Ministry Team Directory

If you need assistance from a ministry team or may be interested in joining a particular team, click on the chair’s name to send them an e-mail.

Christian Education  The Christian Education Ministry Team provides programs, resources, evaluates curricula, and promotes the educational ministry of our local congregations. Monica Ouellette, chair

 Congregational Vitality   The Congregational Vitality Ministry Team initiates and monitors a number of programs to assist our local congregations, such as the Road to Vitality, the Pathways Seminar and various other events and programs. Bruce Conrad, chair

 Central Pennsylvania Open and Affirming [CPONA]  CPONA is a group of interested individuals and congregational reps who promote and encourage civil discussion about the Open and Affirming process and its related issues. Dottie Book, chair

Disaster Response and Readiness  The Disaster Response and Readiness Ministry Team plans and executes Conference-wide Mission Trips, to places such as Florida, New Orleans, and Nashville.  They also provide training in Disaster Readiness, working cooperatively with local and regional government entities, and encourage each congregation to have a Readiness Plan. Herb Bomberger, co-chair, Disaster Readiness/
Jim Fowler, co-chair, Disaster Response

 New Church  The New Church Ministry Team initiates and monitors church planting, including church multiplication and adoption. Sarah Rentzel Jones, chair

 OCWM   The OCWM Ministry Team is new and is beginning to define their work.  Its purpose is to promote Our Church’s Wider Mission in our congregations, and to monitor giving so that we may respond appropriately. Ken Heasley, chair

 Peace and Justice  The Peace and Justice Ministry Team addresses current issues of peace and justice issues as they arise.  They have worked most recently on issues of immigration, and human trafficking, and often provide us with resolutions to consider at Conference Annual Meeting and in our congregations. Bruce Bouchard, chair

 Sacred Conversation on Race  The Sacred Conversation on Race Ministry Team has provided education and challenging resources for our congregations to use in small groups or large groups.  They have sponsored films and other conversation-starters at Conference Annual Meeting. Jackie Lingelbach, convener

 Spiritual Life The Spiritual Life Ministry Team originated the “Red Prayer Bowl” project in our local congregations.  It proved so popular that it was adapted for and promoted at Conference Annual Meeting, with a Conference-wide prayer team and red bowls in ready view for all attendees. Jackie Lingelbach, convener

 Stewardship  The stewardship Ministry Team assists congregations with identifying and evaluating tools for stewardship, including annual giving campaigns, stewardship education, and proportional giving.  Jerry Thomason, chair

 Worship and Music   The Worship and Music Ministry Team prepares and provides worship, liturgy, and music for Conference Annual Meeting, and often for other events such as Midwinter Convocation.  They also help put on our Growing Stronger Churches Event, with tracks for liturgists and musicians. David Tietje, chair

 Youth and Young Adult Ministry   Plans youth retreats and event trips such as the National Youth Event.  Works to develop leadership in youth and young adults. Fred Young, chair

Partnership Teams
Dakota Association The Dakota Partnership Ministry Team keeps us in relationship with the American Indian Churches of the Dakota Association, located primarily in South Dakota.  We have assisted them through mission trips, providing resources, and seeking to understand each other’s cultures. Peter Emig, chair

Namibia Synod UCCSA  The Namibia Partnership Ministry Team promotes relationships between churches in Penn Central Conference and the 14 churches of the Namibia Synod of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa, including visits, exchanges and mutual mission projects. Chris Rankin, chair

UEK:  Berlin/Brandenburg and Rhineland  The UEK Partnership Ministry Team helps us relate to Reformed Church partners in the Rhineland Regional Church and the Berlin/Brandenburg Regional Church, through such means as colloquies, visits between leaders, and common theological discussions. Dietmar Plajer, chair