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October 21, 2022
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Siblings in Christ: Thank you for the invitations to worship with you! I’m currently scheduled through February 2023, and I’d love to continue 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.
Metropolitan Boston Association
Installation - Rev. Emelia Attridge, First Congregational Church, UCC of Reading, Nov. 6, 2022 at 3:00pm in person and livestreamed.
Save the Date! Metropolitan Boston Association Fall Meeting on November 20, 2022 at 3pm on Zoom. More details to come.
Save the Date! Ecclesiastical Council for Martha Schick on Monday, November 21, 2022 at 7pm at Old South Church in Boston and livestreamed.
Northeast Association
Save the Date! Northeast Association Fall Meeting on November 6, 2022 at 3pm at Ballard Vale United Church, 23 Clark Road, Andover, MA.
Celebration and Release - Phoenix Rising, UCC on November 13, 2022 at 4pm at Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King St., Groveland, MA.![]() ![]()
Celebration and Release
Friends: I ask that you hold Rev. Donna Spencer Collins and the whole of Phoenix Rising UCC in your prayers. After much discernment they have decided to close this season of their ministry. For years, they have ministered faithfully, sharing God’s love throughout the region. We give thanks for all the lives touched by their ministry. You are invited to read the following reflection from Rev. Donna and join them for a celebration of ministry and release service on Sunday Nov. 13 at 4 PM at Groveland Congregational Church in Groveland, MA.
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Melrose Highlands Congregational Church and the Wakefield Human Rights Commission host a discussion with Claudia Fox Tree (Arawak) on Decolonizing Contributions by Indigenous People. This free event will be in-person and live streamed on Wednesday, October 26 from 7:00 to 8:00pm at the Melrose Highlands Congregational Church 355 Franklin Street in Melrose. More information and registration here.
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Chapel in the Pines, A Wild Church Worship Service, Third Sunday of the Month at 3pm, McKinnon Park, Wellesley. More information.
Conference and Partner Events
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October 25, 7pm in Milton, MA & October 27, 7pm in Hartford, CT
Collectively we have been through some turbulent times, struggling to get a firm footing in what seems like constantly shifting sand. These revivals are a place for Authorized Ministers to lay down all that God is longing to unburden from us, and let our spirit be lifted through word, song, prayer, and ritual. The Rev. Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries and SNEUCC Theologian-in-Virtual-Residence will be the guest preacher. Register now!
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8:30AM -12:00PM
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. Sessions are being offered via Zoom. The cost to attend is $10. Scholarships are available; contact Karen Methot. Please click here to register.
Silver Lake Listening Sessions
Sunday, Oct 23, 2022 at 4:00 PM • Online
Help us imagine alongside God the bright future for this outdoor ministry site.
October is Clergy Appreciation Month
Listen to this 3-minute video where Rev. Darrell Goodwin thanks the Authorized Ministers and Ministers in Discernment for their work and talks about upcoming events for Clergy Appreciation Month.
The Southern New England Conference is blessed with over 1400 Authorized Minister and a host of MID's. We are grateful for their service to the faithful and want to find ways to invest in our pastor leaders this October for Clergy Appreciation Month. Read more here.
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Thursday, October 27, 2022
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Rev. Dr. Sarah Sarchet Butter, Senior Pastor, Wellesley Village Church, introduces the option of conducting your church’s stewardship/generosity campaign during the season of Epiphany instead of the traditional fall season. Click here to learn more & to register.
UCC Minister and President, Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer to Help Celebrate 400+ Years of Pilgrimage in Plymouth
October 29-30, 2022
Church of the Pilgrimage, UCC - Plymouth, MA
Concerts, talks, a community exchange with local organizations, tours of nearby points of historic interest, and a free box lunch by reservation with be some of the ways Plymouth will be celebrating 400+ Years of Pilgrimage -- and the UCC will be front and center.
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 SNE UCC churches!
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Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 8:30 AM • Online
Racial Justice 101 workshop designed as an overview session.
Saturday, November 5, 2022 • Online
Workshop: Creating Change in Your Sphere of Influence
Live at Brookline Booksmith ~ Molly Baskette with Ellen O'Donnell, November 4, 2022, 7pm
Former SNEUCC pastor (MBA 12+years and Essex Assoc. 5 years) and author (Real Good Church, Bless This Mess), Molly Baskette has written a new book, How to Begin When Your World is Ending: A Spiritual Field Guide to Joy Despite Everything, and she'll be in town to launch it! The book is part cancer memoir and part "disaster theology" for our times, with lots of rich storytelling from life in the trenches of progressive church. Spend an evening in community with Molly on November 4 at Brookline Booksmith - to help metabolize the grief of all we have been through and give ourselves courage and joy for the next leg on the journey.
UCC History & Polity Classes
Exploring the history, polity and theology of the United Church of Christ through Convergence. Online and on demand. Use the code POLITYONDEMAND to get 15% off. More information here.
Faith and Lead from Luther Seminary
Another Seeds Fellowship is being launched! Here’s what you need to know: 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. Apply here.
The Center for Career Development and Ministry
Support for the Heavy Lifting of Ministry
Wednesdays, Oct. 19th through Nov. 16th
1:00pm-2:30pm via Zoom
A free partner resource for a clergy support opportunity being facilitated by Rev. Kenneth Reeves, Ph.D. More information here.
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Lunch and Learn for Leaders 2022-2023 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. |
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November 17 - Introduction to Christian Contemplative Practices: What does “contemplation” mean?
Session Presenter: Rev. Matt Carriker, Agape Spiritual Community
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How Family Systems Theory Can Make Thanksgiving Better: Together We Thrive hosts Jake Morrill ‘Hone for the Holidays’ Author Talk
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 1:00 PM • Online
What is a WISE Congregation? A WISE congregation has joined the mission to being Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaged in the Mental Health of the community and the wider world.
Learn more here: www.mhn-ucc.org.
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Offerings from our partner Practical Resources for Churches:
Raising Race-Wise Families in a Race-Challenged World
Thursday, October 27, 2022
2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT
Leader - Helen Lee
Times continue to be turbulent in our nation around the topic of race. This can be true in our churches as well as in the broader culture. How do we apply biblical principles to discipling our parents and children so that they can navigate the issue of race in a Christ-honoring way?
The Life Saving Church: Faith Communities and Suicide Prevention
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
2:00 - 3:00 PM EDT
Leader - Rachael Keefe
Suicide is one of the last taboos of faith communities. It’s time we shatter the stigma and end the silence surrounding suicide in worshiping communities. It is possible for us to respond with love and grace in a way that saves lives and brings hope and healing.
Building a Collective Youth Ministry
Thursday, November 17, 2022
7:00 - 8:00 PM EST
Leader - Chris Dela Cruz
Your church has a few teenagers. Your neighboring churches each have a few teenagers. On your own, some of you either have small youth groups or no separate gatherings for young people. What could it possibly look like to come together and collaborate?
Save the date for Upcoming Racial Justice Trainings:
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 9 AM-12:30 PM
Wednesday, April 12, 7-9 PM AND Thursday, April 13, 7-8:30 PM
New Search & Call Journey
Website Launched
The Area Conference Ministry Team is delighted to announce the launch of our new and enhanced webpage for the Search & Call Journey. As part of discerning who will be their next partner in mutual ministry, congregations also engage in vital conversations and discernment about who God is calling them to become and how God is calling them to serve.
The team has designed a 5-step process, built off the resources offered by the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team at the National Setting. It includes an orientation video and updated and downloadable documents for each phase. Read more here.
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.
Register your group for a facilitated retreat in 2022-2023! Chose from seven dates and three great locations.
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The PATHWAYS Theological Education Board of Directors invites all questioning, curious people of faith
to join us for our 6-week courses beginning Fall II (late September) (see website for details and registration links). There is a 12-week UCC Polity course running January 11 and May 17, 2023. Enroll now at PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.
Center for Transformational Leadership
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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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Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Explore the nuts and bolts of organizing and implementing faith formation programs in the local church: recruiting, nurturing, and supporting volunteers; leadership skills, and working on a church staff.
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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.
This form is 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.
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The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with these sites:
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Do You Need a Day Away?
Edwards House is now offering Complimentary Retreat Days to SNEUCC Lay and Clergy Leadership. Click here for the November & December schedule. |
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Join Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center for Fall Action Weekend - November 18-20, 2022!
From chopping wood to repairing buildings, moving picnic tables to raking leaves, there’s a project for everyone.
Open to high schoolers in grades 9-12 and adults. Registration and proof of Covid-19 vaccination required. Learn more and register online.
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October Anniversaries
15 Years
Rev. Judith Swanberg, October 21, 2007
55 Years
Rev. Richard Weisenbach, October 8, 1967
Please contact Lynn Varney if we have missed your anniversary. Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5. If your church is celebrating a milestone anniversary, please let us know so that the Northeast Region can celebrate with you!
Temporary Ministerial Coverage List
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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 (PSA) 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.
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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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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First Congregational Church, UCC, Chelsea: Rev. Ellen Rohan Ball
Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC, Concord: Revs. Robert Brown and Gail Miller
First Church, Congregational, UCC Methuen: Rev. William Ingraham
Forest Street Union Church, Methuen: Rev. Carrie Burnap
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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.
If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email preferences, please visit this link and enter your email address.
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