| |
The Significance of this
Tri-Conference Meeting
By The Rev. Barbara Libby
Interim Conference Minister
The official call to our RI Conference Annual Meeting has gone out via email to as many as possible this week here in Rhode Island. If you are reading this post I hope you will feel personally invited to come to this historic meeting!
Not only will this be the Annual Meeting of the Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ, it will also be an historic gathering of the three UCC Conferences in southern New England. We will come together not only to have our three separate Annual Meetings; this event has been carefully planned for us to share in collaborative time together as we all make a decision about our shared future.
We will meet at the Convention Center in Hartford, CT on Friday, June 16 as well as on Saturday, June 17, 2017. Yes, you read that right – we gather in Hartford, CT!
Read the full post for details on the Meeting, registration, the ministers' lunch and the available financial assistance.
What Might We Do Together?
By Keith M. Marzilli Ericson, member of the First Congregational Church, UCC, Somerville, MA
I’m excited by the proposed merger that would create a new Southern New England UCC conference. It a chance to experiment and find out what kind of structures are best able to support the work of the church.
The landscape of ministry is changing. There are radical shifts in how people perceive the role of faith communities. The ways in which companies and schools are organized are changing as well. The way we organize ourselves in the local and wider church serves a purpose: to help us live out our faith together, following in the Way of Jesus.
By merging, the conferences will be able to take advantage economies of scale in doing ministry. By scaling up, our conference staff can focus in more depth on the projects they are best suited to. Pooling our resources will allow us to take more risks and try more innovative ideas.
Read more
Tonight's Online Forums to be led by the three Conference Ministers
|
Conference Minister Barbara Libby of Rhode Island, Kent Siladi of Connecticut and Jim Antal of Massachusetts will host the first of five forums tonight to discuss the proposal to merge together to form a new Conference.
Participants can join online, in which case they will be able to see and hear the panelists and ask questions; or they can phone in to listen to the conversation.
Get details and register
Bulletin Inserts Available to Publicize Historic Meeting
The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences are making available bulletin inserts for churches to use to let members know about the historic Tri-Conference Annual Meeting taking place June 16 - 17 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT.
Inserts can be downloaded, or bundles of printed inserts are available upon request.
Read more
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Conference Events
|
Ordination of Jametta Alston
May 21, 3:00 PM
Edgewood Congregational UCC, Cranston, RI
Installation of Robert Hollis
June 4, 2017, 3:00 PM
First Christian UCC (Rice City), Greene, RI
Authorized Ministry Luncheon
June 16, 2017 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Hartford Marriott Downtown, Hartford, CT
This luncheon, a pre-meeting event to the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting, is an opportunity for authorized ministers, lay leaders and others to gather and share time in community.
|
|
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.
General Synod 31
June 30 - July 4
Baltimore, MD
Thousands from across the country will gather to discern resolutions of witness, church structure, and function.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other Events of Interest
|
Addressing Mental Health Needs in Faith Communities
May 16, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Bradley Learning Exchange, East Providence
A panel discussion addressing how mental health needs are addressed through faith based communities and what supports and resources available.
Station Fire Memorial Dedication
May 21, 1:00 PM
211 Cowesett Avenue, West Warwick
Dedication of the park that is a tribute to the 100 people who lost their lives in the Station Nightclub fire of 2003.
A Theological Conversation on the Transgender Experience
May 22, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
First Baptist Church in America, Providence
Sponsored by the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, this is a conversation on thinking, acting, and speaking theologically around the transgender experience with an eye toward making our places of worship and religious practices more informed and welcoming places for transgender people.
|
|
UCC Musicians Association Summer 2017 Conference
July 9 - 12
Simmons College, Boston, MA
This biannual conference seeks to nourish, inspire, and sustain church musicians.
2017 Craigville Theological Colloquy
July 10 - 14
Craigville Retreat Center, Craigville, MA
A full week including presentations, Bible reflections, daily worship services, small group discussions, singing, playing music and Keynote Speaker Professor Lee C. Barrett.
|
|
Links
I want to:
Sign up for Weekly Newsletter Submit an Event for the Calendar
Submit a Suggested Article Submit a Classified Ad
Looking for helpful links to UCC Programs and Ecumenical Organizations?
Visit our Helpful Links Page
|
| |
|
|
|
