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Updates from the Conference Minister

  1. MLK Training Postponed The 2-Day Kingian Training that was to be held at the Newman Congregational UCC during Martin Luther King Weekend has been POSTPONED.
     
  2. National UCC Yearbook Reports for 2017 Announcements have gone out to all Rhode Island Conference UCC churches about the completion of the National UCC Yearbook Reports for 2017.  These Annual Reports are now available to be completed by each church office and submitted to the National UCC office in Cleveland via a computer database which is up and running. MARCH 1st, 2018 is the Deadline for submitting on-line through the Data Hub from each local church. Please contact Sandy Tremblay at the RI Conference office (401-724-7700) if you have questions or concerns about these Annual Reports.
     
  3. Together as One Group Focus Groups about the New Conference Scheduled for Jan. 18 – 23  Members of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut Conferences are invited to share their voices to help envision how a new, unified Conference might look. Several group discussions are planned between Jan. 18 and Jan. 23 at various UCC Church locations in the three states. View dates and locations and RSVP.
     
  4. Ecclesiastical Council for Helen Bodell  All authorized ministers and RI Conference delegates are reminded of the importance of their presence at an Ecclesiastical Council for Helen Bodell on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 3 PM at the Newman Congregational Church. Please contact Sandy Tremblay at the RI Conference office (401-724-7700) if you are interested in reading Helen Bodell’s Ordination paper prior to that Council.

- Barbara Libby, Interim Conference Minister
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Lily Accepting Applications for
National Clergy Renewal Program grants

The Lilly Endowment National Clergy Renewal Program at Christian Theological Seminary (CTS) seeks to strengthen Christian congregations by providing opportunities for pastors to step away briefly from the persistent obligations of daily parish life and to engage in a period of renewal and reflection. Eligible congregations will be able to apply for grants of up to $50,000 each. The deadline to apply is April 13, 2018.

Go to more information

Upcoming Events

Sky Zone / Faith Zone
Jan. 21, 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM
Newman Congregational Church, Rumford
For 3rd-8th grade youth: an afternoon of faith and fun starting at Newman Congregational Church including snacks and a youth program followed by an outing at the Sky Zone trampoline park.

Ecclesiastical Council for Helen Bodell
Jan. 21, 3:00 PM
Newman Congregational Church, Rumford, RI

Racial Justice Awareness Confirmation Event
Jan. 28, 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Seekonk Congregational Church
A gathering of confirmands from our RI churches for an afternoon program with trained Racial Justice Awareness facilitators. All 8th grade -12th graders welcome.

Sliding with Faith
Feb. 4, 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Peace Dale Congregational Church, 
South Kingstown
6th-12th graders are invited to gather at Peace Dale Congregational Church for a youth program including a snack, followed by an outing to Yawgoo Valley for tubing.

Maple Sugar Camp
March 16 - 17
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI
For High School and Middle School Youth including supper, sliding and outdoor fire and making of maple candy, maple syrup and sugar on snow.

Super Saturday
March 17,  8:00 AM to 3:45 PM
Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA
A day of worship, workshops and networking - registration is now open!

Ordination for Shelly Moses
April 29, 2018
Peace Dale Congregational UCC
Details TBA

Eastern Regional Youth Event
July 19 - 22, 2018
California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA
The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Conferences are collaborating to provide bus service to the event, for youth who have completed 6th grade up to 2018 graduates of 12th grade. 

Other Events of Interest

Homeless Awareness Vigil
Jan. 13, Noon to Midnight
United Congregational Church of Westerly, Pawcatuck, RI
Donations of blankets, socks & personal care items will be welcome.

Boundary Awareness Training
Jan. 17 & 18
Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA
Clergy Boundary Awareness Training sponsored by The Metropolitan Boston Association of the Massachusetts Conference.

Suicide: Screening, Prevention and Response
Feb. 7, 12:00 to 3:00 PM
Bradley Learning Exchange, East Providence, RI
Part of a Mental Health Education Series for Faith Community Leaders and Members

Leadership and Anxiety in the Church
March 6, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, CT
This event, sponsored by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, is designed to be beneficial for clergy members and laypersons who seek to understand congregational dynamics better and to learn ways to calm anxiety and heal broken relationships.

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Rhode Island Conference, United Church of Christ
8 Summer Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860
(401) 724-7700
ricucc.org