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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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Registration Now Open for Summer Camp at Irons
Irons Homestead is now accepting registration for two camping programs this summer.
Forest Day Camp is for children ages 6 to 12, and runs from June 18 - August 17, 2018. This nine week program offers a different theme each week. The camp runs Monday - Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM with before and after care available.
Overnight Summer Camp is also available July 17 - August 3, 2018 for those going into grades 4 through 12. Each day will have games, crafts, swimming and other water activities, worship, delicious food, singing, campfire and stories.
Go to more information and registration
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Many Voices, One Mission: Stories We Need To Tell
By Drew Page
News & Media Editor, Connecticut Conference, UCC
I often tell my friends I have the dream job for a journalist because I get to tell good news, stories about people and churches making a positive impact on the people around them.
One great example is the story I wrote about Isaac Monts and Emily McKenna, two Connecticut Conference colleagues who facilitated a racial justice training at Southington High School. How many high schools can you name that bring in two individuals from a religious organization to help teachers recognize the racism that exists within their own walls?
That story has been read by just over 500 people.
You may be asking, “Is that good? How does it compare to other stories the Conference publishes?”
Well, the Connecticut Conference has 236 churches with over 60,000 members.
Less than 1% of the conference has read the story.
Read More
 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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 Church: Alive & Thriving
Friday, April 13, 10 AM - 3 PM: Seekonk Congregational Church, UCC
Saturday, April 14, 10 AM - 3 PM: Barrington Congregational UCC
Rev. Chris Davies from the national UCC office, along with other leaders from southern New England, is coming to Rhode Island to lead four exciting workshops over two days and talk about exciting ministries in RI and beyond.
Ordination for Shelly Moses
April 29, 2:00 PM
Peace Dale Congregational UCC, Peace Dale, RI
Helen Bodell Ordination
May 20, 3:00 PM
Newman Congregational UCC?
Ecclesiastical Council - Linda Hartley
June 3, 3:00 PM
Newman Congregational UCC, Rumford, RI
.jpg?width=120) Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
June 15 - 16
Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, MA
The second joint Annual Meeting of the Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts conferences. Traci Blackmon will be the keynote speaker.
Ecclesiastical Council for Chontell Washington
July 1, 3:00 PM
Beneficent Congregational Church
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 Eastern Regional Youth Event
July 19 - 22
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. Indicate your interest now.
Take Your Church to See "Native Gardens" at Trinity Repertory Theatre
Submitted by Kathy Henry:
The play "Native Gardens" is at Trinity Repertory Theatre April 5 - May 6. Linda Barone at Trinity is the contact person for Group Sales. This is an excellent play and can be combined with attending the theatre and perhaps having a dinner and discussion as well. "Native Gardens" is a comedy that may challenge us as our neighborhoods change and challenge our life assumptions. If you would like to qualify for group rate tickets, consider also partnering with another church to meet attendance goals.
Linda Barone can be reached at 401-521-1100. ext 225.
Go to more information
Rhode Island Black Film Festival April 14 - 16
A festival of feature, short and documentary films and panelists will be shown April 14-16 at Beneficent Meeting House, RISD Museum and the Cable Car Cinema.
The Rhode Island Black Film Festival celebrates the Black Experience in Film. The Festival provides a platform for awareness for social justice issues.
Read more
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Other Events of Interest
The Evolution of Atonement
March 27, 7:00 PM
Warwick Public Library, Warwick
Author and UCC pastor Stephen Finlan will explore how the Jewish concept of atonement was adopted by early Greek churches, what Paul added, and how the idea has been adapted and revised over the past
two centuries.
Working with Survivors of Sexual Assault
March 29, 8:30 AM to 11:45 AM
Bradley Hospital, East Providence
Working with Children & Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities
March 29, 1:00 PM to 4:15 PM
Bradley Hospital, East Providence
Unite to End Racism: Bus Ride to DC
April 4
The Rhode Island State Council of Churches is going on the road to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to rally in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and address the urgency of ending racism in America. Reserve your seat on the bus now.
 UCC New England Women's (X) Celebration
April 6 - 8
Holiday Inn by the Bay, Portland, ME
A celebration to reach women in the pews and to involve them in learning and sharing their faith beyond the local church and Conference setting.
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Ecumenical Advocacy Days
April 20 - 23
Washington DC area
This year's event will focus on the uprootedness of our world. Through prayer, worship, advocacy training, and networking, we will seek policy changes that advance hope and overcome the devastating impacts of conflict, climate change and corruption on God’s people. Scholarships available for young adults - application deadline is March 2.
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders
May 7 - 11
Christ Church Cathedral, Hartford, CT
Presented by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center (LMPC), this 5-day event is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. Register by April 6 for early bird discount.
CT UCC Spring Boundary Training
May 8, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Church of Christ, Congregational, Newington, CT
Basic and Advanced Boundary Training for Clergy
National Open and Affirming Gathering
June 27 - 30
Cathedral of Hope, Dallas, TX
Living Our Covenant Beyond Boundaries. Keynote by the Rev. Justo González II, a leader in the UCC's Sanctuary Movement. Registration now open.
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