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By The Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor
Senior Minister of Old South Church in Boston, MA
You gotta be there. I mean, you really gotta be there. I mean, there-in the room, at the meeting, at the Tri-Conference gathering of representatives from the UCC churches of Rhode Island (Give it up for Rhode Island!) and Connecticut (Hurrah for the Nutmeggers!) and Massachusetts (Healthcare for all! Woot woot!). You gotta be there in person in the midst of holy argument and deep discernment.
I'm making light, but this is no laughing matter. Meetings such as this constitute a substantive theological and ecclesiastical undertaking for UCCers. That's why we have a conviction about no absentee ballots. It's why we honor and practice discernment ... which means listening to each other long and hard until the Holy Spirit finally squeezes her way in and makes herself known. Such discernment is how we walk the holy high-wire that, in 1957, the UCC suspended between Local Church Autonomy and Covenant.
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UCC Churches to Focus on Climate Change with Earth Day, People's Climate March
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The focus on creation care will be very evident in many United Church of Christ congregations over the next few weeks, with Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, followed by Earth Day Sunday.
The next weekend, on April 29, the People's Climate March in Washington, D.C. and Sister Marches around the country will be drawing environmental advocates from across the country, called to put their faith in action for the sake of our planet.
"Preserving God's creation is perhaps the greatest theological mandate of our time," said the The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Massachusetts Conference Minister and President. "As climate change worsens - as creation offers chaos in place of continuity - injustice in all its forms is multiplied. Together with our interfaith partners - as people of faith - as the church - this is our calling. It is neither partisan nor political. The earth is our home. Our responsibility is at the center of our covenant with God."
Read the United Church News article
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Super Saturday Workshop Proposals Being Accepted
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Super Saturday - October 21, 2017
Keefe Technical Regional High School, Framingham
If you would like to share concepts and practices you've developed that are changing your congregation or community's mission and ministry, we invite you to consider submitting a workshop proposal. As a workshop leader, your registration will be free.
If your proposal is accepted, you will offer a workshop designed to share your insights and create a space for learning and exploration.
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Upcoming Conference events
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April 27 - 28
First Congregational Church of Billerica
Two-day boundary awareness training for clergy.
May 10 - 11
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
This chaplaincy training is based on the National Disaster Interfaiths Network Disaster Spiritual Care training course, which trains and credentials faith leaders, spiritual care providers and institutional chaplains to volunteer as disaster chaplains or spiritual care workers in mass-care settings, or to serve their house of worship or local community during times of crisis.
Ministerial Profile Writing Workshop
May 12, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
CT Conference Office, Hartford, CT
Need some tips on writing or updating your Ministerial Profile? Here is your opportunity! Remick from Massachusetts, Barbara Libby from Rhode Island and Kent Siladi from Connecticut will be on hand to help.
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.
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June 16 - 17
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
The historic first joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences. With UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer as keynote speaker.
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.
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New stained-glass windows were reinstalled ahead of schedule this week in the historic First Congregational Church in Wareham, concluding the first phase of the church's major renovation project.
Read the Wicked Local Article
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| The Rev. Mr. Bruce A. Greer called to Federated Church of Sturbridge and Fiskdale as Interim Pastor
Effective: April 1, 2017
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HUD 101: Federal Housing Policy and What We Can Do in Boston
April 23, 2:00 PM
Wellesley Congregational Church
Join City Mission as we explore the role HUD in our communities, how the new administration might affect local progress on homelessness and affordable housing, and what we can do right here in Massachusetts to ensure that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.
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May 1, 6:00 PM
Church of the Pilgrimage,
Plymouth, MA
May 9, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
The Epicurean Room, Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School, Marlborough
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