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June 30, 2022
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Good people,
In Brueggemann’s The Prophetic Imagination, he explores the idea that “the task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to [that] of the dominant culture around us.” I try to remember this every day – especially in seasons such as this when wave after wave of shock and anguish knocks us back. It can be tempting in the face of all of it to rage, and shout – and we would be justified in doing so. In fact, there are moments in which that is not only welcome, but also necessary and called for. But after that, when I think of what it means to be truly prophetic in a moment such as this, I think of Brueggemann’s invitation. I think of what it means to live into those verbs: nurture, nourish and evoke. To use both our words and actions to live out a prophetic imagination that invites a hurting and scattered world to do the same.
O Holy One,
I hear and say so many words,
Yet yours is the word I need.
Speak now,
And help me listen;
And, if what I hear is silence,
Let it quiet me,
Let it disturb me,
Let it touch my need,
Let it break my pride,
Let it shrink my certainties,
Let it enlarge my wonder.
-“Help Me Listen” - Ted Loder, Guerrillas of Grace
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
Siblings in Christ: Thank you for the invitations to worship with you! I’m currently scheduled through 2022, but I’d love to begin scheduling for 2023. 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.
Conference and Partner Events
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Framed through the lens of clergy health and wellness, join in for a not-so-typical clergy boundary training. Click here to register.
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Now available!
Third annual meeting of SNEUCC videos and reports
This was third Annual Meeting of the new Conference - and the third time it was held online due to the pandemic. it was announced at the meeting that the Fourth Annual Meeting will be held in person at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI, on June 10, 2023.
The meeting, attended by almost 400 people, opened and closed with worship, and in between included a keynote address by the Rev. Patrick Duggan, speakouts, reports from the Treasurer and from the President, and updates from staff. The meeting also included Ministry Engagement breakout sessions, where attendees could talk about faith formation and proportional giving, reimagining mission, learnings from the COVID pandemic, approaches to church governance and more.
Find all of the videos, reports and materials here.
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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.
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Trinitarian Congregational Church, Concord, MA-completed Level 1
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Church of Christ Congregational UCC, Norfolk, CT-completed Level 2
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South Church, Andover, MA - completed Level 4
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Old South Church in Boston, MA - completed Level 4
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First Congregational Church, Southington,CT- pledged to begin work on Level 1
Offerings from Practical Resources for Churches:
Opportunities and Resources
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Phishing Scams
Beloved, it has been brought to our attention by clergy that phishing scams continue to circulate. Phishing is the practice of tricking an internet user (through email, text, or false websites) into revealing personal information, deploy malware, or solicit funds. For example, you may get an email that looks like it’s from the pastor asking that you “urgently” purchase gift cards and email the cards’ codes. The email will usually advise no phone calls. However, this is a scam and upon closer inspection, the display name may be that of the pastor but not the actual email address. Your ACMs want you to be aware so that you can increase awareness in your congregations. A few quick tips:
- "When in doubt, check it out" – go directly to the real individual and ask.
- Look at the actual email address, not the “spoofed” display name (this is a good time to make the congregation aware of what the official email addresses are for clergy/staff).
- Slow down, especially on phones – be cautious of “urgent” requests.
- Never email/text sensitive information like passwords.
Innovative Queer Pastoral Residency to launch this fall
The Southern New England Conference and First Church Somerville are launching an innovative partnership that will provide a “first call” opportunity for an LGBTQIA+ (queer) ordination candidate.
The new Queer Pastoral Residency will start this fall. The resident will serve three-quarter time at First Church Somerville and one-quarter time the Conference. The congregation and Conference are jointly funding the position.
“This is an exciting opportunity for the Southern New England Conference, First Church Somerville, and the person who will be called to this role,” said Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Engagement. “This resident will be able to be part of the effort to live into our vision as a Conference, and the program will provide a model of what is possible elsewhere in the United Church of Christ and beyond.”
Many queer candidates struggle to obtain a first call due to their identity. The residency particularly seeks to call someone with a marginalized queer identity that would make it difficult for them to thrive in their first call in another setting due to the lack of systemic support in the local church community. This could include individuals who are transgender or nonbinary, queer people of color, queer people with disabilities, or people who identify as same-gender loving, two-spirit, polyamorous, among other possibilities.
Read more 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![]() .
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!
 Faith may be rooted in beliefs and theologies that are many centuries old, but preserving the future requires staying informed on the latest developments in technologies and initiatives that can help protect your church.
Insurance Board presents live, interactive webcasts that address a wide variety of topics essential to keeping churches and ministries safe; these trainings are led by industry experts from Insurance Board and its partners, including our denominational partners. Scroll to view upcoming webcasts and register or search our archived webcast to view previously recorded trainings.
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
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 the Northeast Region, email Lynn Varney.
If you are interested in being included on the new Temporary Ministerial Coverage List please email Jill Ford.
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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.
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Save the Date - Wednesday, September 14
New Location
Includes Greens Fees, Lunch, Dinner and Beverages.
Thank you for your support of Silver Lake!
Saturday, September 24, 2022,
9 AM - 4:30 PM
First Church of Christ Congregational in Glastonbury, CT
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.
The UCC Clergywomen’s Leadership Event has been postponed at least twice during the pandemic, and we are excited to be offering the event this September 27-29 in Decatur, GA. “For Such a Time: To Confront, Connect, and Create at the Intersection of Race and Gender” is open to authorized clergywomen* in the United Church of Christ. Registration is now open for the in-person and online gathering. Early bird discounted registration ends July 1. (* This invitation is expansive to include all cis and trans women as well as non-binary people comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women.)
Both clergy and lay people are welcome to join us for this 3-1/2 hour, on-line racial justice training facilitated by Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
This session will take place:
October 22: 8:30AM -12:00PM
Sessions are being offered via Zoom. The cost to attend is $10. Scholarships are available; contact Karen Methot. Please click here to register.
Center for Transformational Leadership
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
- July 11-15: Sacred Spaces, Sacred Times: Into the Future (REGISTER)
SIGN UP HERE to receive the Center for Transformational Leadership's monthly newsletter, Innovation Now! Read newsletter issues HERE.
Discipleship Opportunities
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Faith Formation Leadership Registration Open
Registration is now open for The SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program classes, which are open to all and provide tools and resources to assist both clergy and lay leaders in shifting to these more effective faith formation models. Read more here.
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Faith Formation Resources
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!
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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, 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.
June Anniversaries
60 Years
The Rev. Matthew Arnett, 6/24/1962
The Rev. James Crawford, 6/3/1962
The Rev. James McCloy, 6/24/1962
The Rev. Leonard Warner, 6/24/1962
The Rev. Brita Gill-Austern, 6/12/1977
The Rev. Jamie Howard, 6/19/1977
40 Years
The Rev. Karen Fritz, 6/20/1982
30 Years
The Rev. Nancy Stillman, 6/7/1992
25 Years
The Rev. Branwen Cook, 6/15/1997
20 Years
The Rev. William Burhans, 6/2/2002
15 Years
The Rev. Corey O'Brien, 6/3/2007
10 Years
The Rev. Terrance McKinney, 6/3/2012
Please contact Lynn Varney if we have missed your anniversary. Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5.< /br> If your church is celebrating a milestone anniversary, please let us know so that the Northeast Region can celebrate with you!
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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Director of Christian Education, Sudbury, MA
Praise Band Leader, Tewksbury, MA
Executive Director, Mission at the Eastward, Farmington, ME
Part-Time Communications/Tech Assistant, Wenham, MA
Youth & Young Adult Leader (15 hrs/wk), Boston, MA
Part-Time Assistant Director of Music Ministry, Danvers, MA
Sunday School Coordinator, Stoneham, MA
Interim Director of Religious Education, Lincoln, MA
Youth Conference Minister, Star Island United Church of Christ, Rye, NH
Organist, Lexington, MA
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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!
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| This week we pray for: |
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Old South Church in Boston: Revs. Richard Spalding, Katherine Schofield and Shawn Fiedler
Roslindale Congregational Church, Boston: Rev. Jean Vandergrift
Phoenix Rising, UCC, Haverhill: Rev. Donna Spencer Collins
First Church in Ipswich, UCC: Rev. Rebecca Pugh
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| Find out more about Conference and Association transitions here: |
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Transitions
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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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