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Many Voices, One Mission:
This In-Between Time
By Debbie Gline Allen, part-time Christian Education & Youth Ministry Consultant for the Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ
Many congregations are longing for “The Good Old Days” — those days that our elders refer to when Sunday Schools were overflowing with children, youth groups were active and visible, and high school graduates returned to church after college. We need to acknowledge that those days are gone. Yet we don’t seem to want to admit that the ways we still form the faith for our children and youth (and adults) — inherited from those bygone days — can no longer meet the needs of today’s congregations.
For the past year and a half that I have been serving the historical Massachusetts Conference as its Christian Education and Youth Ministry Consultant, I have received at least one or two calls or e-mails a week from congregations wondering what to do to bring back their Sunday School or youth ministry program. Many hope that a new curriculum will do the trick, but what we’re experiencing is a much more complex issue than a one-size-fits-all solution.
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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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SPOTLIGHT: "Do Science and Faith Walk Hand in Hand?"
Weston church explores the subject of Science and Faith during their Christian Ed classes
By Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane
Like many churches in recent years, the Congregational Church of Weston, UCC(CCW) has been looking for ways to grow attendance and membership. The church was concerned that few families were attending and often there was only one child (or none) in some of the Sunday school classes. Catherine Liddell, the Director of Christian Education/Faith Discovery for Children at the church, decided something different than the usual church school curriculum needed to be developed in order to attract families.
Although it is a small church, CCW has a surprising number of scientist types in their congregation, either by interest or by profession. As a result, the topic of a relationship between science and faith bubbles beneath the surface and pokes through from time to time.
During Liddell’s discussions with the Designated Term Pastors Jill and Rick Edens, Jill came up with the idea of taking on the theme ‘Science and Faith Walk Hand in Hand.’
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Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Day of Service
Theme: Continuous Giving
Come honor and learn from the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), pack meals for food pantries and congregations that serve the homeless community, and participate in social justice discussions with Brandeis clubs and local non-profits.
Workshops for the day include: Chaplains on the Way - Spiritual Companioning, Prejudice or Empathy with CMM's IFYI Program Director Shelton Oakley Hersey, Habitat for Humanity, Community Day Center of Waltham, with activities for younger children too.
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New! Tri-Conference Justice Newsletter
Ever Flowing Streams, a Justice & Witness E-Newsletter that has been produced for many years by the Massachusetts Conference, is being expanded to cover the Rhode Island and Connecticut conferences as well.
Subscribe here
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Letting Go-an NESC Stewardship Event
What’s holding you back from becoming your most authentic self? Find out at this Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council (NESC) Event on Saturday, April 6, in Hopkinton, MA. People from all Christian communities are welcome.
This one-day program will feature TED-like talks with guided small group discussion, workshops on practical stewardship topics, a panel discussion on real-world experiences, meaningful worship, and fellowship. Join us!
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Conference Events
Clergy Income Tax Seminar
Jan. 23, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House, Framingham, MA
For clergy and treasurers to learn the tax rules unique to clergy. Led by Forrest “Al” Eaton, Jr., CPA.
Non-Directive Coaching Skills Basics for Busy Pastors
Jan. 29, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House, Framingham, MA
Led by Rev. Todd Weir and Rev. Jim Latimer, non-directive coaching teaches you how to listen powerfully and not give advice.
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.
Resource for Pastoral Relations Committees
Feb. 17, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Hadley, MA
Training for your pastoral relations committee, best practices, and ways to be proactive in establishing a group. Led by The Rev. Kelly Gallagher.
Human and Faith Development
Feb. 23, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church,
Lynnfield, MA
Led by Nancy Sides, Certified Christian Educator. Part of the Christian Education Certification program, this course is open to all.
Confirmation Retreat
March 1 - 2
Prindle Pond Conference Center, Charlton, MA
Open to youth grades 8 & up currently engaged in confirmation classes. |
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Theories of Religious Education
March 9, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Edwards Church, Northampton, MA
A Christian Education Certification class, open to all.
Super Saturday
March 16, 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA
A full day of worship, workshops and networking.
Active Threat (Active Shooter) Training
March 16, 9:30 AM
Second Congregational Church, Beverly, MA
Training is presented by Blue-U Defense.
Youth Retreat: A Spiritually Healthy Relationship with Technology
March 22 - 24
Craigville Retreat Center
A retreat for youth grades 7 and up facilitated by Rev. Matt Carriker and Rev. Sarah Buteux.
Church Treasurer Gathering for Metro Boston/ Northeast Area
March 30, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
First Congregational Church, UCC, Reading, MA
Please join us for a cup of coffee and conversation that will help define your role as church treasurer and answer all those questions you might have.
Application Deadline: June 3
Writer's Workshop - The Art of the Personal Essay: Make A Point. Change the World
Nov, 11 - 17
Warren Conference Center,
Ashland, MA
With the Rev. John Hudson. Good non-fiction spiritual writing makes a point, tells a story, shares a memory, constructs an argument and always gives life to an idea.
More: macucc.org/events
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Save the Date: The third joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences will be Nov. 1 - 2, 2019, in Worcester, MA
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
Obituaries
The Rev. Charles Philip Blakney died at home on December 18, 2018. Rev. Blakney was Minister Emeritus of the First Congregational Church of South Hadley, where he served as pastor from 1970 until his formal retirement in 1993. The memorial service will be held Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church, South Hadley.
The Rev. H. Alfred Allenby died from complications related to pneumonia on November 11, 2018 in Falmouth at the age of 92. He had served at the Second Congregational Church in Braintree in the 1950s and 1960s. A service of interment for family and close friends took place at Oak Grove Cemetery on December 8, 2018. The larger community is invited to a memorial service celebrating his life on May 18, 2019 at 2:00 PM at the First Congregational Church in Falmouth, MA.
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Transitions
The Rev. Dr. Sheila Rubdi leaving First Congregational Church UCC of Harwich as Interim Pastor Effective: Jan. 13, 2019
The Rev. Mr. Frank McKenzie called to First Evangelical Congregational Church, Uxbridge as Interim Pastor
Effective: Jan. 1, 2019
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The Rev. Mr. Gordon Merten leaving First Evangelical Congregational Church, Uxbridge as Interim Pastor
Effective: Dec. 31, 2018
The Rev. Mr. Joseph Garabedian leaving First Armenian Church, Belmont as Interim Pastor
Effective: Oct. 28, 2018
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Classifieds
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Conference Staff Position: Program Coordinator
The Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ seeks a talented, entrepreneurial and experienced authorized minister to join our team as we implement Together We Thrive: Nurturing Pastoral Leadership projects funded through a five year grant received from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. The focus of this new position will be to work with the five collaborating organizations: the Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island Conferences of the United Church of Christ, the New England Synod ELCA – Lutheran and the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts to coordinate and implement the grant projects. This position provides a unique and exciting opportunity to work with ecumenical partners in establishing relationships that support authorized ministers throughout the region.
More: www.macucc.org/classifieds
Other Events of Interest
Surviving an Active Shooter Situation
Jan. 24, 7:00 PM
Trinitarian Congregational Church, UCC, North Andover, MA
North Andover Police Lt. Eric Foulds will discuss past mass shooting/active shooter events, breaking down the reactions of survivors and victims to show what actions helped people to survive and those that did not.
Longing for Belonging
March 28 - 30, 2018
Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center,
Greenfield, NH
Explore radical hospitality through fellowship, worship, faith formation and outreach. Participants will leave with a specific plan for how to engage the rest of the congregation in this work and how to get started.
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