 |
|
Antal's Book Garnering Attention Outside Church Circles
|
|
Massachusetts Conference Minister and President Jim Antal's new book, "
Climate Church, Climate World
" is garnering attention outside of traditional church settings, most recently in an article in the Chicago Tribune.
"Do you believe in God? Then you have a moral duty to fight climate change, writes Jim Antal" is the headline on the
Chicago Tribune article
, which outlines Antal's argument that Americans are failing to address climate change because it is such a long-term problem.
Antal's book not only explores the details of the current climate crisis and our lack of response, it is also a clarion call on people of faith to be the solution.
"Only a repurposed church (and synagogue, mosque and temple) will be able to inspire the fundamental changes humanity must embrace if we are to restore the continuity of God's great gift of creation," he says.
|
|
|
Many Voices, One Mission: Collective Power
|
|
By Pam Arifian, Director of the UCC Northeast Environmental Justice Center at Silver Lake Conference Center.
When there's so much work to do to create a just and sustainable world, sometimes it's hard to feel like my individual contribution is anything more than a drop in bucket. When faced with issues of environmental racism, climate refugees, polluted waters, sometimes I doubt whether my small actions make any difference at all.
The EJC ministry helps connect our individual actions to help us realize our collective power. The ministry is rooted in the understanding that each of us is a magnificent creation of the Divine, and that each of us is bestowed with unique gifts and opportunities to contribute to the creation of a beloved community, of shalom, of heaven on earth.
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.
|
|
|
Poor People's Campaign: How to Get Involved
|
|
|
Watch
Thursday, April 19, 8 PM
Duke University Chapel will host this public conversation with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and the Rev. William J. Barber II. It can be watched live online.
Find out more
Register
Civil disobedience trainings are being held in Boston and Western Massachusetts in preparation for 40 days of nonviolent action at the Massachusetts State Capitol in Boston.
Read More
For more information about the Poor People's Campaign, visit:
|
|
|
RSVP Now for Jim Antal's Retirement Celebration
|
|
|
All are invited to join in 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.
The celebration will be held:
Saturday, May 5, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Sarah Wyman Whitman Gallery, WamsWorks
Worcester
|
|
|
Upcoming Conference Events
|
|
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.
Faith Formation/Certification Class - Basics of CE and Administration
April 21, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Edwards Church, Northampton
Instructor: Karen Ziel
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.
Education for Effective Youth Ministry: Youth Bible Study and Worship
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.
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
|
|
May 12, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Edwards Church, Northampton
Led by the Rev. Jonathan New. Also available via video conference.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
April 24, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Led by Renato Matos, a Partner at Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld LLP
Meet the Author: This Child of Faith
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.
|
|
 |
|
|
April 26, 7:00 - 8:00 PM
A cross+generational model to get people talking about why ministry matters and why giving matters.
Digital Ministry: What Ministry Leaders Need to Know
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.
|
|
|
|
The Rev. Mr. Wallace Averell Hurd l
eaving First Congregational Church of West Boylston as Assistant Pastor; called to Wilbraham United Church as Pastor.
Effective: April 15, 2018
|
|
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.
|
|
April 19, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Atkinson Congregational Church, NH
Training on the topic of suicide for faith leaders.
Convocation 2018: Growing by Half: Part-time Pastor, Full-time Church
April 20 - 22
Portland, ME
A collaboration of the Maine Conference UCC and The BTS Center looking at a congregations experiencing heightened vitality through part-time pastoral leadership.
Solar for Synagogues (and other houses of worship)
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
