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November 24, 2021
Martin Rinkart wrote a beautiful poem, prayer, hymn we know as "Now Thank We All Our God". This poem was written as a table grace for Martin's surviving children after the ravages of the 30 Years and a severe famine and plague, which took his own wife. His words express the Apostle Paul's belief that it is possible to give thanks, have a grateful heart in all circumstances.
Now thank we all our God
with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done,
in whom his world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms
has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love,
and still is ours today.
Somewhere deep within him, Rev. Rinkart was able to find a bit of light in his fractured life, for his children, for his parishioners, for his community. No matter the state of our hearts, or where we are as we enter into this season, God's light is seeking to break through in us, to bless us and to cheer is, in This world and the next".
May each of you feel God's warm presence, God's blessed rest, and God's comfort and joy in the days and weeks ahead.
With Gratitude and Love,
Patty
Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut is the Area Conference Minister for the Southeast Region (Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island Associations)
Rev. Kogut can be reached at kogutp@sneucc.org
Clergy Coffee and Conversation
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Clergy Coffee and Conversation will resume Thursday, Dec. 2nd
Click here to join the morning gathering.
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Tuesdays (11/30 to 12/21) 9:00am to 9:45am
Join us on Zoom each Tuesday during Advent to pray, rest, and reflect. We will follow the Restful Advent Devotional developed by Rev. Emma Brewer Wallin, Minister for Environmental and Economic Justice. Register here.
Wednesday, December1st, 12:00PM
Yale Divinity School's Monthly Free Lunch & Lecture via Zoom
"I Hear You: Creating Listening Spaces"
Part of the "Thriving, Not Surviving: Build a Toolkit for a Flourishing Youth Ministry in 2021-2022" Series featuring Mark Yaconelli. For many of us, this past year has been one of youth ministry “survival mode.” There is a season for that. Read more here.
Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone's Voice
Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 at 12:0pm via Zoom. Join us for a noontime online prayer vigil of readings and music. This World AIDS Day, UNAIDS is highlighting the urgent need to end the inequalities that drive AIDS and other pandemics around the world. Without bold action against inequalities, the world risks missing the targets to end AIDS by 2030, as well as a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic and a spiraling social and economic crisis. Register here.
How to Get Your Student Loans Forgiven
The UCC is engaged in work around federal student loan forgiveness, particularly in light of the recent change allowing clergy and lay church employees to be eligible for public service loan forgiveness. Attorney Ashley Harrington, a senior level official from the Federal Student Aid office of the US Department of Education, will walk through the process of consolidation of loans, public service loan forgiveness, and other methods that will reduce and/or eliminate student loan debt for ALL (including religious workers and clergy). Join a zoom session on December 3 at 2pm. This webinar will be hosted in partnership with the National Council of Churches. Register here.
Saturday, Dec 4, 2021 - 10:00 AM
Celebrate Christmas, Silver Lake-style!
Bring your family to camp for a day of fellowship by the fireside, games, crafts, hot cocoa, chili, and some Adventure games. Spend time outdoors with other families as we enter the season of Advent and prepare for Christmas. Visit the webpage for more information.
Wednesday, December 8, 2021 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm via Zoom
This one hour info session will provide orientation to Abuse Prevention Resources from the UCC Insurance Board. Pastors, Deacons, Faith Formation leaders, Trustees, and HR Committee members are encouraged to attend. Debby Kirk, Faith Formation team leader will provide an orientation to the materials. Sample templates for policies, background checks and screening, as well as training programs for teachers and volunteers will be reviewed.
Register here
This program will also be held on Wed., January 7, 2022 at 7:00pm.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 and Wednesday, January 19, 2022 9am to 3pm (lunch provided both days)
WHERE: on site at The Plymouth Church in Framingham, 87 Edgell Road, Framingham, MA 07701
DETAILS: limited to 12 participants. Cost and other details, including a registration link can be found here.
UCC History & Polity in Late Winter 2022
The Penn Central Conference will be offering a fully on-line UCC History and Polity class beginning February 11th and running until April 1st. The class meets via zoom every Friday for 3 hours (2:00 – 5:00 EST). They will use a Basecamp platform for each cohort, which works very well. Last year almost 50 students came from as far away as Hawaii, South Dakota, Maine and California. They welcome MIDs, POCs, Dual Standing…and those who have interest in our history and contemporary life. The cost will be $300. Any individuals or COMs interested are welcome to contact Rev. Dr. Carrie Call or Rev. Nora Foust with questions. The Penn Central Conference will have an on-line registration later in November.
Save the Date! Small Church Summit
Date: Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022
Location: Edward's House, Framingham, MA
More info to come shortly!
Contact Center for Transformational Leadership for details
Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs
National and Indiana Clergy Renewal Programs provide an opportunity for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Renewal periods are not vacations but times for intentional exploration and reflection, for drinking again from God’s life-giving waters, for regaining enthusiasm and creativity for ministry.
Details and application materials for the 2022 programs are now available. Eligible congregations will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each to support a renewal program for their pastor. Up to $15,000 of the grant may be used for congregational expenses associated with the renewal program. Applications are open now through April 27, 2022
Click here for information and applications.
To see all upcoming events, check out the SNEUCC calendar here.
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November Covid Update for Churches: Singing!
As congregations across the Southern New England Conference return to varying levels of in-person worship, laments are rising, becoming louder: We want to sing!
Debbie Ringen writes: "Caring for others is at the foundation of our theology. We desire to keep ourselves and each other safe from infection and possibly death; we also want to maintain morale, membership, and faithful spiritual practices. If your congregation chooses to resume singing indoors, there is no way to guarantee zero risk but there are strategies to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission." Read more.
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UCC Counsel Urges Caution Regarding Boy Scout Charters
United Church of Christ General Counsel Heather Kimmel is advising that churches speak to an attorney before taking any action regarding Boy Scouts of America charter agreements or renewals in light of the BSA’s bankruptcy filing. Kimmel said churches that are chartering organizations are receiving documents related to the Chapter 11 plan which gives several opt-in choices and an opt-out choice. “Each choice involves waivers of important rights,” Kimmel said. Click here to read more.
Congratulations First Church of Christ UCC in Sandwich!
The United Church of Christ has awarded First Church of Christ UCC in Sandwich, MA with a $250 matching grant for their fundraising efforts and commitment to assemble 30 School Kits to be distributed by Church World Service (CWS). These School kits give children in impoverished schools, refugee camps, or other difficult settings some of the basic tools for learning. Participation by First Church in this important and tangible ministry program is very much appreciated.
The Southern New England Conference boasts of having the only equipping program specifically for faith formation and youth ministry leaders in the United Church of Christ. On November 6th, eleven faith formation and youth ministry leaders received their Certificate in Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Leadership after meeting all of the requirements for certification in this program. Since the program's creation in 2011, certificates have been awarded to 62 faith formation and youth ministry leaders. Congratulations to Laura Dos Santos — the Sunday School Superintendent at Old South Union Church in South Weymouth and Beth Neto — the Religious Education Director at The Congregational Church of So. Dartmouth UCC. Read more here.
The Southern New England Conference has been made aware that numerous local churches received a letter bearing the Conference logo offering a new program for alternative insurance. This communication is NOT from the Conference, nor is it endorsed by the Conference. The group used the Conference's name and logo without permission and has been contacted and asked to desist. Read more here.
 Early this year, The Southern New England Conference awarded several recoverable grants to churches through the Faith in Our Future Together program. Grants of up to $50,000 were offered to congregations to help them in the work of racial justice and recovery from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more here.
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We are able to provide Authorized Ministers with standing in an Association of the Southern New England Conference, and their spouses/life partners/significant others... continue reading
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Congregational Economic Evaluation Tool – This survey helps leaders compare their stewardship and financial practices to other faith communities and to identify best practices they can implement. The survey is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HFCLWM3.
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Does your church need help with online meetings, worship, websites? We have resources for you! Eric Elley is the Digital Minister for the Southern New England Conference. Check out the Digital Ministry Resources page. Questions? You can contact Eric here.
Discipleship Matters
We understand the local church exists to make disciples of Jesus and we welcome all people unconditionally to share in this calling. Faith Formation Resources for churches and faith formation leaders can be found here.
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The Southern New England Conference engages in Outdoor & Retreat Ministry with these sites:
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
Irons Homestead, Gloucester, RI
Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT.
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.
Do we have your church leaders listed correctly?
Please have your church administrator (or whoever handles your church's email account) visit the Church Dashboard (part of the Southern New England Conference's data base) to make sure we're connecting with all the current leaders in your church.
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SNEUCC Classifieds
Faith Formation Director - Cranston, RI
Admin Manager/Marketing Assistant - Sandwich, MA
Choir Director - Plymouth, MA
Director of Christian Education - Hingham, MA
Interim Organist - Duxbury, MA
Director of Music - Harwich Port, MA
Lead Hospitality Associate - Edwards House(MA) and Irons Homestead (RI)
This week we pray for:
Congregational Church of South Dennis, UCC: Rev. Deborah Mahaney
Rehoboth Congregational Church, UCC, Rehoboth: Rev. Sarah Weaver
The Church of the Pilgrimage, UCC, Plymouth: Rev. Diane Arakawa
United Congregational Church of Little Compton, RI: Rev. Rebecca Floyd-Marshall
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Pulpit Supply
If you are interested in providing Pulpit Supply to churches in the Southeast Region (Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island Associations) please contact Lynn Varney at varneyl@sneucc.org. Local churches thank you for being available for this important service to congregations!
UCC Opportunities
Find opportunities online.
Search by keyword, Conference, or type of position:
Volunteer - Missionary - Musician - Summer camp staff - Pastorate - Chaplaincy. The Spirit moves in many directions!
Take a look!
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This is an edition of the Southeast Region (including the Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim and Rhode Island Associations) E-Newsletter that will be sent every other week.
If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email preferences, please visit this link and enter your email address.
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Southeast Region ~ Area Conference Minister,
Rev. Dr. Patty Kogut
Associations:
Barnstable, Old Colony, Pilgrim, Rhode Island
kogutp@sneucc.org
508-789-7957
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