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November 10, 2022
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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.
-Alex
Rev. Alex Shea Will
Area Conference Minister
Northeast Region (Metropolitan Boston and Northeast Associations)
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
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
Celebration and Release - Phoenix Rising, UCC on November 13, 2022 at 4pm at Groveland Congregational Church, 4 King St., Groveland, MA.![]() ![]()
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Join us for the screening of the documentary film 13th at Roslindale Congregational Church on November 11, 2022 at 7 pm.
13th by director Ava DuVernay explores how the criminal justice system has led to mass incarceration of people of color. Titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which abolished slavery, 13th garnered acclaim from a number of film critics. Awards include BAFTA Award for Best Documentary, Satellite Award for Best Motion Picture Documentary, 2017 Peabody Documentary Award, and 2016 Critics Choice for Best Political Documentary. The film will be introduced by Mac Hudson who was a tireless advocate for racial justice and prisoners' rights while in prison and is now on the staff at Prisoners’ Legal Services.
*This event is free and open to the public (not recommended for ages 16 and under). Refreshments will be served.
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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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Pastoral Relations Committees with Revs. Tara Barber and Stephen Boyd, November 14, 2022 7:30 – 9:00pm ET
Pastoral Relations Committees provide essential leadership in the life of a congregation. Come to this workshop to explore what the purpose of a PPR Committee is and is not. We’ll be talking through and naming the priorities and commitments of a well-functioning PRC. Revs. Tara and Stephen will share best practices from around the church and be prepared to answer your questions. Open to pastors, lay leaders and judicatory staff.
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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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?
New England Environmental Justice Youth+ Summit
November 17, 2022 and November 19 • Online
FREE WEBINAR OPEN TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES!
Sponsored by the NH Conference of the United Church of Christ; co-sponsored by the Southern New England Conference, UCC. Register at right; registration is good for both sessions. Download a flyer
Developing Faith: Ages and Stages - Faith Formation Leadership Program
November 19, 2022 at 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM • Online
Overview of human and faith development based on the works of Piaget, Erikson, Gardner; Fowler, and Westerhoff.
Financial Literacy and Budgeting
November 29, 2022 at 7:00 PM • Online
Explore some of the opportunities embedded in budgets and the budgeting process.
Advent Chapel of the Heart
Weekly: Wednesday, November 30, 2022 to Wednesday, December 21, 2022 • 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM • Online
Online devotional time for clergy, faith formation practitioners, and lay leaders.
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Save the date for Upcoming Racial Justice Training!
Racial Justice Training for Authorized Clery and MIDs:
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 9 AM-12:30 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.
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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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Register your group for a facilitated retreat in 2022-2023! Chose from seven dates and three great locations.
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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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November Anniversaries
5 Years
Rev. Lori Anne Wyckoff, 11/11/2017
15 Years
Rev. Hannah Brown, 11/11/2007
20Years
Rev. Mark Seifried, 11/10/2002
25 Years
Rev. Dr. Judith Thurlow, 11/2/1997
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 Northeast Region PSA, Lynn Varney at 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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West Concord Union Church, Concord: Rev. Hannah Brownl
Allin Congregational Church, UCC, Dedham: Rev. Christopher Lyman Waldron
Nahant Village Church: the Congregation
First Parish Church, Newbury:
Rev. Raymond Henderson
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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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