A Note from Your ACM

While much attention was focused on the Boston Marathon on Monday, another marathon took place in the city last weekend: The 26.TRUE Marathon. According to organizers, “26.TRUE is an unsanctioned marathon specifically designed to amplify and celebrate the culture and diversity of the neighborhoods that make up the City of Boston.” Starting and finishing in Roxbury, 26.TRUE guides runners through over a dozen of Boston’s neighborhoods, including JP, Roslindale, Mattapan, Dorchester, and Chinatown. While nearly 30,000 runners gathered on Monday for the traditional marathon, a more modest group of about 200 assembled on Saturday for this journey through some of the city’s often-overlooked areas. There are various ways to view “the Christian Journey,” but one perspective that resonates with me is to see our faith as a continuous journey of following God down less-traveled paths. 26.TRUE serves as a reminder to me of how God invites us to embark on new journeys, often down less-traveled routes, to be transformed by the experience. We are transformed by the unfamiliar places we explore, the new people we encounter, and the collective experience of journeying together. As I have yet to develop a desire to run a marathon, you’re unlikely to find me participating in either Boston or 26.TRUE. Nevertheless, I do hope and pray that God will always invite me to explore new paths and undertake metaphorical races that broaden my perspectives. I extend the same hope and prayer to you and to all the congregations in our region. May we remain attentive, with open eyes and ears, and prepared to journey down new paths. Ultimately, may our lives be enriched and transformed by embracing such opportunities. PS: My favorite part of 26.TRUE? Every runner gets to break through tape at the finish line as onlookers cheer. A wonderful image of the Kingdom of God. You can read the 26.TRUE Participants Guide here. You can read the Boston Globe story here.

With love and thanks,

Alex

Rev. Alex Shea Will
Area Conference Minister
Northeast Region (Metropolitan Boston and Northeast Associations)

Rev. Shea Will can be reached at sheawilla@sneucc.org or call/text: 508-244-4769.  

ACM Availability

Siblings in Christ: Thank you for the invitations to worship with you! I’m currently scheduled through spring, and I’d love to continue scheduling in the fall of 2024. 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.

Association & Regional Updates & Celebrations

Metropolitan Boston Association

MBA Spring Meeting, Sunday, April 28th at 3pm on Zoom.  Register here now!

There are a few positions to fill on the MBA Committees - contact Rev. Tony Kill, Chair of the MBA Nominating Committee, if you are interested in serving the Association. 

Embracing our Trans and Gender Diverse Siblings, Sunday, April 21st at 4:30pm, First Congregational Church, 495 Canton Ave., Milton, MA.  More information here.

Installation, Rev. Megan Berkowitz, Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 3:00pm, The Union Church in Waban, 14 Collins Road, Waban, MA

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 Northeast Association

Mailing Address update: Northeast Association churches, please let your financial staff and volunteers know to update your mailing addresses for sending all checks to the association and any other postal correspondence to our association to 21 Church St, Winchester, MA 01890. This affects Northeast Association mail only, not conference, national setting, or other UCC mailing addresses. 

 

Save the date! NEA Spring Meeting, Sunday, May 5th at 3pm.
Second Congregational Church, 35 Conant Street, Beverly, MA.

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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.

Let us know!

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.

March Ordination Anniversaries

5 Years
Rev. Nancy Haynes, 4/28/2019
35 Years
Rev. Katharine Baker-Carr, 4/2/1989
40 Years
Rev. Dr. John Zachry, 4/22/1984
55 Years
Rev. Dr. Robert Shire, 4/13/1969
60 Years
Rev. Dr. Donald Wells, 4/5/1964
65 Years
Rev. Richard Yeo, 4/19/1959

If we missed your anniversary date, please let us know.

Church Milestones in 2024

Park Avenue Congregational Church, Arlington - 125 years
Plymouth Congregational Church of Belmont - 125 years
North Congregational Church, Woburn - 175 years

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!

Clergy Renewal

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.

Conference & Partner Updates

 Annual Meeting Registration Now Open!

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) 

Clergy wellness retreat dates are set for this Spring!

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.

Pause for Prayer  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 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.
 

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.

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: June 5, 2024, 9:30am-2:30pm September 16, 2024, 9:30am-2:30pm November 12 & 13, 2024, 6:30PM-8:30pm (both sessions must be attended) 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.

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.

Faith Formation

53rd Annual NEAUCE Conference (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 2 - 4 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.  Regional Youth Event- Spring Discount 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 good through April 25th! Use Discount Code SPRING45 and 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. Faith Formation Certification Programs  April 20    Serving Together: Mission for All Ages April 27    Boundary Awareness for Faith Formation and Youth Leaders and Local Church Musicians https://www.sneucc.org/certification

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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.  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.   Can Your church Sponsor an Afghan Family? The Ipswich Refugee Program (IRP)  in partnership with First Church UCC in Ipswich has sponsored a number of refugee families. Some relatives of the three Ipswich families are expected to come to the US from Afghanistan in the next few months. The new arrivals will have legal status and financial support. The Ipswich Refugee Program (IRP) is looking for UCC churches in the North Shore area who would be willing to sponsor an Afghan family and locate housing for them. IRP has created a program structure and network which can be shared with your church or community group. If your church would like to learn more about ministry to a refugee family, please contact Lynn Lenhart. 617-694-7134. Lynnslenhart@gmail.com 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 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   Outdoor Ministries 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 Ongoing Updates (Temporary Ministerial Coverage, Classifieds, Transitions and Obituaries) 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.    ~~~ 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 ~~~ This month we pray for:  First Parish of Westwood: Rev. JT Hills First Congregational Church, Winchester: Revs. Will Burhans and Maeve Hammond First Church in Swampscott, Congregational, Swampscott: Rev. Ian Holland Tewksbury Congregational Church, UCC, Tewksbury:  Rev. William Chism (Here is the link to the 2024 Northeast Association Prayer List for congregations to include in their prayer lists and bulletins (begins Advent, 12/3/2023.)   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.