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South Congregational Church of Springfield Takes Family into Sanctuary
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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A woman and her two children have entered sanctuary at Springfield's South Congregational Church on Maple Street.
Members of Springfield's Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition drove to Hartford to inform Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials that Gisella would be offered sanctuary inside the church for as long as necessary.
"At South Congregational United Church of Christ we understand that we are called upon to love our neighbor and welcome the stranger among us," said Rev. Tom Gerstenlauer of South Congregational Church. "We stand with Gisella as an act of faith in the face of injustice, and as partners in building the beloved community of God."
Related: 1,000 Letters for Lucio: Yours is Needed!
Lucio Perez, facing imminent deportation to Guatemala, entered sanctuary at First Church UCC Amherst on October 18, 2017 to keep his family together while his immigration case is decided.
Lucio's application for a Stay of Deportation and his Motion to Reopen will be decided soon and letters in his support are needed. Read more
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Many Voices, One Mission: Our Common Strength
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By Tiffany Vail
Associate Conference Minister for Communications for the CT, MA, and RI Conferences.
Just over two years ago, I became the first shared staff person for the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences, managing communication for all three and also working with the team that has been planning the formation of a new, unified conference.
Because I'm in this unique position, I often get asked by folks in one conference what those other conferences are like.
There are, of course, differences
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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Faith Awakenings: Prayer in Motion
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By Don Remick
Associate Conference Minister
Not all prayer happens in sitting positions There are traditions that focus on stillness in motion. If you have ever paced to contemplate or resolve and problem you have touched on the edge of this. But prayer in motion is more than just moving prayer. Martial arts are based on this concept. As is their origin in Tai Chi. Yoga builds on this. In Buddhism there is a concept known as kinhin
or walking meditation.
In the last few decades, a popular form of walking meditation has taken hold: Labyrinths.
Read More
Faith Awakenings is a new regular series and webpage dedicated to spiritual practices
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Puerto Rican Evacuees in Dedham: A Conversation with Rev. Cheryl Kerr
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By Joanne Dickey and Judy Raymond, Co-Chairs
MACUCC Immigration and Refugee Task Team
Recently we had an opportunity to visit with the Rev. Cheryl Kerr, pastor of the Allin Congregational Church in Dedham, MA, to discuss the plight of Puerto Rican evacuees currently residing at the Marriott Residence Inn and the Fairmont Hotel in Dedham.
Read this post to learn more and find out how to get involved
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FEMA and Financial Aid for Churches in Federally Declared Disaster Zones
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By Don Remick
Associate Conference Minister
Recently, our federal government extended the assistance from FEMA to houses of worship in federally declared disaster zones. FEMA typically comes in to these disaster zones to coordinate immediate, short-term and long-term assistance and recovery. Normally, their resources are directed towards private citizens through a standard protocol. But now, churches are able to utilize this assistance.
Read more
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Upcoming Conference Events
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April 7, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield
Instructor:
Karen Ziel
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.
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April 28, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
Instructor: Rev. Maren Tirabassi
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
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
This workshop will feature teaching sessions with noted writer Robert Benson, time for writing, and evenings spent listening and responding to each others' work.
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 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.
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April 10, 7:00 to 8:00 PM
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April 17, 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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An Easter People's Lamentation of Hope
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In his Easter Message, United Church of Christ General Minister and President the Rev. John C. Dorhauer invites all in the wider church to celebrate the hope of Easter.
We are an Easter people.
Shaped by the experiences of death, the wells of our enduring faith spring up and speak to us of the eternal.
This fundament, this bedrock, it grounds us.
And, as Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians - we therefore do not grieve as those who have no hope.
I can't tell you how many times over the last year and a half I have had to remind myself that we are, in the end, an Easter people.
Read the full message on ucc.org
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The Rev. Dr. Merle R. Jordan
passed away on March 25, 2018. The Rev. Jordan served as the Executive Director of the Danielsen Institute of Pastoral Counseling at Boston University from 1972-82, and as interim dean of Boston University School of Theology from the fall of 1974 to the spring of 1977. In 1970 he also founded the South Shore Pastoral Counseling Center in Hingham.
Visitation for relatives and friends at the McDonald-Finnegan Funeral Home, 322 Main Street, Stoneham on Thursday, March 29 from 3:00-7:00PM.
The funeral service will be at the First Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Stoneham on Friday, March 30th at 11:00 AM.
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The Rev. Dr. Karen Bailey-Francois called to Second Congregational Church, Cohasset as Pastor
Effective: March 25, 2018
The Rev. Dr. David A. Stryker
retiring
from Second Congregational Church, Cohasset as Interim Pastor
Effective: March 24, 2018
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April 9 - April 30
Online
A three-week BeADisciple.com course that explores ways to handle the challenges of the 21st century Sunday school such as declining enrollment, erratic attendance, competition with other activities, lack of volunteers, and budget cuts. With discussion on the possibility of doing Sunday school a different way or at a different time.
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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.
New England Youth Environmental Justice Summit
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.
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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!
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.
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