REGIONAL NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE CHANGE
The Regional Newsletter will now be sent on a monthly basis. The regular schedule will be on the Third Tuesday of each month. If you would like to have events included please make sure to have them submitted by the Second Wednesday of the month to Deb Holmes: holmesd@sneucc.org
WORDS FROM YOUR
AREA CONFERENCE MINISTER |
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March 21, 2023
I walked out to get the mail this morning and there was a bright yellow patch of crocus beaming at me like a puddle of sunshine in the midst of the dead brown leaves. It is always a delightful surprise for me to see those cheerful blooms, those first heralds of spring on the way.
I feel that like the crocus pushing forth from the darkness of the earth, we are finally emerging from the dark cloud of Covid. Like the crocus, we've been hunkered down in spiritual hibernation waiting for the spring promise of new life that we had almost believed might never come.
As the sun's warmth melts the snowy mounds for some of us, I am reminded that Lent is not our season of despair. It is our season of looking toward new growth and new possibilities.
Lent is our season to remember that God opened a way through the red sea, provided manna and sweet water from a rock, that Jesus stilled the fiercest storms, and healed the sick and suffering. We remember that we have been promised that when we turn our hearts towards God, the path will be made straight and God will get us through.
During Lent, we remember that the cross, that death, is not the end of our journey. From the bare, dark earth, new life will push forth. From an empty tomb, love and hope will pour out into a weary, aching world.
I look at those sunny crocus in my yard, and remember that we are not a dying church. We are a resurrection church. We are the church of life, death, and new life, in and through Jesus Christ. In the words of the Apostle Paul, "If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away. See, everything has become new!"
I look forward to visiting you and exploring what might be new, what might be possible for all of you, for all of us, in these changing times. As we make our Lenten journey together, may you see new growth pushing forth out of the darkness! Please invite me to come visit so we can explore what God might have in store for you!
Peace and blessings,
Rev. Carol Steinbrecher
ACM North Central Region
508-244-4887
steinbrecherc@sneucc.org
Coffee and Conversation
Let’s get acquainted! I will be providing a monthly “Coffee and Conversation” opportunity on Zoom so we can introduce ourselves and get acquainted. It can also be an opportunity to hear what is going on with your friends and colleagues in the North Central region. I have set-up different times, hoping that at least one will work for you. Come for one or come for all!
Dates for these Zoom drop-in opportunities are:
Wed. April 19, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Thurs. May 25, 4 – 5 pm
Thurs. June 22, 1 – 2 pm
If you feel you need one-on-one time, please give me a call or send an email and we will schedule time together.
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ASSOCIATION & CHURCH UPDATES
(Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Litchfield North) |
Upcoming Installations
May 21, 2023 at 3:00PM
Rev. Doreen Oughton,
Franklin Federated Church
171 Main Street, Franklin, MA 02038
May 25, 2023
Rev. Derek White
Federated Church of Norfolk
1 Union Street, Norfolk, MA 02056
June 4, 2023 at 3:00PM
Rev. Betsy Dorsi
The Congregational Church of Westborough
57 W. Main Street, Westborough, MA 01581
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.
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"Count Your Blessings"
Thrift Shop
Spring Fashion Show
Saturday, April 1, 12pm - 2pm
Free Admission & Light Luncheon Served
RSVP by March 24th
Trinity Church Northborough
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA
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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.
Anarchists, Communists, and Women: Congregational Missions to Polish Immigrants in 20th Century America
Friday, March 31, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Congregational Library and Archives
14 Beacon St.
Boston, MA 02108
Click here to register by March 28th.
The history of Congregational Home Missions still awaits its historian. One of their least known fields of work was the outreach to Polish immigrants in US cities. Inspired by both 19th century missionary zeal and social gospel they were surprisingly successful and perhaps because of that quickly forgotten. Join us for lunch to hear Rev. Dr. Bem talk about his research into this important topic and his experiences working in the Congregational Library and Archives and other libraries.
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.
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Worcester Fellowship
Please check their website for updated information.
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CELEBRATIONS
(Church Anniversaries & Ordinations) |
March Ordination Anniversaries
45 Years
Rev. Dr. David Fountain
20 Years
Rev. Corey Sanderson
Church Milestones in 2023
Hampton Congregational Church, UCC - 300 years
First Congregational Church of Rutland - 300 years
First Congregational Church, UCC, Shrewsbury - 300 years
Congregational Church of Putnam - 175 years
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CONFERENCE & PARTNER UPDATES
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Do You Need a Day Away?
Edwards House provides Complimentary Retreat Days to New England Non-Profit, Lay, and Clergy Leadership. Two different opportunities can be found here.
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North Central Regional Gathering
Saturday, May 20, 9am - 12pm
First Congregational Church UCC
355 Main Street
Oxford, MA 01540
Come and G.R.O.W. with us at the Regional Gatherings this spring! We hope that local church leaders, authorized ministers and association leaders will join Conference staff and board members for the chance to connect, collaborate and strengthen our covenantal connections in person. You can watch the invitational video here find more information here and register here.
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Save the Date! SNEUCC Annual Meeting
June 17, 2023
Worcester, MA - DCU Center
Roll Away the Stone Mark 16:1-4
A message from the Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, Executive Minister for Programs and Initiatives:
To the churches of Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts in the United Church of Christ, save the date for the Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference of the UCC.
We will gather together on Saturday, June 17th, all day, for an in-person meeting in Worcester, Massachusetts, at the DCU Center, where our first historic vote to be the Conference happened.
There, we will do the business of the Conference, enjoy the incarnate presence of each other and reconnect, and witness to the power of what we can do when we come together.
Together , we bring hope in making disciples of Jesus, making God's love and justice real, bringing new life as agents of change, and forming covenantal partnerships.
We expect that there will be a digital component to our Annual Meeting as well, the details of which are still TBA, and we're working out a few details on optional pre-events in addition. But for now, save the date and look to more information coming your way soon.
Beloveds of God - I cannot wait to be with you at our Annual Meeting in June!
Please click here to learn more.
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News: 2022 Giving to SNEUCC Exceeds Expectations
Local church giving to the Southern New England Conference came in over budget for 2022 – welcome news as the new Conference emerges from the pandemic. Read the details, and see a thank you video from Board President Tracy Keene and a video looking at what was made possible by Proportional Giving to Our Church’s Wider Mission in 2022.
SNEUCC Sending Youth to General Synod
The Southern New England Conference is accepting applications from youth who want to take part in Youth @ Synod, the national gathering for young leaders ages 14 to 18 who want to connect with teens from around the country while experiencing the vibrant diversity of the wider church. The event is part of the United Church of Christ General Synod, taking place in Indianapolis, IN, June 30 to July 4. Significant scholarship support is available.
Conference Offers 'Braiding Sweetgrass' Online Book Study
A Braiding Sweetgrass online book study will be offered on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM, April 11 to May 9, led by Environmental Justice Intern Lillian Steinmayer. Each week’s discussion will focus on a different section of this book in the context of environment, gratitude, and our role as Earth's children.
Silver Lake Summer Camp Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for campers entering grades 4 through 12 for five 1-week sessions running this summer from July 2 through August 5. Register before the end of March to get the early bird discount of $50 off each summer camp registration by using the code EARLY23.
Ministry Matters: An Evening of Conversation
April 27, 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Seekonk Congregational UCC, Seekonk, MA
The Rev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister, The Rev. Eric Elley, Digital Minister, and Ms. Karen Ziel, Assistant Director of The Center for Transformational Leadership, will talk about new and exciting ministries offered by the SNEUCC and engage in Q&A.
Spring 2023 Gathering for SNE Women's Connection!
April 15 2023
Registration Form and Recognized Women Form
Practical Resources for Churches
The Southern New England Conference is a member of this group and all churches can access their offerings. PRCLI offers webinars and online workshops, check them out! They can be found here.
Lunch & Learn for Leaders 2022-2023 Workshop Series
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 clergy and lay leaders, have indicated are timely for your congregations. The Lunch & Learn for Leaders series is offered at no cost to participants through your proportional giving!
Lenten Chapel of the Heart
Wednesdays, 9 AM, March 1 - 29 • Online
All are welcome to join a virtual devotional time on five Wednesday mornings during Lent. The SNEUCC Faith Formation Team will lead the sessions of prayer, reflection and music which are 45 minutes in length.
Link: https://www.sneucc.org/eventdetail/17276511
Conference Launches Lenten Book Study on Microaggressions in Ministry
Executive Minister of Programs and Initiatives the Rev. Dr. Chris Davies will lead this Conference-Wide book study for people in congregations who want to learn how to be more welcoming, more inclusive, and more attentive to the way God is calling them to accompany ALL people along their spiritual paths at church.
This book study fulfills conference Racial Justice Training requirements.
Link: https://www.sneucc.org/eventdetail/17308085
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
Registration opens January 29th at Noon!
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI
Both Silver Lake and Pilgrim Day Camp are recruiting summer camp staff.
Silver Lake will be opening camp registration March 1 at 9 AM.
Summer Staff applications are due by Feb. 24 – info is here: https://www.silverlakect.org/employment
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TEMPORARY MINISTERIAL COVERAGE LIST
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The Southern New England Conference maintains Temporary Ministerial Coverage (TMC) lists for all 6 SNEUCC regions. These lists contain 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 required to have Boundary Awareness Training as well as Racial Justice Training.
These TMC lists are regularly updated in real time. If your church is in need of a list please reach out to 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 any of the Temporary Minister
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MORE...
(Classifieds, Transitions, and Obituaries)
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Please click here to view all SNEUCC obituaries.
Please click here to view all SNEUCC Classifieds
Please click here to view all of the SNEUCC Transitions
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