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The registration deadline for the historic Tri-Conference Annual Meeting has been extended to Wednesday, June 7, at midnight. The meeting, the first ever joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences, is being held June 16 - 17 at the Connecticut Convention Center.
Online registration will close at midnight on Wednesday, June 7. Due to deadlines for getting counts and food orders to the convention center, no more advance registrations will be taken after that deadline.
Anyone wishing to attend who fails to register on time will be able to come and register onsite, but they will be charged the full $85 registration fee and will not be provided with lunch. No walk-ins can be accepted for the Authorized Ministry Luncheon taking place prior to the start of the meeting.
Details and registration can be found here.
Delegates still have three opportunities to join with Conference leaders to discuss the
Together, As One
proposal to form a new conference, which will be taken up at the meeting. Three online forums, or webinars, will be held June 7
th
at 7:00 PM, June 8
th
at 1:00 PM, and June 8
th
at 7:00 PM. To register for one of these webinars,
visit this information page
and click the link under the date and time you wish to attend.
More information about the T
ogether, As One
resolution,
including blog posts
featuring the voices of people from all three states,
can be found here.
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UCC, Episcopal Leaders Issue Statement:
An Opportunity for Which the Church Was Born
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United Church of Christ national leaders, the Council of Conference Ministers and Episcopal leaders issued a statement this week condemning President Donald Trump's decision to abandon the Paris Climate Accord.
It begins saying: "President Trump's decision to abandon the Paris Climate Accord violates the values and vision that are basic to Christian faith. Our Judeo-Christian heritage teaches that the Earth and its web of life are precious in God's sight (Genesis 1-2:3), that the Earth belongs not to us but to God (Psalm 24), and that we are entrusted with loving the Earth as God loves it (Genesis 2:15). As followers of Jesus, we are committed to God's mission of reconciling people with each other and with the whole of creation. "
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Envy, Affection, Among UCC-Episcopal Clergy
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On May 23, Massachusetts Conference Minister and President The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal and Western Massachusetts Episcopal Diocese Bishop The Right Reverend Dr. Doug Fisher, convened a group of UCC and Episcopal clergy to come together for dialogue. They met at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Longmeadow.
Two UCC Pastors wrote reflections about the experience.
Corey Sanderson writes: Envy. It's just the sort of thing we'd normally eschew, right? Along with twin siblings, jealously and coveting, we all know that envy can get us into a heap of trouble. But what happens when
what we envy inspires us to live more fully into our faith?
Marisa Brown-Ludwig writes:
The conversation continues and we have agreed to look for ways to grow this from the ground up, tell our stories, share this with other denomination friends and neighbors, and look for ways to spread the word and work of our partnerships. We ended with prayer and much affection.
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Schedule a Church Visit with Missionary Loren McGrail
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Global Ministries mission co-worker Loren McGrail, serving Israel/Palestine and our partner, the YWCA of Palestine, will be in Western Massachusetts from June 18-25. She is available to churches to share and reflect on her ministry with the YMCA in East Jerusalem. Please note she is not
available for worship on June 18 or 25
Read more to find out how to schedule Loren for a visit to your church.
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Your Gift to Back Bay Mission Could Be Doubled!
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A generous donor has offered to match up to $10,000 for Back Bay Mission's client sustainability programs. That means your gift to the Mission could be worth twice as much
A United Church of Christ ministry, Back Bay Mission's client sustainability programs meet the immediate needs of the poor and marginalized of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and help people begin their journeys out of poverty.
Read more
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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 7, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Vard Johnson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)
Adult Spiritual Retreat: Discovering God's Will Together
June 7 - 8
Miramar Retreat Center, Duxbury
This overnight retreat, led by Matt Carriker and Susie Allen, is intended for people in all stages on the spiritual path (clergy and lay). Whether you feel like a beginner, or a long-time traveler, you will find nourishment here for your soul.
June 8, 1:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Jocelyn Gardner Spencer (Connecticut Conference Board member), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and George Peters (Rhode Island Conference President)
June 8, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference.
with Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)
Authorized Ministry Luncheon
June 16, 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Hartford Marriott Downtown
This luncheon, a pre-meeting event to the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting, is an opportunity for authorized ministers, lay leaders and others to gather and share time in community with UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer.
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June 16 - 17
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
The historic first joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences. With UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer as keynote speaker.
June 21, 2017 at 5:30 to 9:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Beverly Weinhold will offer a presentation from a nationally recognized, evidence,informed sexual abuse prevention curriculum created by Darkness to Light.
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
Application deadline: Sat., June 10
Event: Nov. 13 - 19
Warren Conference Center, Ashland
Join author Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove in a writing workshop focused on both the craft of writing and the vocation of tending to words for the sake of faithful social change.
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