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May 27, 2022

A Note from the ACM

Good people, 

We can’t even use the words “unimaginable” or “unbelievable” any longer.

Sadly, another mass shooting in America is entirely believable. We have been worn-down by the violence and tragedy, and the inaction of our leaders. Our spirits are exhausted, our hearts broken, and our way forward unclear. And I want you to know that there is room for whatever you are feeling right now. God accompanies us into the depths of our spirit, no matter whether we are angry, devested, confused, or lost. No matter how this pain is sitting with you today, I believe in my core that God is always with us through it.

I pray that each of you might feel God’s presence in your lives these days. Whether you are trying to find the words for a sermon, or a conversation with your children, or a letter to your representatives – or all of the above – I pray you feel the presence of God beside you. I pray you feel God offering you the strength and the endurance you need in these days.  Please know that I am praying for each of you, too.  

If you, or your congregation, are looking for ways to get involved in shaping policy change in our region and country, I invite you to bookmark https://www.sneucc.org/gun-violence. You can also reach out to Rev. Emma Brewer-Wallin, Minister for Minister for Environmental and Economic Justice. And you can always reach out to me, too.

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

ACM Availability

 
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:

June 12 - United Parish - Brookline
June 19 - Union Church - Magnolia
June 26 - Armenian Memorial Church - Watertown

Association News

Metropolitan Boston Association

Installation ~ Rev. Dr. Barbara Callaghan at Hancock Church in Lexington, Sunday,June 19, 2022 at 3:00pm.
 

Conference and Partner Events 

(visit SNEUCC.ORG/EVENTS for a full list of events)

Just in Time Training:  Responding to Mass Violence

Tuesday, May 31st from 2:00PM - 3:00PM

Vibrant Emotional Health's Crisis Emotional Care Team will be standing up a Just in Time training on Tuesday, May 31st from 2:00PM - 3:00PM ET for behavioral health providers offering support to victims of incidents of mass violence.

The training will be led by Dr. April Naturale and will be offered in English and Spanish., If you have any questions about this event, please email the CECT at crisisemotionalcare@vibrant.org.   Register here

 

Agape Children's Mindfulness Summer Program

Agape Spiritual Community of Waltham's children's mindfulness summer program is accepting applications!  Our Mindful Summer Program (made possible through a grant from the Southern New England Conference UCC) for children will be two weeks, the week of July 11th, and the week of July 18th, 2022 at the Intercultural Center at Brandeis University. Our hours are from 9am-2pm. Children bring their own lunch, and are provided a healthy snack. Children ages 6-11 are welcome to enroll, with priority given to Waltham residents. Reach out to Rachel (red1103@brandeis.edu) or Tara (taralwhitehurst@gmail.com) with any questions or concerns!  You can apply to enroll children in the program at the links below. Tuition for this Mindfulness summer program is $150 per week, per child. Full and partial scholarships are available. This is a non-religious program focused on teaching mindfulness that is open to all children regardless of religious/spiritual background. Applications are due June 8th.
 
English application form.          Spanish application form.


An Offering from the Alliance of United Church Educators (AUCE)

What is hybrid faith formation? How can we do it better and in a sustainable way? How can creativity help us unlock new ideas and extend our reach? How do we care for ourselves and lead well through times of transition?
Join colleagues from across the country on June 8th - 9th, 2022 to explore these questions, learn, connect, worship, and renew during AUCE’s second virtual national event. This conference will offer 6 interactive and engaging workshops (you can register for 1, 3, or all 6) led by colleague experts and tailored to the needs of faith formation leaders for today. In addition, all are invited to participate in creative worship, self-care practices, and two colleague connection sessions for networking, encouragement, and sharing. Interested in learning more about AUCE's annual event? Click here to access the event flyer!  Register here


Boston Pride Sunday at Old South Church

Sunday June 12, 2022 at 11am

Pride Sunday in Boston will kick off with the traditional Pride morning worship service at 11 AM on Sunday, June 12, at Old South Church, 645 Boylston St. in Boston.  All are invited. Rev. Dr. Brandon Crowley, senior minister at the Historic Myrtle Baptist Church in West Newton, Mass., will be the guest preacher. Old South Church also will present Rev. Dr. Crowley with the church’s Open Door Award. Created in 2014, the award honors individuals for their work to “pry open doors shut against any persons and to keep oiling the hinges of any doors rusting shut.”  No Pride parade or festival has been scheduled for Boston for this year. The Boston Pride Board of Directors dissolved in June 2021, following complaints about diversity and inclusion in Pride events. Several other organizations have planned events and observances. Here is a link to the June 25 - Boston trans/queer BIPOC fest


Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Do you want to know how to anticipate and creatively respond to accelerating waves of change for the Pandemic Church? Join us for a compelling narrative on how pastors, lay leaders and leaders of Christian non-profits can both more effectively anticipate some of our new challenges in our pandemic future and then create new innovative ways to respond. Leader – Tom Sine.  Offered by our partners at PRC.  Email Karen Ware Jackson with questions.  Register here


What’s Next In Christian Education Workshop 

Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

The global pandemic has radically changed how we meet and connect for worship and education. Even as churches are resuming in-person activities, many of the faithful are still looking for online and hybrid offerings. Join us to consider how we can continue to offer spiritual formation for all ages in an ever changing world. This is a workshop in three parts. We will begin with a presentation from Elizabeth Christie and PRC educators on tools and practices for this moment. Then, we’ll break off into 3 small groups to brainstorm and discuss our particular contexts. Finally, PRC subscribers will have the opportunity to join a cohort led by Elizabeth for more tools and support.  Leaders: Elizabeth Christie, Debbie Kolacki, Karen Smith.  Email Karen Ware Jackson with questions.  Register here                             


Register now !  SNEUCC Annual Meeting

Register Now→

Register by June 3rd and you will receive a gift of a Worship Care Package. Even though we are in a virtual format and physically separated, we can be connected in spirit.  Please use the items in this box to create your own sacred space for worship. Items were packed with care by friends from Central Congregational Church, Attleboro Falls, MA and Newman Congregational Church, Rumford, RI; and the worship clothes were graciously donated by Magnificat Liturgical Artwork.  Register for Annual Meeting here!   The annual meeting agenda can be found here.

The Rev. Dr. Duggan will be speaking on "entrepreneurial ministry," and how churches can reimagine their building usage in creative ways to connect with their communities.  Read more HERE.

 


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

 


Temporary Ministerial Coverage List replaces the
Pulpit Supply List.

The Southern New England Conference has moved from a "pulpit supply list" to a new Temporary Ministerial Coverage List. The list contains Clergy and Lay people that are interested in providing Sunday Supply, Sabbatical Coverage, and Bridge Coverage. All the people included on the list have had a Criminal Background Check and are being required to have Boundary Awareness Training as well as Racial Justice Training. 

If your church is in need of a new list please reach out the Program Support Associate for your Region:

If you are interested in being included on the new Temporary Ministerial Coverage List please email Deb Holmes.

 

Opportunities and Resources

 
 

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

 


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

 

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.

 


 


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.
 
 

Center for Transformational Leadership

 

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

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
 

Outdoor Ministries

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. 

Read more about the exciting things happening and coming up at Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center right here.   

Celebrations

 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!

Let us know!

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.
 

Called to Serve

 
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! 
  
 
This week we pray for: 

Elliot Congregational Church, Roxbury:  Rev. Evan Hines

Hispanic Community Church of  Boston:  Cesar Depaz Fernandez

Trinity Congregational Church, UCC, Gloucester: Rev. Norma Brettell

Union Congregational Church, Gloucester:  James Longhurst

Find out more about Conference and Association transitions here:

 

Transitions

More...

 

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.

 
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Northeast Region of
The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ

21 Church St.
Winchester, MA 01890
781-369-1396
VarneyL@sneucc.org 
www.sneucc.org/northeast

Office Hours: 
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM