10% of churches opt in to United Church Mission
 More than 10 percent of Massachusetts Conference churches have opted into United Church Mission, the Conference's new funding system, and those doing so have expressed enthusiasm for the change.
Jonathan New, Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship and Financial Development, says he is "ecstatic" at the numbers, and said there has been one common theme in the conversations he has had with church leaders making the switch to the new system: "that folding Fellowship Dues and OCWM Basic Support together into one wider church giving contribution through United Church Mission makes sense."
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News Briefs
The Massachusetts Conference is considering providing child care services at Annual Meeting and is asking parents of young children to take a survey to help determine if it would be utilized
Anthem, a member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, announced that it was the target of a sophisticated external cyber attack. It does not appear that MACUCC Pension Board members will be impacted |
Resources
In Covenant: Bulletin Insert
The February insert is now available for download for use in church bulletins and newsletters. This month's issue features articles on the the new Climate Justice Intern's pie challenge and winter weather resources. |
Justice & Witness Opportunities
Feb. 18 - Apr. 5, 2015 Sign up for the annual carbon fast to receive daily emails with opportunities to fast from carbon as a Lenten discipline. Individuals and congregations are encouraged to participate.
Sun., Feb. 22, 6:30 PM
First Church of Somerville An evening of letter writing to respond to Gov. Charlie Baker's statement that he would not support upcoming legislation that would add language prohibiting discrimination against transgender individuals in places of public accommodations.
Sat., Feb. 28, 10:00 AM Worcester Mission Society, Worcester An all-new interactive youth workshop on family homelessness designed to give youth a better understanding of the decisions families stuck in the seemingly endless cycle of poverty face every day, and what the youth can do both to help families in need, and to put an end  to family homelessness.
Sun., Mar. 1, 2:30 - 4:30 PM First Parish In Bedford The 11th annual Concord area family homelessness forum of the Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness provides an opportunity to learn how others in our communities are helping struggling families who have no place to call home.
Sun., Mar. 8, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Christ Congregational Church, Brockton An interactive talk and workshop exploring issues of race adn racism with Debby Irving, author of Waking up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race. |
 Important Deadlines
Mar. 7, 2015: Deadline for churches to submit membership and financial data to the National UCC Data Hub. Those who do will be entered into a drawing for free Super Saturday admission for a team of four! |
Wider Church Youth &
Young Adult Opportunities
Deposit deadline: Feb. 15
June 24 -30, 2015 Cleveland, Ohio The Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences are co-sponsoring a trip to Youth@Synod, which runs parallel with the UCC's General Synod. This program gives youth ages 13 to 18 the opportunity to experience the vibrant diversity of the wider church.
 Children age 9 - 19 are invited to "spend a week in God's backyard" as part of the Connecticut Conference's summer camp program.
 Young adults (age 21-35) are being sought who wish to spend a year of meaningful engagement at the intersection of congregation and world. One of these groups is based in Westford, MA.
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The Rev. Dr. Gregory Dawson called to Agawam Congregational Church as Pastor
Effective: Feb. 1, 2015
The Rev. Ms. Natalie Shiras retired from Church on the Hill, Lenox as Pastor
Effective: Jan. 31, 2015
The Rev. Mr. Thomas Howells leaving Agawam Congregational Church as Interim Pastor
Effective: Jan. 25, 2015
Transitions
macucc.org/transitions
Obituaries
macucc.org/obituaries
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Classifieds - Help Wanted:
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Subscription changes Subscribe to more of our e-newsletters at: macucc.org/subscribeTo unsubscribe, change your email address or otherwise change your email preferences, please contact Jane Logee. |
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Featured Event of the Week
A Workshop for Pastoral Relations CommitteesTues., Feb. 24, 7:00 - 9:0 PM First Congregational Church of South Hadley Looking for some training for your pastoral relations committee, best practices, and ways to be proactive in establishing a group? This workshop, led by Associate Conference Minister Wendy Vander Hart, will cover purpose and practices for this vital link in fulfilling a church's mission and vision.
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Super Saturday 10!
March 21, 8:00 AM - 3:45 PM Ludlow High School, Ludlow, MA
A day of worship, workshops and networking for lay and clergy leaders with an address by Ruben Duran, Program Director for New Congregations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
This is the 10th Super Saturday, and will be the biggest yet with more workshops than have ever been offered before. Register early to reserve your spot!
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Faith Formation Events
For adults
Feb. 20 - 21, 2015
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham
A Christian spiritual formation retreat for adults in all stages of the spiritual path, clergy and lay, whether they feel like a beginner or a long-time traveler. Co-facilitated by Rev. Matt Carriker and Rev. Susie Allen.
Sat. Feb. 21 and Sat. Feb. 28, 9 AM - 4 PM
First Church in Ludlow
 Rev. Todd Farnsworth (Brookfield Institute) will teach you the easy-to-use spiritual practice of tapping prayer. Over two days, participants will learn how the brain and bo
dy is affected by traumatic events and how to create and activate your own personal prayer plan for peace.
For educators
Upcoming classes:
Feb. 28: Lynnfield
Mar. 7: Northampton
This creative, interactive program is for local church educators who want to reach a level of proficiency through knowledge, experience and training. Courses this year are on Human & Faith Development, Theories of Religious Education and Worship and Sacraments, and are being held in Lynnfield and Northampton.
For confirmands and their leaders
Openings:
Mar. 6 - 7, Charlton
Mar. 20 - 21, Beckett
Each year, the Massachusetts Conference offers a series of Confirmation Retreats for the youth classes of churches in the Massachusetts Conference as well as other NE states. These fill up fast so register your class now!
For Youth
March 27 - 28, 2015
Craigville Retreat Center, Cape Cod
A retreat for teens from around the Conference, whether or not they have been a part of previous MACUCC retreats.
Lay and Clergy
Sat., April 18, 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
An experiential workshop offered by the Rev. Elizabeth Magill and Desiree Bernard will provide basic training and renewed experience in the sacred work of deep listening and spiritual care.
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Clergy Events
 Thurs., Feb. 26, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham Facilitated by Beverly Prestwood Taylor, DMin who has worked with traumatized communities for the last 10 years with the Brookfield Institute. New location Clergy Ethics: The Musical Fri., Mar. 13, 7:00 PM New location: Congregational Church, South Glastonbury, CT  This musical, written and produced by UCC legal counselors Don Clark and Heather Kimmel, creatively engages the audience while communicating an important message. Co-sponsored by the Massachusetts and Connecticut Conferences.
New Date! Preparing for Search & Call - Session 1 - Members in Discernment Day at ANTS Sat. March 28, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM  Wilson Chapel, Andover Newton Theological School, Newton
A look at Search & Call Terrain & Tools plus An Integrated Minister's Online Presence featuring The Rev. Malcolm Himschoot, Minister for Ministerial Transition, UCC 
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Growing Your Church Events
Sat., Feb. 14, 10 AM - 4 PM
The Federated Church of Orleans
Two workshops with the Rev. Bell, a hymn writer, author, lecturer and seminar leader with a passion for congregational song: "The Engaged Spirituality of Jesus" and "Improving Congregational Song."
Sat., Feb. 28, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton
Dr. Pam Shelberg, The BTS Center's Scholar-in-Residence, is offering this workshop designed to support the efforts of faith leaders and communities contending with constant change.
Sat., Feb. 28, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
St. John's Episcopal Church, Jamaica Plain
Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light is leading this workshop on how to lower congregational carbon footprints and energy bills.
Discernment & Formation Training Event
Mon., Mar. 2, 7:30 PM
South Church in Andover
 Do you have a church member applying for seminary? Is someone in your midst raising questions of a call to ministry? This training will review the guidelines for the discernment and formation process. Led by Associate Conference Minister Wendy Vander Hart.
Stewardship in the Changing Church
April 17 - 18
Holiday Inn, Boxboro, MA
The 2015 Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council Conference featuring Ben Stroup and The Right Rev. Michael Curry.
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