Weekly Update - December 5, 2018
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In This Issue...

An Advent Message from Penn Central Conference - NEW!

Resources 

Calendar  - NEW!

Events and Training - NEW!

Justice and Community Issues - NEW!

Generosity - NEW

Clergy News 

Prayers and Devotions - NEW!

Open Positions
OtherResolutionNews from Penn Central Conference
An Advent Message from Rev. Nora Foust - NEW
 

I have been ready to welcome this national day of mourning. I appreciate its declaration. I am sad at the loss of a leader and yet, I have needed permission in these seasons of Thanksgiving and Advent to feel something other than what the calendar has called for as fires have ravaged, floods have destroyed, children have been tear-gassed, school-children killed waiting for their busses, college kids slain dancing at a local club, worshipers dying in the House of God...I have been sitting in darkness for some time. On this day that we remember the life and leadership of our 41st president, George H.W. Bush, let us also remember his call to be points of LIGHT.
This week's lectionary text points us forward, "By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:78-79) Permission to sit in the darkness, to dwell in the shadow of death is temporary; the advent of Emmanuel - God with us - guides our feet in the way of peace; calls us on a path of love. The New Living Translation reads that the "morning light from heaven is about to break upon us." May this season of Advent truly prepare us for the breaking of the light, for the in-breaking of the Christ-light in our lives anew.
May each one of us take these moments of mourning to breathe deeply, to reflect on the darkness that can truly feel suffocating; but let us now dwell there. Remember that the Light has come and is coming and comes in each of us. We are called to share Christ's light and love and peace with sojourners in this life. Here in Penn Central Conference, we proclaim that our congregations passionately demonstrate the courageous love of Christ. That love is the pavement on the way of peace and it glows brightly in a world that so often feels dark.
Friends, connect with the way of peace within you and let Christ's coming light bring love into the dark corners of your lives. Wait, watch, sit, mourn, but know that light is about to break! Will you allow this season of Advent to prepare you for its radiance so that you might share it with the world? 
"And you, child, will be called
    the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord
    to prepare his ways,
    to give knowledge of salvation
       to his people by the forgiveness
          of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God,
    the dawn from on high
     will break upon us,
to give light to those
   who sit in darkness and
in the shadow of death,
   to guide our feet into the way of peace."
May you be a point of light!
 
Advent Blessings,
Nora   
 Advent Bulletin Inserts
  • Advent bulletin inserts focusing on the 3 Great Loves for Advent are now available.

    • Please share how you and your congregation celebrate Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love this Advent Season; use #3greatloves on social media.
     

     Conference Updates - NEW
  • Year End OCWM
    Thank you for your gifts to OCWM. All 2018 donations (OCWM or others) must be received at the Penn Central Conference Office by  Monday, January 15, 2019.  Any money received after that date will be counted as 2019 donations.
     
    Pledge Forms
    We are grateful for the monthly OCWM gifts and appreciate those churches that added OCWM as a line item in their 2019 annual budget.  Please let us know what you have pledged to OCWM in the coming year by completing and submitting this online pledge form or by sending this paper form into Wendy via email or mail.
     
    Yearbook
    Yearbook data collection will get started on January 2, 2019 and finish in early March. More details will follow throughout December. Thank you, in advance, for all your hard work!
  •  
    Conference Office Closed for Christmas
    The Conference Office will be closed from December 22, 2018 through January 1, 2019.
     
    Thank you for your support - it has been the best gift to us this year.
  •  
  •   We look forward to serving you in 2019 and pray that our continued ministry together in Penn Central Conference will nurture covenantal relationships that connect, engage and transform us into congregations that passionately declare and demonstrate the courageous love of Christ!


    • ResourcesResource Links
     
    CalendarofEventsCalendar of Events
     
     
     
     
     
    Penn Central Conference Offices will be closed from December 22 - January 1.
    Merry Christmas!
            
    Upcoming Events
     
    Mid-Winter Clergy Sabbath (formerly Clergy Convocation) - January 22 - 24, 2019
     
    Spring Confirmation Retreat - March 17-19  --  please contact Patty if your church is interested in participating.
     
    Hartman Center Work Weekend - May 2-5
     
    Annual Meeting - June 7-8, 2019, Susquehanna University

    General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 
    ClergyWebsiteEvents and Training
    UCC Polity and Theology Course - NEW
    United Church of Christ History and Polity will be taught at Lancaster Theological Seminary during Term III in Spring 2019, beginning Friday, February 22, 2019 and ending Friday, April 12, 2019.
    The class will be held for 7 weeks on Friday afternoons from 2:00pm to 5:00pm.
    Assignments include reading and writing, resulting in a History and Polity paper that can be used as part of the ordination paper requirement for authorization.
    Successful completion of assignments in the class will result in a Certificate of Completion that may be shared with the individual's Committee on Ministry to designate completion of an approved course.
    This class is non-credit. Registration is required. The course fee is $ 300.00.

    Registration deadline is Friday, February 15, 2019.

    Course Dates: Seven weeks - Fridays, Feb. 22 through April 12, 2019, from 2-5pm

    UCC Polity and Theology Course - NEW
    UCC History, Polity & Theology Course
     
    This comprehensive course will meet Mondays from 6 - 9pm from January 28 to April 29, 2019. You may attend in person at Moravian Seminary Bethlehem PA or by video conference. The cost for a certificate of completion is $900. Academic Course Credit is available at regular tuition costs. For more information contact the instructor, Rev. Dr. David DeRemer deremerd@moravian.edu .
    ClergyWebsiteCommunity and Justice Issues
    Resolution for General Synod - NEW
    Many thanks to the work of Kathy Brown and Trinity UCC, Waynesboro as well as the Creation Justice team.  They have submitted a resolution for General Synod
    This is the resolution (re: plastic foam) that was passed at our Annual Meeting in June. 
    Please let us know how you or your church are living into the resolution by emailing Stephanie.
    Book Review Coming in January - NEW
    In January, Creation Justice will be doing a book review on Climate Church, Climate World:  How People of Faith Must Work for Change by former UCC Conference Minister, Jim Antal.
    You can buy the book now from Hearts and Minds with a 20% discount!  Just go to their order form page and type in the titles you want. Use promo code  "UCC Creation Justice" and you'll get a 20% off.
    DR&R Webinar - NEW
    "Care for Clergy in the Aftermath of Disaster"
    Thursday Dec. 13 th
    4pm-5pm EST
    Join UCC Disaster Ministries and Rev. Beth Goss of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for a 1-hour webinar discussing the unique challenges clergy face in the midst of and in the aftermath of natural disaster, and how we can understand their particular needs and offer appropriate support. This webinar is open to the public. Information to log-in is below.
    Dial by your location
            +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
            +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
    Meeting ID: 880 108 944 
    Please contact Amanda Sheldon at Sheldona@ucc.org with any questions.
    ClergyWebsiteHartman Center
    Hartman Center Stone House
    This house was built in the 1830s, survived an 1880s fire and has a wonderfully rich history.
    Many of you may be wondering what has happened to the Stone House at Hartman Center since the January 2018 water damage. The good news is the Stone House has had all the damaged walls and contents removed and the insurance claim monies have been received. 
    At the PCC Board meeting in October, a decision was made to leave the Stone House as is and form a Historical Preseveration Committee.  It will the this committee's responsibility to find a way to historically preserve the Stone House by obtaining grants and other funding sources to preserve the house for future generations.
    How can you help maintain and preserve this 1830s Stone House?
    If you are interested in serving on a Historical Preservation committee or know of someone who has an interest in Historical Preservation and would like to help, please contact the Conference Office at 717-652-1560.  Thank you.
    EventsandTrainingGenerosity
     Friends of Penn Central Conference - NEW
    Many thanks, Penn Central Conference, for your generosity!
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    So far, we have raised just under half our goal.
    $7165
    Thank you for your gifts!

    Here are 5 suggestions for ways YOU can give:  
    1. Follow this link to our donation page to make a one-time or monthly recurring gift.
    2. You may also send your donation by check to the Conference Office. (Please make check payable to Penn Central Conference, adding OCWM/Friends of Penn Central Conference in the memo line.)
    3. Volunteer your time serving in Association/Penn Central Conference ministries. Sign up here.
    4. Secure a matching gift from your company. You can search this database to see if your company matches - What an easy way to double your gift!
    5. Invite others to give to OCWM - if you have creative ideas, we would love hear them!
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    Your generosity supports the important work we do with our local churches, Associations and the wider church.  This enables us to invest in the programs, resources and tools needed to help our congregations flourish.
     
    THANK YOU! 
     End of Year Stewardship Article - NEW
    "Unfortunately, our efforts to make fundraising or stewardship more palatable by limiting "money talk" and rarely asking people directly to give may only make the task harder and more uncomfortable. If we want people to be more generous and to engage with the life of the church through financial giving, we need to talk about it more, not less."  

     UCC Homes - NEW
     
    UCC Homes is starting to think about the time of year when people bake cookies, go caroling, spend cherished time with loved ones and most importantly, celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. This time of year people tend to be kinder, warmer and friendlier, exhibiting Jesus' example of giving and helping those who are in need.
     
    UCC Homes does all they can to bring festive joy to as many residents as possible. UCC Homes takes pride in the care and service they provide to those in need. They invite you to share with those who are less fortunate by spreading the Christmas spirit through your compassion and generosity.
     
    In order to provide each resident with a meaningful gift this coming Christmas, they are asking our sponsoring congregations, church groups and individuals to consider donating a monetary donation or gift cards/certificates to be used towards purchasing desired gifts for residents of the communities of UCC Homes, making Christmas a little more special.
    ClergyWebsiteClergy News
    Jerusalem Tables 
     
    In a moment of great change and growth in the early church, Paul and Barnabas went up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem with their testimonies. In Acts 15:7b-9, 12a Paul addressed this body, "Siblings, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.  8  God, who knows the heart, showed acceptance of them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as it was given to us.  9  God did not discriminate between us and them, for their hearts were purified by faith." The whole assembly became silent as they listened.
     
    The Council at Jerusalem reminds us that from its e arliest roots the Church had challenging conversations about the Church . Now is time for another Jerusalem conversation.

    In Apostolic tradition, let us gather for discussion about BE- ing the Church in the world today.

    Thursday, February 7, 2019
    12:00 Noon - 1:00 PM
    (Please bring a b rown bag lunch)
     
     
    Clergy Sabbath: January 22 - 24
      
    Please register by January 9, 2019!
    Building Sacred Relationships in a Time of Conflict and Fear
    January 22 - 24, 2019
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    Please join us at a new location this year! 
    Sheraton Hotel, Harrisburg - 4650 Lindle Road - Harrisburg, PA
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    To Register - If you need to register and pay by check, please call the Conference Office.
    Ministerial Excellence Forums, Spring 2019


    Please join us on the following dates from 1:00 - 4:00 at St. Thomas United Church of Christ.
      
    March 7 - Dr. Greg Carey, Pastoring Everyone in Divisive Times
    April 11 - Rev. Jes Kast and Rev. Megan Malick, Back at the Table
    May 9 - Rev. Dr. Carolyne M. Call, Emotional Intelligence
    ----
    Light refreshments will be served.
     
     December
  • December 9 - Beth Firme Ordination at Faith, York - 3:00 PM
  • December 16 - Laura Ramsey Ordination at Christ, Elizabethtown - 3:00 PM
    		•
    ChurchEventCommunityandJusticeChurch Events
    Annual Meeting 2019
    Save the Date: June 7-8, 2019
    Theme: Renaissance Ministry: BE-ing the Church Today!
    Verse: Ezekiel 37: 4-6
     
    We invite members of the Penn Central Conference who are called or inspired to create a logo to be used at our Annual Meeting.  Please consider our verse and theme and then submit your logo to Stephanie by February 1, 2019. The PCC Annual Meeting committees will vote and winner will be notified by February 14, 2019.  For details
    General Synod 32, Milwaukee
    SAVE THE DATE
    June 21st - 25th 2019
     
    New Synod Web Site
     
    Prayers1Prayers for Penn Central Conference
     
     
    Prayers for Penn Central Conference

    "Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you."  (2 Thess. 3:1)
     
    Beginning in 2018, we have created a prayer list to invite you to pray with us as we pray for all. Each week we will list names of various churches in Penn Central Conference hoping you will add them to your prayers.
     
    • Penn Central Conference members

     
    HCOpen Positions
     
    Trinity UCC @ State Line, PA is actively looking for an organist/pianist to cover weekly 9:00 a.m. Sunday worship services.  Email  Reeny777@juno.com or call 717-597-0585.

    Faith United Church of Christ, 1204 Wabank Road in Lancaster, Pa. is in need of a church organist. For more information, please call Pastor John Rieker at 717-341-1051.

    Zion UCC Arendtsville and the Cashtown/McKnightstown Charge participate in an ecumenical partnership called Upper Adams Christians Together (UACT). This partnership is seeking  a part-time Youth Coordinator.  UACT is a collection of 8 congregations (Lutheran & UCC) in Adams County.  Responsibilities include administration, teaching, and future planning.  Job description is available on request.  Contact Pastor Dennis Probst at UACTpersonnel@gmail.com, or Pastor Kim Blocher at chapkim17325@yahoo.com for more information.

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    Contact information:      Stephanie Rader-Titzel
    email: srader-titzel@pccucc.org   phone: 717-652-1560                fax: 717-652-4769
    web: http://www.pccucc.org