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| Hadwen Park Church providing safe refuge for LGBT political asylum seekers | | |
by Emily Schappacher, United Church of Christ
 "Susan" was seeking political asylum from Uganda, running for her life because she is a lesbian. After surviving house arrest, corrective gang rape ordered by her father, and domestic slavery, she spent every dollar she had to escape to Boston, with no choice but to leave behind her young son, who was fathered by one of her rapists.
"Paul" was a millionaire in Uganda, and was also active in the fight against HIV in children. After being discovered with his partner, he was imprisoned, tortured, and was going to be killed after the prison determined its corrective strategies were not working. One night, while emptying the bucket that served as his toilet, Paul ran from the armed guards, hiding in dark fields until he was able to obtain his visa and flee to America.
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Pastor Judy Hanlon
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The common thread between these two asylum seekers is Hadwen Park Congregational Church United Church of Christ and its LGBT Asylum Support Task Force, a program that both Susan and Paul credit with saving their lives. Run by the Rev. Judy Hanlon, pastor of the Worcester, Mass., church, the LGBT Asylum Support Task Force has provided a safe refuge for more than 80 LGBT asylum seekers like Susan and Paul from 15 countries around the world since 2008.
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Get Ready to Rally April 26 for Jobs - Not Jails
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 Action planned for April 26 in Boston
A rally to "end mass incarceration and fund job creation" will take place April 26 beginning at noon on Boston Common. The rally will support Jobs Not Jails, an umbrella campaign that brings together a diverse array of people who care about the future of our economy and about the damage that mass incarceration is doing to our communities.
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| Bill Will Provide Help to Homeless Youth |
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 Following is from the MA Coalition for the Homeless
Please join with us in working to end unaccompanied youth homelessness by supporting House Bill 135, An Act providing housing and support services to unaccompanied homeless youth.
This bill seeks to reduce youth homelessness and its adverse effects by funding a continuum of housing and support services geared specifically for unaccompanied youth and young adults under the age of 25. The goals of these efforts are to improve housing and residential stability, reduce the risk of harm and improve educational, physical and mental health outcomes for this population. To learn how you can help, read on!
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KKK Bombing Survivor Shares her Story
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 | | victims of the KKK bombing |
As part of her "Because Love Wins" speaking tour, Sarah Collins Rudolph will speak during the 10 a.m. service at the Rockdale Congregational Church in North-bridge (42 Fowler St.) on Sunday, April 27.
On September 15, 1963 the KKK exploded a bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birming-ham Alabama during morning Sunday School. The bomb killed four little girls and severely injured a fifth girl. That fifth little girl was Sarah Collins Rudolph. She is the sole survivor of that horrendous act of hatred that woke up the country to the injustice of unequal voting practices, Jim Crow laws, and segregation. Her story of incredible faith, spirit of forgiveness and love, strength, and sheer resilience have given many people great comfort.
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Tips for Organizing Earth Day Sunday
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Earth Day, April 22 (recommended Sunday: April 27), is an opportunity to reflect on the wonders of God's creation. Visit UCC's "Water, Holy Water - Earth Day 2014" page for tips on getting your congregation fired up to care for our earth, and for resources to help your church plan an effective service.
UCC partner Creation Justice Ministries produces Earth Day Sunday resources each year. With sermon starters, prayers, bulletin inserts and great information on a variety of environmental issues, this ecumenical resource is a wonderful starting point for your congregation's celebration. Download the Earth Day resource here:
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| Justice & Witness Awards: Nominations Wanted |
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Know someone doing exceptional charitable or social justice ministry? Nominate them for a Justice and Witness Haystack Award!
The Haystack Award of the Massachu-setts Conference UCC was created to encourage participation in charitable and social justice ministry. Churches and individuals are inspired to engage in local and global mission in a variety of ways. Our aim is to recognize these exemplary initiatives currently underway throughout the Conference, express appreciation, and offer incentives for new initiatives. Any individual, group or institution affiliated with the Massachusetts Conference, UCC is eligible for consideration.
The nomination deadline is May 9. Youth nominations are also encouraged. Awards will be given at Annual Meeting, June 13-14.
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| Justice LED Sessions in Sheffield, Worcester | | |
April 12 ~ 9-3
First Congregational Church of Sheffield
125 Main Street, Sheffield Learn more here.
May 31 ~ 9-3
United Congregational Church/WAMS
6 Institute Road, Worcester Learn more here.
Charitable actions and direct services such as soup kitchens, clothing closets and emergency funds are vitally important - they must be done. Unfortunately, they are not enough to sustain the long-term social change we pray for and long to see. To build the realm of God we need to not only continue to offer mercy by the riverside but also go up river and work for justice. Using the UCC Justice LED curriculum the group will:
- Explore the biblical mandate to "go up river"
- Examine what helps and hinders us from fully responding to God's call to "do justice."
- Learn from each other how we can become more effective advocates for justice and peace while continuing our acts of mercy
- Strategize how justice may be incorporated into the life and ministry of your church.
Justice LED is an initiative of Justice & Witness Ministries. Learn more about the Justice LED program here.
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Mercy and Justice in our Criminal Justice System
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Partakers program
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Arthur Bembery, Executive Director of Partakers - an organization which provides college education and mentoring to incarcerated individuals in Massachusetts - will speak on May 4 from 11:30-12:30, at Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC (6 Clover St., Worcester). The program will be woven around the idea of restorative justice. A sermon by student pastor Dawn Adams, a Partakers volunteer, will also focus on this subject during the regular Sunday service (10 a.m.) All are invited to either/both talks. Complimentary coffee/tea/snacks.
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Christianity and Capitalism
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 From the HDS Episcopal/Anglican Fellowship website:
Five years after the worldwide financial crisis, two years after Occupy Wall Street, and in the midst of widespread movements challenging the global economic system, it is an urgent moment for Christians to ask: How should we, as Christians, relate to contemporary capitalism? How should contemporary "capitalism"-or capitalisms-be understood, economically, historically, and theologically? Are there fundamental conflicts between our current economic order and our identity as Christians? If so, what can, and should, we do about them - as individuals, congregations, and institutions?
Engage with these issues at the 4th Annual Conference of the Episcopal-Anglican Fellowship at Harvard Divinity School on April 11-12. Read more here.
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It's Spring! Time for Pride Parades and Worship
Learn how to sign up below.
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| May 3: NOHO Pride - Marching Together | | |
The 2014 Northampton Pride Parade and Festival will take place on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 11 a.m. The parade starting location is Hampton Avenue.
Register your church by April 21 by emailing godandep@ yahoo.com Click here for a flyer.
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June 14: Boston Pride Parade and Worship
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 The 44th annual Boston Pride Parade and Festival will take place on Saturday, June 14.
ONA churches in the MA Conference are invited to join the Conference marching delegation. Please contact Kathie Carpenter ASAP, but no later than May 8, to sign up for the parade. Learn more here.
Pride begins with morning worship at 10 a.m. at Old South Church in Boston, celebrating 10 years of equal marriage. All are welcome! For sponsorship opportunities and service details, go here.
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