The newsletter will now be sent on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Dear Northwest Region,   In a meeting last week, one of our pastors remarked that she sees so much from the Conference on what to do that is new and innovative (or justice related), but she is weary from covid adaptation, and wishes we would just say something about that.   So while those other things are important, please know that we are acutely aware of the challenges our congregations and clergy are facing. This week the Conference released September Covid Updates for Churches <https://www.sneucc.org/newsdetail/september-covid-updates-for-churches-15464806>, a list of resources and recommendations compiled by our very own Deborah Ringen MSN, RN-BC, Minister of Health and Wellness. She writes:   Remember Patience Increases Well-Being. We can all get through this pandemic if we practice patience and remain dedicated to reducing the spread of the virus.   We all know this. But can we practice it? So many of our clergy are saying they are worn out. And they cannot get their congregants to show up for any kind of volunteerism. Nor can they carry their churches themselves.   I suspect this moment of feeling like we are moving through molasses is in part because many of us thought we would be through with this by now. The disconnect between that hope and this reality is causing a great deal of suffering and grief—and leading some to balk at further adaptation.   I am continuing to work on a workshop for Super Saturday, October 2. Facilitating along with Rev. Ute Schmidt, we will discover ways to creatively use spiritual practices to deepen our own resiliency even as we explore what insights from the pandemic will support us as we live into an uncertain future.   It is a tall order. But perhaps one as simple as showing up, taking care of ourselves and our neighbors, and rooting ourselves in our faith and trust in God.   Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)   But truly, especially you clergy, if you find that faith alone is not carrying you through, I encourage you to please seek help. An announcement went out to all authorized ministers on September 15 re. the availability of three sessions of counseling provided by the Conference in addition to what is provided to those enrolled in the UCC Pension Boards Health Care Plan. I hope you will take advantage of this benefit.   I pray you all wellness and peace. Blessings, Rev. Terry Yasuko Ogawa Area Conference Minister, NW Region ogawaty@sneucc.org 508-782-8593 One to One conversations with Rev. Terry Yasuko Ogawa The Rev. Ogawa will be resuming her bi-weekly coffee house hours to meet with clergy for 30 minutes on Wednesday afternoons. These can be scheduled by clicking here.  Please contact her Program Support Associate, Deb Holmes if you have questions or problems signing up for a meeting.

With the uncertainty of Covid, the October Super Saturday will again be virtual.  Our priority is the safety of our attendees.         Building on God's Promises:  A Time of Personal Renewal 3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. Super Saturday Registration is Now Open! Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM? Register Early Join us for Super Saturday on October 2, 2021 featuring Dr. Monica Coleman.   Super Saturday is filled with a variety of virtual workshops, marketplace and networking. This October, 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.

Martha Goodman, the Southern New England Conference Search & Call Associate, has provided some clarification around the application process for an Oxford background check. 

If you have UCC Standing as an Authorized Minister, and therefore have access to the national Profiles Portal, and are either preparing a Ministerial Profile for the first time or are renewing an expired or expiring profile, your Oxford background check should be requested through the national Profiles Portal [https://uccprofiles.ucc.org] and sent to the national office, NOT to the Conference.  Only the national office can attach your background check to your profile.  If you have your background check sent to the Conference, there will be a delay in getting your profile validated and distributed. 
 
The only people who should be having their background check sent to the Conference and not the national office are Members in Discernment not yet approved for ordination pending call, and ministers without UCC standing. 
 
For further information, contact Darrell Ludwig in the national office at ludwigd@ucc.org, or Martha Goodman at searchcall@sneucc.org.

Scouting & Local Churches

 
Concerns have been raised across the country about the liability of charter (host) organizations, including local churches, due to the Boy Scouts of America’s bankruptcy filing. Some insurance companies are changing their policies and some denominations, like the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, are advising their local congregations to no longer be charter or host organizations. The UCC General Council, Heather Kimmel, advises that local churches interesting in hosting or continuing to host a Boy or a Cub Scout troop, “consult with their church’s legal counsel and also with their insurance company before signing any agreements to ensure that they are protected in the event of a claim for misconduct related to scouting.” We hold all our churches in prayer as they discern how best to serve the needs of the youth in their communities.

New Affinity Group for Nearly and
Newly Retired Clergy being formed

Please see the attached document for all of the details on how to participate in this new group which will have its first gathering on September 30th.
Click here to learn more.

Affinity Group for Ministers of Color
(Registration deadline is October 1st)

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. Please click here to read more and how to register.

Do you have questions about Proportional Giving (PG) – the new means by which we are asking churches to support the work of the Conference and the national setting?

.Proportional Giving webpage  to register or to reach out to get answers to questions you may have. You can also visit the SNEUCC's David C-BGone are the days of Conference Dues, OCWM Basic Support, United Church Mission, and invoices for Conference Dues. Rev. Dr. David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Director of Stewardship & Donor Relations, will be hosting a webinar on this topic on four different dates: at 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 6, 12, 28, and Nov. 3.  These webinars will explain what PG is, how to calculate it, and what it supports, and point to additional resources. Please contact

Creating Financially Sustainable Congregations

“The topics Jim Elrod addresses [in his book] are challenging, and the insights fresh and timely,…while his words are understandable and approachable. Financial sustainability is not easy or simple, but it need not be mysterious or overwhelming. This book would be a great group-read for congregational leaders and their pastors so that all can face their community’s financial futures together and unafraid.” – Sarah Birmingham Drummond, Dean, Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School.
 
David C-B is looking for volunteers who would like to take Dean Drummond up on her suggestion and participate in a group-read of Jim Elrod’s new book, Creating Financially Sustainable Congregations.
 
The group will meet via Zoom for four sessions, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m., on the following dates and discuss these pages each session: Oct. 7 (pp. 1 – 36), Oct. 21 (pp. 37 – 60), Nov. 4 (pp. 61 – 88), and Nov. 18 (pp. 89 – 111).
 
Here is a link to more info. about the book, its cost, and options for ordering it.  If you are interested in joining a discussion of this book, please reach out to David C-B.
Also, please note the following opportunities from Rev. Andrew Warner, Generosity Outreach Officer, at our national setting in an effort to promote good stewardship practices.

Congregational Economic Evaluation Tool

The survey helps leaders compare their stewardship and financial practices to other faith communities and to identify best practices they can implement. The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HFCLWM3.
 

“Don't Beg - Rethinking the Stewardship Sermon”

A Bible Study for pastors as we think through options for sermons on stewardship for a fall pledge campaign. Henri Nouwen’s observation will guide us, “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. Rather, we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting.’”  Oct. 6, 5pm Eastern Time.  Register at https://ucc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcsdO2trj0sG9M84H0b-dBX8RtjvP1-fKE_
 
Finally, if you have any questions about Proportional Giving, or need resources, here is the link to our Proportional Giving webpage. Remember we are not sending invoices to churches!

Hampden Association Annual Meeting

October 17, 2021

3:00PM, hoping for in-person meeting

October 10, 2021 @ 3:00PM
Ordination
Julia Khan
Charlemont Federated Church
This is a hybrid event

Explore another facet of becoming a welcoming congregation...

 
W.I.S.E. ( Welcoming. Inclusive. Supportive. Engaged) is a U.C.C. initiative to
acknowledge and  breakdown the stigma attached to people with emotional or
mental challenges and to welcome them into worship.
To forward this initiative I am offering to come to your church and to give a biblically based sermon on the historic and current  stigma of mental/emotional illness, how we welcome or do not welcome  people with these challenges  into the pews, and a brief overview of W.I.S.E.. 
If you are interested in my coming to your church to give this sermon and/or if you have any questions please feel free to be in touch by phone or email.
Blessings,
Belle Fox-Martin, UCCLM
Contact Belle via email: bfoxm@roadrunner.com or phone: 413-298-0673

United Congregational Church of Holyoke
restarts outreach events

The church is located at 300 Appleton Street, Holyoke
October 16th -
Community wide tag sale!
Please contact the church office at 413-532-1483 for more information.

Creating Space Collective
Sponsored by the Canaan and West Stockbridge Churches

Creating Space Spirituality & Arts Collective is a faith formation program of the West Stockbridge and Canaan Congregational Churches, UCC. This unique approach to faith development focuses on the discovery and exploration of spiritual identity, and our relationship with the Divine, through the experience of creating art. This fall we have a number of new workshop series planned.

“Using Musical Chant to Deepen the Worship Experience” with Cathy Schane-Lydon September 27 and October 4; 7pm at the Canaan Congregational Church

Knitting as Spiritual Practice with Tempe Croke and Pastor Patty Fox October 14, 21, 28 and November 4; 1:30pm to 3pm  at the Canaan Congregational Church Grief Work through Collaging with Cheryl Hutto and Janice Shields November 2021 (dates TBD) at the West Stockbridge Congregational Church Creating a Personal Shrine/Spirit House with Jude Harrigan January 2022 (dates TBD) at the West Stockbridge Congregational Church  FLYER TO SHARE

Weekly Vigils for Racial Justice

The members of Center Church, UCC (First Congregational Church of South Hadley), One Church Street, South Hadley have been holding a weekly vigil for Racial Justice. The vigils take place every Saturday from 10:00 - 10:30 AM on the church lawn.  Bringing a sign is also encouraged!

Journey

Journey: a social and support group for trans and non binary individuals of all ages.  The group is facilitated by Yohah Ralph. We will meet online using Zoom on the first and third Thursdays of the month.  
If you have questions, or are interested in joining the group, please send an email to Yohah at journeynorthampton@gmail.com, and provide your phone number so we can have a brief conversation in advance.

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE Faith Formation Summit   For more information, contact Debby Kirk, Faith Formation Team Leader SNEUCC Faith Formation Summit: Relationship, Resilience, and Re-Entry from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday September 18, 2021. Grow your adaptive leadership skills!  Free for all FF CoP Facilitators! OUTDOOR MINISTRIES 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, Irons Homestead offers religious and educational groups a sacred space to lean into nature and connect more deeply with God and one another. Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA This is a traditional summer day camp with over 50 years of experience in providing children safe, summer fun.  PDC is located on 113 acres of sprawling fields and woods at the SNEUCC Framingham property. The camp ensures fun, and emphasizes a warm welcome for each child, care for the natural world, and respect for the differences among us. 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 to take risks and try new things with the support of an intentional Christian community.    ACTIVE FOOD PANTRIES AND OUTREACH MEALS The attached list is an updated list of churches in the Northwest Region that currently have active food pantries and outreach meals for people in need. Please email Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org to have your church information included or updated. Northwest Region List. Pictured are members of Trinity Church Shelburne Falls. TRANSITIONS   Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Transitions.   CELEBRATIONS September Anniversaries 45 Years The Rev. Dr. Donald Paine 15 Years The Rev. Liza Neal 10 Years The Rev. Ute Schmidt Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary.  Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5. If your church is celebrating a mile anniversary please let Deb Holmes know so that entire North Central Region can celebrate with you!? OBITUARIES The Rev. Arthur H. Dunham passed away on September 7, 2021 at St. Francis Hospital following a valiant struggle with cancer.  He leaves behind his wife Lee of 62 years, three children: Phil (Alison) Dunham of Tolland, CT, Tricia Dunham Russo of Manchester, CT, and Keith (Chelle) Dunham of Birch Bay, WA.  He also leaves two grandsons Wallace and Malachi, and four great grandchildren Caleb, Collin, Casey and Dustin. Family will greet guests at calling hours at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home at 419 Buckland Road, So. Windsor on Sunday, September 19th from 2 to 5 (Covid protocols observed, facial coverings are required). Celebration of Art's life service took place at Wapping Community Church on Ellington Road, So. Windsor on Monday, September 20th at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Center Cemetery on Main Street, So. Windsor immediately following the service near all his friends and family whom he commended to Gods care and keeping over 27 years. Memorial donations in Art's name may be made to South Windsor Congregational Church, 993 Main Street, South Windsor, CT 06074 or South Windsor Volunteer Fire Department, 1175 Ellington Road, South Windsor, CT 06074. To read more please go here.  CLASSIFIEDS Free and available for the next 2 weeks only Contents of a UCC Church including: (click here for pictures) Hymnals and bibles (Pilgrim, New Century and King James) Several brass Crosses Large cross and oil filled candle set Paraments Communion thimble server trays with covers, Communion plates and Communion supplies Brass candelabras Brass offering plates Carved communion table with table cloths Baptismal font Organist/Choir Accompanist - Ashfield, MA Handbells for sale - Ludlow, MA Pilgrim Hymnals - Northampton Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Classifieds.