Coronavirus Resource Update:

Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Would you like for Rev. James D. Ross II to join your congregation for a Sunday service? Rev. Ross would be thrilled to join you as a guest preacher or participant in other ways.  To arrange, please contact Karen Methot at methotk@sneucc.org or Rev. James Ross at rossj@sneucc.org

Together We Thrive Affinity Groups beginning June 2021

New Affinity Groups are forming. 

• Touched by Jesus:  Playing with Prayer
• Clergy Women Connections: Learning to balance, juggle and breathe
• The Rainbow Path: Small Group Experience for LGBTQIA+ Clergy
• Tending the Holy Fires in One Another: Group Spiritual Direction

Visit the Tobether We Thrive (TWT) web page for more information.

ECM Announces Conference Offices to Remain Shut Through Labor Day The Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister, has announced that the Conference offices in Framingham, MA and Hartford, CT, will remain closed at least through Labor Day.  Click HERE to read more or view a video message about this announcement.

Registration is open for in-person camp at Silver Lake Conference Center this summer!  Scholarships are still available. More information can be found here.

Regional Clergy Conversations with Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba

Southwest Regional Clergy will receive email announcements with zoom links, but please consider adding these clergy conversations to your calendar:

• June 1 at 3pm
• June 16 at 11am
• June 29 at 3pm
• July 8 at 3pm
• August 18 at 11am
• August 31 at 3pm

UCC General Synod 33 - Rooted in Love

Please consider registering and attending this virtual UCC General Synod, July 11 - 18, 2021.  You don't need to be a delegate - you can register as a guest.  This is a great way to experience the richness of the United Church of Christ from your living room.  Registration is now open.  Visit the UCC General Synod web site to learn more about the rich programs and worship that is planned.

Fuel for Hybrid Faith Formation Ministry Thursday, June 10 at 7 PM on Zoom - For decades the church and faith formation have relied on in-person, fixed-time gatherings, events, and programming offered in physical spaces. The pandemic disrupted this “default” model, and pushed us to experiment with new models.  Read more here… Youth at Synod - a Stepping Stone to Leadership A great leadership opportunity for youth in your congregation!  Read more here…  Scholarships are available for SNEUCC youth.  Contact Debby Kirk for more information.

Chapel of the Heart: An Online Devotional Space for Leaders Chapel of the Heart returns this month.  Join us for a new series of online devotionals!  Here's what some have said about Chapel of the Heart: "Thank you so very much for this opportunity to connect and get to know you and others through this beautiful, virtual chapel."  "Thank you for your creative facilitation today...It was wonderful to see everyone and have a chance to connect and share. What you did really grounded me."  "...weekly gift is inspiring and offers a wonderful example for how to be and offer a devotional."

Our Wednesday Chapel is ongoing through the Spring of 2021 and will meet twice each month in April, May, and June. The Chapel will be "open" and ready to welcome any leader looking for a circle of peers sharing cares and joys, a place where colleague connections are compassionate and loving, a place where folks are unburdened in preparation for what lies ahead, and a space for folks to be inspired to guide others into vital spiritual spaces. In this series, you will have 2 opportunities each month on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 9:00 AM through June of 2021. 

Each Chapel is about approximately 45 minutes long and is led by members of the Faith Formation Ministry Team. You are welcome to do one or both monthly as your schedule allows. Please click here to register.
If you have any questions, reach out to Karen Ziel.

Visit the Southern New England Conference Faith Formation web page for a host of resources and events for your church setting.

Holy Joe's Coffee in Antarctica

Holy Joe's Cafe: 15 Years and Growing

While supply chain disruptions have impacted many during the pandemic, coffee is still flowing for military chaplains thanks to Holy Joe's Café, begun as a mission at the First Church of Wallingford (CT) in 2006, the brain child of Holy Joe's founder and director, Tom Jastermsky, a member of the church.

Holy Joe's is celebrating 15 years of bringing "a little bit of home to those who serve our country."  Click here to read more about this long-standing mission.