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Good people,
For a few years I had this rejection letter that hung over my desk.
Every day I would look at it and use it as motivation in my personal and professional life. As a high school rugby coach, I know that disappointment can be a powerful motivator when harnessed properly and appropriately. Coming up just short, can inspire us to reach that milestone the next time; however, I knew my rejection letter wasn’t the “right kind” of motivation for me. In truth, I was bitter and disappointed. While years later it didn’t have the same power over me that it had when I first opened that letter, it still tapped into tender places of my heart whenever I looked at it.
I think of that letter (which is no longer hanging up!) sometimes when I engage with what is happening in our world on TV or social media. It seems as if much of what we consume is packaged to evoke an emotional response – primarily ones of anger and despair. While sometimes a “righteous indignation” can come from a Holy place, I primarily strive to be someone motivated by hope and joy. When I feel angry, I try to remind myself it is because I know what hope is and I long for others to experience it. When I despair, it is because I’ve felt joy, and I love to help others discover that joy in themselves. I may begin with anger – but where does it lead me? What roots me?
As the news washed over us in these days, I pray that even amidst our anger and despair, we might stay rooted in and connected to our Christian hope and joy. That they might be our lighthouse as we navigate these days. And that it might be our primary motivation for living God’s love, peace and justice in our world.
As always, I continue to hold each of you in prayer.
-Alex
Rev. Alex Shea Will
Area Conference Minister
Northeast Region (Metropolitan Boston and Northeast Associations)
Rev. Shea Will can be reached at sheawilla@sneucc.org or call/text: 508-244-4769
Siblings in Christ: Thank you for the invitations to worship with you! I’m currently scheduled through June 2022, but I’d love to begin scheduling for the fall. I am eager to visit with each of you, join you for life together, and even preach if you would like. Please reach out and let me know a few options of what might work for you and your congregation.
Regardless of whether you’ve yet to meet in person, or have been meeting in person for months, we are all dealing with the ramifications of this pandemic in one way or another. I am praying for each of you and our congregations as you navigate how best to love, care for, and be present with one another. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Upcoming worship schedule:
May 22 - Old South Church - Boston
June 12 - United Parish - Brookline
June 19 - Union Church - Magnolia
June 26 - Armenian Memorial Church - Watertown
Metropolitan Boston Assoc. Spring Meeting
Metropolitan Boston Association Spring Meeting, Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 3:00pm, United Parish of Auburndale, 64 Hancock Street, Auburndale, MA and online. Register here.
Northeast Association Letter from the Board of Directors
Dear NEA Churches and Leadership,
How good it was to gather on Sunday afternoon, May 1st, at the West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC! We had full house, and such good energy, folks catching up face to face (!) with laughter, singing and just plain fun as we did our brief but important 'business' meeting and then joyful worship with Rev. Darrell Goodwin. And what a delight he is to listen to as a preacher. And the videos of the children of our local congregations show us just what we can do when we rely on God's grace to get us through this pandemic. Love wins, again!
Thank you Rev. Goodwin, for making the trek up to the North Shore. Thank you to the NEA Board of Directors and our Committees on Ministry. And thank you to all of you who were in attendance, in person and on ZOOM.
If you were not able to be there on Sunday, no worries, you just missed a ton of fun (and S'mores at the firepit). We will meet again, Stay tuned for a notice about a November meeting when we are very much hoping to be in person again.
In the meantime, your NEA Board and Committees continue to meet and consider how we can best support you. So, please reach out, let us know how we can lift you up in prayer, show up for you some how. We are better together.
In Christ,
Rev. Holly Brauner
Moderator
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2022 Silver Lake Open House
May 15, 1:00 to 5:00 PM
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT
A visit to Silver Lake before camp is the best way for a first time camper (conferee) to know what to expect.
Mental Health and Ministry: Faithful Practices for COMs with Rev. Elizabeth Dilley and members of the UCC Mental Health Network
Tuesday, May 17, 3:30 – 5:00pm ET
Join Rev. Elizabeth Dilley of MESA, and Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund and members of the UCC Mental Health Network leadership team to explore how COMs can work effectively and appropriately with Members in Discernment and ministers with mental health diagnoses. How can COM processes model supportive accountability and appropriate disclosure (and appropriate non-disclosure) within processes of authorization and oversight? How can our processes themselves contribute to health – or harm – for ministers and MIDs, and how can COMs build their capacity for competent oversight for all in their care?
Clergy Boundary Awareness Training
The SNE Conference has a new web page where clergy can access information on Boundary Awareness Training Programs, including upcoming events. Visit this page to find a list of offerings happening over the next 9 months, and the next offering May 19, 2022. |
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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.
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2022 UCC Member in Discernment Gathering
May 20-22, 2022 online
Now open - registration for the Member in Discernment event “Our Journey: Shameless Audacity” is now open. This is a time for MIDs to `kx5tconnect with one another, meet the MESA team and other national leaders, and to grow in their knowledge of ministry in and on behalf of the United Church of Christ. This event takes place May 20-22 online and there is no cost to attend. Click here for more information and to register.
May 24, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Join The Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team Members
The Rev. James Ross & The Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin for light refreshments and conversation.
May 24, 2022, 7pm to 8pm via Zoom
Leaders: Elizabeth Garrigan-Byerly, Isaac Lawson, Jeff Nelson
Are you a UCC church with questions about the search & call process? Join national and conference leaders from the United Church of Christ who will be answering your questions about the process of searching for and calling a new pastor. Use this link to register for this virtual program.
Registration now open! SNEUCC Annual Meeting
Specialized Minister Boundary Training with Rev. Tara Barber and Rev. Stephen Boyd
Tuesday, June 21, 6:00 – 9:00pm ET
This training is geared towards clergy in the New England Region, it is open to ministers serving in specialized settings throughout the United Church of Christ. Serving in specialized setting requires particular attention to boundaries within the ministry setting and home church that are challenging and different from those serving as local church pastors. This training will focus on matters that relate specifically to issues that these ministers face, providing opportunities for clergy to reflect on best practices and growth in their practice of ministry.
*Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.
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. For more information, contact Karen Methot at methotk@sneucc.org.
Opportunities and Resources
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Racial Justice Advocate part-time position available
The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ (SNEUCC), has a part-time opportunity for a Racial Justice Advocate. This position is funded for a maximum of two years. The Racial Justice Advocate engages and supports local congregations, Conference staff and volunteers to enhance racial equity in all settings of the UCC and surrounding communities. Learn more here![]() .
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The Nancy S. Taylor Leadership Fellowship Program
Old South Church in Boston is seeking applicants for this inaugural fellowship! Fellows will be immersed in the life of Old South Church and actively participate in worship leadership, committees and boards to learn about and to help shape our life together. Old South Church is looking for candidates who are in their third or final year of seminary, called to action and to the ministry, who dare to be leaders in a changing world. This is a part-time position, of roughly 15 hours per week with compensation. The Fellowship can begin in the summer or fall of 2022 and will run through the end of May 2023. For more information click here. |
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Harwich Church Offers Seminary Scholarships
The First Congregational Church of Harwich is making available a scholarship of around $600 from the Wood Fund. Ministry and Christian Education students who are members of congregations that are within the Southern New England Conference of the UCC are invited to apply for this scholarship to assist with the cost of attending seminary.
Application forms are available online here. Please note: application materials must be received by the First Congregational Church, UCC, Attention: Scholarship Committee, 697 Main St, Harwich, MA 02645 and be postmarked by May 31, 2022.
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Clergy Compensation Guidelines - 2022
Updated Clergy Compensation Guidelines are now available. They allow you to use a worksheet to calculate a minister’s salary based on variables including median area income, experience, housing allowance/parsonage, etc. There is, conversely, a worksheet that allows you to type in what you can afford, and then breaks down what percentage of a full-time call that equates. Learn more here.
The Insurance Board has launched a Legal Helpline through their partnership with the Association of Conference Attorneys (ACA) of the United Church of Christ. All Insurance Board participants can access legal counsel that will provide a free legal consultation and referral service. Ministries will benefit from connecting with attorneys who have an intimate understanding of polity and how issues are processed in observance of free church traditions. Ministries can contact the Legal Helpline at 800-437-8830 (prompt #7) or email an inquiry to legalhelpline@insuranceboard.org.
Please note the free consultation does not include contract reviews.
Churches and Pastors! Share the ministry of Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center with your community! To help you get the word out about Silver Lake’s exciting programs, visit www.silverlakect.org/promote for a collection of materials and resources.
Read more about the exciting things happening and coming up at Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center right here.
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Center for Transformational Leadership
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.jpg?width=280) The Center for Transformational Leadership equips clergy and lay leaders, congregations and covenantal partners of the SNEUCC with resources, tools and support to create a new vision and do the transformative ministry they are called to do in the local church, local community and the world. We believe God calls us to bring new life as agents of change, and so we embrace and encourage adaptive and transformative leadership wherever the Body of Christ is gathered.
SIGN UP HERE to receive the Center for Transformational Leadership's monthly newsletter, Innovation Now!
Discipleship Opportunities
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Faith Formation Leadership Program Now Completely Online
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The Southern New England Conference's Faith Formation Leadership Program is undergoing similar types of shifts and changes as are happening in the church. Recently the decision has been made to offer this program completely online. Read more here.
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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, Glocester, RI
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT.
Silver Lake 2022 Summer Camp Registration now open! More info here.
May Anniversaries
10 Years
The Rev. Debra Adams, May 20, 2012
Please contact Lynn Varney if we have missed your anniversary. Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5.
If your church is celebrating a milestone anniversary, please let us know so that the Northeast Region can celebrate with you!
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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Sunday School Coordinator, Stoneham, MA
Interim Director of Religious Education, Lincoln, MA
Office Manager, Wellesley Hills, MA
Youth Conference Minister, Star Island United Church of Christ, Rye, NH
Organist, Lexington, MA
Accounting Administrator - Brookline, MA
Building Manager - Brookline, MA
Music Director/Organist - Topsfield, MA
"Owner’s Representative”/Project Manager -Lowell, MA
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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!
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| This week we pray for: |
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Brighton-Allston Congregational, UCC, Brighton: Rev. Nikira Hernandez
Church of the Covenant, Federated Boston: Rev. Robert Mark
Byfield Parish Church: Revs. Brent Fugate and Daniel Ledwith
First Congregational Church, Georgetown, UCC: Rev. Holly Brauner
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| Find out more about Conference and Association transitions here: |
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Transitions
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Subscriptions:
This is an edition of the Northeast Region (including the Metropolitan Boston and Northeast 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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