| A Note from your Area Conference Minister |
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As Pentecost approaches, we eagerly await fresh winds of the Spirit. May your church be inspired to burst out of your walls to take the message of the Good News to the streets, so that all may hear God’s liberating word in a language they can understand.
The Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba
Area Conference Minister and Team Leader
Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ
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| Regional News and Association Events |
What are you up to? Does your Church or Association have events or news that can benefit from being shared - Meetings, Ecclesiastical Councils, Ordinations, etc? This newsletter space is just waiting to be populated by your activity! Please send your events and news Roz Hooks to be included in future bi-monthly publications. The Southwest Region of the Southern New England Conference is comprised of:
- Fairfield East Association
- Fairfield West Association
- Litchfield South Association
- Naugatuck Valley Association
- New Haven Association
- New Haven East Consociation
WHEN: Thursday, June 9, 2022 at 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM
WHERE: Beth El Temple - 2626 Albany Ave - West Hartford, CT 06117
Don't miss the chance to hear Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, an internationally acclaimed scholar and sought-after speaker, talk about how Jews and Christians can read the same scripture in a completely different way.
Click here for more information:
Registration is now open!
Register Today
Annual Meeting will be held on June 18, 2022, 9am – 2:30pm using the virtual platform Hopin. Advance materials, Delegate materials and other information about the meeting can be found here: 2022 Annual Meeting.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Keynote Speaker for the June 18th Annual Meeting, The Rev. Dr. Patrick Duggan, will be speaking on "entrepreneurial ministry," and how churches can reimagine their building usage in creative ways to connect with their community.
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The Nancy S. Taylor Leadership Fellowship
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 live together. Download this flyer for more information on this exciting new opportunity.
Conference Launches Justice Leadership Program
If you feel called to work for justice or are eager to integrate faith and justice work into your life in meaningful and transformative ways, apply now for the Southern New England cohort of the Jubilee program, which will launch this fall.
Read more about this program here.
Are you called to learn more or take action around Environmental Justice Issues? Visit the SNEUCC's Environmental Ministries web page for ideas and resources.
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Green Congregation Challenge
The Green Congregation Challenge is a step-by-step approach that helps churches take small, but consequential, steps towards protecting God’s Creation Learn more about the Green Congregation Challenge.
This month, we celebrate the efforts of the following congregations - and particularly note the first congregations to reach Level 4! Read more about recently-celebrated congregations here.
- Trinitarian Congregational Church, Concord, MA - completed Level 1
- Church of Christ Congregational UCC, Norfolk, CT - completed Level 2
- South Church, Andover, MA - completed Level 4
- Old South Church in Boston, MA - completed Level 4
- First Congregational Church, Southington, CT - pledged to begin work on Level 1
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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.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
- June 16: Lunch & Learn for Leaders: Conflict & Community (REGISTER)
- July 11-15: Sacred Spaces, Sacred Times: Into the Future (REGISTER)
SPECIAL INVITATIONS:
- Small Church Roundtable Group (REGISTER)
- Time Capsule Teaser: A Conversation with Pastor Chris Solimene - Reflecting on the Pandemic (READ MORE HERE)
Save the Date; 2022 Justice Summit
Saturday, September 24, 2022
9AM to 4:30PM - 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. Click this link for more information.
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| Discipleship Opportunities |
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Thursday, June 23rd, 2022 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
Are you spinning your wheels in your faith formation efforts? Feeling stuck or tired after countless pandemic pivots? Wondering about next steps and how to plan for fall?
Come and hear how one church overcame roadblocks, embraced the opportunities presented by the pandemic, and re-imagined a holistic vision for faith formation. Patricia Berry, Minister of Faith Formation and members of her team at United Congregational Church will outline the ways their congregation is living out a life-giving ministry model based on a grassroots process, shared power, and a theology of abundance. This workshop will discuss practical tools such as deep listening, identifying gifts and passions in the congregation, and alternative metrics. You'll gain insights for building intergenerational relationships and re-visioning a faith formation ministry that is led by the Holy Spirit.
Interested in attending? Register here!
The Faith Formation Leadership Program is taking its summer break, but will return in October 2022 with a new slate of exciting educational opportunities. Keep an eye on this space (and FFLP's website) in early June for information on how to register.
Interested in learning more about the 2022-2023 FFLP program year?
Click here!
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- Updated!-
Several of the Faith Formation team's resource pages/lists have been updated with new and current material. These updated resources include Safe Conduct and Church Safety, Talking with Children and Teens about Tough Issues (including the war in Ukraine), and Vacation Bible School.
God's World in Community: a new resources from PA's GenOn Ministries that emphasizes intergenerational gathering and activities based on the Book of Acts. Fully available online!
ReNew: The Green VBS: A product of Spark House, this 5-day curriculum based around Christ's Parable of the Sower. Intended for younger VBS-goers (pre-K through sixth grade).
Under Your Wing: Parents, grandparents, and caregivers of younger children: are you looking for a way to talk about bodily safety and physical development with your 5-7-year olds? If so, check out this video series from the UCC/UUA's Our Whole Lives (OWL) program. Afterward, you're welcome to explore the OWL K-1 Books and Media Recommendations for additional resources.
Look for more helpful materials and curated links under Make Disciples on www.sneucc.org.
The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with the following sites:
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Edwards House offers fully-equipped meeting space for working gatherings both large and small as well as a warm, intimate setting for small overnight retreats.
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI
Nestled in the northwest corner of Rhode Island and where you can still see the stars at night.
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
This is a traditional summer day camp with over 50 years of experience in providing children safe, summer fun.
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
With more than 60 acres of wooded land on lakeside shores, Silver Lake offers many opportunities for young people. The SUMMER 2022 CAMP BROCHURE can be downloaded here. Registration is now open.
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.
- Save the Date for the 2022 Silver Lake Golf Tournament -
| Celebrations, Transitions and Obituaries |
Here we recognize and celebrate Ordination Anniversaries listed from 5 years forward in increments of 5 years, as well as milestone church anniversaries.
May Ordination Anniversaries
40 Years
The Rev. Dr. Rochelle Stackhouse (June 6, 1982)
2022 Milestone Church Anniversaries
325 Years
First Church of Christ, Simsbury
300 Years
Church of Christ Congregational, Newington
United Congregational Church of Tolland
275 Years
First Congregational Church of Bristol
Congregational Church of Marlborough
South Congregational Church of Middletown
150 Years
South Congregational Church of Granby
(Please contact Roz Hooks if we have missed your anniversary
or if you have a specific date to share.)
Transitions within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.
Obituaries within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.
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.
A full list of classified postings can be found here on the SNE website. Some examples include: Church Administrator, Digital Minister, Organist/Choir Director, Director of Faith Formation as well as items for sale or free. Visit our classifieds web page for details of each listing. Church administrators are welcome to use the online template to submit information.
Temporary Ministerial Coverage/Pulpit Supply
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Please send an to email Roz Hooks at hooksr@sneucc.org for an updated copy of the regional pulpit supply/temporary minister list.
If you are interested in being included on the Southwest Region temporary ministerial coverage/pulpit supply/temporary list please contact be in touch with Ms. Deb Holmes via email: holmesd@sneucc.org for further details.
You are receiving this newsletter because we've identified you as a local church or you have standing in one of the associations in the Southwest Region of the Southern New England Conference. This newsletter will be sent around the 15th and 30th of each month, with the exception of December 30th. If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email preferences, please visit sneucc.org/subscribe and enter your email address.
