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For the EYEs of church members, leaders and friends ONLY!
CLERGY DO NOT READ!!
Have you noticed your pastor seeming a bit sluggish, maybe they have some dark circles under their eyes?? Maybe they seem a bit less excited when you mention another important meeting they must attend. Even though their mouth says, “Sure, of course, happy to.” Their eyes tell you a different story, something like, “Oh great another meeting, when will I ever get caught up with the latest episodes of ??????” (Each pastor will have their own streaming preference) FYI... my recent binge is “The Resident” on Netflix. (Wait... this is not about me, LOL) Moving on friends, we all know pastors work hard, have trouble taking time for themselves and their families. They often struggle to take even a day off from work (can you believe it!!!!), many hold themselves to incredibly high standards and some even have tendances toward people pleasing and perfection at such a high cost to themselves. Let’s be honest.... it is possible that what you love about your pastor is often what hurts them the most (always available 24/7, like the energizer bunny, ready to lift you up when you are down, willing to stay until the last dish is washed at your church supper and is willing to be the last to leave after an event, personally and pastorally putting the church to bed and locking her up.) Friends.... all these things that you appreciate about your pastor may be slowly killing their spirit and exhausting their body. Add this to many pastors’ overachieving work ethic and occasional and unfortunate lack of life/work balance and there you have a perfect storm. Once this storm has begun, what is necessary is an INTERVENTION!
Not to worry, help is on the way. In the Southeast Region, the SNEUCC Conference in partnership with the UCC Pension Board is offering a Clergy Wellness Retreat on Wednesday, May 29th in Seekonk, MA. Please made it a PRIORITY to bring this event up to your pastor this Sunday!!! Of course, when you bring it up to your pastor, they will likely give you reasons why they don’t have time to go, or they have prior commitments blah, blah, blah. Tell them, “Nothing is more important to us than your health, wellness, happiness and peace of mind! You will attend this Wellness Retreat, because we love you and we want to partner with you in ministry for a long time!!”
If they still won’t sign up.... here is the LINK to sign them up! Then just tell them to be ready because you will be sending a car to pick them up!
#yougotthis
#pastoralsupportteam
#wegotthis
#healthypastorshealthychurcheshappyACM
Patty
Rev. Dr. Patricia Kogut
PS: Clergy see Registration Info Below!
Rev. Dr. Patricia 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 or by phone at 508-244-4416.
Clergy Coffee & Conversation
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Join us!
Clergy Coffee and Conversation
Thursdays at 10:00am here.
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Association and Regional Updates and Celebrations
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Barnstable Association - Barnstable Assoc. Facebook Page
Moderator: Rev. Darren Morgan
Committee on Ministry - Chair: Rev. Tina Walker-Morin
Save the Date! Old Colony Association Spring Meeting, May 19, 2024 at 2pm
Old Colony Association - Old Colony Assoc.Facebook Page
Moderator: Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver
Committee on Ministry - Chair: Rev. Dr. Virginia Child
Save the Date! Pilgrim Association Spring Meeting, April 21, 2024 at 1:30pm and
Installation of Rev. Andrew Ponder Williams at 3:00pm,
at North Community Church, Marshfield Hills, MA
Installation of Rev. Timoth Sylvia, May 5, 2024 at 2pm,
at First Congregational Church, UCC, Randolph, MA
Pilgrim Association - Pilgrim Assoc. Facebook Page
Moderator: Rev. Peter Johnston
Committee on Ministry - Chair: Rev. Kimberly Murphy
Save the Date! Rhode Island Spring Meeting, April 28, 2024 at 2:00pm
Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia St., S. Kingston, RI
Sean Amato Ecclesiastical Council, May 19th at 2pm
at Beneficent Congregational Church, Providence, RI
Rhode Island Association - RI Assoc. Facebook Page
Acting Moderator: Rev. Bob Nolan
Committee on Ministry - Chair: Rev. Dr. Claudia Demick
South County Rhode Island Social Justice Coalition
You are doing great ministry! Let us help make sure others know about it. Tell us about your stories, news and event information. We’re waiting to hear from you. Email Lynn at varneyl@sneucc.org.
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Time to Visit Your Church Dashboard
You can make sure we are reaching key leaders in your church by having your church’s administrator or someone on the pastoral staff visit the Church Dashboard on our website. If you have difficulty logging into your account, please contact Nancy Stubbs.
April Ordination Anniversaries
20 Years
The Rev. Raymond Medeiros, April 18, 2004
35 Years
The Rev. Sally Norris, April 9, 1989
45 Years
The Rev. Dianne Arakawa, April 19, 1979
55 Years
The Rev. Richard Taylor, April 13, 1969
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Church Milestones in 2024
Second Congregational Church, Cohasset - 200 years
Central Congregational Church, Attleboro Falls - 150 years
Please contact Lynn Varney if we have missed your anniversary. Ordination Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5, and church milestones are in increments of 25 years from 100 years on. If your church is celebrating a milestone anniversary, please let us know so that the Northeast Region can celebrate with you!
Throughout the Bible, spiritual renewal is lifted up again and again as essential to human wellbeing. Keeping the sabbath holy is one of the ten commandments. The 50-year Jubilee of rest is even extended to the earth. Jesus routinely stepped away from the demands of his ministry to pray alone. Self-care is not selfish; it is faithful. Click above for more information.
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Conference and Partner Updates
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Clergy Wellness Retreat Dates are set for this Spring!
The Conference, in partnership with the UCC Pension Boards, brings you opportunities for fellowship, support, and wellness in the coming months. Click on one of these dates to learn more about that retreat:
Saturday, May 18th: First Congregational Church, Auburn, MA
Wednesday, May 29th: Seekonk Congregational Church, Seekonk, MA
Expect a time to gather and (re)connect with colleagues; share in a meal; worship together; and engage in restorative practices. One-on-one appointments with representatives from the Pension Boards to go over your benefits will also be available. Our hope is that these retreats help strengthen your protective practices and supportive networks to sustain your wellness in self and in ministry. More information and registration here.
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SNE Women's Connection Spring Gathering 2024
April 27, 2024, 9am
First Congregational Church, Portland, CT
The Role of the Church in Mental Health Care and Ministry
Rev. Dr. Ciarán Osborn, UCC Minister, will be the guest speaker and participants will gain knowledge about basic mental health and explore the variety of roles the church can play to create awareness and reduce the stigma of mental health challenges. More information and registration form here.
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2024 UCC Annual Earth Summit
April 20, 2024 | 1:00PM - 3:00PM
Join the UCC Earth Day Summit Featuring Bill McKibben! This online event will take place on Saturday, April 20th at 1 PM ET. In addition to a keynote delivered by McKibben, this two and a half hour summit will feature a panel of award-winning grassroots activists in a David-versus-Goliath struggle against one of the world’s largest producers of plastics. Register now!
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Annual Meeting Registration Now Open!
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The 5th Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ will be held June 21 and 22 at UMass, Amherst, and will focus on growing the church.
The keynote speaker for the event will be the Rev. Dr. Courtney Stange-Tregear, the Chief Relationship Officer at the Cornerstone Fund of the UCC, who plans to talk about "God Math," and to share inspiring stories of churches that have grown their ministries - and more greatly impacted their communities - by working smarter, not harder.
More information and registration here: 5th Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference - Southern New England Conference of the UCC (sneucc.org)
Wednesdays @ 12:30, Live on Facebook
Praying together is a powerful act of faith, hope and love. We want to be in prayer with you more often! SNEUCC will be holding a weekly time of prayer (accessible to all regardless of whether you have a FB account). Conference staff will offer a mix of scripture, music, litanies and prayer. Participants will be able to add their prayers through the chat feature, and recordings can be found on the SNEUCC Facebook page or our webpage. Join us in prayer!
Tech Deacons Roundtable • Online
Morning: April 16 & 30, May 14th, 11:00 AM to Noon (Repeats every other Tues)
Evening: April 23, May 7th, 7;00 to 8:00 PM (Repeats every other Tues)
An arena for churches to support one another by sharing ideas, bringing questions, and identifying new trends and opportunities in digital ministry.
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UCCMA National Conference 2024
Conference 2024, the national biennial gathering of the United Church of Christ Musicians Association (UCCMA), will take place July 10-13, 2024 at the First Congregational Church of Greenwich, Connecticut. Designed for church musicians, choral and handbell choir members and worship leaders, the three-day event includes workshops, plenary sessions, worship services, evening entertainment and networking opportunities. Complete information is available at here.
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Clergy Boundary Awareness Training
Good professional boundaries allow ministry and those who do it to thrive with health and wholeness. Through the lens of clergy wellness, authorized ministers will renew their understanding of and develop skills for maintaining boundaries in an ever-shifting ministry landscape. Upcoming Trainings are online via Zoom:
The cost for the training is: SNEUCC Clergy - $65.00; all other Clergy - $85.00. If you have questions regarding the training please contact Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org or 508-244-4399.
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2024 UCC Stewardship Materials Available
Materials for your congregation's 2024 stewardship efforts are now available. This year's theme is "Imagine Together," helping people understand the impact our congregations can make in our communities when we support them. Materials (both printed and digital) include eight complete worship services, hymn suggestions, sermon starters from eight different authors, and faith formation sessions for children, youth, and adults. Also provided are practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts, and letters. Guidance for every step of your campaign help you make the most of these robust materials. Find more information here.
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Are you looking for an open-minded, community-oriented online theological course where your doubts and questions are welcome? Register for one course or complete a certificate program. PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. also has a complete educational program for those seeking to become authorized ministers. Check the website, www.pathwaystheological.org, to learn more about our program.
Please consider a donation for PATHWAYS to help keep our program effective and affordable.
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2024 Star Island Gathering UCC Conferences
The Star Gathering UCC Conferences are held on Star Island, off the coast of New Hampshire. Click here for more information about a typical day in the summer on Star Island!
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| 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.
Rumors of Our Death are Greatly Exaggerated
Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 12PM on Zoom
What do you do when your historic building takes up half a city block, but the members don’t take up even a quarter of the sanctuary? When there is plenty in the bank account but no children in Sunday School? What is a church to do when every board meeting is about the roof, the carpet, or the plumbing instead of mission, spirit, and faith formation? What would happen if you gave it all away and focused on just being the church? United Congregational Church in Worcester did just that thirteen years ago and the future is brighter than ever. Come and hear how they did it and how the spirit is still moving. Register here.
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(NEAUCE = New England Association of United Church Educators)
We want you to find REST for your SOUL!
Join us in “Keeping Sabbath Sacred” this May at NEAUCE 2024 on the beautiful Pilgrim Pines Campus in Swanzey NH. Registration is open for the 53nd Annual NEAUCE Conference. Gather with your fellow colleagues for amazing worship, a variety of specialty workshops, networking, rich discussions, creative play and relaxing opportunities. Keynote is Rev. Matthew Carriker, UCC Minister and Guest Speaker is Debbie Gline Allen, SNEUCC Minister for Faith Formation. More information and registration here.
LOVE is greater than FEAR
Sun., July 28 through Wed., July 31
Silver Lake Conference Center in Sharon, CT
Good News! Spring Discount on Registration has been extended to April 25th!
Use Discount code SPRING45 to get $50 off!
All youth are welcome to attend with their advisors. This program is for youth who are currently in grades 6-12 as of January 2024. [Or those who will be entering grades 7-12 in fall 2024, plus recent graduates]. Take a look at this short RYE video or go to our RYE event page for details and updates. Hope to see you at the lake on July 28! Questions? Contact Debby Kirk at kirkd@sneucc.org.
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April 20 Serving Together: Mission for All Ages
April 27 Boundary Awareness for Faith Formation and Youth Leaders and Local Church Musicians
| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion |
WISE and Mental Health Month - May is Mental Health Month
Masking and Loneliness by Debbie Ringen, Minister of Health and Wellness
The days of constantly wearing a mask in the presence of others during the Covid- 19 pandemic may be significantly fewer today and may only be continuing for some, however, I wonder if we as human beings are still wearing at least one of our masks. Read more here, Masking and Loneliness.docx.
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Modeling a Restorative Justice Circle
Monday, April 29, 6-7:30pm
Rev. Mark Seifried of the Restorative Justice Task Team will facilitate a sample restorative justice circle, demonstrating its use in a local church. In this scenario, a church council has decided that the best way to balance the budget is to cut the music budget in half. How does the church move through the conflict that has become painful, build trust, come to agreements that are amenable to the parties, and move forward in a positive direction?
For more information and to register, click here.
Racial Justice for Authorized Ministers
The Southern New England Conference’s Center for Transformational Leadership is launching a series of racial justice workshops aimed at equipping authorized ministers for the ongoing work of showing up in a multi-racial, multi-cultural world. Learn more and sign up for upcoming sessions here.
Upcoming sessions:
May 21: Racial Justice-Renewal - Microaggressions & Interpersonal Racism
June 11: Racial Justice - Foundations
**Special note for Rhode Island Association! The Rhode Island Association Spring Meeting on April 28 will include portions of the Microaggressions & Interpersonal Racism workshop, for both authorized ministers and lay leaders. Authorized Ministers and MIDs who would like to earn a training certificate must sign up for a follow up session on May 1. Register here.
The MA Behavioral Health Helpline is available to anyone in Massachusetts experiencing a mental health challenge, or for those who care for a person who is struggling. The resources are free for MA residents. This service expands access to mental health care by providing a warm connection to service providers through mobile crisis intervention or Community Behavioral Health Centers. Services are offered in over 200 languages, callers may call themselves, or for a loved one. it is available 24/7 and manned by trained clinicians.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/behavioral-health-help-line-bhhl-faq
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The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with the following sites:
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Irons Homestead, Gloucester, RI
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT
Silver Lake Summer Camp 2024 registration is open!
View the schedule and learn more at https://www.silverlakect.org/summercamp
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 for the Northeast, Southeast or Southwest Regions contact Lynn Varney at Varneyl@sneucc.org or for North Central, Northwest & South Central Regions: Deb Holmes, holmesd@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.
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Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC obituaries.
Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Transitions.
Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Classifieds
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This month we pray for:
Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwich Port:
Rev. Amielia Giguere
Congregational Church of Mansfield, Mansfield:
Rev. Marissa Rapoza
First Congregational Church of Plympton, Plympton:
Rev. Gary Ritz
Riverside Congregational Church, Riverside:
Rev. Robert Nolan
Quick Links
Southern New England Conference Blogs
United Church of Christ
SNEUCC Facebook
Subscriptions:
If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email preferences, please visit this link and enter your email address.
If you would like to have events included in this newsletter, please make sure to have them submitted by the second Thursday of the month to Lynn Varney: varneyl@sneucc.org.
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