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A Christmas Message from the Transitional Conference Minister

Friends,

Over two thousand years ago, a young woman gave birth to a baby and the world has not been the same since.  God was speaking when God announced to Mary that she would bear a Son who would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace  (Isaiah 9:6). God was speaking through this young mother when she sang her song telling her cousin Elizabeth about her joy as the chosen one of God: My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. … He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things (Luke 1:46, 52-53).  God was speaking when these chosen ones, Mary, Joseph and then the baby Jesus could find no place to stay because there was no room for them.  And God is still speaking today as we remember the old story of the birth of our Savior and know that God calls us to a new story, the one that is unfolding around us today.  And so, as we enter this season of Christmas, I wish for all of us to find the joy in hearing the story again and finding in it God’s voice that calls us to love one another and to seek God’s justice in everything we do.  That would be the greatest gift of all.   

Merry Christmas from your friends at the Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ

The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix, Transitional Conference Minister

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Irons Homestead: Past and Present

This video was shown at the 212th Autumnal Meeting of the Rhode Island Conference to celebrate the past and present of Irons Homestead.

View now


Many Voices One Mission: 
Intentional Christian Community

By The Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer, Executive Director of Silver Lake Conference Center

I have the very unique gift of living my summers in Intentional Christian Community at Silver Lake Conference Center. I live on site with our Silver Lake Summer Staff, who live together in two different housing units.  We work side by side. We eat all of our meals together with our campers and volunteers in the Social Hall.  We laugh and play together.  We worship and sing together.  We also make mistakes, both big and small, together.  When you live in community like this there are expectations of how we will live.  We live in Covenant with one another. 
 
In the midst of all of this joy there are also moments of sadness and disappointment when people choose to break covenant. 

Read the full post

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








Super Saturday Workshop Proposals Now Being Accepted

Workshop proposals are now being accepted for the next Super Saturday, being held March 16, 2019, at Minneachaug Regional High School in Wilbraham, MA. 

If you would like to share concepts and practices you’ve developed that are changing your congregation or community’s mission and ministry, we invite you to consider submitting a workshop proposal.  As a workshop leader, your registration will be free.  

Submission deadline is this month - find out more here.


Upcoming Events

Registration Deadline: Dec. 21, 2018
RI Ministers' Association Winter Retreat

Jan. 14 - 15, 2019
Craigville Retreat Center
Centerville, MA

Join us as we explore “Soul Talk: How to Have the Most Important Conversation of All” with the Rev. Dr. Kirk Bryon Jones. To prepare for the retreat, all registrants will receive a FREE copy of his book.  Registration includes the program, book, accommodations and three meals: dinner, breakfast and lunch.  The cost is $150 for a single room or $125 for a shared room. There are 5 single rooms available on a first come first serve basis.

RI Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty
11th Annual Vigil at the State House

Jan. 8, 2019, 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
RI Statehouse Rotunda,  Providence, RI

Join us as we gather on the 55th anniversary of President Johnson's War on Poverty to remind our elected officials of their responsibility to those living in poverty. 

Webinar: From Climate Reports to Moral Imperatives
Jan. 9, 1:00 PM
Online

A couple of major climate reports have been released that highlight the impact of climate change on our world. To help faith communities understand the insights of these reports and the moral imperatives that arise from them, we will have three special guests: Katharine Hayhoe, Naomi Oreskes, and Jim Antal. 

Faith Formation Summit
Feb. 2, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Niantic Community Church, Niantic, CT

For Formation Leaders, Christian Education Board Members, Pastors and anyone dedicated to the work of forming disciples!  Join the faith formation staff of the three southern New England Conferences for a time of learning, sharing, strategizing, and conversation designed to enrich our work in forming disciples.

Sugar Eat - a Maple Sugar on Snow party
March 17, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Irons Homestead, Glocester, RI

A sweet fundraiser to benefit Outdoor Ministry at Irons Homestead. Delicious hot maple syrup is poured over snow to create an instant candy. Served with dill pickles, plain doughnuts, deviled eggs and a variety of drinks. $5 adults; $3 children under 12.


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Rhode Island Conference, United Church of Christ
c/o Edgewood Congregational Church 1788 Broad St Cranston, RI 02905
(401) 724-7700
ricucc.org