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SABBATICAL LEAVE FOR REV. GALLAGHER

Please be aware that the Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister for Central Association, will be on sabbatical beginning June 26th and ending on August 31st. Information on who to contact while Kelly is away will be forthcoming. 

Kelly will also be attending General Synod in Milwaukee from Friday, June 21st until Tuesday, June 25th. Kelly will be checking emails during this time but might not be able to immediately respond.


MAY ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY DATES

45 Years
The Rev. Dr. Peter Wells

Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary. 
Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5

CONFERENCE & REGIONAL EVENTS

September 25, 2019
New To The Conference
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Ctr.
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
11:00AM

October 5, 2019
Super Saturday
Keefe Technical Regional High School
750 Winter Street
Framingham, MA 01702
8:00AM - 3:45PM

SAVE THE DATE!
November 1 & 2, 2019

First Annual Meeting of new "Together as One" Conference
DCU Center
50 Foster Street
Worcester, MA 01608

CHURCH EVENTS & OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST


 Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Assisting Our Community Partners:
Nominate an Unsung Hero!
2019 Food & Shelter Grant Opportunity
(Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties)

Greetings from the Community Foundation! We are reaching out to ask YOU to help us spread the word about our 2019 Capital Grant Opportunity, "Community Heroes".
The nominating process will open on May 15th and close on June 5th.

Please see the attached document for all the grant information.


"Listening to Doubt: A Dialogue on Belief in God"
Church of Christ Congregational, UCC
235 State Street
Granby, MA 01033
Sundays at 9:30AM (45 minutes per session)
April 28 - June 2 (6 Sessions)

A series of discussions with optional readings for all those who share doubts about God (especially in the Christian tradition)--seekers, skeptics, believers, agnostics, atheists...all are welcome.
Christianity does not have  God all figured out. Our goal is not “apologetics”—using manipulative arguments to convince “nonbelievers.” We want to listen to doubt: to respect it and let it be heard with integrity. This happens in good dialogue, in which all parties expect to gain and grow by a mutual sharing of thoughts and insights. Listening to doubt can help Christians let go of untenable and unhelpful ideas about God; and those who doubt might also find that “God” does not have to mean what they thought. Click here for more information.


Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast
First Congregational Church of Southampton
212 College Highway
Southampton, MA 01073
Monday, May 27th - 7:30AM - 11:30AM

Come and join us for breakfast! Adults $8.00; Seniors and kids ages 5-10 $5.00
No charge for Veterans or kids under 5!
Please see the attached FLYER


Strawberry Supper
Agawam Congregational Church
745 Main Street
Agawam, MA
June 15, 2019
5:30PM

You're invited to the annual and very popular Strawberry Supper! Menu includes: Delicious Ham, Potato Salad, Cole Slaw, Homemade Baked Beans, Fresh Rolls, Coffee & Tea. Dessert: Homemade Strawberry Shortcake with Freshly Baked Biscuits and REAL Whipped Cream! Click here for more information!


 Franklin County Pride

Save the date! Saturday, June 15th
Parade begins at noon at the Greenfield Middle School
Rally and Celebration to follow at Energy Park in Downtown Greenfield.

FLYER


 Summer Soltice Labyrinth Walk

Edwards Church of Northampton
297 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
June 20, 2019
7:00 - 8:00pm

All are invited to come celebrate the Summer Solstice and walk the Labyrinth at Edwards Church on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in Addis Hall.  The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual practice used by many faith and spiritual traditions.  This spiritual practice is a form of body prayer which offers inspiration, guidance, meditation, contemplation, relaxation, clarification, wholeness, and healing for many.  The labyrinth is not a maze. The three basic stages to this contemplative walk are:  entering or walking into the labyrinth – a time to let go of distractions; centering – a time in the center to be still and silent to listen for God; exiting from the center – a time to gain direction, comfort, new energy – a time to move toward peace and a deeper relationship with the Divine.


Hampshire Association Summer Gathering
Conant Park
30 East Street
Southampton, MA
June 23rd - 3-6PM

The Hampshire Association Executive Committee is planning a wonderful summer afternoon of food, music, and activities for our Hampshire Association churches.  On Sunday, June 23, we will gather at Conant Park on East Street in Southampton.  Tavern on the Hill will provide the BBQ, and Barry Searle and Friends will provide the bluegrass music.  Bring your lawn chairs and plan to have a great afternoon with no business - just pure social time, games & activities in the summer sun!    
Please encourage your congregation to participate - we are aiming for 10 people from each church to come and help us live our UCC association covenant.  We need RSVPs so that we can order an appropriate amount of food. Click here for more information.


The Many offerings from Art and Soul!

Art and Soul - The Nest @ First Churches
11 Center Street
Northampton, MA 01060

Art & Soul/The Nest's summer schedule is now available! Please click here to see the many offerings.


RECURRING EVENTS


Journey

Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence (USNF)
220 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
3rd Thursday of each month
6:00PM - 7:30PM

Journey; a social and support group for people of all ages who identify as trans, gender queer, or two spirit will meet on the third Thursday of the month. Allies, significant others, family, and friends are welcome too. Use the side entrance, and doorbell if needed, to be let in. We meet in a conference room downstairs. The group is free. Journey is an outreach ministry of the Haydenville Congregational Church, UCC.  For more info email: journeynorthampton@gmail.com


FREE ECUMENICAL OUTREACH MEALS

Easthampton Congregational Church
112 Main Street
Easthampton, MA 01027

2nd Wednesday of the month the church holds its food pantry. Please bring your own recyclable bags with you. 
Marsha's Meals are the 3rd Friday of the month at 5pm. All are welcome and donations accepted.

Cathedral in The Light
Town Common
Greenfield, MA 01301

Weekly meals offered on Sunday after worship which begins at 2:00PM.

United Congregational Church of Holyoke
300 Appleton Street
Holyoke, MA 01040

Free community meal 2nd Friday of each month at 5:30PM followed by family movie night at 6:30PM with children's activities 6:00PM - 6:25PM.

Faithwaze, Breakfast Chapel

United Congregational
Church of Holyoke
300 Appleton Street
Holyoke, MA 01040

Sundays, beginning April 7th
Break Bread and Share Your Faith -
Breakfast at 8:30AM followed by 9:00AM Service and Communion. Children, Sinners, and Saints are welcome.

Contact Lance Humphrey with
questions at 413-246-8854.
Plenty of free parking!

Cathedral in The Night
Corner of Center & Main Streets
Northampton, MA 01060

Weekly meals offered on Sunday after worship which begins at 5:00 PM.

Trinity Church
17 Severance Street
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
Free ecumenical outreach community meals every Friday 5:30PM - 6:30PM.

Southampton Community Cupboard
First Congregational Church
212 College Highway
Southampton, MA 01073

2nd and 4th Saturday each month
10:00AM - 12:00PM

 

Faith United Church, UCC

52 Summer Avenue
Springfield, MA 01108

12:00 noon to 1:00PM on the last Saturday of each month in Fellowship hall. Free monthly community lunch and clothing give-away.

 

First Congregational Church UCC
20 Lathrop Street
West Springfield, MA 01086

Please contact the church for information on their Wednesday Suppers and Saturday Breakfast.


OBITUARIES

 Please click here to view all MACUCC Obituaries.  


CLASSIFIEDS

Looking for a set of handbells - Webster, MA

FREE- Two memorial boards - Whately, MA

Folding chairs -- standard gray - Williamsburg, MA

 Please click here to view all MACUCC Classifieds

 

Western Region of
The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ

413-589-7034
holmesd@macucc.org 
www.macucc.org/western

Office Hours: 
Monday: 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday: Closed