the weekly emailing
Advent waiting and gun violence

Wendy Vander Hart
By The Rev. Wendy Vander Hart
Associate Conference Minister

Grace and peace to you in this blessed season!

If I had written a pastoral note to the churches every time there has been a mass shooting with guns in the United States of America, you would've received a message from me 355 times this year!  The numbers are even more staggering for individual instances of gun violence.

When Jesus died a violent death on the cross and God resurrected him it was, in part, a message to all of humanity that violence is unacceptable.  Our Advent Hope is the fulfillment of this promise in Jesus' resurrection - that peace will prevail on the earth.

Of course our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone touched by this kind of violence and other forms as well.  And our prayers and comfort are not enough!  From the Christian perspective we can speak truth to power and we must!
Featured Event: Super Saturday!
Traci Blackmon to speak
Save the Date! The next Super Saturday is being held in Connnecticut (location to be announced) on Saturday, March 12, 2016.

The keynoter will be Traci Blackmon, the newly appointed Acting Executive of the UCC Justice and Witness Ministries.
Workshop proposal deadline: Dec. 18
What are you passionately engaged in now? How might you share that with others?

If you would like to share concepts and practices you've developed that are changing your congregation or community's mission and ministry, we invite you to consider submitting a workshop proposal.

Go to the workshop proposal form
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As congregations face change and new challenges, conflict is part of the process. Too often, under stress, church leaders and members fall into bad communication habits that prevent the airing of concerns and objections. Healthy conversations help people manage conflict and move them toward acceptance of new initiatives. 

Read the Dec. Parish Paper for more
Should Climate Change Be Addressed During Advent Season?
By The Rev. Rob Mark

When our congregation, Church of the Covenant in Boston, decided to engage the climate change topic in a liturgically intentional way during this Advent season, I spoke to some members who had some concerns. 

Read his blog post here
Local Buzz
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Want to Confront Terrorism and Violence? Start in Your Own Backyard

By The Rev. John Hudson

When I hear about the trauma of violence and terror in Paris (3,440 miles away) or San Bernardino (a 2,543 miles trip) and wonder just what I can do as one person, it brings me back to my neighborhood.  The one place in this sometimes broken and challenged world where I can absolutely make a difference for the better and the good and do so immediately.
Upcoming Conference Events
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.

April 4- 6, 2016
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center, Framingham
Three-day, self-contained course that introduces theories foundational to  interim ministry. The class hours are devoted to providing opportunities for experiential learning through the use of case studies and sacred story.
Racial Justice Training & Sacred Conversations

These events are led by Massachusetts Conference facilitators and are free and open to all. Please click here to RSVP to the appropriate church.

Sacred Conversation on Race
Jan. 10, 2016, 11:30 AM 
Eliot Church of Newton
 
Sacred Conversation on Race
Jan. 28, 2016, 7:30 PM
UCC Burlington

Racial Justice Training
Feb. 3, 17, 23 and March 2, 2016
Trinity Church, Northborough

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

Dec. 12, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common
Andover Newton Theological School
Jan. 29, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton
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