the weekly emailing
A short video giving another perspective on the Together, As One proposal
June is upon us, and that means the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting is only weeks away. 

This historic meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island conferences takes place on June 16-17 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. 

The registration deadline is this coming Monday, June 5.


Still have questions about the Together, As One proposal to form a new conference? There are three more opportunities for delegates to join online forums with the Conference Ministers and Board members to discuss it. These forums will be held online on June 7th at 7:00 PM, June 8th at 1:00 PM, and June 8th at 7:00 PM. Register here.

Call the Police
By The Rev. John Allen
Pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC, Milton
Member of the MACUCC Immigration and Refugee Task Team 

A few months ago I scheduled a meeting with the Chief of Police in my community.

We had run into each other around town in the past, and he was kind enough to come over and introduce himself when I was new to the community. In prior conversations we had spoken in general terms about our town. Both its beauties, and its hidden struggles. This afternoon though I had just one question to ask him: "What would you do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) asked for your help?"

This is something that any of us could do today to work toward the safety of immigrants and refugees in your community. Go and ask key civic leaders how they see their relationship with ICE. At the bottom of this article is a list of questions you could take to leaders. Take notes on their replies. 

Report from Ecumenical Advocacy Days

I attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days in DC from April 21-24. This is an annual gathering of progressive Christians from different denominational backgrounds all over the country, joining in an effort to advocate for peace and justice. There were close to 1,000 attendees and many more followed the live-stream on Facebook.
 
This year's theme was what Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the "giant triplets": Racism, Extreme Materialism, and Militarism. It was quite an eye-opener to look at all the issues he named 50 years ago that we still haven't moved forward on significantly. He also pointed out that if the church does not reclaim its prophetic zeal it will become 
Super Saturday Workshop Proposals Being Accepted
Workshop Proposals are now being accepted for the October 21 Super Saturday event at Keefe  Technical Regional High School in 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.  

Proposals are due by May 31.

Upcoming Conference events
June 7, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Vard Johnson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)

Adult Spiritual Retreat: Discovering God's Will Together
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 8, 1:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Jocelyn Gardner Spencer (Connecticut Conference Board member), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and George Peters (Rhode Island Conference President)

June 8, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference.
with Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)

Authorized Ministry Luncheon
June 16, 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Hartford Marriott Downtown

This luncheon, a pre-meeting event to the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting, is an opportunity for authorized ministers, lay leaders and others to gather and share time in community with UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer.

Registration Deadline is June 5
Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
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 21, 2017 at 5:30 to 9:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Beverly Weinhold will offer a presentation from a nationally recognized, evidence,informed sexual abuse prevention curriculum created by Darkness to Light.


June 30 - July 5
Baltimore, MD
Join with thousands of faithful members of the United Church of Christ for formal church witness, inspirational worship, and fellowship 

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
Local Buzz

NATICK - Organizers of an upcoming gun buyback program are disappointed over having to remove publicity about the event from Facebook.

Leaders of Common Street Spiritual Center and First Congregational Church, who both had to remove posts, said they are disappointed they can't continue to use Facebook to publicize the event.

Supporters have been widely publicizing the event for a couple months, so removing the posts in recent weeks may not have a major effect on turnout, said the Rev. Victoria Guest of First Congregational Church.

Transitions
The Rev. Ms. Kathryn Stevens retiring as Pastor from First Congregational Church, UCC, Ashfield
Effective: May 31, 2017
Classifieds
Other Events of Interest
Define American: Immigration and Identity
June 10, 6:00 PM
Congregational Church of Needham, UCC
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and immigration activist Jose Antonio Vargas will be the featured speaker at this educational forum, sponsored by Progressive Massachusetts and the Progressive Needham Chapter. Registration is required for this event, as space is limited. 
June 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM
Congregation B'nai Israel, Northampton

June 11 - 13
Craigville Retreat Center

June 13
Mass. Statehouse, Boston

June 30 - July 4
The First Church, Nashua, NH

July 9 - 12 
Simmons College, Boston

July 10 - 14
Craigville Retreat Center, Craigville, MA

The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
508-875-5233
macucc@macucc.org