|
CONNECT WITH
THE BISHOP
| |
Looking for opportunities to connect with Bishop Hazelwood?
Check out these upcoming events:
May 1
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Lutheran/Episcopal Clergy Gathering, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Wickford (North Kingstown), RI
May 4
Morning worship, Shepherd of the Valley, Groton, MA
May 6
6:30, The Effective Small Church webinar
May 9 & 10
Rolling Ridge, Andover MA, School of Lay Ministry retreat
May 12-13
Dean's Retreat, Camp Calumet
May 18
Morning worship, St. John, Brooklyn, CT; 4 p.m. Peace, Wayland, MA
May 21
Afternoon gathering at Bethany, Orange, MA; evening gathering at Faith, Gardner , MA
|
|
 Good news! One hundred and eleven people from the New England Synod have completed Mayo Health Clinic Assessments, leaving us just 16 more assessments away from reaching our goal to receive a Synod-wide savings of $34,000 on health insurance premiums!
The deadline is April 30, so if you receive your health benefits from Portico Benefit Services and you haven't yet completed the assessment, please click here to do it now! The assessment takes less than 10 minutes, and all you need is basic knowledge about your health, diet and exercise.
Everyone who completes the assessment not only gets a better look at their own health, but they will earn $150 wellness dollars, which they can use to cover out-of-pocket medical expenses! Each assessment-taker also has a chance to earn an additional $350 in wellness dollars, for a grand total of $500!
So, you've got seven days until the deadline. What are you waiting for?
|
|
The Lutherans at Salem and Immanuel Churches in Naugatuck, Conn., have finalized the name for their new combined congregation: Grace Lutheran Church.
The new name was chosen through a "March New Name-ness" tournament in which the members whittled down from 16 options all the way to two, before announcing their new name on Easter Sunday.
The "New Name-ness" tournament is the next step in a process that began when the members at Immanuel and Salem voted to become one community. For more, check out their Facebook page!
|
|
TAIZE GATHERING IN BOSTON
| |
The Massachusetts Council of Churches is co-sponsoring a day of ecumenical prayer and fellowship with Brother John from the Taize Community at Trinity Church in Copley Square on May 3. The program is as follows:
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF TAIZE * 9 AM to 9 PM
Come spend a day of retreat together, modeling life in the Taizé community in France without having to leave Boston! We will share meals, prayers in the manner of Taizé with wonderful musicians, Bible reflection, and conversation with Brother John of Taizé.
A NIGHT OF TAIZE * 6 PM to 9 PM
To attend the evening program only, join us for dinner, a time of conversation about possibilities for reconciliation in Boston, and a festive common prayer. No registration required.
|
|
THE EFFECTIVE SMALL CHURCH
| |
|
The Effective Small Church
On Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m., Bishop Jim Hazelwood will be joined by pastors Anne Deneen (St. Paul - Gloucester, Mass.) and Julie Reuning-Scherer (Our Savior's - Newington, Conn.) for a webinar called "The Effective Small Church in New England." More details, including registration info, to come!
|
|
2014 NEW ENGLAND SYNOD ASSEMBLY
| |
Note: The price for Synod Assembly registration will increase from $130 to $155 per person at the end of this month. We encourage voting member registrants to sign up before April 30.
Engaging in mission
The 2014 New England Synod Assembly will be held Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. Our theme for 2014 is "Mission and Worship in the Age of the Spirit."
More and more congregations are starting a separate non-profit organization as a way to engage in mission to and with the poor in their communities. Faith (Cambridge, Mass.) started one in partnership with a local synagogue, and St. Andrew (Charlestown, R.I.) started one to partner with community agencies to help people stay in their homes. The video above highlights one ministry, called the Family Supper Table.
Come to the 2014 Synod Assembly for the workshop "How a Non-Profit can Help Your Congregation Engage in Mission."
Online registration is open through May 30, and yes, visitors are welcome to attend, but must also register.
The 2014 New England Synod Assembly will be held Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. Our theme for 2014 is "Mission and Worship in the Age of the Spirit."
Our keynote speakers are Rev. Dr. Scott Thumma and Rev. Dr. Claudio Carvalhaes.
For more information on this year's assembly, click here to go to the Synod Assembly page on our website. That page also includes registration links for voting and non-voting attendees.
|
|
