Jubilee Justice Leadership Program – Apply by September 16!

Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, is available to serve as a guest preacher or to address a small group in your congregation. Some visits may be virtual. To schedule a visit from Rev. Ross, please contact Karen Methot at methotk@sneucc.org. Upcoming preaching dates by Rev. Ross include: 8/28, First Church Guilford, CT; 9/11, First Church of Christ, Old Saybrook, CT; 9/18, Dixwell Avenue UCC, New Haven, CT

New: Virtual Option for Justice Summit 

September 24, 9-4:30; First Church of Christ Congregational, Glastonbury, CT; and via live stream

Join us for this gathering focused on devising strategies to confront racial inequity in our local congregations and communities. 

In addition to worship components and workshops, Rev. Dr. Velda Love - Lead for the Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice Campaign and Minister for Racial Justice at the National Setting of the United Church of Christ - will share about the storytelling, advocacy, and other efforts of the Join the Movement Campaign, and the ways in which we can advance our racial justice efforts by taking part in it. Read more and register here

Conference Seeks Racial Justice Advocate Bring your skills, passion, and commitment to racial justice to work for the SNEUCC as our new part-time Racial Justice Advocate. You’ll work with other Conference staff members, local congregations, the wider church, and partners as we seek to advance racial justice in the communities in which we live, worship, serve and play. We’re already reviewing resumes, so apply right away if this sounds like a job that is right for you. Click here for details. Apply: search@sneucc.org. Queer Pastoral Residency Program Applications Due by Aug. 1 Are you a queer identified pastor ready for your first call? Are you looking for an environment where you engage your passions in both congregational ministry and the work of the wider church? Are you in search of an environment that accepts and celebrates all of who you are? Consider putting your training, passions, and experiences to work as the first Pastoral Resident of the Queer Pastoral Residency program. The Queer Pastoral Residency is a collaboration between First Church Somerville (MA) and the Southern New England Conference UCC.  More information and application here What You Need to Know About Covid-19 and Monkeypox by Deborah Ringen, Minister for Health and Wellness This week, we learned that President Biden tested positive for Covid-19. Many of us know someone or have tested positive for the coronavirus in recent days or weeks. The Omicron variants are mutating and becoming dominant. We are fortunate that Connecticut and Massachusetts are maintaining low- to medium-risk levels based on the current CDC metrics. Rhode Island currently reports low level transmission across the state. It is not time however, to let down our guard! Known infections are rising in many states and many more cases are not counted due to the prevalence of home testing.  Read more New Suicide Prevention Hotline: 988 The new three-digit dialing code – 988 – to route callers to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) went live on July 16, 2022. Callers can use 988 or the current 800 number (1-800-273-8255) to access services.   Ask a Question, Save a Life: QPR Gatekeeper Training will be offered by the Conference on Aug. 25, online. Find out more about this suicide prevention program and the specifics of the new 988 hotline here.   New! Environmental Justice Youth Retreats Planned Nature & Neighbors is an environmental justice retreat for youth, a shared program of the Southern New England Conference justice team, Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, and Irons Homestead Camp & Retreat. There are four sessions of this one-day retreat to choose from, and middle and high school groups of any size are welcome to sign up:    October 8, 2022 at Silver Lake (Sharon, CT) October 22, 2022 at Irons Homestead (Glocester, RI) February 18, 2023 at Irons Homestead (snow date – March 25)  May 6, 2023 at Silver Lake    SNEUCC Environmental Justice Intern Lillian Steinmeyer will facilitate these programs. Read more and sign up here.    Exploring our Haiti Connections Has your congregation conducted mission work in Haiti? Are you interested in this ministry going forward? The Haiti Partnership of the Southern New England Conference wants to hear from you! The partnership will gather with interested churches on Oct. 15 to learn about working together and strengthening commitments to partner with and help the people of Haiti, one of our closest neighboring countries.  The group asks that those interested in the gathering reply on this form by August 31. Learn more about the work of the Haiti Partnership teams here. Questions? Email Karen Methot at methotk@sneucc.org. Reproductive Rights: Reflections and Resources In the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v Wade, the SNEUCC has developed an evolving resource page focused on reproductive rights.  You can access the page here. Last Chance to Register for 'Shaping Generations: Queer Justice & Love in the UCC' 7-9 PM, August 5-7, 2022, virtual Join the churchwide Open and Affirming movement to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the ONA Coalition and the ordinations of Bill Johnson and Anne Holmes. We'll honor the past, celebrate the present, and claim a vision for the future. In this turning point in the movement for LGBTQ+ ministry and advocacy in the United Church of Christ, help our growing family of 1,800 congregations and other settings turn towards the future! Join online from wherever you are for the 2022 National Gathering of the Open and Affirming Coalition! Our first virtual Gathering! Read more and register here Your justice related news, events and reflections are welcome! Please submit to Editor Karen Methot for consideration: methotk@sneucc.org, by the third Thursday of the month for a usual fourth Thursday publication date. Thank you!