ENews for the Northwest Region
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Dear Northwest Region,
Months before I started work with the Southern New England Conference, I received an invitation to “Super Saturday.” Unsure of what it was, I filed it away under “for later,” only to discover what a marvel it is—that especially the western region shows up to see each other and learn together, often 500 strong when in-person!
Now that the event is online, it will be different than grabbing coffee and catching up over the refreshments table, but if it is anything like Zoom church has been, in my experience, it may offer a different intimacy.
We new staff have been invited to offer workshops so you may get to know us, if you like. “Dust something off,” they said, knowing how busy we are with moving and getting acclimated.
I waited for Spirit to move. I thought perhaps I might offer something from the research I did with the local university and people moving out of homelessness. Or what about the missionary legacy and its implications for Native Hawaiian ministry? But no, what rose to the surface was research from my master’s thesis on the cultural role of land in slave-descendant communities on the coast of South Carolina—my home.
I cannot help but wonder if it is because I am wondering about your own cultural ties to land. What it means to you to be of Franklin, Hampshire, Northern Litchfield, the Berkshires, or Hampden. What it means to be of your particular geography—hills, valleys, river. And how you might connect to these folks’ feeling of being ignored by the community around them, except for when it benefited those in power, or when people who truly cared took the time to listen.
I want to hear your stories and see your faces—what of them you are willing to share. And you certainly do not have to come to my workshop, but I do hope you’ll come and be in community with each other. Come and see what the Holy Spirit will say to us in these times and through the people of our region.
Many Blessings,
Terry Yasuko
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February Ordination Anniversaries
There are no anniversaries this month
Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary.
Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5.
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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.
COVID-19 2021 Update: Seeds of HOPE
Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister, and the Health & Wellness Team present the first in a monthly series of discussions: COVID-19 2021 Update: Seeds of HOPE. It is our purpose to promote health and wellness by providing support for all throughout the Southern New England conference UCC.
The challenges faced by clergy, churches, and communities continue to change as the pandemic evolves. Uncertainty and anxiety are heightened as virus variants are discovered, COVID-19 testing methods expand, vaccines are rolled out, and people experience confusion and frustration. This webinar will provide practical information and resources to inform and support your congregation and community.
Please click here to learn more and to register for the webinar.
Coronavirus information:
Phasing Forward: How does the vaccine, the new Covid-19 variant and our growing weariness impact our Phasing Forward plans and how can we best care for ourselves and each other? SNE Conference Faith Community Nurse Debbie Ringen reflects on these questions and shares important resources in this blog article.
Phasing Forward: Step By Step
WORSHIP RESOURCES
3 upcoming service will be made available to local churches:
* Service of Seven Last Words for Good Friday, offered by SNEUCC.
* Service for April 11th, the Sunday after Easter, offered by the UCC Council of Conference Ministers.
* Pentecost Service (May 23rd), offered by SNEUCC.
More information will be coming shortly and the full services will be provided well ahead of the dates for which they are intended.
Pulpit Supply List for Western MA Region
Please email Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org for an updated copy of the regional pulpit supply list. A new list for the Northwest Region is being worked on.
Raymond Fellows offer free pulpit supply
In 1883, Deacon Raymond established a Trust to hire a circuit-rider pastor to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our conference. This year, we re-envisioned the Trust to provide three preaching fellowships to Yale Divinity School students to focus more intensively on the art and craft of preaching while offering free pulpit supply to churches and pastors who welcome that support.
You can contact Laurel Carr, laurel@godsacre.org if you would like to engage one of our Fellows for an in-person preaching engagement, or you can simply download and use any one of their sermons for your virtual services.
Please click here to see the list of Raymond Fellows available for supply.
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