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CHURCH CLUSTER MEETING INFORMATION
The church cluster meetings have been well attended! To see which month your church will be invited to attend a cluster meeting please click
here. List has been updated.
The vision of the Board of Directors is to have at least 2 to 3 church representatives attend these, as well as the minister if possible. Those in attendance will be able to ask the Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister, and the Board of Directors questions regarding church issues. Participants will also be in informed on how the conference and association can help churches with their mission.
Please see the list of associations events for the cluster meetings that have been scheduled, there is a link for registration.
Please contact the association office with any questions. 508-963-8106 or
holmesd@macucc.org.
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| DECEMBER ORDINATION ANNIVERSARIES |
40 Years
The Rev. Dr. Edmond C. Babinsky
35 Years
The Rev. Ms. Joanne B. Gray
The Rev. Dr. John Weagraff
10 Years
The Rev. Ms. K. Shayna Appel
Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary. Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5.
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IMPORTANT ASSOCIATION DATES
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December 7, 2016
Trinity Church Northborough
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
6:30PM - 8:00PM
December 11, 2016
Installation
First Congregational Church UCC
1 Church Street
Paxton, MA 01612
3:00PM
January 18, 2017
Ecclesiastical Council
The Eliot Church of South Natick
45 Eliot Street
Natick, MA 01760
7:00PM
January 22, 2017
Ordination
Acton Congregational Church
12 Concord Road
Acton, MA 01720
3:00PM
January 26, 2017
Snow date: Feb. 9, 2017
First Congregational Church
of Milford, UCC
4 Congress Street
Milford, MA 01757
6:30PM - 8:00PM
February 1, 2017
Ecclesiastical Council
Edwards Church
39 Edwards Street
Framingham, MA 01701
7:00PM
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Ordination
South Acton Congregational Church
35 School Street
Acton, MA 01720
3:00PM
March 29, 2017
First Congregational Church of Dudley
135 Center Road
Dudley, MA 01571
6:30PM - 8:00PM
April 6, 2017
Pakachoag Church
203 Pakachoag Street
Auburn, MA 01501
6:30PM - 8:00PM
May 7, 2017
SAVE THE DATE
More Information
to Follow
4:00PM
May 17, 2017
First Congregational Church UCC
1 Church Street
Paxton, MA 01612
6:30PM - 8:00PM
May 21, 2017
Ordination
Christian Union Church
37 West Main Street/Rte. 225
West Groton, MA 01472
3:00PM
June 2017
Church Cluster Meeting
First Congregational Church
20 Main Street
Brimfield, MA 01010
6:30PM - 8:00PM
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December 3, 2016
CE Certification 2016 - 2017
Year Two
Edwards Church
297 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
8:30AM - 12:30PM
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January 18 & 19, 2017
Harvard Divinity School
Rockefeller Hall
47 Francis Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
8:30AM - 3:30PM
March 23, 2017
SAVE THE DATE!
Location: To be determined
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Alternative Gifts Fair
Edwards Church
39 Edwards Street
Framingham, MA 01701
Saturday, December 3rd
12:30AM - 4:00PM
Wondering what to get for your Aunt Flora who has everything? Tired of buying gifts that don't seem to mean anything? Want to make a positive difference in the world? Want to give gifts that bring joy? Featuring Gifts with a Heart: Fair Trade Coffee, Tea, and Chocolate; Handicrafts from Artists' Coops around the world; Dog Treats and Jewelry for NEADS (Assistance Dogs); And Many More!
FLYER
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Christmas Faire
Pilgrim Congregational Church
26 West Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Saturday, December 3rd
10:00AM - 4:00PM
Unique handcrafted items including tree ornaments, gifts, winter accessories, dog and cat toys, wreaths, and home decor will be available to complete holiday shopping. A handmade quilt and fully decorated Victorian Christmas tree will be raffled. There will be a "Cookie Walk" with cookies by the dozen. Gently used decorations will be for sale in Mrs. Claus's Attic. A soup lunch will be served from 11AM - 1PM. One of Santa's elves will arrive for the afternoon photo opportunities. Stop by during the Leominster "Winter Stroll" to be entertained with music and warmed with free cocoa. Don't miss this special experience to put one in the Christmas spirit!
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Annual Church Fair
Barre Congregational Church
30 Park Street
Barre, MA 01005
Saturday, December 3rd
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Baked goods, candy and crafts make excellent Christmas gifts, and we will also be raffling off items. Profits go to benefit Barre Congregational Church. Please stop by!
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Holly Bazaar
United Parish of Winchendon
39 Front Street
Winchendon, MA 01475
Saturday, December 3rd
9:00AM - 3:00PM
Raffles, crafts, baked goods, auction tables, and luncheon with sandwiches, soup, and desserts. Please come join the fun!
FLYER
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Breakfast with Santa
Hopedale Union Church, UCC
25 Dutcher Street
Hopedale, MA 01747
Saturday, December 3rd
8:00AM - 11:00AM
All-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast! Free picture with Santa! Fund kid's crafts & face painting! Christmas crafts and baked goods! Huge vendor raffle! Admission: $6 at the door/$25 family max. Everyone is welcome!
FLYER
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Hadwen Park Church Welcomes those who are "blue" at Christmas.
Hadwen Park Congregational Church
6 Clover Street
Worcester, MA 01035
Thursday, December 8th at 7:00PM
Halloween costumes attempt to disguise the person underneath. Sometimes a cheery, "ho-ho-ho" during the holidays disguises the pain underneath.
For those suffering grief or loss (whether fresh or frozen in time), the holidays, when everyone else is celebrating, can make us feel very alone. Constant reminders about the happiness of the season and its gatherings, remind some of us what we no longer have or, perhaps, never had.
Feeling sadness when everyone else is feeling joy or just feeling the darkness of the shortened winter days, our spirits can sink. When such feelings creep in, we need to know we are NOT alone; we need to feel encouragement to make it through the days ahead.
There is a place to acknowledge sadness and concern and be assured that God's presence is for those who mourn and struggle as well as for those who rejoice. Join others in prayer, meditation, scripture and music and the rites of laying on of hands, anointing with oil and the sacrament of Communion at a "Blue Christmas" service.
God's Word comes to shine light into our darkness. Everyone is welcome, regardless of church affiliation or having none at all. The sanctuary is handicapped accessible.
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Holiday Handbell Concert
First Congregational Church UCC
725 Washington Street
Holliston, MA 01746
Saturday, December 10th at 7:00PM
FCC is proud to present our Holiday Handbell Concert. Tickets are $12 each, $10 for students and seniors and a maximum of $25 per family. Tickets are available from a bell choir member or may be purchased at the door the evening of the concert. Proceeds benefit our handbell and choir chime programs.
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Service of Remembrance and Hope
First Congregational Church UCC
725 Washington Street
Holliston, MA 01746
in Faith Chapel
Wednesday, December 14th at 7:00PM
The holidays can be a time where grief or loss of any kind can weigh especially heavy. Our Blue Christmas and Healing service offer a safe and quiet space to come and remember those who have passed and experience the hopeful message of Christ's birth. This service will include communion, the lighting of candles and the option to receive a laying on of hands - a symbolic act that signifies the imparting of spiritual blessings. All are welcome.
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Holiday Concert
First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury
19 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Saturday, December 17th at 4:00PM
Enjoy unique and familiar carols and songs for the season with the Master SIngers, piansit Olga Rogach, and the Shrewsbury Ringers. A festive reception follows the concert.
For more information see the attached
flyer.
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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! Click here for our monthly specials!
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Pastoral Counseling Centers of Massachusetts
The Pastoral Counseling Center is excited to announce two new therapists who are joining the center on November 1, 2016.
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LOCAL THRIFT SHOPS, FOOD PANTRIES,
& COMMUNITY DINNERS
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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
2nd Saturday of each month.
4:30PM - 6:00PM
The church hosts their monthly dinner with a free will offering. All are welcome.
Southbridge
Congregational Church
61 Elm Street
Southbridge, MA 01550
4th Saturday of each month.
4:30PM - 6:00PM
Free Community Dinner
Free will donations accepted. Please use the Park St. entrance.
United Parish of Upton
1 Church Street
Upton, MA 01568
3rd Thursday of the
month at 5:30PM.
All are welcome to our Community Supper.
Congregational
Church of Christ
583 Main Street
Leominster, MA 01453
3rd Saturday of the
month 4 - 6PM
Sept. thru May (except Dec.)
Buffet style menu varies from ham, turkey, roast beef, or stuffed chicken with all of the fixings. $9 all you can eat. Contact the church for more information: 978-537-7054
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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 01560
Thurs: 10AM-4PM
Sat: 10AM-4PM
Clothing, books, toys,
housewares, etc.
Trinity Church Northborough
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
Tuesday & Saturday
10:00AM - 3:00PM
First Congregational Church of West Boylston
26 Central Street
West Boylston, MA 01583
Wed's: 9:30AM - 2:00PM
Sat's: 9:30AM - 12:30PM
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
583 Main Street
Leominster, MA 01453
Saturday's 9:00 - Noon
First Congregational Church
of Westminster
138 Main Street
Westminster, MA 01473
Tues & Thurs: 2:00 - 4:00
2nd Saturday of the month
10:00 - 1:00
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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
First Congregational Church
of West Boylston
26 Central Street
West Boylston, MA 01583
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ReachOut Worcester is an overnight immersion program offered in partnership with Worcester Fellowship, that gives youth (ages 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 on November 18-19, 2016. This event will be "sold out", so please plan accordingly. Registration will be closed once we have 4 groups or 30 youths registered, whichever comes first.
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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 Companioning with the marginalized in our towns and cities through the summer (except August), Fall and Winter. Please contact Rev. Hicks at pastor@worcesterfellowship.org for more information.
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Want to learn more about the Resolution for Life Without Opportunity for Parole?
At the 217th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference in June 2016, there was a hearing on the Resolution for Life Without Opportunity for Parole. A vote will be taken next year (2017) on this resolution, which calls for all Massachusetts sentences to include an opportunity for a parole hearing. From now until June 2017, 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
ckouadio1122@gmail.com or Jonathan Tetherly at
jctkht1104@yahoo.com. We hope to hear from you. Use this
link for more information.
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To view all of the MACUCC Obituaries, please click
here.
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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
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Association/Conference Fellowship Dues for 2016
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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.
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