|
WORDS FROM YOUR AREA CONFERENCE MINISTER
|
October 27, 2022
Dear Siblings in Christ,
On Tuesday night, the Conference held our first of two Clergy Revivals, which are part of our commitment to clergy wellness. While I wasn’t directly involved in the planning, I did have a small role in the service and frankly, I’d only been thinking about it as a work project. I was excited for what it would offer our clergy but it wasn’t until I was driving there that it dawned on me, “Oh, this will be a gift for me too.” And it was. The music, the communal experience of mourning and celebration, the prophetic and pastoral word that Bishop Flunder offered. It was a balm for my soul and an injection of oxygen to the fire in my ministry.
How many of us, both clergy and lay leaders, who are responsible for church, forget that it is for us too? How many of us get so caught up in the tasks and the details and in making it a healing, transformative, joyful experience for others that we miss out on those experiences for ourselves. Oh, siblings in Christ! God desires for each of you to find healing and rest, to be uplifted in community, to be blessed by Christ’s grace and to be renewed by the Holy Spirit. I want that for each of you; we, the Conference and the church universal, want that for each of you. That is not to add another thing to add to your to-do list; it is a deep prayer for your spiritual wellness. It matters as much as anyone else’s. To that end, clergy, I hope you will consider signing up for the Clergy Wellness Retreat on 11/15. More information is below.
In faith, hope and love,
Upcoming events of interest:
Stewardship: An Epiphany
Part 1:Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Part II: Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022 at 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Online
Consider the option of conducting your church’s stewardship/generosity campaign during the season of Epiphany instead of the traditional fall season.
Time Capsule Premiere: Resiliency Time Capsule Documentary
November 2, 2002 from 6:00-8:00 PM • Online
Register to view or host a viewing party
Clergy Wellness Retreat
Limited Space: Deadline to register is November 1st.
November 15, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Edwards House, Framingham, MA
Making Your Burden Lighter: A Day Away for Clergy
ASSOCIATION & CHURCH EVENTS
(Central MA & Windham CT) |
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. If you have difficulty logging into your account please contact Nancy Stubbs at stubbsn@sneucc.org.
Holiday Craft Fair!
First Congregational Church in Princeton
14 Mountain Road
(across From Princeton Common)
Saturday, 12/03/22, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Featuring: Variety of Local Artisans with offerings of Hand knit yarns, stained glass, wood turned bowls, Baskets, jewelry, soaps, cheese, honey, plants
Lunch café (11:00 – 2:00)
Bake sale, Basket raffles w/items donated from local businesses, 50/50 raffle, and Cake raffle!
Trinity Church of Northborough restarting Coffee House
Trinity's Coffee House, Friday, October 21, 2022, 7:00PM-9:00PM. Open mic for all ages and talents. This is a family-friendly community event. Refreshments will be available. $5.00 suggested donation ($10 max per family)
Any questions please contact Pat at trinityscoffeehouse@gmail.com.
Flyer to share.
CONFERENCE & REGIONAL EVENTS/INFORMATION
Please go to sneucc.org/events to see all posted events
|
Making Your Burden Lighter:
A Day Away for Clergy
The Southern New England Conference, in partnership with the Pension Boards-UCC, invites currently and recently serving authorized ministers of the Conference to a Clergy Day Away at Edwards House in Framingham on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There is limited space for this retreat. Please register soon! If you are unable to attend in November, there will be two more retreats in 2023.
In this ongoing season of transition and trial, the daily and ongoing challenges for those who serve local churches and in chaplaincy settings are unprecedented, and many among us “are weary and burdened.” A group of authorized ministers has planned a retreat day with a spacious schedule that allows for group worship, affinity groups for fellowship, and a sacramental meal. Our time will be framed by Rev. Dr. Claire Bamberg, LMFT, PCC and facilitated by a team of coaches familiar with parish and chaplaincy settings.
Please click here to read more and to register. November 1st is deadline for registering!
|
|
October is Clergy Appreciation Month
The Southern New England Conference is blessed with over 1400 Authorized Ministers and a host of MID's. We are grateful for your service to the faithful and want to find ways to invest in our pastoral leaders this October for Clergy Appreciation Month. Here is a link to some opportunities to engage, have fun and be renewed. We hope you will join us!
|
|
Quarterly Racial Justice Training for all:
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.
NEW OFFERINGS!
Racial Justice Training for Authorized Clery and MIDs: Wednesday, Jan. 18, 9 AM-12:30 PM
Racial Justice Training for All: Wednesday, April 12, 7-9 PM AND Thursday, April 13, 7-8:30 PM
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.?? No matter your congregation’s physical size, geographical location, historical affiliation or perspective, every faith community is welcome, and importantly, has a significant role to play.? Like mustard seeds, every step taken moves all of us toward a healthier and more sustainable future for us and all the world’s children. Click here to learn more.
|
|
|
|
Did you miss a Frontline Faith course this summer?
Check out these offerings!
Church, Building & Loan Fund - FREE topical webinars. Find them all HERE.
Be the Healing Lectures by Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. Life-time Access for $79. Click here for more information.
Courageous Faith Summit: What is the Future of Spirituality? Lifetime Access for $149. Click here for more information.
Digital Ministry Summit - Life-time Access for $149 - Click here for more information.
Rapid Response Training: Prayer & Preparation - a free webinar from Justice & Local Church Ministries. Register Here.
Abuse Prevention Webinar - free resource from Heather Kimmel, General Counsel for the United Church of Christ. Register Now.
Another Seeds Fellowship is being launched!
Seeds is a 10-month, fully-funded fellowship for entrepreneurial leaders who are:
- passionate about the Gospel;
- eager to grow;
- and creative in their approach to developing new ways of being church in a changing world.
The deadline to apply is November 1, 2022, so there’s no time to delay!
Seeds Fellowship Application
If you are having difficulty accessing the application or have questions, send an email to faithlead@luthersem.edu and we will follow up with you as soon as possible.
Support for the Heavy Lifting of Ministry
Wednesdays, October 19th - November 16th, 1-2:30PM via Zoom
Ministry is more stressful than ever. We can all benefit from tools and techniques to help us manage the difficult leadership tasks of handling conflict, fielding complaints and bringing change.
Please click here for the flyer which contains important information.
|
|
|
|
|
4th Annual Faith-Based Organizations Safety & Security Seminar
Commonwealth Fusion Center
November 2, 2022
This seminar is for Law Enforcement, Faith-Based Leaders, Faith-Based Security Leadership and Public Safety Partners
Location: Southbridge Hotel and Conference Center - Crystal Ballroom
14 Mechanic St, Southbridge, MA 01550
Registration/Breakfast: 7:00am to 9:00am / Conference 9:00am to 3:30pm (lunch provided). Click here for more information
Offerings from Together We Thrive
Details and registration links for all the programs may be found at www.togetherwethrivegrant.org.
The Rainbow Path II - An Affinity Group for LGBTQIA+ Clergy - beginning in November
This small group will provide an opportunity for members to share joys and challenges and to receive affirmation and support. We'll also explore areas of common interest to deepen our understanding of ourselves and our community and build skills for ministry. This will be a safe space to wrestle with the complexities of our intersectional identities and will be a community of support for one another. For registration details, click here.
Home for the Holidays - How Family Systems Theory Can Make Thanksgiving Better
Tuesday, November 15 from 1 to 3 pm - Registration link here.
As Thanksgiving approaches, clergy often feel less than thankful. For active clergy, the holidays bring not only some of the most meaningful moments of the year, but also some of the most stressful, as the relationship demands, at each turn, dial up the pressure.
Financial Literacy and Budgeting
Tuesday, November 29 from 7 to 8:30 pm - Registration information here.
Nimi Wariboko, former faculty member at Andover Newton Seminary, famously proclaimed “Budget is theology!” A good budget provides the crosswalk between a church’s mission and its plan to realize its mission. Like it or not, a budget provides tangible evidence as to whether a congregation is actually committed to its vision.
Resiliency Time Capsule Premiere
Wed., Nov. 2nd, from
6:00-8:00 PM via Zoom
The Center for Transformational Leadership is pleased to welcome you to the Resiliency Time Capsule Documentary's virtual premiere session! Gather your church members for a watch session to reflect on church experiences during the 2020 COVID and Racial Justice pandemics. Resources will be provided to prompt conversations about innovations and the carryover of "lessons learned" into the modern church. Registration is free and available to all SNEUCC churches!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE 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!
Fall 2022 Lunch & Learn schedule
Lunch & Learn for Leaders is a monthly series hosted by the Center for Transformational Leadership. Every third Thursday, join us at noon for an hour-long session of learning and discussion. Each month we will offer a bite-size opportunity to learn valuable concepts and practices from a subject expert. Our wide-ranging topics are relevant to areas of mission and ministry that you, our authorized ministers and lay leaders, have indicated are timely for your congregations.
Lunch & Learn for Leaders | Introduction to Christian Contemplative Practices: Thursday, November 17th from 12:00-1:00 PM (REGISTER)
Engaging Christian Contemplative Practices: Series starts Wednesday, January 18th from 7:00-8:30 PM (REGISTER)
Writing Pastors, Writing Faith; Creativity as Spiritual Practice - An Affinity Group for Clergy: Series starts Thursday, January 26th, 2023 (REGISTER)
Please click here to read more and to register.
|
|
Read newsletter issues HERE.
|
|
DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE
|
SNEUCC Confirmation Retreats '22-'23
Register your group for a facilitated retreat in 2022-2023! Chose from seven dates and three great locations.
In addition to our overnight retreats, consider our Weekend Retreats at Silver Lake! These events will include two nights with four meals, a full stay from Friday from 7:00pm to Sunday at 11:30am, and programs include team building, games, and campfire time on Saturday. Cost is $195 per person.
Registration is now open! Go to sneucc.org/events and select your preferred date. To ensure a spot for your attendants, you will be asked to make a deposit for each participant. Final count and full payment are due 21 days prior to the retreat. Please see each registration form for important information and policies.
|
|
The Faith Formation Leadership Program will return in October 2022 with a new slate of exciting educational opportunities!
Click here to learn more about the 2022-2023 FFLP program year!
|
|
Click here to read and learn more!
Please complete a survey!
The Faith Formation Team would like you to complete a survey to map interest in Our Whole Lives. Please take a moment to fill it out before November 11 so we can make plans for future facilitator trainings. It will also help us build collaborative programming. You may also contact Debby Kirk, Faith Formation Team Leader at kirkd@sneucc.org for more information.
Our Whole Lives, together with Sexuality and Our Faith, helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their relationships, health and behavior in the context of their faith. It equips participants with accurate, age-appropriate information in six subject areas: human development, relationships, personal skills, sexual behavior, sexual health, and society and culture. It provides not only facts about anatomy and human development, but helps participants to clarify their values, build interpersonal skills and understand the social, emotional and spiritual aspects of sexuality.
OUTDOOR MINISTRIES & MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
|
The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with the following sites:
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI
Fueling Inclusion, Voice, and
Opportunity for All
WAMS Works with individuals and community partners to inspire economic and education equity through social change. Click here to learn more about WAMS.
Worcester Fellowship
Please check their website for updated information.
|
|
|
|
TEMPORARY MINISTERIAL COVERAGE LIST
|
The Southern New England Conference maintains Temporary Ministerial Coverage (TMC) lists for all 6 SNEUCC regions. These lists contain 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 required to have Boundary Awareness Training as well as Racial Justice Training.
These TMC lists are regularly updated in real time. If your church is in need of a list please reach out to the Program Support Associate for your Region:
North Central & Northwest Regions: Deb Holmes, holmesd@sneucc.org
South Central & Southwest Regions: Roz Hooks: Hooksr@sneucc.org
Northeast & Southeast Regions: Lynn Varney: Varneyl@sneucc.org
If you are interested in being included on any of the Temporary Ministerial Coverage regional lists please contact Jill Ford at fordj@sneucc.org.
ACTIVE FOOD PANTRIES AND OUTREACH MEALS
|
The attached list is an updated list of churches in the North Central Region that currently have active food pantries and outreach meals for people in need. Please email Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org to have your church information included or updated. North Central Region List.
|
|
Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Transitions.
October Ordination Anniversaries
45 Years
The Rev. Shantia Wright-Gray
40 Years
The Rev. Victoria Guest
35 Years
The Rev. David Switzer
25 Years
The Rev. John White
The Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry
Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary.
Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5.
If your church is celebrating a mile anniversary please let Deb Holmes know so that entire North Central Region can celebrate with you!
The Rev. Holly E. Johnston, formerly of Whitinsville, died peacefully on Thursday, October 20, 2022, in Life Care Center of Auburn, where she had resided since 2020. Holly is predeceased by her longtime partner and best friend, Irving F. Orrell, Jr. Together they enjoyed traveling to Europe, most especially to Scotland.
Holly's funeral will be held Friday, October 28, 2022, at 10AM, in the Village Congregational Church, Whitinsville. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Whitinsville Social Library, 17 Church St., Whitinsville, MA 01588. Click here to read more.
|
Rev. Rollin E. Johnson Jr. passed away on September 29, 2022, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston, MA after a long illness. Rollin leaves behind his best friend and loving wife of 52 years, Carol (Jenkinson) of Plymouth, MA, and a foster son, William Stanley (Amy) and their children Elizabeth and Jack, of Bluemont, Virginia. He leaves two nephews: James Russ (Helen) of Marshfield, MA; and Alan Jenkinson (Debbie) of Jensen Beach, FL; five nieces: Deborah Jarocki (Joseph) of Riverside, RI; Kathleen Goff (Richard) of Port ST Lucie; Drucilla Marzano (Tracey) of East Granby, CT; Jennifer Drysdale of East Granby, CT and Earlene Russ-Ure (James) of Portland, OR. Rollin was predeceased by his two sisters, Phyllis Drysdale of East Granby, CT and Beverly J. Russ of Kingston, MA and a niece Elizabeth Johnson (Robert).
A funeral service was held at 12:00pm at the Cartmell-Davis Funeral Home, 373 Court Street in Plymouth, MA 02360 on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. A private burial followed. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of the Pilgrimage, for Missions/Monday Meals, 8 Town Square, Plymouth MA 02360.
Please click here to read more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please click here to view all SNEUCC obituaries.
|
|
|
|
Lead and Assistant Teachers Wanted, West Boylston, MA
Lead & Asst. Infant to Pre-K Teachers, West Boylston, MA
Nursery to Pre-K School Director - West Boylston, MA
LGBT Asylum Task Force Assistant Ministry Director, Worcester, MA
Please click here to view all SNEUCC Classifieds
ASSOCIATION MEETING INFORMATION
|
Central MA Association Meeting Information:
The Committee on Authorized Ministry:
Third Thursday of the month at 9:30 AM.
The Board of Director's:
Moving to fourth Wednesday of the month, time is TBD
Windham Association Meeting Information:
Monthly Council meeting:
First Tuesday of the month from 2:00PM to 4:00PM. via Zoom.
|
|
|
|
|
|