North Central Region ENews

WORDS FROM YOUR AREA CONFERENCE MINISTER

Dear Siblings in Christ,

It’s General Synod week and so far our delegates have endorsed resolutions that “Declare Racism a Public Health Crisis;” “Affirm the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent;” “Become a Church of Contemplatives.” Later this week, committees will explore, discuss and then bring to the floor resolutions speaking to issues ranging from banning conversion therapy to forming an Alliance of Associate Conference Ministers to Hawaiian self governance (you can read all the resolutions here). There is also life-giving worship, the election of Associate Conference Minister Rev. Traci Blackmon, the announcement of a full racial audit of the national setting and a $3 million commitment from the Pension Boards to alleviate seminary debt, among many other important things.

In the early 2000s, I attended my first MACUCC Annual Meeting. I remember sitting in the balcony of an auditorium at Mt. Holyoke College as the body debated and discerned resolutions and leaning over to my pastor and whispering, “does this really make any difference?”

That question continues to nag at me from time to time but I keep coming back to this answer: it makes a difference if we let it. Do we let the fresh biblical interpretation and theological framing stir us to deeper study and contemplation? Do we let the prophetic call guide our priorities and choices? Do we let the aspirational pronouncements ignite within us our own hopes and dreams for God’s kindom come, God’s will to be done?

The Holy Spirit does not move in a linear line. A does not lead to B which does not lead neatly through the alphabet to Z. In my younger naivete, and impatience, I thought resolutions were failures if the moral statement we made did not lead directly (and quickly) to resolution of the problem. I still worry that they may be, especially when we treat them as confirmations of our moral superiority, or we reject them without consideration because our polity allows us to. But mostly, I trust; I trust that the deep discernment of those who wrote and voted on these resolutions has transformed their own hearts; I trust that those who read and debated them line by line now carry those lines into their daily lives; I trust that the church, perhaps (likely) in places and ways I may never see, is listening and responding; I trust that the Holy Spirit will find a way.

May we let it.

Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly
Area Conference Minister
Garrigan-byerlye@sneucc.org

Spiritual Memoir Book Group
August 12, 6:30-8pm

Join Liz Garrigan-Byerly in a discussion of Loves Long Line by Sophfronia Scott of Newtown, CT. Her son was in Sandy Hook Elementary when 26 of its students and teachers were killed in a mass shooting. Here, she ruminates on faith, motherhood, race and the search for meaningful connection. Please register by August 8^th.

Click here to register to attend August 12th book group

Resources for book purchases

Meet Global Ministries Partner Elena Huegel

Elena currently serves in Chiapas, Mexico and previously serve with the SNEUCC Chile Partnership. She will be visiting New England in July and is open for zoom meetings or events with local congregations on July 20^th, 22^nd, 23^rd or 29^th. To schedule a meeting with her, please contact Rev. Beverly Prestwood-Taylor at b.prestwoodtaylor@gmail.com You can learn more about Elena’s ministry here: https://www.globalministries.org/people/elena-huegel

CONFERENCE & REGIONAL EVENTS

Clergy are urged to sign letter to Biden administration to curb both carbon emissions and air pollution.

At General Synod this week, UCC and national faith leaders shared some of their efforts to bring about Climate Justice, emphasizing the importance of staying rooted in community and hope so that we do not become complacent. They urged us to continue pushing our elected officials for significant and urgent action on the climate crisis, including asking clergy to sign this letter, urging the Biden administration to curb both carbon emissions and air pollution. https://interfaithpowerandlight.salsalabs.org/cleancars/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=b1d69471-6515-4b6d-9f05-a7a8dd3d1f8d
In addition to adding your name to this letter, I invite our Southern New England congregations to discern how God is calling you to respond to the climate crisis and environmental injustice. In the coming months, we will share more opportunities to join our efforts together, and I welcome the chance to be in conversation directly with you: brewer-walline@sneucc.org

Faith in Action:
Windham Association Joins the Crop Walk!
October 3rd, 2PM @
Riverfront Walk in
Putnam, CT

In lieu of our traditional annual meeting and potluck dinner, the Windham Association of the Southern New England Conference is gathering for a time of fellowship and service at the Windham County annual Crop Walk. As our first in-person event together since the beginning of the pandemic, this intergenerational act of service feels just right! Bring the whole church family to live our faith in action. Through Church World Service, you will be able to designate where your raised funds go (so you can choose a local food pantry or a national or international organization). Registration link to follow.

Preparing for Fall Generosity/Stewardship Campaigns

It will soon be that time of year to start talking about stewardship and fall pledge campaigns. The Rev. David Cleaver-Bartholomew will be leading a discussion on Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00PM. Please join in us in conversation and learn more about the changed landscape of religious fundraising. There will be time to ask questions and share experiences. We are asking people to please register so that you receive the Zoom link for this event. Click here to register.

SAVE THE DATES

Boundary Awareness Training dates have been scheduled for the following:
We’ll be offering BAT 2.0 (refresher) on November 2nd, from 8:30 to 11:30AM.
Registration will be limited to 50 participants.

BAT 1.0 (Foundations) will be offered over the course of two different days (previously done over three days) in January: 1/18-1/19, 9:00am to 3:30pm both days.

Both of the above trainings will be held via Zoom.
Once registration is open those links can be found here.

FOR SMALL CHURCHES

Are you ready to think about new ways to be church in your local community? The Small Church Collaborative is inviting churches in transition to bring a team of leaders to a discussion about how to share ministry in new ways. We will hear the initial ideas for creating a Small Church Collaborative, listen for your input, and invite you to start the discernment about whether this new way of serving local communities is right for your congregation. Thursday, July 22 from 6:00PM-7:30PM.

Please use this link to register for the meeting.

Central MA Association is conducting their
annual Information Review.

45% of the clergy have responded! Please complete the information review so that we can get to 100%

"Because we belong to God, we belong to one another. Because we belong to one another and to God, we are accountable to our covenantal relationships on earth as in heaven." (Manual on Ministry)
"Persons with ministerial standing in the United Church of Christ are obligated to participate in an Association's processes of support and accountability in order to maintain standing." (MOM p. 119)

If you have standing in the Central MA Association, then please click here to complete the online form. Please contact Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org if you have any questions or problems with the online form.

September 19, 2021
Installation
Rev. Charley Eastman
Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC
15 Common Street
Southborough, MA 01772
3:00PM

September 26, 2021
Central MA Association Annual Meeting
First Congregational Church of West Boylston
26 Central Street
West Boylston, MA 01583
3:00PM, Hybrid meeting (in-person & virtual)

October 17, 2021
Installation
Rev. Jen Munroe-Nathans
Congregational Church of Littleton
330 King Street
Littleton, MA 01460-1253
3:00PM

October 24, 2021
Installation
Rev. Marilyn Wilcox
The United Church of Clinton
109 Haskell Avenue
Clinton, MA 01510-2735
3:00PM

November 14, 2021
Installation
Rev. Candice Ashenden
Athol Congregational Church
1225 Chestnut Street
Athol, MA 01331
3:00PM

October 2021 Super Saturday Workshop Proposals Now Being Accepted

You are invited to share your gifts as a workshop presenter at our virtual Super Saturday on October 2nd and/or 9th. Workshops are 90 minutes or 120 minutes depending on your preference.

October’s keynote speaker is Monica A. Coleman, Award-Winning Scholar, Writer and Minister. The upcoming October Super Saturday theme is: Building on God’s Promises: A Time for Personal Renewal - 3 John 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. Super Saturday will focus on a personal renewal – spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, physiologically, and overall health.

Our goal is to have submissions in before the end of summer, so if you are interested, please complete the workshop proposal form by end of July 2021, sending it to Andrea Bellarosa, Events Coordinator.

Thank you for considering to present a workshop at Super Saturday. Please feel free to pass this link to others who you think would be a great presenter. And remember to send your proposals and your questions, comments to Andrea Bellarosa, Events Coordinator by end of July.

CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Click here to visit the webpage

Affinity Groups beginning in June:

An Affinity Group is one that gathers several times per year around a specific topic, learning goal or type of ministry work. The group is led by a topic expert who plans each gathering, resources the group and facilitates group conversations.
Click here for more information.

Tending the Fire

Tending the Fire is a Retreat Series focused on understanding church & organizations through the lens of Systems Theory. Human systems are complicated and churches are no exception. At their best, they draw out excellence in their people. At their worst, they become stuck--undermining and sabotaging even the most well-designed plans for change. Tending the Fire helps clergy "think systems" in their congregations and their personal lives, so they can lead change that lasts. Click here for more information.

Resiliency Time Capsule

We invite churches within the SNEUCC to contribute to the creation of this ground-breaking project by sharing their story of how their church responded to COVID-19, Racial Injustice, or both pandemic in their worship service, mission outreach, community engagement, Christian Education programs, Congregation’s connection to each other as a church family. Click here for more information.

Coaching Training

Together We Thrive is working with Coaching4Clergy to provide top notch coaching training. Coaches practice Deep Listening and ask Powerful Questions to help an individual or group to discover the insights they have within. Clergy trained in the skills and techniques of Coaching find them invaluable in any ministry setting and beyond.
Click here for more information.

Subsidized Clergy and Congregational Coaching Resources

When working with individuals, a Coach uses Deep Listening and Powerful Questions to structure a process that helps draw out the wisdom within the client. The focus of coaching is to address tasks and performance so that the client's goals can be achieved. Click here for more information.

WORSHIP RESOURCES

Silver Lake Worship Videos Available

The Silver Lake Conference Center has made a complete virtual worship service available for churches that may be used - in whole or in parts - to celebrate your church's participation in outdoor ministry. Click here for more information.

Tech Deacons Meetups -
morning and evening options.

You are invited to join Rev. Eric Elley, Digital Minister, and other local church colleagues for weekly Tech Deacons Roundtable Discussions. During these gatherings we will provide an arena for churches to support one another by sharing ideas, bringing questions, and identifying new trends and opportunities in digital ministry. In these videoconferences, we will recognize that there won't be one expression of digital ministry to fit all churches. Yet now is the season for the sharing of ideas and experiences -- we all are endeavoring to figure out the coming season of digital ministry.
Every other Tuesday at 11am (7/13, 7/27...), and alternate Tuesday evenings at 7pm (7/6, 7/20...) Click here to find more information and ways to register for these ongoing discussions on the ever evolving landscape of digital ministry in the Southern New England Conference.

CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION

Many churches have been asking re. Covid Guidelines. It is difficult for the Conference to put out guidelines for the whole Conference because the situations vary so greatly across our region.
However, All guidance from the Conference is here.
From National some of the latest guidance is here.
And their general pandemic page is here.
Our Executive Conference Minister’s video statement and explanation of why our offices are remaining closed at least until Labor Day is here.
CT released this graphic to explain the new guidelines on masking for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated people.
Here’s a discussion of how different churches are responding to the new mask guidelines.
And on May 25, EMA is offering a webinar to help faith organizations cope with stress as we emerge from the pandemic. Register at this link.
We are certainly keeping you in prayer as you consider how to best reopen.

Additional information can be found by clicking on these links:

Sample of a local church's plan to move forward

Click here to see all COVID resources

PULPIT SUPPLY INFORMATION

Please email Deb Holmes at holmesd@sneucc.org for an updated copy of the regional pulpit supply list.

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE

Faith Formation Summit

Resilience, Relationships, Re-Entry

Save the date of Saturday, September 18 when we will host the Virtual SNEUCC Faith Formation Summit: Relationship, Resilience, and Re-Entry. This program will offer an array of items for your leadership toolkit:

Connect with some of the new SNEUCC staff members and learn elements of adaptive leadership.
Practice skills for nurturing relationships with all of your constituents—children, youth, parents, and church leaders.
Develop tools to help you innovate and build a thriving ministry in the upcoming program year.

Mark your calendar and plan to be with us from 9 am to 1 PM on September 18.
Audience is local church Pastors and Faith Formation practitioners, including members of the Faith Formation Leadership Certification Program, and Faith Formation Communities of Practice. Click here to register!

Click here to view the Faith Formation Newsletters.

OUTDOOR MINISTRIES

The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with the following sites:

Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA

Edwards House offers fully-equipped meeting space for working gatherings both large and small as well as a warm, intimate setting for small overnight retreats.
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI
Nestled in the northwest corner of Rhode Island and where you can still see the stars at night, Irons Homestead offers religious and educational groups a sacred space to lean into nature and connect more deeply with God and one another.
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR IN-PERSON CAMP!
This is a traditional summer day camp with over 50 years of experience in providing children safe, summer fun. PDC is located on 113 acres of sprawling fields and woods at the SNEUCC Framingham property. The camp ensures fun, and emphasizes a warm welcome for each child, care for the natural world, and respect for the differences among us.
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT.
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR IN-PERSON CAMP!
With more than 60 acres of wooded land on lakeside shores, Silver Lake offers many opportunities for young people to take risks and try new things with the support of an intentional Christian community.

ACTIVE FOOD PANTRIES AND OUTREACH MEALS

The attached list is an updated list of churches in the North Central 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. North Central Region List.

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

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.

Appalachian Trail Mini-Mission Day Trips
Take One Day this Summer
Bring Four Volunteers to Sheffield
Sit 10:00AM to 3:00PM and
Make Magic!

Begun in 2018 as a shared ministry of two Sheffield churches, First Congregational Church, UCC and Christ Trinity Church (Episcopal and Lutheran), ‘Trail Magic” is back and we’re inviting you to share it with us.
We have all the supplies, we’ll guide the set up and clean up, we’ll even bring most of the day’s food. You simply pick a day, bring four people and a $50 Big Y gift card, sit in the shade, and create a corner of kindness in the world. It’s the easiest, most rewarding, least expensive, most volunteer inclusive mini-mission trip you’ll ever do!
Our 2021 Appalachian Trail Ministry will run from June 21^st – August 14^th. Guest Mission Days will occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the season.
For more information, or to register for a 2021 one-day Mini-Mission Trip please contact Rev. Jill Graham at grahamj@firstuccsheffield.org. Click here for a flyer to share.

CELEBRATIONS

July Anniversaries

20 Years
The Rev. Beverly Weinhold

Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary.
Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5.

Is your church celebrating a milestone anniversary? Let Deb Holmes (holmesd@sneucc.org) know so that the entire North Central Region can celebrate with you!

TRANSITIONS

Click here to see all church transitions in the conference.

OBITUARIES

Please click here to view all SNEUCC Obituaries.

CLASSIFIEDS

Hospitality Associate - Edwards House(MA) and Irons Homestead (RI)

Seeking 6' Grand Piano for Sanctuary - Grafton, MA

Church Treasurer - Paxton, MA

Christian Educator Director - Paxton, MA

Minister of Music - Southborough

Music Minister - Southbridge, MA

Administrative Assistant - Spencer, MA