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Not Terrorists; Not Tourists: Refugees are Human Beings
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from Global Ministries Weekly Update
A joint statement of the leadership of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church
 In the past few days, we have shared in the public and global outpouring of sympathy and support for the victims, their families, and the people of France, Lebanon, and Russia. We reiterate that expression of solidarity, and our condemnation of these acts of violence, all of which have been claimed by the "Islamic State."
We unequivocally deplore and mourn the senselessness that leads people to believe that violence will bring peace and justice, much less honor or blessing. Whether carried out by non- or quasi-state actors in the name of an ideology or religion, or by states in the name of national security, we have seen repeatedly that the largest numbers of victims are innocent of any crime, and undeserving of any such fate.
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New Conference Program Offers Racial Justice Training, Conversations to Congregations
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 Through a partnership with the Connecticut Conference, the Massachusetts Conference now has facilitators available to hold Sacred Conversations on Race and racial justice training programs at local congregations - free of charge. Associate Conference Ministers Kelly Gallagher, Dawn Hammond and Don Remick have been trained as facilitators as have Rev. Cynthia Maybeck, Rev. Liz Magill and Russ Vernon-Jones, a lay person from the First Congregational Church of Amherst. They were trained by the Rev. Da Vita McCallister, Associate Conference Minister for Leadership and Vitality for the Connecticut Conference.
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Human Dignity and Racial Justice: A Workshop for Religious Leaders
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Hebrew College, Newton, MA
The Dignity Project is a multi-year initiative designed to bring together clergy, religious leaders and seminarians in the greater Boston area for study and discussion on the subject of human dignity, with the goal of helping strengthen relationships across religious lines and in the larger civil  society.
The Nov. 19 workshop will feature presenters Donna Hicks, Ph.D., author of Dignity: The Essential Role it Plays in Resolving Conflict; and Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond, founder of the Ten Point Coalition in Boston, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, and a national leader promoting racial justice and interfaith understanding.
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New Web Page Highlights Syrian Refugee Crisis
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 Over the past four years, the brutal civil war in Syria has resulted in over 4 million refugees and one of the worst humanitarian crises in history.
In response to growing concerns about this crisis, we have established a separate page on our website with related events, articles, resources, and ways you and your congregation can help those suffering in Syria and in the refugee camps in the surrounding countries.
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Refugee Resettlement
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Sunday, December 6, 2015 ~ 11:45 am - 1 pm
United Congregational, 6 Institute Rd. Worcester
A Conversation with Miriam Gas, Executive Director of RIAC (Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center)
Please join us on December 6 to learn how we can receive and support folks as they look to settle here with their families. RIAC offers many ways for congregations to engage either individually or as a church group.
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Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend
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Join places of worship across the nation Dec. 10-14 to remember those who have lost their lives to gunfire, pray for those whose lives have been forever changed because of the loss of a loved one, and to educate one another on proven strategies to reduce gun violence.
List your congregation, get event ideas and access the online tool kit here.
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Reaching Out to the Invisible Homeless
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by Rev. Susan Brecht of Eliot Church in Newton
 It's pretty common these days to see men and women standing on traffic islands in busy intersections holding handwritten cardboard signs that announce their homelessness and need for money. Many of these people are indeed homeless, while others are not. What is certain, however, is that there are many more homeless people who are 'invisible' to us because they are not standing outside with cardboard signs.
Historically, homelessness has been associated with individuals living on the streets, but families have become the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, comprising nearly 40 percent nationally, according to the National Center on Family Homelessness.
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| ReachOut Worcester | |
ReachOut Worcester is an overnight immersion program for youth and adults ages 13 and up. At ReachOut Worcester you will: 
- Learn about homelessness from people who have experienced it, and may be still experiencing it.
- Participate in an intentional, prayerful walk through Worcester at night.
- Offer clothing, conversation, and lunch to people in need.
- Engage in reflection and sharing with other youth and adults who share your concern about homelessness.
- Prepare to share your experience in your home setting.
The next sessions are: Friday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015; and Friday, Feb. 26 to Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016. To sign up, please contact Mary as soon as possible at mary@wamsworks.org
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Equal Justice Initiative
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Bryan Stevenson
photo by Nina Subin
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Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m. Boson locationTBD
Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) in Montgomery, Alabama, will speak at Emerson College in Boston on Dec. 9, beginning at 6 p.m.
Mr. Stevenson is a widely acclaimed public interest lawyer who has dedicated his career to helping the poor, the incarcerated and the condemned. Under his leadership, EJI has won major legal challenges eliminating excessive and unfair sentencing, exonerating innocent death row prisoners, confronting abuse of the incarcerated and the mentally ill and aiding children prosecuted as adults.
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Palestine Missionary Victor Makari Visiting Conference Churches
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 Victor Makari, Global Ministries missionary to Bethlehem, will visit three Conference churches this month. All are welcome to attend: - First Church in Marlborough, Nov. 24
- Union Congregational in Groton, Nov. 22
- Federated Church in Charlton, Nov. 21
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Shaking my Head in Tears
| |  by Vivian Lucas, Director at the UCC Franklinton Center at Bricks
Each year, during this season, I find myself shaking my head in wonderment as holiday advertisements flood the airwaves. Messages about the newest tech gadgets, top-selling toys, smart TVs, fine jewelry, two-for-one holiday meal deals, and countless other alluring tokens, trinkets, and enticements compete for attention and dollars daily. I think, "Am I missing something? Is there a super holiday elf flitting about with a magic wand granting infinite shopping dollars for the pockets, purses, and bank accounts of everyone in the U.S. except me?" Then I think, "What about those who are barely making ends meet already? What about persons living in poverty?"
Poverty is a constant struggle and heart-breaking burden for individuals, families and communities in our country and around the world. In 2014, 14.8 percent of people in the United States lived in poverty - a whopping 46.7 million people! The 2014 poverty rate for children under age 18 was 21.1 percent. |
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An Alternative Christmas
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 Alternative Christmas at Global Ministries is an invitation for all to celebrate and to share globally the best gifts we have received, and the ones we cherish in a special way during the Christmas season. These are the gifts of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace. Giving an Alternative Christmas Gift is a meaningful way to honor your loved ones while making a difference in the lives of individuals around the world living in difficult circumstances. Thanks to the generous support of Our Church's Wider Mission, 100 percent of your gift will go towards the stated cause without administrative fees.
This Christmas, Global Ministries is highlighting Alternative Gifts to the Middle East region during the Middle East Initiative. As we are reminded this season how Jesus began his life as a refugee, consider honoring your loved ones through giving an Alternative Christmas Gift to benefit a Syrian refugee.
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