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December 16, 2021

A Note from the ACM

 

Good People:

As most of you have heard, some of our siblings have been picking up the pieces of their lives after devastating tornadoes tore through their communities. I know you have been holding them in prayer - I’ve heard your prayers in worship and on social media. If your congregation is wondering how you can help, the national setting of the UCC is collecting donations, as they often do for emergencies such as this. You can read more about it here:  Funds, CWS Kits, Wanted in Response to Kentucky Tornadoes - Southern New England Conference of the UCC (sneucc.org).
 
As always, I continue to hold you in prayer. 

-Alex
 
Rev. Alex Shea Will
Area Conference Minister
Northeast Region (Metropolitan Boston and Northeast Associations)
 
Rev. Shea Will can be reached at sheawilla@sneucc.org or call/text: 781-369-9917.

ACM Availability

 
Siblings in Christ: Thank you for the invitations to worship with you! I’m currently scheduled through May 2022, but I’d love to begin scheduling for June and beyond. I am eager to visit with each of you, join you for life together, and even preach if you would like. Please reach out and let me know a few options of what might work for you and your congregation.
 
Regardless of whether you’ve yet to meet in person, or have been meeting in person for months, we are all dealing with the ramifications of this pandemic in one way or another. I am praying for each of you and our congregations as you navigate how best to love, care for, and be present with one another. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Upcoming Preaching Locations:

Sunday, January 9:  Wellesley Hills Congregational Church

Sunday, January 23, Melrose Highlands Congregational Church

Sunday, January 30, Second Congregational Church, Beverly

 

Association Office Update

 

After extensive discussions Lynn and I have decided that we will no longer have permanent offices at the First Church in Winchester. While we are incredibly grateful for their generosity over the years, we have been working almost exclusively from home since we began, and – as many in the world are finding – it works well with the nature of our roles. The good news is that we are not the only association without a permanent physical office, so there is precedent for the transition. The offices will be closed by year end and physical documents will be housed at the Framingham conference office. Lynn is working to make sure that anyone who has the office phone (781-369-1396) in their records will still be able to reach us. The best number to reach me has always been the number in my email (781-369-9917). The First Church in Winchester will continue to receive mail (MBA and NEA, 21 Church Street, Winchester, MA 01890). If you have any questions about this, Lynn or I can answer them; don’t hesitate to reach out.

Association Events and News

 

Metropolitan Boston Association

  • Rev. Barbara Callaghan ~ Service of Installation, Hancock United Church of Christ, Lexington, Sunday, January 23, 2022 at 3:00pm, in person.
  • United Parish in Brookline interview on WGBH.   WGBH: Brookline Church Paying ‘Royalties’ When it Sings Spirituals Composed by Enslaved Africans

  • Faith in Our Future Together Grant Recipients 2021 included:

    • Agape Spiritual Community, Waltham, MA
      Rev. Matthew Carriker says the church is very excited about a new summer camp for kids planned for the summer of 2022.
    • Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, Melrose, MA
      The Melrose Highlands Anti-Racism Team has several plans for engaging the community in their mission to address racial injustice.
    • Hope Central Church, Jamaica Plain, Ma
      Hope Central Church has used much of the grant funds to offer reparations to members of their community who descend from the slavery experience.

Northeast Association

  • Rev. Holly Brauner ~ Service of Installation, First Congregational Church of Georgetown UCC, Sunday, February 6, 2022 at 3:00pm, in person. 
  • Faith in Our Future Together Grant Recipients 2021 included:
    • West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, Gloucester, MA
      Church leaders wrote "Our vision is to create an accessible outdoor space to use for worship and education; to share with 12-Step Groups and other health and recovery programs; and to provide a visible, accessible location for local social justice groups to meet, offer educational programing and hold gatherings where all are invited and there is ample space for everyone who wants to learn about and advocate for racial justice." 

Conference Events and Resources

(visit SNEUCC.ORG/EVENTS for a full list of events)

 

Funds, CWS Kits, Wanted in Response to Kentucky Tornadoes

A tornado outbreak December 10-11 took the lives of at least 88 people across five states and caused damage and economic losses projected at $18 billion. How to donate and more information here.

 


 

When Someone in Worship Tests Positive for COVID-19

What do I do when someone who attended worship tests positive for COVID-19 one to two days later? Read more from Deborah Ringen MSN, RN-BC is the Minister of Health and Wellness for the Southern New England Conference, UCC:  When Someone in Worship Tests Positive for COVID-19 - Southern New England Conference of the UCC (sneucc.org)

 


 

Advent and Covid-19: Ringen, Goodwin,
Discuss Guidelines for Churches

As COVID-19 cases spike upward in all three Southern New England Conference states, Minister for Health and Wellness Deborah Ringen is outlining guidelines for churches holding in-person worship, including advice that congregants get vaccines and booster shots, wear well-fitting masks, use instrument covers, maintain physical distances, limit time indoors and open windows.
Please click here to listen to their conversation and read the full article.


Restful Advent - Zoom Chapel

Tuesday 12/21 9:00am to 9:45am

Join us during Advent to pray, rest, and reflect.  We will follow the Restful Advent Devotional developed by Rev. Emma Brewer Wallin, Minister for Environmental and Economic Justice. 
Register here.

 

 

Sunday after Christmas Worship

Although the Conference has not created a new service this year, you are welcome to use parts or all of the service from last Christmas. You can find those videos here. 
Dec. 27 Worship Service Available in Downloadable Video - Southern New England Conference of the UCC (sneucc.org)

 


Update on IRS Issue with UCC Group Exemption EIN

You may recall that in March, a Local Church mistakenly used the tax ID number associated with the United Church of Christ federal group tax exemption to file its payroll taxes, triggering the IRS to issue a name and address change in the IRS Exempt Organizations database to reflect the name and address of the Local Church instead of the denomination. 
Therefore, this became an issue for Local Churches attempting to prove their tax-exempt status with a letter from the UCC stating that it was a member of the group exemption in good standing. The National office has let us know that the name and address associated with the group tax exemption EIN issue has been corrected!  And please remember that all tax filings must be done with the Local Church’s own EIN.


 

Observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, January 17, 2022 at 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM

Join us for a time of worship, reflection, and facilitated conversation led by one of the 2022 SNEUCC Theologians in Residence, Rev. Dr. Diane Schmitz. Click here for more information.

 


 

SNEUCC Virtual Confirmation Enrichment Programs

 
The Faith Formation team will be offering virtual enrichment gatherings for your local church confirmation classes. Upcoming dates for enrichment program sessions include:
  • Racial Justice: January 23rd, 2022 (TBD soon)
  • UCC 101: February 27, 2022
  • Discernment: March 19th, 2022 (Super Saturday)
  • Interfaith Exploration: April 3rd, 2022 (TBD soon)
Contact Faith Formation program support associate Sean Amato for more information about registration and session content.
 

Save the Date! Small Church Summit
Date: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022

Location: Edward's House, Framingham, MA
More info to come shortly!

Contact Center for Transformational Leadership for details.

 


SAVE THE DATE !  Super Saturday
Keefe Technical High School, Framingham, MA 
Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM 

We are pleased to announce that Super Saturday will be Hybrid.

What does hybrid mean?  Hybrid will be a variety of workshops that are in-person, virtual and a combination of both.

Workshop Proposals are being accepted until December 31, 2021
To submit a proposal: Workshop Proposal Form.
Please contact Andrea Bellarosa with any questions.


 

Your Conference Staff - Southern New England Conference of the UCC (sneucc.org) 
We have an updated directory of the Southern New England Conference staff.  View it here
 

 

Outdoor Ministries

The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with these sites: 

Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA 
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT. 
 

Let us know!

You are doing great ministry! Let us help make sure others know about it. Tell us about your stories, news and event information. Don’t be modest!  We’re waiting to hear from you. Email Lynn at varneyl@sneucc.org.

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.

 

Called to Serve

 
UCC Opportunities 
 
Find opportunities online.
Search by keyword, Conference, or type of position:
Volunteer - Missionary - Musician - Summer camp staff - Pastorate - Chaplaincy. The Spirit moves in many directions! 
  
 
This week we pray for: 

Memorial Congregational Church, UCC, Sudbury:  Rev. Thomas O'Brien

Union Congregational Church, UCC, Walpole: Rev. Dr. Aaron Pratt Shepherd

The First Congregational Church, UCC, Saugus: Rev. William Ladd

The First Church in Swampscott, Congregational: Rev. Ian Holland

Maple Street Congregational Church UCC, Danvers: Revs. Pamela Cochrane and Doug Vooys

Find out more about Conference and Association transitions here:

 

Transitions

More...

 

Subscriptions:

This is an edition of the Northeast Region (including the Metropolitan Boston and Northeast Associations) E-Newsletter that will be sent every other week.

 
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Northeast Region of
The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ

21 Church St.
Winchester, MA 01890
781-369-1396
VarneyL@sneucc.org 
www.sneucc.org/northeast

Office Hours: 
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM