In the Wake of Las Vegas

     There are more things to say in the wake of Las Vegas shooting than can be given voice in this brief reflection. Let me share these words in the interest of provoking faithful conversation and hopeful change.
I am a gun owner. Have been all my life. From hunting to target shooting to military service, guns have been part of my family for as long as anyone can remember. I carry the memories of my grandfather and his father in the firearms they past to me. Along with them I carry the expectations and ethics for their careful use.

     Americans have added to the firearms of our forefathers hand-held and shoulder fired weapons of mass destruction. But we have abandoned the ethic or the expectation for their careful use in a culture that is increasingly driven by fear, division and emotional reactivity. There is a reasonableness to our relationship with guns that is being denied, to protect a right without commensurate responsibility, and our days are growing more and more deadly.
 

     I fully recognize the complexity of this matter. But there must be some coming together across the divide of this issue for without that, increasing numbers of our neighbors will be killed. I am NOT okay with that. We are the people for whom God crossed the boundaries of time and space to connect us with the source of all life, eternal life and each other; so that when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. The pain of this suffering we bring upon ourselves. Which means we can end it.

     If you have not been praying about gun violence, start. If you have been, add more prayer partners. If you are not telling stories/talking about firearms in your congregations and communities, start. If you have been, please let me know so I can pass the word to others. If you’re not sure how to start, call me.

     Together can we make a change and change is what is needed to find better ways of living into the grace that keeps this world.

                                                                                  - Rev. William P. Worley, Conference Minister

  

Available resources in the wake of Las Vegas
 
Here are some resources your that may be helpful to our congregations in response to the shootings in Las Vegas.
 

- UCC General Minister and President, John Dorhauer's response and video: click here.
 
- A reflection and resources  from Traci Blackmon, Executive Minister, Justice and Witness Ministries, United Church of Christ: click here.
 
- This is a link to the 5th Annual National Vigil for Victims of Gun Violence in DC in December: click here
 
- This  another compilation of resources compiled by the UCC, including a video and Bible studies. Some of these are from earlier times, but others are timely and may be utilized: click here

Disaster Coordinator Rev. Karl Jones UCC presents at the 
Pennsylvania Governor's 2017 Emergency Prepardness Summit

PRESS RELEASE:

Penn S.E. Conference Disaster Coordinator Karl Jones will give a presentation tomorrow morning at the Pennsylvania Governor’s 2017 Emergency Preparedness Summit.  He will describe how the UCC’s Disaster Recovery Support Initiative helps communities shorten the time between the immediate disaster response and long-term recovery through the sustained, on-site presence of a Disaster Recovery Support Team.
 
Jones’ presentation is a “Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Specialty Session” to the Pennsylvania VOAD Conference, meeting as part of the governor’s summit.  He says, “Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director Richard Flinn considers the voluntary organizations a vital part of the Commonwealth’s ability to respond to events. I appreciate the opportunity for training and interaction that this Summit provides."
 

 

Karl notes that it is important to continue to watch the UCC site,
by clicking here as the national office updates it daily!

AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR OUR CHURCHES!
Unveiling at the Fall Meeting!!

Lectionary Teleconference Meetings
1st Thursday of the month
w/ Rev. Bill Worley

First meeting:  Thursday, November 2

"I like to study scripture and I like to try new things. I am combining those two in the first of what might become a monthly video conference on lectionary scripture. The intention is simple: share insights from a month of readings that can inform our preaching and leading, around the pressing issues of our day. You can simply listen in or actively participate. All you need is an electronic device with a camera and/or speakers.

Click here for an informative flyer and instructions on how to join in!

2018 Pastoral Compensation Guidelines

The 2018 Pastoral Compensation guidelines have been set by the Personnel Committee and have been posted to the PSEC website.
Supply and Part-time compensation updated!
To access them, click here.

In addition, to access additional documentation in support of the
2018 Pastoral Compensation Guidelines, click here.

Attention Pastors !!         NEXT WEDNESDAY!!
Sign up now...
Manual on Ministry Re-Visioned Training

Wed. Oct. 11, 2017 @ Zwingli UCC
350 Wile Ave., Souderton
10:00 am - 12:00 noon

Click here to register. 

Congratulations Church Anniversaries !!!!
October 15th

Allegheny UCC, Mohnton   
Celebrating a 250th Anniversary

Trinity UCC, Tamaqua
Celebrating a 150th Anniversary
 

You are invited....
To Phoebe Wyncote's Clergy Event

"Dementia and Pastoral Care in the 
Community and Congregation"
 

Thursday, November 9th @ 8:30 am in the Phoebe Wyncote Chapel.  
One Continuing Education Credit (CEU) is available for attending.

RSVP by Thursday, November 2nd by calling 215-461-2103 or emailing: jasmith@phoebe.org

A flyer for this event is available by clicking here.

Spirit on Tap
“The Reformation at 500 and Beyond”

October 31, 2017  
Jane Ellingwood, Ph.D., Presenter
@ DoubleTree Hilton by Hilton
701 Penn Street, Reading

Dr. Ellingwood’s presentation will show how Reformation ideas about grace, faith, and works have influenced our contemporary theology, and which beliefs need to be reinterpreted or abandoned in the 21st century. Ideas about Creation held by Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other Reformers will be explored in terms of God’s grace extending not only to all peoples and all nations, but also to all living creatures and all creation.

For a flyer and registration information, click here.

Invitation to Pollinate and Bee the Church

The next 30 days are a Season of Pollination in the UCC! Yes, that’s right! This is your chance to bee the church! How might you do that? By encouraging your friends, colleagues, and church members to subscribe to a fabulous UCC e-newsletter called… The Pollinator. This newsletter has as its purpose the sharing of ideas and inspiration in caring for God’s creation.
To learn more about how you can help pollinate via clipboard evangelism at church, social media, and other ways, click here.

Association Fall Meetings
 

October 8 - Philadelphia Association -  3:00 pm @ United Christian Church, 8525 New Falls Road, Levittown 
October 15 - Schuylkill Association - 2:30 pm registration / 3:00 pm worship @ St. Paul's,  2 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City
October 16 - North Penn Association - 6:30 pm registration / 7:00 pm Worship @  Ridge Valley UCC, 905 Allentown Rd., Sellersville
October 22 - Ursinus Association - 2:30 pm @ St. Paul's UCC, 927 N. Franklin St., Pottstown
October 29 - Covenant Association - 2:30 pm registration/ 3:00 pm worship @ One UCC, 1730 New Holland Rd., Shillington

2017 PSEC Fall Meeting
November 18, 2017
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
@ 
First UCC, Schuylkill Haven


“Covenant” is the relationship God initiated with our Biblical ancestors, the church and all of creation. The primacy of covenantal language has evolved in the United Church of Christ; to our benefit when it reinforces our connections to God, the Holy Spirit and each other; to our detriment when the freedom inherent in covenantal relationships leads to the tyranny of the individual.
The Fall Annual Meeting is our time to celebrate the benefits and confront the detriment that we might build up the Body of Christ among clergy, congregations and community.

For more information and a link to registration, click here.

FALL YOUTH EVENT
November 10-12, 2017
 

Focus Scripture:  “Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called” -1 Timothy 6:12a 

Registration:  The Registration Deadline is October 29^th. You must register through the conference website at www.psec.org or by contacting the conference office. The event is open to Youth grades: 7-12. Please be sure to complete the attached Medical, Assumption of Risks and Permission Form. A signed form is required for all youth participants and may be turned in upon arrival at the event. Please do not email forms in advance.

Location:  South Mountain YMCA Camp (Camp Conrad Weiser), Cushion Peak Road, Reinholds, PA 17569

For more information and a link to registration, click here.

Is Your Church Prepared ?

ALICE Training
November 4th
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
Church of the Good Shepherd, Boyertown


For a flyer for this event, click here.
 

Registration deadline is October 20th!

Theological Table Talks: October through April
 2:00PM to 4:00 PM  one Thursday each month
Trinity UCC, Telford, PA

October 12:     God and Pharaoh Exodus 1:8-22,3:7-12,14:5-14   Wright, chapter 1&2

Convener is Rev. Dr. Deborah Rahn Clemens.
For a flyer for this series, click here.

Installation
November 12 - Rev. Selina Hamilton at Rosedale UCC
                              Reading - 3:00 pm

Lecture Series

The Literacy Medium of the Bible Presented by Robert Alter, PhD 2017 Irene E. Marold Memorial Lectures Thursday, October 12 • 9:00am–Noon Prosser Auditorium, HUB • Contact Hours: 2.5 • FREE LIVE streaming video will be available

 

How Many Moravians Does It Take to Change a Doctrine? Presented by Rev. Dr. Frank L. Crouch 2017 Moses Lectures in Moravian Studies Thursday, October 26 • 9:30am–Noon Saal, Bahnson Center • Contact Hours: 2 • FREE LIVE streaming video will be available

Empathy and the Compassionate Heart Presented by Regina Bogle, MD 2017 MACC Professional Day Lectures Friday, November 10 • 2:00–4:00pm Saal, Bahnson Center • Contact Hours: 1.5 • FREE Immediately preceding the MAPC/CC Alumni Wine & Cheese Gathering

For more information on these lectures and to register, click here!

MINISTRY DAY
Thursday, October 19th 
 

SPEAKER: Rev. Lee Barrett, the Mary B. & Henry P. Stager Professor of Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary where he has taught since September 1993.

This invitation is being shared by the PNEC Conference! 

Please email or call Patty Rehrig at the Penn Northeast Conference Office   
pattyr@pnec.org        610-826-3113
to make your reservation for Ministry Day 2017 & please let her know if you have any food restrictions/preferences.

For a flyer for this event, click here.

Additional Events to Assist you in Your Ministry
 

 

 

October 10 - Theology with a Twist
Getting By and Getting High:
The Beatles' Evolving Concepts of Reality, Identity and Love
w/ Rev. Dr. Riddick Weber
Tuesday, October 10  @ 7:00 pm
@ Kutztown Tavern 
272 W. Main St., Kutztown 
For more information and/or to register click here.

October 24-26 - Sabbath Reading for Preachers
Facilitators:  Rev. Dr. Hilary J. Barrett and Rev. Daniel T. Moser
October 24-26, 2017 
@ Mariawald Renewal Center in Shillington
Fee:  $200.00

You are invited to experience 3 days of Sabbath-keeping and renewal in the middle of the week at Mariawald.  You will spend three days with fellow colleagues in a time of nourishing rest and reflection.
Time together will include reflections on six works of literature.
The registration fee will include the 3-day program, housing, meals and all reading materials.

2.5 CEUs are being offered for the event.

For a flyer and registration information, click here.
 

 

October 29 - Celebrating One Baptism in Christ
An Ecumenical Commemoration on the
500th Anniversary of the Reformation
Sunday, October 29  @ 3:00 pm
@ The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral
23 S. 38th Street, Philadelphia
For a flyer, click here.

 

October 31 - Spirit on Tap - The Reformation
at 500 and Beyond
w/ Jane Ellingwood, Ph.D.
Tuesday, October 31  @ 7:00 pm
@ DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton
701 Penn St., Reading, PA
For more information and/or to register click here.

                   CLASSIFIED ADS