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One year later, Amherst Church walking with, learning from father in Sanctuary
By Barb Powell, ucc.org
On Oct. 19, 2017, First Congregational UCC in Amherst Mass., took a leap of faith: it offered sanctuary to Lucio Perez on the day he was to be deported. No one — including Perez and his family — quite knew what was ahead.
"Things have not been moving as quickly on his case as everyone had hoped," says the Rev. Vicki Kemper, pastor. In April, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) denied an appeal to reopen his asylum case, so "the lawyers and our advocate partners are pursuing different strategies that would allow [Perez] to leave sanctuary safely. But it will take a very long time."
As a result, Kemper, church members, Perez and his family are adjusting to the reality of an extended time of sanctuary. The sanctuary ministry itself — which involves everything from car rides and food preparation to 24/7 accompaniment of Perez — was reaffirmed Sunday (Oct. 14) during worship.
Read the full article on ucc.org
Hurricane Michael Update
By The Rev. Don Remick, Transitional Interim Conference Minister
We are slowly getting images and stories of the impact on Hurricane Michael as it crossed the Florida Panhandle then made its way up the coast. Storm surge, fierce winds and a deluge of rain have left devastation in their wake.
And in a time of greater frequency and greater intensity we know the score. The most important way to help is to send funds. Our UCC is working with the local Conference and our Disaster partners to get resources and support for the short and long term.
Stay tuned to our UCC website for updates.
And hold the region in prayer.
It Is Time For a Faith Formation Summit
By Debbie Gline Allen, Christian Education & Youth Ministry Consultant for the Massachusetts Conference
The shifts and changes our secular culture is experiencing are having a dramatic effect on faith formation ministries. The vast majority of the congregations in the Massachusetts Conference
- are struggling to find enough volunteers to teach Sunday School,
- are finding that traditional curriculum materials are not meeting the needs of the many families that cannot commit to weekly attendance,
- are confirming teens who do not intend to remain a part of the church.
And these are just a few in a long list of struggles that our congregations are facing when attempting to provide faith formation experiences in “the way they’ve always done it before.”
You are invited to join faith formation leaders from southern New England United Church of Christ churches for a day of learning, conversation, and a sharing of ideas that will help us to move our thinking forward into an enhanced understanding of faith formation for the 21st Century. Join us on December 1st from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in Framingham for our Faith Formation Summit.
Read more
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Climate Change [Interferes] With What We…Care About *
* Quote from Professor Katherine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist and Evangelical Christian
By The Rev. Dr. Jessica McArdle, Environmental Ministries Task Team
A few weeks ago, I attended a lecture commemorating the tragic aftermath of the 1918 Flu Pandemic. Millions of lives were lost. Yet instead of focusing on the dangers of highly communicable illnesses alone, the representative panel of disease specialists had a different take on what makes we humans susceptible.
In short, pandemics don’t just erupt without explanation (though it may seem so at the time). Instead, weather temperature prior to and during the outbreak must be factored in ...
Commenting on the degree of interdependency between nature and humankind, parish minister and climate activist, Rev. Vicki Guest, observes, “Everything is connected.”
Read the full post
Congregations Urged to Support Youth in Climate Lawsuit
On Monday, October 29, the "Our Children's Trust" lawsuit will go to trial in the US District Court for Oregon. Eco-Justice Ministries strongly encourages congregations, church leaders, and other individuals to stand in support of the 21 youth who are the plaintiffs in this case. Their urgency of their demand for climate justice is reinforced by this week's report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which details the dangers of even small amounts of additional warming, and which describes the need for immediate action.
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Many Voices, One Mission: Irrelevant?
By TJ Harper, Racial Justice Associate for the MA and CT Conferences, UCC
Will the Church become an Irrelevant Social Club?
Intuitively when I hear this question about the future of the Church, with regards to becoming an irrelevant social club, I answer: No, of course not! The Church is an institution that has remained viable for hundreds of years. Yet, we are at the precipice of a changing religious landscape in America. According to a recent Pew study, 80 percent of Young Millennials, where I belong to this generation, believe in God while only 38 percent of Young Millennials believe that religion is important.
Read more
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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
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.
Introduction to Racial Justice Training (Level 1)
Oct. 27 - 28
First Congregational Church of Sheffield
A two-day training with Toyan (TJ) Harper, Associate for Racial Justice Ministries, MA Conference, and The Rev. Chip Hurd, pastor, Wilbraham United Church
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.
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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 Children's Ministry - East Granby, CT
More: 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.
The Injustice of Climate Change: A Call for Action
Oct. 22, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Plymouth Church, Framingham
The MA Interfaith Power & Light Annual Conference
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
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