the weekly emailing
April 8, 2015

New Northeast Association formed

 

After years of off and on conversation, a couple of years of intentional planning and a vote last June to merge, the Andover and Essex Associations on March 19 together adopted a new constitution and bylaws, thus legally creating the Northeast Association of the Massachusetts Conference.


Patrick Cage

 

Massachusetts Conference Environmental Justice Intern Patrick Cage has been posting daily updates from the road while he participates in the faith-based Pipeline Pilgrimage walk along the proposed route of the Northeast Energy Direct (NED) pipeline.


"
I and the other pilgrims will be walking in Easter Hope, led by the light of faith to face the terrible consequences of infrastructure that entrenches our fossil fuel dependence," Cage wrote before beginning his journey.

 

Read his daily posts here

from pipelinepilgrimage.org  



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

A Vision of the Beloved: Building Solidarity in the Age of Ferguson
Sunday, April 12, 4:30 PM
Hope Central Church & Iglesia Hispana, Jamaica Plain
Join us for a critical conversation with Rev. Traci Blackmon, who has been ministering on the front lines of the Ferguson demonstrations since the beginning.  

Poverty and homelessness: causes and solutions
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.

Pricing Carbon to Combat Climate Change 
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. 

National Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2015
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. 

Vigil for Immigration Reform
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. 

Who's at la Mesa?/�Qui�n est� at the Table?

May 2 - 3
Buffalo, NY
The Faith Formation Team of the United Church of Christ's Local Church Ministries in conjunction with Pilgrim-St. Luke's/El Nuevo Camino of Buffalo, New York, is presenting this Still Speaking Worship event.

NOHO Pride!
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. 

Can We Talk? An Invitation to Dialogue About Conflict in the Holy Land 
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.

Bread of Life: Building community through faith-based food programs 
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


Transitions 

 

Transitions

macucc.org/transitions

 

Obituaries

macucc.org/obituaries


Featured Event of the Week

44th Annual NEAUCE Conference 
May 5 - 7
Craigville Retreat Center
This three day event filled with worship, workshops and presentations, gives church leaders a chance to refresh, rejuvenate and renew. The Keynote Speaker is The Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette, Lead Pastor of First Church Somerville UCC and author of
Real Good Church: How our church came back from the dead, and yours can, too.



216th Annual Meeting

Nadia Bolz-Weber
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.
Visit macucc.org/2015AM for details

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.
The Right Rev. Michael Curry 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 
Paul Nickerson 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.