Important This Week

• New full-time pastor position added to 'Church Openings' list
• Boundary Training on Trauma and Healthy Boundaries next week.
• Register for 'How to Negotiate a Call Agreement' workshop
• Navigating Election Do's and Don'ts for church webinar this month

From the Conference Minister:

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

Matthew 5:43-46b

Ever since Jesus spoke the words recorded in Matthew, his followers have often failed and sporadically succeeded at following a simple directive: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. We have turned the simplicity of this saying into long sermons, some that have excused murderous behavior. Most people I know don’t take it seriously. It’s too difficult if not impossible; too idealistic for reasonable minds. It is also the key for the preservation of life and the common wealth (wealth in all its forms).

Our religious and political discourse continues to spiral into mutual contempt and hatred, where ideological opponents are seen not just as wrong but as theologically and humanly bankrupt. The call to love enemies requires a moral courage and profound empathy to see beyond the stereotypes and personal platitudes that fuel division; to recognize the shared humanity that binds us together. To hear the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17 “that they may all be one,” and to pray it. Often.

This week we celebrate the birth of our nation that prides itself on freedom and justice in all its successes and shortcomings. In the background of fireworks and flags is Jesus’ constant challenge to expand our definitions of who belongs and who is worthy of love; to practice radical hospitality, welcoming the stranger, and seeking reconciliation where there is division; to build bridges, not walls, and to create a community where all people can flourish. These are essential parts of patriotism. They are what made the idea of America an inspiration to people and nations and inspired the sacrifices of generations which bless us still. They are something far more grand and glorious than Christian nationalism or tribalism could ever hope to accomplish.

I pray this Fourth of July is a time of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to the values that have made America a beacon of hope and justice. That we aspire to the faithfulness of the love that Jesus speaks of, not in terms of moral perfection or rightness but in terms of a completeness and a maturity worthy of a nation where love and justice are not just ideals or slogans but lived realities.

I pray that God blesses America and that America be a blessing to God and all God’s people.

Pastor Bill

Rev. Bill Worley

Conference Minister

Webinar: Trauma and Healthy Boundaries July 10 - online

An Advanced Boundary Training will be held via Zoom July 10 from 9:00a-12:00p on "Trauma and Healthy Boundaries." Rev. Josh Blakesley and others will lead this workshop on the basics of trauma, and how it can potentially affect boundaries between a minister and their congregation, as well as other relationships within the congregation. The goal is to provide an understanding of trauma, while equipping pastors to set healthy boundaries for themselves and their congregations, as they spiritually and emotionally support those living with trauma. For a flyer, click here. To register, click here.

Registration open: How to Negotiate a Call Agreement

Whether you anticipate negotiating a new clergy call agreement soon in your current setting, or in another setting sometime in the future, this workshop is for you. You’ll learn about the various elements found in our standard PSEC call agreement and how to negotiate the details from a position of knowledge and wisdom in this event Thursday, Aug. 15 from 9:00-11:00a on Zoom. Two hours of continuing education credits will be given to participants. Click here for more information and to register.

Diversity Training on September 25 or on your own

Diversity - what is it, how does it increase the vitality of our communities and congregations and our commitment to Christ? Revs. Cean James and Kevin McLemore will lead Diversity Awareness Training for pastors on Sept. 25 from 9:00a-12:00p. Click here for more info and to register.

If you cannot make this time slot, we are offering an option to "view the recording of the event on your own time" and respond to specific question(s) that will be emailed to you with the recording link. This option is available in the ticket section.

UCC Webinar: An Indigenous Translation of Scripture

The "First Nations Version" is an Indigenous translation of the Christian scriptures. A decolonized rendering of the sacred texts articulates a different understanding of how humans understand their relationship to both God and God's creation. In this webinar, we will hear from three members of the translation council that produced the First Nations Version. Even if you cannot make it at its scheduled time on July 16 at 3:00p, register, and we will send you a recording.

'Innovation and New Models

of Leadership' from PAM

The Pennsylvania Academy of Ministry (PAM) offers Innovation and New Models of Leadership on Tuesdays from 7:00-8:30p July 9-Aug. 13. Rev. Dale Davis will lead this cutting-edge class, introducing you to the latest leadership models. The course features a podcast series produced for PAM, featuring well-known experts Gil Rendle, Karen Georgia Thompson, Doug Powe Jr., Lovett Weems Jr., John Schol, and Sarah Drummond. 2.5 CEUs. $325. Click here for information and registration. For a short video message from Rev. Davis introducing the course, click here.

From the Addiction & Recovery Taskforce: Guide for parents

We need to be working with our children to help them avoid the pitfall of addiction. The Addiction Policy Forum has an excellent guide for how parents can help their children. Please take the time to look at it and recommend it to anyone with children. You can find the guide at:

addictionpolicy.org/post/12-things-parents-can-do-to-prevent-addiction

UCC webinar: Navigating Election Do's and Don'ts

The United Church of Christ’s mission calls us to “welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.” As a denomination committed to such values and justice for all, we must speak boldly in the public square through public policy advocacy - as well as election engagement - that collectively shapes our common life together. These two activities are part of what we understand as “politics”. In a country where there is significant confusion and misinformation about the constitutional relationship between church and state, some choose to shy away from politics all together. Yet, politics can not only be seen as part of our civic duty as citizens, but also an activity of righteous resistance and discipleship as Christians. Jesus’ ministry and message had significant political implications for his time – as it does for us today!

However, in our hyper-partisan climate today, clarifying how we engage in politics is critical. Churches and clergy must abide by IRS guidelines to protect tax-exempt status. It is critical that we are well informed about what we CAN (and can’t!) do as churches in the political sphere and particularly around the 2024 election.

Join a discussion with Heather Kimmel, the UCC’s General Counsel, and Rev. Michael Neuroth, Director of the UCC Office of Public Policy & Advocacy, on July 25 at 3:30p for Navigating Do’s & Don’ts for Churches - “Be Prophetic, Not Partisan!” Click here to register.

Volunteers needed to help rebuild from 2023 storms in Berks Co.

New PSEC OCWM resources

At the Spring Meeting earlier this month, a 2023 OCWM Annual Report was released. Click here to read it, with details on annual financials, donor acknowledgements, a message from the Conference Minister, and more. A new OCWM video was also shared, providing a brief overview of OCWM and the Conference. It can be used in church meetings, association meetings, and more. The link to share that video is youtu.be/P79sdfESTBo.

'Together for tomorrow' initiative for planned giving

Learn how to promote planned giving in your congregation. Planned gifts provide a way for a donor to give out of their accumulated assets such as property or stocks to support a congregation or other charitable cause. This free course on July 10 and 17 will help you learn basic concepts, practice skills, and create an implementation plan for your congregation. Register for 'Together for Tomorrow Planned Giving in Your Congregation' here.

This email is brought to you by your generous gifts to OCWM (Our Church's Wider Mission)! Thank you!