450 at Super Saturday told to let God use them to do greater things
 The Rev. Ruben Duran told more than 450 people at Super Saturday this past weekend to trust in the spirit of God during their workshops and community time together.
"This is the day for you to say: God, grab me gently and melt me and mold me and fill me and use me - I want to be part of your team to accomplish greater things for you, on behalf of the gospel, for the sake of the world, for the glory of God," said Duran, Program Director for New Congregations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
|
Praying with our legs: on pilgrimage against fracked gas
 By Patrick Cage
Environmental Justice Intern
When you start to do the research, you realize that basically nobody outside the Kinder Morgan boardroom wants this pipeline ... These pipes have such an ecosystem of problems that the campaign growing to oppose them is one of the most exciting frontiers of climate action in New England. Pipeline opposition brings folks of different stripes together, just as faith can.
|
10% discount for NCLI
- this week only!
The Center for Progressive Renewal is offering a 10% discount to anyone who registers for this summer's NCLI event by Saturday using the discount code "supersaturday10."
The code was initially given just to attendees of last weekend's Super Saturday, but is now being offered to anyone who uses it this week.
NCLI - the National Church Leadership Institute - is being held in Boston and Newton for the first time and being co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Conference.
Get details and register
|
UCC asks churches to take part in national survey
The United Church of Christ's research and information office is asking the denomination's nearly 5,100 congregations to participate in the longest-running survey of congregational life in the United States.
Once completed, the Faith Communities Today (FACT) survey, open now through March 31, will give local churches insights to help them grow - information and trends on membership, programming, youth and young adult ministries, vitality and use of technology.
|
Opportunities for
Children & Youth
Kids as Peacemakers
April 20 - 21, 2015
Central Congregational Church, Newburyport
A two-day leadership development camp for youth in grades 6-8 during the week of April vacation.
 Looking for a 2015 summer camp experience? The Massachusetts Conference suggests you check out these camps, which are all UCC or UCC-related camps and conferences in New England. |
Local Buzz
 From his seat inside the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse in South Boston, the Rev. Jeffrey MacDonald of First Parish Church of Newbury has borne witness to some of the most gut-wrenching and intense testimony one could possibility imagine.
|
The Rev. Mr. Richard N. Chrisman called to Church on the Hill, UCC in Lenox as Interim Pastor
Effective: March 23, 2015
The Rev. Mr. Patrick J. McLoud retired from Elm Street Congregational Church, Southbridge, as pastor
Effective: Feb. 28, 2015
Transitions
macucc.org/transitions
Obituaries
macucc.org/obituaries
|
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. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Featured Event of the Week
Sunday, April 12, 4:30 PM
Hope Central Church & Iglesia Hispana, Jamaica Plain
Join us for a critical conversation with Rev. Traci Blackmon, a nationally recognized preacher and speaker,
ordained in the United Church of Christ and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who has been ministering on the frontlines of the Ferguson demonstrations since the beginning. Her early and prominent response to racial tensions in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown earned her an appointment to the Ferguson Commission.
|
216th Annual Meeting
 New Location, New Voices, Renewed Spirit to Enliven!
June 12 - 13, 2015 University of Mass., Amherst This Annual Meeting will be an opportunity to focus on the "treasure in clay jars" (2 Corinthians 4:7) - the glory of God, carried and made visible in particular ways in each person present, and in our work together as the Body of Christ.
For those who cannot attend the whole meeting, tickets are also being sold for the keynote address alone at: macucc.org/nadia |
Clergy Events 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
Boundary Awareness Training
Apr. 21 - 22 First Congregational Church in Billerica A two-day session running from 9 AM to 3 PM on both days. Enrollment is limited to 20 people.
Application deadline: June 14 Writing for the Pastoral Life - Strange Gift, Long Journey, Bright Star with Maren Tirabassi Warren Conference Center, Ashland Nov. 2 - 8, 2015 This week-long intensive writing experience will sharpen skills and expand imagination in the familiar forms - sermon preparation, liturgy for page or projection, agendas, online communication from blog to tweet -- and investigate creative writing for ministry - from flash fiction to slam poetry. |
Faith Formation Events
For educators
Upcoming classes:
April 11: Lynnfield
Worship & Sacraments
April 25: Northampton
Theories of Religious Education
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 educators
Sat., April 18 & Sat., May 9
10 AM - Noon
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
A chance for for Christian Educators and Youth Ministers/Directors to network and share experiences with colleagues. Facilitated by Elsa Marshall.
For all
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.
For church secretaries/administrators
June 14 - 16
Craigville Retreat Center
In the midst of administrative chaos comes and opportunity to Celebrate You.
This year we will be celebrating you, our unique profession and the special gifts we each bring to our job and lives.
|
Justice & Witness Events
Sat. April 11, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
First Congregational Church, Randolph This Southeast Area Missions Forum will include speakers and displays from various area programs.
 Breaking the Chains: Mass Incarceration & Systems of Exploitation
April 17 - 20 Washington, DC Join over 1,000 Christian advocates in building a movement to shake the foundations of systems of human exploitation (Acts 16:16-40), including a prison-industrial system that incarcerates millions of people in the U.S. and abroad.
Sat., May 2, 11:00 AM
Northampton United Church of Christ open and affirming churches are invited to march together at NOHO Pride! Please register your church no later than April 15.
Sat., May 16, 8:30 AM St. John's Episcopal Church, Boston
Designed for churches and community groups engaged in providing community meals, food banks, and other direct service ministries. No experience is necessary
|
Growing Your Church Events April 17 - 18 Holiday Inn, Boxboro, MA A two-day conference featuring inspiring stories, practical helps, engaging worship, and networking opportunities.  Sponsored by the Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council and featuring Ben Stroup, author of Church Giving Matters: More Money Really Does Mean More Ministry, and The Right Rev. Michael Curry, author of Crazy Christians: A Call to Follow Jesus.
Wed., May 6, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Salvation Army, Canton You are invited to attend this FEMA spring workshop and learn how to prepare your congregation to better cope with disasters.
|
|
|
