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Churches invited to test Still Speaking 2.0 materials


And hijacked his universal message of love
and acceptance. Won't you help us get it back?
The Massachusetts Conference is partnering with the national setting of the UCC in a pilot project to test new materials created for a Still Speaking 2.0 initiative.

Churches in the Conference are invited to help test these materials - 16 electronic postcards designed for posting on social media, such as the one at right - and provide feedback. The materials are being sent to clergy and churches via email, so that those churches in the test Conferences can try them out first.

"I wanted to be sure that the Mass. Conference was out front on what I believe signals a new chapter in our public witness," Conference Minister & President Jim Antal wrote in an email to churches, clergy and other leaders. 
More news from macucc.org
UCC Pension Boards announce 2016 rates
The Pension Boards reports that 2016 health insurance rates will increase an average of 5 % over 2015 levels. There will be no increase to dental plan rates.


The deadline for submitting resolutions to the 217th Annual Meeting is Feb. 18, 2016.  The meeting is being held June 17 - 18, 2016, at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Hotel reservations are now available. 

Local Buzz
GREENFIELD - As a two-year-long project to refurbish the 147-year-old town clock's four faces comes to completion, Second Congregational Church has decided to take the project a step further and add music.

LOWELL SUN: Book traces survivor's spiritual journey after family's murder

TOWNSEND -- The Rev. Betsy Waters recently finished her first book: "Testify to the Light: The Spiritual Biography of Andy Gustafson."

Gustafson served as MACUCC Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship for 2004 to 2014.

Classifieds
Upcoming Conference Events
Dec. 4, 7:00 PM - Dec. 5, 4:30 PM
Craigville Retreat Center, Cape Cod
This retreat is for youth in grades 7 - 12 and their adult advisors. Come to reflect on the meaning of Advent and Christmas in our fast-paced, individualistic, consumerist society.

Dec. 12, 10:00 AM - Noon
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
An opportunity to network and share experiences with MACUCC colleagues.
Jan. 20, 9:00 AM  - Jan. 21, 3:30 PM
Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge
Clergy training, limited to 18 people per session. Registration is one a first come, first served basis.

Jan. 30, 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham
A day of training - for both clergy and congregants - to lead small groups in general, and small group Bible study in particular.  Facilitated by the Rev. Anne Robertson,  executive director of the Massachusetts Bible Society.
Other Events of Interest
Dec. 6, 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
United Congregational Church, Worcester 

Dec. 8, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton

Dec. 10, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Rolling Ridge Retreat Center, North Andover 

Jan. 29, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton

The Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
508-875-5233
macucc@macucc.org
http://www.macucc.org