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UCC General Minister and President John Dorhauer addresses delegates following the vote. |
HARTFORD, CT - The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Conferences of the United Church of Christ voted decisively on Saturday to move ahead toward forming a new combined Conference, so that they may have a stronger voice speaking for justice and may more effectively carry out mission and ministry together.
The votes, taken at the first-ever joint annual meeting of the three bodies, mean that Conference leaders will now develop a formal proposal for a new Conference which will be brought before a second joint Annual Meeting a year from now in Springfield, MA.
"I am proud of you," United Church of Christ General Minister and President The Rev. John Dorhauer told those gathered following the votes. "Your yes today matters, and your yes today casts a vision for the future that was not otherwise available to you. And, my covenant promise to you is that the entire denomination will walk side-by-side with you on whatever journey unfolds."
Questions & Comments Leading Up to the Vote
Prior to
Saturday's votes in separate plenary sessions in favor of proceeding with plans to create a unified Conference, those attending the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting had a chance to make comments and ask questions of the Conference Ministers and Board of Directors members. Some questions were asked at the microphones, others on submitted cards.
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Delegates Stand Against Life Without Hope for Parole; for New Conference
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HARTFORD, CT - At the 218th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference, delegates not only voted overwhelmingly to move toward forming a new combined Conference with their Rhode Island and Connecticut counterparts, they also took a stand in opposition to Massachusetts prison sentences of life without any opportunity for parole and they voted to sell a small parcel of land.
The meeting was held as a part of the first-ever Tri-Conference Annual Meeting with the other two conferences at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
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Annual Meeting Wrap-Up Page
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View the Together, As One video shown at the Saturday morning plenary |
The first-ever joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences of the United Church of Christ drew 1,000 people to the Connecticut Convention Center June 16 & 17.
Articles, videos and photos from the event will continue to be posted on this wrap-up page as they become available.
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ONA Team Urges Outreach in Support of Transgender People
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The new Trans Still Speaking initiative is launching this month at the Open and Affirming Coalition's National Gathering in Baltimore. The Massachusetts Conference ONA Ministry Team distributed Trans Still Speaking postcards at the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting, and is offering flyers and other resources for local churches to get involved.
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Registration for Confirmation Retreats Now Open
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Each year, the Massachusetts Conference offers a series of Confirmation Retreats for the youth classes of churches in the Massachusetts Conference as well as other NE states. These retreats fill quickly, so be sure to register your church's group early.
The retreats will be held:
Nov. 17 - 18, Prindle Pond Conference Center, Charlton
Jan. 26 - 27, Craigville Retreat Center
March 2 - 3, Prindle Pond Conference Center
March 16 - 17, Prindle Pond Conference Center
March 23 - 24, Craigville Retreat Center
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Upcoming Conference events
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June 30 - July 5
Baltimore, MD
Join with
thousands of faithful members of the United Church of Christ for formal church witness, inspirational worship, and fellowship
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Sept. 21, at 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
All clergy who have joined the conference within the last year, or were unable to attend last year, are invited to attend and meet fellow clergy.
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The Rev. Dr. Peter Preble c
hange from Interim Associate Pastor to Interim
Senior Pastor, Bethany Congregational Church, Quincy
Effective: June 18, 2017
The Rev. Mr. Lawrence Iannetti r
etiring as Pastor from Federated Church of Ashland
Effective: June 18, 2017
The Rev. Ms. Christine Evans Hribar l
eaving First Church in Wenham as Associate Pastor
Effective: June 16, 2017
The Rev. Dr. Marlayna L. Schmidt c
alled to First Parish Church, Congregational, Manchester as Interim Pastor
Effective: June 16, 2017
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July 5, 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Charlemont Federated Church
Charlemont Forum, as an outreach of the Charlemont Federated Church will offer a community reading of "What to the slave is the 4th of July?" by Frederick Douglass from his July 5th, 1852 speech.
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June 30 - July 4
The First Church, Nashua, NH
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July 10 - 14
Craigville Retreat Center, Craigville, MA
Healthy Congregations
Aug. 25 - 27
First Congregational Church of Milton
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