| |
MA and RI Conferences Sharing Search & Call Support
|
The Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences are now sharing administrative help for search and call, the process that helps to match clergy and churches.
Martha Goodman has been the search and call administrator for the Massachusetts Conference since January, 2013 and will now be carrying out the same function for the Rhode Island Conference.
Rhode Island's Transitional Conference Minister, The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix, will work with search committees and candidates, and will now take part in monthly meetings with the Massachusetts Conference search and call team to review church openings and new Ministerial Profiles.
“This change is part of our transition from a standalone Rhode Island Conference to one Conference with Connecticut and Massachusetts, and will provide Rhode Island with a robust search and call process that was not possible as a standalone conference,” Kendrix said
The Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut Conference Annual Meetings voted in June to unite to form a single, new Conference which will come into being on Jan. 1, 2020, pending approval by the national General Synod in 2019.
|
|
“We are delighted to be able to collaborate with Rhode Island in the search and call process," said the Rev. Don Remick, Transitional Interim Conference Minister in Massachusetts.
Read more
Immigration Tears Turned to Hope
|
By The Rev. Dawn Adams, a member of the Immigration, Refugee and Asylum Task Team of the MACUCC
We read about families at the border being split up. We weep. We cry. We wonder what we can do. The work at the border is indeed important and deserves our attention and our cries, but it cannot divert our ongoing attention from our work right here in Massachusetts. Churches here are currently hosting people who are on the verge of being deported.
First Congregational Church, UCC in Amherst opened its doors to Lucio Perez nine months ago now. Lucio is the father of four children and a husband. Not yet deported, he is living somewhat separated already from his family as he has taken refuge within the church. Lucio wears an ankle monitor and has an active order of deportation which is only being held at bay by virtue of loving and encircling arms of First Churches and other surrounding faith communities and individuals who have stepped forward to ensure his sanctuary.
Read more and find out how you can help
Many Voices, One Mission:
Strangers At Our Doors
|
By Karen Methot, Administrative Assistant for Stewardship, Church Development and Justice and Witness, Massachusetts Conference, UCC
Farouk - a gay man recently escaped from Uganda where being ‘out’ can mean losing your family, violence, torture, imprisonment, and worse – showed up at the door of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC in Worcester one day when the church office was closed. This was the address he’d been given while still in Uganda, with assurances he would find help and safety there. Not knowing what else to do, he knocked on the neighbor’s door. The neighbor, who knew about the church’s LGBT Asylum Task Force ministry, invited this stranger in, fed him, and allowed him to spend the night. The next morning he was taken in by Hadwen Park church where he was given a place to live, food, friendship.
Read the full post
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Many Voices, One Mission is a regular series highlighting the ministries of the CT, MA, and RI Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Southwest Conference Calls for
Week of Faithful Witness at the Border
|
|
|
|
|
The Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ has published information for churches wishing to help with the border crisis, either by joining a Week of Witness at the Mexican border in August, or by helping from home.
Read more
|
|
Confirmation Retreat Registration Open
Each year, the Massachusetts Conference offers a series of Confirmation Retreats for the youth classes of churches in the Massachusetts Conference as well as other NE states.
Retreat dates and locations:
Nov. 16 - 17, Prindle Pond Conference Center, Charlton
Jan. 25 - 26, Craigville Retreat Center, Cape Cod
March 1 - 2, Prindle Pond Conference Center, Charlton
March 8 - 9, Craigville Retreat Center, Cape Cod
March 15 - 16, Craigville Retreat Center, Cape Cod
Get more information and register your group
Conference Events
|
Super Saturday - Registration Now Open!
Oct. 20, 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM
Keefe Regional Technical High School, Framingham, MA
Join us for a full day of worship, workshops and networking. Keynote address by Dr. David M. Csinos, who writes widely about faith formation, children's ministry, youth ministry, and culture.
Read more and register now!
|
|
|
Active Threat Training: Keeping your Church Safe if Trouble Comes in
Sept. 8, 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Feeding Hills Congregational Church, UCC
This training is presented by Blue-U Defense; a program of the MACUCC Disaster Resource and Response Team.
Northeast Boundary Awareness Training
Sept. 18 & 19, 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
First Congregational Church in Billerica, MA
The Northeast Association is hosting a Boundary Awareness Training for all Clergy and Members In Discernment that have NOT yet participated or need to renew their training.
Resource for Pastoral Relations Committees
Oct, 2, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church, Millbury, MA
A workshop covering the purpose, best practices and ways to establish a group. Led by The Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister.
New to the Conference Gathering
Oct. 3, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA
Clergy who have joined the conference within the last year are invited to meet fellow clergy, become familiar with Conference staff and resources, and help Conference staff learn how we may support your ministry.
|
Worship and Sacraments
Oct. 6, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield, MA
Faith Formation workshop led by Rev. Dr. Mary Luti, long-time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila's Way and numerous articles.
Resource for Pastoral Relations Committees
Oct, 29, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Lee, MA
A workshop covering the purpose, best practices and ways to establish a group. Led by The Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister.
Interim Gathering
Oct. 30, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA
We Should Talk: A Primer on the Circle Process presented by Sam Lovett and the Restorative Justice Task Team
What's In Your Health Care Plan?
Nov. 1, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Options: Watch the webinar online OR attend at Edward House Meeting Center, Framingham
Learn how to become a health care planning ambassador to help adults & families make a personal health care plan.
Tending the Fire
Nov. 6-8; Jan. 8-10; March 12-14
Framingham, MA & Sharon, CT
This series of retreats helps clergy “think systems” in their congregations and their personal lives, so they can lead change that lasts.
More: macucc.org/events
|
Free Online Webinars
Q & A: Innovation in Church Stewardship
Aug. 28, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
UCC’s Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Information and Communications (OPTIC) is presenting a free online discussion featuring pastors who share how they are leading their churches toward meeting financial and membership goals.
The following webinars are offered free of charge to members of the Massachusetts Conference through a partnership with Practical Resources for Churches. Click title to register. Find a complete list here.
|
|
Rural Ministry Field Notes
Aug. 28, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
A basic overview of the nuances of rural ministry and several resources for innovative faith formation wherever rural is for you.
Meet the Author: Faithful Celebrations
Sept. 12, 7:00 to 7:30 PM
Led by Sharon Ely Pearson, editor and Christian Formation Specialist with Church Publishing Incorporated
|
|
Classifieds
Learning Lab Leader - Milton, MA
Sunday School Teacher - Belleville Church, Newburyport, MA
Sunday School Teachers - Needham, MA
Church Sunday School Teachers - Wellesley Hills, MA
Director of FCC Kids Program - Falmouth, MA
Interim Music Director - Southampton, MA
Music Minister - Lenox
Interim Children's Education Coordinator – Ashfield, MA
FREE: Ricoh Staple Cartridges - Monson, MA
Other Events of Interest
Called to Teach Online Course
Sept. 10 - Oct. 1
A three-week course for new Sunday school teachers or experienced teachers who want to grow. Cost is $45.
|
Commuter Core Godly Play Training
Sept. 8, 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM
All Saint's Church, Belmont, MA
Module I: Growing as God’s People: Sacred Stories & Supporting the Circle of Children This is part of a series of 3 commuter core training modules.
Al Filipov Forum Peace & Justice Forum
Sept. 16, 4:30 PM
Trinitarian Congregational Church, Concord, MA
Recognizing UTEC, an organization that helps young people develop skills through paid work experience; social justice and civic engagement are embedded in all programming.
|
|
Innovation Association
Sept. 24 - 25
Heritage Hotel & Conference Center. Southbury, CT
An Innovation Hub experience including networking, collaboration and connection, open to anyone from the CT, MA and RI Conferences interested in innovative leadership.
UCC W.I.S.E. Conference for Mental Health
Sept. 29
South Congregational Church, UCC, Andover
Learn about action steps for individuals and congregations to become WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) about mental health.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
