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WORDS FROM YOUR AREA CONFERENCE MINISTER
 

September 8, 2022

Dear Siblings in Christ,
 
Welcome Back Sunday. Rally Day. Homecoming. Kick Off Sunday. Welcome Sunday. Whatever you call it, the second or third Sunday in September usually means the beginning of a new season in the life of the church. Faith formation and fellowship programming starts back up; new worship themes or sermon series begin; committees and boards that took a break over the summer regather. It can be both an exciting and hectic time. In this new era of church life, where old patterns have fallen away and new patterns have yet to emerge, it perhaps feels more hectic, and even stressful, than exciting. If that becomes the case for you, I hope and pray that you will be able to hold onto what is essential ~ that the people of God connect as the Body of Christ, to grow in discipleship, experience the abundance of life Christ promises, and to serve God’s world as the Spirit moves us. How  that happens (what programs and themes) is much less important than that it happens. And trust; trust that God will meet you wherever you are, that Jesus will journey with you and the Holy Spirit will guide you.
 
This fall also brings a number of ways for us to connect with the wider church.

  • The SNEUCC Justice Summit will take place on September 24th. In person registration is closed but you can still register to attend virtually. It is going to be an inspiring and provoking time!
  • Central MA Association has two opportunities to gather this fall. The annual meeting is on October 2nd in Littleton (with a hybrid option for those who need it). Our guest speaker is Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister for SNEUCC, and we are planning an inspiring time. Rev. Brae Adams will be installed as the pastor of the United Congregational Church of Worcester on October 16th.
  • Windham Association will celebrate the installation of Rev. Kevin Downer as pastor of the First Woodstock Congregational Church on October 23rd. Watch the Enews for more information.

 
I know that it can be challenging to add “extra” events to our busy lives. When I look at my fall calendar, I sometimes bemoan how full it is. I also know that every time I attend something “extra” that reconnects me in covenant, I am better for it, because I am built up and inspired by the Body of Christ. I trust that it is the same for you. So I look forward to seeing you there.
 
Peace,

 
 
Connect with your ACM:
 
Worship Visits
I am eager to join you in worship (I can bring greetings from the Conference or preach, whatever is best for the church). I am currently booked through 2022. Please reach out directly to me via email (garrigan-byerlye@sneucc.org) to schedule Sunday visits.
 
The North Central Clergy Gathering
We are shifting these to being self-led. If you would like to be part of the group who hosts them, please reach out to me.
 
1-1 Conversations
I welcome 1-1 conversations with pastors, MIDs, lay leaders and covenant partners. You can sign up for a time here. Please make sure you save the Zoom link. If none of those times work, please contact holmesd@sneucc.org to set up a time.


ASSOCIATION & CHURCH EVENTS
(Central MA & Windham CT)

 

Annual Meeting of the Central MA Association
Together Again!

How very good and pleasant it is to be together! Psalm 133:1
Keynote speaker
Rev. Darrell Goodwin
Executive Conference Minister

Worship and business will weave together as we, Reconnect in covenant, Rejoice in shared ministry, and Respond to the Spirit’s stirring.

Congregation Church of Littleton, 330 King Street, Littleton, MA
Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 3:00PM
Click here to register


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. If you have difficulty logging into your account please contact Nancy Stubbs at stubbsn@sneucc.org.



Registration Now Open!
 2022 Justice Summit
Saturday, September 24, 2022,
9 AM - 4:30 PM 

First Church of Christ, Congregational in Glastonbury, CT 

Creating Racial Equity in our Communities and Congregations

In-person registration is now closed, you can now register to attend virtually!

 

 

CONFERENCE & REGIONAL EVENTS/INFORMATION
Please go to sneucc.org/events to see all posted events


New Search & Call Journey
Website Launched

The Area Conference Ministry Team is delighted to announce the launch of our new and enhanced webpage for the Search & Call Journey. As part of discerning who will be their next partner in mutual ministry, congregations also engage in vital conversations and discernment about who God is calling them to become and how God is calling them to serve.
The team has designed a 5-step process, built off the resources offered by the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team at the National Setting.  It includes an orientation video and updated and downloadable documents for each phase. Read more here.

 

 Clergy Revivals - SAVE THE DATES

Registration coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Pastors Positioned to help those contemplating suicide (read more)

 

 

The PATHWAYS Theological Education Board of Directors invites all questioning, curious people of faith to join us for our 6-week courses beginning Fall I (mid-August) and Fall II (beginning late September) (see website for details and registration links). The 12-week UCC Polity course runs three times a year beginning September 7, January 11 and May 17. Enroll now at PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc.
 
 

 

 

 

Are you a pastoral leader with a pressing question impacting the church? A researcher or scholar with a project related to North American Christianity? Finishing your dissertation? An early career scholar discerning theological education as a vocation? We have a grant or fellowship opportunity for you!  

 

We are now accepting applications for the 2023 grant and fellowship year:
Postdoctoral Fellowship: 10/15/22 *NEW DATE*
Sabbatical Grant for Researchers: 11/1/22 
First Book Grant for Scholars of Color: 1/15/23 


 

Quarterly Racial Justice Training for all:
October 22, 2022

Both clergy and lay people are welcome to join us for this 3-1/2 hour, on-line racial justice training facilitated by Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

This session will take place:
October 22: 8:30AM -12:00PM
 

Sessions are being offered via Zoom. The cost to attend is $10. Scholarships are available; contact Karen Methot.  Please click here to register.


Green Congregation Challenge

The Green Congregation Challenge is a step-by-step approach that helps churches take small, but consequential, steps towards protecting God’s Creation.?? No matter your congregation’s physical size, geographical location, historical affiliation or perspective, every faith community is welcome, and importantly, has a significant role to play.? Like mustard seeds, every step taken moves all of us toward a healthier and more sustainable future for us and all the world’s children. Click here to learn more.


 

Thursdays for the Soul

Thursday, September 8, 3:30pm ET - UCC Colectivo de Latinx Ministries: Present & Future

Thursday, September 15, 3:30pm ET - Just Peace Churches and the Disruptive Power of Peace!

Other events offer by the UCC

Join the Movement

Thursday, September 15, 7:00pm ET - How to Grow A Movement: Invest to End Racism

UCC Summit

Monday, September 19 - Wednesday, September 21 - UCC Summit: The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World*
*Registration deadline Thursday, September 15
 

Parker Lecture

Thursday, September 22, 8:00am-10:00am ET - 40th Annual Parker Lecture & Awards Ceremony
 

Did you miss a Frontline Faith course this summer?
Check out these offerings!

Church, Building & Loan Fund - FREE topical webinars. Find them all HERE.
Be the Healing Lectures by Dr. Joy DeGruy, author of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. Life-time Access for $79. Click here for more information.
Courageous Faith Summit: What is the Future of Spirituality? Lifetime Access for $149. Click here for more information.
Digital Ministry Summit - Life-time Access for $149 - Click here for more information.
Rapid Response Training: Prayer & Preparation - a free webinar from Justice & Local Church Ministries. Register Here.
Abuse Prevention Webinar - free resource from Heather Kimmel, General Counsel for the United Church of Christ. Register Now.

The Space Between:
The Emerging Church in a Post-Pandemic World 

September 19, 2022 – September 21, 2022
 
Join us to reflect on what we've moved through as church experiencing pandemic, to recognize the innovative ways we have survived and in some ways thrived:  What did we learn when faced with the need to pivot quickly and still be effectively present as church? Where do we need to stretch ourselves? What and how do we need to build capacity to resource how we're evolving as church? What might we each offer to help us become? These and other questions will be contemplated as we lean in to lessons learned about adapting with agility, and unpack potential possibility.
This event will be taking place completely virtually.
Information on how to connect virtually via the online platform will be provided to all registrants prior to the event. This event will be held in the Eastern time zone.
Click here to learn more and to register.    

THE CENTER FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

The Center for Transformational Leadership equips clergy and lay leaders, congregations and covenantal partners of the SNEUCC with resources, tools and support to create a new vision and do the transformative ministry they are called to do in the local church, local community and the world.
We believe God calls us to bring new life as agents of change, and so  we embrace and encourage adaptive and transformative leadership wherever the Body of Christ is gathered. SIGN UP HERE to receive the Center for Transformational Leadership's monthly newsletter, Innovation Now!


Fall 2022 Lunch & Learn schedule

Lunch & Learn for Leaders is a monthly series hosted by the Center for Transformational Leadership. Every third Thursday, join us at noon for an hour-long session of learning and discussion. Each month we will offer a bite-size opportunity to learn valuable concepts and practices from a subject expert. Our wide-ranging topics are relevant to areas of mission and ministry that you, our authorized ministers and lay leaders, have indicated are timely for your congregations.

September 15 - The Endemic Church: The Reality and Possibilities for Ministry Now and Over the Next Few Years.
Session Presenter: Dr. Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion and director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at Hartford International University.
October 20 - Coaching Services: Are you or your church envisioning something new? Are you or your congregation feeling stuck or struggling with tensions getting in the way of the work? Are you or your congregation needing an outside perspective to support you and accompany you as you move through a process?
Session Presenter: Rev. Heather Ramsey Mabrouk, Director for the Center for Transformational Leadership and Program Director for Together We Thrive, an ecumenical initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment.

November 17 - Introduction to Christian Contemplative Practices: What does “contemplation” mean? When we “contemplate” an idea, contemplation implies something deeper than thinking only. 
Session Presenter: Rev. Matt Carriker, Agape Spiritual Community 

Please click here to read more and to register.

Read newsletter issues  HERE.
 

DISCIPLESHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT A GLANCE

SNEUCC Confirmation Retreats '22-'23

Register your group for a facilitated retreat in 2022-2023! Chose from seven dates and three great locations.
In addition to our overnight retreats, consider our Weekend Retreats at Silver Lake! These events will include two nights with four meals, a full stay from Friday from 7:00pm to Sunday at 11:30am, and programs include team building, games, and campfire time on Saturday. Cost is $195 per person.
Registration is now open! Go to sneucc.org/events and select your preferred date. To ensure a spot for your attendants, you will be asked to make a deposit for each participant. Final count and full payment are due 21 days prior to the retreat. Please see each registration form for important information and policies.

The Faith Formation Leadership Program will return in October 2022 with a new slate of exciting educational opportunities!

Click here to learn more about the 2022-2023 FFLP program year!

Click here to read and learn more!
 

OUTDOOR MINISTRIES & MISSION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center

Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA

Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA

Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI


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.

 

TEMPORARY MINISTERIAL COVERAGE LIST

 

Temporary Ministerial Coverage List replaces the
Pulpit Supply List.

The Southern New England Conference has moved from a "pulpit supply list" to a new Temporary Ministerial Coverage List. The list contains Clergy and Lay people that are interested in providing Sunday Supply, Sabbatical Coverage, and Bridge Coverage. All the people included on the list have had a Criminal Background Check and are being required to have Boundary Awareness Training as well as Racial Justice Training. 

If your church is in need of a new list please reach out the Program Support Associate for your Region:

North Central & Northwest Regions: Deb Holmes, holmesd@sneucc.org
South Central & Southwest Regions: Roz Hooks: Hooksr@sneucc.org
Northeast & Southeast Regions: Lynn Varney: Varneyl@sneucc.org

If you are interested in being included on the new Temporary Ministerial Coverage List please contact Jill Ford at fordj@sneucc.org.

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.

TRANSITIONS

 

Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Transitions.

 

CELEBRATIONS

September Ordination Anniversaries

55 Years
The Rev. Dr. Samuel Young

15 Years
The Rev. Emily Castner

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


Local Church Asylum Program Takes in 38 People

When Hadwen Park Congregational Church UCC in Worcester, Massachusetts started their LGBT Asylum Task Force 14 years ago, they did it to help one gay Jamaican man, Linford, who came with tears and stories of torment and violence and trauma. Soon, as the word spread in Jamaica, Uganda and elsewhere in Africa, and throughout the world, they began helping eight people, then 12, then 18. Today they are caring for 38 human beings.
Folks from Uganda, Jamaica, Ghana, Swaziland, Haiti and other countries where it is illegal to be gay, are telling folks that hate is on the rise. But the word is out around the world that a UCC church in Worcester is a haven of rest and hope. Read more.

 

If your church is celebrating a mile anniversary please let Deb Holmes know so that entire North Central Region can celebrate with you!

OBITUARIES

The Rev. Dr. Ben E. J. New died at home on August 20, 2022 in Greenfield, MA, surrounded by his beloved family, following a long struggle with congestive heart failure.  Ben is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Helen New; his daughter Jenny Jackson and her husband Thomas W. Jackson; his son Mark New and his partner Victoria Blunt; his son Jonathan New and his wife Debbie New; and grandchildren, Sarah New, Elinor New, Justin Peterson-New, and Ethan Peterson-New. Please click here to read more.
 
The Rev. Richard F. Jones passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2022 after a short hospitalization.  He was the former pastor of the First Parish of Bolton MA and previously served the Central MA Association as Moderator 2011-2014.
When more details are available, we will post them here.


 
The Rev. Edward R. Mayes died at home on Sunday September 4, 2022 at his home in West Hartford after extended hospice care.  He is survived by his wife Marlene Goldkamp Mayes, Jonathan and Amanda Mayes of Middlebury, Timothy Mayes of West Hartford, Ben and Mary Mayes of Lebanon, NH, and Rebecca and Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg of Burlington, CT. He also leaves seven grandchildren; Tristan, D’artangan, Noah, Trevor, Leah, Kate and Madeline, who are all joyous reflections of his heart. Please click here to read more.

 Please click here to view all SNEUCC obituaries.

 

CLASSIFIEDS

 

Lead and Assistant Teachers Wanted, West Boylston, MA

Lead & Asst. Infant to Pre-K Teachers, West Boylston, MA

Nursery to Pre-K School Director - West Boylston, MA

LGBT Asylum Task Force Assistant Ministry Director, Worcester, MA

Please click here to view all SNEUCC Classifieds


ASSOCIATION MEETING INFORMATION

 

Central MA Association Meeting Information:

The Committee on Authorized Ministry:
Third Thursday of the month at 9:30 AM.
The Board of Director's:
Moving to fourth Wednesday of the month, time is TBD


Windham Association Meeting Information:

Monthly Council meeting:

First Tuesday of the month from 9:30AM to 11:30AM. via Zoom. 

 

 

North Central Region of
The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ

508-244-4399
holmesd@sneucc.org 
www.sneucc.org/north-central

Office Hours: 
Monday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: Closed

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