Pennsylvania Central Conference area conference minister, the Rev. Allen Fluent, recently proposed the development of a blog for their ONA and "inclusive" congregations.  "It's hard for people to find a welcoming community in central Pennsylvania, and we'd like them to know there are a few," he says.  The new blog is called "Soul Journeys in Central Pennsylvania" (http://souljourneysincpa.blogspot.com).

Rev. Fluent does hope the blog will help people find those places in the conference where GLBT people would be welcome and affirmed—and help progressive Christians in general find places in the UCC to worship.   But the blog also serves another purpose, providing mutual support for their ONA and "inclusive" congregations.  

Penn Central currently has 5 ONA congregations, one currently going through the study process, and two or three more that are doing things that are publicly supportive without voting on it yet. In addition, two new church starts, one in Mansfield, called "Soul Link Gathering," and  one in Harrisburg, called "Journeys United Church of Christ," are being started as intentionally progressive ONA and multiracial/multicultural congregations.

"This is my first effort ever to attempt a blog. I'm absolutely the least technologically inclined member of our Conference staff," says Fluent.  He didn't let the technology get in the way of his goal and now he's reaching out to learn more about networking through the internet.  Check out his blog and spread the word!