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Resilience

 

By The Rev. Don Remick
Transitional Interim Conference Minister

You home is supposed to be your place of rest, escape, safety, and renewal.  It is hard to describe the disruption of psyche and soul when you are forced to evacuate because your home has become a hazard to your health.  It’s hard to describe the fear and worrying about where you will stay, what will happen to your treasured belongings and memories and whether your family members and friends found a way to safety.  

And, yet, the human soul is resilient.   We express our frustration.  We name our fears. And we pull together to support each other.  

Read the full post


 

Preaching Needed on Youth Climate Trial

The United Church of Christ is asking that you add your prophetic voice to a sermon campaign that the UCC Council for Climate Justice has spearheaded, with over 20 organizations of different faiths participating. On October 29th, what has been called “the trial of the century” by news outlets across the country will begin. Twenty-one children and youth have sued the federal government over its role in causing climate change and violating their rights to life, liberty, and property, while also failing to protect essential public resources. 

You are invited to make a pledge to deliver a sermon in solidarity with these children and youth at some point in the coming months. 

Read more

http://www.togetheras1.org/


Spiritual Development - Children Are "Smarter" Than We Think

By Debbie Gline Allen, Christian Education & Youth Ministry Consultant

I had the wonderful opportunity over the summer to sit down with a long-time Sunday School teacher who has spent her career as a Clinical Nurse Specialist working with children. Not only did we exchange thoughts and understandings about the spiritual development of children, but interspersed between these ideas were stories of children we had worked with and ministered to. Every story lifted up the fact that children are capable of understanding way more about God than we tend to give them credit for.

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Many Voices, One Mission:
The Sometimes Difficult, Always Important, Evolution of Language

By Tiffany Vail, Associate Conference Minister of Communication for the CT, MA, and RI Conferences, UCC.

Language – and the evolution of language – is a fascinating thing. It can also be a frustrating and difficult thing. Because change is never easy.

I’m a journalist by training, having worked as a newspaper reporter before beginning in Conference communication more than 20 years ago. As a journalist, it was considered of utmost importance to use the proper rules when writing, for consistency and clarity. The Associated Press Stylebook is the “Bible” of newsrooms – the go to place when it comes to questions regarding proper use of titles, capitalization, etc. We each had one on our desk.

A new edition of the AP Stylebook is published every, single year. Why? Because language is changing so quickly.

Read the full post


 

Many Voices, One Mission is a regular series highlighting the ministries of the CT, MA, and RI Conference of the United Church of Christ.


Conference Events

Super Saturday - Registration Now Open!
Oct. 20, 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM
Keefe Regional Technical High School, Framingham, MA

Join us for a full day of worship, workshops and networking. Keynote address by Dr. David M. Csinos, who writes widely about faith formation, children's ministry, youth ministry, and culture. 

Read more and register now!


What is Restorative Justice?
Sept. 22, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Falmouth Public Library

Explore a range of Restorative Justice practices with a focus on building community and belonging.

Sustainable House of Worship Workshops
Sept. 29, 8:30 AM

Christ Congregational Church Brockton
Participants will learn what to do about: electricity, solar power, heat & air conditioning, building envelope and behavior.

Resource for Pastoral Relations Committees
Oct, 2, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
First Congregational Church, Millbury, MA

A workshop covering the purpose, best practices and ways to establish a group. Led by The Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister.

New to the Conference Gathering
Oct. 3, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA

Clergy who have joined the conference within the last year are invited to meet fellow clergy, become familiar with Conference staff and resources, and help Conference staff learn how we may support your ministry.

Worship and Sacraments
Oct. 6, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield, MA

Faith Formation workshop led by Rev. Dr. Mary Luti, long-time seminary educator and pastor, author of Teresa of Avila's Way and numerous articles.

A Conversation on Race, with TJ Harper
Oct. 14, 2:00 to 4:30 PM
First Congregational Church, Randolph

A two-part program: The Misconception of Change and
How can predominantly white congregations engage and act on racism?

Sustainable House of Worship Workshops
Oct. 14, 1:30 PM
St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, Acton

Participants will learn what to do about: electricity, solar power, heat & air conditioning, building envelope and behavior.

Active Bystanders Training
Oct. 24, 6:30 to 9:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center

Get equipped with the tools to discern when to intervene, and how to interact appropriately to de-escalate tensions, and protect the targets of interpersonal attacks.

Resource for Pastoral Relations Committees
Oct, 29, 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Lee, MA

A workshop covering the purpose, best practices and ways to establish a group. Led by The Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister.

Interim Gathering
Oct. 30, 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA
We Should Talk: A Primer on the Circle Process presented by Sam Lovett and the Restorative Justice Task Team

What's In Your Health Care Plan?
Nov. 1, 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Options: Watch the webinar online OR attend at Edward House Meeting Center, Framingham
Learn how to become a health care planning ambassador to help adults & families make a personal health care plan.

Tending the Fire
Nov. 6-8; Jan. 8-10; March 12-14
Framingham, MA & Sharon, CT

This series of retreats helps clergy “think systems” in their congregations and their personal lives, so they can lead change that lasts.

Confirmation Retreat
Nov. 16 - 17
Prindle Pond Conference Center, Charlton, MA

Open to youth in grades 8 & up.

How Does a Christian Manage a Bully?
Nov. 17, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House, Framingham

Claire Bamberg will present case studies throughout the presentation, and participants are welcome to come with their own in mind, ready to offer for discussion.

More: macucc.org/events


Classifieds

Administrative Assistant, Metropolitan and Northeast Regions, MACUCC

MalMark Handbell 2-octave set available - Canaan, NY

Coat and Christmas Shop Coordinator - Dorchester, MA

Chaplain & Director of Development - Waltham, MA

Sabbatical Supply Pastor - Boxborough, MA


Transitions

Ms. Janet Newton called to First Parish Church of Berlin as Contract Minister
Effective: Sept. 1, 2018 

The Rev. Ms. Frieda Gillespie leaving First Parish Church of Berlin as Interim Pastor
Effective: Aug. 31, 2018 

The Rev. Dr. John Terry leaving First Church of Christ, UCC, Sandwich as Interim Pastor; called to Plymouth Congregational Church, Syracuse, NY as Pastor
Effective: Aug. 31, 2018

Other Events of Interest

Facing Fear and Claiming Courage: A Conversation about Gender Identity and Community
Sept. 23, 2:00 to 4:00 PM
Open Spirit, Edwards Church, 
Framingham

Hear personal stories of courage and transformation, including from several UCC folks.

UCC W.I.S.E. Conference for Mental Health
Sept. 29
South Congregational Church, UCC, Andover

Learn about action steps for individuals and congregations to become WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) about mental health.

Forum on Transgender Rights and Question 3
Oct. 4, 7:00 PM
The Eliot Church of Newton, UCC

This program will feature Taj Smith, Faith Organizing Director for Freedom for All MA, an organization working to uphold the dignity and respect for our transgender neighbors by encouraging a "yes" vote at the ballot box this November. 

Know Before You Go: Exploring Ballot Question 3 - Framingham
Oct. 10, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
The Plymouth Church, Framingham

A panel discussion and Q&A session on the issue of transgender rights in public accommodations. 

WAMS: A Celebration of Partnerships and Progress
Oct. 14, 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Worcester Area Mission Society,
Worcester

Join us for an afternoon filled with elegant refreshments and invigorating conversation as we honor the past, present and future of the Worcester Area Mission Society.

RACE: Facing History and Ourselves
Oct. 27, 7:00 PM
Charlemont Federated Church

This year’s Charlemont Forum will feature author Josephine Bolling McCall, who penned The Penalty for Success: My Father was Lynched in Lowndes County, Alabama.

 
 

The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
508-875-5233
macucc@macucc.org
http://www.macucc.org 

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