| SNEUCC - Proudly Open and Affirming |
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One of our foundational justice commitments on which the new Southern New England Conference stands is that we are an Open and Affirming Conference. What that means is that we welcome into the full life and ministry of the Conference persons of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Click here to read more about the ONA legacy of SNEUCC.
by Sean Amato
This month, our Spotlight on Service is on St. Luke's Young Adults - a ministry of St. Luke's UCC in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Coordinated by Emily Carle, Pastor for Young Adults and Mission and SNEUCC transplant, St. Luke's Young Adults represents a valuable example of how a region's churches can bring together its young adult population for the purposes of healing, community, and Christian empowerment. The group's regular activities include volunteer work, Bible study, community engagement, and monthly worship.
For Emily, who is taking courses toward her Masters of Divinity at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, her time spent in the Mid-South has enriched her understanding of how UCC churches "work" in different parts of the United States. Based on these experiences, Emily has an important message for faith formation leaders in SNEUCC.
Read more here! (10min.)
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A new curriculum for use with youth service projects and mission trips is available now - and it's free!
"Understanding Our Mission" focuses upon the work of high school-age youth, said curriculum development leader Rev. Trayce Potter. She is minister of youth and young adult engagement with the national UCC’s Faith Education, Innovation and Formation team.
Interesting in incorporating this exciting new material into your faith formation curriculum? Click here to read more about the curriculum - and if you're ready to kickstart your faith formation program's youth mission, click here for a free .pdf download!
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| Congratulations to our May Raffle Winner! |
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Rev. Dr. Rosanna Anderson, Designated Term Pastor of Fishers Island Union Chapel UCC, was our raffle winner last month. As winner, Rev. Dr. Rosanna will receive a copy of Bronwen Mayer Henry's Radioactive Painting from the Faith Formation team. Blessings, Rev. Dr. Rosanna!
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This month's raffle prize is a copy of Rev. Sarah Griffith Lund's Blessed Youth: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness with Children and Teens.
"In addition to stories of children and youth experiencing mental health challenges, Blessed Youth includes practical resources such as prayers and a guide for having age-appropriate talks with children about warning signs and how to get help for themselves and friends. Ultimately, this important resource offers hope and help for everyone who loves a child or youth with mental health challenges."
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If you'd like to be entered into the raffle, please submit your name, church, and church role in an email to Faith Formation Program Support Associate Sean Amato. We will do a drawing of names received by June 14th, so get your email in early!
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| Upcoming SNEUCC Events & Programs |
Saturday, June 18th, 2022 from 9:00am to 2:30pm
$49 per participant
Registration deadline: June 13th, 2022
Join together for inspiring worship, updates on the ministries of the Conference, Speakouts, a Keynote Address from the Rev. Patrick G. Duggan, and preaching by Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin. Delegates and attendees will also have a chance to gather in smaller groups for conversation around topics such as: ministry as we transition from pandemic to endemic, approaching church governance in a new way, developing a process for voting Annual Meeting Resolutions, and more.To see the list of Ministry Engagement Gathering offerings, please click here.
Interested in attending? Register here!
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!
QPR Suicide Prevention
August 18th, 2022 - 12:00pm to 1:30pm on Zoom
Facilitated by Debbie Ringen, SNEUCC Minister for Health and Wellness, this training session will assist participants in developing essential skills in questioning, persuading, and effective referrals related to suicide-related crisis situations.
Watch this space for updates and information about registration!
Join other SNEUCC members, authorized ministers, and partners at the 2022 Justice Summit, a one-day in-person gathering focused on devising strategies to confront racial inequity in local congregations and communities.
The Justice Summit will include worship components, workshops, and a lunch time plenary discussion between?2022 SNEUCC Theologians in Virtual Residence Rev. Dr. Diane Schmitz and Bishop Yvette Flunder.
Interested in attending? Register here!
November 11th-13th, 2022
at Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center
Looking to bring this faith and sexuality curriculum to your congregation?
Implementing the nation’s most highly regarded sexuality education curriculum is a big responsibility. Training prepares facilitators to succeed in their role and enables your faith development team members to understand their own and others’ sexuality within the context of United Church of Christ values.
SNEUCC will offer Jr/Sr High Training covers curriculum for two levels, grades 7-9 and 10-12. Cost is $425 per person which includes registration, lodging in Retreat Center at Silver Lake, and six meals.
Register here!
For a complete listing of SNEUCC events, please see our calendar.
Volunteer at Silver Lake!
During a summer full of transitions, Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Sharon, CT has put out a call for volunteer Counselors for its Summer 2022 season.
Are you interesting in acting as a Christian role model for young people through your actions, your words, and your behavior? Would you consider volunteering some of your time and talent to enrich the lives of young summer camp attendees?
Those interested in volunteering with Silver Lake this summer are urged to apply for their preferred position using the follow links:
For more information regarding volunteer opportunities, please contact Silver Lake's Ryan Gackenheimer. We look forward to seeing you there!
Star Island UCC
Seeks Event Youth Minister
The Star Island United Church of Christ (SIUCC) Board of Directors seeks a Youth Minister to lead the Star Gathering Youth Conference during the week of July 31st-August 7th, 2022. Star Island, off the New Hampshire coast, is home to a retreat center with a faithful community of summer attendees. SIUCC organizes four conferences each year. By way of compensation, SIUCC will provide full room and board, boat transport to and from the island on scheduled days, parking for one car, and a $1000 stipend.
For more information on this opportunity, click here!
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We in the Southern New England Conference are blessed in many ways. Our congregations are supported by an experienced and innovative staff. Our clergy and lay leaders can take advantage of our Super Saturday events to learn best practices for local church and social justice leadership. And we have the only entry-level training program specifically for faith formation and youth ministry leaders in the United Church of Christ!
Read more here! (5min)
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The Faith Formation Leadership Program is taking its summer break, but will return in October 2022 with a new slate of exciting educational opportunities!
Remember that we have a rolling registration, so there is time for you to work with your church leadership to gather the funds needed to pay for the classes, particularly since the first class will be on October 1st. And you have the option to take all of the classes for a Certificate in Faith Formation (and/or Youth Ministry) Leadership or a la carte, taking just the classes that you need.
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 and Vacation Bible School.
Pride Events are Back in 2022! Updated regularly, this page contains information and links for all sorts of Pride events throughout the month of June. Check for an event near you!
UCC Open and Affirming Coalition posts regularly updated webinars and resources related to LGBTQ-affirming faith practices and theology. Looking to grow your capacity for affirmative advocacy and sexuality-holistic worship practices? Look no further!
Talking with Children and Teens about Tough Issues is an essential part of church life - here are some timely resources for holding life-giving and healing conversations about matters ranging from divorce and grief to the war in Ukraine and gun violence.
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.
Practical Resources for Churches (PRC) has excellent resources for faith formation. PRC has archived materials on their website and offer live webinars most every week. SNEUCC underwrites PRC, so these programs available to our congregations for free. Look for them on our conference events calendar! Below are links to several upcoming events that may be of interest to individuals engaged with faith formation work.
- Elizabeth Christie, Debbie Kolacki, and Karen Smith present What's Next In Christian Education Workshop on Thursday, June 9th, 2022, 2:00pm to 3:30pm
- Elaine Sommerville presents Best Practices for Church Accounting on Tuesday, June 14th, 2022, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
- Molly W. Blancke, MPA presents How Churches Can Help Alleviate Mental Health Stigmas and Support Those in Need on Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Please note that Debbie Gline Allen, Minister of Faith Formation, will be engaged with her Clinical Pastoral Education this summer at Haven Heights in Concord, New Hampshire. She will be checking email occasionally during this time. If you have a pressing question, please contact Debby Kirk.
