex  -  September 7, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

UCC Colectivo de Latinx Ministries: Present & Future  -  September 8, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Upcoming Classes:



Church Finances, Oct 11–Nov 15. Tuesdays, 7–8:30pm. Instructor, Lovett Weems. Practical 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.

Information and Registration: https://www.lancasterseminary.edu/programs/pennsylvania-academy-of-ministry/

UCC National Positions:

CARDD

Research Analyst

Close Date: August 29, 2022