Central Association Weekly E-News
The [email protected] email will soon be gone, please make sure to update your address book with [email protected].
A New Initiative from the Board of Directors

Flyers have been sent to the churches that are part of the cluster meetings for October 18th, and November 15th. Please remember to register so that we can plan accordingly.

Cluster Meetings for Churches - In an effort to strengthen the covenant between churches, the association, and the Massachusetts Conference the Rev. Kelly Gallagher along with the Association Board of Directors will be starting a new initiative. The local churches will be invited to attend an area meeting; these will take place once a month geographically around the association. We would like to have churches attend one of the meetings each year.  
Our vision is to have at least 2 to 3 church representatives attend these meetings. Ministers of the church are also welcome to attend. Those in attendance will be able to ask the Rev. Gallagher and the Board of Directors questions regarding church issues. The Board of Directors and Rev. Gallagher will also inform the church representatives how the association and the conference can help the churches with their mission. 
OCTOBER ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES
30 Years
The Rev. Mr. Paul Sangree

15 Years
The Rev. Ms. Susan Tarantino

Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary. Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward, in increments of 5.
IMPORTANT ASSOCIATION DATES
October 19, 2016
Ecclesiastical Council
Christian Union Church
37 West Main St.
West Groton, MA 01472
7:00PM

October 23, 2016
Installation
Ashby Congregational Church
21 New Ipswich Road
Ashby, MA 01431
3:00PM

October 30, 2016
Installation
First Congregational Church, UCC
19 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
3:00PM

November 6, 2016
Ordination
South Acton Congregational Church
35 School Street
Acton, MA 01720
3:00PM

December 11, 2016
Installation
First Congregational Church UCC
1 Church Street
Paxton, MA 01612
3:00PM

January 22, 2017
Ordination
Acton Congregational Church
12 Concord Road
Acton, MA 01720
3:00PM

February 12, 2017
Ordination
South Acton Congregational Church
35 School Street
Acton, MA 01720
3:00PM
CONFERENCE EVENTS

Edwards House Meeting Center
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
7:00PM - 9:00PM

November 5, 2016
Edwards House Meeting Center
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
8:30AM - 5:00PM
March 23, 2017
Day of Covenant
SAVE THE DATE!
 
EVENTS
Does Your Congregation Videotape Its Worship Service?
We have congregations that are interested in learning how to videotape their church service and post on the website. Does your church videotape and post their service? Would you be interested in helping other churches learn how to do this? Please let us know! Please contact Deb Holmes via  email and let her know if you are able to help or let her know if your church would like to learn how to do this!

Pumkin Patch in October
First Congregational Church in Auburn
128 Central Street
Auburn, MA 01501
Open Daily October 1st thru October 31st
10AM (11AM on Sunday's) until Dusk
The pumpkins are raised and harvested at the Navajo Agriculture Farm in Farmington, New Mexico. A percentage of the sales goes to their schools and other programs, and of course, this is a wonderful fundraiser for our church as well! Each year we have a variety of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and pricing to fit everyone's budget.
The Pumpkin Patch Fair
First Congregational Church in Auburn
128 Central Street
Auburn, MA 01501
Saturday, October 15, 2016
9:00AM - 4:00PM
Fair includes unique handmade crafts, Grandma's pantry (baked items, preserves, soup), pet table, jewelry, silent auction and more! Get a jump on your holiday shopping at our 
Pumpkin Patch Fair where you'll find something for everyone! 
October 23, 2016
Blessing Forward Service
The First Congregational Church in Worcester
1070 Pleasant Street
Worcester, MA 01602

Blessing Forward Banquet
Val's Restaurant
75 Reservoir Street
Holden, MA 01520
The First Congregational Church in Worcester extends an invitation to join them at their Blessings Forward Service at 10:00AM to celebrate their 300 years of continued presence in Worcester. The service will highlight our past but will usher our congregation into the century of our existence. Join us as we sing the Rally Song, written for the 40th Anniversary in 1939, pray with us for support as we enter into the future, and rejoice with us that we are able to celebrate such an auspicious occasion! FLYER
A Sacred Conversation About Race
First Parish of Bolton
Davis Hall
673 Main St.
Bolton, MA 01740
Wednesay, October 26th
7:00PM
The Rev. Bea Manning and the Rev. Cynthia Maybeck will facilitate a Sacred Conversation About Race. If you are interested in attending this event please contact Rev. Manning via email to register or for more information. 
The Opioid Crisis: How Faith Communities Can Help
First Churches Northampton
129 Main Street
Northampton
Sunday, October 30th
12:20PM - 3:00PM
All of our congregations include people who have been touched by opioid addiction, but their stories often remain hidden.  They fear they will be judged, rather than supported. Join clergy and laity of other faith communities on October 30 as we discuss strategies for breaking the silence, hear from people who have been helped and learn from congregations that are working successfully to strengthen the faith and health of both me. Bring a bag lunch. Snacks and drinks will be provided .For more information on the program please contact the Rev. Susan Grant Rosen: [email protected] or 413-247-6337. FLYER  INVITATION
Pizza! Pizza! 
First Parish Church
24 Central Street
Berlin, MA 01503
Second Friday of each month
First Parish Church offers homemade pizza for take-out or dining in at the Pizza Buffet every second Friday of the month. Pizza Buffet includes: drink, salad, all-you-can-eat pizza, and dessert! $9/adult, $5/kids 12 & under. Take out pizza's are 14" pies: $12-cheese, $13-very veggie, $13-pepperoni, and $14-specials!
This month specials are:
Butternut/Garlic/Asiago/Greens
Sausage/ Fresh Ricotta/Caramelized Onion
Want to learn more about the Resolution for Life Without Opportunity for Parole?  
At the 217th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference in June, there was a hearing on the Resolution for Life Without Opportunity for Parole. A vote will be taken next year on this resolution, which calls for all Massachusetts sentences to include an opportunity for a  parole hearing. From now until next June, we would like to talk to Conference churches about the resolution. If you are interested in having us come to your church, please contact Charla Kouadio  at [email protected] or Jonathan Tetherly at [email protected]. We hope to hear from you.  Use this link for 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.

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.

United Parish of Upton
1 Church Street
Upton, MA 01568
All are welcome to our Community Supper held at
5:30pm on the 3rd Thursday of each month .

Congregational Church of Christ
583 Main Street
Leominster, MA 01453
4 - 6 PM, 3rd Saturday of the month, Sept thru May (except Dec.).
Buffet style menu varies from ham, turkey, roast beef, or stuffed chicken with all of the fixin's. $9 All you can eat. Contact the church for more information: 978-537-7054
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

Deacon's Closet Thrift Store
Cong'l Church of Christ, UCC
583 Main Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Open Saturday's 9:00AM - Noon
 
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






Work Camp in Worcester
ReachOut Worcester is an overnight immersion program offered in partnership with Worcester Fellowship, that gives youth (age 13 and up) and their leaders the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the social issues and assets of urban communities like Worcester, while engaging in hands-on service with fellow community members. ROW will be offered again on November 18 to 19, 2016. This event will be "sold out," so please plan accordingly. Registration will be closed once we have 4 groups or 30 yours registered, whichever comes first. More Information.

Sustainable Massachusetts
Sustainable Massachusetts facilitates events that focus on the real-time challenges Massachusetts families are facing in their search for social and economic self sufficiency and that lift up for discussion, examples of innovative and creative approaches that can potentially be used to address these challenges on a larger scale. Ultimately, we seek to identify those areas where together we can make a real and sustainable difference in the lives of families, many of whom have struggled for generations.  More Information.

Worcester Fellowship
       
The Rev. Warren Hicks, Executive DIrector and Pastor for Worcester Fellowship, is available to visit, preach, lead a Sunday forum, or Sunday school to talk about the ministry of Worcester Fellowship in particular the issues of Spiritual Companionin with the marginalized in our towns and cities through the summer (except August), Fall and Winter. Please contact Rev. Hicks at [email protected] for more information!  WorcesterFellowship.org
 
OBITUARIES


To view all of the MACUCC Obituaries, please click   here .
CLASSIFIEDS
Free Directory Board-MACUCC-Framingham

Ministerial Robe - Northborough


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: [email protected]
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.
WEBSITE      CHANGING OUR WORLD     DIRECTORIES     RESOURCES     EVENTS
Central Association of
The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
508-963-8106
[email protected] 
Office Hours:
Monday: 8:00AM - 2:30PM
Tuesday - Thursday: 8:00AM - 4:00PM
Friday: Office is closed