St. John Church News

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Pastoral Letter from The Rev. Dr. F. Russell Mitman
May 2, 2008

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

In recent weeks many of us within the United Church of Christ have been saddened by the way in which our denomination has been caricatured by the endless loop of 30-second sound bites taken from the sermons of the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright. We have also been concerned about the effect this has had upon the congregation of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, whose members have been unfairly interrogated by some within the media regarding the words of their former pastor.

More recently, however, my concern has deepened after hearing the speech given by Rev. Wright to the National Press Club on Monday. Like many of you, I was disturbed and even outraged by the ways in which this UCC pastor chose to portray and characterize our church. I echo the sentiments of our General Minister and President, Dr. John Thomas, expressed in his pastoral letter yesterday, which reads in part:

"It is understandable that members of the United Church of Christ have been wrestling with the controversy surrounding the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. with the same broad set of emotions and frustrations that have been expressed nationwide in recent days and weeks.

What we've heard from many of you is concern for our denomination and the well-being of our local churches. For this I am grateful. There is also dismay and outrage that the United Church of Christ is being painted in broad, caricatured strokes that diminish and ignore the reality of our members' many viewpoints and our churches' diverse histories and perspectives.

While there is high regard for Rev. Wright's ministry and leadership at Trinity UCC in Chicago during the past thirty-six years, and for his prophetic, scriptural preaching, many of us today are troubled by some of his controversial comments and the substance and manner in which they have been communicated, both by him and as characterized by the media.

Following Rev. Wright's insightful interview with Bill Moyers on Friday, many in the UCC hopefully anticipated that the prophetic voice of the church would be more clearly understood by the public and affirmed. But, unfortunately, following widespread critique of his handling of questions and answers at the National Press Club, that deep hope has turned now to unsettling despair for many. There is a collective and abiding sadness and anger in the present moment, regardless of theological or political persuasion."

The full text of Rev. Thomas' letter may be found at: www.ucc.org/news/thomas-speaks-to-broad-set-of.html

In this Conference we are blessed by a great diversity of ethnic, cultural, liturgical and theological traditions. In our churches on a Sunday morning, that diversity will be lived out in faithfulness to the gospel in many different ways and even in different languages. Our unity is not founded in allegiance to the preaching and teaching of any pastor--past or present--but in Jesus Christ who alone is head of the Church. Unity is not something we work to achieve. Christ already has broken down the walls that separate, and in Christ there are no distinctions of race, creed, or gender. The Church is not the creation of any human being, lay or clergy, but the very body of Christ himself. That is difficult for a secular culture, and sometimes even our own church members to understand.

To this end, and in attempting to be faithful to the invitation that our General Minister and President has issued, there will be a special pre-Trinity Sunday service of Word and Sacrament at 9:30 A.M. on Thursday, May 15, in the Church House Chapel. The service will be shaped by the lectionary texts for Trinity Sunday and I will offer the sermon. Following the service "Sacred Conversations on Race" will take place, and participants will have the opportunity to be in dialogue around issues for Trinity Sunday and ways to implement "Sacred Conversations" in local congregations. All ministers and lay persons are invited to this special service and dialogue.

Bear Creek Camp is offering a great interfaith immersion experience called “The Summit” for senior high youth June 29-July 3, 2008. Ninth through twelfth graders and leaders of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism will participate in a five-day residential program of sharing, teaching, and worship on site at the camp. Scholarships are available to make the program quite affordable. To register or for more information, go to www.bearcreekcamp.org.

Looking for a rewarding SUMMER JOB? Bear Creek Camp is accepting applications for all summer 2008 positions. From counselors and naturalists, to photographers and support staff, there’s a position that will be the right fit for you. An application and information may be found at www.bearcreekcamp.org. Just click on “employment,” and get ready for what may be the best summer of you life! Contact Lauren Remillard, youth programs manager, at 570-472-3741 or at youth@bearcreekcamp.org for more information.

Bear Creek Camp is looking for REGISTERED NURSES OR EMTS to volunteer for a week during the upcoming summer camp season. Meals and lodging will be provided, along with a $200 weekly stipend. Nurses are still needed for sessions 2 (June 29-July3), 3 (July 6-12), 4 (July 13-19), 7 (July 3-9), and 8 (July 10-16). Please contact Lauren Remillard, youth programs manager, at 570-472-3741 if you are interested.

Bear Creek Camp is accepting resumes for its ASSISTANT DIRECTOR POSITION. This person directs the camp’s programs, many of the day-to-day operations, retreat rentals, and volunteer projects. Requirements include experience and skills in outdoor ministry, program administration, solid faith, bachelor’s degree, and strong communication skills. Inquiries can be directed to exdir@bearcreekcamp.org through April 13.

The Mission Investment Fund continues to offer a 4.68%APY for an 18-month Mission Term Select. This investment requires a $2500 minimum deposit and must be a new investment and cannot be a transfer from an existing investment. This is a great opportunity to receive a good return and assist in building the Church. For more information about this and other investment or loan opportunities, contact Pr. Mark Wimmer: 267-203-1137 or mark.wimmer@elca.org. For concerns or questions about church buildings, contact building consultant Jeff Spann: 973-625-2568 or jeff.spann@elca.org.

The Spring Meeting of Pennsylvania Southeast Conference will be held June 6-7 at the Host Inn, Lancaster. The theme is “Being Church, Choosing Life.” It’s not too late for commuters to register (Deadline: Tuesday, May 27). Everyone is invited to participate in any of the worship services , workshops, and special presentations.

Click here for 4 documents to review before the meeting: The "2008 Spring Meeting Agenda", the "Nominating Committee Report," the Workshops (Workshop F has been revised), and the "Standing Rules for Meetings of Pennsylvania Southeast Conference." The Financial Report will be available on the web and sent to you via email as soon as it is received from the Auditor.

The Rev Claire Burkat, Bishop of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, will be the guest preacher for the opening worship on Friday at 10:00 A.M.

The Rev. Dr. Mark Burrows, Professor of Christianity at Andover Newton Theological School and ordained UCC minister, will deliver the keynote address "Habits of New Life: The Future of the Church that Faces Jesus" on Friday at 1:30 P.M. and will lead a workshop on Saturday morning. Dr. Burrows has consented at a very late date as a replacement for the Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon who had to cancel for health reasons. In addition to serving at the faculty director of the program in Worship, Theology, and the Arts at Andover Newton, he also chairs the UCC/UEK Working Group that oversees the full-communion partnership with the Union of Uniting Churches in Germany. He has authored a number of books on Christian spirituality and is currently working on a forthcoming book, Untamed Wisdom: The Poetics of Desire and the Renewal of Theology as Art.

The Rev. Stephen Sterner, Acting Executive Minister of Local Church Ministries for the UCC and a member of the Collegium of Officers, will offer reflections on future directions in the national setting of the UCC as part of the Conferring Session beginning at 8:30 A.M. on Saturday. He also will be offering a workshop on new directions in local church ministry at 10:15. Rev Sterner previously was the Senior Pastor of Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix, Arizona, and beginning in 1973 was Russ Mitman’s successor as Pastor of First UCC in Easton, Pennsylvania.

Saturday afternoon’s program will feature updates on the Church Revitalization Program, Mensch Mill and Youth Ministries, and the Introduction of new churches that have joined in the Conference in the last year. The festivities will close with a Service of Word and Sacrament and Healing with Conference Minister, Russ Mitman, preaching.

Russ commented, “I am deeply grateful to our visiting speakers for their participation with us, especially to Mark Burrows for his willingness to come to us in very short notice. This will be a meaningful time to celebrate together what it means to be Church in the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference. I hope to see you there.”
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LEAVE A LEGACY FOR MINISTRY AND MISSION

A Charitable Gift Annuity is a great way to make a gift to your favorite ministry. Not only do you have the assurance that the gift is in place but you will receive an income from that gift for the rest of your life. And if you defer receiving annuity payments, the income will be higher than from an immediate payout annuity. PLEASE NOTE: The Charitable Gift Annuity rates are going down beginning 1 July 2008. For more information call Pr. Greg Kramer at the Lutheran Planned Giving Office at 570-374-2044 or call the Foundation of the ELCA, 800/638-3522, ext. 2970 or visit our website at www.elca.org/fo.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THE BISHOP’S INSTALLATION

The installation of the next bishop of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod will be held on September 27, 2008, at 10:30 a.m. at Elm Park United Methodist Church in Scranton. This festive event will be all the more special as we are welcomed by our Methodist partners who have just approved a full communion agreement with the ELCA. Details about the service will be announced as plans are finalized.

Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries is proud to announce it’s newest community outreach program “Diakon Living and Learning after 50.” There is a complete course listing at the church. These community-based programs are for people aged 50 and above. The activities focus on spiritual, intellectual, physical, social, and emotional wellness.

Our goal for “Living & Learning After 50” is to engage the younger seniors who are not currently involved with any of our programs. This will introduce the “new” senior to what our centers and programs have to offer – perhaps recruiting new volunteers and program participants. Additionally, we will re-invest any profits made from “Living and Learning After 50” back into the centers to promote stability and growth as state and federal funding decreases.

Diakon Living & Learning After 50

Susan Long

118 S. Centre St. Ste 1

Pottsville, PA 17901

Fax: 570-624-3018 email: longs@diakon.org

CHILD ABUSE CAN BE PREVENTED!!

There are many resources available that can help to prevent child abuse. Here are a couple:

Click here for information on how you can help to stop Child Abuse.

DATE FOR 2009 LIFT EVENT SET

LIFT (Lutherans in Faith Together) was an enormously popular event in 2007. So we're doing it again in 2009. Mark your calendars: The 2009 LIFT event will be held on Saturday, JUNE 13, 2009, at Muhlenberg College. Watch for more information.

National Council of Churches passes a Social Creed for the 21st Century...

The 2007 General Assembly of the National Council of Churches passed "A Social Creed for the 21st Century" in honor of the hundredth anniversary of the "Social Creed of the Churches," passed by the Federal Council of Churches in 1908. This historic document, which was central to the social gospel movement, lifted up the public role of the church, just as the NCC's new statement calls its member communions to ameliorate particular injustices in our own world. Perhaps your congregation can find a way to consider this new, prophetic document during 2008.

Good Schools PA is asking that concerned citizens learn more about the issues of funding our educational institutions in Pennsylvania. To find out more, click here.

REGION 8 GLOBAL MISSION EVENT

Region 8 Global Mission and World Hunger Committees are sponsoring a global mission event, "Come to the Table…in Remembrance of Me," on May 23 and 24, 2008, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, Pa. The Rev. Dr. Rafael Malpica-Padilla, director, ELCA Global Mission, is the preacher for the opening service on Friday evening. Dr. John Nunes, president of Lutheran World Relief, is the keynote speaker on Saturday morning. A large variety of workshops will be presented by ELCA leaders and its partner agencies for adults, young adults, youth, and children throughout Saturday, highlighting the church’s global mission, impact on world hunger, advocacy, and peace and justice issues. The GME will conclude by sharing in the Trinity congregation’s late afternoon service on Saturday. For more information and a registration form, go to http://www.godslove.org/calendar/pdf/08globalmissionregion8.pdf.

Volunteers Needed

The Schuylkill County Meals on Wheels Program needs YOU. Please help the senior citizens in the Schuylkill Haven area remain in their homes by helping to prepare or delivering a hot, nutritious meal at noon time on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. For more information please call: Meals on Wheels (570)624-3023 or 1-800-621-6325.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH VOTES FOR FULL COMMUNION

The United Methodist Church (UMC) voted and approved this week an implementing resolution of full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at that church's General Conference meeting in Fort Worth, Texas. The ELCA Church Council will consider recommending an implementing resolution for full communion with the UMC in the coming months, which would then be passed on to the ELCA Eleventh Churchwide Assembly for further consideration in 2009. The UMC and the ELCA entered into a relationship of interim Eucharistic sharing as of the ELCA Ninth Churchwide Assembly in Florida in 2005.

ELCA DRAFT SOCIAL STATEMENT ON HUMAN SEXUALITY

The draft of the ELCA social statement on human sexuality, to be considered by the churchwide assembly in 2009, has arrived. To see it speak with Debbie Moyer. You may also read the statement online at http://www.elca.org/faithfuljourney/draft/. It is important to remember that this draft is NOT the proposed social statement. One opportunity to talk about the draft statement will be at a forum at the synod assembly in May.

Schuylkill Women In Crisis

Domestic violence is a major problem in our community. Statistically, one in four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime. This is beyond a women’s issue, however—domestic violence knows no age, sex, race, or socio-economic boundaries. Informing people about domestic violence is not only helpful as a preventative measure, but also shows support for survivors and witnesses of violence.

SWIC has a community education service that can help people of all ages men and women. While many people know that Schuylkill Women in Crisis provides services to survivors of domestic violence, SWIC also serves the community through educational presentations, which are free of charge. These programs can be tailored to fit the needs of any group. They also provide handouts about domestic violence and Schuylkill Women in Crisis.

For more information contact 570-622-3991 or swicmedadv@comcast.net.

A WAY YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT GLOBAL MINISTRIES

GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you are still using a great search engine. To try it, go to Good Search -- you will see that we already have "populated" the box "WHO DO YOU GOODSEARCH FOR?" to reflect Global Ministries as the charity you choose to benefit every time you use this search engine. Or you can choose "Global Ministries – Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ" as the charity you want to support. In addition, feel free to check out the GoodSearch website for information on ways to access this search feature more easily. Once the Global Ministries name is selected, you can search as much as you want and Global Ministries will benefit. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year for the work of Global Ministries around the world!

If you are excited by this, please spread the word to your friends and family and encourage them to support Global Ministries by using GoodSearch.com for all their internet searches.

SIGN UP FOR THE ELCA E-ADVOCACY NETWORK!

E-Advocacy empowers ELCA members to advocate for peace, justice, and care of creation. You'll receive timely updates from the ELCA on a wide variety of issues, including hunger, poverty, and the environment; and you can be confident knowing you are being asked to call or e-mail your elected officials only at the moments when your voice can make the most difference. Visit www.elca.org/advocacy to sign up.

Registration for the WELCA Triennial Gathering, which will be held Thursday evening through Sunday noon, July 10–13, 2008, will begin on Tuesday, September 4. The theme of the gathering, which will be held at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, is "Come to the Waters." For more information, go to the WELCA website at http://www.womenoftheelca.org/tg08.html. The Seventh Triennial Convention takes place before the gathering, from Tuesday through Thursday, July 8 to 10, also at the Salt Palace Convention Center.

COMING COMMUNITY EVENTS OF INTEREST AND OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Send mail to office@stjohnsunionchurch.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10/30/07

COMING COMMUNITY EVENTS OF INTEREST AND OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Send mail to office@stjohnsunionchurch.org with questions or comments about this web site. Last modified: 10/30/07

Send mail to office@stjohnsunionchurch.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 10/30/07