Collaborating with Other Congregations

In the latest installment of his Which Path Are You On blog series, SNEUCC Church Legacy Specialist Charlie Kuchenbrod writes:

A congregation does not need to travel down any path alone. Collaborating with other congregations will create new opportunities. However, collaboration, by itself, is not a separate path. It is a means to an end, a strategy for success on a chosen path. It remains essential to choose a path.

For example, some congregations confuse collaboration with revitalization. While coming together with another congregation may increase membership, worship attendance, and financial support in the short-term, the new congregation will continue to decline unless new initiatives succeed. Revitalization remains challenging.

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Masking and Loneliness

Debbie Ringen, SNEUCC Minister of Health and Wellness, writes:

The days of constantly wearing a mask in the presence of others during the Covid- 19 pandemic may be significantly fewer today and may only be continuing for some, however, I wonder if we as human beings are still wearing at least one of our masks.

The Newport Institute, a young adult mental health and substance abuse treatment center article describes mental health masking as the way in which people hide their mental health symptoms to fit in socially, to hold onto relationships, and keep their jobs.

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UCC Mental Health Sunday is the third Sunday in May.

Find related resources here

Importance of Effective Human Resources Management

Irma Reyes, SNEUCC Director of Human Resources and Staff Engagement, writes:

Effective Human Resources Management benefits the core of any organization, playing a major role in creating a positive work culture, enhancing employee engagement, promoting wellness, and professional development, just to name a few.

HR is one of the driving forces needed for the organization’s success. If you are asking, “How”, “What”, and “Where” do I start developing HR functions, here are a few ideas.

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News Briefs

Animating Antiracism for Faith Formation

Registration is now open for a new curriculum aimed at helping dismantle systemic racism. The program was crafted specifically for the church, and offers a platform for learning, reflection, and dialogue.

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RI Church Offers Scholarship for BIPOC Students

The Newman Congregational Church, UCC, in Rumford, RI, is seeking applicants for a scholarship of between $1,000 and $3,000 to individuals with financial need who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) who are pursuing education beyond high school in 2024-25.

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In Case You Missed It: 2024 Regional Youth Event

In the latest In Case You Missed It video announcement, Rev. Darrell Goodwin issues an invitation for youth and their leaders to register for the 2024 Regional Youth Event being held July 28 - 31 at Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center in Sharon, CT. Use Discount code SPRING45 by April 25 and get $50 off!

Watch and download the video to share in your church

Upcoming Events

Will Your Church be Represented?
Annual Meeting ~ June 21 & 22

Per SNEUCC Bylaws, “Each Local Church shall elect delegates to the SNE Conference for one-year terms based on their membership as of the preceding December 31. Churches with 0-300 members shall have three (3) delegates, with one additional delegate for every additional 200 members or major fraction thereof.”

An email was sent to churches yesterday with delegate counts; the number of delegates your church is eligible to send can also be found in your Church Dashboard.

Annual Meeting Info & Registration

Modeling a Restorative Justice Circle
April 29, 6:00 to 7:30 PM • Online
Rev. Mark Seifried of the Restorative Justice Task Team will facilitate a sample restorative justice circle, demonstrating its use in a local church. In this scenario, a church council has decided that the best way to balance the budget is to cut the music budget in half.

Lunch & Learn: Archiving Your Church's Records
May 16, 12:00 to 1:00 PM • Online
The Congregational Library & Archives archivists Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy will demystify your church's records and provide advice on ensuring their preservation.

Offered by our Partners

311th Massachusetts Convention of Congregational Ministers
May 6, 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM
First Parish in Sudbury UAA, Sudbury, MA
Rev. Geoffrey G. Drutchas, retired UCC pastor and author of "Is Life Sacred?" will preach and then lead discussion.

Event Calendar: www.sneucc.org/events

Event Listing: Upcoming Event Newsletter

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