RICUCC Newsletter - April 18, 2017

BLOG: Let's Go To The Meeting

By The Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor
Senior Minister of Old South Church in Boston, MA

You gotta be there. I mean, you really gotta be there. I mean, there—in the room, at the meeting, at the Tri-Conference gathering of representatives from the UCC churches of Rhode Island (Give it up for Rhode Island!) and Connecticut (Hurrah for the Nutmeggers!) and Massachusetts (Healthcare for all! Woot woot!). You gotta be there in person in the midst of holy argument and deep discernment.

I’m making light, but this is no laughing matter. Meetings such as this constitute a substantive theological and ecclesiastical undertaking for UCCers. That’s why we have a conviction about no absentee ballots. It’s why we honor and practice discernment … which means listening to each other long and hard until the Holy Spirit finally squeezes her way in and makes herself known. Such discernment is how we walk the holy high-wire that, in 1957, the UCC suspended between Local Church Autonomy and Covenant.

Read Nancy's entire post

Get details about the Meeting

Order Your 2017-2018 UCC Desk Calendar and Plan Book

The Conference office orders UCC Desk Calendars in bulk for discount savings to pass on to you. To order your copies, call the RICUCC Office at 401-724-7700 or e-mail us at ricucc@ricucc.org.

Find this information online

A Hope for Syrian Refugees

By Eugene Dyszlewski
UCC Clergy and Chair of the Religious Coalition for a Violence-Free Rhode Island

We are all well aware of the suffering that the Syrian people are experiencing. Their homeland is in ruins. Bombs are being dropped and there are limited safe havens for refugees. Many countries refuse or are reluctant to take them. This includes our own. Fortunately, there is a trickle of Syrian refugees who have survived the arduous vetting process and have come to our community. Yet, new immigrants to Rhode Island from war torn countries, like Syria, have a particularly difficult time adjusting to the demands of life in America.

There is something you can do to help. I would like to invite you to join us for dinner April 27 at the Mosaic Restaurant in Cranston to raise funds for Syrian refugees in Rhode Island.

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Local Churches in the News

THE NARRAGANSETT TIMES: Peace Dale Congregational Church unveils restored clock

Residents living in the vicinity of the Peace Dale Congregational Church may have noticed a familiar sound in recent weeks.

Read the article

From the National Setting

Young Adult Service Opportunities Listed Online

The UCC Ministry Opportunities website is not only for ministers in search of their next call! Opportunities for young adults to Be the Church in the world are also listed on UCC Ministry Opportunities in collaboration with the Young Adult Service Communities (YASC) and Summer Communities of Service (SCOS) programs. These programs help to prepare young adults – including some Members in Discernment – for prospective congregational leadership and service in a community agency setting. Food stipend and housing are provided. The application period usually runs November to April; for current opportunities, visit http://oppsearch.ucc.org/conf/YOUNGADULTOPPORTUNITIES.

UCC Churches to Focus on Climate Change with Earth Day, People's Climate March

The focus on creation care will be very evident in many United Church of Christ congregations over the next few weeks, with Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, followed by Earth Day Sunday. The next weekend, on April 29, the People's Climate March in Washington, D.C. and Sister Marches around the country will be drawing environmental advocates from across the country, called to put their faith in action for the sake of our planet.

Read the United Church News article

Upcoming Conference Events

Click the Event Name for Complete Information

Rhode Island Minister's Association Meeting
April 20, 10:00 AM
Central Congregational UCC, Providence

Boundary Awareness Training
May 4, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Edgewood Congregational UCC, Cranston
All authorized Rhode Island Ministers MUST complete this training every 3 years.

Ordination of Jametta Alston
May 21, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Edgewood Congregational UCC, Cranston

Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
June 16 & 17
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
Be part of UCC history at this first ever combined Annual Meeting of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut Conferences! UCC General Minister & President The Rev. John Dorhauer will be the keynote speaker; delegates will vote on whether to move forward with joining to form a new conference.

Classifieds

Bibles Needed - Riverside Cong. Church

More: ricucc.org/classifieds

Other Events of Interest

Interfaith Solar Initiative - Two Opportunities to Learn About Solar
April 23, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Newman Congregational Church, UCC, Rumford
The Interfaith Solar Initiative is a statewide multi-denominational effort designed to bring solar power to faith institutions, their members, and their communities. Come to learn more and talk to solar providers.

One Community: Raising Funds for Muslim Immigrants in Rhode Island
April 27, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Mosaic Restaurant, Cranston, RI
Please join the Religious Coalition for a Violence-Free Rhode Island in raising funds to support new Muslim members of our community who have recently called Rhode Island home.

Mental Health First Aid for Adults: Two Day Training
May 2 - 3
Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI
An eight-hour course held over two days that gives people the skills to help someone over age 18 who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.

46th Annual NEAUCE Conference: Toward Common Ground
May 2 - 4
Pilgrim Pines, Swanzey, NH
A three day event giving church leaders involved in faith formation a chance to refresh, rejuvenate and renew.

"From Bricks to Mortals": A Workshop on Innovative Building Use
May 5 - May 6
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA
A 9-hour workshop led by the Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper.

Disaster Chaplain Training
May 10 - 11
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham, MA
This chaplaincy training is based on the National Disaster Interfaiths Network Disaster Spiritual Care training course, which trains and credentials faith leaders, spiritual care providers and institutional chaplains to volunteer as disaster chaplains or spiritual care workers in mass-care settings, or to serve their house of worship or local community during times of crisis.

2017 Interfaith Poverty Conference
May 11, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Rhode Island College, Providence
The Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. will be keynote speaker to the 2017 Interfaith Poverty Conference hosted by The RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty.

Ministerial Profile Writing Workshop
May 12, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
CT Conference Office, Hartford, CT
Need some tips on writing or updating your Ministerial Profile? Here is your opportunity! Barbara Libby from Rhode Island, Kent Siladi from Connecticut and Don Remick from Massachusetts will be on hand to help.

CTUCC Spring Boundary Training 2017
May 16, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
First Church of Christ, Congregational in Suffield, CT
Basic and Advanced Training being offered.

New England Women in Ministry Retreat and Annual Meeting
May 16 - 18
Miramar Retreat and Conference Center, Duxbury, MA
Singing God’s Song in Uncertain Times

Mark Your Calendar

UCC General Synod
June 30 - July 4, Baltimore, MD

Youth@Synod Youth@Synod
June 30 - July 5
Baltimore, MD
This event is for young leaders ages 13 to 18 who want to experience the vibrant diversity of the wider church. Participation is limited to 18 from the Rhode Island Conference.

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