Dear Colleagues in Ministry, As we enter one of the busiest times of the year I pray that, in the midst of business you will find comfort and strength in the assurance that we are proclaiming God’s word and doing God’s work in the world.  May your sense of call be renewed each day by the comforting presence of the Spirit and the knowledge that none of us is alone in ministry.  Blessings, Michael Ciba, Team Leader and Area Conference Minister for the Southwest Region

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.

• Dawn N. Jefferson, a Member in Discernment in the New Haven Association, will be ordained on Saturday, October 30 at 3pm at Hope UCC, Alexandria, VA with a hybrid service.  Dawn will then be installed at a later date by the Potomac Association.  Anyone wishing to attend should reach out to the NHA for a zoom link.
• Rev. Lynn Dolan, pastor at Prospect Congregational Church, UCC, New Haven Association, will be installed on Sunday, November 7 at 3pm.  The service will be in person and will also be live streamed from the church's FaceBook page.  Clergy and Members In Discernment are invited to robe and process. Face masks are required for those not vaccinated.

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

Churches Sought to Assist Afghan Refugees A letter from Irene Willis Hassan, Minister for Refugee and Migration Services with Team Global HOPE at the United Church of Christ National Ministries. Greetings to SNE Conference Churches:   I’m writing to request a Zoom meeting with churches in your region to collaborate efforts for resettling Afghan refugees. Many churches in your area are interested in helping co-sponsor the mass arrival of Afghan families in the coming weeks and months. Because the situation concerning Afghan humanitarian parole status is unusual, and the number of arrivals so large, we urge you all work together to combine resources and maximize effectiveness.   We are requesting your time by engaging with our team at Global HOPE – National Ministries, in coordination with your Rev. James D. Ross II, and Immigration, Refugee & Asylum Task Team leaders, to discern a contextual plan for you all to successfully help resettle this population in your area...Read more by following this link. Peace, Irene Willis Hassan, MDiv Minister for Refugee and Migration Ministries Photo by Fateme Shahabi on Unsplash

Discussion Series- A Better Future for Israelis & Palestinians The Islamic Council of New England [ICNE] and the Boston Workers Circle: Center for Jewish Culture & Social Justice are announcing an important discussion series entitled: 'A Better Future for Israelis and Palestinians - Affirming the Sacredness of All Human Life.'  This four-part series will provide opportunities to consider a range of perspectives from distinguished speakers, both religious and secular, that illuminate the current situation in Israel and Palestine.   Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 27 and November 10, 2021 ~ 7:30-9 PM ~ via Zoom, Co-Sponsored by the Southern New England Conference, UCC.  Click here for further information, including the needed registration link.

Walk to End Hunger on Oct. 16

Church World Service invites individuals and churches in the SNEUCC to join in the 2021 National CROP Hunger Walk on World Food Day, October 16th. Help end hunger in the U.S. and around the world!
 
Walk on your treadmill, in your neighborhood, in a park with friends – you choose the location and the experience. Walk one day for 3.7 miles (the average distance a woman walks for water) or take the Weekend Challenge and walk 11.1 miles (3.7 miles for 3 days).  Every step you take, every dollar you raise, makes the walk shorter for neighbors in need by providing clean water and emergency food as well as livelihoods and access to education.
 
Sign up and start raising funds TODAY at www.crophungerwalk.org/usa  Contact info@cwsglobal.org for more info.

Behavioral Covenants with Congregations with the Rev. Tara Barber and the Rev. Dr. Chris Davies

Wednesday, October 13, 7:30pm – 9:00pm ET

All congregations have norms for how people treat one another, especially in times of conflict. Many of those norms are implicit, vague, or even unhealthy. However, there is another way! Behavioral Covenants can provide an excellent framework for communication practices, conflict resolution, and community norms. Developing such covenants within communities can help members and staff alike name best community practices and express their hopes for how congregations function as a Christian community. Join Rev. Tara Barber and Rev. Dr. Chris Davies for a conversation on developing and implementing behavioral covenants with congregations.   Advance registration is required, and can be found following this link.

New Affinity Groups coming this fall

Registration is now open for several offerings - see below.
An Affinity Group gathers several times per year around a specific topic, learning goal or type of ministry work. These groups are led by a topic expert who plans each gathering, resources the group and facilitates group conversations.  These Affinity Groups are conducive to creating a safe space in which clergy can learn and grow through deep sharing and honest reflection.

Affinity Group for Ministers of Color

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Scouting and 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.

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? Gone 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 David C-B  to register or to reach out to get answers to questions you may have. You can also visit the SNEUCC's Proportional Giving webpage. 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! 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 visit this web page. A Message to Ordained Ministers and Members in Discernment About Oxford Background Checks 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.

Subscribe to Faith Formation News: Discipleship Matters and other SNEUCC newsletters.

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.

Faith Formation Leadership Program 2021-2022

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 in September of 2021, this newsletter will recognize and celebrate Ordination Anniversaries listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5 years, as well as milestone church anniversaries. 

2021 Ordination Anniversaries Prior to September

October Anniversaries

Please contact Jill Ford if we have missed your anniversary.

 Obituaries within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.

Transitions within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.

Silver Lake Conference Center, in Sharon CT is looking to hire housekeeping staff to help during their retreat season.  This is an ideal job for a high school student since they can be really flexible with ours.  If you or someone you know is interested, please reach out to Jennifer Kronholm Clark, Program Director at SLCC.

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.

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.