This month, I want to use this space to update you on the progress of the formation of the Keystone Conference.

During the Penn Central Conference Annual meeting, it was announced that our current Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Carrie Call, will serve as the Transitional Executive Conference Minister of the Keystone Conference. The Rev. Dr. Nora Foust will serve as 1 of 3 Transitional Regional Conference Ministers. Paul Keller will serve as the Keystone Conference’s administrator and the Keystone Conference office will be located in the current Penn Central office at St. Thomas UCC, Linglestown.

New Covenant will continue to be a part of the Central Association and we will be in Keystone Conference Region #2 and be served by Pastor Nora as our Regional Conference Minister. Region #2 includes all of Penn Northeast Conference and the northern portions of the Penn Central and Pennsylvania Southeast Conferences. The Regions were created trying to have a similar number of churches in each region. Region #1 has the most churches. Region #3 covers the most square miles.

The formal vote to approve the formation of the new Conference will be held at General Synod July 10th – 15th. Four persons, two pastors and two lay leaders, were approved at Annual Meeting to serve on the new Keystone Conference Board of Directors. A service of worship and celebration for Penn Central Conference will be held at Colonial Park UCC on November 15th at 2pm. The service will be livestreamed. A zoom business meeting of the Keystone Conference will be held November 22nd at 9am. This meeting will be held to approve the Constitution and by-laws as well as the 2026 budget. Town Hall meetings will be held in the fall for questions and comments prior to the meeting.

Peace and blessings,

Pastor Brad