A Note from the ACM

Good people, 

Having grown up hearing “reduce-reuse-recycle” on repeat, the idea of not putting new wine in old wineskins feels a bit outdated. Maybe this parable of Jesus just didn’t stand the test of time in a world more conscious of our consumption practices?
 
While it is good to try and reuse as much as we can to care for creation, there’s a very good reason why Jesus used this parable, and why the disciples would’ve immediately understood: The old wineskins had been stretched and worn by the old wine. Unlike some of our plastics which may never biodegrade, these wineskins had a fragile lifespan. To pour new wine into the old wineskins was to risk the skins bursting open and spilling the precious wine all over the ground.
 
I think on this parable often because it’s a good frame of reference for “getting on the balcony” in a discussion or meeting. Sometimes I’m the one coming with new wine to offer to a conversation, and the “wineskin” - whether it be literal physical space, or mental and emotional space, or even frame of reference - might not be prepared to hold it yet. We’re likely all familiar with that feeling. A dream, vision or hope too big for a previous mindset to contain.
 
But, if I’m being honest, I reflect on this parable a lot to ask myself if I’m the one holding the old wineskin. I stop to check in with myself and God: “Am I the one too stretched and fragile to hold this new thing?”
 
And my prayer is always the same: God, help me be new wineskin for your unfolding vision. 
 
PS: I hope you’ll register for the annual meeting next Saturday! It’s all virtual and should be a great day. At least take a moment and read more about it below.

-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:

June 19 - Union Church - Magnolia
June 26 - Armenian Memorial Church - Watertown
 

Metropolitan Boston Association

Installation ~ Rev. Dr. Barbara Callaghan at Hancock Church in Lexington, Sunday, June 19, 2022 at 4:00pm.

Last chance to register! 
Register Today - deadline June 13th

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 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.

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the U.S. which took place June 19, 1865, the day when Union troops finally reached Galveston, Texas and told the enslaved people that the Civil War ended, and they were free.
Here are some Juneteenth observances within our churches, our Conference, and the National UCC. Missing some? Let us know. Click here to read more.

Juneteenth Webinar - #Realtalk for White Folx

Becoming Better Partners in the Work of Racial Justice

White supremacy harms everyone, most especially and obviously, people who are not white. But it also harms white folks, sickening our souls and keeping us from experiencing spiritual liberation. We, too, need to be liberated from white supremacy. This requires work – of the head, heart, and hands – that calls on white people to act and be in ways that are different from what we are used to and can be uncomfortable.

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.

Re-Imagining Faith Formation:
A Holistic Vision and Approach

Interested in attending? Register 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

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:

• North Central & Northwest Regions: email Deb Holmes 
• South Central & Southwest Regions: email Roz Hooks 
• Northeast & Southeast Regions: email Lynn Varney 

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

Opportunities and Resources Faith Formation Resources 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!   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.    Conference Launches Justice Leadership Program Adults who feel a call to work for justice or are eager to integrate faith and justice work into their lives in meaningful and transformative ways are invited to apply now for the Southern New England cohort of the Jubilee program, which will launch this fall. Please click here to read more!  New Blog Post:  Political Campaign Intervention Reminder   Election Year Reminder: Churches Can Be Political But Not Partisan by Heather Kimmel | published on May 31, 2022 With the election year in full swing, Local Churches of the United Church of Christ can check out these great Our Faith Our Vote resources from the United Church of Christ Office of Public Policy and Advocacy in Washington, D.C. In particular, the Guidelines for Congregations on Political Action can help congregations make informed decisions about how to be politically involved . . . without jeopardizing their status as tax-exempt organizations under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Read more   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.

Center for Transformational Leadership

Discipleship Opportunities

Outdoor Ministries

Celebrations

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Called to Serve

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