In her report prepared for Annual Meeting delegates, the Rev. Angela Menke Ballou reflects on the work and motivations of the Conference Board of Directors, which she chairs.
"We keep the health and vitality of our congregations at the center of our prayer and work," she writes.
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By Environmental Justice Intern Patrick Cage
By the end of this month, Pope Francis will release the most widely anticipated document to date at the crossroads of religion and ecology.
The pope has long been an outspoken advocate for climate action and ecological commitment as essential to Christian practice. Soon, he will raise the stakes with his forthcoming encyclical on environmental issues, writing from an historic level of authority on the connection between Catholic social teaching and environmental stewardship.
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It's New! It's Beautiful!
It's Incomplete!!
By the Rev. Elizabeth M. Magill, Chair, Task Team to End Homelessness
The Task Team to End Homelessness has been working over the past year to imagine how we can connect churches that provide services of food and housing support with each other. And we are SO CLOSE. Check out our new web page filled with responses from 60 Mass. Conference UCC churches about your wide-ranging ministries.
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Stewardship in the Changing World: Keynote Videos
On April 18, the Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council hosted its biennial 2 day gathering in Boxborough, Stewardship in the Changing World, featuring inspiring keynotes from Bishop Michael Curry and Ben Stroup. Those keynotes are now available for viewing online.
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 The Rev. Mr. Fred Anderson died peacefully on Sunday, May 31, 2015. The Rev. Anderson served as Pastor of the Trinitarian Congregational UCC in Norton, and the United Congregational UCC in Worcester. Toward the end of his ministry he served an additional eight different UCC churches as a transitional Pastor. Throughout his years in ministry in Massachusetts, he served on various boards, councils and social justice task teams of the Conference.
A Memorial Service celebrating Fred's life will be held on Thursday, June 4 at 1:00 PM at the Federated Church, 8 Maple Street (Route 131), Sturbridge, MA. The family has requested that those attending wear clothing with bright colors; they would prefer attendees not wear black. All are invited to attend a reception following the memorial service at the church. There will not be any calling hours prior to the Memorial Service.
Read more here
Obituaries
macucc.org/obituaries
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General Synod to have Sacred Conversations on Race
When Cleveland, home of the denomination's national offices, hosts the General Synod of the United Church of Christ at the end of this month, the church's governing body will speak to the issue of racism once again through its pronouncement of resolutions and public witness calling for fairness of all people, regardless of their skin color.
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The Rev. Mr. M. Brent Fugate ordained by Northeast Association at Byfield Parish Church in Georgetown
Effective: May 31, 2015
The Rev. Dr. Philip Joseph Mayher
retired from The Congregational Church of Weston as Pastor
Effective: May 19, 2015
The Rev. Ms. Laura P. Biddle called to The Congregational Church of Weston as Interim Pastor
Effective: May 19, 2015
Transitions
macucc.org/transitions
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Featured Event of the Week
Sat., June 13, 1:00 - 2:30 PM
Fine Arts Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
The Annual Meeting Keynote Address by Author and Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber will be open to the public to enable everyone to hear her speak. This address will NOT be recorded, so anyone interested should plan to see her live. Reserve your seat online today! Tickets are $10 apiece or 3 tickets for $20. Anyone under 25 is invited to order FREE tickets.Visit macucc.org/nadia to register! |
Faith Formation Events
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.
July 13 - 17, 2015
Craigville Retreat Center, Cape Cod
The Craigville Theological Colloquy combines the elements of a theological conference and a spiritual retreat. This year, the Colloquy will explore the theme "Christianity and Judaism: New Texts, New Contexts, and New Perspectives."
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Clergy Events 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  Scholarships available! 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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Justice & Witness Opportunities
Sun., June 7, 2:00 - 5:30 PM
Church of the Holy Spirit, Wayland An Afternoon Retreat Led by Rabbi Katy Allen and the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas exploring a framework and some tools to help us maintain ourselves as healers filled with compassion, energy, and hope.
Rally at State House for End to Mass Incarceration
Tues., June 9, 12:15 PM
State House, Boston
Families from across the Commonwealth, along with a coalition of 130 faith, labor, and community organizations, will rally at the State House on June 9th to support an end to mandatory minimum sentencing in Massachusetts and reinvesting the savings to end mass incarceration once and for all. Sun., June 14, 2:00 PM
The Federated Church of Orleans  The Rev. Dr. Karyn Carlo, former captain in the NYPD with a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York, will deliver context for the panel discussion, then engage three police chiefs in the Nauset region in discussion. 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. July 27 - 31, 2015
TBA, Connecticut This is a five day training provided by the Racial Justice Ministries of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. This training is intended for faith leaders and communities of faith who are interested in building a Multi-Racial institution. |
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