March 24, 2022

Dear Siblings in Christ,
 
The Rev. Dr. Sarah B. Drummond brought us a good word during her keynote address at Super Saturday last week. It was relevant, prophetic and transformative. It was a balm for our weary souls as well as an inspiration for our longing hearts. You can read more about it here, as well as find links to her full address and worship. I encourage you to think about how to share it in your ministry setting; maybe it is something for the whole church council to watch together, or there are parts to share with your chaplaincy colleagues. Whatever your leadership role (spoiler, we are all leaders), I encourage you to reflect on the 5 tensions Sarah names. As she said, being intentional about these can provide parameters, and a glimmer of hope that we can find a manageable shape for our days.” Here are a few other gems from her address:
 
“Either I was going to rethink my devotion to planning, or it was going to rethink me right into the land of burnout,"
 
"No matter how natural a leader you are, paying attention to tension requires more intentionality than ever before. Our communities are disoriented, changing quickly, and looking to their leaders for guidance in a time when none of us knows where we’re going.”
 
"Roxburgh encourages us to consider decentering the church as an institution and focusing on discipleship formation that prepares people seeking to follow Jesus to detect God’s fermenting – gestating something new.”
 
"Just like our planet itself, we have to find new sources of energy, and God’s already given us all we need to find and use it. Like the cake and the water the angel gave Elijah, like the manna God caused to fall from heaven, and like the bread and the fish that Jesus caused to multiply, God gives us what we need. If what we need now is hope, God will give it, and in fact already has. I find hope among the hopeful, and it’s for that reason I close with where I began: thank you for engaging me as part of this year’s Super Saturday – your presence, and your ministries, give me hope."
 
As I think about you ~ churches, disciples, pastors, sojourners of the North Central Region ~ I see the hopeful, and I am refilled with hope and sustenance for the journey.

 
With gratitude and blessings,

Rev. Elizabeth Garrigan-Byerly (she/her)
Area Conference Minister, North Central Region
(Central, MA & Windham, CT Associations)
Cell: 508-244-4311 - New Number

Connect with your ACM

Worship Visits
I am eager to join you in worship (I can preach or simply bring greetings from the Conference; whatever is best for the church). My Sunday schedule is currently booked through June. If you’d like to schedule something for the summer or fall, please reach out directly to Liz via email.
 
The North Central Clergy Gathering
2^nd Tuesdays, 1-2:30pm; Zoom link is the same every month and a reminder email is sent with the link each month
 
These gatherings are for all authorized ministers, whatever your ministry setting. We usually start with a devotion and move into a time of sharing, letting the Spirit guide our conversations. Sometimes we have a guest who leads us in conversation. We always close with a time of intercessory prayer. Join us!
 
April 12^th ~ CANCELLED. Because it falls during Holy Week, we are skipping this month’s gathering. If you find yourself in need of a prayer space that day, please join the Lenten Prayers for Peace and Justice that Tuesday at noon.
 
May 10^th ~ Debby Kirk, Faith Formation Team Leader will join us to share about the trends and best practices in faith formation.
 
June 14^th ~ Open sharing
 
July 12^th ~ Open sharing or TBD
 
August 9^th ~ Cancelled; summer break

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.

Rev. Norman Michaud ~ Installation
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Congregational Church of Putnam
175 Main Street
Putnam, CT 06260
3:00PM

Rev. Becca Lockwood ~ Installation 
Sunday, May 1, 2022
First Parish Church United
48 Main Street
Westford, MA 01886
3:00PM

Click here to learn more.   UCC Releases Stewardship Materials for Year-Round Use The United Church of Christ has made available new materials for stewardship that are designed to be used on a year-round basis. “From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving” makes the connection between our experience of God and our generosity as disciples. It includes practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. The materials also provide resources for preaching and teaching about stewardship throughout the year. Please click here to read more.   Getting Aid to Ukraine The UCC, working through the ACT Alliance, is appealing for support for refugees and vulnerable people displaced within Ukraine who are unable to leave. Meanwhile, the First Church in Marlborough, MA, is working with Polish and Ukranian ecumenical partners to support those fleeing Ukraine. Read more here.  Donate here. Flag Photo by Max Kukurudziak on Unsplash Community Purchasing Alliance MA Is a cooperative of faith and other values-based institutions, coming together to save money and get better service on essential services like electricity, waste removal, and janitorial – all while prioritizing contracts with Black-, Brown-, and worker-owned businesses. This spring, there are several opportunities to participate: Group electricity purchase, including renewable energy options. Fill out this form to explore options. Cleaning services. Please fill out this form to explore janitorial options with CPA MA. Waste removal, including trash, recycling, and composting. Reach out to Nathan Davis Hunt by email (nathan@cpa.coop) or phone (832.344.6256) Natural gas, snow removal, and PPE are also possibilities later in the year – connect with Nathan if interested. From Emma Brewer-Wallin, Minister of Environmental & Economic Justice: CPA MA is an exciting opportunity to deepen relationships and mutual care with other houses of worship and our wider communities. Through their group purchasing, churches – including smaller churches and those with tight budgets – are able to turn essential spending into ministry, by ensuring that those dollars stay in local communities.

Lenten Prayers for Peace and Justice This event recurs Weekly on Tuesdays from Tuesday, March 8, 2022 to Tuesday, April 12, 2022 The daily barrage of bad news and life challenges leaves many of us anxious, broken hearted, weary, and longing for community.  Join us for 30 minutes of scripture, music, and prayers for our world, one another, and ourselves. March 8 will focus on the crisis in Ukraine. Click here to register to attend.

Quarterly Racial Justice Training for all: May 18th & 19th Both clergy and lay people are welcome to join us for this 3-1/2 hour, two-day on-line racial justice training facilitated by Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Completed session may apply toward racial justice training requirements for clergy. This session will take place over two days: May 18: 7-9 PM May 19: 7-8:30 PM Another session will be offered on Saturday, Oct. 22. Sessions are being offered via Zoom. The cost to attend is $10. Scholarships are available; contact Karen Methot. Please click here to register.

Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs 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.  Some of your colleagues in this region have received this grant in the past, including Rev. Rich Knight. If you have a question about the application process, feel free to contact him. SNE Women's Connection Spring Gathering 2022   Theme: Is There Room at the Inn?   Date:  Saturday, April 30, 2022   Place:  First Church of Christ Congregational 1652, 74 Main St., Farmington, CT 06032 Group Activity 2022 Recognized Women Awards Worship and Communion Registration form here.  Nominations for Church Women Recognition Awards here.  Pentecost Book Study to Look at 'Generosity, Stewardship and Abundance' The Rev. David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, will host a book study online Wednesday evenings from April 27 through June 1. The study will look at Generosity, Stewardship and Abundance by Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel, a book described as being "a practical guide that is both theologically rigorous and spiritually edifying."  Read more here. Save the Date! 2022 Justice Summit Saturday, September 24, 2022, 9 AM - 4:30 PM Location TBD The 2022 Justice Summit is a one-day event hosted by the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ to inform, engage, and offer opportunities for connection among people interested in issues of social justice. This year's Justice Summit will focus on racial justice.

The Center for Transformational Leadership is thrilled to offer a new morning book group! Beginning in May, on the second Wednesday of each month, members of the book group will come together via Zoom to explore the theme of faithful change leadership through three books: Joining God in the Great Unraveling by Alan Roxburgh The Innovative Church by Scott Cormode Another Way: Living and Leading Change on-Purpose by Stephen Lewis, Matthew Williams, and Dori Baker Discussions to be held May 11, June 8, July 13, between 7:15-8:30 a.m. over Zoom.  Accepting Registrations now.

Negotiating a Liminal Season

March 29th, 7:00 PM 
Online

Are you experiencing a sense of ambiguity or disorientation? Liminality refers to the quality of ambiguity or disorientation that occurs during transition, when a person or group of people is in between something that has ended and something else that is not yet ready to begin. During this webinar, we introduce liminality and explore the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in liminal space. We will explore this pandemic season as a liminal season requiring a unique leadership stance and a different body of leadership work. Click here to read more and to register

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE Talking About War with Children & Teens I long for a day when the stories of violence our children and youth see in the media will be a distant memory. Viewing images of war, death, and loss in the news these days is practically unavoidable, even for children. If parents are protecting them from these images, they are no doubt still hearing about it at school and from their peers. So let us take a moment to reflect on best practices for talking with children and teens about tragedies, in particular the current tragedy the world is experiencing — the war in Ukraine. How can we answer their questions about what is happening in the news in ways that will not overwhelm them? How can the adults who are closest to them provide guidance in ways that will keep them calm and feeling safe? Please click here to read more           Boundary Awareness for Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Leaders (via Zoom) - Faith Formation Leadership Program Saturday, April 2, 2022 at 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Developed by the historic Massachusetts Conference, this introductory course will equip faith formation and youth ministry leaders with the basics of healthy boundaries. This class will explore specifically the joys and challenges of ministering to and with children and youth while serving on a local church staff. Through reading, conversation, and case studies, participants will create their own guiding principles for ethical behavior in ministry. Required pre-reading (30 pages) will be distributed one month prior to the class session. This class is held via Zoom. Registration deadline: March 28, 2022. Click here to learn more and to register.           **Does not fulfill the Boundary Awareness requirement for clergy 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 Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI 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.  REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 15  Summer staff at Silver Lake - APPLY NOW! - https://www.silverlakect.org/summeremployment Spend the entire summer living in an inclusive community, learning, growing, making memories and changing lives. Know someone that would be a great fit? Encourage them to apply! Summer Staff work six days per week for approximately nine to ten weeks during the summer. Applicants for Summer Staff must be at least 16 years old. Positions include: Camp Family (leadership development program for 16- and 17-year-olds), Resource Staff, Waterfront, Adventure Team (A-Team), Kitchen, Maintenance (ETF). Read the job descriptions - https://www.silverlakect.org/summerjobdescriptions 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.  Safe Travel for Babies! We are excited to tell you that we have the opportunity to help some new Moms keep their babies safe and welcome new Afghan neighbors at the same time.  Twelve of the women in Afghan families who have settled in central MA are going to give birth over the next few months – two of them very soon.   WAMS has volunteered to raise money to buy each family an infant car seat.  While most, possibly all, of the families are without cars right now, they are being transported for medical and other appointments by wonderful local volunteers, and the families will need car seats to bring their babies home from the hospital, take them to well-baby visits, and, as soon as it is safe for the Moms and babies, go to religious services and other important events. Click here to find out more on helping with this project. 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 2022 Silver Lake Award Rev. David Peters is the 2022 Silver Lake Award honoree! The Silver Lake Award, nominated by the Silver Lake community, recognizes someone whose life has been visibly shaped by the core values of Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center and who, in turn, live their life and faith in a way that reflects the formative experiences they have had at Silver Lake. This person truly takes Silver Lake home with them beyond Low Road. We invite you to help us celebrate Rev. Peters’ ministry to Silver Lake on April 24, 2-4pm at Farmington Gardens in Farmington Ct. Information and registration at silverlakect.org/silverlakeaward.   March Ordination Anniversaries 5 Years The Rev. Kathryn Light The Rev. Korte Yeo 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   Please click here to view all SNEUCC obituaries.    CLASSIFIEDS   Communications Administrator - Ashburnham, MA Christian Education Director - Part Time Position - Ashland, MA Musician/Organist with an Edge - Leominster, MA Administrative Assistant - Princeton, MA Please click here to view all SNEUCC Classifieds   ASSOCIATION MEETING INFORMATION     Central MA Association Meeting Information: The Committee on Authorized Ministry: Third Thursday of the month at 9:30 AM. The Board of Director's: Third Thursday of the month at 2:30 PM Windham Association Meeting Information: Monthly Council meeting: First Tuesday of the month from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. via Zoom.