ENews for the North Central Region

Dear fellow sojourners,
 
“Are we changing our name again?” someone asked me this week after they received last week’s newsletter and read North Central Region. The short answer is “no.” It has been a season of consistent change and adaptation as we, the larger body of Christ covenanted as the Southern New England Conference, have lived into this new way of being church. We’ve done it with faithful discernment; and it has been messy at times. That will probably still be the case in 2021, a year of maturing for SNEUCC. The six conference regions are one example. Some regions have seven associations; some (like us) have two. All cross state borders and have an area conference minister and program support associate to support them. These regional designations help us organize conference staff. But more importantly, I hope and pray that they help us strengthen our covenantal bonds, stretch our imaginations and invigorate our faithfulness. Jesus sent the disciples out in pairs and I am grateful that none of us, including Associations, have to do our ministry alone, even as we value the particular ministries of each. I wonder how the Spirit will move in and among us, North Central Region?  
 
In faith and hope,

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We invite you to a virtual celebration of Marilyn Kendrix and Don Remick for their years of faithful, loving service in Conference ministry, most recently as Southern New England Bridge Conference Ministers.  All are welcome! 
Our program will include a service of release in addition to reflections and stories from Marilyn's and Don’s time in ministry in Southern New England. We hope that you can join us for this time of reflection & celebration! 

Registration is required to attend, please click here for more information.

January Ordination Anniversary Dates

Churches are asked to make updates to the
National Data Hub by midnight March 3, 2021

The Data Hub will be available beginning noon, Wednesday, January 6, 2021. The deadline for entering data is midnight Wednesday, March 3, 2021.  Data Hub deadlines are related to publication schedules; late information may not be included in the 2021 Yearbook. Please click here for instructions on how to complete the important updates.

Ordination of Bert Cote
January 17th at 3:00 PM via Zoom
Central MA Association leadership invites you to attend our
first ordination service via Zoom.
You must register to receive the Zoom link, please click here for more information.

Updated Pulpit Supply List

Please email Deb Holmes if you need a current pulpit supply list.

For updated Coronavirus information:

Covid Update: Is your church in a high risk zone?

Phasing Forward: Step By Step

Active Food Pantries and Outreach Meal for People in Need

The attached list is an updated list of churches in the Central MA Region that currently have active food pantries and outreach meals for people in need. Please email Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org to have your church information included or updated. Central MA List. New information added!

Worship Resources

Andover Newton Seminary at Yale is offering a “Seminary Sunday” service for local churches to use (this is for all churches, not just those served by ANTS alum). “We are suggesting that congregations use the service on either January 31^st or February 7^th, just so that it can be a relatively synchronous Seminary Sunday experience for congregations. That said, it could be used later in the winter, as well, though after that it might get a little dated. It is important to note that the service will include Communion, so we expect more congregations will use it the first Sunday of February. An ordained person – either Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond or Rev. Dr. Ned Parker will lead Communion at the end of the service.” Click here for more information and to sign up.

Fueling Inclusion, Voice, and Opportunity for All

WAMS Works with individuals and community partners to inspire economic and education equity through social change. Click here to learn more about WAMS.

Worcester Fellowship Please check their website for updated information.