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

WORDS FROM YOUR AREA CONFERENCE MINISTER

From the ACM…
 
On Sunday, I heard a new liturgical sound: the wiping of a live microphone. I was at an installation and even though everyone was masked, the microphone was wiped down with a disinfectant wipe between speakers. The first time I heard it, I almost let out a giggle. But every time after that, it reminded me of the bells that are rung during a Catholic Mass, a call to attend to the holy in our midst.
 
Many of our liturgical objects and practices are rooted in practical needs. Candles were essential for light before electricity; now they are ritual moments of focus and prayer. Individual communion cups emerged in the 1890s as our understanding of germs grew; for many now, taking the cup from the tray, drinking together and then hearing sound of cup against wooden holder is a sacred moment of communion. The alcove at the very back of many chancels were built to amplify the voice of the preacher before sound systems; in one church I served, that is where I stood with the offering plates as we sang the doxology, and it was a highlight for me of our praise of God.
 
I’m not suggesting that in 50 years’ time, the wiping of the microphone will be a sacred moment in worship. But I am curious, what new liturgical moments or sacred acts have bubbled up in your congregation or your personal life these last 20 months? Which will remain?
 
I am deeply grateful for how our faith traditions respond to our lived experiences, and in doing so, connect us across time and space, culture and experience with the Divine and all who love and serve God. I’m also grateful for how such things remind us that the ordinary and sacred are not separate but rather intimately connected. I am grateful, dear siblings in Christ, that we get to journey through this together.
 
In faith,

Rev. Elizabeth Garrigan-Byerly (she/her)
Area Conference Minister, North Central Region
(Central, MA & Windham, CT Associations)
Cell: 508-281-9776


November 9 or 10 (TBD), 6:30pm
Welcoming Refugees to the Worcester Area Webinar
Save the Date!

WAMS (Worcester Area Mission Society) is working with Ascentria, a refugee resettlement agency, to educate and equip local faith communities to welcome Afghan refugees. This webinar will provide practical information and discernment tools to help your congregation get involved. ACM Liz Garrigan-Byerly will also be presenting on the core practices of being a good neighbor.
 
If your congregation is in conversation with other faith communities in your region about partnering in this work, please feel free to invite them as well. Once a date has been set, we will send a special email to all Central MA Association congregations.


Connect with your ACM

Whether you are a pastor, lay leader, MID or covenantal partner, I welcome the chance to meet with you virtually one on one. To schedule a time, click here and follow the instructions. If none of the times work for you, then please email Deb Holmes (holmesd@sneucc.org). 

ASSOCIATION & CHURCH EVENTS
(Central MA & Windham CT)

 

Do we have your church leaders listed correctly?

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



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!


October 31, 2021
Ordination
William Ladd
First Congregational Church Natick
2 East Central Street
Natick, MA  01760
2:00PM
This is a hybrid event

November 14, 2021
Installation
Rev. Candice Ashenden
Athol Congregational Church
1225 Chestnut Street
Athol, MA 01331
3:00PM
This is a hybrid event

November 28, 2021
Ordination
Gary Gumuchian
Congregational Church of Littleton
330 King Street
Littleton, MA 01460
3:00PM
This is a hybrid event

CONFERENCE & REGIONAL EVENTS/INFORMATION
Please go to sneucc.org/events to see all posted events

Establishing Parity Between Digital and In-Person Worship

Is it possible to create parity between worshipers who participate digitally versus being in-person?  This is a key question for a few reasons.  Firstly, some people are not prepared to come back into our physical worship spaces because of the Delta variant and other potential variants of the coronavirus.  Secondly, over the last year or two of services in the digital space, many of our churches have gained members and friends who don’t live nearby and couldn’t participate in person on a regular basis even if they wanted to.  And thirdly, so much of life has moved, and continues to move, into the digital space. People’s spiritual lives are doing that, too.  Some may regret that fact or even resist it, but nothing can stop that.  We need to recognize and respond faithfully to this reality. If churches intend to continue to offer hybrid services (engaging worshipers simultaneously in-person and digitally), then there are several practices that can help the digital participants become more involved spiritually and emotionally in the service. Learn more here and watch a 30-minute presentation by Conference Digital Minister Eric Elley.


Pastoral Counseling Programs Available to
Authorized Ministers

Ministry is a demanding profession.  The great and small stresses of life and the give and take of parish ministry can be challenging.  The Southern New England Conference is committed to the well-being of its Authorized Minsters and to providing support for those who provide leadership to the church.  Thanks to the generosity of historic benefactors, we are 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. Please click here to learn more.


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.


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.


Tech Deacons Meetups -
morning and evening options.

You are invited to join Rev. Eric Elley, Digital Minister, and other local church colleagues for weekly Tech Deacons Roundtable Discussions. 
Every other Tuesday at 11am (7/13, 7/27...), and alternate Tuesday evenings at 7pm (7/6, 7/20...)  Click here to find more information and ways to register for these ongoing discussions on the ever evolving landscape of digital ministry in the Southern New England Conference.

 

THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Conflict Transformation Workshop
Saturday, November 6th, 9:00AM - 4:30PM
Via Zoom

Conflict is a normal part of life, even in the church. Understanding this can help church members realize that they should not be surprised or ashamed when they experience conflict in their faith communities. What is important is how the conflicts that inevitably arise are addressed. The Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches workshop teaches some basic skills that will help participants manage conflicts within their congregations in a healthier manner. Please click here to read more and to register.


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.

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE

Faith Formation Leadership Program classes
will be starting up again

Implementing Intergenerational Worship - FF webinar
Thursday, Oct 28 2021 - 7:00 PM

Engaging Our Sacred Scripture's Story (Zoom) -
Faith Formation Leadership Program

Saturday, Oct 30 2021 - 8:30 AM

Visit the Faith Formation webpage for more information.

OUTDOOR MINISTRIES & MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

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.


Fueling Inclusion, Voice, and
Opportunity for All

WAMS Works with individuals and community partners to inspire economic and education equity through social change. Click here to learn more about WAMS.

 


Worcester Fellowship

Please check their website for updated information.

 

PULPIT SUPPLY INFORMATION

 

Please email Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org for an updated copy of the regional pulpit supply list. 

If you are interested in being included on the North Central region pulpit supply list please contact Deb Holmes.

ACTIVE FOOD PANTRIES AND OUTREACH MEALS


The attached list is an updated list of churches in the North Central 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. North Central Region List.

TRANSITIONS

 

Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Transitions.

 

CELEBRATIONS

 October Anniversaries

15 Years
The Rev. Matthew Emery

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 Latimer died on October 9, 2021 in Carmel, CA.  His wife Rev. Katherine Millham Latimer predeceased him in March of 2020.  Arthur served the Shalom United Church of Christ in New Haven from 2004-2006. When more details are known we will post them here.

The Rev. David Cain died on October 20, 2021 at peace, sharing a care unit room with his wife, Lillian Cain.  For many years Rev. David Cain served churches in several states.  A graduate of Boston University and Bangor Theological Seminary, ordained in 1965, he served many churches including in Sutton, Worcester and Groton.  He also worked for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (a disability expert).  He served on the board of the Protestant Guild, another dedication to special needs. He was a naval veteran (serving in the Mediterranean) and published in professional rehabilitation journals in the US and England.  He was a member of Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC.
When more information is known it will be posted here.

Please click here to view all SNEUCC obituaries.
 

CLASSIFIEDS


Part-Time Church Administrative Assistant - Acton, MA

Christian Education Director - Part Time Position - Ashland, MA

Administrative Assistant - Northborough

Church Treasurer - Paxton, MA

Music Director - Woodstock, CT

Church Musician (Part time) - Worcester, MA

Please click here to view all SNEUCC Classifieds 

 

ASSOCIATION MEETING INFORMATION

 

Central Mass Association Meeting Information:

The Committee on Authorized Ministry:
Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:30 AM.
The Board of Director's:
Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2:30 PM


Windham Association Meeting Information:

Monthly Council meeting:
Is held on the 4th Thursday of each month at 2:30 PM.

 

North Central Region of
The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ

508-963-8106
holmesd@sneucc.org 
/www.sneucc.org/north-central

Office Hours: 
Monday: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: Closed