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by Debby Kirk
In his speech Remaining Awake Through a Great Revolution given at the Washington National Cathedral on March 31, 1968, Dr. King named the dramatic changes in technology, weaponry, and human rights that were revolutionizing society. He implored his audience to wake up and develop new attitudes and responses to meet the day. Delivered just before the Poor People's March on Washington, this included adopting a "world perspective" which embraced brotherhood, and taking action to care for the impoverished and marginalized.
These words have bearing today as we face massive challenges to culture and society. COVID rates are soaring, government leaders are divided, school shootings continue, and wildfires rage. The images from the one year anniversary of the insurrection at the Capitol remind us that white supremacy is rooted in our culture. It is easy to succumb to discouragement and dismay.
But our faith tells us to take heart. Read more here! (4 min.)
by Debbie Gline Allen
The United Church of Christ, in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Association, offers high quality materials for holistic sexuality education to congregations for use with their youth and young adults, as well as adults, older adults, and even younger children through the Our Whole Lives curriculum materials.
You may wonder how appropriate sexuality education is for children as young as Kindergarten age, but having an exposure to healthy conversations about one’s body and a good sense of respect for bodies of all types is a good way to start young children on their lifelong journey through healthy attitudes and behaviors as they grow up.
For those ages that are ready to understand the sexual workings of their bodies, these holistic materials provide conversation experiences with their peers and trained facilitators to gain a healthy understanding of their bodies and sexuality, as well as acquiring values-based decision-making skills.
Read more about OWL here! (5 min.)
NEW! OWL Training for Elementary Curriculum will be offered on February 25th - February 27th. Click here for more details.
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| Congratulations to our Epiphany Raffle Winners! |
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Congratulations to the winners of last month's Epiphany Raffle!
- Joan Mello of the Original Congregational Church of Wrentham, MA was the first winner from our second round, having received our "El Dia de los Reyes Magos" (Three kings) box. Congratulations to Joan!
- Nicole Hosford of Colchester Federated Church of Colchester, CT was our second winner, having received our felted Epiphany box. Season's greetings, Nicole!
| January Raffle: Lenten Cross Box |
Would you like another chance to win a gift from the Faith Formation team during this season? This month, we have a box to use for lessons about the different style of crosses. If you or your church might be interested in receiving this gift, why not enter into the raffle? See the end of this section for instructions on how to join the contest.
![]() If you'd like to be entered into the raffle, please submit your name, church, and church role in an email to Faith Formation Program Support Associate Sean Amato. We will do a drawing of names received by January 17th, so get your email in early!
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| Upcoming SNEUCC Events & Programs |
Monday, January 17th, 2022
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Join us for a time of virtual 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.
Now offered solely on Zoom!
The Southern England Conference's Faith Formation Leadership Program offers multiple sessions of five to six different classes that may be taken "a la carte" or for the purpose of working toward a certificate in Faith Formation Leadership. For more information about the certification program, click here. Classes offered in 2022 include:
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Exploring Curriculum & Digital Resources
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Engaging our Scripture's Sacred Story
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Exploring the United Church of Christ -
Our History, Our Beliefs, Our Identity
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Boundary Awareness for Faith Formation &
Youth Ministry Leaders
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Serving Together - Mission for All Ages
We offer a rolling registration schedule, so you have the opportunity to register any time prior to two days before a class. Be sure to share this information with leaders in your congregation!
Save the Date! Super Saturday
"A Future of Hope"
March 19th, 2022
Keefe Technical High School - Framingham, MA
We are pleased to announce that the next Super Saturday event will follow a hybrid format! What does this mean? This hybrid event will contain a variety of workshops that will be held in-person, on Zoom, and in a combination of both.
Our keynote speaker for this event will be the Rev. Sarah Drummond, Dean of Andover-Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School.
Virtual Super Saturday
Children & Youth Program
This spring's Children & Youth Program for our Virtual Super Saturday will contain playlists for each age group on the Super Saturday theme, "A Future With Hope: Relevant, Prophetic, and Transformative," focusing on age-appropriate activities for learning about, reflecting on, and engaging in hopefulness.
What is a playlist? A playlist for faith formation is a list of online, video, audio, print, etc. learning activities/experiences specifically curated for this Super Saturday theme on hope, and will offer experiences with music, art, out-of-doors activity suggestions, Bible activities, and more!
When registration goes live, select the Children & Youth Program Playlists options, and you will receive a link to these materials prior to Super Saturday. Use them with your own congregation's children's and youth programming, with your families, and/or as part of Super Saturday attendance with your youth group. The possibilities are endless!
Update on Confirmation Retreats
We regret to announce that that three of our confirmation retreat dates have been cancelled as a result of surging COVID rates throughout New England.
- February 4th - 6th at Silver Lake: CANCELLED
- February 18th - 19th at Prindle Pond: CANCELLED
- March 4th - March 5th at Craigville: CANCELLED
We hope that conditions improve, and that we will be able to go ahead with the following confirmation retreat sessions:
- March 25th - 26th overnight retreat at Craigville Conference Center
- March 25th - 27th weekend retreat at Silver Lake
We would like to remind you that we are also providing online Confirmation Enrichment programs over the course of the next three months. See below for more information on these programs!
If you have any questions or concerns as to the state of your registration or need more information regarding these events, please contact Faith Formation Program Support Associate Sean Amato. To initiate a new registration, please visit our events calendar and search for your preferred session by date.
Join us for a life-changing summer at the Lake! Additional details, job descriptions, and applications are all available online. Check out the job descriptions for available positions. If any of the posted positions speak to you, be sure to apply here via UltraCamp!
February 5th, 2022
9:00am - 4:00pm
$48 per person (includes lunch)
Our perceptions of Jesus change and grow as we journey through life. Come and explore through memoir how your faith has evolved over time. We will take time to reflect on who Jesus was and is to us during different stages/parts of our lives. Join as we spend time with Jesus and one another sharing the stories of our faith journeys.
Led by Rev. Jackie Hall (Winchester Center UCC) and Rev. Sara Krhla (Church of Christ Congregational UCC, Goshen).
Proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 required to attend. Masks and social distancing required.
Registration for Summer 2022 opens January 15th
The Silver Lake Summer 2022 brochure is now available online, and will be in your mailbox in just a few days! Check out all the awesome programs available and start getting excited for summer.
Click here to download the brochure!
Check out timely worship resources posted by our continental kin from the United Church of Canada, including materials sorted by theme, liturgical dates, and upcoming special celebrations.
Have you considered the best use of your continuing education dollars for 2022? Visit our Continuing Education page for recommendations.
If you are able to travel, the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Annual Event will be held in Chicago, IL from February 9th - 12th. The event will feature Rodger Nishioka, Andrew Root, Mark Miller, and Carrie Newcomber among other guests. Members of the Association of United Church Educators (AUCE) may register at the reduced member rate. Register soon!
Look for more helpful materials and curated links under Make Disciples on www.sneucc.org.
Professional Support for
Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Leaders
A new sub-page has been added to Faith Formation's Make Disciples section of the SNEUCC website! On this page, you can find resource links for best boundary practices, compensation guidelines, continuing education, job descriptions, opportunities for networking and training, and much more!
Practical Resources for Churches (PRC) has excellent resources for faith formation. PRC has archived materials on their website and offer live webinars most every week. SNEUCC underwrites PRC so these programs available to our congregations for free. Look for them on our conference events calendar.
Katie Snyder
presents:
Lenten Resources from a Thoughtful Christian
Tuesday, January 18th, 2022 at 2:00pm
Explore resources and curricula for the 2022 Lenten season that will work for any size congregation. We will explore great group study options, free downloadable resources, Bible studies, other relevant books, and Lenten devotions that your congregation will find useful for Lent 2022.
Register here
May 3rd - May 5th
Pilgrim Pines - Swanzey, NH
New England Association of United Church Educators (NEAUCE) returns in 2022! Plan to attend this regional retreat for faith formation leaders at Pilgrim Pines in Swanzey, NH on May 3-5, 2022.
This year, we will offer a unique experience presented by our dynamic Guest Artist, Author, and Spiritual Leader, Bronwen Mayer Henry.
Rev. Renee Rouse will act as our worship leader, and Amizael Castro will be our musician.
Joins us for workshops and afternoon activities, as well as time to relax, recharge, and reset for a flexible future in faith formation. Registration opens in February.
Scholarships are available! Contact Kristin Putney for more information.
Pre-NEAUCE Retreat
May 2nd, 2022 1:00pm -
May 3rd, 1:00pm
Are you sensing a call to faith formation and/or youth ministries, but just don't have the time to take for effective discernment? We are offering a 24-hour mini retreat the day before NEAUCE 2022 (May 2nd, 2022) in order to provide you with the time to ponder, pray, walk outdoors, and journal about your journey.
Led by Debbie Gline Allen, SNEUCC Minister of Faith Formation, this 24-hour period will begin at 1:00 p.m. on May 2, 2022 and conclude the next day at 1:00 p.m.; then you'll have personal time for transition before the NEAUCE event begins at 3:00 p.m. The cost will include the extra night's lodging and 2 meals at Pilgrim Pines (c. $75); there is no cost for the retreat itself. (Monday night dinner will be at a restaurant in Keene, NH, paid for by the participant.) Registration will open soon.
Questions? Contact Debbie Gline Allen for more information.
TAKE NOTE! The new SNEUCC VOIP phone system is now in place. Even when staff members are working from home, it is easy reach us by call or text us using the numbers listed in the footer of this email. We are always happy to hear from you!
