Penn Central Conference Weekly eNews

"We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

Since we just celebrated the 4 ^th of July, we know these familiar words from the Declaration of Independence. Many of our men and women have died and continue to give their lives to protect life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

Freedom is cherished in our democracy. However, as we go through life, there are burdens that weigh us down and rob us of the experience of feeling truly free.

A few years ago William H. Willimon, a UMC theologian, questioned the quality of freedom. He predicted that "our age shall be known, not as the age of freedom, but as the age of anxiety. We are anxious about many things: having enough money, having good enough health, and being secure and safe." As baby boomers age, the whole country seems worried about how their declining health will affect their future. We have become a nation filled with stress.

The American Psychological Association reported on stress in an October 2007 study. The results showed that close to 50% of the 2000 people surveyed said they'd lost sleep and engaged unhealthy behaviors during the last month due to stress. The research also showed that some people used healthy coping behaviors like listening to music (54 percent), reading(52 percent), exercising or walking (50 percent), spending time with family and friends (40 percent) and praying (34 percent). It was interesting to note that fewest people turned to praying, only 34%.

With all the crisis in our communities and world that swirls around us, perhaps we have stopped turning to God in prayer because we think God has abandoned us. A similar sentiment was expressed on a church sign I saw recently which read, "If God seems distant -- who moved?"

Maybe our vision of God has dimmed in ways that make it difficult to see God at work in our lives and our church. So, hear anew Jesus' invitation found in Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message translation):

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

God wants to help us to live freely and lightly, through learning the unforced rhythms of God's grace, in Christ Jesus. Christ's yoke connects us in close relationship with him. Tethered by his grace, Jesus leads us to real rest as individuals and into covenantal relationship, as the body of Christ.

Indeed, this is good news! Amen.

In Christ,

Monica

Rev. Dr. Monica Dawkins-Smith

Conference Minister and President

8.5 x 11 bulletin insert and 8.5x14 bulletin insert

General Synod - Baltimore

General Synod Highlights

From amazing worship services to awe-inspiring speakers and a robust business schedule, General Synod was a roaring success. Thank you to the Penn Central Delegates for your focus, commitment and dedication to Penn Central Conference and the UCC.

A few highlights...

Video - We Committed to a New Vision

United Church of Christ commits to a new Vision - "United in Christ's love, a just world for all."

Rev. Traci Blackmon Overwhelming Elected as Executive Minister of Justice & Witness Ministries

"Traci is a game changer. If we are talking about our promise to live out bold public witness, this woman lives that out to a level of which we can all be proud," said the Rev. John Dorhauer, UCC general minister and president. This is a woman who can make a difference."

Three Great Loves Officially Announced and Kicked Off

"What is Three Great Loves? It is a call to the love of children, to the love of neighbor, and to the love of creation," Dorhauer told the gathering on Saturday morning, July 1. "During the next biennium, we want to discover what an entire denomination committed to Three Great Loves can do to change the world."

Environmental Imperatives for a New Moral Era Passed

"The climate crisis is an opportunity for which the church was born," said Rev. Jim Antal, president and conference minister for the Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ, and the author of the resolution. "This sets the stage for engagement and hope. This is a proclamation of truth and the love of God's gift."

video - Monday Evening Worship

Rev. David Vásquez-Levy preaches a powerful sermon, "Get in the river, Naaman - and we, too, must get in and get wet to get well."

We will have more about General Synod in next week's eNews , including reflections from our delegates.

Please follow our Facebook page for streaming videos, additional news and updates from General Synod.

Generosity and OCWM

NEW - OCWM Gifts

Thank you for your OCWM gifts! Your gifts are having an amazing impact changing lives in Penn Central Conference and the wider church.

The graph has been updated to show giving through June 30.

As you can see, we had tremendous support at the end of June. Your faith commitment makes a huge difference for God's mission and helps Penn Central Conference achieve its goals.

Thank YOU for your ongoing support!

Church Vitality

Next Vitality Workshop July 16 - Harrisburg

Have you noticed a drop in worship attendance?

Are you wondering how to get more visitors to show up on Sunday morning?

What kinds of changes to worship can be made that will have the biggest impact ?

This workshop walks pastors and leaders through the process of reaching out to the community and attracting new people to attend worship. Once they are attending worship, three changes will be recommended to ensure their return . We will explore Web sites , visitor tabs and using the Smart Phone as a device for evangelism. Key learnings will be around worship days and times, how to make Holy some of the secular Holidays and how to do small groups in the middle of worship.

There is no cost to attend. Please read Transformative Worship: Changing Lives through Religious Experience by Laurene Beth Bowers (available on Amazon). This will prepare you to ask questions and have a conversation about how to incrementally grow your church.

Vitality Workshop "How to Increase Worship Attendance"

All Workshops are from 1:00 - 4:00

July 16 - Colonial Park, Harrisburg

August 6: Apostles, Lancaster

August 20: Dreisbach, Lewisburg

September 24: Hayshire, York

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

Church Leadership Resources

10 Predictions about the Future Church and Shifting Attendance Patterns (Christian Week)

Big Gifts in Small Packages (small church workshop) - COMING SOON

Events, Training and Resources Available

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UPCOMING CONFERENCE EVENTS

UEK Partnership - July 11 in PCC Conference Center

Green Justice Team - July 11, Hartman Center

Vitality Workshop: How to Increase Worship Attendance - July 16, Colonial Park UCC

Pastor's Breakfast and Worship - July 27, Hartman Center

Vitality Workshop: How to Increase Worship Attendance - August 6, Apostles, Lancaster

Click to see our Web site for more details.

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2017 Loss Control Webinars

The Insurance Board is pleased to present the following upcoming Loss Control webinars, available to all participants and members.

Fire Prevention and Protection for Churches
Wednesday, July 12th, 2pm Eastern (IB - Mary Lammermeier)

Keeping Your Ministries Safe: 5 Things Churches Can Do to Prevent Abuse
Wednesday, September 13th, 2pm Eastern (Praesidium)

How to Avoid Background Screening Litigation

Wednesday, October 11th, 2pm Eastern (Praesidium)

Here's a link to their Web site to register:

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

2018

SAVE THE DATE!

Clergy Convocation - January 30 - February 1, 2018

Doubletree by Hilton - Willow Valley, Lancaster PA

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

California University of Pennsylvania

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

Susquehanna University

Partners in Peace - July 5, 2018

Church News

NEW - Friendship Fest and Ice Cream Social

Trinity United Church of Christ, East Petersburg, PA, is hosting their annual Friendship Festival and Ice Cream Social on July 16 from 5:00 - 7:00. Face painting, Jim Rule concert, fun and fellowship!

See flyer for additional details.

Trinity, Mercersburg Celebrates 225 Years!

Trinity United Church of Christ, Mercersburg PA, is celebrating its 225^th Anniversary (1792 - 2017) by hosting a worship service, catered celebratory picnic and program on Sunday, July 23, 2017.

The event will be held at the Lion's Club Park in Mercersburg PA; worship service at 11:30 a.m. and meal and program beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Members, church participants, local clergy, friends and special guests have been invited.

NEW - Gettysburg Association Summer Picnic

All members and friends are invited to the annual summer picnic Thursday, July 27 from 6:00 - 8:00.

The event will be held at the St. James UCC - 1200 Harney Road, Littlestown (in the social hall.)

Hot dogs, hamburgers, rolls and drinks will be provided. Please bring a covered dish to share. RSVP by July 23 to gapccucc@gmail.com or 717.359.4019.

CRN Event "I Wish I Would Have Done Something"

St. Paul's Mechanicsburg invites you to learn how to effectively and sensitively intervene when someone is being verbally or physically harassed.

August 2, 2017 from 6:00 - 8:00 at St. Paul's Mechanicsburg

For additional details.

Mercersburg Association Clergy and Family Picnic

Saturday, August 26, 2017 from 11:00 A. M. to 4:00 P. M

St. Matthews United Church of Christ - 3240 Spring Road, Carlisle PA

Hot Dogs and Beverage provided but please bring a bring a dish to share and come out for games, fun and fellowship.

RSVP to Pastor Mike Boehm at revboehm@yahoo.com or (717)536-0163

York Association November Association Annual Meeting

The York Association will host Mr. Mark Lutz, the author of UnPoverty, at their Annual Meeting in November.

In preparation for his visit, Community Outreach members have prepared a study guide for you and your congregations to use as you read this book. Currently the Association has 30 copies of this book you can borrow. As you make your plans for summer and fall, please contact Rev. Cathy Sherry ( CathyLHS19@comcast.net ) to reserve copies for use at your church.

Partners in Peace, 2018

If you are between the ages of 18 and 25 and would like to be one of three participants for the next Partners in Peace adventure, please see attached flyer

Questions can be directed to Peter Emig at solomonsucc@embarqmail.com.

Clergy News

Register for Pastor's Breakfast and Worship

We look forward to the Pastor's Breakfast and Worship at Hartman Center on July 27. The event is free. Please register by July 17!

July - August

July 9: Donte Aaron Jones Installation at Wisdom's Table at St. Peter's, Lancaster - 11:00 AM

July 23: Kenno Meko Korssa Ordination at Wisdom's Table at St. Peter's, Lancaster - 3:00 PM

July 30: Jeff Kardisco Ordination at Trinity, Waynesboro - 3:00 PM

August 1: Bonita Zobeck last day at Colonial Park UCC

August 6: Margaret Wise retiring from Zwingli, East Berlin

Hartman Center

ONE More Camper Campaign

For $420, you, your church or a group can sponsor a camper to attend Hartman Center this summer.

We need more than 300 (ideally 350) campers for the summer program to operate in the BLACK.

Can your church provide a CHRISTMAS IN JUNE OR JULY for a child/youth in your church or in your community?

If every PCC congregation could send just ONE MORE CAMPER that would make a world of difference to Hartman Center BUT EVEN MORE to those children/youth that get to experience the blessings of a week at summer camp.

The best way to experience camp for the first time is to come with a friend, or a parent, or grandparent. Intergenerational camps are offered each week.