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.
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
Church Development The Church Development Ministry Team initiates and monitors church planting, including church multiplication and adoption. Sarah Rentzel Jones, 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
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/ Bill and Ellen Matten, co-chair, Disaster Response
Faith Formation The Faith Formation Ministry Team provides programs, resources, evaluates curricula, and promotes faith formation of all members of our local congregations. Monica Ouellette, chair
Green Justice The Green Justice Team are people of faith working from God’s call to promote environmental stewardship and justice through the Penn Central Conference of the United Church of Church and to assist our churches to become Green Justice Congregations.
OCWM The OCWM Ministry Team’s 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
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
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. ____________, chair
Youth Ministry Plans youth retreats and event trips such as the National Youth Event. Works to develop leadership in youth. Carol Price, 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