NCLI: Win a coffee date with John Dorhauer
 Anyone who registers by 11:59 PM on April 24 for the National Church Leadership Institute (NCLI), taking place in the Boston area this summer, will be entered into a drawing to win a coffee date with John Dorhauer, the nominee to be the next General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.
A free preview webinar with the Rev. Dorhauer on the connection between the Local Food Movement and re-imagining church in today's world will be held April 22 at 1 PM.
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By Estelle Margarones
Disaster Resource Team Member
It happened in Pennsylvania just days ago.
Sadly, disturbing events do happen in and around churches. Over the last few years, there have been a broad range of incidents in local Massachusetts churches.
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Here are but a few: "Pastor's car stolen while she preached 'thou shalt not steal.'" It happened in Quincy. (The car keys were taken from her locked office, just a few feet from the church's nursery.) There was a decapitated pig's head found defacing a nativity set in Haverhill. A bomb threat caused the cancellation of an Easter Vigil in Hopkinton.
Preparation is the key to remaining calm and effective in any emergency. To that end, the MACUCC Disaster Resource Team invites you to consider whether your church is ready if an emergency should occur in your church.
Read Estelle Margarones entire blog post here
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By Patrick Cage
Environmental Justice Intern
A week of sit-ins for divestment, the Green Summit in Lowell, a sustainable churches workshop, a march for a climate justice in Springfield & a cutting edge bike ride that is part-faith, part-climate, part-historical reenactment.
As we celebrate the resurrection this Easter Season, and as the land around us springs back to life, so too does the Massachusetts climate movement flourish. For those who feel led by faith to engage on climate change, this week holds an abundance of opportunities:
Read more
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The Rev. Mr. Robert J. MacLeod died peacefully on April 1, 2015. The Rev. MacLeod was ordained in 1946, and served congregations in Auburn, Boylston, Stoughton, Middleborough, Wrenthem, and Newburyport, Massachusetts, as well as congregations in Ohio, and New Hampshire.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Nancy Fay; sons Roderick (and Betsy) MacLeod; David (and Debra) MacLeod; Bruce MacLeod (partner Beverly McGrath); daughter Judith (and Scott) Froman; his brother Roderick C. MacLeod of Westboro; and many grandchildren and grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, at 11:00 AM at First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 128 Central Street, Auburn. There will be a luncheon following the service.
The Rev. Dr. Donald E. Overlock died on Monday, April 13, 2015. The Rev. Overlock served as Penn Northeast Conference Minister and previously as an Associate Conference Minister in the Western Region of Massachusetts. He was also actively involved in the Christian Camp Meeting Association, which owns the Craigville Retreat Center, for many years.
More information will be posted when available.
Obituaries
macucc.org/obituaries
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Monthly Bulletin Insert posted
The April insert is now available for download for use in church bulletins and newsletters. This month's issue features articles on Super Saturday, the new Northeast Association and the 216th Annual Meeting with Keynote Speaker Nadia Bolz-Weber.
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The newly formed Berkshire Interfaith Organizing group is asking everyone to contact their legislators before April 17 and ask them to vote to increase the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program line item in the state budget.
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Local Buzz
The Monterey United Church of Christ is a small church in a rural community in Berkshire County who thrives on being small. They have technically 12 members, but soon they will be taking in 11 more-virtually doubling their membership in one fell swoop. These two articles look at Monterey:
Monterey Pastor the Rev. Liz Goodman talks about digging deep at her church.
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The Rev. Ms. Rosemary Dawson called to UCC Second Congregational Church, Westfield as Interim Pastor
Effective: April 13, 2015
The Rev. Ms. Jena Roy ordained by the Metropolitan Boston Association at the First Congregational Church in Winchester
Effective: April 8, 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
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.
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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. |
Justice & Witness Opportunities
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.
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.
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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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. Clergy Camp  May 12 - 14
Silver Lake, Sharon, CT Step away from your ministry setting and retreat into the woods for Clergy Camp. It is your turn to be a "camper" with Rev. Kent Siladi and Rev. Liz Miller as Deans
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Faith Formation Events
For educators
Upcoming class:
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.
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.
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!