|
|
Please note that the Conference offices will be closed for the Christmas and New Year holidays from Dec. 23rd to Jan. 2nd. In case of an emergency where you require Conference assistance, please call 866-367-2822. May the birth of the Christ Child bring hope, peace, joy and love to you and your faith communities this season.
The Work of Christmas
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among others,
To make music in the heart.
-Howard Thurman
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Lynn Varney, Rev. Patty Kogut and all of the staff of the Southern New England Conference.
Blessings,
Rev. Patty Kogut, ACM
Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut is the Area Conference Minister for the Southeast Region (Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island Associations).
Rev. Kogut can be reached by email at kogutp@sneucc.org or CORRECT NEW PHONE: (508) 244-4416.
|
| |
|
Clergy Coffee and Conversation
|
Give yourself the Gift of this Holiday Coffee and Conversation
Thursday at 10:00am here.
Regional News and Association Events
|
|
|
|
|
Conference and Partner Events
To see all upcoming events, go to the SNEUCC calendar here.
|
 In a pastoral letter sent to churches, moderators and clergy, the Council of Conference Ministers and the Alliance of Associate Conference Ministers for the UCC encouraged every setting to “give permission and blessing for two consecutive weeks away for renewal leave, not counted as vacation time” in 2023.
"Everyone in judicatory ministry has witnessed the compounded weariness and stress experienced by our authorized ministers over the last almost three years," said Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly, Executive Minister for Area Conference Ministry. "And while it may feel as though we are on the other side of the peak of pandemic, the impact remains." Read more here.
A Note from Rev. Dr. David Cleaver Bartholomew,
Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, SNEUCC
The last day to record 2022 contributions to the SNEUCC has been announced as Jan. 12, 2023. And, here are 3 money related matters David wants to remind you of... Please read about these important reminders here.
____________________
2023 STEWARDSHIP Resources
Webinars offered from 6:30 to 7:30pm Central Time
Jan. 25, 2023 – 3 Best Practices: Set a New Year's Resolution for Increasing Giving
Register here.
Mar 22, 2023 - Changing Landscape of Giving: What we can learn from Millennial and Gen Z Donors
Register here.
All Stewardship Webinars offered in 2023 by the National UCC Office are listed here |
Environmental Justice Youth Retreat
Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (raindate March 25th)
Nature & Neighbors is a day-long environmental justice retreat for youth, which will include exploration of environmental racism and environmental justice; engaging scripture and spiritual practices that inspire and sustain action; and experiencing God’s Creation firsthand at Irons Homestead, one of the beautiful outdoor ministry sites affiliated with the Conference.
Middle and high school groups of any size, or individual youth with an accompanying adult, are welcome to sign up. Program cost is $75 per participant – please contact Emma Brewer-Wallin (brewer-walline@sneucc.org) for sliding scale rates. We want you to participate and cost should not be a barrier! More information and to register here.
From MESA
Monday, February 6, 6:00 – 9:00pm ET
This training, hosted by Revs. Tara Barber and Stephen Boyd, is open to ministers serving in specialized settings throughout the United Church of Christ. Serving in specialized setting requires particular attention to boundaries within the ministry setting and home church that are challenging and different from those serving as local church pastors. This training will focus on matters that relate specifically to issues that these ministers face, providing opportunities for clergy to reflect on best practices and growth in their practice of ministry. *Note - This training completes individual requirements for boundary training ONLY WHEN authorized by a local Committee on Ministry.
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.
|
From Practical Resources for Churches
Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Wednesday, January 18, 2023, 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Thursday, January 19, 2023, 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leader - Kay Kotan
Have you ever wondered how to effectively form cooperative parishes that result in healthy ministries and positive community impact? In this three-part webinar series, you will walk through the steps for cooperative parish discernment and how to truly cooperate through a shared vision. In addition, you will discover what it means to cooperate through ministries and resources for Kingdom impact in a healthy and an effective cooperative parish model.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Leader - Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund
Join author, advocate, and pastor Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund for conversation, stories, and practical steps about how faith communities can offer support and hope to children, teens, and their families living with mental health challenges.
Register your group for a facilitated retreat in 2022-2023! Chose from seven dates and three great locations. |
Engaging Christian Contemplative Practices:
Facilitated by Rev. Matt Carriker of the Agape Spiritual Community, participants will engage in practices that lead to deeper spiritual revelations as they explore the mystical dimension of faith. This series supports the “Becoming a Church of Contemplatives in Action” Resolution that passed overwhelmingly at the United Church of Christ (UCC) 2021 General Synod and supports participants to explore new practices to engage in deeper contemplation.
Series starts Wednesday, January 18th from 7:00-8:30 PM (REGISTER)
Are you a pastoral leader with a pressing question impacting the church? A researcher or scholar with a project related to North American Christianity? Finishing your dissertation? An early career scholar discerning theological education as a vocation? We have a grant or fellowship opportunity for you!
We are now accepting applications for the 2023 grant and fellowship year:
First Book Grant for Scholars of Color: 1/15/23
Antoinette Brown Award Nominations
Celebrating the life and ministry of Antoinette Brown and all women in ordained ministry, the national setting announces that nominations for the Antoinette Brown Award are open until January 31, 2023. Nomination forms can be found here, and visit the ABS webpage for more information and to support the work of the Antoinette Brown Society.
Save the dates for Upcoming Racial Justice Training!
Racial Justice for Faith Formation & Youth Ministry Leaders
Jan. 14, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM • Online
Students will explore how to create a common language around racism, to unmask racism in our lives, and to encourage long-term engagement in racial justice ministry as a spiritual issue. More info here.
Racial Justice Training: Microaggressions
Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 8:30 AM
A microaggression is a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group, such as a racial or ethnic minority (definition from Oxford Languages). Join us to learn about this form of racism. Read more and register here.
Racial Justice Training for All
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 7:00 PM, online
Both clergy and lay people are welcome to join us for this 3-1/2 hour, on-line Racial Justice 101 training facilitated by Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Completed session may apply toward racial justice training requirements for clergy. More info here.
A new year brings new opportunities to learn and grow in faith! PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. is pleased to announce our January term online, asynchronous courses that are accessible and affordable for curious Progressive Christians. All courses are designed with the Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers at their core, and are helpful to anyone who wants to develop spiritual and leadership gifts for use in the church and the world.
For more information about PATHWAYS as an organization, our courses, and to register, please visit www.pathwaystheological.org.
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. |
|
|
 |
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.
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, reach out to the Program Support Associate for the Southeast Region: Lynn Varney: Varneyl@sneucc.org
If you are interested in being included on the new Temporary Ministerial Coverage List, please contact Jill Ford at fordj@sneucc.org.
The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with these sites:
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Irons Homestead, Gloucester, RI
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT
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.
|
SNEUCC Classifieds
Director of Camps and Retreat Centers, Silver Lake Camp and Retreat Center, CT
Full Time Children and Youth Ministries, Little Compton, RI
This week we pray for:
The First Church of Christ, UCC, Sandwich: Revs. Christina Walker-Morin and Jennifer Valentine
Congregational Christian Church of Somerset, UCC: Rev. Cheryl Rieder
Central Square Congregational Church, UCC, Bridgewater: Rev. Elizabeth Stotts
First Korean Church of Rhode Island, UCC, Cranston:
Rev. Yonghwan Noh
|
|
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!
Take a look!
|
| Subscriptions |
|
This is an edition of the Southeast Region (including the Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island 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.
|
|
|
Southeast Region ~ Area Conference Minister,
Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut
Associations:
Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim, Rhode Island
kogutp@sneucc.org
New #: 508-244-4416
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
