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CT, MA and RI Boards commit to forming new Conference
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The Boards of Directors of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences on Saturday voted unanimously to commit to forming a new Conference to minister and come together to make an impact as people of faith.
The three Boards came together for a meeting in Woodstock, Connecticut, and after worship and conversation together, went into separate meetings. Each Board then voted unanimously to adopt a resolution (
text below
) stating their intent to move forward in creating a new Conference.
They will ask the Annual Meetings of the three Conferences, being held together June 16 and 17, to endorse their intent to draft a proposal for a new Conference. The Boards would then bring that specific proposal to another joint Annual Meeting in 2018 for ratification.
Read More,
including the Resolution passed by the Boards and the Case Statement for a unified ministry
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Hundreds of people from UCC churches across the Conference took part in the Women's March on Washington, and the sister marches in Boston and other cities.
The Massachusetts Conference invited them to write about their experiences and share photos.
Read more:
Dirkje F. Legerstee (right) writes: I marched as a naturalized citizen of the United States, whose parents were sponsored by a UCC church as "Nazi War Victims". I marched as a second generation Holocaust survivor whose mother was forced to register and targeted to be murdered with the rest of her family. I marched with a deep seated awareness that fascism is not history and that malevolent patterns of genocide and vengeance are currently repeating themselves by traumatizing millions around our globe.
Lynne McDonald (left, with a group from South Church Andover) writes:
My 13-year-old daughter and I joined a group of 50 people who traveled overnight ...
I was not planning on protesting against the Trump presidency, as some thought we were doing, but rather, I was joining other like minded people to peacefully show the Washington leadership all that we deeply care about.
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A Call to Preach...and to Hear
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By The Rev. Kelly Gallagher
Associate Conference Minister
We at the Justice and Witness Council realize the difficult task placed upon our clergy to preach week in and week out in a time when we are, more than ever, called to be "the guide and critic of the state." And we recognize the challenge to hear what the Holy Spirit may be saying through our clergy when emotions are high, fear is real and the culture is at odds with one another. And yet it is imperative that we find words to engage the Gospel and the Spirit in this time - that we open our hearts to what is being said.
Read her post and learn how to send in your sermon
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From Despair to Hope in the New Year
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We are called as faithful people to commit ourselves to the notion that there shall be no more victims born of violence perpetrated by one human being against another. We are beckoned as Christians to help usher in true "tidings of great joy" for all people everywhere, and to work to bring about that day when all people might live out their hopes and dreams over a full span of years, and not have them foreshortened by "cosmic clashes" that would see human lives as expendable -- either through war or politics. Let the new year of assuring love wins begin.
Read more
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Upcoming Conference events
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Feb. 10 - 11,
Prindle Pond, Charlton
Mar. 10 - 11, Prindle Pond, Charlton
Mar. 17 - 18, Berkshire Outdoor Center, Becket
These retreats are offered for confirmation classes and their leaders.
Feb. 25, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield
and
Mar. 25, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Edwards Church, Northampton
An opportunity to focus on four foundational theories of religious education while creating one's own personal theory for use in the church setting, and acquiring the tools for adapting, revising, and using these theories in local church programming, community life, and for forming the faith. Part of the CE Certification Program, this workshop is open to all.
March 3 - 5
Craigville Retreat Center, Craigville
Teens grade 6-12 are invited to join us for a weekend retreat as we journey to the heart of Lent. Through art, music, writing, and movement, we'll explore how we can use this season to grow in love for ourselves, our loved ones, our enemies, the earth, and God.
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Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA
A full day of workshops and networking. Keynote speaker will be author, storyteller, and theologian.Brian McLaren.
March 29, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
A day of covenant for those clergy engaged in specialized ministries.
April 3 - 7
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham
For those who have taken step one of the Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry Training.
Space for 15 youth and 3 adults!
June 30 - July 5
Baltimore, MD
This event is for young leaders ages 13 to 18 who want to experience the vibrant diversity of the wider church. Registration now open!
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An opportunity for inspiration and spiritual refreshment
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By The Rev. Carol Steinbrecher
Are you in your first 2 - 5 years in congregational leadership? Do you feel you could use some new inspiration, spiritual refreshment, and intellectual stimulation? Then I highly recommend that you consider applying for the Chautauqua Institution's Interfaith, New Clergy Program. Chautauqua is a unique place where approximately 10,000 people gather each week throughout a 9-week summer season to explore the contemporary worlds of religion, public life, the arts, and education.
Read more
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Yale Offering Free Lenten Online Course
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Yale University is offering three six-week online courses that can be audited for free under the theme of "Journey of the Universe: A Story for our Times." Two courses are on Journey of the Universe and one is on the Worldview Of Thomas Berry. An Integrating Capstone course is also available as part of the specialization certificate - it is not available to audit.
Read more
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