| |
Many Voices, One Mission: Justice Is Local
|
By The Rev. Wendy Vander Hart, Associate Conference Minister for the MA Conference, UCC
I am running for office in my residential town of Arlington, Massachusetts. “Wendy Vander Hart – a ♥ for Arlington” is my campaign slogan (That's a heart emoji, in case it doesn't show in your browser.)
The position is humble Town Meeting Member. Fortunately, this does not require raising money for a campaign! I understand it as part of my personal declaration to embody our new Conference shared mission/purpose “Living the love and justice of Jesus.”
My home in Arlington has more than doubled in value in the eighteen years I have lived there. The tree canopy is shrinking in our town. Developers are squeezing in more units including less affordable ones. Traffic adds to our collective carbon footprint. The brand new neighborhood school was quickly over-subscribed because of poor planning and a significant addition was required three years into its existence.
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.
Summer Camping
|
By Debbie Gline-Allen, Christian Education & Youth Ministry Consultant for the MA Conference, UCC
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the effective faith- and community-building aspects of retreats and how these concentrated blocks of time can provide optimal opportunities for us to engage with others (and ourselves) on a deeper level. The same goes for summer camps. If the impact of going on a weekend retreat can make a difference in the growth in faith of its participants, imagine what sort of impact spending a week (or more) at camp can have!
We are blessed in New England to have several high-quality outdoor ministries sites and camping programs available to us.They offer a wide variety of opportunities for children and youth, as well as adults, to build Christian community, engage in spiritual reflection, try new spiritual practices, and just plain have fun out of doors.
Check out these beautiful outdoor ministries sites for the members of your congregation, and for yourself. And most importantly, stay connected with those who attend these camp sessions to help them bring back their “mountaintop experiences” (songs, prayers, worship liturgies, games, etc.) and make them a part of your programs and services of worship throughout the rest of the year.
Find this post online to share
Free 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
|
|
|
|
Conference Events
|
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, Cape Cod, MA
A retreat for youth grades 7 and up facilitated by Rev. Matt Carriker and Rev. Sarah Buteux. Through spiritual practices, reflection, and Sabbath-filled rest, we’ll explore how we can have a spiritually healthy relationship with technology.
Preparing for the Search & Call Process
March 30, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, UCC
The morning session is the UCC Profile Workshop for all clergy. The afternoon focuses on Members-in-Discernment or others who interested in learning about the search & call process.
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.
|
|
|
Theories of Religious Education
March 30, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Centre Congregational Church, Lynnfield
A Christian Education Certification class, open to all.
How Does a Christian Manage a Bully?
April 6, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House, Framingham, MA
Claire Bamberg will look at at several key dynamics that have to be present in a system that tolerates a bully - and how to disempower both the dynamics and the offending member.
Human and Faith Development
April 6, 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Edwards Church, Northampton
A Christian Education Certification class, open to all.
Environmental Justice for All! Retreat
May 17 - 19
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon CT
For youth in grades 8 - 12 to explore how faith and justice intersect, learn about current issues in environmental justice and find their talents to make change.
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
|
|
|
Save the Date: The first Annual Meeting of new unified conference (Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island) will be Nov. 1 - 2, 2019, in Worcester, MA
Transitions
The Rev Mr. Randall Hyvonen leaving First Congregational Church, Westfield as Bridge Pastor.
Effective: March 9, 2019
More: macucc.org/transitions
|
Classifieds
|
Other Events of Interest
|
Annual Forum to End Family Homelessness
March 24, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Trinitarian Congregational Church, Concord, MA
Three women will share their experiences being homeless with their families at this Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness event.
Traci Blackmon Program at Wenham Church
March 24, 1:30 PM
First Church in Wenham, MA
The Rev. Dr. Traci Blackmon, UCC Executive Minister of Justice & Local Church Ministries, will present a program and Q&A.
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.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
