Dear Ones,
 
I pray that you may find hope, this Christmas, in the good news that the angels pronounce. I pray that you may find peace, in the divine choice to reveal that good news to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks. I pray that you may find joy in the proclamations of the elders, Elizabeth and Zachariah, Simeon and Anna. I pray that you may find love, wrapped in swaddling clothes and very much born into your hearts and lives once again this year. I pray that you may find wonder and promise in the star that guided the Magi, and all the stars that guide us still. I pray that your Christmas is full of blessing.
 
In faith,

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

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). 

We love to share to the Good News that is happening in our region, please let Deb Holmes or Liz Garrigan-Byerly know if you have ja oy to share!

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. If you have difficulty logging into your account please contact Nancy Stubbs at stubbsn@sneucc.org.

Monthly Zoom meetings for churches/individuals engaged in refugee & migration ministries

North Central Region Justice Organizing Gathering Saturday, January 29th at 1:00PM First Congregational Church 1 Washburn Square Leicester, MA Are you a justice leader in your community? Are you wondering how to deepen your commitment to social justice? This gathering is a chance to ground our justice work in faith, build relationships with others in the North Central region, consider how power operates in systems of injustice and justice, and develop skills to support justice work. Money is available to offset travel costs. A snow date is set for Feb.12. Please click here to register

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.

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) 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.  Let us honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. of Martin Luther King, Jr. by rededicating ourselves to building up the beloved community. Click here for more information UCC History and Polity Course offered via Zoom Beginning on February 11th until April 1st. The class is live on Zoom from 2:00PM - 5:00PM eastern time, this runs for 8 Fridays. The cost is $150.00 plus books. Please click here for more information.

Save the Date! 

Small Church Summit

Date: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022
Location: Edward's House, Framingham, MA

Small churches will gather both in person (at Edwards House in Framingham) and via Zoom to explore creative ways to not just survive, but to thrive as a small congregation. Contact Center for Transformational Leadership for details.

We have recently launched our new website: The Center for Transformational Leadership - Southern New England Conference of the UCC (sneucc.org) to make it easy for you to access the resources you need to do the transformative work you and your congregations are called to do!

The Center for Transformational Leadership was created to equip clergy and lay leaders, congregations, and covenantal partners of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ with resources, tools, and support to do the transformative ministry they are called to do in the church, local community, and the world. To learn more, contact:

• Director – Bridget S. Johnson, johnsonb@sneucc.org
• Assistant Director – Karen Ziel, zielk@sneucc.org

Clergy Renewal Programs

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE     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 Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT. The 2022 Silver Lake summer camp brochure is available online now & will be in mailboxes in January! View and download the brochure Check out all the exciting programs available and start getting excited for summer! REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 15   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  December Anniversaries 40 Years The Rev. Dr. John Weagraff 5 Years The Rev. Dr. Thomas Gregory Gray 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. Peter Dakers passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021.  He was ordained in 1971, and his standing was in the Litchfield North Association. When more information is available we will post it 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 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.