The author explores the recent history and progression of efforts to abolish life sentencing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7 Life can be stressful! It is common to hear people complain about being too busy. Many days we ...
Sometimes, people mask socially, by participating in activities they don’t like or “putting on a happy face” despite painful emotions.
Ms. Irma Reyes, The Director of Human Resources and Staff Engagement shares valuable insights and strategies for effective personnel management which can benefit ...
Dear friends, As we enter the Season of Eastertide, we invite your congregation to begin ...
Part 5. in the series, Which Path Are You On? begins, "A congregation does not need to travel down any path alone... Collaborating with other congregations will create ...
![andrewrev_wicks[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/18292978/fields/primaryimage/64b6c561b99b4290bd2478a51a6a8b48/andrewrev_wicks%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Dear Friends, I’m writing to you today on behalf of the Volunteer Development Committee of the Southern New England Conference. This is an exciting time as we continue ...
“My soul is in deep anguish. How long, God, how long?” (Psalm 6:3) With every new anti ...
![758e4180-9ff7-4a91-87f5-3b9b3f6f097f[1].jpeg](/files/tables/content/18272730/fields/primaryimage/cf6587bc51c048e8a8ff1ebe2c825e01/758e4180-9ff7-4a91-87f5-3b9b3f6f097f%5b1%5d.jpeg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Żychlin Reformed Church After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022 ...
First Church Somerville opens a new round of Queer Pastoral Residency; Brighton Allston Congregational Church launches Pastoral Residency for trans BIPOC people About ...
In part 4. of his series of reflections, Which Path Are You On?, Church Legacy Specialist Charlie Kuchenbrod considers how congregation's must reframe the completion of ...
Here are some things to consider as you and your congregation observe Black History Month - and celebrate Black history all year long! Note: this list originally was ...
We know that exercise is an important way to improve our physical health. Regular activity is universally understood as a way to promote overall fitness. Repetitive ...
Rev. Dr. Liz Magill shares an impact story of how a Faith in the Future Grant received by two congregations in two communities has transformed the capacity and vision ...
Fulfilling the baptismal promises we make from Day One.
Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, reflects on the opportunity Lent provides to reflect on our commitments to the love and ...
![mary+friedman[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/18233083/fields/primaryimage/e7b103d3f0a14e2392800496db23e632/mary%2bfriedman%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Mary Friedman, member of First Church of Christ UCC in Longmeadow, MA, reflects on her church's experience supporting a family of Afghan refugees -- and who they ...
Part 3 of the Series, Which Path Are You On? In this reflection, author Charlie Kuchenbrod, Legacy Church Specialist considers our struggle with discernment and what ...
The 5th Annual Meeting of the SNEUCC is scheduled for June 21-22, 2024 in Amherst, MA. The participation of our Associations, local churches, clergy and lay members is ...
As we turn the page to 2024 we are delighted to welcome Roslynn Hooks as Program Support Associate.
Let us pray at all times...or at least when we remember.
In Part 3. of Dawn's reflections on Innovation, Dawn looks at the important elements of an innovation mindset and what it means to open ourselves to change and ...
When First Church in Cambridge (MA) adopted a statement nearly two years ago acknowledging that the church operates on land previously owned by Native peoples, ...
I’m a huge fan of the third week of Advent and its focus on joy. This year, there is much about which we could be sad. I think, however, that if we reflect honestly on ...
I have mixed emotions in announcing to you that I have resigned from my position...
![oidp_worldaidsday_insta_1080x1080_white-700x700[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/18162593/fields/primaryimage/28944e34689a4935bcaa37909566965c/oidp_worldaidsday_insta_1080x1080_white-700x700%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
God still has work for us to do. Jesus still calls us to tend to those affected in our midst. Faith Communities play a crucial role in the fight against HIV and its ...
You can save on taxes AND support mission and ministry by using these taxwise strategies.
Each year as Advent approaches our lives become even busier with preparations for church activities, special worship services, Christmas fairs, decorations, family ...
This blog series by Charlie Kuchenbrod, Legacy Church Specialist is for churches that are experiencing steady decline, as measured by members, worship attendance and ...
In a landscape where there are more and more smaller congregations, where regular attendance is now defined as once every four to six weeks, where clergy are retiring and...
Here's a list of opportunities next year to learn ways to improve stewardship and generosity in your congregation
In a recent Our Whle Lives training, leaders demonstrated the impact of a "Values Voting" exercise. What a gift to offer youth a structure for thoughtful dialogue, and a ...
Here’s a confession: I love Jennifer Coolidge and the various roles she’s played over the years, perhaps none more than her portrayal of Tanya McQuoid-Hunt in “The White ...
Contrary to many discussions about stewardship, I would assert stewardship isn't primarily about money, and it certainly isn't about asking people for money to pay the ...
Thursday was Intersex Awareness Day. Writing in observation of the day, SNEUCC Queer ...
.png?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
PLEASE TAKE THREE MINUTES to watch this word of thanks and appreciation from Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly, SNEUCC Executive Minister for Area Conference Ministry (Link: A...
Our congregation was certified WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) in June after we crafted and approved a covenant. Our goal is to create an environment ...
Last Friday I attended the Connecticut NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) conference, Changing Tomorrow. It was a day filled with hope for the future. Presenters...
We are pleased to announce that as of October 2023 we have received $175,986 for Ukraine relief.
![asw+newsletter+10-17[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/17878381/fields/primaryimage/fdf08e71838946d79f310a4098425fe1/asw%2bnewsletter%2b10-17%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
In January 2012, I traveled to the Middle East with two dozen others to meet Israelis and Palestinians dedicated to real and lasting peace. These weren't government ...
Can innovation be contagious? And if it is, where might it lead if you brought together several innovative religious leaders at one time? These are questions on which the...
For churches that are experiencing steady decline, as measured by members, worship attendance and financial support, I see four options for the future. I’m going to call ...
Roger Adams “They’ve made politics their faith.” “They’re destroying our society.” “They’re subverting real Christianity.” And “they” are saying the same ...
Churches must make a case for why donors should give to them, which can be done by loudly and clearly proclaiming the positive impact they are having on people’s lives ...
Each generation brings its own abilities, needs, and gifts (I Corinthians 12:14). Many congregations are wary of trying worship with all ages for the entire hour. This is...
In October, 10 SNEUCC congregations will begin nine months of intentional, collaborative study and work centered on becoming more intentionally trans affirming. The “...
We can tend to our relationship with God throughout the legacy building and ministry completion process, with activities tailored to this process. We can be intentional ...
How do you define Innovation? This is one of the most important questions a congregation can ask itself OR perhaps a better way to frame this is: defining innovation is ...
September is here bringing new changes to our lives. The weather is starting to change, hurricane season has begun, and the new school, church and sports calendars are ...
I was discouraged when I boarded the bus to Manhattan. Over the years, I’ve marched, rallied, lobbied, and protested countless times to advocate for climate action, and I...
While each church is different, I would encourage you to incorporate at least the following into your thinking and/or planning as you ask people to project their ...
Support growth in faith and discipleship.
Advice for churches on how to ensure resources reach the people who need them.
Heather Kimmel, UCC General Counsel, writes: Does the person who answers the phone at your Local Church know what to do if the caller is a reporter from the local news ...
We are saddened and outraged by the murders of three black people by a white supremacist in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday. We hold in prayer the families of the ...
A year after Peace Dale Congregational Church in South Kingstown, Rhode Island “flipped the switch to solar,” the church is experiencing substantial financial savings, ...
You may have heard that the United Church of Christ helped birth the Environmental Justice...
Many of us have made the shift to paperless interactions in the digital age and there are lots of advantages. What would it look like if we were to go paperless with our ...
A broad welcome is a cornerstone of ministry for many United Church of Christ local churches. They fully embody the UCC’s adage that “no matter who you are or where you...
The Immigration, Refugee and Asylum Task Team is largely focused on supporting congregations who are sponsoring migrants, as well as sharing information whenever possible...
We are as the Conference because you are. We do because you do. We care because you care.
![trans[1].png](/files/tables/content/17513200/fields/primaryimage/ea62b45cc60440faaedfbd9a8aed5fff/trans%5b1%5d.png?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Apply by August 15!
I will never forget his impeccable character and wonderful kindness. My joy is that his generosity is the gift that keeps on giving.
This is the third of a series of articles presenting the information in the Giving USA Special Report: Giving by Generation. The first article was posted on April 23, ...
At Hadwen Park Congregational Church, UCC in Worcester, Massachusetts, it is possible that an unknown person will walk into our worship space on any given Sunday. When ...
"We push away what we can never understand. We push away the unimaginable" ~ lyric from Hamilton, by Lin-Manuel Miranda Isn't this a powerful lyric? Isn't this a perfect...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ.
School is out, children and adults are hiking, biking, picnicking, and generally enjoying God’s creation. It is fun and relaxing but outdoor activities might include some...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Synod has officially adjourned! We finished...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. An Interview with an SNEUCC young adult ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. One vote. One. One vote determined the ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Well, dear friends and family of God, the ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. First, let me say that I love the way we ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Yesterday I happened on the most amazing ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I have to say that Monday was a very ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. In trains, cars, and airplanes, across ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Monday’s plenary sessions were filled with ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. The other day I saw a video of a snorkeler ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I am not a morning person, though I play ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I was thrilled that Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I heard something shocking as I was ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Day #2. Another amazing day at Synod which...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I love this picture. Not like I love my ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Greetings friends, followers, and siblings ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Standing behind a lectern takes courage, ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I finally arrived in Indianapolis for the ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. As I reflect on the first day at General ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Exploring the Indiana State Capitol ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I saw “it” today. “What is IT”, you might ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I know when I am really tired. It’s not ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. From the halls of the Indiana Convention ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. We started singing, "Sing a new world into ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Fair warning: I teach UCC History and ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Norm! I just got back to my room from the...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Hey all, first day of Synod is complete ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. So we made it! Our plane from Boston landed...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. For being in a relatively outward facing ...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. Until 1969, I was David, my mother's fourth...
One in series of posts by Southern New England Conference delegates to the 34th General Synod of the United Church of Christ. I thought the first inspiration to post ...
Rev. Dr. James D. Ross II I learned the term “whataboutism” recently, when a friend sent me an article from Allan R. Bevere’s blog “Faith Seeking Understanding.” ...
"Disability justice is the belief that all bodies and minds are unique, essential, and have needs that should be met". The Southern New England UCC conference recently ...
A report by Mary Helen Lorenz, Racial Justice Advocates Chair, First Parish in Lincoln (MA) Our racial justice journey during the most recent year began in spring and ...
![dansmolnikphoto[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/17446373/fields/primaryimage/65bb687863cc467abe8124417a0e3915/dansmolnikphoto%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Sacred On the first floor of the Yale University Art Gallery is displayed a broken piece of plaster wall, painted in the 3rd century A.D., depicting Christ walking on the...
Acts of violence, vandalism and hatred against churches have increased in both frequency and intensity recently.
We tried some new things at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Southern New England Conference. And while they didn't go off without a hitch (do new things ever?) I would ...
The PINNE initiative, developed by Drs. Scott Thumma and Allison Norton at Hartford International University for Religion Peace and funded by a $1,000,000.00 grant from ...
If your church has been experiencing declining worship attendance and financial support, to the extent that balancing the budget no longer seems feasible, I see three ...
This is the second of a series of articles presenting the information in the Giving USA Special Report: Giving by Generation.
When we ask for support for our congregations, do we emphasize loyalty or transformation?
As an Open and Affirming Conference, we were delighted to represent the UCC at this year’s Trans Resistance March (TRM). Members from different ONA churches in the ...
Christian education/faith formation directors are few and far between, but there is hope.
Brooke Canada One of the things I often hear in conversations with our Open and Affirming Ministry Team and local congregations is their concern about ...
“Why do people always try to go where they’re not wanted?” It’s commonplace for queer and transgender people to feel like they don’t belong and are not accepted. Each ...
Why Incredible Faith Mission Boston? What's going to make it an amazing experience? Here are my own top 5 favorite things.
"They might as well say what they are thinking: I’m a church killer." In this installment in The Building Church Legacy series, Church Legacy Specialist Charlie ...
During the pandemic, I read about happiness. Gretchen Rubin, a journalist who studies happiness and habits, found that happiness is largely influenced by habits, and that...
The statistics around mental health are staggering: 44% of high school youth feel sad and hopeless, there are 5240 suicide attempts each day in this country, 45% of trans...
A movie review through the lens of a teen's journey of faith.
We’re off to a great start – as of April 1 we were 17% ahead of 2022!! Your Board of Directors deeply appreciates your contributions to Proportional Giving to Our ...
The Journey to Become Certified as a WISE Congregation for Mental Health, by Carl Isihara and the United Church of Christ in Norwell Mental Health Team Your present ...
Now is the time to talk about mental health: May is Mental Health Month! In the United States one in five Americans will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any...
“...we are excited to present data on how generational giving is shifting…"
A maze confuses, a labyrinth does not. Our goal in this time of challenge and change as we anticipate the new thing that God is doing is to move forward as if we were ...
Registration is open! The second annual Justice Summit will take place on October 7, 2023,...
As churches move into the final stage of maturity, turning towards legacy building and ...
When I am in need divine guidance/ grace, I have found that walking the labyrinth has helped me free up interior space within-- to allow for the still small voice to ...
Are children's messages really a good idea? Yes! but...
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) provides you an opportunity to make tax-free contributions to any qualified public charity from your IRA.
The International Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV), which is observed on March 31, was first established by Rachel Crandall-Crocker in 2009. Appreciating the ...
Each morning, cup of coffee in one hand and a pen in the other, I spend a few minutes writing responses to the following prompts:
How to adequately get the word out about Conference programming has always been a challenge. Your Conference staff spends countless hours developing events - webinars, ...
Again, O Lord? Again, are we suffering the consequences of loving the freedom to own guns more than the freedom for children to go to school without being killed? It ...
Greetings on behalf of the Finance Committee of your Board of Directors! I am full of joy and appreciation as I offer this financial report for 2022. It was a year ...
The imagery of the Massachusetts Flag and Seal – a white hand holding a Colonial sword over the head of an Indigenous person, above a Latin motto that translates: “She ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Four hundred twenty-eight in three months. Four hundred twenty-eight anti-LGBT ...
Our conference’s metaverse pilot program, now a joint effort between The Congregational ...
Part of the mission of the Southern New England Conference is to encourage local congregations and varied ministry settings, inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit, to ...
Completing a ministry faithfully and well is often a two-step process. The first step is ...
The report from a Clergy Well-being study conducted by Rev. Dr. Frederick 'Jerry' Streets in Southern New England during the spring and summer of 2022 is now available ...
How do we measure the health of our congregations?
Imagine the possibilities for transformation in the life of your congregation.
Please take a few minutes to watch this most sincere “Thank You!” video from our SNEUCC Board President, Mr. Tracy Keene.
On February 7, 2023, Microsoft announced that it had integrated Prometheus, the technology based on the ChatGPT large language model, into Bing, Microsoft’s own search ...
A Lutheran congregation in Wrocław, which has helped over 150 refugees, express their gratitude for the support. On February 24, 2022 Russian forces invaded ...
On February 18, youth and adults from four different congregations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island came together at Irons Homestead for a Youth ...
In December 2021, First Congregational Church Williamstown members and community members joined together to form a HOST team (Host Organization Support Team) through ...
If you have checked your news feed, consumed any amount of online video on YouTube, Reels or Tik-Tok or watched cable news you no doubt have heard of ChatGPT, a chatbot ...
The following stewardship webinars offered from 6:30 to 7:30pm Central Time Mar 22 - Changing Landscape of Giving: What we can learn from Millennial and Gen Z Donors ...
A recent retreat enabled the stakeholders of the ecumenical initiative, Together We Thrive, to gather for celebration and a look to the future. Karen Ziel, a member of ...
Last fall, my husband got two deer. A local butcher processed them but, despite our request, turned almost all of them into ground venison. Urgh!
BUILDING A LEGACY: Learning, Discerning, and Leaning In Part 8: People Will Grumble Is ...
Karen Ziel, Assistant Director of the Center for Transformational Leadership interviews ...
Clergy taxes are more complicated for several reasons. The UCC Pension Board announced last Fri. in a Feb. e-newsletter that its 2022 tax reporting resources are now ...
The ability to be spiritual is our birthright.
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had ...
Let's be angry, but let's not be shocked. Let's say his name - Tyre Nichols - but not forget all others killed by racism and state-sanctioned violence. Let's weep at the...
There is one body and one Spirit… But each of us was given grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift… But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way ...
Every January, I set personal and work goals. I love this process of thinking about what I accomplished in the past year, what I hope to do in the year ahead, and what ...
The premiere photography exhibit by Candace Low is on display at Immanuel Church of Hartford located at 10 Woodland Street. A second-hour discussion by Candace will take ...
The Valley Stands Up Refugee Project ~ First Congregational Church, Essex, CT Report by Mark Pierce, Team Leader It has been about one year since we welcomed our ...
Changing the Narrative: Moving from “Decline, Failure, Closure, and Death” to “Maturity, ...
The Lutheran congregation in Poznań is offering day drop in opportunity for Ukrainian refugee youth with games, movies, language and homework as well as ...
Partnering with South Korean churches
I am envisioning thriving congregations full of supportive people.
2023 Stewardship webinars covering a range of topics are available to help you, your Stewardship/Generosity Team, and your congregation with raising funds to more fully ...
As I've grown during my spiritual journey with God, I've understood that God sometimes communicates with us in ways we wouldn't expect. For some, it's direct words; for ...
Annual Reports What story does your annual report tell? I read the annual report of a congregation in preparation for meeting with a church council. ...
My son had just turned nine when the children were killed at Sandy Hook. He was only a little older than they were
My former colleague and current friend, Susan Townley, sent me this admirably concise blog...
I love the approach the First Congregational Church of Reading (MA) is taking to this Advent season. They are exploring the theme of “just angels” during this time that...
It was a sunny Sunday morning, and I was getting ready for church and our observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance when I heard the news from Colorado: A gunman ...
The world we live in is not separate from God’s world, but that world that is being exploited; a planet that is being thrown off balance. We live in a world where it is ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
During Advent, the season of waiting, we are often overwhelmed with all the preparations, events, gift buying and a desire to make everything just right for Christmas. We...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Church invites community to showing of film about mass incarceration and its negative effects on the Civil Rights movement.
Advent Blessings from the SNEUCC Faith Formation Team. May the miracle and mystery of this season bring you joy! Debby Kirk Debbie Gline Allen Sean Amato
During this first week of Advent, most of us wonder how best to promote our upcoming Christmas services. Social media promotions in the form of Facebook ads are a ...
by Mary Friedman and Dan Martin for the Immigration, Refugee and Asylum Task Team Proverbs tells us that without advice plans go wrong, but with many advisers they ...
Have you ever heard the story about the time Fred Rogers--“Mr. Rogers” -- spoke at a National Press Club luncheon? I read about it in a sermon by Thomas Long years ago ...
On this Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), I am excited to share a small collection of comments and perspectives of transgender and non-binary people as they discuss ...
Changing the Narrative: Moving from “Decline, Failure, Closure, and Death” to “Maturity, ...
In my life and work, I am often anxious for change. When starting a new project, I can be in a rush to see immediate results. I can get discouraged when wading through ...
Ms. Jill Ford, the SNEUCC's Search Call Associate, talks about her role on the Area Conference Ministry (ACM) Team in providing resources for churches in the Search ...
"This is why my Christian faith requires that I speak out to remind us that human rights belong to everyone as equally beloved of God. No exceptions. This knowledge is ...
In June 2019, basing itself on Jesus' Golden Rule, the 32nd General Synod of the United Church of Christ overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling for the abolition of ...
In the work of the LGBT Asylum Task Force, our Open and Affirming commitment combines with our desire to be an Immigrant Welcoming Church. And in the process, lives are ...
The church voted unanimously to become a Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged (WISE) congregation for mental health.
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Our church members, Katie and Carlos, were in a bind. Katie’s family was in Massachusetts and living closer to them would be good for support and connection of their ...
COVID-19 is not done with us yet; we must stay aware. As congregations of faith, we are committed to caring for one another. Being informed and willing to resume masking ...
On October 5, 2022, churches from across the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ gathered at Edwards House in Framingham, MA to view...
PLEASE TAKE 90 SECONDS to watch this word from our SNEUCC Board of Directors, Vice President, Ms. Persephone Hall. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ...
BUILDING A LEGACY: Learning, Discerning, and Leaning In Part 5: Theology of Legacy ...
by the Rev. Dr. Jessica McArdle, Member, Environmental Ministries Team “You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail… you will be ...
We practice because we value a skill and we want to do it more efficiently or smoothly. We repeat something over and over so that it becomes second nature. Once the mind ...
Karen Ziel from the Center for Transformational Leadership (CTL) discusses the CTL, its work, some of the resources it provides, and how Proportional Giving to OCWM is ...
One of my friends told me about her wishes for a coming-out party when she was growing up....
What do today's teens hunger for and how can we feed them?
While each church is different, I would encourage you to incorporate at least the following into your thinking and/or planning as you ask people to project their ...
by The Rev. Victoria Alford Guest, co-chair of the Environmental Ministries Team Whenever you did one of these things for someone overlooked or ignored, you did it for ...
Mindfulness education was provided to children and youth in need of tools to ground them in the beauty of the present moment amidst the chaos of daily stressors resulting...
Racial equity is not a program. It is a way of life.
Dear friends, Were you able to join us at the 2022 Justice Summit last week? If so, you know it was pure fire! If you attended, either in person or online, I trust that...
How to help prevent overdose deaths.
This is an invitation to bear witness – that is, to turn your attention, to see for yourself – the environmental injustice taking place in Jackson, Mississippi. Turn ...
Kenyan environmental activist Wangari Maathai, once told a story about a little ...
Does your congregation use the language of urgency?
+(1).png?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
BUILDING A LEGACY: Learning, Discerning, and Leaning In Part 4: Fruitfulness. Locked up ...
You’ve probably heard the term "The Great Resignation". Churches experience a Great Volunteer Resignation as well.
The pandemic has made the recruiting of volunteers a little more challenging, yet people still want to feel needed and know that they have something to offer.
As we emerge from the isolation of Covid, families have a multitude of activities, demands, and responsibilities competing for their time. We need to re-establish ...
In a brief interview, Debbie Ringen talks about her ministry, two initiatives she’s offering to our congregations to help them “Live the Love and Justice of Jesus”, how ...
Meta to reconsider how it will deliver content to your Facebook or Instagram accounts.
Henry, from Uganda, was a pastor’s son. When his father discovered that he had a boyfriend, the family and church ‘sentenced’ him to conversion therapy. Henry suffered ...
It is hard to believe summer is almost over. With Labor Day just over a week away, many of us are preparing to for the new church year and all it will entail. If you have...
SNEC Health and Wellness Ministry has begun the process of becoming designated as a W.I.S.E. Conference by the UCC Mental Health Network. The UCC Mental Health Network ...
There is something about prayer which changes nothing, and changes everything simultaneously
Service experiences are a way to embody faith, to go beyond abstract learning, and practice compassion in tangible and personal ways. Service helps youth to learn empathy...
Affirmation of Faith. Does God Ever Yearn for a Church to Complete its Ministry? Here ...
UCC Boxborough strives to make an environment that is open, welcoming and safe for those with dementia and their families and caregivers by providing support and ways to ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
When our ancestors wondered what gifts to bring before God, the prophet Micah replied that 'God has told you, O mortal, what is good. What does the Lord require of you ...
Are you among the 86 percent of Americans that believe that financial education classes ...
Where I came from was “church summer camp”.
Thank you! Your generosity so far this year is deeply appreciated, is never ever taken for granted, and does not go unnoticed!
The author, Rev. Ellen Petersen, in The Gambia Author's Note: Traveling to far off countries is in my DNA. A few months back, I went on the Center for Disease ...
Instead of waiting for a veteran Faith Formation leader to apply, why not cultivate one who may already be planted in your own backyard? We often look outside our church ...
![jdr+head+shot+[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/16551947/fields/primaryimage/6a5a216e434348b3a100faf5460e47ee/jdr%2bhead%2bshot%2b%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Rev James D. Ross II Last weekend wore me out. It wasn’t Independence Day festivities that did it. I am weary because of the dreadful news from the weekend, ...
I can’t stop thinking about a recent experience now that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling expands gun rights. While driving from my home in Boston to a more rural area as ...
For all my life I have believed that all people deserve equality of human rights, access to healthcare and fair, equal treatment under the law and basic humanity of our ...
New stories added! Clergy and lay leaders from several SNEUCC congregations traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Poor People’s Campaign Moral March on June ...
What this means for us, in a nutshell, is that churches using a narrative budge in addition to, if not as a replacement for, a ‘numbers only’ budget are in a much better ...
Completing Ministries Faithfully and Well. A church that completes its ministry well, a ...
Lillian Steinmeyer, Environmental Justice Intern Nature & Neighbors is an ...
by Nancy Leckerling, Co-Chair of the Environmental Ministry Team of First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT The First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT – the ...
“A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….” I was introduced to a new way of referring to what we typically call a budget in a local church, Association, or Conference ...
June 2022—Volume 30, Number 6 Copyright @ 2022 by Dana Horrell Small groups are a significant part of the church’s past. In early Christianity, the ...
Covid-19, Monkeypox, and infant formula shortages are top news stories today. Congregations are praying, mobilizing resources, and considering what they can do to ...
Angry? Yes. Heartbroken? Yes. Shocked at violence like this? Yes. Not shocked that this violence continues? Yes. Wanting to turn away, to ignore the pain? Yes. ...
![byerly[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/16504659/fields/primaryimage/186e0c4af9924cffbdc4ae408063e47c/byerly%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
If your body needs to rest it needs to rest. Listen to your body.
The Center for Transformational Leadership would like to introduce a new feature in our ...
“We need to plan for the long term” – I heard from the head of the Lutheran Diakonia in Poland – “Most of the refugees will stay here for years. The help from the UCC ...
The disruption caused by Covid has prompted us all to take stock and re-assess. This is a good time for faith formation leaders to step back from the day-to-day details ...
No one stands alone on one side of the bridge.
May 2022—Volume 30, Number 5 Copyright @ 2022 by Dana Horrell On a sunny Saturday, Pastor Reginald looks at the crowd in line for free hamburgers and hot dogs as the...
Poor mental health is alarmingly high among high school students during the pandemic and even higher among LGBTQ+ youth.
We are all living with the reality of uncertainty at this moment in time. Our world as we knew it has been turned upside down by the pandemic, social injustice, health ...
Vaccination, positivity, hospitalization rates, masking: what does this mean for my community? How do I decide what to do for myself, my family, my community, my ...
.png?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
One of the challenges for small churches is figuring out how much the congregation can do. Old programs you did when you had twice as many members seem to hang on. And ...
Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond, Dean of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale Divinity School is ...
![max-kukurudziak-qbc3zmxw0g8-unsplash[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/16426700/fields/primaryimage/92f3140bf5904355b290a5f6610c445d/max-kukurudziak-qbc3zmxw0g8-unsplash%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
The following is an update from the Rev. Kazimierz Bem, pastor of the First Church in Marlborough, MA, and a native of Poland. (More on his church's fundraising efforts ...
The Parish Care team at First Church of Christ in Old Saybrook, Connecticut launched a new program known as 'Wilderness Companions' - a time of spiritual growth and story...
![terry+bio+pic[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/16420649/fields/primaryimage/96eb940d64bb48d78c3790de4b82dbd8/terry%2bbio%2bpic%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
I went to the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Town after town where our churches are doing their best to be a witness to the love of Christ marched by: Holyoke, ...
April 2022—Volume 30, Number 4 Copyright @ 2022 by Dana Horrell Rachel Hildebrandt joined the priest-in-charge of Church of the Crucifixion in the ...
I love Easter. As I’ve often shared with folks, I adore much about it: Sunrise services, springtime pastels, Easter baptisms, and all of the pomp and circumstance that ...
Advice for churches on how to ensure resources reach the people who need them.
A cut-out card made by one of the refugees in the Reformed congregation in Łódź. First Church in Marlborough will be using it as our bulletin cover for Easter. ...
If you’re reading this newsletter about justice for people in UCC churches, you probably won’t be surprised to know that I spend a lot of time in meetings. Meetings to ...
Given the rising tensions about the possibility of a nuclear attack by Russia, we citizens and church members of Massachusetts and the Southern New England Conference, ...
Background and Context Before reporting on financial outcomes for 2021 and prospects for 2022, I want to begin with some history and context. As we give thanks for the ...
The following is a letter from the Rev. Kazimierz Bem, pastor of the First Church in Marlborough, MA, and a native of Poland. A dozen churches sent contributions through ...
Is it possible to, at one and the same time, both love the church and hate it as well? I am an ordained clergyperson in the United Church of Christ. Having been raised ...
We can help volunteers to gain confidence and move to what John Westerhoff calls “owned faith,” by offering discipleship development in small bites.
![michael-ciba[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/16383809/fields/primaryimage/ea016536d84747698d65e5266fd85d9c/michael-ciba%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
In order to strengthen the ministry and advance the mission of SNEUCC, individual Area Conference Ministers (ACMs) will assume responsibility for shepherding particular ...
March 1, 2022, COVID Update We are making progress in the pandemic. More people are vaccinated, the Omicron surge is subsiding, and mandates are being relaxed, as we ...
March 2022—Volume 30, Number 3 Copyright @ 2022 by Dana Horrell The world experiences its share of problems—hunger, joblessness, crime, environmental ...
Each one of us has the ability to offer some support.
I’ve been reflecting on a news segment from a few years ago in which reporters interviewed restaurant owners about “meat-like” options for people who practice the ritual ...
Everybody’s got a right to live is one of the anthems the Poor People’s Campaign uses when engaging in direct action and other activities. The verses go on to proclaim ...
.png?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
“If you are seeking a single, comprehensive guide to church finance, look no further. This is it. Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Ann A. Michel have written a practical guide ...
What does Faith Formation look like in post-pandemic era? We struggle with how to build relationships and make personal connections when contact is so limited. The ...
Welcoming children and families into worshipping as the Body of Christ together!
Through collaboration with UCC Wellness Ministries, SNEUCC Health and Wellness Ministry ...
Thank you all for your generous financial support! You contributed $3,484,442 to support the work of the SNEUCC and the national setting through Proportional Giving in ...
As we begin the third year of the pandemic I recognize that congregational life has morphed many times over since the pandemic began. I invite you to take the following ...
February 2022—Volume 30, Number 2 Copyright @ 2022 by Dana Horrell Community engagement requires action, but does it require study as well? Standing ...
Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will tell you. Deuteronomy 32:7 As February ...
A reflection by Brenda Nolan, SNEUCC Restorative Justice Task Team Paula Blumenthal and I are pleased to serve the SNEUCC Restorative Justice Team (I as Chair, she ...
“It’s very much a part of our tradition, as Christians, to be engaged in the public square….When people say, ‘Let’s not get political in the church,’ [it helps to ...
Dear Colleagues, A church leader recently asked me, “how do we create a budget given increasing inflation?” Many people wonder about the effect of inflation on church ...
A healthy approach to one’s sexuality.
The universe is bending, but we cannot leave all the work to God. We are not only invited, but compelled to take part in the work of building a universe where God’s love ...
The powerful, positive affect saying thank you has is widely known; therefore, it isn’t surprising that it is also widely encouraged and taught. If saying thank you is so...
First Church, Congregational in Guilford, CT has had a long relationship with Community Partners in Action in Hartford as part of its prison ministry. Charlotte White ...
It’s no surprise that we’ve been navigating choppy waters. However, as the Omicron variant surges, we are faced with opportunities to make the church’s presence more ...
January 2022—Volume 30, Number 1 Copyright @ 2022 by Dana Horrell First Church on the corner of Heritage and Main had been around long enough to ...
.jpeg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
What does New Year’s Eve mean to you, a time of reflection, resolutions, a chance for a new beginning, renewed covenant with God and each other? If you are like me, you ...
This piece is adapted from a sermon Rev. Ross delivered at West Gloucester Trinitarian Congregational Church (MA) on Sunday, February 12. One of actress Mabel King’s ...
COVID-19 (Omicron, Delta), Influenza A, Influenza B, Rhinovirus (common cold)… yikes, so many viruses in the air! Do not fear, get vaccinated! We have been hearing a ...
.jpeg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
What do I do when someone who attended worship tests positive for COVID-19 one to two days later? Notify your local health department to see what they recommend for your...
On Monday, I joined the Poor People’s Campaign at the US Capitol, where we demanded passage of the Build Back Better Act and the protection of voting rights. The hundreds...
Communication. It is responsible for the exchange of ideas; the declaration of feelings; the formation and perpetuation of relationships. As leaders, the creation of a ...
Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, UCC (MA), finds new passion in using sign language for songs in church when vocal singing isn't safe due to Covid.
In just a few weeks, we will launch our 2022 programs, starting with our new monthly Lunch & Learn for Leaders series on Thursday, January 20 (see below). These programs ...
Together We Thrive News Affinity Groups: Past and Future Have you heard about the Together We Thrive Affinity groups? These year-long intentional learning communities...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Dearest Cojourners, Words are delicious! I love how they taste when they fall out of my mouth and into the atmosphere. I enjoy playing with my words as creatively as kids...
I suspect many of us have heard some version of the old Cherokee legend known as "The Story of the Two Wolves." I recently heard it again, and it occurred to me that this...
December 2021—Volume 29, Number 12 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell It’s time to start a project in the community. Where to start? Let’s begin with a ...
Members and friends of our churches consider many factors when deciding about whether and how much to contribute to their church. One is often tax deductibility. (See ...
This is adapted from a sermon that Rev. Ross delivered at Christ Church Dracut (MA) on Sunday, November 14. Greta Thunberg, the 18-year-old Swedish environmental ...
For nearly 200 years, North Greenwich Congregational Church has enjoyed a long and colorful history meeting the spiritual needs of its members and friends, while ...
Together We Thrive News by Rev. Heather Ramsey-Mabrouk Innovation, Vitality & Clergy Renewal You are probably wondering: What do Innovation and Church Vitality have ...
See new Green Congregation resources In a very short time, it will be the first Sunday in Advent and the beginning of a new church year. We’ll soon be hearing “Joy to ...
The First Church of Christ in Middletown (CT) Racial Justice Team is hoping to collaborate with other UCC churches in our region who have a similar interest in addressing...
The FreeBee Network and Market began as a way to support community members impacted by an apartment fire but quickly grew into a dynamic, family-oriented program that ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
“Health Equity is Social Justice.” This was the message from Tekisha Dwan Everette, Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions in Connecticut during her speech at the ...
Evangelism. That is a word that makes many mainline protestants feel uncomfortable. Some are reluctant to talk about faith for fear of being judged as overbearing, or ...
With careful attention, each situation can be managed with successful outcomes.
When I had you to myself, I didn't want you around. Those pretty faces always made you stand out in a crowd. But someone picked you from the bunch, one glance was all it ...
November 2021—Volume 29, Number 11 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell “Pastor, I love this building. It evokes a special memory every time I enter. It’...
Congress extended and expanded the universal charitable tax deduction that became law as ...
For more than 30 years, the historic Massachusetts Conference and the Pentecostal Church of Chile have walked together in an ecumenical partnership and many ...
These are parched days. We thirst for something to quench the chaos. Our waters, soils, and air are in turmoil. And we long for impactful ways to counter our climate’s ...
Submitted by the South Church of Andover, MA Social Justice Coalition (SJC) Is it justice that compared to white men charged with the same crime and having the same ...
The SNEUCC Restorative Justice Task Team will present an educational series throughout the next year. The series begins on Thursday, November 4, at 6 PM, when the task ...
Emma Brewer-Wallin, second from right, participates in the People vs. Fossil Fuels week of action in Washington, D.C. During the week of Indigenous Peoples’ ...
Dear Colleagues, Henri Nouwen’s reflection on A Spirituality of Fundraising informs my work and teaching around generosity. When thinking of annual stewardship ...
![bma[1].png](/files/tables/content/15588847/fields/primaryimage/2c6a8abfa0d44e218cff8079d6eb8483/bma%5b1%5d.png?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
The Board of Ministerial Aid, founded in 1869, provides confidential financial assistance and counseling both to clergy and their families who serve, or have served in ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Just like prayer, service, and worship, generosity is a spiritual discipline. It is a practice that can be modeled and taught, it is a habit that, with intention, can be ...
Let us experiment - there can be no mistakes!
Is it possible to create parity between worshipers who participate digitally versus being in-person?
As your SNEUCC Disability Ministry Team, we seek ways to network with our churches and move our conference forward in the goal to become Accessible to ALL. As a step ...
Dear Colleagues, Many years ago, my church choir director, Joel Johnson, taught me about the danger of doing anything that was just SO-SO. No, it wasn’t about the ...
Be “a lighthouse in their child’s storm, the light that shines steadily in a predictable rhythm and doesn’t waver no matter how big the storm is.” This is the advice ...
![p-kogut[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15480718/fields/primaryimage/afdee28183684ab7a2e34efd3480e99c/p-kogut%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Warning: This memo does not have any answers or deep wisdom about the state of the church. If you need that I am sorry. If you are okay with my mushing around in the ...
October 2021—Volume 28, Number 10 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell Walking the neighborhood offers an unparalleled chance for church leaders to ...
“I’d like double shots please!” For those who are eligible to get the Covid-19 vaccine ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
We continue to live in unprecedented times. Economic uncertainty and social turmoil continue to abound. Hence, it is reasonable to ask: How are we supposed to conduct our...
A Message from the Minister of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion I’ve recently become obsessed with Netflix’s “Fastest Cars,” in which people who have transformed junkers ...
Would you like to find some lost treasure? Could your church use some unexpected money? Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island all have “Unclaimed Property” ...
What would you like your world to look like 5 years from now? How about 10 or 20 or 50 years from now?
We are able to provide Authorized Ministers with standing in an Association of the Southern New England Conference, and their spouses/life partners/significant others, ...
Eighteen months of Covid has taught us that the church is not the building, and that physical distance does not necessarily mean spiritual distance. We have found sacred ...
“We all have within us a deep wisdom, but sometimes we don’t know we have it.” ~ Shakti Gawain Some of the most rewarding experiences since adopting our three children ...
Sharing Leadership is important in today’s UCC now more than ever. Our denomination is known for its stance on inclusivity and justice, which has attracted cherished new ...
This message originally appeared in the Northwest Region newsletter. Click here to subscribe to your region's newsletter, or here to read previous issues. I just came ...
The SNEUCC Environmental Ministry Team invites 21 congregations to commit to the Green Congregation Challenge - having an initial conversation or taking a first step by ...
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
“Patience is a virtue. Virtue is a grace. Grace is a little girl who would not wash her face.” Maybe you have heard this little poem by Dick King-Smith. My mother ...
In my church’s case, there is (or rather was) a lot of stuff in our building. We’ve filled a dumpster with trash, donated to area non-profits, recycled more paper than ...
Socially Responsible Investing and Spending What motivates you to make a charitable donation? Do you want to make a positive difference in the world? Perhaps you want to...
What motivates you to make a charitable donation? Do you want to make a positive difference in the world? Perhaps you want to better the world by touching a person’s life...
September 2021—Volume 28, Number 9 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell On the two-hour drive back from the federal penitentiary, Pastor Eduardo ...
We can all play a role in preventing suicide! That’s the message from the The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention, which has designated September as Suicide ...
The SNEUCC Environmental Ministry Team invites 21 congregations to commit to the Green Congregation Challenge - having an initial conversation or taking a first step by ...
The Southern New England Conference UCC is launching 21 in 21 this fall, challenging 21 congregations to commit to creating a greener world by joining the Green ...
As followers of the Jesus who welcomes children, let us not forget to protect them.
Churches are welcome to use this prayer as part of their Labor Day service (Sept. 5) O God of Labor and God of Rest, we turn to you this Labor Sunday. We remember that ...
This week, our hearts have been broken watching the disintegration of a nation. We have cried watching the desperation of people trying to leave their home country as it ...
![img_e0180[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15321582/fields/primaryimage/d03ab3ce804f46dfb42ac02abdb11a89/img_e0180%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Dear Friends and Colleagues, It is appropriate that I am writing this on my last day of work before a much anticipated and much needed weeklong vacation. Why is it much ...
Several inquiries have been received regarding maintaining safe workplace practices for church office staff vaccinated and unvaccinated. The resources listed here offer ...
Perhaps you, like me, woke up Monday morning to every news outlet alerting you to the latest IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report on the catastrophe ...
The edge of the ocean is different every day and there is always some remarkable beauty to discover. It made me think of the quote from Heraclitus, the Greek philosopher ...
The SNEUCC Faith Formation Leadership Program offers adaptive skills for faith formation.
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
From your Faith Community Nurse, Minister of Health & Wellness Deborah Ringen Wow, it is August already! Summer days bring fun, family, vacations, and the realization ...
Confrontational Generosity Dear Colleagues, At General Synod in July, a new initiative called "Join the Movement" was launched across all settings of the UCC. The Rev....
August 2021—Volume 28, Number 8 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell When church leaders survey the surrounding community, its urgent ...
Giving USA, which issues the oldest and most comprehensive report on charitable giving in the U.S., recently released its report for last year. The report contains mixed ...
Millions of Americans who came to the United States as children, including many whose only memories are of life in this country, are again uncertain whether they will be ...
Beloved Church, I love rules. I like to think that my affinity for technical details and procedures is harmless, even charming. But I have recently been reminded that ...
Boston Pride didn’t happen this year, or last year for that matter, and we need to tell you what’s going on. The Southern New England Conference ONA Ministry Team was ...
![ruthshaver2021[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15311677/fields/primaryimage/646422cd99784879887a4eacc9cb7b30/ruthshaver2021%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
This General Synod is spread out across more days than in-person Synod editions generally have been. Much of this is due to the many time zones in which Synod has to ...
July 13th On Sunday the 11th, the delegates had a long day! Our first plenary was exciting, a bit boring, funny at times, and well put together for us to be together ...
![andrew+mckinnis+[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15305324/fields/primaryimage/a26bcaf8032f4beb8a89a62c0b135d07/andrew%2bmckinnis%2b%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
I urge all of us to be builders. To develop, organize, and implement ideas, practices, people, and resources in service of a collective vision.
Assassinated Haiti President Jovenel Moise When Haiti President Jovenel Moise was assassinated in his home early on the morning of July 7, Southern New England ...
Emily Carle responds to a tweet from Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber: "Someone should write a beautiful liturgy for the removing of national flags from Christian sanctuaries."
Do you know there is an organization that exists to assist retired pastors and their families with situations like these? Bug infestations - then getting scammed. ...
Which tools do we need to use for true innovation to take place?
For many small churches there is a painful journey of dwindling resources—less time, less money, fewer volunteers. Pastors travel this path with congregations, trying to ...
As people called to serve to God, it is easy to lose sight of our own woundedness yet spending some time with our doubts and pain brings greater self-awareness which ...
I'm waiting for the SNEUCC to begin our first caucus and I am ready and excited to be energized to work with fellow delegates and to do God's work. I hope today to be ...
![ruthshaver2021[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15302527/fields/primaryimage/b2909710e01c4a2688bce35abf2fcb16/ruthshaver2021%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
This is a confession to cover me for the whole week: I am a UCC Twitter nerd. I will be live-tweeting almost every Synod event (#UCCSynod) I attend, except the Committee ...
Emily McKenna, Program Support Associate, interviews Katie Howe. Katie is a Masters of Divinity student at Chicago Theological Seminary, a Woodridge Congregational Church...
The work of faith formation is challenging. It takes more than purchasing the perfect curriculum or implementing the hottest new lesson plan. We are called to bring the ...
Sunshine, heat, outdoor activities, flowers, birds, and bees, ticks, heat waves, humidity, and hurricane season, all are the joys and concerns of summer! Are you ready? ...
July 2020—Volume 28, Number 7 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell In the 2020 season of pandemic restrictions a number of churches found ...
Updated handbooks/guides are now available for search and call as well as support.
Dear Beloved, As I have sought to make meaning of both the public discourse about “critical race theory” and the ongoing effort to restrict voting rights, I have been ...
Join the SNEUCC Advocacy Corps to Make Your Voice Heard! I am often asked by church leaders and members: Should we be involved in “politics”? My answer is always the same...
An SNEUCC Annual Meeting Conversation led by the Rev. Dr. Fran Bogle and Kathie Carpenter Holy One, we are working for justice. Fill us with your love each day. Amen ~ ...
During the last week of September 2020, scheduled to coincide with the International Day of Peace observed around the world each year on September 21, 20 Disciples and ...
Nancy Reed, Martha Crawford, and Fran Bogle Just Peace Players is a liturgical drama troupe committed to sharing its many visions of peace and justice through the ...
Philanthropic Autobiography Dear Friends, Have you ever stopped to think about what inspires you to be generous? Do you have a plan for how and where you donate your ...
Clergy Communities of Practice (or CCoPs) continue to build strong bonds and networks of clergy leaders who seek shared learning to deepen their ministerial skills. There...
In this month's Discipleship Matters newsletter, Emily McKenna interviews Jennifer Kronholm Clark, Silver Lake Conference Center’s Program Director. Learn what's ...
The last fifteen months have been stressful for you, your families, and your work as faith formation leaders. Everything shifted, and EVERYTHING related to your work had ...
June 2020—Volume 28, Number 6 Copyright @ 2020 by Dana Horrell Typically the question of whether to relocate is precipitated by a building ...
Thank you to the over 100 Connecticut SNEUCC clergy who signed a letter to Governor Lamont and Legislative Leaders urging them to support the following legislative ...
Wow, keeping track of new guidelines in the pandemic response can be very confusing! How can we decide the best way to move forward? How do we balance caution and caring ...
We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in 2021 to make an impact on campers that will stay with them their entire lives. You have never been more needed. This is your ...
In a compilation of stories from over 100 interviews with people who had been identified by their pastors as generous givers, Herb Mather in That’s What My Mother Taught ...
Does the following ring true in your experience? Is it generally the case at your church? Here is what we say through our stewardship practices: 10% belongs to God; the ...
Emily McKenna, Program Support Associate, sits down to interview Judi Wallace. Judi shares how she kept youth engaged with a special service project that took place in ...
Excitement is growing, the desire to, “resume life as normal, pre-pandemic,” is strong, but is it safe? Southern New England Conference UCC states are beginning to ease ...
OR: Is Our Confirmation Model Still Valid for the 21st Century?
Before serving in my present capacity, I served as an Associate Conference Minister for the New York Conference. During that time, I coordinated worship services for ...
May is Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (https://asianpacificheritage.gov/). ...
May 2021—Volume 28, Number 5 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell The end of the COVID-19 pandemic and a return to normal life requires that a ...
Mental health conditions are on the rise. Before the pandemic it was reported that one in five adults in the US experienced a mental health condition. Now researchers ...
“Justice is what love looks like in person.” You likely have heard that oft-repeated adage by Dr. Cornell West. As West notes, Jesus urged his disciples to love their ...
If you have not yet heard, World War III surreptitiously has begun. Our enemy is not a singular nor cluster of nations, but the insidiously deadly COVID 19 in all its ...
I don’t know about you, but years from now when we are finally all vaccinated and the Covid-19 pandemic is a memory within our collective conscience, there are some ...
We can all pitch in to advocate for communities of color and vulnerable populations by publicly distributing information from the CDC and local public health officials ...
I want to publicly and enthusiastically thank the churches that have financially supported the mission and ministry of our Southern New England Conference (SNEUCC) and ...
Dear Friends and Colleagues, At this moment it is clear that there is a great amount of need throughout our country. As development professionals, we are ...
I want to begin with a thank you to the Biden Administration for focusing special attention on the dramatic increase in crimes committed against people of Asian descent ...
Some [seeds] fell into good soil, and when it grew, it produced a hundredfold. (Luke 8:8, NRSV)
April 2021—Volume 28, Number 3 Copyright @ 2021 by Lauren W. Swanson These are difficult days for the church, but also days of real opportunity. The ...
April 2021 National Health Observances include National Minority Health Month, and World Health Day, timely topics in the context of the coronavirus pandemic racial ...
We must continue our work together to bring forth a United States of America in which each...
In this article rather than defining digital ministry as a broadcast of your Sunday service, your church might consider creating a worship service that has been designed ...
I am honored to serve as your new Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Southern New England Conference. In this role, I am charged with leading our ...
by Dawn Adams SNEUCC Immigration, Refugee, and Asylum Task Team You all have probably seen and heard about the growing humanitarian crisis at our southern borders. There...
What will be the best ways to be the Body of Christ post-pandemic?
Ever find yourself thinking, "too many nonprofits ask me for money!" Or, "why does the church have so many offerings?" The number of ways that we can make a difference in...
![jocelyngardnerspencer2[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15180911/fields/primaryimage/513e7c2733394654a8b6cb35efc65720/jocelyngardnerspencer2%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Board President’s Report SNE UCC Annual Meeting May 2021 The months since our last Annual Meeting in September 2020 have been eventful ones for our Conference and for...
![calvin-headshot[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15180912/fields/primaryimage/7223e8c1dced49efba5fa4c7dad33aba/calvin-headshot%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Treasurer’s Report to the Annual Meeting March 11, 2021 As I write this report, we are just over two months into our second year of operations as a new Conference. Our ...
Recently, I began volunteering to give COVID-19 vaccinations at a drive-through mass vaccination site in Connecticut. Currently my job consists of writing and teaching ...
This past year has been difficult for so many of our churches. I serve as the Pastor of the Federated Church in Colchester, Connecticut and we formed a Reopening Team in ...
The Interfaith Exploration was offered as an opportunity for SNEUCC youth to hear various stories of call. “God is persistent, even though we sometimes push God away.” ...
![hopscotch-jon-tyson-unsplash[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15132196/fields/primaryimage/c858eaca97cf4879b5d860147c809021/hopscotch-jon-tyson-unsplash%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
The question to ask is, "How do we pass on the faith knowing what we know now?"
How Can We Build Trust in a Vaccine? March 2021—Volume 28, Number 3 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell The development of a vaccine for the ...
Drew Page offers some tips for churches and pastors to protect against email scams.
This inaugural issue of Generous Thoughts features the Rev. Kent Siladi, Director of ...
![kziel_17[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/15113497/fields/primaryimage/5c74af2446fa4cb4b8ac1aa6106aa89f/kziel_17%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
This is an invitation to plan for the upcoming season and it's important themes with your whole heart and first and foremost, for you! This season is an invitation to ...
Millennials’ Ministries is a great space for connections and common bonds for young adults who are looking for a Christian community of friends to engage with.
As we enter the second year of the pandemic’s effects, we are blessed with the increasing availability of effective coronavirus vaccines. As vaccinations become more ...
Walking alongside teens on their spiritual journeys remains our focus.
Though they sometimes feel like a rejection of faith, adult mentors are called to honor the questions, to respond with openness, to testify to the mystery and the truths ...
February 2021—Volume 29, Number 2 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell Sandra Lommasson rediscovered the value of art in response to violent trauma. In its...
How do we navigate uncertainty while ministering to our congregations?
Information is available on how the CAA law relates to churches and religious groups.
Here we are a little over a week into the new year. Our nation and our world continue to struggle under the COVID-19 pandemic. As of January 12th all three states in the ...
"The past ten months of pandemic can either be lost time or the time of our lives, or a mixture of both."
January 2021—Volume 29, Number 1 Copyright @ 2021 by Dana Horrell Whatever else it did, the COVID-19 health crisis forced congregations to consider ...
Rev. Marilyn Kendrix shares her farewell thoughts as she finishes her time serving as Bridge Conference Minister of the Southern New England Conference.
Rev. Don Remick share his thoughts as the year and his time serving as Bridge Conference Minister come to a close.
A message from Bridge Conference Ministers Rev. Marilyn Kendrix and Rev. Don Remick
Christmas is the season for joy, right? Maybe, maybe not. For many it is the season for depression and stress. Expectations of happy family get togethers even in the ...
From the CDC: "Community- and faith-based organizations, employers, healthcare systems and providers, public health agencies, policy makers, and others all have a part in...
Holidays are usually a busy, joyous time to celebrate. Our religious and secular traditions provoke memories of years past spent with family and friends. Every year there...
Music is such an important part of the holiday season and church worship planners are going to great lengths to incorporate favorite carols. Some have made use of radio ...
Longest Night services bring the opportunity of pastoral care to those experiencing loss, grief and pain even in the joyous time of Advent and the coming of Christ. This...
Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are among 40 states that have reported an increase in overdose deaths during 2020 as compared to 2019. The pandemic is ...
Spiritual practices take many forms. For Rev. Dawn Adams and family, one form is to "babysit as flame."
December 2020—Volume 28, Number 12 Copyright @ 2020 by Dana Horrell In A Field Guide to U.S. Congregations, Cynthia Woolever points out the many factors ...
Co-vid 19 is a tough go for me and all those who have hearing challenges. God bless us that we are wearing masks for everybody’s safety, but my do they wreak havoc on ...
Grateful for this sheltered place With light in every window Saying, "Welcome, welcome, share this feast Come in away from sorrow" ~ from the Thanksgiving Song, by Mary ...
Historically, a church’s budget should have served at least three purposes: 1) provide financial guidance for the upcoming year; 2) place a limit on spending; and 3) be a...
From an address given by Rev. Kelly Gallagher for the Oct. 18 event 400 Years: Truth & Healing for the Next Seven Generations I stand in what is called today ...
Copyright law has easily been the biggest challenge for my church to overcome
![don-remick-2018[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14435225/fields/primaryimage/054f9530fd6a4ade8ebfe2163874f8a9/don-remick-2018%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Friends, This past week has had records set in the current Covid surge. We keep seeing new records across our region and across the country in terms of daily new cases, ...
![don-remick-2018[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14435635/fields/primaryimage/baf4c254708d4542bcb235eb9c78e29c/don-remick-2018%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
The survey says: Last month we sent a survey our to all of our churches. We were checking in on what you were doing, what you needed, what was helpful and what you were ...
My hope is built on the love of God and the ever-present reality of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
We know that gratitude is central to spiritual well-being, but recently, social scientists in various academic settings have affirmed that this practice enhances mental ...
Perhaps the biggest Christmas gift was can give ourselves will be the gift of experimentation, and being allowed to fail at designing “the perfect Christmas.”
Discipleship is not a paint-by-numbers! We might wish for clear instructions, a formula to follow, to encourage others to follow Jesus. But our faith is so much bigger ...
Over the past months, I have written to you about the importance of advance healthcare directives and end-of-life care planning. These critical conversations with our ...
Oh God, how we long for a traditional holiday table where many extended family and friends have gathered in the glowing warmth of a feast and holiday decorations. We ...
![lee+gagen+80x120[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14418849/fields/primaryimage/9d8386989b2f4a0599fe6f01344113be/lee%2bgagen%2b80x120%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Last week Don Remick shared with us the results from the SNEUCC’s most recent COVID ...
November 2020—Volume 28, Number 11 Copyright @ 2020 by Dana Horrell Livestreaming a worship service extends its reach far beyond the physical gathering of...
Word cloud created from most frequently encountered words from the survey. The larger the word appears, the more often it occurred. We received nearly 300 ...
1 John 2: 15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of ...
Have you seen the United Church of Christ in the news this week? We announced on Sunday that the Southern New England Conference had abolished $26.2 million in ...
Wait. What? You just got rid of my medical debt? Yep. How much? All of it. Are you SERIOUS? Yep. But...I'm not even a part of your church. That's not the point. This will...
Last April, I wrote a blog titled Mental Health and Suicide Resources discussing the unique circumstances of the pandemic such as isolation, loss of a job, uncertainty ...
![vote-1319435_640_1[1].png](/files/tables/content/14345599/fields/primaryimage/84b553036d954974b90de2542daeb76f/vote-1319435_640_1%5b1%5d.png?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Its on every news channel. It is all over Facebook, Twitter and Instagram . It pops up on your cell phone notifications. It is an election year unlike any other. ...
![don-remick-2018[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14345518/fields/primaryimage/fb6e012d8ca04cec8fd691dc0175147e/don-remick-2018%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
This October our Conference sent out a survey to all of our Conference’s churches. We asked about many aspects of church life from worship to fellowship to ...
by Katherine Schofield, Old South Church On October 11, Old South Church in Boston hosted...
We know you may be Zoom weary and treasuring days away from little boxes on computer screens. But if you are desiring community and a chance to come together with ...
This fall is a perfect opportunity for confirmation programs to look back at our history.
In a recent interview, Jennifer deSimas, Director of the JP Webster Library related her work to faith formation. "One of my roles is to organize events that explore not ...
How will you most effectively walk the path of faith with your congregation?
Kristin Putney shares two stories of effective youth ministry in RI Congregations during the time of CoVid 19. Youth connections are sustained and deepened through ...
October 2020—Volume 28, Number 10 Copyright @ 2020 by Dana Horrell Honest conversation about all matters, even politics, must be part and parcel of a ...
by Jonathan Guest and David Cleaver-Bartholomew For many churches these are challenging and stressful times. Church members are concerned about worship, programs, and ...
by Jonathan Guest and David Cleaver-Bartholomew In our previous article published on ...
![ian-screentshot[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14319959/fields/primaryimage/1a5750e63f794099a9f8e8d9443e1e01/ian-screentshot%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
The Annual Meeting for the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ was held on September 26th remotely via a Zoom webinar. I moderated the meeting...
![don-remick-2018[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14277726/fields/primaryimage/21a526ada5d149baa1f2b9b8de1fcb28/don-remick-2018%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
There was a time when leadership was chosen by casting lots. Our scripture tells stories of this. But in our time that decision is up to us. But it is no less an act ...
Access Sunday is October 11 Each year, the second Sunday of October is designated on the ...
![don-remick-2018[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14277988/fields/primaryimage/b4f45c5e85ca4203959703eddee0b025/don-remick-2018%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching“ 1 Timothy 5:17 (NRSV) Each year a day is ...
“In the middle of the journey of our lives, I found myself upon a dark path” ~ Dante I don’t want to talk about it.[1] Having served some years in parish ministry, I ...
All human beings experience feeling “blue” or “down in the dumps” sometimes. It may come as a surprise, but clergy are human too! It can be hard to admit that one might ...
![don-remick-2018[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14276764/fields/primaryimage/c38256b559344247b9c31cb833d5288f/don-remick-2018%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Friends, There is that fall chill in the air. It is the change of seasons. And with it comes new decisions we face in our church life. The current state of this ...
by Rev. Dr. Robert Loesch Greetings to you in the name of the God of Light and the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. In their names, I invite you and your local church to...
In today’s unprecedented context, when churches cannot worship in person and there is great economic uncertainty and social upheaval, it is quite reasonable to ask: How ...
Playlists! What are they? An introduction to the concept of Playlists as a new format for shaping faith.
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Alexa Odoy, a ninth grader at Congregational Church of Marlborough shares her creative talents. "The design is inspired by the story of Noah's arc, but the rainbows also ...
Blurred boundaries can result for lay staff who are also members of that congregation.
![chuckericson[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14237349/fields/primaryimage/51aa52dac58d42e6a20da7d162042058/chuckericson%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
Christy Wynveen of Newman Congregational shares reflections on her new position as Minister of Faith Formation and recent youth study group on the book The Hate U Give.
People are getting out more as local restrictions ease allowing restaurants, businesses and schools to open with specific guidelines to reduce the threat of coronavirus ...
September 2020—Volume 28, Number 9 Copyright @ 2020 by Dana Horrell Livestreaming an event, whether a worship service or Bible study, can seem like a ...
This interview captures the reality of the experience of COVID-19 and the theological reflection required to make sense of the world in the pandemic. The Rev. Karen ...
Faith Community Nurses, clergy and lay ministers of health are trusted by the people of the congregation and community. The foundation of our faith encourages caring for ...
How can clergy juggle family caregiving and the stress of serving their flock during a pandemic, racial injustice, hurricanes, and the divisive political climate? Even ...
As part of the CARES Act that became law earlier this year, the government provided a new universal charitable tax deduction. The deduction allows taxpayers to deduct up ...
In this time of polarized opinions and beliefs, an attitude of humility toward our approach to the Bible and to each other is surely what God is desiring of us.
I was delighted to see that Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Associate General Minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries and Pastor of Christ the King UCC in Florissant, ...
![thumbnail_mbk+for+reflections[1].jpg](/files/tables/content/14165640/fields/primaryimage/2ab0519f3303466b86e7db2a3a321973/thumbnail_mbk%2bfor%2breflections%5b1%5d.jpg?width=515&height=433&mode=crop&enlarge=true)
As horrific as the video-taped murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis was, it was the orders shouted to Mr. Floyd that pierced my heart as I foolishly watched that video ...
We owe it to our congregations to offer high quality faith formation and youth ministries, particularly during these uncertain times.
One aspect of stewardship that struck me afresh the other day is that biblically speaking, stewardship is not presented as optional for us. In Genesis 1.27-28 we are told...
Both my church and Silver Lake have had an influence on my involvement with racial justice work. In 2018, upon entering freshman year I felt the need to be doing ...