Boundary Training for Clergy: Undercurrents and Riptides Online [Sold Out]

From social media to AI to pornography, the internet can pull us in many directions and not all of them are good for us. In this session, we will discuss the hidden (and obvious) dangers of ministry in an online world.

Preparing for the Transition to Retirement

Presented by our sponsors the Pension Board.
The transition to retirement is a unique and personal experience for every minister. On the one hand, your lifelong commitment to your calling may feel very different as your day-to-day activities in service to your church and community begin to wind down. On the other hand, there are several key decisions you need to make. How well do you understand your Social Security benefits, your annuity options at retirement, or your life insurance needs? It can feel overwhelming. And if you answered “not very well”,  you are not alone when it comes to planning ahead for these and other important decisions.


After countless years of service, ministers deserve the dignity of a secure retirement, as well as the space and grace to reimagine how they may wish continue to answer their lifelong calling in this new stage of their life without the burden of worrying about essential resources. Join us for our workshop, Preparing for the Transition to Retirement, to learn more about the possibilities ahead. We will share stories from retired ministers and discuss pragmatic steps you can take to prepare the resources you will need to live comfortable and securely.

Stronger Together: Strategic Partners In Ministry [Sold Out]

with Mike Gibbs.

Purpose: To inform congregations and clergy about the PCC Church Futures Commission (CFC), what it has to offer, and how these strategies and tools can be used in partnership to strengthen the local church.

Description: Participants will learn about the tools and strategies available through the CFC to help them discern and embrace God’s call in the face of the challenges of being the church in the 21st century. They will explore the potential for partnering with the CFC through small group discussions about issues such as governance, finances, shared ministries, and conflict in the congregation.

Aging Gracefully...How to Plan and What to Expect

Join Victoria Velez and other representatives from UCC Homes to learn more about the social and physical resources that can help support us as we age, as well as important decisions we and our loved ones will face in the planning process for care in aging.  Feel free to bring your questions! (Please note that they are not financial advisors and will not be able to provide financial advice, but they can share what types of funding are available and helpful resources.)

AI for Ministry: Practical and Ethical Tools

with Rev. Dr. Chris Rodkey. A workshop for clergy that both introduces basic artificial intelligence tools for ministry and addresses the ethical and theological issues surrounding the use of AI in various ministerial offices. If possible, bring a laptop or device, and create a free ChatGPT account online at https://chat.openai.com prior to the workshop. An optional reading on the philosophy of artificial intelligence will provided by email before the conference.

Becoming a Kinder Church: Building Community across Differences

with Rev. Dr. Steve Ohnsman. This workshop will consider the ways churches are and aren't kind, and what we can do in our local settings to help our congregations be more like Jesus might want us to be. Steve will share some stories from his ministry and encourage participants to share their experiences, if they choose to. The hope is that each person will go back to their congregations with tools to be more welcoming, inclusive, and joyful.

Disaster Ministry in a Keystone Conference: Principles and Pathways for Action

Learn more about churches’ vital work in disaster readiness and response in this workshop by Rev. Karl Jones, (Conference Disaster Response Coordinator, PSEC) and Katherine Howe, (Minister of Disaster Response and Recovery, Global H.O.P.E, UCC).  This discussion will explore how a single United Church of Christ approach to disaster ministries in Pennsylvania will engage our churches as vital partners in this ministry and enhance the resiliency and security of our churches and the communities they serve.

Facing White Christian Nationalism: Understanding its Roots and Responding Effectively [Sold Out]

with Dr. Esther Prins and Dr. Mary Juzwik. White Christian nationalism has become an increasingly urgent issue in our religious and political life, challenging past assumptions about Christianity's public role.  Join educators Dr. Esther Prins (Penn State) and Dr. Mary Juzwik (Michigan State) to learn from their research on the roots and beliefs of white Christian nationalism, its current spread, and the practices that can help us respond to its claims and support the process of "unlearning."

Getting Started in Grassroots Organizing in Your Community

Do you want to start a social justice ministry in your community? Know about all the problems in your community, but unsure of where to start? Worried about being too political? This workshop roots you in your faith and the beauty of bible and theology. You will practice proven organizing skills and leave the workshop with a plan of action with the help of Rev. Dr. Dietra Wise Baker, Assistant Professor of Contextual Education and Community Engagement and Founding Faculty Director of The Center for Lived Faith and Organizing at Eden Seminary.

Planning and Supporting End-of-Life Choices through the Five Wishes Process

with Rev. Meagan MacLeod, Rev. Lois Morrison, and Rev. Kelsey O'Brien. The Five Wishes Workshop shares material developed by Aging with Dignity. It leads participants through a process to understand end of life choices including levels of medical care, and ways to maintain comfort and dignity during their end of life and create a document that informs others of these desires. There will also be an opportunity to discuss how this program could be offered on a congregational or local level.

Struggling with the Spirit, Struggling with the Call: Handling Affirmation and Criticism as Clergy

with Rev. Jack Abel and Rev. Tom Adil. There are times we feel affirmed in our ministry, and times we do not. Sometimes we feel the tug of our call...and sometimes it can feel far away. This workshop will include both a panel presentation and facilitated small group experience to address this dilemma we all face - affirmation and criticism in our ministry. We will have the opportunity to talk about our struggles and celebrations, hear of our common and unique experiences, and find support and skills to deepen our ministry.

Poetry as a Spiritual Practice

with Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson. Our creativity is an important part of our spirituality, connecting us with God in deep meaningful ways. Explore and connect with your creative side as a source for spiritual growth through this workshop focused on poetry as a spiritual practice.

Values-Aligned Investing to Sustain Ministry and Mission

with Stacey Pettice, presented by our sponsors United Church Funds. Values-aligned investing incorporates your church’s core values into your investment strategy. The way your church invests your long-term financial assets can say a lot about the core values and priorities of your church. Does your church envision a more just world for all people or make greater impacts into underserved communities? How does your church respond to the dangers of gun violence, climate change, or threats to global peace? You can hold corporations accountable for their commitments to these topics, while screening out some industries and practices from your church’s investment portfolio. Attend our workshop to learn more!”

Using Music to Imaginatively Acknowledge Issues of Justice

with Eric Dundore and UCC Musicians Association. How can we use music in our churches that address justice issues – racism, gender, LGBTQ+, climate change, etc? Resources, ideas, and experiences will be shared by all present.

Retirees Conversation with the Conference Ministers

Retirees, join us as we have our own discussion with our four Conference Ministers.  A few of the topics will include:  “How can retirees be beneficial to the Conference?” and “How can the Conference help retirees not feel abandoned?”

Do you know where your money is sleeping at night?

Or put another way, do you know if your money is doing more harm than good? With Scott Hackenberg, presented by our sponsors Cornerstone Fund. Cornerstone aligns money with purpose, expands ministry and positively impacts communities and causes – through a collaborative & virtuous cycle of both investing and borrowing.

Being Church in Today's Evolving World: Capacity Building and Adapting to Change [Sold Out]

with Jill White, presented by our sponsors UCC Church Building and Loan Fund. This workshop will discuss current challenges churches are facing to remain mission focused, relevant, sustainable, and impactful. This workshop will emphasize being church different and adapting to the evolving normal through CB&LF capacity building services.

Claimonomics: Maximizing Financial Performance for Churches

with Monroe Moore, presented by our sponsors the Insurance Board. This workshop will discuss various claim related management strategies that will help ministries manage their risk exposures. The workshop will also focus on our Tenants & Users Liability Insurance Program (T.U.L.I.P), retro date abuse claims as well as using incident reports as place holders for coverage. We invite you to visit www.InsuranceBoard.org to learn more about our safety resources for ministries. Our Insurance Serves You, So You Can Serve God.