the weekly emailing
BLOG: A New Holiday for the UCC

By Sir John Hargrave
Member of The Wellesley Congregational Church

In 1754, Benjamin Franklin published this famous drawing in his newspaper, the Pennsylvania Gazette . Until that point, the early American colonies were operating like independent fiefdoms, and Franklin was encouraging the colonies to come together to form something greater than the sum of their parts.

Because it's the earliest graphical representation of a united America, some call it the first American political cartoon. That simple line drawing was reprinted countless times, because the message was so easy to understand:  united we are powerful, but divided we are dead.

In America, we value independence. We celebrate our great leaders, inventors, and businesspeople for their independent thinking. Our favorite movies are about rugged individualists, from outlaw cowboys to space fighters. Our biggest national holiday is even named Independence Day.

But the truth is that we're not just independent, we're also interdependent. Our churches are deeply connected with our communities. Our communities are connected with our country. Our country is connected to a global economy, a global internet, and a global environment.

Why is it that we have Independence Day, but no Interdependence Day? Where is the holiday to celebrate our connection with each other, and the world?

For those of us within the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences of the United Church of Christ, our Annual Meeting is that day. It is a time to come together as a wider church: to learn, network, laugh, pray, sing, and worship together. It is a time to celebrate our interdependence.


March 30th Webinar to Offer Tips for Talking About Annual Meeting
Every church in the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences is being encouraged to designate someone from the congregation to take part in a March 30th online webinar designed to teach how to spread the news about the upcoming historic Tri-Conference Annual Meeting.

This Meeting, being held June 16 and 17 at the Connecticut Convention Center, will be the historic first gathering of the three conferences together, at a meeting that will feature inspirational worship, shared communion and a discussion about the future church with UCC General Minister and President the Rev. John C. Dorhauer. The Meeting will see delegates vote on whether the three conferences should join together, as one, to form a new conference.

Annual Meeting planners hope that 1,000 people will turn out for the event, and so are working to make sure everyone in the three conferences knows that they are invited and encouraged to come. One way to do that is to equip someone in each congregation with talking points they may find useful in explaining this once-in-a-lifetime event. This may be the church's Conference delegate, pastor or someone else.

The webinar is being offered on March 30 at noon and again at 7 PM. 

Called to preach: Sermons for a time such as this
 
Associate Conference Minister Kelly Gallagher recently invited clergy to submit sermons to the Conference website. She did so with these words:

"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. We must listen to one another - and be in prayer together.

We invite clergy in this time to submit sermons that they feel speak to this moment through the lens of the Gospel."

Audio and text versions of numerous sermons that have been submitted are now available at:  www.macucc.org/calledtopreach.  

Featured Event
Pilgrim Congregational Church, Lexington
A fun and interactive information session about the New England camps connected to the United Church of Christ.  Learn about kids camps, family camps, adult camps, art camps, and so much more. Sponsored by the Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC and Hancock United Church of Christ, both of Lexington.

Upcoming Conference events

March 18, 8:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA   
Brian McLaren
A full day of workshops and networking. Keynote speaker will be author, storyteller, and theologian.Brian McLaren. Walk-ins will be accepted but some workshops are full.

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 29, 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
A day of covenant for those clergy engaged in specialized ministries.

Spiritual Resilience and Resistance In a Time of Climate Change
 April 1, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Trinity Church, Boston
Free retreat to explore a framework for the heart to help us become healers filled with compassion, energy, and hope. This retreat will include presentations, guided meditation, silence, and conversation. 

Preparing for the Search & Call Process: The Adventure Begins
April 1, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Members-in-Discernment throughout New England are invited to attend this workshop for help in navigating through the search and call process within the UCC.
 
Human and Faith Development
Apr. 1, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield
and
Apr. 22, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Edwards Church,  Northampton
A seminar in the Christian Education Certification program focused on the relationship with God as God becomes known to us.  Open to all.  

April 3 - 7
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham
For those who have taken step one of the Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry Training, this five day course emphasizes the work of the congregation. Led by The Rev. Dr. Norman B. Bendroth and the Rev. Ineke Mitchell. Registration Deadline is March 24.

Opioid Crisis: What Do We Do Now? What Do We Do Next?
April 8, 9:00 AM
New North Church, Hingham
What can one person or one church do about this? Come and find out at the Southeast Area Missions Committee's Spring forum.

Boundary Awareness Training
April 27 - 28
First Congregational Church of Billerica
Two-day boundary awareness training for clergy.

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 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!

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.

See more at: macucc.org/events
People of All Faiths Invited to Join Connecticut River Pilgrimage
 
An interfaith coalition is inviting people of all faiths to take part in the "River of Life: Connecticut River Pilgrimage " May 31 - July 9.

A core group of "river pilgrims" will journey the full length of the river, being joined by "daily pilgrims" as they traverse individual stretches/communities, and by "pilgrims in prayer" for those who aren't able to paddle along or join in events but want to participate in the 40-day spiritual practices that correspond with the Pilgrimage dates.


Local Buzz

The Rev. Sally Norris writes: A nation without immigrants? Never! We need more immigrants than ever..

Read The Cape Cod Times Opinion Piece
Transitions
Classifieds
Other Events of Interest
March 23, 2:00 - 3:30 PM
United Parish of Auburndale, Newton
At this  Massachusetts Council of Churches event, pastors are invited to learn from a PR professional about how to "get your point across, represent your church accurately, and pitch newsworthy stories."
March 17, 8:30 AM
Salem State University
 
Embracing Stewardship: 2017 NESC Conference
March 24 - 25
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
 
Outdoor Exploration and Meditation
March 26, 2:00 - 4:00 PM

April 6, 2017 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Pilgrim Congregational Church, Southborough
Showing of a documentary focused on six LGBT elders living in the Boston area.

May 9, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The Epicurean Room,  Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough

May 25, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
South Congregational Church, Springfield

July 9 - 12 
Simmons College, Boston
The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
508-875-5233
macucc@macucc.org