While It Was Still Dark

By the Rev. Brendan Curran
Associate Minister, Barrington Congregational Church UCC

"Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb." -John 20:1

In the week following Easter, I traveled to Washington D.C. to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was murdered for trying to be a good Christian. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a figure maligned in his own time by America’s dominant white culture, now revered as a hero and prophet, once said that he only wanted to be remembered as one who tried to be, “a good Christian.”

I represented our church as part of a group from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches. We joined the National Council of Churches' “A.C.T. - Awaken, Confront, Transform - to End Racism Rally” that drew clergy, lay people and peace advocates from diverse races, creeds and faith traditions from across the country to honor the anniversary on what theologian Rev. Dr W. Franklyn Richardson called, “the front porch of our nation.” We rode the bus all night and were dropped off very early at the national MLK monument before sunrise on April 4^th. While it was still dark, I wondered if I would see any signs of resurrection on this pilgrimage.

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Many Voices, One Mission:
The Saints Among Us

By the Rev. Don Remick
Associate Conference Minister in the Massachusetts Conference, UCC

There are lessons we keep learning over and over. In my work with churches around visioning and vitality I talk about the goal of becoming healthy, faithful and effective in that changing landscape of ministry. We explore how essential it is to understand the fundamental "WHY" of the church which comes to them from God.

And then I attended the funeral for Tiffany Vail's father: Robert Vail. The pastor and folks from the church shared sweet, funny, touching stories from his life and faith. And I was reminded that in every church there are and have always been people who just get this.

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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.

Upcoming Conference Events

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

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. Hotel discount deadline: May 15.

Ecclesiastical Council for Chontell Washington
July 1, 3:00 PM
Beneficent Congregational Church

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.

Second Tri-Conference Annual Meeting

June 15 - 16, 2018
Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, MA

“Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us."

- Romans 5:5

These are indeed times filled with hope as we – the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences – consider voting to form a new, united conference with the hope of making our region a more just, loving, and compassionate place.

Read More & Register
Hotel Deadline: May 15

Awakenings Conference
April 26 - 29
The United Congregational Church of Holyoke, MA
Go to more information

Other Events of Interest

Making Decisions NOW for Our Final Wishes - A Five Part Series
April 20, 11:30 AM to 1:15 AM
Chapel Street Congregational Church, Lincoln, RI
Session 1: FIVE WISHES: A living will written in everyday language that expresses your wishes in personal, spiritual, medical, and legal matters.

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.

Merciful Conversations on Gender Identity & Expression
April 24, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
St. Luke's Episcopal Church, East Greenwich, RI
Join the RI State Council of Churches for a chance to consider the expansiveness of God’s Grace, ruminate on the Wonder of Creation, and boldly tackle the specter of fear that so often separates us from the love of God and from one another.

Bradley Conference: Early Onset Psychosis
April 24, 8:30 to 11:45 AM
Bradley Learning Exchange, East Providence, RI
Practical, state-of-the-art education for behavioral health professionals and others who work with children, adolescents or adults.

Progressive Christian Worship Music Workshop
April 28, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
First Congregational Church, Meriden, CT
UCC minister, singer/songwriter, author, and Convergence Music Project CEO Bryan Sirchio will lead a fun, heart-warming and mind-expanding day.

Encuentro 2018
April 28, 8:00 to 10:30 AM
Beneficent Congregational Church, Providence, RI
Opening Session of this groundbreaking three-day event which brings together the 3rd National Convening of Latinos in Heritage Conservation and the 33rd Annual Statewide Rhode Island Historic Preservation Conference.

UCC Clergywomen Leadership Event 2018
May 1 - 8
Carefree Resort and Conference Center, Carefree, AZ
Registration deadline extended to April 28. Keynote Presenters are the 2017 Antoinette Brown winners Rev. Loey Powell & Rev. DaVita McCallister.

47th Annual NEAUCE Conference
May 1 - 3
Pilgrim Pines, Swanzey, NH
This three day event gives church leaders a chance to refresh, rejuvenate and renew. With The Rev. Da Vita D. McCallister, Dr. Pamela Shellberg, Rev. Emilia Halstead

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

Rhode Island Interfaith Poverty Conference
May 9, 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Rhode Island College, Providence, RI
Join faith leaders, congregation members, advocacy and service organizations to learn more about poverty issues in Rhode Island and how you can make a difference! Guest Speaker: The Rev. Traci Blackmon

Bradley Conference: The Intersection of Ethics & Clinical Care
May 10, 8:45 AM to 12:00 PM
Bradley Learning Exchange, East Providence, RI

Concert #1 with Kim Trusty: Hope, Healing and Inspiration
May 13, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
St. Paul's Auditorium, Pawtucket, RI
Award-winning singer/songwriter Kim Trusty offers the first of three Providence concerts, this one dedicated to iconic women singers who have triumphed over hardship. With renowned storyteller Valerie Tutson.

Trauma Informed Pastoral Care
May 15, 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Bradley Hospital, East Providence, RI
This presentation explores major concepts underlying a trauma informed approach to pastoral care. No charge.

PREACH IT! A workshop on thematic preaching & worship planning
May 31, 2018 at 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Woodridge UCC, Cranston
Rev Susan Cartmell, Massachusetts Conference minister and author of "Uncommon Preaching" will be coming to RI for the day to explore a different way to approach preaching.

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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