In his report prepared for Annual Meeting delegates, Conference Treasurer Rick Lawrence writes: "The big news since my last report to you a year ago is that 47 congregations - about 12% of the local churches in the Conference - have opted in to United Church Mission."
"Turning to finances for the year ending December 31, 2014, I am pleased to report that the Massachusetts Conference saw a pre-audit operating surplus of $37,861. This is excellent news, especially given that the budget anticipated a deficit of $50,000."
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By Environmental Justice Intern Patrick Cage
After historic news this week, it's becoming clearer and clearer that we are approaching the optimal moment to chart a course for fossil fuel divestment. And not for the reasons you might expect.
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The Parish Paper: Congregational Strength is Always Plural
What are the common denominators among churches that do effective ministry? Do they all have a thriving youth group? Or a large membership? Or great facilities? No! Strong, healthy, and effective congregations of all types thrive in many different kinds of circumstances. In all congregations, something already works well. The getting-stronger congregations focus on those strengths.
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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! |
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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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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Justice & Witness Opportunities
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.
Sun., June 14, 12:30 - 2:30 PM Dedham and West Roxbury An interfaith walking vigil along the route of the West Roxbury Lateral pipeline, set to be imminently constructed through several Boston communities.
Wed., July 8, 7 - 9 PM Charlemont Federated Church
David Hernandez, Asst. Professor of Latina/o Studies at Mt. Holyoke College, will join William Joyce, former immigration judge in Boston, to examine current U.S. immigration law and the practice of detention and deportation. Sofia Campos, board chair of United We Dream, a national immigrant youth network, will also bring a vibrant voice to the discussion. 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. |
Grow Your Church Events To Bend But Not Break: Leadership for Growing Resilient CongregationsJuly 20 - 23, 2015 Brookfield Inn, Brookfield, MA .jpg) This four--day Walking in the Way workshop is for pastors, lay leaders, chaplains, educators, denominational heads and those involved with healing or working with congregations and communities in the wake of trauma, turmoil or transition.
National Church Leadership Institute Aug. 10 - 13, 2015 Newton and Boston, MA Join the leading practitioners and thinkers in progressive church at this year's National Church Leadership Institute where conversations will focus on five trendlines: DIY, crowdsourcing, the local food movement, the cloud and the sharing economy.  |
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