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Many Voices, One Mission: Wrestling With Our Past
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By Rev. Wendy Vander Hart, Associate Conference Minister for the Massachusetts Conference, UCC
What we remember and how we remember matters. I struggle with the concept of commemorating an assassination. As I write this, today, April 4, 2018, is an ugly anniversary. This day 50 years ago Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in Memphis Tennessee. There is great evidence that we still have a long way to go in realizing his dream and the fulfillment of this nation's promise that all are created equal (I would add - in the image of our Creator).
Through Racial Justice training that the Connecticut Conference initiated, and spread to the Massachusetts Conference, our mission is to move from tolerance to unity as well as to unmask, dismantle and eradicate racism. As I have experienced it, a huge part of Racial Justice training is learning and helping others to see. In this context we are teaching and learning to see the world as God sees it. The practice of seeing and remembering is steeped in our Christian faith.
Recently, I was meeting with leaders of one of the churches I serve. A large anniversary of the church's founding looms and they asked me - what best practices have I witnessed around celebrating anniversaries? I noted that connecting history to the present day and its issues has been a most effective commemoration.
Many Voices, One Mission
is a new regular series highlighting the ministries of the
Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences of the United Church of Christ.
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BU School of Theology Invites Congregations into Lilly-funded Project
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The Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is inviting mainline New England Protestant congregations to apply to become part of "Creative Callings," a project being funded with a $1.5 million Lilly Endowment grant.
The project is a five-year grant to create and facilitate an innovation hub aimed to generate fresh reflection and creative ministries around vocation. BUSTH is now opening applications for congregations to participate in the innovation hub.
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Global Ministries is Seeking Global Mission Interns
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Global Ministries is offering a unique experience for young people - college graduates to age 30 - to serve as a Global Mission Intern.
Global Mission Interns serve one to three years in a country where Global Ministries works.
Placements match the gifts of the candidate and they vary from working with youth in crisis, addressing poverty, fighting for reconciliation, to supporting children.
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Do you know about NEAUCE?
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By Sally Tomasetti
Coordinator of Children's Ministry at the Wellesley Hills Congregational Church
Do you know about NEAUCE? It is an annual awesome 3 day retreat of worship and workshops and guest speakers for CE folks and Pastors. It is a great way to connect and engage in the newest concerns and topics. It is a great way to meet people in your surrounding areas that do ministry just like you.
There is still room available at the event so registration is still open. I would love to see you at the retreat. I have been going since 2011, and have been blessed many times by meeting others sharing the same ministry pros and cons.
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Leading up to the second
Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences, Conference leaders will be hosting a series of five online forums for discussion about the upcoming votes to formally create a new, unified conference.
Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 20, 4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 30, 1:00 PM
Thursday, June 7, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, June 12, at 7:00 PM
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April 28, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Instructor: Rev. Maren Tirabassi
Deadline for Submitting Haystack Award Nominations
May 1
The Justice & Witness Council is now accepting nominations for its 2018 Haystack Awards which recognize participation in charitable and social justice ministry.
Brown Bag Lunch Webinar: Stewardship
May 2, Noon to 1:00 PM
Online
Why does how we talk about money in the church matter? Join colleagues for a discussion and sharing of best practices facilitated by Jonathan New, Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship & Financial Development
Community of Practice for Christian Educators and Youth Leaders
May 5, 10:00 AM to noon
Edwards House Meeting Center,
Framingham
An opportunity to network and share experiences with your MACUCC colleagues.
Retirement Celebration for Jim Antal
May 5, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Sarah Wyman Whitman Gallery, WamsWorks
Worcester
An evening of merriment and celebration honoring the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Minister and President, for his 12 years of faithful, loving service to the MACUCC.
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
The 'mission field' has changed. In this new era of ministry, our outreach to our neighbors takes on a new level of significance. And thriving churches are churches 'without walls.' presented by Rev. Dr. Liz Magill and Rev. Don Remick
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May 19, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA
Learn how empower others to solve their own problems. Led by Rev. Todd Weir and Rev. Jim Latimer.
June 6, Noon - 1:00 PM
Online
A look at charitable giving and additional ways to fund your mission and ministry. Facilitated by MACUCC Fundraising and Development Specialist Lee Gagen.
Coaching Plus Healthy Communications Does a Successful Conversation Make
June 7, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
In this four-hour workshop, the Rev. Dr. Claire Bamberg will present and lead participants through material designed to expand communication skill sets in c
onflict transformation, p
owerful questions and l
eadership development
This workshop will feature teaching sessions with noted writer Robert Benson, time for writing, and evenings spent listening and responding to each others' work.
May 29 - June 8
Camp Calumet, Freedom, NH
Learn about the UCC! You are encouraged to enroll in the Summer Institute if you are a
seminarian, seminary graduate, clergyperson seeking dual standing, or anyone who wants to refresh their knowledge about the UCC.
Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
June 15 - 16
Mass Mutual Center, Springfield
A joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences where delegates will be asked to officially vote a new, unified conference into existence.
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These webinars are offered free of charge to members of the Massachusetts Conference through a partnership with Practical Resources for Churches. Click title to register.
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April 25, 7:00 - 7:30 PM
Join author Sophfronia Scott as she discusses the book she wrote with her son , Tain Gregory, about the faith journey which began when Tain asked to enroll in Sunday school.
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May 8, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Led by the Rev. Keith Anderson who will share practical and actionable information, insights, and stories from around the church and from his decade of using social media in the parish setting.
May 15, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Led by the Rev. Nani Arning, an Ordained Deacon in the United Methodist Church
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Awakenings Conference
April 26 - April 29
The United Congregational Church of Holyoke, MA
Interact with leading-edge speakers, Bart Ehrman, Deena Grant, Chung Hyun Kyung, Peter Rollins, and Carol Howard Merritt. Explore with workshop leaders, artists and musicians who see our faith traditions as part of the answer to today's polarized environment. MACUCC staffers Don Remick and TJ Harper will both be presenting.
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May 1, 2018 at 7:00 PM
Temple Aliyah, Needham, MA
Hear from synagogues that have successfully installed solar and meet with select solar vendors. UCC churches have been invited to attend this free presentation.
May 1 - 3
Miramar Retreat Center, Duxbury
An ecumenical gathering of women in ministry, including ordained women, lay women, and women religious. With Gail Bucher & Barbara Smith-Moran speaking on their dual callings to science and religion.
47th Annual NEAUCE Conference
May 1 - 3
Pilgrim Pines, Swanzey, NH
'Be Who God Meant You to Be' A conference for anyone who may be a Christian Educator, Youth Leader, Clergyperson, or Lay Person. Includes worship, music, workshops, fellowship, friends, and FUN!
May 8, 6:00 PM
Westfield State University
A public educational forum on "Carbon Pricing - A Key To Solving A Warming Climate." One of the panelists is the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Missioner for Creation Care in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Mass. and Mass. Conference, United Church of Christ.
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May 18 - 20
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
Meet other youth who care about the health of their communities, and find out how to take action!
70,000-Volume Book Sale
May 19 - 25
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA
Because Andover Newton is moving to Yale Divinity School, a selection of some 70,000 books will be available for sale at prices of $3, $5, and $10.
PREACH IT! A one day workshop on thematic preaching and worship planning
May 31, 2018 at 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Woodridge UCC, Cranston, RI
Rev Susan Cartmell, MACUCC minister and author of "Uncommon Preaching," will explore with other clergy her approach to preaching and lead participants through a step by step process to try some new approaches.
July 29 - Aug. 4
Pilgrim Lodge, West Gardiner, ME
Camp Pride, a week-long residential camp for LGBTQ youth and their allies, exists as a space for LGBT youth to explore their identities, their faiths, and themselves, in addition to all the regular summer camp activities.
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