This week's news, upcoming events & more from the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ

Featured Event:

Last chance to register! Deadline: Mon. Oct. 12!

Super Saturday!

Oct. 17, 8:00 AM - 3:45 PM

Keefe Technical HS, Framingham, MA

Super Saturday is a full day of workshops, forums, networking, a marketplace and worship featuring Dr. Marcia McFee. Bring a team from your church!

Other Upcoming Conference Events

Racial Justice Training

Oct. 24 & Oct. 31

Edwards Church, Northampton

An intensive workshop providing a common language around racism, the skills to begin to unmask racism in the various realms in our lives and in the world, and the ability to move forward into action and next steps. Led by the Rev. Kelly Gallagher.

Education for Effective Youth Ministry
Oct. 24, Nov. 21, Apr. 23, May 21
Edwards House Retreat Center, Framingham, MA

This four-session program is aimed at providing youth leaders with a philosophy and theology of youth ministry, and to give them practical, experiential tools and training to meet the needs of youth in our local churches.

Churches Alive! Introductory Session

Oct. 27, 6:00 - 8:30 PM

Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham

An introductory session to a year-long program to help churches come alive in the changing landscape of ministry.

Tending the Fire:

Three-part series for clergy:

Oct. 27 - 29, RI

Jan. 19 - 12, Mass.

Mar. 15 - 17, Conn.

Human systems are complicated, and churches are no exception.Tending the Fire helps clergy "think systems" in their congregations and their personal lives, so they can lead change that lasts.

Leading Change without Losing Your Soul - PEP Participant Gathering

Nov. 5, 10 AM - 2 PM

Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham

A gathering for those currently participating in a Pastoral Excellence Program Group, led by Rev. Barbara Lemmel, Director of Tending the Fire.

Preparing for Search & Call Series: Members in Discernment Event

Nov. 7, 9 AM - 3 PM

First Congregational Church of Wellesley Hills

Members-in-Discernment throughout New England are invited to the first workshop of our Preparing for Search & Call series.

Christian Education Certification Courses:

Nov. 7: Polity, Northampton

Nov. 14: CE Basics, Lynnfield

These courses, required for Christian Education certification, are open to all.

How Would Jesus Celebrate Christmas? An Advent Retreat for Youth

Dec. 4 - 5

Craigville Retreat Center

This 24-hour retreat for teens and the adults who love them is a chance to meet and grow spiritually with other youth from around the Conference.

Classifieds

macucc.org/classifieds

Gallagher lobbies in support of transgender rights

Associate Conference Minister Kelly Gallagher was one of the individuals and churches who signed on as endorsers of HB1577 and SB735, An Act Relative to Transgender Anti-Discrimination.

Read her letter, sent to legislators

Deadline for Annual Meeting Resolutions Announced

Feb. 18, 2016, is the deadline for submitting resolutions for consideration at the 217th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference.

Resolutions may be related to procedure, courtesy, structure and organization, or issues of conviction.

The 217th Annual Meeting is being held June 17 - 18, 2016, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The Rev. Otis Moss III, Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, will be the keynote speaker.

Find out more about submitting resolutions

UCC Action Network calls for increased U.S. support for Syrian Refugees

On September 20th, Secretary of State John Kerry announced the U.S. will increase the number of global refugees it will accept annually from 70,000 to 100,000 by 2017. The U.S. has also donated $4.5 billion in urgently needed humanitarian aid.

The Justice & Peace Action Network of the UCC says that, while these are significant contributions, the gravity and scale of the crisis demands doing much more - and doing it with greater urgently.

Read more and find out how to help

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