You are being prayed for!
The Committee on Authorized Ministry and the Board of Directors of the Central Association would like all association clergy and churches to know that they are being held in prayer. Each member of the Committee on Authorized Ministry has been assigned a group of clergy and the members of the Board of Directors have been assigned a group of churches to include in their prayers. Please hold each of these committees in your prayers too as they do the important work of the association.
OCTOBER ORDINATION ANNIVERSARY DATES
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35 Years
The Rev. J. Cliff Davis
The Rev. Dr. Linnea Prefontaine
The Rev. Dr. Gregory Schmidt
30 Years
The Rev. John Hudson
25 Years
The Rev. Lynne Dolan
20 Years
The Rev. Wanda Harris-Watkins
15 Years
The Rev. Jennifer Fey
The Rev. Susan Phoenix
5 Years
The Rev. Beatrice Manning
Please contact Deb Holmes if we have missed your anniversary.
Anniversaries are listed from 5 years and forward in increments of 5.
ASSOCIATION CLUSTER MEETINGS
Re-imagining Your Church's Mission Ministry
Don't forget to register!
October 8, 2019 (Tuesday)
Ashburnham Community Church
12 Chapel St., Ashburnham
November 14, 2019 (Thursday)
The Franklin Federated Church
171 Main St., Franklin
December 4, 2019 (Wednesday)
United Church of Christ Federated
4 Church St., Webster
January 14, 2020 (snow date: February 11th) (Tuesday)
United Parish of Lunenburg
39 Main St., Lunenburg
March 12, 2020 (Thursday)
The United Church of Ware
49 Church St., Ware
April 22, 2020 (Wednesday)
First Congregational Church of Rutland
264 Main St., Rutland
May 12, 2020 (Tuesday)
UCC Congregational of Boxborough
723 Mass Ave., Boxborough
June 3, 2020 (Wednesday)
First Congregational Church, UCC
19 Church Rd., Shrewsbury
Printable Schedule of Cluster Meetings
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ASSOCIATION & CONFERENCE EVENTS
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October 5, 2019
Super Saturday - Registration Closed
Keefe Regional Technical High School
750 Winter Street
Framingham, MA 01702
8:00 AM - 3:34 PM
October 7&8, 2019
Boundary Awareness Training
First Church in Billerica
18 Andover Rd,
Billerica, MA 01821
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
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October 10, 2019
Fall Interim Gathering
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center
1 Badger Road
Framingham, MA 01702
9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
October 21, 2019
Moderator's Gathering
Brookfield Congregational Church, Inc.
8 Common Street
Brookfield, MA 01506
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
October 27, 2019
Installation
Rev. Janet Sandquist Skagerlind
First Congregational Church of Princeton, UCC
14 Mountain Road
Princeton, MA 01541
3:00 PM
November 1-2, 2019
Southern New England conferences Annual Meeting
DCU Center
50 Foster Street
Worcester, MA 01608
January 22nd & 23rd, 2020
Boundary Awareness Training
Harvard Divinity School
47 Francis Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
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CHURCH & OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST
Don't forget to bring a Hygiene Kit to Super Saturday
Will you be attending Super Saturday? We are accepting items for Church World Service Hygiene Kits at Super Saturday. Please bring an item(s) to donate to the hygiene kits.
To see a complete list of accepted items, visit: Church World Service Hygiene Kits
Church Treasurer Gatherings
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Church treasurers are invited to attend an upcoming regional gathering for church treasurers! Please join us for conversation that will help define your role as church treasurer and answer all those questions you may have. The sessions run from 9:30-noon, and include coffee "and". New church treasurers are invited to stay for a post gathering Q&A session ending at 1:30 (you are welcome to bring a bagged lunch if you stay). All sessions cover the same material and you are welcome to attend whichever session fits your schedule. There is no charge to attend, but please sign up so we know how many to expect. Use the links below for additional information and registration:
Saturday, October 19: First Congregational Church of West Boylston
Saturday, November 16: Edwards Church of Northampton
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Death and Dying Workshops
Trinity Church
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
Trinity Church will be hosting a series of workshops with VNA Hospice staff on the journey of death and dying. These workshops are open to the entire community and will feature the following topics:
Wednesday, October 23, 7:30 PM: The Spirituality of Dying - Can our faith transform the way we die? What are the signs and symptoms of the dying process, medically and spirituality?
Wednesday, October 30, 7:30 PM: After the Last Breath - What happens when we die? Is there a heaven? How do we grieve our loved ones and find ways for love to endure after the last breath?
Wednesday, November 6, 7:30 PM: Dying Wishes - Using "The Five Wishes" as a guide, we will begin conversations about what it truly means for us to have a quality end of life experience, embracing dignity and our own unique values.
Wednesday, November 13, 7:30 PM: The Nitty Gritty Practical Questions - With experienced social workers leading the conversation, this session covers the ins and outs of funeral homes, cremation versus burial, end of life care at home compared to a facility...and how to pay for it all.
Register by using this link or by calling the church office at 508-393-8156. Please contact Rev. Julie Cedrone with any questions at julie_cedrone@vnacare.org. FLYER
Coping with Grief and Loss
Starting October 2nd, 6 weeks, Wednesday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30pm.
This weekly on-line support group is for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The journey of grief can feel deeply emotional and at times overwhelming. Being with others who are grieving can affirm that your experience is not abnormal and there is hope. This group will provide a safe place to share the pain, emptiness, anger, and the many other emotions people feel following death This is a closed group that meets for six weeks. The group is free of charge, but registration is required by Wednesday, September 25th. If you are interested, please contact Rev. Lee Atherton by calling (508-308-7116) or emailing (Lee@CoachRev.com) and you can discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Caregiver Support Group
First Congregational Church
19 Church Road
Shrewsbury, MA 01545
Expanded Fall Caregiver Support Group Schedule. In the months of September, October and November, we will now be meeting 2x per month on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month. On the 2nd Monday, we will be having informational meetings facilitated by Beth Anne Doan and guest speakers. On the 4th Monday, we will be holding informal caregiver support meetings. Meetings will be held in the youth group room on the second floor.
Finally, in December, Beth Anne Doan will lead a service of Loving Care for Christmas.
Please see the attached FLYER for the Fall Caregiver Support Group Schedule
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Pumpkin Patch Fair!
The First Congregational Church, UCC
128 Central Street
Auburn, MA 01501
Saturday, October 19th, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Fall Décor, Holiday Décor, Gift Ideas, Handmade Crafts, Vintage Treasures, Frozen Meals To Go, Baked Goods, Jewelry, Silent Auction, and So Much More!
Click here to for more information.
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Pumpkins, Get Your Pumpkins Here!
First Congregational Church, UCC
128 Central Street
Auburn, MA 01501
Open daily 10 AM to 6 PM through October 31st
We have a variety of pumpkins in all shapes and sizes and pricing to fit everyone's budget! The pumpkins are raised and harvested at the Navajo Reservation in Farmington, NM. A percentage of the pumpkin sales goes to their schools and other programs and, of course, a percentage helps our church. They grow 1,200 acres (approx. 2 square miles) of pumpkins and employ over 700 Native Americans during harvest months of September and October. There’s also a full time off-season New Mexico staff that is comprised entirely of Native Americans. This has a positive and lasting impact on a region with 42% unemployment. Thank you for your support!
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Opening Night!
2nd Friday of the month
Trinity Church Northborough
23 Main Street
Northborough, MA 01532
October 11, 2019
October's special featured special guests: The Lied To's
We invite you to come enjoy talented musicians performing a variety of music. You may even her some poetry recitation. Coffee and refresshments will be served with a suggested donation. BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug). A $5 per person donation will be accepted at the door ($10 max family) or but a VIP season pass! $50 for individual and $100 for family. Passes can be purchased at the door. Click here for more information Download a flyer to share!
LOCAL THRIFT SHOPS, FOOD PANTRIES, & COMMUNITY DINNERS
Please click here to see the list of thrift shops,
food pantries,and community dinners.
MISSION OPPORTUNITIES
ReachOut Worcester 2020
(February 7th & 8th 7:00 PM Friday to 2:30 PM Saturday)
ReachOut Worcester (ROW) is a 20 hour overnight immersion program for youth ages 13+ and their leaders that is sponsored by WAMS in partnership with Worcester Fellowship, a UCC church dedicated to ending isolation through pastoral care and nurturing community and All Saints Church Worcester. A detailed overview / information packet and a registration form are available on our website.
Worcester Fellowship
Available lunch providers and youth dates are currently on our website.
Youth group dates are available for groups of 15 or less.
Lunch and worship are Sundays at 1PM behind
City Hall on Worcester Common.
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TRANSITIONS
The Rev. Dr. S. Derek Austin called to Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, Leominster as Interim Pastor. Effective: 9/16/2019
The Rev. Karen Nell Smith called to Edwards Church, Framingham as Associate Pastor for Faith Development and Outreach. Effective: 9/15/2019
The Rev. William Main called to Federated Church of Norfolk as Interim Pastor.
Effective: 8/25/2019
The Rev. Martin Holman called to Chaffin Congregational Church, Holden as Sole Pastor. Effective: 8/22/2019
The Rev. Lee Atherton left The United Church of Clinton as Designated Term Pastor.
Effective: 7/28/2019
The Rev. Dr. Keith Alderman retired from Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, Leominster as Senior Pastor. Effective: 7/28/2019
The Rev. Scott Cousineau left Federated Church of Norfolk as Settled Pastor.
Effective: 7/28/2019
The Rev. Dr. James Matarazzo called to First Congregational Church, UCC, Shrewsbury as Interim Associate Pastor. Effective: 7/21/2019
The Rev. Gail Miller left Union Congregational Church as Settled Pastor. Effective: 7/14/2019
The Rev. Katheryn Keene called to Federated Church of Ashland as Designated Term Pastor. Effective: 7/14/2019
Mr. Andrew Harris called to Acton Congregational Church, UCC as Acting Associate Pastor for Congregational Life. Effective: 7/7/2019
The Rev. Rosemary Dawson called to Athol Congregational Church, UCC as Interim Pastor. Effective: 7/1/2019
The Rev. Laura Friedman called to Ashburnham Community Church as Part-Time Pulpit Supply Pastor. Effective: 7/1/2019
The Rev. Susan Thomas left First Congregational Church, UCC, Gardner as Settled Pastor. Effective: 6/18/2019
More: macucc.org/transitions
OBITUARIES
The Rev. Dr. Paul Clayton – of West Hyannisport, passed away on September 23, 2019, from aspiration pneumonia at age 87. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Dave and Connie. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jacklyn Blake Clayton of West Hyannis Port; their children John (Red Lodge, MT) and Cathryn, her husband Luca Macchiarulo, and their son Thomas (Honolulu, HI).
A memorial service will be held at West Parish of Barnstable on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Paul’s memory to West Parish Church of Barnstable, PO Box 219, West Barnstable, MA 02668. Please click here for more information.
Please click here to view all MACUCC Obituaries.
CLASSIFIEDS
Director of Music - Athol, MA
Director of Music - Chelmsford, MA
Church Music Director - Grafton, MA
Director of Youth Fellowship - Holliston, MA
Part Time Church Sexton - Holliston, MA
Church furnishings - Shrewsbury, MA
Director of Family Ministries - Woodstock, CT
Communications Coordinator - Worcester, MA
Music Minister - Worcester, MA
Please click here to view all MACUCC Classifieds
ASSOCIATION INFORMATION
Association Meetings
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The Committee on Authorized Ministry
Meets the 3rd Thursday of
each month at 9:30AM.
The Board of Director's
Meets the 3rd Thursday of
each month at 2:30PM.
Both meetings take place at:
WamsWorks
6 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609
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Association/Conference
Fellowship Dues for 2019
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The Annual Fellowship Dues for churches that are not part of United Church Mission are:
| Conference Portion: |
$20.00 |
| Association Portion: |
$1.65 |
| Total per member: |
$21.65 |
For more information on Fellowship Dues, click here.
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