Jim Antal gets "pie'd" in the name of fossil fuel divestment
When Environmental Justice Intern Patrick Cage suggested that Conference Minister & President Jim Antal agree to take a pie in the face if 10 churches began conversations about fossil fuel divestment, Antal agreed. Here was the result:
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| | Jim Antal gets pie'd at Super Saturday - 3/21/2015 |
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 MACUCC Churches surrounded by Outdoor Ministry Opportunities It is with joy that I write to you today ... with camps in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, there are six unique sacred spaces within reasonable driving distance of you and your congregation.
VIDEO: Antal gives talk on civil disobedience as a spiritual practice
Jim Antal last week spoke at the Boston University School of Theology on Civil Disobedience as a Spiritual Practice. Watch his talk here. |
 Information from the United Church of Christ Cornerstone Fund on loans available for repairs and renovation.
Super Saturday Workshop Proposal deadline is May 23
Those wishing to propose a workshop for the next Super Saturday, being held Oct. 17 in Framingham, need to submit a proposal by May 23. Details at:
macucc.org/supersaturday |
Justice & Witness Opportunities
Advocacy:
 Please support An Act Relative to House Bill 529 Improving the Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children Program
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.
 Mon., April 13, 1:00 PM
MIT Sloan School, Cambridge
The Premier and other officials of British Columbia will speak about the passage and effects of the carbon pricing law enacted there in 2008.
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.
 Sun., April 19, 2:00 PM Suffolk County House of Correction, Boston
The Boston New Sanctuary Coalition will host their quarterly vigil at the Suffolk County Corrections Center, and all are welcome to join.
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.
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.
 Sun., May 3, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Open Spirit Center, Framingham
Learn and engage in small group conversation and gain more insight about the challenge of dialogue about conflicts in the Holy Land by listening to the experiences of those intimately involved in the struggle for justice and reconciliation.
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
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Local Buzz
 John Hudson writes: it is the holiest of holy rituals I practice, and have practiced, twice a month, on Monday nights, for the past twelve years ... Monday night dinners.
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The Rev. Ms. Noelle Dattilo ordained by the Central Association at UCC Congregational Boxborough
Effective: March 29, 2015
The Rev. Dr. Katherine Epperly
called to Christian Union Church of North Truro #8893 as Designated Term Pastor
Effective: March 19, 2015
Transitions
macucc.org/transitions
Obituaries
macucc.org/obituaries
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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
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.
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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 |
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.
Sat., June 6, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Manchester, NH  This one-day workshop for pastors and teams will focus on how to develop a year-round process of discipleship, financial education and stewardship growth. Led by Church Consultant Paul Nickerson. |
Clergy Events 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.
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NOHO Pride!