the weekly emailing
MACUCC Clergy taking part in Moral Monday 
A number of Massachusetts Conference clergy will be participating in the Moral Monday Day of Action demonstration taking place at the State House in Boston on Monday, Sept. 12, beginning at 10:30 AM. The day is part of a national event that will occur in more than 25 other state capitals across the country.

The purpose of the Day of Action is for faith leaders from diverse traditions and people impacted by poverty, racism, and injustice to come together to demand that elected leaders move to higher ground in their decision-making. 
 
Filling Your Spiritual Lunchbox
Patricia Berry
By Patricia Berry
It is a great time of year to pause and think about your child's Spiritual Lunchbox much like you prepare for back to school.  Let's open it up and fill it with the Holy Spirit. How can you fill it? What would God want you to put in it?  What did Jesus have in His?   What are you missing or craving as a family?  What do you need to move to make more room?
Upcoming Conference events
Crossroads Come and See Event 
Sept. 18, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Pakachoag Church, Auburn

Crossroads
Crossroads is designed to assess the strengths and challenges of a congregation as it seeks to make a faithful decision about the future of its ministry in the community. Learn more at this informational meeting.

UCC Clergy Profile Workshop for Clergy & Members-in-Discernment
Sept. 23, 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
First Church in Marlborough
Learn how to use the redesigned UCC Ministerial Profile. Led by Stephen Boyd of the national UCC staff.

To Bend But Not Break: Leadership for Growing Resilient Congregations
Sept. 23 - 24
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham

Conflict and adversity touches each community of faith at one time or another-through financial challenges, leadership transitions, personal loss, difficult decisions and differences. With the right skills and perspectives, these tensions don't have to lead to destructive altercation in the life of a congregation, but can be opportunities for creativity and spiritual growth.

Sept. 24, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Join Stephen Boyd, Minster for Chaplains and Ministers in Specialized Settings of the Ministerial Excellence, Support and Authorization Team (MESA), in a gathering for Ministers in Specialized Settings.

- Sept. 24:  First Congregational Church of West Boylston
Join us for a cup of coffee and conversa
tion  (9 AM - noon) that will help define your role as church treasurer (or assistant treasurer) and answer all those questions you might have. 


Sept. 29, 9 AM - 2 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA
June Cooper
Plan to join us for a day of learning from those who have "been there." Speakers to include The Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor, Old South Church, Marathon bombings; 
Fred Meade
The Rev. Fred 
Meade, North Falmouth Church, Hurricane Katrina; The  Rev. June Cooper, City Mission Society, Black Lives Matter;  The Rev. Matthew Crebbin, Newtown Congregational Church, Newtown school shootings.

New to the Conference Gathering
Oct. 5, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
A gathering for all clergy who have joined the Conference within the last year.

The New UCC Local Church Profile: Continuing the Continuum of Ministry - An Interim Ministry Gathering
Oct. 6, 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Learn about the new local church profile and its implications for those doing interim work.

Oct. 15. 8:00 AM - 3:45 PM 
Keefe Regional Technical High School, Framingham, MA
A full day of workshops, forums, networking, a marketplace and worship featuring the Rev. Laura Everett, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and Angie Thurston and Casper ter Kuile of Harvard Divinity School.

Oct. 22, Dec. 10, March 11, April 8; 10 AM
Edwards House Retreat Center, Framingham
An opportunity to network and share experiences with your MACUCC colleagues.

Nov. 5, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Conference facilitators will present this training, which seeks to create a common language around racism, to unmask racism in our lives and in society, and to encourage long-term engagement in racial justice ministry.
Online course on conflict resiliency offered this fall
P eople and churches often face challenges in their ways of communicating and resolving conflict. It can either reinforce unhelpful habits or it can move towards new insights and abilities in resiliency.  In partnership with the Center for Progressive Renewal, the Conference is offering a 10 Module Online Program to church teams of 2 - 3 leaders.

The deadline to register is Sept. 20.


Find out more
Local Buzz
PAXTON - The sign tacked to a tree outside the Paxton Center Cemetery, near the main entrance to the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, beckons "Pokemon Trainers" to come inside the church and replenish themselves with water and candy.

Transitions
The Rev. Ms. Barbara Kershner c alled to Second Congregational Church, Williamstown as Interim Pastor
Effective: Sept. 4, 2016

The Rev. Mr. Anthony Kill called to Trinitarian Congregational Church (UCC), North Andover as Interim Pastor
Effective: Sept. 4, 2016 

The Rev. Ms. Margaret (Peggy) O'Connor l eaving Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwich Port as Interim Pastor
Effective: Sept. 4, 2016

The Rev. Dr. Susan Cartmell  called to Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwich Port as Pastor
Effective: Sept. 1, 2016
Mr. Earl Henrichon called to First Congregational Church, Sutton as Interim Pastor
Effective: Sept. 1, 2016 

The Rev. Ms. Penny Rich Smith  retiring from Second Congregational Church, Williamstown as Pastor.
Effective: Aug. 31, 2016

Mr. Jonathan Elsensohn l eaving Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, Leominster as Associate Pastor
Effective: Aug. 29, 2016

Classifieds
Other Events of Interest


 

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