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Marilyn Kendrix to Serve as Transitional Conference Minister

The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix, currently the Interim Pastor at the Congregational Church of Naugatuck, CT, will begin as Rhode Island's Transitional Conference Minister beginning July 1st.

Kendrix will take over from Interim Conference Minister The Rev. Barbara Libby, who is retiring after four years in that post.

Kendrix will be coming into this position following the June Annual Meeting, where delegates will vote on whether to form a new unified Conference with the Connecticut and Massachusetts conferences. Kendrix has been ordained just five years, but her experience in the corporate world dovetails with what the Conference is facing. Kendrix worked for 15 years as an organizational development consultant for AT&T.

"That is a position that helps people work together as teams, that helps people vision for the future and figure out ways to live into that future," she said. "I have the background for participating in a huge change. I'm very excited about having this opportunity to participate in this grand transition."

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Geary Becomes First UCC Grad of Compass Points Program

Jennifer Geary (third from left) at her graduation.

Irons Homestead Director The Rev. Jennifer Geary has become the first United Church of Christ graduate of the Compass Points program, a joint effort of the United Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and UCC in conjunction with Columbia Theological Seminary that grants a certificate in Camp Management after two years of study and practical applications.

Geary received her graduation compass during the Outdoor Ministry Association of the United Church of Christ’s national gathering, Consult XXI.  As a part of the Consult, Jennifer shared her Capstone project for a new and innovative program to be implemented during Summer Camp at Irons Homestead. Jennifer proposed Project Grace, which integrates 3-4 campers who are currently homeless into each camp session at Irons Homestead.

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Pam Arifian

Many Voices, One Mission:
Collective Power

By Pam Arifian, Director of the Northeast Environmental Justice Center at Silver Lake Conference Center.

When there's so much work to do to create a just and sustainable world, sometimes it's hard to feel like my individual contribution is anything more than a drop in bucket. When faced with issues of environmental racism, climate refugees, polluted waters, sometimes I doubt whether my small actions make any difference at all.  
 
The EJC ministry helps connect our individual actions to help us realize our collective power. The ministry is rooted in the understanding that each of us is a magnificent creation of the Divine, and that each of us is bestowed with unique gifts and opportunities to contribute to the creation of a beloved community, of shalom, of heaven on earth. 

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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

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.

70,000-Volume Book Sale
May 19 - 25
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA

Because Andover Newton is moving to Yale Divinity School, a selection of some 70,000 books will be available for sale at prices of $3, $5, and $10. Click here for hours.

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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Rhode Island Conference, United Church of Christ
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(401) 724-7700
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