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Be the Church: Give-Away and Contest!
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We have heard from many churches that the UCC "Be the Church" banner has had wonderful responses in their communities. Some have even said people have come into their church because they saw the banner and were moved by it. We would love to see this message spread and shared even further.
So, the first 20 churches (only!) who respond (via email please) with a guarantee that they can and will hang this banner in a prominent place outside of their church will receive it for FREE!! Once you've hung your free banner, please send us a pic so we can share it with everyone! Already have a banner? There's something here for you too.
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Pilgrim Day Camp in the News
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Camp Receives 2017 Best of Framingham Award
Pilgrim Day Camp, located on the Massachusetts Conference campus, has been selected for the 2017 Best of Framingham Award in the Camp Category.
Read more here
Interview with Director Jon Kirby
An interview in The Boston Voyage with Jon Kirby, long-time Director of Pilgrim Day Camp, which is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Conference, UCC.
Read more here
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UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer, second from left, was in Boston last weekend to lead worship before joining some 40,000 others in a march for justice. With him are Conference staff members Ruben Bonilla-Santiago, a member at Old South; and Associate Conference Ministers Kelly Gallagher, Wendy Vander Hart and Don Remick (along with a little friend).
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March for Justice in Boston: Answering the Call
by TJ Harper
To see 40,000 people gathered in Boston to counter-protest 30 or 40 Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists was remarkable. Even if some of our political leaders refused to call the heinous acts of Charlottesville domestic terrorism and truly condemn them, 40,000 people in Boston were ready to demonstrate their beliefs. A message was sent: Our country has come too far and made too many strides in the right direction to let an aberration deter us. I was reminded of that old Negro spiritual that said, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round, Turn Me 'Round, Turn Me Round..."
Read more
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Film Screening and Discussion of "13th"
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Sunday, September 17, 3-6 p.m.
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
MACUCC will host a screening of Ava Duvernay's Netflix Documentary "13th," which discusses how the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution has a loophole currently being exploited. Duvernay is also the director of the critically-acclaimed film, "Selma."
Read more and sign up here
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Faith Formation Classes for All*
*and those pursuing Christian Educator Certification
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These classes are open to lay persons and authorized ministers who want to further their education and understanding about faith formation, and are part of the Christian Educator's Certification Program of the Massachusetts Conference.
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UCC History, Polity, & Identity
Nov. 4
, 8:30 AM - Noon
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield
Dec. 9, 8:30 AM - Noon
Edwards Church, Northampton
Instructor: Rev. Jonathan New, Associate Conference Minister, MACUCC
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Old and New Testament
Mar. 3, 8:30 AM - Noon
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield,
Mar. 24,
8:30 AM - Noon
Edwards Church, Northampton
Instructor: Rev. Don Remick, Associate Conference Minister, MACUCC
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Sept. 7, 7-8 p.m.
This free webinar will provide practical, engaging, and developmentally appropriate ideas for youth ministry.
Sept. 8 - 9
Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center, Framingham, MA
One of four events being held across the UCC to which Committees on Ministry, authorized ministers, and members of the UCC who are interested in the proposed changes to the UCC Manual on Ministry are invited to take part.
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.
Faith at Home: How to Support Cautiously Christian Parents
Sept. 26, 7:00 to 8:00 PM
Online Webinar
This webinar will address how clergy and church leaders can support parents as they speak about faith at home with their children.
Resource for Pastoral Relations Committees
Sept. 27, 6:30 to 8:00 PM
First Congregational Church of West Brookfield
Training for pastoral relations committee, best practices, and ways to be proactive in establishing a group. Led by Associate Conference Minister The Rev. Kelly Gallagher.
Tending the Fire
Sept. 27-29; Nov. 8-10,
Jan. 3-5
Trinity United Methodist Church, Springfield
Tending the Fire helps clergy "think systems" in their congregations and their personal lives, so they can lead change that lasts. Participants must attend all three retreats.
Save the Date: Racial Justice Training II
Sept. 30
Location TBD
Level 2, Track A (Institutional/Cultural) Limited space. Participants must have completed Level 1. More details to come!
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Oct. 4 - 5
Pakachoag Church, Auburn
Level 1 Boundary Awareness Training (BAT) for anyone that needs to complete this requirement.
Oct. 5
Edwards House, Framingham, MA
In this October 5 workshop for clergy, Christina Belogour, co-leader of the Pastoral Counseling Center at Myrtle Baptist Church in West Newton, will briefly review a few basics of trauma and disaster work.
Oct. 14, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center,
Framingham
An opportunity to network and share experiences with your MACUCC colleagues.
Super Saturday
Oct. 21
Keefe Regional Technical School,
Framingham
Registration is now open. The full-day event includes morning worship, two workshops, an optional lunch activity, continental breakfast, lunch, marketplace and closing worship. Speaker is Noel Anderson of Church World Service.
Oct. 31, 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM
Edwards House, Framingham
Planned in collaboration with Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services®, this seminar is designed to provide tools and resources to lay and clergy to make handling their finances and planning for the future easier.
Nov. 9-11
Craigville Retreat Center
Nothing planned for the Veteran's Day break? Teens grade 6-12 are invited to join us for this 2-day retreat as we live into being the hands and feet of Christ.
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Spotlight: Haverhill Church Creates a Prayer Wall
By Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane
China has its Great Wall which was meant to prevent invaders from entering, but today some consider it a symbol of the country's enduring strength. Germany has the Berlin Wall, which was both a symbol of the Cold War when it was built and an illustration of re-unification when it came down. Jerusalem has its Western Wall where people believe there is the presence of God in the rocks so they place slips of paper containing written prayers into its cracks.
And now Haverhill has its own symbolic wall.
Read more
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Correction from last week:
The Rev. Mr. Jonathan Goodell called to
First Parish Church, Congregational in Dover, NH, as Interim Minister
Effective: Aug. 15, 2017
The Rev. Ms. Karen Gale called to Pilgrim Congregational Church, Lexington as Interim Pastor
Effective: Aug. 15, 2017
The Rev. Mr. Jonathan Goodell leaving Pilgrim Congregational Church, Lexington as Interim Pastor
Effective: Aug. 14, 2017
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Aug. 25 - 27
First Congregational Church of Milton
A two-day training event to equip pastors and lay leaders with skills that help them to reduce anxiety in their interpersonal relationships, thus allowing congregations to function in healthier ways.
Oct. 7
Agape Community, Hardwick, MA
St. Francis Day will be celebrated at the Agape Community, 2062 Greenwich Road, with a sacred water ceremony. Guests include: Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Standing Rock, Lakota, Dakota, Nakota Nations; Beatrice Menase; and Kwe Jackson. Bring your own lunch. Click here for flyer.
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Oct. 21, 5:30-10:30 PM
Beechwood Hotel, Worcester
The Gala will feature a full buffet dinner, cash bar, silent auction, raffle, and dancing to the music of Dale LePage, Central Massachusetts' favorite crooner! Jazz saxophonist Willie Sordillo will provide music for cocktail hour. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet some of the asylum seekers and hear their stories of courage.
To support this unique ministry of Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC in Worcester, visit this page.
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