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Happenings Around Our Conference
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Rev. Marjorie Purnine |
Last weekend, I returned home after some time away with my family in the Adirondack High Peaks. My "news fast" ended suddenly, and the wave of suffering and grief born of the latest events in this ongoing national tragedy washed over me. In the days since, I've been listening to NPR constantly, to poets and politicians and preachers, to Diamond Reynolds mourning the loss of the future she and Philando Castile had planned, to President Obama holding tight to hope against the threat of despair. Even as I listen hard for new words that will provide a way forward, I hear the echo of a voice, in memory, offering advice from a different context, another society in which fear of the other too easily tends to slip into dehumanization.
In Jerusalem, nearly two years ago, a priest spoke to our EKHN-UCC delegation with passion and urgency. He told us to pay attention to the way we talk, to notice and name models of community founded upon exclusion and discrimination, to create new ways of being in relationship. I've shared his words with many since I've returned, but they will not let me go: "We are people of the Word," he said, "and words create the world. The words we speak help those who hear to build, for words are bricks."
What I learned on that trip was that healing and justice-making and the mending of creation are local activities and that the size and complexity of any problem absolves no one from doing their part. And now, when I'm all too likely to allow the weight of seemingly endless violence to tamp me down into silence, I need that reminder that I do have the tools with which to build beloved community. I pray that I may do my part to create the world, today and each tomorrow, with courage and with faith.
Marjorie
Reverend Marjorie Purnine
Associate Conference Minister for Leadership Development
315-446-3073x16
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Sign Your Name to Support NY Conference Letter to Gov. Cuomo: "Stop denying our rights. Rescind your executive order now!"
Dear Governor Cuomo,
I am writing on behalf of the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ, a judicatory with 260 churches in the state of New York. For decades our denomination, the United Church of Christ, has been committed to supporting a just peace in Israel/Palestine. We have sought to build relationships with people of all faiths in the region - both Palestinian and Israeli - who share our desire for justice and healing. Through those relationships we have learned about the realities of the Israeli Occupation and the truly devastating impact it has on everyone in the region, especially Palestinians. We have asked ourselves and our partners in the region how we, as American Christians, can be in solidarity with those who are tirelessly struggling to end the occupation. One of the clearest answers was to use our financial resources to apply economic pressure to the structures supporting it. Keep reading and SIGN YOUR NAME in support!
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Please join the New York Conference as during Faith Days at the LGBT Booth at the New York State Fair in Syracuse on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday August 28. We need volunteers willing to 'person' four- hour shifts at the Fair beginning 10A on Saturday and ending 10P on Sunday. Our Conference, along with ecumenical partners, has been a sponsor of this booth for several years as part of our witness as an Open and Affirming Conference.
You will meet great people, get a free t-shirt, and if you have never been to the New York State Fair, well, there's little, if anything in New York State quite like it! Come and be a witness to our core value of Extravagant Welcome and have some fun too!
To sign up or obtain further information, please contact Freeman Palmer at
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Donna Schaper Books on Sale
The following books are on sale from the New York Conference and include Free Shipping and Handling!
Approaching the End of Life - A Practical and Spiritual Guide
Regularly Priced $32.00 -
Sale! $20.00
Prayers for People who Say they Can't
Regularly Priced $16.99
Sale! $12.00
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Faith for a Fair NY 2016 Conference
September 25-27, Syracuse
New Yorkers of all faiths are compelled by our traditions to seek justice. How do we do so faithfully and effectively in a time of increasing inequality, poverty and ideological division?
Over three days of presentations, workshops, and small group reflection, we will:
- Build connections with other justice-seeking New Yorkers from different regions and faiths
- Build knowledge of issues and movements through a moral/faith-rooted lens
- Build the capacity to do justice work through skills training and strategic reflection
- Be energized and inspired to continue working for justice - or to get involved for the first time
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Pastoral Coaching Opportunity from the Center for Progressive Renewal
Attention church leaders, the start of the church program year is right around the corner! Use this summer as an opportunity to reboot and be renewed. We have created a diverse coaching program that excels in meeting you where you are and helping you figure out what to do next. Sign up for a free coaching session today.
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MID and Mentor Summer Retreat has been Cancelled
This week's retreat at Stony Point Retreat Center will not be held, because of low enrollment. In the coming months, Marsha Williams and Marjorie Purnine will seek to provide virtual ways for MIDs to connect with one another and for Mentors to gain access to resources and share best practices.
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Congratulations Zion UCC on Becoming ONA!
The New York Conference joins the Open and Affirming Coalition in welcoming and congratulating Zion United Church of Christ in Tonawanda, NY by adopting an ONA covenant by congregational vote at their last congregational meeting.
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Staff Preaching Schedule
Rev. Dr. Marsha Williams
July 24: North Congregational, Middletown
August 7 - Homer Community-wide Worship service
August 28 - Binghamton Eastside
August 7: Sayville Congregational UCC Sayville
August 14: Emmanuel UCC Massena
August 21: Walton First Congregational Church, Walton
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2016 UCC Office Support Staff Network Annual Conference
August 4 - 6 in Gaithersburg, MD
You are invited to the 2016 UCC Office Support Staff Network Annual Conference which kicks-off on Thursday, Aug. 4 with a welcome dinner at the Hilton Gaithersburg. The event continues on Friday at Rockville United Church in Rockville, Md. with breakfast, fellowship, break-out workshops, lunch, the keynote presentation and interactive workshop. The event concludes Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Hilton Gaithersburg with breakfast, fellowship, the UCCOSSN business meeting, a peer group workshop and lunch.
Click here to learn more and register...
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¡Missionworks!
August 26-28 in Indianapolis
¡Missionworks! is an experience for pastors, mission board members, and anyone interested in global mission to connect with the global work of the church. Over the weekend of
Aug. 26-28
in Indianapolis you will find out how to build on your congregation's existing passion for mission and receive tools for sharing about God's mission in the world. For more information go to
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Opportunities for Education
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Study of Islam
First Congregational United Church of Christ, 171 West Pulteney Street, Corning will be hosting a six week series on
Islam.
The series will be offered from
Sunday, June 10 - Sunday, August 14th, at 3PM. It will be based on the DVD lecture series The Great Courses - Great World Religions: Islam by John L. Esposito, professor of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University.
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Boundary Awareness Training Refresher Course
Wednesday, July 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Oneida Association will be holding a Boundary Awareness Training Refresher Course on Wednesday, July 27 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the Conference Office. Cost is $75, and you need to bring lunch. A maximum of 20 individuals can attend, and there are 13 slots still open. Register with Oneida Registrar, Diana Pelletier, at
[email protected] . Payment will be made the day of the event.
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Global Missionary Available to Speak
The
Rev. Judy Chan, who has served with Global Ministries for 22 years will be available to speak to congregations and groups around the New York Conference from
Saturday, Oct. 22-Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Western/Central Region: Oct. 22 - Nov. 1
Metro Area: Nov. 2-9
Judy serves with the Hong Kong Christian Council, as a communications Specialist in charge of Ecumenical Broadcasting Ministry and Editor of English publications and speaks fluent Cantonese. She has a powerpoint with pictures of her work and enjoys meeting with small groups.
If you would like to schedule Judy or have questions, contact Kay Woike at:
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Stewardship Committee
Here is an article written by our stewardship webinar presenter this fall; Grace Duddy Pomroy
Also two articles about Crowdfunding, the topic of our first webinar,
This fall's stewardship webinars:
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
7:00 to 8:00 PM Eastern
Leader: Dana Ostomel
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
7:00 to 8:00 PM Eastern
Leader: Grace Duddy Pomroy
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
7:00 to 8:00 PM Eastern
Leader: Grace Duddy Pomroy
You can always call me or email me with Stewardship questions
631-486-4350
Charlaine
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Support the New York Conference
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Covenant Share
Covenant Share is the Special Offering approved by the New York Conference in 2013. This offering can be taken up any time during the year. Covenant Share is to be received in the manner as One Great Hour of Sharing and Neighbors in Need. The Covenant Share Offering makes possible ministries specific to the United Church of Christ in New York.
Click to Learn More and Support:
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Amazon Smile
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the
New York Conference of United Church of Christ
whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
Click to Sign Up:
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Donate Directly
Make your contribution to the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ today.
Join Us in Ministry:
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What's
Happening at Your Local Church?
Do you have an item of news that you would like to share throughout the New York Conference? Please email our Communications Coordinator at
[email protected] and send the details - preferably with links and pictures!
Please note that the New York Conference does not publish news related to fundraisers.
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