Spencer Interim Pastor Expresses Gratitude After Fire

On Friday, June 2, the historic First Congregational Church in Spencer, Mass., was destroyed by a fast-moving fire, likely sparked when lightning struck the steeple. Two days later, the congregation worshipped at the First Congregational Church of Leicester, with whom they share a pastor and had been developing a relationship. In a letter to SNEUCC siblings, Rev. Bruce MacLeod, interim pastor of both congregations, expresses his gratitude for the outpouring of support directed toward the congregation. Read More 3 Min Read

Today is the Last Day to Register for In-Person Annual Meeting

Registration is closing for the 4th Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference, being held Saturday, June 17, online and in-person at the DCU Center in Worcester, MA, with some pre-event happenings on Friday, June 16. Registration for in-person attendees closes tonight (June 7) at 11:59 PM. Anyone planning to attend in-person who is not registered by that time will be able to walk in to the meeting, but they will not be served lunch unless there are cancellations or no-shows. Registration for online attendees closes at 11:59 PM Monday, June 12 so that they may receive worship materials and voting credentials prior to the meeting. Get Details and Register

Trans Resistance March - A Report

Michael Streib, Queer Justice Advocate,  writes: As an Open and Affirming Conference, we were delighted to represent the UCC at this year's Trans Resistance March (TRM). Members from different ONA churches in the broader Boston area as well as members of the conference staff gathered on Saturday, June 3, to march alongside other LGBTQ+ people and allies for queer and trans justice ... Our presence at the event and the interactions we had were a testimony to the power of public witness and the importance of community care, especially regarding the relationship of church and LGBTQ+ people. One of the congregants of a local ONA church, staffing the table, summarized it poignantly: “Queer Christians save lives.” Read 2.5 Min Read Becoming a Trans-Affirming Church Affinity Group Offered This Fall An Affinity Group for Congregations in the Southern New England Conference, UCC: Oct. 2023 - June 2024  With gratitude to an Innovation Grant from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, this Affinity Group is offered as a gift to congregations, without an enrollment fee. SNEUCC congregations are invited to form a team of eight people, with core leadership of one pastor and one lay leader, to apply for participation in this program. Five congregations will be accepted. Read More  3.5 Min Read

Tiffany Vail Receives June Staff Appreciation Award

Upcoming Events

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.

• Orientation for Annual Meeting Volunteers
  June 12 at 4:00 PM or June 13 at 7:00 PM  • Online
  All Annual Meeting Volunteers are encouraged to attend a one-hour orientation session.

• 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

Celebrating Juneteenth: Practicing Antiracism from Emancipation to Freedom
June 15, 3:30 PM • Online
As part of  All Church Read of Ibram X. Kendi's How To Be an Antiracist, the UCC offers a webinar featuring Juneteenth panelists Dr. Velda Love, Dr. Renee K. Harrison, and Dr. Sharon R. Fennema, who will reflect on the themes of the last chapters of the book: Failure, Success, and Survival. 

More

Event Calendar: www.sneucc.org/events

Event Listing: Upcoming Event Newsletter