| A Note from your Area Conference Minister |
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Dear Friends in Christ,
As we enter the first few weeks of the program year, I pray that God will bless your churches and communities with a renewed sense of the Spirit’s power.
Michael Ciba, Team Leader and Area Conference Minister for the Southwest Region
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Please have your church administrator (or whoever handles your church's email account) visit the Church Dashboard (part of the Southern New England Conference's data base) to make sure we're connecting with all the current leaders in your church.
Does your Association have events or news that can benefit from being shared - Meetings, Ecclesiastical Councils, Ordinations, etc? This newsletter space is just waiting to be populated by your activity! Please share your events and news with Jill Ford, Program Support Associate (fordj@sneucc.org) to be included in future bi-monthly publications.
The Southwest Region of the Southern New England Conference is comprised of:
- Fairfield East Association
- Fairfield West Association
- Litchfield South Association
- Naugatuck Valley Association
- New Haven Association
- New Haven East Consociation
Affinity Group for Ministers of Color
The group is open to all People of Color who are considered Authorized Ministers (UCC), Rostered Ministers (ELCA) or Parochial Ministers (Episcopal, WMA). This group is a collaboration between Together We Thrive and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program of SNEUCC.
The group will meet on Saturday mornings at 10 am beginning October 23.
Group Size: minimum of 8
Cost: $50 (plus $7.50 for book)
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 1
Building on God's Promises:
A Time of Personal Renewal
Our keynote speaker is Dr. Monica Coleman and there will be over 50 fabulous workshops to choose from.
Registration is now open!
We will be offering some 1 Hour workshops and a few 1 Hour Midday workshops in addition to our standard 1.5 hours and extended workshops for those who want to be busy all day. Sign up for as many or as few as you like.
View the New Schedule.
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Digital Ministry Resources:
Copyright and Licensing, Digital Ministry Systems Designs, Resources for Social Media
Churches across our conference have made earnest, and often quite effective, efforts to keep our communities of faith connected to each other and to the gospel of Jesus Christ even while the members and friends of the churches must stay apart. Please visit our web page to learn more about the events and resources available for your local church. Have a Digital Ministry Question? Contact Rev. Eric M. Elley, Dcn., Digital Minister, Southern New England Conference United Church of Christ, (860) 810-2481 or elleye@sneucc.org
Pastoral Counseling Programs for Authorized Ministers in the Southern New England Conference
Thanks to the generosity of historic benefactors, the SNEUCC is able to provide Authorized Ministers with standing in an Association of the Southern New England Conference, and their spouses/life partners/significant others, with a short-term, three-session consultation for stabilization and referral. The service is clinical, in response to the immediate needs of each Authorized Minister and is offered from a model of pastoral, familial care. To read more about the various programs available, including how to access these resources please read this blog post.
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| Discipleship Opportunities |
Subscribe to Faith Formation News: Discipleship Matters and other SNEUCC newsletters.
Advent-ure Design Camp - A 6-Week Continuing Education Experience with Dr. Marcia McFee and the Worship Design Studio. October 3 - November 12, 2021. This resource is available, free of charge, to ALL of our SNEUCC congregations. Watch for registration details and sign up to begin the program on October 3rd.
Environmental Ministry Pages for Children and Youth - including a section with tips for incorporating Creation Care into Intergenerational Ministries.
Intergenerational Worship Resources - found on the Worship and Spirituality section of our webpage.
The SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership (Certificate) Program can be engaged either as a Certificate program or as a series of stand-alone classes. Classes will begin in October and Registration is now LIVE. Please sign up at least two days prior to the class date.
2021-2022 Class Titles:
Exploring Curriculum & Digital Resources
Engaging Our Sacred Scripture’s Story
Serving Together – Mission for All Ages
Exploring the UCC – Our History, Our Beliefs, Our Identity
Boundary Awareness for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leaders
Racial Justice*
For specific questions, contact Debbie Gline Allen
*offered at Super Saturday on October 2
The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with the following sites:
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Edwards House offers fully-equipped meeting space for working gatherings both large and small as well as a warm, intimate setting for small overnight retreats.
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI
Nestled in the northwest corner of Rhode Island and where you can still see the stars at night.
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
This is a traditional summer day camp with over 50 years of experience in providing children safe, summer fun.
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
With more than 60 acres of wooded land on lakeside shores, Silver Lake offers many opportunities for young people.
Beginning this month, this newsletter will recognize and celebrate Ordination Anniversaries listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5 years.
September Anniversaries
(none identified)
Please contact Jill Ford if we have missed your anniversary.
If your church is celebrating a milestone anniversary please let Jill Ford know so that entire Southwest Region can celebrate with you!
| Obituaries and Transitions |
Obituaries within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.
Transitions within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.
A full list of classified postings can be found here on the SNE website. Some examples include: Church Administrator, Digital Minister, Organist/Choir Director, Director of Faith Formation. Visit our classifieds web page for details of each listing.
| Pulpit Supply Information |
Please email Jill Ford at fordj@sneucc.org for an updated copy of the regional pulpit supply list.
If you are interested in being included on the Southwest Region pulpit supply list please contact Jill Ford.
You are receiving this newsletter because we've identified you as a local church or you have standing in one of the associations in the Southwest Region of the Southern New England Conference. This newsletter will be sent around the 15th and 30th of each month. If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email preferences, please visit sneucc.org/subscribe and enter your email address.
