Register Now for Annual Meeting!

In a video released today, Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly outlines reasons to register for the 4th Annual Meeting, happening June 17 at the DCU Center in Worcester and online.

"We need collaboration and connection. They feed and nurture our covenant," she said.

The deadline to register is June 7.

Watch 2 Min View

Get Details and Register

Pride: Show 'em Who You Are!

ONA Ministry Team Co-Leader Kathie Carpenter writes:

It’s commonplace for queer and transgender people to feel like they don’t belong and are not accepted. Each encounter can give rise to a concern that something threatening may be coming. This is increased when people are at the intersections of more than one targeted identity.

People who carry homophobia, transphobia, and racism also carry briefcases of opinions about why those people are disgusting, not worthy, perhaps not even human. Sadly, the church - which professes to be the home of love and giving and understanding - can sometimes be really unwelcoming. Briefcases and church doors can both be closed.

Read 4 Min Read

Pride: LGBTQ+ Justice is a local issue

Michael Streib, Queer Justice Advocate, uses the story of Brooke Canada, a local UCC member, to illustrate what local actions we can take to stand up for LGBTQIA rights. He writes:

One of the things I often hear in conversations with our Open and Affirming Ministry Team and local congregations is their concern about developments in local governments. While many people within our conference feel relatively safe regarding LGBTQ+ legislation on a state level, there is a concerning trend of local anti-queer, anti-drag, and anti-trans activism.

As a Conference which has passed and affirmed resolutions on LGBTQ+ inclusion and justice – as part of a denomination that has been a national leader in advancing this priority – we aim to support the churches and individuals within our church that tirelessly work against these developments and towards spreading God’s message of justice and love for all.

Read 7 Min Read

New Covenant Partner: Gusto Trips

In a recent video, Executive Conference Minister Rev. Darrell Goodwin interviews Bryce Bohne, Leader of Gusto Trips, which offers customized international trips for small groups.

Watch 13 Min View

Upcoming Events

The Sacred Ally Quilt Tour is in Framingham this weekend.

See details and other future dates and locations.

Virtual Rally to Kick Off #Faith4Pride
June 1, 12:00 PM • Online
SNEUCC is partnering with Interfaith Aliance, host of this virtual Pride kick-off. Speakers inculde Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Executive Minister of Justice & Witness Ministries.

Clergy Boundary Awareness Training: Clergy Health and Wellness
June 7, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM • Online
A not-so-typical clergy boundary training framed through the lens of clergy health and wellness.

G.R.O.W. Together Regional Gathering
June 11, 2:00 to 5:00 PM, First Congregational, Chicopee, MA
All authorized ministers, local church leaders and association volunteers are invited to attend this covenant-building session with Rev. Darrell Goodwin and Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly.

4th Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference
June 17, DCU Center, Worcester, MA
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.

Delegate training for the Annual Meeting
June 8, 7:00 PM • Online
Delegate Orientation, open to all new and returning delegates.
Hearing on the SNEUCC Budget and Proposed Investment Transfers
June 12, 7:00 to 8:30 PM • Online
The Business Committee will discuss and take questions related to the Conference budget, and the proposed votes to transfer historic endowment funds to the SNEUCC.
Roll Away the Stone: storytelling hour
June 16, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Canal District Wines, Worcester, MA
Come and immerse yourself in stories that will kick off this year's Annual Meeting by exploring the theme from Mark 16:1-4 'Roll the Stone Away'.

Silver Lake Summer Camp
July 2 - Aug. 5
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT
Five one-week sessions for children entering grades 4 through 12.

Partner Events

The 2023 Pastoral Innovation Network Symposium
June 12, 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Lyceum Center, Hartford, CT
One-day symposium hosted by Hartford International University and the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, bringing together clergy, congregational, and judicatory leaders to explore innovative ministry responses coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic. Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell L. Goodwin will give the keynote.

Event Calendar: www.sneucc.org/events

Event Listing: Upcoming Event Newsletter

Subscribe to our other newsletters at: sneucc.org/subscribe

Visit our newsletter archive

Have your church administrator (or whoever handles your church's email account) visit the Church Dashboard to make sure we're connecting with all the current leaders in your church.