 |
|
UCC Counsel Warns that Housing Allowance May End
|
|
United Church of Christ General Counsel Heather Kimmel is advising churches and clergy to recognize that the end of the clergy housing allowance is a possibility.
The clergy housing allowance is compensation provided to ministers by their employers which the ministers can exclude from their income for purposes of calculating federal income tax. The amount excluded is limited to the fair rental value of the home.
In a memorandum issued to the Council of Conference Ministers, Kimmel advised that a Wisconsin court recently ruled that the clergy housing allowance is "unconstitutional as an Establishment Clause violation, because it is a preference for religion." She goes on to say that the court order "applies only to those who receive compensation in the form of a clergy housing allowance; it does not apply to ministers who live in church-owned parsonages."
|
|
|
Social Media Challenges Raise Funds for Conferences
|
|
 |
|
|
The jacket Kent Siladi was challenged to wear |
Inspired by a
Super Saturday
falling on St. Patrick's Day, leaders in the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences have issued challenges to their social media friends: donate to my Conference, and I'll go overboard with the wearing of the green.
It started when former Connecticut Conference Minister Davida Crabtree challenged current Conference Minister Kent Siladi to wear a shamrock-festooned suit jacket to Super Saturday if she could get 50 people to donate to the Connecticut Conference Friends of the Conference appeal.
Spurred into action, Massachusetts Conference Board of Directors Member Patty Kogut, pastor of the North Congregational Church in Middleborough, said she would wear a full leprechaun costume if 50 people contributed to the Massachusetts Conference Friends of the Conference appeal.
Then, in a drive spearheaded by her daughter, Rhode Island Interim Conference Minister Barbara Libby agreed to come to Super Saturday with her hair dyed green if at least $500 was donated to Racial Justice Ministries in that Conference.
|
|
|
Many Voices, One Mission: Be A Champion for Racial Justice
|
|
Associate for Racial Justice Ministries
Massachusetts and Connecticut conferences
In the past several months, I have been visiting an increasing number of churches in Connecticut and Massachusetts to preach and present workshops on racial justice. I have noticed that when congregations attempt to stand and address the racial injustices that plague our communities and our country, there is division within many congregations. Some pastors have privately expressed a deep reluctance to preach about racial justice due to possible backlash from parishioners. Some parishioners privately expressed to me that the congregation wants to do more to address racial justice, but the pastor is reluctant. In some cases, the pastor and the congregation want to work toward racial justice but do not agree on which path to take.
My message today is simple: Be a champion for racial justice. There is no one way or best way to achieve racial justice; instead, it is our collective differences and our united goal that will one day allow us to be successful in achieving equity for all God's people.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
LOWELL SUN: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane serves chicken and potatoes to Paul Sedgwick at Tewksbury Congregational Church Friday night. Because of widespread power outages in the area, the church offered free meals to residents from Tewksbury and surrounding towns. Read more
|
Bringing Light into the Darkness: Share Your Church's Story
This week, we have seen the third storm in the first two weeks of March. And again, power outages are a primary part of the story along with the damage from wind and waves. Among the many stories that are emerging from this round of storms with greater frequency and greater intensity is the response from our churches. We would like to share those stories with each other.
Some churches have been warming stations. Some have generators wired into their churches for this purpose. Some have offered shelter from the cold and a place to charge cell phones. Some have offered food, both at the church and delivered to home bound friends. All have offered hospitality and friendship.
We would like to hear your stories. Tell us how your church has reached out beyond its walls in these last two weeks. (Photos are welcome too!) We'll collect the stories and share them in the coming weeks. Please email to Karen at methotk@macucc.org.
Extreme Weather, Power Outages, Disaster Symposium: Valuable Information from the Disaster Resource Team
By The Rev. Estelle Margarones, Co-Chair
UCC Mass Conference Disaster Resource & Response Team
Three recent storms caused major disruptions all over Massachusetts. The extreme weather highlights the need for emergency preparedness plans and relationships with disaster service providers. Your Mass Conference Disaster Resource and Response Team offers you the opportunity to get to know these local agencies and hear about post-traumatic growth on April 12. "Help and Hope: Faith Based Connections for Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery" is a gathering of those who work and volunteer in this field. Hear speakers, talk with providers, and pick up resources. Lunch will be provided. Register here.
Do You Have Storm Plans? (And Do They Work?)
As the series of storms pummeled the region over the last few weeks, I spoke with several local church pastors about how their churches handle storms. I learned of a situation where the pastor thought her church was extremely well prepared for cancellations and storm activity, and was completely blindsided when the church protocol had multiple points of failure.
Read more
|
|
|
Seeking and Supporting a Faith Formation Staff Member
|
|
By Debbie Gline Allen
Christian Education & Youth Ministry Consultant
Back in the "good ole days" it was relatively easy to find and call someone to serve on a congregation's staff as its Christian Education Director or Minister. And many mid- to large-size congregations could also afford a youth minister. Seminaries had degrees and programs that nurtured those who were called to this ministry to become knowledgeable, successful, and faithful with the children, youth, and families they served.
But those days are gone. With the shifts and changes the Church is experiencing today, the supply is matching the demand as local congregations find it more difficult to finance multiple staff positions. Thus most seminaries have shut down their Christian education and youth ministry degree programs making it difficult for churches to find qualified applicants for their faith formation staff positions.
|
|
|
Register Now for Buses to Washington April 4
|
|
Reserve a seat this week! If not enough riders register by Friday, the Conference will not be able to charter buses.
April 4, 2018 will mark the 50
th
anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The National Council of Churches will take this opportunity of commemoration to launch a multi-year effort committed to addressing racism in our country.
The Massachusetts Conference is organizing buses, and we need to know how many are needed and where they should pick people up.
The cost will be from $50-70 depending on how many people are going.
|
|
|
Upcoming Conference Events
|
|
March 24, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Edwards Church, Northampton
Instructor: Rev. Don Remick
April 7, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield
Instructor: Corey Lincoln
Help & Hope: Faith-Based Connections for Disaster Planning, Response & Recovery
April 12, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
The Salvation Army, Canton
Hosted by the Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee under the Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (MA VOAD), the Conference, and the Salvation Army, this summit will offer presentations to introduce attendees to local and regional resources ready to assist in disasters.
|
|
April 21, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center,
Framingham
Workshop designed to provide valuable information for middlers or seniors who are ready for the Search & Call process within the United Church of Christ.
Day of Covenant - Specialized Ministry
April 25, 5:30 to 8:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Day of Covenant for those clergy in specialized ministries.
|
|
|
|
|
These webinars and courses are offered free of charge to members of the Massachusetts Conference through a partnership with Practical Resources for Churches. Click the title for a description.
|
|
|
|
Registration Now Open
Summer Camp at Silver Lake
June 17 - Aug. 11
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
Week-long sessions for campers in grades 4 - high school. Come to worship, learn, play, serve, and work together.
|
|
|
April 6, 2018 - April 8, 2018
An opportunity to involve women in the pews in learning and sharing their faith beyond the local church and Conference setting.
|
|
|
|
April 7, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Brookside Congregational Church,
Manchester, NH
For youth in grade 7 and up through college to learn about climate change and efforts to create a just and sustainable future for all! With Jim Antal.
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!
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!
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
