100 CT Clergy Urge Governor to Support Health Care Initiatives

by Michele Mudrick, SNEUCC Legislative Advocate

Thank you to the over 100 Connecticut SNEUCC clergy who signed a letter to Governor Lamont and legislative leaders urging them to support the following legislative initiatives: expansion of HUSKY A to 201% of the Federal Poverty level, creation of a pathway for undocumented immigrants to gain health care coverage, and establishment of a state healthcare public option. Read more

Rev. Ross Available to Preach

Would you like for Rev. James D. Ross II, SNEUCC Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, to join your congregation for a Sunday service? Rev. Ross would be thrilled to join you virtually this summer as a guest preacher or to participate in other ways. To arrange, please contact Karen Methot at methotk@sneucc.org or Rev. Ross at rossj@sneucc.org

Gathering: What is the Bottom Line for Coronavirus Safety? by Deborah Ringen, Minister of Health and Wellness for the Southern New England Conference, UCC Wow, keeping track of new guidelines in the pandemic response can be very confusing! How can we decide the best way to move forward? How do we balance caution and caring for others with our desire to return to “normal?” In the SNEUCC Conference CT, MA, RI each have slightly different timelines for lifting restrictions on gathering.  All three state coronavirus websites offer advice to help us discern where and when a fully vaccinated person should still wear a mask for the protection of those who are not yet vaccinated. Read more Emerging Stronger: Healing Stories From Mayan Women July 21,1-2:30 PM via Zoom Join Elena Huegel, Global Ministries missionary to Mexico, as she shares women's stories of healing. The purpose of this virtual workshop is to glean wisdom about dignity, kindness and the fullness of life from the experiences of Mayan women, and in the process, learn about Global Ministries and its partnerships with local communities such as the Institute for Intercultural Studies and Research and its "Roots in the Ruins: Hope in Trauma" program in Chiapas, Mexico. Registration coming soon!  Add to your calendar

100 years Later, Black Church Leaders Seek Reparations for Tulsa Massacre

by Adele M. Banks, Religion News Service

On the first Wednesday in May, as the centennial of the Tulsa massacre approached, the Rev. Robert R.A. Turner stood outside Tulsa City Hall with his megaphone, as he does every week.

“Tulsa, you will reap what you sow and that which you have done unto the least of these my children, Jesus said, you have done also unto me,” said Turner, 38, the pastor of Historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, captured on a video posted on Facebook. Read more

Synod is Asked, as Matter of Faith, to Reject Oppression of Palestinians  by Hans Holznagel, United Church of Christ The United Church of Christ’s national meeting has spoken many times about peace between Palestine and Israel. But this year’s proposed Synod statement is unique, its proponents say. It is not just a call to action. It is, centrally, a confession of faith and principles. A committee of delegates will review “Declaration for a Just Peace between Palestine and Israel” July 16. To pass, it will require a two-thirds vote in a plenary session between then and July 18. Shalom UCC, New Haven, CT, sponsored the resolution, joined by five other churches in New England and California.  Read more here Massachusetts Church's Weekly Vigils Bear Witness to Racial Injustice Excerpted from a letter by the by Rev. Lori Souder, Center Church UCC, South Hadley, MA, and published in the Town Reminder of Palmer At 10 AM on May 29, Center Church will be holding a liturgy on our front lawn, remembering people of color who were killed while simply going about their daily activities, such as driving, jogging, driving, talking on their phones - things white people tend to do without drawing particular attention. We will follow this service with a vigil for racial justice, as we have every Saturday for the last year. Read the letter here (page 4) Spotlight: Creation and Community  by Drew Page, SNEUCC Staff On Earth Day, Saturday April 24, the Green Team of Rocky Hill Congregational Church (CT) hosted an Earth Day Expo, an event the planners hope will be an annual event. Following guidelines for masking and distancing, the event included local political leaders, environmental groups, and entertainers to encourage people to protect God's creation.  Read more Press Conference Set as Supreme Court Opens Immigrant Court Cases  From the SNEUCC Immigration, Refugee & Asylum Task Team   Rev. Vicki Kemper (Amherst MA), sanctuary leader Lucio Perez, Rep. James McGovern, immigration attorney Glenn Formica and others will participate in a zoom press conference Tuesday, June 1, at 10 AM as the Supreme Court opens immigration court cases.  The Supreme Court's decision in Niz-Chavez v. Garland on April 29, 2021 may have invalidated 20 years of deportation orders that were initiated with defective notices not telling immigrants the date and time of their Immigration Hearing. All interested are encouraged to attend. For details and zoom link, contact Margaret Sawyer at margaret@pvworkerscenter.org  Your justice related news, events and reflections are welcome! Please submit to Editor Karen Methot for consideration: methotk@sneucc.org, by the fourth Monday of the month for a Thursday publication date. Thank you!