Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

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Weekly Update - December 6

This communication is paid for by Our Church's Wider Mission

In This Issue...

A Message from Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith

Generosity - NEW!

Clergy News - Registration Open for Clergy Convocation!

Conference Events

Church Leadership Resources - NEW!

Church Vitality

Community Needs and Justice Issues - NEW!

Events, Training and Resources

Church Events

Faith Connection Stories - NEW, St. James, Littlestown

3 Great Loves

Hartman Center

PCC Bay

Previous eNews

There is still time to make a tax deductible year-end gift to OCWM using this link.

A Message from Our Conference Minister and President

Pave the Way for Peace (Mark 1:1-8)

Perhaps Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk and mystic, was right when he wrote:

"We are not at peace with others because we are not at peace with ourselves,

and we are not at peace with ourselves because we are not at peace with God."

Where do we turn to find peace? During this time of year, to make us feel better, do we listen to the voices of retailers bellowing sale prices?

At church this Sunday we will hear another voice as we reacquaint ourselves with John the Baptist. From the barrenness of the wilderness away from the decorated malls, John calls to us preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. A simple message which pointed away from himself to the One who was coming. John's purpose was to prepare people to accept Jesus, the One who will pave the way for peace.

God comes to us in unexpected and unusual ways. No one is more unusual than John the Baptist. Every year around this time this odd prophet pays us a visit as a voice crying out in a desert place, "prepare the way of the Lord." His coming was predicted centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah who told us that someone would come and tell the people how to prepare the way. It would not be with shovels and machines, but through repentance and confession of sins. Ultimately paving a way through our hearts for God to come in.

The prophet Isaiah was not alluding to minor repairs, such as filling in potholes. He was calling for major reconfiguration of the terrain such as: filling in valleys and leveling mountains or smoothing rugged land and rough country. Isaiah was calling for serious transformation of the landscape of our lives, beginning with our hearts.

Advent is a time to prepare our hearts in anticipation of God's coming promise of peace.

As we wait for God's peace, guard your hearts against cynicism and feeling demoralized, especially in an unjust world. Do not be discouraged. Almost daily people engage in peaceful protests and cry out against the injustice in our nation and world. Even as we wait for a just world, God's peace is available to us. Open your hearts.

Prayer:

Grant us your peace, O Lord. A peace that the world cannot give and the world cannot take away. Come, Lord Jesus, our Prince of Peace... come into our lives this day. AMEN!

In Christ,

Monica

Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith

Conference Minister and President

Bulletin Insert

Generosity

THANK YOU! - NEW

Please click for a personal thank you from Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith

Thank you for your continued generosity and commitment to our ministry together in Penn Central Conference!

November OCWM 2017 gifts totaled $56,661 , a 21% increase over November 2016. We are currently tracking at 105.4% of 2016 but OCWM giving (YTD) is only 81.4% of the budgeted goal through November

Thank you for submitting your OCWM gifts monthly and adding OCWM as a line item in your annual budget. Please let us know what you have pledged to OCWM in the coming year by completing and submitting this 2018 OCWM pledge form.

Generosity Resources - NEW

Financial Visioning in Seven Steps (James Jordan)

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Year-End Appeal Dos and Don'ts (Networking for Good)

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Clergy News

Mid Winter Clergy Convocation

Proclaiming the Good News Today:

"How We Embody Jesus to the World"

Tuesday, January 30, 2018 - Thursday, February 1, 2018

DoubleTree Resort by Hilton

2400 Willow Street Pike

Lancaster, PA 17602

Keynote Speaker - Rev. Dr. Emily C. Heath

Details, agenda and pricing

TO REGISTER

We are hoping to have most of the registrations for our 2018 Clergy Convocation by the end of 2017. If you need to bill your convocation expenses in January, please register by January 3^rd, 2018, which is the final cut off for the Convocation registration.

Sabbatical Planning

Sabbatical Planning? Pastor preparing for sabbatical? We have resources for you. Please c ontact Rev. Betsy Bruaw for additional details.

Conference Events

Penn Central Conference Christmas Open House

Christmas Open House

Saturday, December 9 from 11:00 - 2:00

Please join us for fellowship, Christmas caroling, music, crafts for kids, fun and even a little shopping as we say farewell to Rev. Dr. Laurene Beth Bowers.

(Litany of Farewell for Laurene at 1:00)

Penn Central Conference Epiphany Worship Service

Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 6:30 PM

Mt. Zion, York - 1054 Ridgewood Road - York , PA 17406

Live streaming will be available. Please start planning your viewing parties now for those who are interested in joining the service, but not able to attend in person

For details

Church Leadership Resources

Leadership Resources - NEW

4 Practices to Help Prevent Clergy Burnout (Leading Ideas)

Dave Odom: What to do when money gets tight (Faith and Leadership)

Things You Must Address before December 31: Contribution and Housing Allowance (Webinar)

The Budget Really Isn't That Important (Ryn Nasser)

How sound is your congregation's budget? Take the test (Ryn Nasser)

Penn Central Conference Church Resource Offerings (a list of some of the resources available from The Conference.)

Prior eNews Leadership Articles (Archive)

"Be The Church" Recording

A video recording and PowerPoint presentation of the October 28, 2017 workshop "Big Gifts, Small Packages: Vitality in Small Churches" by Rev. Dr. Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi is now posted on our Web site.

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www.pccucc.org/bethechurch

Community Needs and Justice Issues

Disabilities Ministries

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Please join us!

We are hoping to kick off a new Disabilities Ministry for Penn Central Conference. There is a lot that can and needs to be done here!

Please let us know if you are interested and/or if you know folks from your church or Association that might want to be involved by filling out this survey.

Disaster Ministries - NEW

If you watched CBS's show Sixty Minutes on Sunday evening, 11/26/17, you would have seen how one man through his volunteering efforts is making a difference by "Helping to feed the People of Puerto Rico". If you did not watch last Sunday's Sixty Minutes show here now is that show segment: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/feeding-puerto-rico/

Thank you to everyone who responded to the UCC Disaster Ministries call to give on "Giving Tuesday."

From PA VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters): Please remember that anyone can call the Disaster Distress Helpline at any time. To learn more go to https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline

Church Vitality

Would You Like a Mystery Visitor to Come to Your Church?

The conference has trained 12 Mystery Visitors who are willing to visit your church on Sunday morning and give you a detailed report. Pastors can request a visitor (and they are the only ones allowed to do so) and they will receive the report to do with it as they see fit.

These visitors will assess the website, curb appeal and hospitality (as well as the coffee!). They will not be evaluating the pastor or the service itself. While most of the mystery visitors are churched, we also have a few seekers. To request a mystery visitor, contact Laurene Bowers LBowers@pccucc.org

Events, Training and Resources Available

UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS

Penn Central Conference Christmas Open House and Litany of Farewell for Rev. Dr. Laurene Bowers - December 9 at PCC Conference Office, 11:00 - 2:00 (Litany of Farewell at 1:00 PM)

Penn Central Conference Office Closed - December 25 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Penn Central Conference Office Closed - January 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Board of Director's Meeting - January 6, PCC CC, Board Room, 10 - 2

ONA Ministry Team - January 10, PCC CC - East, 2 - 3:30

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - PCC Office Closed - January 15

Conference Epiphany Worship Service - January 23, Mt. Zion UCC, York - 6:30 PM

Finance Committee - January 27, PCC CC - East, 9 - 12

Clergy Convocation - January 30 - February 1 - Lancaster

Click to see our Web site for more details.

Association Links

STAY CONNECTED TO PCC ASSOCIATIONS:

Central Association Facebook

Gettysburg Association Facebook

Harrisburg Association Facebook

Harrisburg Association Web Page

Lancaster Association Facebook

Lebanon Association Web Site

Mercersburg Association Web Page

York Association Facebook

York Association Web Page

2018 - SAVE THE DATE!

Hartman Center Golf Outing - May 12, 2018 - Fairview Golf Course in Quentin, PA

2018 Penn Central Annual Meeting - June 8 and 9, 2018

Susquehanna University

National ONA Gathering - June 27-29, 2018

Dallas, TX

Partners in Peace - July 5, 2018

Mid-Atlantic Regional Youth Event - July 19-22, 2018

California University of Pennsylvania

General Synod, 2019 - June 21-25, 2019

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Please check out the SAVE THE DATE Section Under Hartman Center too!

New Testament I

NEW TESTAMENT I class scheduled for December 9, 2017 at First UCC in Schuylkill Haven from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

A registration form with reading and pre-class assignments are attached or you can go to PAM's Web site.

Join Our List

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Lancaster Theological Seminary - NEW

POSITIONS OPEN!
Lancaster Theological Seminary has opened searches for two full-time jobs: a 3-year faculty position in Pastoral Theology to start July 1, 2018 (application deadline is Jan. 2) and an administrative staff job as Director of Admissions & Financial Aid to begin immediately. The job listings are posted on lancasterseminary.edu.

MECK AND MOSS AWARDS

Wanted: Nominations of worthy graduates of Lancaster Theological Seminary whose ministries are making a difference! Dec. 31 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Meck and Moss Awards recognizing excellence in ministry.

https://lancasterseminary.edu/alumni-ae/the-meck-moss-awards/

"KNOWING GOD"

Register by Dec. 11 for Knowing God with Dr. Lee Barrett. Here's a chance to learn from the world-class scholar and theologian Lee Barrett. The 5-week course, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays Jan. 2 - Feb. 1, is available for credit or audit. Details at lancasterseminary.edu

Pathways - NEW

Pathways Courses Available:

Dynamics of Difference

Christian Faith Formation

Small Church Administration

For details.

Insurance Board Webinars

The following webinars are scheduled for 2018. These webinars are free and open to all. All webinars are scheduled to begin at 2 PM EST. To register for one of these webinars click on this link, and click on "Insurance Board Webinars":

https://www.insuranceboard.org/online-learning/

Wednesday, February 7^th: Preventing and Dealing with Sexual Harassment at Church (Praesidium)

Wednesday, April 11^th: Risk Management for Camps (The Insurance Board)

Wednesday, September 12^th: Trending Risk Management Concerns for Churches (The Insurance Board)

Additional webinars and recorded webinars available under the Online Learning section of www.insuranceboard.org.

The Phoebe Messenger

THE PHOEBE MESSENGER IS ONLINE!

Don't miss the fall issue of the Phoebe Messenger, now available in print and online at phoebe.org/messenger. This issue also includes the annual report of gifts for the fiscal year. We thank our donors and volunteers for another year of generosity and dedication to advancing Phoebe's mission in the community!

To subscribe to the Phoebe Messenger, call 610-794-5124 or visit phoebe.org/messenger.

Events, Training and More...

Events and Information

Church News

Now Hiring: Minister of Music

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Saint Paul's UCC in West Milton seeks a part-time Director of Music
First Reformed Church United Church of Christ in Sunbury seeks part-time Director of Music.
Bethany United Church of Christ, Ephrata is seeking a part-time Director of Music.
Hamilton Park United Church of Christ, Lancaster Twp is seeking to hire a Director of Music and an Organist.
Starview United Church of Christ in Mount Wolf is looking for a part-time Director of Music.

For details.

Advent Resources

Jesse and Natalie Turri, artists, and Rev. Dr. Christopher Rodkey, devotions and prayers

Experience the stories of the liturgical seasons in a vibrant new way this year! Coloring Advent features a new illustration and scripture reflection each day of the season to lead you deeper into the stories you've known your whole life. Make Coloring Advent part of your journey to Bethlehem!

Bulletin Inserts and Coloring Pages and To order.

Mary's Joy is For Everyone

UCC Advent Resources

From Nickerson Coaching:

Advent and Christmas is an ideal time to invite, pick up and bring someone with you to an activity and/or worship. People who don't go to church often will come with you to a Christmas concert, Advent workshop, special mission project or Christmas Eve service. So pick up the phone and invite. Or go down the street with a plate of cookies and invite. Or send out a note and follow it up with and invitation. But please invite. Currently only 2% of church members invite anyone. Let's up that percentage in this special season.

But just don't invite. It's not enough to say to someone, "Oh, you are welcome anytime". That still leaves all the onus on the guest to show up, walk into a strange building, filled with people they don't know. Most guests won't do that. But what a difference if that guest is in your car and walks in the door with you. So invite, pick up and bring and help someone experience the incredible birth of Jesus.

3 Great Loves

3 Great Loves

There is now a section on the UCC site for you to share your 3 Great Loves.

Post your Love of Neighbor here - http://3greatloves.uccpages.org/stories.html

Post your Love of Children here - http://3greatloves.uccpages.org/stories.html

Post your Love of Creation here - http://3greatloves.uccpages.org/stories.html

Also, please remember the Spotlight Awards!

Spotlight Awards are designed to lift up stories of exceptional individuals who are creating a more just world for all through love of neighbor, love of children and love of creation.

Those receiving a Spotlight Award nomination will receive a letter from UCC General Minister and President, Rev. John C. Dorhauer, a certificate and a special UCC gift. Spotlight Award winners will get a banner for their congregation, a plaque and a visit from Rev. John Dorhauer. Additionally, nominees and winners will be recognized on www.3greatloves.org, on ucc.org, in social media, in KYP and at General Synod 2019.

Please use these links and continue to share your stories with us! (Or if you prefer, send your story to Stephanie at srader-titzel@pccucc.org and she can share it for you!)

We love seeing Penn Central Conference congregations connected, engaged and transformed through Christ's love!

Hartman Center

Hartman Center News and Resources

Hartman Center Wish List

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Save the Date for Upcoming Hartman Center Events:

Confirmation Retreat - March 16-18. 2018

Elementary Retreat - May 4-6, 2018

More details on the Hartman Center Web site!

Please save the date - February 11 for a Hartman Center Love offering. Love Offering Flyer and offering envelope labels.

Thank you for your continued support!

PCC-Bay

Schulmerich Handbells

Three Complete Octaves (37 Bells)

For details

Faith Connection Stories

Passionately Declaring and Demonstrating the Courageous Love of Christ

We love to hear stories of Penn Central Conference congregations working within their communities to passionately declare and demonstrate their courageous love of Christ.