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December 21, 2021
Greetings friends,
Around this time each year I am drawn back to the beautiful words of Howard Thurman. The poem reminds us during this season that the "work" of Christmas is not relegated to one day, one week or even one season. Christ's work in us is to be manifest each day we have breath. And the gift and blessing of this work is that Christ manifest in us brings comfort and joy, rest from our burdens and meaning for our lives. My prayer in these days ahead is that you experience God's blessings and peace and that you have the humble opportunity to let the Christ light shine brightly tor those you love and for those you meet.
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
Howard Thurman
May you all have a safe and healthy Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Rev. Patty Kogut
Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut is the Area Conference Minister for the Southeast Region (Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island Associations)
Rev. Kogut can be reached at kogutp@sneucc.org
Clergy Coffee and Conversation
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Peace, Hope, Joy and Love the Blessings of Advent
Clergy Coffee and Conversation
We will take two weeks off and resume on
Thursday, Jan. 6th at 9a.m.
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Conference and Partner Events
To see all upcoming events, go to the SNEUCC calendar here.
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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.
Tuesday 12/21 9:00am to 9:45am
Join us on Zoom Tuesday 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
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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)
Greetings to UCC Churches and Friends in Immigration Ministries
from Irene Willis Hassan, MDiv, Minister for Refugee and Migration Ministries, Global H.O.P.E., United Church of Christ National Ministries
Starting in January, Irene Willis Hassan will be hosting a monthly Zoom meeting on the second Tuesday at 6pm ET, making the first meeting on January 11, 2022, at 6pm ET. This meeting is open to any individual or church engaged in refugee & migration ministries. The tenor will be intentionally reflective for churches to deepen their spiritual engagement with the powerful and important ministries we share together in addressing refugee and migration issues across the denomination. (CONTINUE HERE FOR MORE)
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Round Two Application deadline is Jan. 15, 2022
The Southern New England Conference is currently accepting applications for the Faith In Our Future Together grant. Through this funding, the conference will deploy its resources, including $1 million of unrestricted funds currently functioning as endowment, to help selected churches move through the disruptions caused by the pandemic and emerge stronger. In selecting churches for this funding, the conference will keep in mind the intersection of pandemic and system racism. Click here to learn more about this grant opportunity.
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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.
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When Someone in Worship Tests Positive for COVID
What do I do when someone who attended worship tests positive for COVID-19 one to two days later? Steps for congregations, plus CDC Recommendations. Read more here.
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COVID Conversations: Ask the Doc about Covid, Christmas & Church
What's a pastor to do? Infection rates are rising again and churches want to safely worship this Christmas. We're in another surge, plus the Omicron variant, and folks need to be vaxxed and boosted. Do you want to know the safest way to worship in-person? What about when your people travel? Should we continue with in-person? Is safe for children to attend in-person? What's up with Omicron? Why don't you ask the infectious disease doc? Join the Massachusetts Council of Churches for this urgent gathering and listen to Dr. Regina LaRocque, MD, MPH of Massachusetts General Hospital. Follow this link to view a 54 minute conversation, from the MA Council of Churches.
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Lunch & Learn for Leaders Series
Lunch & Learn for Leaders is a new FREE monthly series starting in January hosted by the Center for Transformational Leadership. Every third Thursday, join us at noon for a 50-minute session of learning and discussion. Each month we will offer a bite-sized opportunity to learn valuable concepts and practices from a subject expert. Our wide-ranging topics are relevant to areas of mission and ministry that you, our clergy and lay leaders, have indicated are timely for your congregations. The schedule includes: (CONTINUE READING)
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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
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 March 19, 2022 9am to 3:30pm
Keefe Technical High School, Framingham, MA
 "A Future With Hope: Relevant, Prophetic and Transformative"
Featuring Special Guest Rev. Sarah Drummond, Founding Dean of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School.
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.
Details and application materials for the 2022 programs are now available! Eligible congregations will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each to support a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program. Applications are open now through April 27, 2022. Click here for information and applications.
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Update on Profile Portal & National Office for Authorized Ministers
As you most likely know from their excellent communications, the National Office has been working on migrating the profile portal to a new database. It went live this week! Authorized Ministers with accounts in the old system should receive an email from “Engage Support” asking them to update their password. This is a legitimate email and you should respond to it. The training for the new profile will be recorded for those who were not able to make the training on December 14th. Please also note that the Profile Office will be closed from December 21, 2021, through January 3, 2022.
CC Counsel Urges Caution Regarding Boy Scout Charters
United Church of Christ General Counsel Heather Kimmel is advising that churches speak to an attorney before taking any action regarding Boy Scouts of America charter agreements or renewals in light of the BSA’s bankruptcy filing. Kimmel said churches that are chartering organizations are receiving documents related to the Chapter 11 plan which gives several opt-in choices and an opt-out choice. “Each choice involves waivers of important rights,” Kimmel said. Click here to read more.
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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... continue reading
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The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with these sites:
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Irons Homestead, Gloucester, RI
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT.
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.
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SNEUCC Classifieds
Faith Formation Director - Cranston, RI
Admin Manager/Marketing Assistant - Sandwich, MA
Choir Director - Plymouth, MA
Director of Christian Education - Hingham, MA
Lead Hospitality Associate - Edwards House(MA) and Irons Homestead (RI)
This week we pray for:
First Congregational Church of the UCC, Wellfleet: Rev. Sheila Rubdi
The Congregational Church of South Dartmouth, UCC: Rev. Emily Kellar
Bethany Congregational Church, Quincy: Rev. Patrick McCorkle
United Congregational Church of Westerly, Pawcatuck, CT: Rev. Ruth Shilling Hainsworth
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Pulpit Supply
If you are interested in providing Pulpit Supply to churches in the Southeast Region (Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island Associations) please contact Lynn Varney at varneyl@sneucc.org. Local churches thank you for being available for this important service to congregations!
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!
Take a look!
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This is an edition of the Southeast Region (including the Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island Associations) E-Newsletter that will be sent every other week.
If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email preferences, please visit this link and enter your email address.
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Southeast Region ~ Area Conference Minister,
Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut
Associations:
Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim, Rhode Island
kogutp@sneucc.org
508-789-7957
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