2015 Haystack Award nominations sought for charitable, social justice ministries
 The MACUCC Justice & Witness Ministry Council is requesting nominations for the 2015 Haystack Awards . This award was created to encourage participation in charitable and social justice ministry.Churches are inspired to engage in local and global mission in a variety of ways. The Council's aim is to recognize these exemplary initiatives currently underway in churches throughout the Conference, express appreciation, and offer incentives for new initiatives. Any individual, group or institution affiliated with the Massachusetts Conference, UCC, is eligible for consideration.The application deadline is May 11 . Awards will be presented at the 216th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst following a luncheon on Saturday, June 13.
|
 The Rev. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister for Justice & Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ and The Rev. John L. McCullough, president and CEO of Church World Service, have released a statement calling it "A moral tragedy to continue the delay on Obama's immigration actions."
"Justice delayed is justice denied. Last July, we stood in front of the White House with 112 clergy and immigrant leaders in civil disobedience to tell President Barack Obama that we could not wait for relief from deportation any longer."
"After continued delays from the administration, relief from deportations for immigrant families is once again delayed - this time by the courts. "
Read more
|
 The example of the Apostle Paul, who made tents to fund his ministry, inspired multitudes. Now the current demand for bivocational pastors (modern tentmakers) far exceeds the supply ...
Bivocational ministry is different from serving multiple parishes. The pastor holds a dual role - he or she serves in a local church ministry position (or in multiple churches) and meets other significant non-church work obligations. Most often, these pastors receive salary and support from other employment-such as chaplaincy, teacher or professor at a religious school, or serving in a community services non-profit organization.
Read more |
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.
There will be a private family service scheduled soon. All those who knew Don Overlock are invited to a memorial service at the Tabernacle at Craigville on July 25th at 2:00 PM.
More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Obituaries
macucc.org/obituaries
|
The Rev. Mr. Christopher A. Hart called to Elm Street Congregational Church, Southbridge, as Interim Pastor
Effective: March 31, 2015
Transitions
macucc.org/transitions
|
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
|
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 |
Justice & Witness Opportunities
 Thursday, April 23, 2015 7:00 PM Peint O Gwrw, Chatham, NY The Theology on Tap series of Canaan Congregational Church is presenting this discussion open to anyone interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Thursday, April 30, 2015 7:00 PM
The Depot, Lexington As part of the national conversation on race and justice, the Lexington Interfaith Clergy Association (LICA) will facilitate a town-wide public conversation on race. Come and be a part of this open dialogue, which includes town representatives, clergy and you!
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.
June 24 -25, 2015
Cleveland, OH The biggest and best National ONA Gathering in the 30-year history of our the Open and Affirming movement.
|
Clergy Events 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.
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 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
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 educators
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 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.
|
|
|
NOHO Pride!.png)
