As someone who was born, raised, and currently living on the CT shoreline, I have always been drawn more to water than to mountains or desert. My recent vacation to the Palm Springs and Coachella Valley region of California has prompted me to question that notion. On this trip, my wife Linda and I had the opportunity to make a second visit to Joshua Tree National Park. The first time we went there was in January 2020. On that trip, we were traveling to visit family, so our time in the park was very limited. We drove through, only stopping to get out of the car a few times and not venturing very far. This time was different. We arrived at the park early in the morning before the heat of the day set in and were able to hike several trails. As the sun rose across an azure blue sky, the brightening light changed the color of the sand, the stones, and the mountains. The desert is quiet, however, on an early morning hike it isn’t silent—the birds were singing, and a gentle breeze stirred the dry fronds of the yucca plants and leaves of the scrub oak. Ground squirrels were scurrying from one cactus plant to another, while chipmunks darted in and out of crevices in the rocks. We saw black-tailed rabbits, squirrels, lizards, several species of birds and plants. And of course, Joshua trees, which are known as the desert tree of life, for almost every part of the plant has been or is used by desert dwellers, both people and animals. Even with all this life and activity, there is a stillness which the desert invites you into experiencing.  The late Robert Edison Fulton, Jr, an American adventurer once said, “The desert tells a different story every time one ventures on it.” I wholeheartedly agree as that has been my experience. I wonder if that was one of the reasons why Jesus often went to the desert. To be invited into stillness and to hear the desert’s story. A story of life in the hardest of conditions; a story of interdependence, a story of tenacity, a story of beauty amid stone and sand. A story that reflects both the cruelty and compassion of the human condition. Maybe the desert’s story helped Jesus to understand his own story.  I wonder if maybe it can do that for us too.  Peace, Rev. Margret Hofmeister Area Conference Minister, Southwest Region

What are you up to? Does your Church or Association have events or news that can benefit from being shared - Meetings, Ecclesiastical Councils, Ordinations, etc?  This newsletter space is just waiting to be populated by your activity!  Please send your events and news Roz Hooks to be included in future monthly publications.  The Southwest Region of the Southern New England Conference is comprised of:

• Fairfield East Association
• Fairfield West Association
• Litchfield South Association
• New Haven Association
• New Haven East Consociation

UPCOMING ASSOCIATION EVENTS (New Haven)

• October 22 - Installation at United Church New Haven for Rev. Stephen Ray, Jr. - Join us for a weekend long event, click for more - On Sunday afternoon we gather at 2pm for the Installation Worship Service  with the Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Associate General Minister and Executive for Justice & Local Church Ministries, preaching.
• November 8 - NHA Annual Meeting at Orange UCC
• November 19 - Installation at Woodmont UCC Milford, CT for Rev. Jill Olds

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.

Clergy Renewal

Throughout the Bible, spiritual renewal is lifted up again and again as essential to human wellbeing. Keeping the sabbath holy is one of the ten commandments. The 50-year Jubilee of rest is even extended to the earth. Jesus routinely stepped away from the demands of his ministry to pray alone. Self-care is not selfish; it is faithful.  Click above for more information.

DONALD A. WELLS PREACHING PRIZE

ATTENTION ALL MIDs:  Proclaiming the good news of the gospel is a passion and commitment we share. We hope you will join us in doing so by sharing the enclosed invitation with your theological students. The Donald A. Wells Preaching Prize was established in 2007 to honor the years of service of the Rev. Dr. Donald A. Wells, Executive Director Emeritus of the Massachusetts Bible Society. Dr. Wells, a devoted advocate for social and economic justice, served as Executive Director for nearly twenty years.  

This year’s prize-winning sermon will be based upon a biblical text that brings to light the issue of Economic Justice and will be featured in our online Martin Luther King Day service on January 15, 2024. Deadline to submit a sermon is November 1, 2023.  More information here. 
 

Boundary Awareness Training

The Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ invites our Authorized Ministers into the following conversations around clergy wellness and boundaries.  Click above for more information.

• November 13, 2023, 9:30am-2:30pm
• January 9 & 10, 2024, 6:30pm-8:30pm (both sessions must be attended.

CELEBRATIONS Here we recognize and celebrate Ordination Anniversaries listed from 5 years forward in increments of 5 years, as well as milestone church anniversaries of 100+ years (acknowledging every 25 years). If your name or church has been missed please contact Roz Hooks and updates will be made to your record and reflected in the next newsletter. OCTOBER ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES 35 Years The Rev. Matthew McCaffrey - 10/20/1988 30 Years The Rev. Judith Cooke - 10/17/1993 15 Years The Rev. Carla Dietz - 10/26/2008 5 Years The Rev. Jane Moran - 10/21/2018 2023 MILESTONE CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES 380 YEARS First Congregational Church of Guilford 315 YEARS United Churches of Durham 290 YEARS The Congregational Church of New Canaan First Church of Christ, Congregational of Redding, CT 225 YEARS Milton Congregational Church  Prospect Congregational Church, UCC 180 YEARS Southport Congregational Church 115 YEARS Evangelical & Reformed UCC Conference & Partner Updates                                                  Church Safety Workshop Saturday, November 18, 2-5pm First Congregational Church, UCC 19 Church Road Shrewsbury, MA 01545 With presentations from Lisa Gonzalez at the UCC Insurance Boards, local insurance agents, and the federal government Protective Security Advisor Program, churches will feel better equipped to extend extravagant welcome while keeping themselves and their ministries safe. This free workshop is made possible by the UCC Insurance Board and your Proportional Giving. We encourage churches to send a few delegates, especially from your Safe Church Committee, Trustees, Buildings & Grounds, Council or whatever groups will benefit more. REGISTER HERE   Installation of the 10th General Minister and President Oct. 20, 5:00 PM Lakewood Congregaitonal Church, Lakewood, Ohio, and Online The installation of the 10th General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, The Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia A. Thompson.   Search & Call Orientation for Clergy Oct. 31, 2:00 to 4:00 PM • Online We’ll discuss the overall Search & Call process, preparing your UCC Profile, interviewing skills, discernment best practices and more.   Racial Justice Cross-Pollination Gatherings These Cross-Pollination Gatherings are intended for local church leaders involved in racial justice ministries. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas, celebrate successes, and troubleshoot challenges. Join us!   These sessions take place on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 PM via Zoom.  Sign up here.   Protecting Your Church: Considerations in the Wake of Civil Unrest The foundation of mitigating risk is proper planning. Now more than ever, developing a disaster preparedness plan is critical.  This plan should include all potential incidents (weather, chemical spills, civil unrest, and pandemics). Since many churches have not resumed operations, now is the perfect time to address these concerns as part of your plan to reopen. Churches across the country have recently encountered new challenges in the form of peaceful protests that have turned violent; naturally, congregations are concerned about their church property. Based on options for consideration provided by the Department of Homeland Security, we have provided information to help keep your congregation and church property safe. Without knowing specific information about a facility and its threat environment, it is not possible to recommend considerations that are specific for your house of worship.  Insurance Board protects your ministry by offering resources to support it.   2023 STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES 2023 STEWARDSHIP Resources October 25, 2023 - 7:30 EST Donors Who Don't Come to Church: Engaging Donors Outside of Sunday Morning Registration information here.  2023 STEWARDSHIP Theme Materials Materials for your congregation's annual stewardship efforts, this year featuring the theme “Because of You, Our Church Changes Lives,” connecting donor generosity with the ministry and mission of your congregation.  The materials include eight complete worship services, hymn suggestions, sermon starters and faith formation sessions for children, youth, and adults. The materials also provide practical tools such as logos, commitment cards, bulletin inserts and letters. Campaign guidance for every step of a year-round or seasonal effort to help you make the best use of these materials for specific context and size. Materials available as print bundles or digital downloads.  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. PRC Webinar: Launching Light Oct. 23, 2:00 to 3:00 PM  • Online Elizabeth Christie and Karen Ware Jackson will share how they plan to use the "Light" curriculum for Advent and Christmas to equip families for faith formation not only at church, but everywhere else! PRC Webinar: Holy Listening Oct. 24, 2:00 to 3:00 PM • Online Holy Listening is a sacred technique that helps children and teens discover their spiritual strength and resiliency. It can be used with all the children and teens in your church, community, at school and at home.  PRC: Now and Next for Youth Ministry Nov. 2, 2:00 to 3:00 PM • Online Deech Kirk of the Center for Youth Ministry Training describes some of the common challenges confronting youth ministry today and some of the characteristics of the newer, innovative ministry models that are taking shape. PRC: Writing a Protection Policy that Works for Children, Youth, and Vulnerable Adults Nov. 7, 2:00 to 3:00 PM • Online Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to update/edit a current policy, join us to learn about writing a policy that actually works for your congregation.   PATHWAYS Theological Education, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of The Rev. Dr. Ruth E. Shaver as Academic Dean of the program. Shaver says, “I started seminary thinking that I would become an academic. God had other plans for the short term, leading me into Christian Education and then parish ministry before I had the opportunity to teach on the faculty of the Penn West Academy. That led me to PATHWAYS and now to this position, where I feel like an academic with the added joy of working in parish ministry. I really do have the best of both worlds.”

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.

Better Together:  Gifts of Collaboration Across Denominations:

Registration is now open for the 2023-2024 Faith Formation Leadership Training and Certification courses. This program is the only theologically progressive entry-level training opportunity for faith formation and youth ministry leaders in the country! Participants may choose to take classes either as stand-alone opportunities, or as part of a process for certification in faith formation &/or youth ministry leadership in the Southern New England Conference UCC. 

Exploring Curriculum & Digital Resources - a Faith Formation Leadership Program Class
Oct. 21, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM  • Live Online
How to evaluate, select, and adapt curriculum materials based on the appropriateness for the congregation’s needs and mission.

Exploring the United Church of Christ - Our History, Our Beliefs, Our Identity
Oct. 28, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM • Online
An overview of the birth, development, structure, beliefs, values, and ethos of the United Church of Christ.  A class in the SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program, in partnership with Eden Theological Seminary.

2023 Harvest Day Women's Yoga Retreat at Silver Lake
Oct. 28, 10 AM to 4 PM
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT
A day of exploration and restoration, rather than performance and perfectionism.

Faith Formation Round Table: Intergenerational Worship, Part II
Nov. 7, 12:00 to 1:00 PM • Online
A brief overview on welcome and inclusion, and sharing of resources on creating a prayground space and ways to incorporate storytelling and a message for all ages. 

Racial Justice Cross-Pollination Gathering
October 23, 6:30 PM  • Online (Monthly on the fourth Monday)
---------

Racial Justice Book Study on 'Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ'
December 7th, 12:00PM - 1:30PM

Join our book discussion on The Afro-Christian Convention: The Fifth Stream of the United Church of Christ, a program of the Justice Lunch & Learn series presented by Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, in partnership with the Center for Transformational Leadership.

Book editor Rev. Dr. Yvonne Delk and contributor Dr. Julia M. Speller will lead the discussion on Dec. 7 at noon. There will be an optional racial justice certification component for clergy. More details to come!   Click here for more information and to register.

 Becoming WISE: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness in our Churches and Communities

Nov. 2, 12:00 to 1:30 PM • Online
This DEI Lunch & Learn session will e led by Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund, UCC Minister for Disabilities & Mental Health Justice

Ongoing Gatherings:

*Cross-Pollination Gathering: Environmental Ministries
Oct. 16, 6:30 PM • Online (Monthly on the third Monday)

Oct. focus: What does it take to put solar panels on our church?
*Racial Justice Cross-Pollination Gathering
Oct. 23, 6:30 PM  • Online (Monthly on the fourth Monday)
Oct. focus: How do we set and measure goals for racial justice programs?
*Open and Affirming Cross Pollination Gatherings
Nov. 13, 6:30 to 7:30 PM • Online (Monthly on the second Monday)
Nov. topic: How do we move from LGBTQ+ inclusion to belonging?

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

Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA  

Irons Homestead, Gloucester, RI  

Pilgrim Day Camp, Framingham, MA  

Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT  

2023 Our Whole Lives (OWL) Facilitator Training

Nov. 10 to 12
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT
Elementary Grades Training, which covers curriculum for two levels; Grades K-1 and 4-6. OWL is the nation’s most highly regarded sexuality education curriculum.

Youth Retreat: Sabbath in a Modern Age
Nov. 10 - 12
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, Sharon, CT
This 2-day retreat is intended for teens  to worship, to sing, build community, and to reflect on the meaning of Sabbath in our modern, technological world

Transitions within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.

Obituaries within the Southern New England Conference can be found here.

A full list of classified postings can be found here on the SNE website.  Some examples include: Church Administrator, Digital Minister, Organist/Choir Director, Director of Faith Formation as well as items for sale or free.

Church administrators are welcome to use the online template to submit information.

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 Ministerial Coverage regional lists please contact Jill Ford at fordj@sneucc.org. 

You are receiving this newsletter because we've identified you as a local church or you have standing in one of the associations in the Southwest Region of the Southern New England Conference. The Regional Newsletter will now be sent on a monthly basis. The regular schedule will be on or near 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 Roz Hooks.

If you would like to unsubscribe or change your email preferences, please visit sneucc.org/subscribe and enter your email address.