the weekly emailing
June 24, 2015
 
Local church and Conference leaders have been responding to the shootings at a South Carolina church last week with preaching, pastoral care, education and fundraisers.

The Massachusetts Conference called on trained facilitators to offer conversations on race this week at various locations across the state.
Find dates and locations here.

Some churches held their own conversations ... some set up visual tributes or shrines to the victims of the shootings.



Don Remick

By Associate Conference Minister The Rev. Don Remick 

 

This past week we were deeply impacted by the news of the deaths at the AME Emmanuel Church with emotions that range from shock to frustration to cynicism to rage.  It's important to remember that this was not an act of violence against a church or Christianity.  It was an act of racial terrorism. And our first responsibility as a people of faith is to engage the work that recognizes racism in all its forms and brings them to an end.  

 

Our churches should be sanctuaries that provide a place for sacred conversations and relationships. And they should be safe. 

 

Please read this blog post by the Rev. Estelle Margarones that outlines a plan for making your church a safer space.

Connecting With Pope Francis' Call for Climate Action

 

Jim Antal

By The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal
Minister & President

Pope Francis, the moral leader of more than one billion people worldwide, is calling for action on climate change.  Now is the time for all people of faith to rally behind the core tenets of our faith, which include a covenant with all creatures alive and yet to be born and a moral obligation to care for all Creation.

 

Read more of Jim Antal's response to the Pope's Encyclical

 

Jim Antal was also featured in:

 

ucc.org: UCC Environmental Leaders Laud Pope Francis' Encyclical On Climate Change  June 22, 2015  

 

The New York Times: Papal Encyclical Heartens Proponents of Fossil-Fuel Divestment  June 18, 2015

 


General Synod 30

Watch General Synod 30 in real time, on live streaming video,  here.

The Rev. Molly Phinney Baskette, pastor of First Church Somerville, will preach at 7:30 PM on Friday, June 26.

Blog posts from delegates will be posted at macucc.org as they come in.
Transitions

 

The Rev. Dr. William Anthony Albright 

leaving Park Avenue Congregational Church, UCC, Arlington as Pastor
Effective: June 14, 2015

 

Transitions

macucc.org/transitions 

Obituaries

 

Obituaries

macucc.org/obituaries 

Subscription changes 

 

Subscribe to more of our e-newsletters at: macucc.org/subscribe

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Featured Event of the Week

National Church Leadership Institute

Aug. 10 - 13, 2015

Andover Newton Theological School, Newton

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.  

   

Upcoming Events

'Sing for Unity': A Concert to Benefit the Emanuel AME Church
Sun., July 5, 4:00 PM
Easthampton Congregational Church
Easthampton Congregational Church will present a concert  featuring its own choir and area musicians.  Come to sing in unity, show we care, and join in a spirit-filled community together. A free will offering will be taken to benefit the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC.

Charlemont Forums 2015
The Melting Pot: Who's Getting Burned?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 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." 

 

July 20 - 23, 2015

Brookfield Inn, Brookfield, MA

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.  

 

Racial Justice Facilitator Training
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. 
 
Charlemont Forums 2015:
Immigration and Politics: Dilemmas and Solutions
Thurs., Aug. 6, 7 - 9 PM
Charlemont Federated Church
Speakers: David Martin, Distinguished Professor of International Law at the University of Virginia, will examine current political and ethical controversies relating to immigration. Alex Morse will reflect on his experience as mayor of Holyoke, a city with a significant immigrant population. Marise Lyra, (Brazil/Amherst), teacher of English language learners at the Center for New Americans in Northampton, will share her immigration story.

Crossroads Come and See Events
Sat., Aug. 15
Union Church in Waban, 10 AM - Noon
Edwards Church, Northampton, 2:30 - 4:30 PM 
Crossroads Crossroads is designed for congregations that find themselves at a crossroads and want to intentionally discern their path forward. The program asks congregations to consider entering into an intentional season of assessment, discernment, bold decision-making and implementation. Find out more at this free session.

Widening the Welcome: Inclusion for All
Sept. 24 - 26, 2015
Hartford/Windsor Airport Marriott Hotel, Windsor, CT 
widening the welcome This conference is a sign of the movement in our UCC to address concerns and issues around disabilities, mental health challenges, and cognitive/developmental disabilities. The conference features workshops, breakouts, networking, vespers, exhibitors and more.