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WORDS FROM YOUR AREA CONFERENCE MINISTER
 

April 28, 2022

Grace and peace to you, siblings in Christ.
 
I pray that your Easter was meaningful and that you continue to encounter the Risen Christ.

I pray that as you walk the road to Emmaus, your eyes are opened to the joy of scripture.

I pray that the locked doors of your life are burst open and you hear Jesus speak, “Peace be with you.”

I pray that when your weary arms put your nets into the deep waters, you find abundance.

I pray that you are nourished by the meals Christ sets before you.

I pray that you, and we together, might answer the great commissioning to go and serve the entire world.

I pray in the name of our Risen Savior,
 
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

Special Announcements:

Installation Postponed

The Installation of Rev. Becca Lockwood at First Parish Westford has been postponed from this Sunday, May 1, to Sunday, June 8th, 3pm, due to Covid infections. We give thanks that symptoms are mild and that all are flexible. This installation will be a wonderful way to celebrate Pentecost!

A Word about Proportional Giving

You’ve probably heard me say before that what binds us together as a denomination is covenant, not creed or practice or structure but sacred relationship and commitment. I give thanks to God for the strength of our covenantal bonds and partnerships. Every conversation or meeting I have with individual churches or pastors is buttressed by our covenantal bonds and indeed would not be possible without them.
 
Proportional Giving is one of the key ways we express that covenant. Each church recently received a letter about PR from the Rev. David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations. I want to personally thank you for your covenantal commitment to the work of the wider church through PG; it is essential to all the transformative things the conference is able to do. I hope you will make time to prayerfully consider how your church can be in covenant by contributing to Proportional Giving.


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
2nd 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!
 
May 10th ~ Debby Kirk, Faith Formation Team Leader will join us to share about the trends and best practices in faith formation.
 
June 14th ~ Open sharing
 
July 12th ~ Open sharing or TBD
 
August 9th ~ Cancelled; summer break

ASSOCIATION & CHURCH EVENTS
(Central MA & Windham CT)

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.


Date Change!

Rev. Becca Lockwood ~ Installation 
Sunday, June 5, 2022
First Parish Church United
48 Main Street
Westford, MA 01886
3:00PM

CONFERENCE & REGIONAL EVENTS/INFORMATION
Please go to sneucc.org/events to see all posted events

 

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:
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.  

A Community Response to Tragedy: One Link at a Time

Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
Join us for a look at how a local town came together to offer a trauma informed response after a tragedy and how one church participated.  An introduction to trauma-Informed practices and the Wellness Sciences that support growth in the face of adversity will frame the discussion. The program will be presented by Kathleen Zagata, the Health Minister at First Congregational Church in Winchester, MA. Kathleen is a clinical nurse specialist in Community Mental Health and a Marion Woodman Body-Soul Rhythms trained leader. For 12 years during the Iraq War, she facilitated a group for families of deployed soldiers and veterans. For more information click here and to register click here.

 

 

Monday, May 9, 6:00 – 9:00pm Retired Clergy Boundary Training with Revs. Tara Barber and Stephen Boyd


Maintaining healthy boundaries is challenging at any stage in ministry and it is particularly tender and difficult attending to boundaries as we transition out of our last call, and while in retirement. Using "A Sure Foundation", "The Ministerial Code" and Rev. Dr. Bruce Epperly's new book, "The Jubilee Years", Rev. Stephen Boyd and Rev. Tara Barber will offer a focused Boundary Awareness Training for those entering and living in retirement. Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.

 

Quarterly Racial Justice Training for all:
October 22, 2022

Both clergy and lay people are welcome to join us for this 3-1/2 hour, on-line racial justice training facilitated by Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 
This session will take place:
October 22: 8:30AM -12:00PM

Sessions are being offered via Zoom. The cost to attend is $10. Scholarships are available; contact Karen Methot.  
Please click here to register.


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.

 

 

Registration now open!

For information on how to register and for documents, please click here.

 

 

THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP


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.

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE

 

Thinking of introducing OWL to your congregation?

Tuesday, May 10th, 2022, 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Our Whole Lives is a wonderful program for teaching faith and sexuality.  OWL helps youth develop communication skills to create healthy boundaries and healthy relationships. The curriculum dismantles shame and stigma about bodies. Explore this program and invest in life-saving work with your youth.  Register here!

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 Parent Information Sessions - All-Gender Cabins

Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center is offering all-gender cabin options for the 2022 Summer Camp Season. Join Silver Lake Program Director Jennifer Kronholm Clark for an online information session to learn more about all-gender cabins - why we're doing it and how it will work.  Jennifer Kronholm Clark can be reached by email or by calling the Silver Lake office at 860-364-5526.   

Information session:   Saturday, April 30, 9:30 am, Zoom registration link

2022 Spring Action at Silver Lake
April 29 - May 1
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT

Catch up with old friends, make new friends, and work hard to prepare YOUR camp & retreat center for the coming season.

 

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. 

Exciting New Volunteer Opportunity!

As the mission arm of UCC churches in central Massachusetts, WAMS is always looking for ways to partner with organizations that do important work in our communities.  

We’re excited about a new project – but we really need your help to make it a success!  We’ve been asked by the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester to find mentors for their new Music Is the Key initiative.  Every Tuesday after school, children from kindergarten to 3rd grade will become "Rhythm Kids,” gathering at the Club for a singing, drumming, and movement class.  On Wednesdays, young people in grades 7 through 12 will learn “Songwriting at the Keyboard.” 

No music training is required, because there will be experienced teachers from Pakachoag Music School for both classes.  What we need are adult mentors who can learn and have fun along with the kids. We need at least 25 more volunteers, 18 years of age or older, who love kids and want to have fun with music for 90 minutes or so each week.  Anyone interested should contact Jay Zayas, jzayas@wamsworks.org

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

April Ordination Anniversaries

55 Years
The Rev. Richard Pryce

15 Years
The Rev. Lee Atherton

5 Years
Mr. Eric Seaholm, Commissioned Music Minister

 

 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

 

Church Financial Assistant, Natick, MA

Church Office Administrator, Natick, 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. 

 

 

North Central Region of
The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ

508-244-4399
holmesd@sneucc.org 
www.sneucc.org/north-central

Office Hours: 
Monday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: Closed