Upcoming Events

The Art of Transitional Ministry, Part 1: Reconciliation in God's New World

With Erin Jones / Feb. 16, 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2023 / Online

Albright-Deering Lecture, Worship, and Lunch / Restorying in the Wake of Loss

With Karen Scheib / Feb. 16, 2023 / In-Person and Online

Related Albright-Deering Workshop: Western PA Conference of The UMC / Feb. 15 / Christ United Methodist Church, Franklin, Pa. and livestreamed to Olmstead Manor Retreat Center, Ludlow, Pa., and Jumonville Camp and Retreat Center, Hopwood, Pa.

Wise Women's Work - Community and Conversation Series

With Laura Everett and Vernée Wilkinson, Jennifer Bailey, and Hedda Sharapan / Jan. 19, Feb. 16, March 9, 2023 / Online

Kelso Lecture and Community Conversation on Race and Faith / To Whom Are We Neighbor? Churches and Communities Engaging in Anti-Racism Work Across Generations

With Starsky Wilson / March 17-19, 2023 / In-Person and Online

Epiphany is such a fascinating—and, I think, underrated—feast. I am captivated by the notion that the Feast of the Incarnation and recognizing the baby’s significance are two different moments; really seeing and really understanding take time to evolve. This seems to be a theme in so many New Testament stories—the dual sight of the blind man gradually developing in John 9; the 50 days between Resurrection and Pentecost. God’s revelation of love, these stories tell us, unfolds gradually across space and time, moving at a very human and incremental pace.

In the story, I am struck by the fact that after meeting the child, the Magi could not return the way they came; they had to go home by another way. The epiphany of the Christ child presented a danger to the establishment, embodied in Herod—and, their eyes and hearts newly opened, they could not simply follow the path that had served them before. Isn’t this where we find ourselves: unable to return to the old ways? We long for home and the place where we are known, but we see that going down the old path is neither possible nor advisable.

To recognize the presence of Emmanuel—God made flesh—among us requires us to turn to our lives anew, informed and animated by that amazing, disruptive truth. We return home transformed—wiser, overjoyed, and having been both bearer and receiver of gifts. Ordinary Time becomes extraordinary as we recognize God’s presence within it.

Join us this winter as we learn to participate in that transformation and tell the stories that invite our communities to join in it as well. Our Transitional Ministry Part 1 class will help those of you in pastoral leadership help your congregants find home by another way. Karen Scheib will do a deep dive into the healing work of storytelling in the wake of loss at our Albright-Deering events. And details are being finalized for the Kelso Lecture and Community Conversation on Race and Faith. The event will feature Starsky Wilson of the Children’s Defense Fund as we explore the connection between being neighbor and being anti-racist.

And finally, mark your calendars for June 16-17 for our Henderson Lecture with the inimitable Will Willimon, whose recent book, Don’t Look Back, speaks to the hope that envelops the unknown as we seek new ways to be faithful in unprecedented times.

May your Ordinary time be extraordinary, filled with the unfolding awareness of God-with-us!

Peace,
Helen Blier
Director, Continuing Education

Faith-based Nonprofit Workshop Series - Online

Have you heard or even uttered the phrase, “I didn’t learn how to do that in seminary?!” Have you wondered “What does it even mean to draft practices for financial management oversight in a way that is faithful and theologically sound?”

We have been listening, and thinking hard about how the skills of nonprofit management are needed in the church but also in need of adaptation for faithful use in the church context rather than the market place. Our three-part Faith-based Nonprofit Workshop Series will cover topics like human resources for staff and volunteers, theologically grounded funds development, and responsible community engagement. The course, offered by the PTS Center for Adaptive and Innovative Ministry, will take place 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Feb. 20, March 20, and April 17, 2023. Learn more and register.

PTS Offers Lenten Devotional and Resource Kit

We are putting the finishing touches on our 2023 Lenten Devotional. This free online resource provides a devotional for each day of Lent based on the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Daily Lectionary. The devotionals are written by members of the PTS community focused on the theme "Imago Dei" and can be accessed in various ways:

▪	Read and listen online or print and share.

▪	Receive daily e-mails. (Scroll to the bottom of this e-mail, select "Preferences," watch for an e-mail from GoDaddy with the link to change your subscription, and pick "Devotionals (Advent & Lent)" from the list. Or enter your information online and select "Devotionals (Advent & Lent).")