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May 12, 2022
This week's note is from Guest Contributor, Rev. Darren Morgan's Monday Musing for May 9th. He is Pastor of the Federated Church of Orleans, MA.
Dear Church,
Milestone. It is said that when we reach a significant point of development, we have attained a milestone. Graduating from high school and/or college, getting married, establishing yourself in a career, and having children are examples of such markers. Milestones are seen as positive pause points in our lives, having worked hard to achieve a goal. We tend to think of our development as forward leaning, progressive, accomplishing one set of goals before turning our attention to the next. Events of this past week have me re-thinking that milestones in our lives are always forward-looking and positively framed. Milestones can be negative markers, divert us from our path, and even take us back to a previous place that we thought was unimaginable.
According to data collected by news organizations, the US surpassed the milestone of 1 million COVID-19 deaths, and the World Health Organization estimates 15 million deaths worldwide – a once unfathomable scale of loss, even for the country with the world's highest recorded toll from the global pandemic. Such shocking statistics were reached at stunning speed: 27 months after the country confirmed its first case of the virus. As a congregation, we have faced multiple challenges throughout this pandemic, but our hearts break because we know people who have been lost, families who have been impacted – it is not a statistical oddity that doesn’t affect us; our community of faith has been impacted by this sad milestone.
A draft Supreme Court opinion was unprecedentedly leaked this past week, revealing that the Supreme Court is about to strike down the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. The Alito draft, which has been posted online by news sources, is a full-throated, unflinching repudiation of the 1973 decision that guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights. Those on one side of this hot-button political debate felt they had achieved a milestone when Roe was released, celebrating the decision that public policy is not the place for private matters; the best decider of such a difficult choice should be between the woman and her medical provider. This milestone will now be overturned by the other side of the political debate who are now pleased that their long-sought goal is about to be achieved. Why is this a concern? Because many other rights and freedoms that we enjoy are based on the legal analysis used in Roe.
This past week shows that milestones are not always happy and joy-filled. Talking about milestones gives us a chance – as individuals and as communities – to not only look back and celebrate what it took for us to get to this point, but it also gives us a chance to peer into the future and plan next steps. As much as we are getting tired of this global pandemic, in reality it is not over. And justice issues cannot be left for others to champion; collective advocacy and action are needed.
We come to know ourselves by the milestones we achieve. And we achieve milestones because we are attentive to the world around us and work to accomplish goals where God places us. “Rekindle the gift of God that is in you,” wrote the Apostle Paul to his beloved co-worker, Timothy (2 Tim 1:6). In each of us God has placed a gift, but like coals burning under the ashes, sometimes our gift remains hidden. The challenge is to reveal it. And then comes the harder part, working to establish and achieve a milestone, even knowing that sometimes it doesn’t always turn out the way we want or like. See you in church!
Clergy Coffee and Conversation
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Join us for
Conversation
at 10:00am here.
Regional News and Association Events
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Pilgrim Association
Pilgrim Association Spring Fellowship Meeting Sunday, May 22, 2022 at 2pm at Quincy Point Congregational Church and online. Click here for more information.
Installation ~ Rev. Dr. Stephen Finlan, The First Church, West Bridgewater, Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 2:00pm. For more information click here.
Rhode Island Association
Mark your calendars! The Invitational, Inspirational, Improvisational Pentecostal Preaching Festival post Covid will return to Central Village (CT) Congregational UCC JUNE 5TH 2PM. Featured preachers are:
- Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister, Southern New England Conference
- The Rev. Dr. Sue Foster, Pastor, East Woodstock Congregational UCC
- Rev. Timoth Sylvia, Newman Congregational Church, UCC Rumford, RI.
Each preacher in turn will draw a biblical text from a hat and have just 10 min prep time. And then preach as inspired by the Holy Spirit. Not all preachers dare to do this.
Offering monies will be split between the favored mission projects of the participants.
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Amicable Congregational Church in Tiverton, RI is offering a four-week series beginning May 15, 2022 that focuses on the ecology and spirituality of reconnecting to our local food sources and regenerating our ecosystem. The program is a collaboration between Amicable Church, the Tiverton Public Library, and the Tiverton Farmers Market. More information here.
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Conference and Partner Events
To see all upcoming events, go to the SNEUCC calendar here.
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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.
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 connect 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.
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, including the next program scheduled on May 19, 2022.
Register now! The SNEUCC Annual Meeting.
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. |
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Tuesday, June 21, 6:00 – 9:00pm ET Specialized Minister Boundary Training with Rev. Tara Barber and Rev. Stephen Boyd
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, email Karen Methot.
Opportunities & 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![]() .
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 here.
S O C I A L J US T I C E I N TE R N S
Call For Teen Activists
We are excited to extend an invitation for applications to our Summer 2022 high school Social Justice Internship (SJI)! The SJI is a paid opportunity for teens to get involved in creating change in their communities. The interns actively engage in both academic and activism materials, ensuring that they continue to learn about ongoing events while amplifying their voices and creating changes in their communities. The internship will be held in a hybrid format from Tuesday, July 5 through Friday, August 12, 2022. Each intern will work for 15 hours per week at a rate of $15 per hour. If you have any questions, please contact Moneesha Dasgupta, SJI Program Director. Click here for additional information.
Scholarship Available
The First Congregational Church of Harwich is pleased to make available a scholarship of around $600 from our Wood Fund this year. 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 email Del Borah with questions.
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.
Tiffany Vail, Director of Media and Communications
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As the Director of Media & Communications for the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, I am here to ask you for a favor. Or, to paraphrase Jerry Maguire – I’m here to ask you to help me help you. Click on the video to hear more.
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"How do we do year-round stewardship?"
New Materials Available for Year-round Stewardship
excerpted from Andrew Warner, National UCC
Research by the Lake Institute and others demonstrates the importance of teaching about generosity, not just when handing out pledge cards but all the time. Yet, many pastors only preach on giving annually (if at all).
The new materials – "From Bread and Cup to Faith and Giving" – answer that need with a robust set of preaching and worship materials (exegesis on eight texts), small group lesson plans, children & youth materials, plus practical advice on how to talk about generosity during a pledge drive and throughout the year. View the video by Bruce Barkhauer about these materials here. Available for purchase here.
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The Southern New England Conference has released guidelines that introduce a new method for determining just clergy compensation.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your ACM with any questions.
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.
Faith Formation Leadership Program Now Completely Online
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.
Insurance Board's Legal Helpline In partnership with the United Church of Christ Association of Conference Attorneys (ACA)
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Insurance Board announces the addition of a Legal Helpline through our 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. Contact the Legal Helpline at 800-437-8830 (prompt #7) or email your inquiry to legalhelpline@insuranceboard.org. As the only non-profit insurance provider serving six denominations through our exclusive covenant, our ministry continues to offer resources to protect yours. Click here for more information.
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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 Camp & Retreat 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
Part-Time Facilities Manager, Hanover, MA
Director of Faith Formation, Falmouth, MA
Children and Families Outreach Worker - Harwich, MA
Lead Hospitality Associate - Edwards House(MA) and Irons Homestead (RI)
This week we pray for:
Dennis Union Church, Dennis: Rev. Nancy Sue McHugh
Lakeville United Church of Christ, Lakeville: Rev. Carol Steinbrecher
First Congregational Church, UCC, Stoughton: Rev. Mary Perry
Newman Congregational UCC, Rumford, RI: Rev. Timoth Sylvia
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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
New #: 508-244-4416
*Please note that Conference staff are not scheduling in-person preaching, worship or meetings until February 14, 2022. We are happy to join you online until then.
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