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"This used to be a man's world."
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By The Rev. Don Remick, Transitional Interim Conference Minister
I was standing at the check-in counter for a routine medical appointment a couple years ago when I heard those words. They came from an older gentleman standing at the check-out counter not far from me. I guessed he might be a decade or two older than me. There was in his voice what I interpreted as a sense of grief and frustration. Something had happened, I don’t know what, that told him he didn’t know the rules anymore.
Let me very cautiously say I understood the phrase. I grew up in that world ... I grew up in a world where ‘anyone’ could pull themselves up by the boot straps and climb the corporate ladder from mail clerk to president with enough gumption and sweat. As we say in Racial Justice Training, “I ate the food, breathed the air, and drank the water.” And without realizing it I absorbed the ethos and mythologies of that “man’s world” deep into the DNA of my soul and psyche.
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$1 MilIion Grant Will Support Clergy Development
The Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ has been awarded a $1 million grant for clergy development from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant will be used in collaboration with the Connecticut and Rhode Island Conferences, the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and the New England Synod - ELCA Lutheran.
The Together We Thrive proposal was submitted under the Massachusetts Conference name, but was developed cooperatively by a team of people from each of the organizations and will be used by them together.
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Super Saturday Registration Deadline Closes at Midnight
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Registration for Super Saturday, being held Oct. 20 at Keefe Regional Technical High School in Framingham, closes at midnight tonight. Super Saturday is a full day of worship, workshops and networking and this event will feature ]Dr. David M. Csinos as keynote speaker.
Read more and register
Our Faith, Our Vote, Our Voice
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From ucc.org: It is fitting for local congregations and church structures across the country to develop nonpartisan programs to help the faith community reflect upon the political order. The Our Faith Our Vote Campaign is designed to help you discover the ways in which you, as an individual and as a congregation, can get involved in the political process.
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Many Voices, One Mission:
Cultivating Collaboration
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By Debby Kirk, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the CT Conference, UCC.
The Together As One Values Statement includes a sentence about forming ‘covenant partnerships’ as a way to build up God’s realm. What might this process involve? What obstacles might be encountered? What are the blessings of forming partnerships? I believe this goal can be achieved with inspiration, imagination, invitation, and intersection.
The upcoming Reviving Justice event on October 27th is an excellent opportunity to build partnerships with justice leaders.
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Many Voices, One Mission is a regular series highlighting the ministries of the CT, MA, and RI Conference of the United Church of Christ.
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Conference Events
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 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 Workshop
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.
Creating a Listening Community: Restorative Circles Facilitator Training
Oct. 26 - 28
North Falmouth Congregational Church
This training helps us to hear others, and to be heard ourselves when we are in conflict.
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.
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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.
Sustainable House of Worship Workshop
Nov. 3, 8:30 AM
South Congregational UCC,
Amherst
Participants will learn what to do about: electricity, solar power, heat & air conditioning, building envelope and behavior.
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.
Pastor Parish Relations Committee Training
Nov. 7, 7:00 PM
Old North Church, Marblehead
This workshop will cover purpose and practices for this vital link in fulfilling a church’s mission and vision. Led by Associate Conference Minister Wendy Vander Hart.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification
Nov. 8, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The Salvation Army, Canton
Pastors, Christian Educators, Youth Group Directors, and those who interact with adolescents will appreciate this course.
Ring Church Bells on Armistice Day
Nov. 11, 11:00 AM
Veterans for Peace is calling on churches to ring their bells at 11 AM in recognition of the futility of war and to show our commitment to world peace. Please RSVP to the Conference!
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
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Webinars
The following webinars are offered free of charge to members of the Massachusetts Conference through a partnership with Practical Resources for Churches. Click title to register. Find a complete list here
Classifieds
Director of Religious Education - Berlin, MA
Church Organist/Pianist - Chicopee, MA
Nursery Care Provider -Northampton, MA
Church School Assistant - Lynnfield, MA
www.macucc.org/classifieds
Other Events of Interest
 Reviving Justice: Inspire / Connect / Act
Oct. 27, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
First Church of Christ in Simsbury, CT
Gather for worship, networking, and workshops. Connect with faith and community leaders who are working for environmental, economic, and racial justice. With preaching by The Rev. Dr. Damaris D. Whittaker.
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Sarah McBride: Why Yes on 3?
Oct. 22, 7:00 PM
Congregational Church of Needham
Sarah McBride is the National Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign and author of Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality
Creating a Listening Community: Restorative Circles Facilitator Training
Oct. 26 - 28
North Falmouth Congregational Church
Restorative Circle process opens the door to conversation when communities are faced with conflict.
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.
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