Central Association Weekly E-News
MARCH ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES
45 Years

The Rev. Mr. Jerry S. Clausen

IMPORTANT ASSOCIATION DATES
March 16, 2016
Ecclesiastical Council
Trinity Congregational Church
125 Rollstone Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
7:00PM

March 20, 2016
Ordination
Congregational Church of Westborough
57 West Main Street
Westborough, MA 01581
3:00PM

March 30, 2016
Ecclesiastical Council
South Acton Congregational Church
35 School Street
Acton, MA 01720
7:00PM

April 5, 2016
Register Now!
Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC
26 West Street
Leominster, MA 01453
April 6, 2016
Ecclesiastical Council
Congregational Church of Harvard, UCC
5 Still River Road
Harvard, MA 01451
7:00PM

April 17, 2016
Ordination
First Parish Church United
48 Main Street
Westford, MA 01886
3:00PM

April 19, 2016
Pilgrim Congregational Church
15 Common Street
Southborough, MA 01772
11:30AM

May 1, 2016
SAVE THE DATE!
Location TBD



OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST
March 5, 2016
  Preparing for Search & Call
Edwards House
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
9:00AM - 2:30PM

March 12, 2016
Killingly High School
226 Putnam Pike
Killingly, CT 06421
8:00AM - 3:30PM

March 31, 2016
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center
One Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
9:30AM - 3:30PM

April 9, 2016
Worship Design Studio LIVE!
Congregational Church of Grafton
30 Grafton Common
Grafton, MA 01519

April 28-May 1, 2016
Awakenings Conference
The United Congregational 
Church of Holyoke
300 Appleton Street
Holyoke, MA 01040

May 5, 2016
Moderator's Gathering
The Congregational Church of Christ
583 Main Street
Leominster, MA 01453
6:30PM-9:00PM

May 14, 2016
Youth AFIRE
Edwards House
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702

June 17-18, 2016
University of Massachusetts
1 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01002

EVENTS
Meet Our Muslim Neighbors
First Church in Sterling
6 Meetinghouse Road
Sterling, MA 01564
Wednesday, March 16th, 6:00PM - 8:30PM

EAT 6:00PM Dinner with guests from the Worcester Islamic Center at our tables.
PRAY 6:40PM
Muslim/Christian Worship
LEARN 7:00PM Panel Presentation by leaders of the Worcester Islamic Center.

-What are the basics of Islam?
-Truth and Fiction about Islam and Muslims
-What is it like to be Muslim in Central MA in 2016?
-Questions & Answer











All are Welcome! Please contact the church at 978-422-6657 for reservations and more information. FLYER
Youth AFIRE
(Acting Faithfully, Inspiring Radical Eco-justice)
Edwards House Meeting and Retreat Center
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
Saturday, May 14, 2016 
9:00AM - 5:00PM
Join high school aged youth of faith from around New England in an opportunity to educate, energize, and organize around church-based responses to climate change and environmental injustice. Learn from young leaders and one another through worship, workshops, sharing meals together, and more.
Learn More
The New England Tenors
A Sentimental Journey
with special guest: The Greater Milford Community Chorus
Union Evangelical Church, UCC
25 Dutcher Street
Hopedale, MA 01747
Sunday, March 13th - 2:00PM-4:00PM
Tickets: $20 for Adults ~ $6 for Students. For tickets contact Heather Walsh at 508-473-1476 or huec@verizon.net
Lenten Death & Dying
Workshop 2016
Brierly Pond Clubhouse
Horne Way
Millbury, MA 01527
Wednesday's: 3/9, 3/16
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Each year Lent reminds us that our lives are both fragile and brief. What better time to for us to explore the reality of our own (and out family members') mortality and begin to prepare ourselves for the eventuality of our dying? Over 5 sessions we'll discuss hospice, advanced directives, preparing a will, pre-planning with a funeral home, as well as for the funeral service and the writing of an obituary. We will conclude with a Celebration of Life Party.  FLYER
A Sacred Conversation on Immigration
First Congregational Church of Brimfield
20 Main Street
Brimfield, MA 01010
March 20th
2:00PM
As part of the conversation, participants will follow a mock path through the line of inmmnigration to better understand the process. The activity will be led by Pastor Robert Ochoa. Prior to the activity/converation, we will be viewing a documentay on immigration. Please RSVP the Brimfield Church via email.  
Invitation to Learn About Two Growing Pastoral and Congregational Needs
The Spiritual Care of Persons with Dementia and Choosing Advance Directives

Healthcare treatments and advances in medical technology have brought ongoing changes to ministry. Providing pastoral care to a church member who is ill more often now covers a long period of time as a chronic illness slowly descends into its terminal stages, as dementia increases significantly as a diagnosis or co-morbidity, as inter-generational care issues emerge and people are called upon to make end-of-life medical decisions for themselves or a family member.

When they turn to their minister they are seeking hope, guidance, answers, direction and a companion for the journey. For this a minister needs to know that there are resources accessible for them and for the congregation. As a hospice spiritual counselor  with twelve years of experience ministering to people at the end of life, including many who live their final years in the haze of dementia, I am available to provide clergy and congregational education through preaching forums.

Click here to read full description.

The Rev. Donna Vuilleumier is affiliated clergy at the Eliot Church (Natick) and has been a hospice spiritual counselor since 2003. She leads congregational forums, Super Saturday workshops, and a variety of community events on these two issues as an important part of her ministry. To learn more or to plan an event for your church, please contact her. There was an error in the link for her email address, it has been corrected and the link is now good.
Flute and Harp Duo 2
First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury
19 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Saturday, March 19th, 7:00PM
Flutist Peter H. Bloom and harpist Mary Jane Rupert present chamber music of European and American Masters from the old world as well as the new, including delightful works of Beethoven, Saint-Saëns, and other composers.
Third Floor Coffee House - Open Mic
Trinity Church Northborough
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
Check out our website calendar for Friday night coffee houses , from 7:00PM - 9:00PM. Come up to the third floor to share your talents with other open mic performers! All performers are welcome!
Francis St. Coffee House
Greendale Peoples Church
25 Francis Street
Worcester, MA  01606-3117
Musicians from Greendale Peoples Church and Cana Community Church with special guests will perform live music while artist share their artwork. Come join us for a night of lively entertainment, great coffee and homemade baked goods. More information
Barre Congregational Church
30 Park Street
Barre, MA 01005
Community friendship supper in Fellowship Hall at 5:30PM on the 3rd Thursday of each month. A free will offering is available, but not required.

First Congregational Church
307 Boston Road
Sutton, MA 01590
4:30PM - 6:00PM
2nd Saturday of each month.
The church hosts their monthly dinner with a free will offering. All are welcome.

United Parish of Upton 
1 Church Street 
Upton, MA 01568 
3rd Thursday of each month at 5:30PM. Please RSVP by the Tuesday before at 508-529-3192. A free will donation is accepted but not required.

Southbridge Congregational Church
61 Elm Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
Free Community Dinner
4th Saturday of each month.
4:30PM - 6:00PM
Free will donations accepted. Please use Park St. entrance.
First Congregational Church
207 Main Street
Spencer, MA 01562
Wed's:8AM-Noon
Thurs: 8AM-2PM &
       6PM-8PM
Friday's: 8AM-Noon

Congregational Church of Grafton 
30 Grafton Common
Grafton, MA 01519
Thurs: 10AM-4PM 
Sat: 10AM-4PM 
Clothing, toys, 
housewares, etc.
http://www.uccgrafton.org

Trinity Church Northborough
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
Tuesday & Saturday
10:00AM - 3:00PM
More Information 

First Congregational Church of West Boylston
26 Central Street
West Boylston, MA 01583
Wed's: 9:30AM - 2:00PM
Sat's: 9:30AM - 12:00PM

First Parish Church in Berlin
24 Central Street
Berlin, MA 01503
Tues: 10:00-2:00
Thurs: 10:00-2:00 & 7:00-9:00
1st & 3rd Sat's: 10:00-2:00
 
Barre Congregational Church
30 Park Street
Barre, MA 01005
2nd Wed. of each month.


Greendale People's Church
25 Francis Street
Worcester, MA 01606
Every Wed. 11AM-1PM
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
ReachOut Worcester
ReachOut Worcester is an overnight immersion program for Youth & Adults ages 13 and up. Learn more about homelessness from people who have experienced/may still be experiencing it. Participate in an intentional, prayerful walk through Worcester at night. Offer clothing, conversation, and lunch to people in need. Engage in reflection and sharing with other youth and adults who share your concern about homelessness.
Worcester Fellowship
       
A warming shelter has been setup at All Saints Episcopal Church, Pleasant St., Worcester on Thursdays from 1:00PM-5:00PM. We are looking for volunteers to provide hot food (2 gallons of soup, chili, or similar item). Sandwich fixings are also needed: 2 loaves of bread, 1 lb of each: turkey, ham, bologna, and American cheese. These items can be dropped off at the church by 12:30PM on Thursdays. Please contact us for more information. 
OBITUARIES
The Rev. Mr. Joseph A. C. Wadsworth III

The Rev. Mr. Joseph Allison Cannon Wadsworth III, 59, of Florence, Alabama passed away on Wednesday, February 24, 2016.  Rev. Wadsworth is survived by two sisters, Martha W. Haley of Scottsdale, AZ and Mary W. White (Tom) of Florence, AL.  He received a BS in Economic Theory from Hampden-Sydney College, Farmville, VA, and an M.Div. from Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA. 

He served the Union Congregational Church in Maynard, MA, Second Congregational Church, Stafford, CT, and then Halifax Congregational Church in Halifax, MA.  He retired in the spring of 2015 and moved to Florence, Alabama where he attended First Presbyterian Church.

For Rev. Wadsworth's complete obituary and all other obituaries, please click here.
CLASSIFIEDS
Association Meetings
The Committee on Ministry
Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 9:30AM.

The Board of Director's
Meets the 3rd Thursday of each month at 2:30PM

Both meetings take place at:
6 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609

Email: holmesd@macucc.org
Phone: 508-963-8106
Association/Conference Fellowship Dues for 2016
The Annual Fellowship Dues for churches that are not part of United Church Mission are:

Conference portion: $18.55
Association portion:   $1.65
Total per member:      $20.20 
For more information on
Fellowship Dues, click here.
Central Association of
The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
508-963-8106
holmesd@macucc.org 
Office Hours:
Monday: 8:00AM - 2:30PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Friday: Office is closed