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 ...
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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...
Emily McKenna serves as the Faith Formation Team Support for the Southern New England Conference. Read more here to learn about Emily's work and ministry.
Kristin Putney serves as the Minister of Faith Formation, Children and Families for the Southern New England Conference. She is a member of the Faith Formation Team. Read...
How do we navigate uncertainty while ministering to our congregations?
Debby Kirk serves as the Faith Formation Team Leader for the Southern New England Conference. Read more here to learn about Debby's work and ministry.
Debbie Gline Allen is a Minister of Faith Formation for the Southern New England Conference specializing in children, youth, and intergenerational ministries.
Karen Ziel serves as the Minister of Faith Formation and Leadership for the Southern New England Conference. She is a member of the Discipleship and Innovation Teams. ...
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...
With CoVid restrictions in place, congregations may want ideas and best practices to continue ministry with it's youngest. How will you stay connected to families with ...
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
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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, ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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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. ...
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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 October, among other things, we celebrate National Bullying Prevention Month and focus activities and formation on Bullying Prevention. As partners in creating safe ...
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 ...
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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...
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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 ...
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“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 ...
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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.
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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.
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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, ...
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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 ...
I started my first semester as a Master of Divinity Student at Chicago Theological Seminary in February. Less than a month later I began working long hours at the Rhode ...
It's comfortable to identify ourselves with the ‘good people’ in the Bible. But what does it mean to identify ourselves with the flawed figures? As humans, we’re not ...
Before quarantine I found my days were full of school, sports, and homework. I barely had time to hangout with friends, let alone a minute for myself.
The emergence of a novel coronavirus has led in some regions to measures such as social distancing guidelines and prohibitions against physical gathering. Whether meeting...
I was thinking about the journey. Many of us did our advocacy alone...little victories each day along the way that you will probably never read about. In most cases in ...
“ Whoever is faithful in a very little, is also faithful in much...” Luke 16:10 When serving in the parish, I quickly learned that the chief task facing a Stewardship ...
Rev. Kent Siladi offers some final thoughts before his departure.
Rev. Joy Utter shares thoughts on the late Congressman John Lewis.
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“Dear children, let us love not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” ~ 1 John 3:18 The novel coronavirus pandemic has caused uncertainty, fear, and loss ...
Camp Ruggles and Irons Homestead. For 46 years now the sounds of children enjoying summer mark the flow of a long friendship.
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When the pandemic first began your Bridge Conference ministers recommended the suspension of In Person inside worship for two weeks. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, ...
The importance of conversation with loved ones surrounding one’s end of life choices for ...
I was raised on the butterfly metaphor. From kids’ books to Easter symbols. I’ve preached it. I watched it unfold in grade school terrariums. And I’ve used it as ...
Where is my place in the United Church of Christ after confirmation class? This is a question that I continue to ask myself as a young adult. I have noticed that young ...
At Silver Lake, campers have the opportunity to tend the community garden. Environmental justice is one of the elements of the mission statement and we teach about the ...
Bethany House is part of the social ministry of the Pentecostal Church of Chile, long-term ecumenical partner of this historic Massachusetts Conference. Known in Spanish ...
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In the winter of 2020, the Southern New England Conference of the UCC was just beginning as a new legal and ecclesial entity. It was in this moment that news of a new ...
When the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic on March 11, it ushered in a prolonged period of uncertainty. Since that day it has appeared that ...
Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord ~ Judges 18:6 My husband always laughs that I will almost never say that I am lost. I may say ...
I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you ...
At its core, stewardship is countercultural. It raises up God’s vision and economy for the world, an economy of abundance that tilts toward “the poor, the widow, the ...
This is an extraordinary time. The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly reshaped how we live, move and have our being in the world. And we are still learning, adapting ...
Dear Pastors, Youth Leaders, and Parents, As you celebrate graduates in your congregations, I join you in offering praise for the youth and young adults achieving this ...
Hurricane season 2020 has begun; amidst the coronavirus pandemic and racial injustice we ...
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It’s Impossible to be a true disciple of Jesus without empathy. As I sat these past two weeks watching the peaceful protesters all across America marching out their ...
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I don’t want to do this anymore!? In the last several weeks I’ve heard this phrase several times. Sometimes it comes directly from individual clergy. More often is ...
Children can exhibit racist behavior as early as the age of five.
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For those struck by the juxtaposition of stewardship, racism, and justice, and are asking what they could have in common and how they are related, I respond: they have ...
At its most basic level, managing volunteers means supporting their work in order to sustain their activity over time. The apostle Paul urges leaders “to equip the saints...
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There are precious few good police. I know that this is a provocative statement.
Friends, During our weekly Bridge Conference Minister ZOOM last Thursday I offered some words related to the killing of George Floyd. Several folks asked that I make ...
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When we come together in the summer for fun and friendship, we do all of the camp things as a way to practice our faith, to learn and grow through our experiences with ...
I avoided reading detailed accounts about it. I decided long ago that I won’t watch the videos. I couldn’t take one more painful thing in the midst of this pandemic; I ...
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Author’s note: All God’s Children will be a regular feature as congregations navigate moving forward with new challenges. The purpose will be to address the issues of ...
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Photo by Angela Menke Ballou. A few weeks ago, my colleague, Don Remick wrote about Resurrection and in his blog, he referred to the metamorphosis that takes ...
"Our goal and mission should be to ensure that no one among us is lost." — Rev. Chuck Ericson
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23: 4 There ...
Many faith formation and youth ministry leaders are wondering just how safe it will be to gather the children and youth in person.
As a faith community nurse I can relate to pastoral concerns around providing spiritual care during the pandemic. We are used to being with a person or family during ...
I hope I’m not alone when I describe the sinking feeling in your chest after another bad day, wondering if God is really listening, and wondering if it’s okay to really ...
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by Lisa Chandler, First Church of Glastonbury (CT) Covid has changed everything. It shocks the senses when we realize that our normal routines and expectations are no ...
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We are over 8 weeks into our pandemic requirements to Stay Home and Stay Safe. There is an often-used phrase: this is a marathon not a sprint. However, you have been ...
As we all focus on trying to prevent the spread of COVID 19, caring for our general health and well-being is sometimes neglected. Mental health concerns, chronic disease ...
Experts are learning more every day about the novel coronavirus. There are two issues to be aware of that impact parents and children in particular. While it was once ...
King Street UCC in Danbury, CT, this weekend seemed to have done everything right. Someone still got in.
Isaiah 43:19: Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. While all of ...
The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25-37) is one that many of us have heard at least a dozen times. But I wonder how many have heard it through the lens of ...
Just about a year ago, I wrote about the Riverside Church making God’s love and justice real with the creation of their Lighthouse Shops. I wondered what the pandemic had...
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What will phasing into worship and life as a community of faith be like for you? One more time: take a deep breath. Let it go. Notice where God is present to you in ...
by Wendy Parker As the world and this country struggle to cope with the upsetting and ...
Last weekend, I discovered two writings that intrigued and excited me. They did so because they reveal generosity as a point where our scientific and religious worlds ...
A regional church officer told of visiting a church with a puzzling worship practice. Whenever it came time to recite the Apostle’s Creed, worshippers turned toward the ...
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Have you noticed neighbors and strangers requesting prayers on social media?
Last week, the Bridge Conference Ministers extended their recommendation to suspend in person worship through the month of May. By now, after being safe at home for ...
Hour, by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month… how long will it take for life to return to some kind of normal or new normal? The federal, regional, and local ...
"But princess, the peasants are starving. They have no bread." "Then let them eat cake." - Marie Antoinette (according to legend) During the Great Depression, it was ...
This period of no public worship has forced a great many of our churches to dip their toe in the water of online digital worship, and their experiences have ranged from ...
It is that midpoint in the week when folks are…let’s just say it…crabby.
Advocates for people experiencing and surviving domestic violence agree that abuse related to physical distancing is on the rise. Calls to domestic violence hotlines have...
Everyone in the world is experiencing the COVID 19 pandemic to varying degrees depending on your geography, but we all are undeniably experiencing change, uncertainty, ...
by Margaret Bullitt-Jonas Missioner for Creation Care This special edition of Creation Care Network e-news is brought to you in honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth ...
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This is not a dress rehearsal. The entire world is immersed in unrelenting, ...
Dear Partners in Ministry, As you have probably heard, the federal government started distributing CARES Act stimulus checks of $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent ...
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This past Sunday was Easter Sunday and like many folks around the Conference, I was feeling despondent because it was not going to be the Easter that I am used to. I was...
I have found that my greatest spiritual growth has often occurred during dark nights of the spirit, brought about by personal and professional crises. In such times, I ...
This past week, on Maundy Thursday I had an interesting conversation with Rev. Ken Orth, my spiritual director. He gave me a phrase that echoed with an interesting ...
A note from your SNEUCC Bridge Conference Ministers: This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. And for the first time since that date we have seen evidence of ...
For many of us the Coronavirus pandemic has meant preparation, hand washing, covering your cough, social distancing, changes in daily routines of life. For some it has ...
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The first surveys that came out to pastors asking “how are you doing” in this Coronavirus age asked about what help we needed with worship. And during Lent, to not have ...
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Dear Beloved Clergy: This Sunday, via some electronic means, you will be proclaiming the mystery of the resurrection. You will do this, even though you may have only ...
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On this past Thursday, we had Rev. Matt Crebbin, Pastor of the Newtown Congregational Church as a guest on our weekly COVID-19 Webinar (recording is here). Matt brought ...
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“I go to the altar of God, to God who gives joy to me.” Why an altar? It marks the meeting place with the Holy. Whether a stone cairn or marble table, a mound of earth...
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HOLY WEEK It will be the same. It will be different. This week in our sacred story we encounter the whole range of human emotion. The events of Holy Week are powerful ...
Jesus gives us instruction for anxious times in the comforting words found in Matthew 6:25-34, reminding us to let go of worries about the future and suggesting instead ...
Experts are speaking out in favor of a public advisory to wear protective face coverings when in public. They emphasize maintaining physical distancing, keeping our hands...
Leading a congregation often demands the skills of a generalist, whether it’s the pastor or a team of lay leaders. Yet expert knowledge has its place. Specialists such as...
It is a remarkable time. Compassion and generosity are bubbling up nearly everywhere we turn. I keep picturing the Holy Spirit as kind of like my small children, years ...
I was on a webinar last week hosted by ACLU Connecticut and the Smart Justice Team, and since then there has been the first positive COVID-19 test of an adult ...
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Given this pandemic, there is much about which I am sad. I miss my dog park friends, as the park was closed when too many younger people were found to be congregating. I ...
As I sit reading the Sunday paper’s special sections on the third Saturday of the coronavirus shelter-in-place order, I can’t help but think about discipleship in this ...
Grief is complicated enough. It is even more difficult during this pandemic when we can’t say goodbye.
In this moment, we will either confirm that we are irrelevant or we will demonstrate that we are essential.
I frequently hear people express their strong desire for us to transition out of this pandemic and return to basically what life was before it struck. They just want to ...
by Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and Leah D. Schade, co-editors of the book Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis Earth Day 2020 comes at a ...
This isn't the first time humans have faced a pandemic. After studying previous outbreaks like SARS and Avian Flu, the World Health Organization put together a thick ...
As we are Staying Home and Staying Safe we are discovering new ways of being church. And we are discovering again the most essential elements of being the Body of ...
Are you feeling scared, sad, disappointed, concerned you may become ill with COVID-19? Are you watching the news or scouring websites to find out how many new cases have...
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Churches are invited to copy this post, add their own information, and disseminate it in their congregations. As the Coronavirus spreads from town to town and schools ...
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Churches are quickly adapting to online and electronic forms of giving, moving pastoral care to phone and Zoom, and making food collections available via drive-through.
According to a New York Times article, there’s a new type of malicious behavior proliferating called Zoombombing. This is when people find publicly posted links to Zoom ...
Essentials. In this time of a global pandemic we are using terms that attempt to characterize where we find ourselves in this challenging time. “Social or physical ...
As the Coronavirus and its effects on people’s livelihoods has become more severe, I have been struggling with the question of how we can talk about giving to the One ...
As of this morning, four states have issued a Stay Safe, Stay Home instruction. Some call it Shelter In Place. It is the more stringent guidelines to reduce the spread ...
A brief guide to improving sound in your online videos.
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What do I do about pastoral care during a time of pandemic? What do I do about wedding and funerals? These are challenging questions in a challenging time. One of ...
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In the Bible, Angels, God’s messengers, often arrive saying, “Be not afraid!” Some people may be anxious about the financial viability of their church as economic ...
Jesus called the children to him, saying to his disciples, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’ ~ Luke 18:16 ...
Beloved Colleagues in Ministry, This is a message I wish I didn’t have to write. I do not want to know what I know. Because I learned my lessons about disaster ministry ...
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and ...
Let me just start by saying: I know this is hard. And frustrating. And exhausting. For the vast majority of our churches, providing worship or otherwise "being the ...
“The local church exists to make disciples of Jesus” says our mission statement. Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” And of course, Peter responds, “Yes, Lord, you know that I...
With the prospect of shutting down churches the obvious question arises: how do we worship now? Below are some helpful guidelines for creating video that may be put ...
That Hard Place I don’t like pain. I read a situation, analyze all the trajectories and options and work overtime to figure out how to get through things without causing...
I have been wrestling with the term “Sunday School” for almost as long as I’ve been a Christian educator. I sometimes even take issue with being called an “educator” in ...
1 Corinthians 1:4-9 Revised Standard Version (RSV) 4 I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every ...
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Friends, Are you wondering what to do for church? This week the Governors of all three Southern New England states have declared a state of emergency related to the ...
It's been a busy week since we sent out a blog (below) on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). In that time we have received a lot of resources and guidance. We’ve seen the impact...
In a pub in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Peter Rollins and a group called the Ikon collective organized a religious event for visitors in town for a conference called ...
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“Every moment involves the divine call and human response. Although we believe that God is not the source of illness, divine wisdom is revealed in illness as well as in ...
As we continue through this year of 2020, as the Mayflower once again plans to sail into Boston Harbor, as we revisit the 400-year-old history that brought European ...
It goes by many names: Uncharted Territory, Wilderness Wanderings, Liminal Space. None of them evoke feelings of fun and frolic. We don’t like uncertainty. We long for ...
Grief: the sad and sharp feeling of losing someone that you love. We all grieve. It is inescapable, like the chill winds of February.
News reports are filled with reports about the spread of illness and death due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV). As I listen, I cannot help but see the ...
by Barbara Darling and Ted Wade, Co-Chairs Historic Massachusetts Conference Environmental...
When Pastor Alexis was hired to do community outreach for the church in a racially diverse, economically struggling neighborhood, church members told him, “This is a high...
Every February we see media messages about American Heart Month: Go Red for Women®, Know your Numbers, Warning Signs of a Heart Attack and more. We are told to eat lots ...
Super Saturday Inspires Dreams at Central Square Congregational Church in Bridgewater, MA
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We have seen the news of ongoing disaster challenges around the globe. And folks have been wondering how to respond. We received an update from our UCC National ...
Given the recent actions of our country – the assassination of a foreign leader justified as necessary to stop a feared attack – it is more important than ever to reflect...
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We are fortunate in the Southern New England Conference to have a wide variety of support for local church youth ministries.
January 2020—Volume 28, Number 1 Copyright @ 2020 by Dana Horrell Having to deal with poorly designed or ill-suited worship space can be ...
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We have got to reach out into our communities – to people who have been hurt or shunned or ignored – and spread the light to them.
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I did not expect this. The angel had warned me in a dream. We had to leave. I packed us up in the night. Herod’s men were coming with their swords drawn. We were barely...
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"Yet again we need to hear the angel’s message. 'Be not afraid.'" — Rev. Kent Siladi
Early in November, the Conference Ministers gathered in Birmingham for our fall meeting. But it was more than a meeting. We had been encouraged to read articles and books...
Today stirred some theology in my mind and spirit. Here’s a spiritual essay. I write out of my faith tradition with full respect for those of different faiths or no ...
December 2019—Volume 29, Number 12 Copyright @ 2019 by Dana Horrell Writing can help church leaders in their efforts to reach out to the community. Typically seen as a ...
You’ve probably been reading about church decline and the rise of the Nones, Dones and SBNRs (Spiritual But Not Religious) in the news. Here is just one such article: ...
What do we do with the parts of our congregational history that include colonialism and slavery?
"Our dependence on fossil fuel, if left unchecked, will eventually render much of our world uninhabitable." — Rev. Lois Happe
A Pray-Ground in a service of worship allows children to feel connected to the rest of the Body of Christ.
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Choosing to actively engage in a community of faith is a lot like childbirth. It is about pushing and breathing. Constantly. Consistently.
Free public presentation on restorative justice and dialogue with Lauren Abramson, 1-3:30 PM Saturday, November 16, in Boston. For more information and to register, go ...
Andrea, music director at The Blue Note Church, straps in and prepares to select song ideas for the worship team to consider as it prepares for Sunday. She decides to ...
When you work at partnerships, you build relationships... and through that you build community.
Friends, every fall emergency services focuses on disaster preparedness and fire prevention. For years I have spent part of my ministry in the field of Disaster ...
The classes offered through the Faith Formation Leadership Training Program are open to ANYONE who wishes to further their education of the Church.
Youth gathered at Silver Lake on October 11-13 for the annual Shine 4 Justice retreat. This retreat is a component of the 'Thinking About Working For God' program that ...
by ivy tillman “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captive and ...
Ridgebury Congregational Church’s pastor, Debbie Rundlett, invited Charlie Kuchenbrod, Executive Associate Conference Minister, to share some stewardship wisdom and a ...
This past weekend, I traveled from New York City to Framingham, Massachusetts to give my second-ever presentation at Super Saturday. Its purpose: answering God’s call for...
Twenty-three youth from five Southern New England UCC churches and their leaders gathered for a Youth Program at the Super Saturday event on October 5th ready to put ...
I remember my first National Youth Event in 2008. I was working as a youth leader at a local church and had gathered a group to go to University of Tennessee. After an ...
Walking alongside someone in a time of need can be vastly reassuring. The ministry of “accompaniment,” often provided by churches in support for immigrants facing ...
I’ve never felt particularly called to focus my activism on climate change. I’ve tried to be mindful of my use of resources, but the movement itself, while obviously ...
Associate Conference Minister Ellie Richardson reflects on the difference between change and transformation and asks which is happening for the Southern New England ...
I started my ministry as the Racial Justice Team Leader with the soon-to-be Southern New England Conference just six weeks ago...
In the very midst of their destruction, the prophet Isaiah empowers the people of God. The people in exile feel abandoned by God because they have been severed ...
"I wonder why I came to church today? I couldn't hear a thing." There were no microphones; or they weren't used properly.
Rev. Cleo Graham commemorates the 400-year anniversary of African slaves first coming to America by sharing stories about her own ancestors.
Audrey Wells, director of Under the Tuscan Sun, describes how the use of non-professionals enriched the film crew’s effort to tell their story. For scenes in the town’s ...
Rev. Cleo Graham commemorates the 400-year anniversary of African slaves first coming to America by sharing stories about her own ancestors.
Here we are at the end of August, and there is indeed a plan for something new. I thought I'd share it, and I invite your feedback.
Chance Dixon shares lyrics from a song he created about the inclusive community that is fostered at Silver Lake
Rev. Cleo Graham commemorates the 400-year anniversary of African slaves first coming to America by sharing stories about her own ancestors.
The fire in Notre Dame – literally, “Our Lady” – is over. But the fire on Mother Earth rages on.
Rev. Cleo Graham commemorates the 400-year anniversary of African slaves first coming to America by sharing stories about her own ancestors who were slaves in America. ...
For church leaders seeking to better understand their congregation, it pays to listen. Everyone knows the value of one-on-one conversations, yet it might not always be ...
In the middle of May, I received an email from Paralegal Erin Anderson from Al Otro Lago, an agency that works at the border to free folks in detention and provide ...
Rev. Carla Dietz shares her recent experience in Washington D.C. advocating for new immigration policy.
Celebrate, Agitate, Activate - ONA35 On June 15, supporters of Open and Affirming gathered from around the Mass Conference to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the ...
Rev. Carla Dietz recaps the Lights for Liberty event held at First Church of Christ Congregational in Glastonbury on Friday, July 12.
What does it sound like when voices of over 625 churches in the new TA1 Conference come ...
Team talk can build a strong ministry team. Of course, some may not think of conversation as an important task, viewing it as getting in the way of work and slowing it ...
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Photo Credit - Peter Sylvia Table The word itself, spoken without context, allows those who hear it to see with their mind’s eye that with which the mind ...
"So now we move forward in faith together." — Rev. Kent Siladi
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Today I spoke in front of the entire gathered body of General Synod 32, a body of about 700 delegates and a few hundred more gathered onlookers. I spoke in favor of ...
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Some 750 or so General Synod delegates are gathered in the “well of the House” at the Wisconsin Center. And, being the United Church of Christ, that means 751 different ...
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There have been many references to fire during Synod. Pentecost. The burning bush. Challenges to light a fire for this cause or that cause - all deserving our serious ...
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I was so excited for today. I was excited because it was Traci Blackmon day! She was coming to speak with us, the Together As, One group, over our breakfast caucus AND ...
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Greetings from Milwaukee! My General Synod experience begins a few days before Synod ...
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I’m not a breakfast person. (Yes, there are tribes that revolve around which meals are “us.”) So the prospect of hauling my tired, talked-out bones out of bed at O’Dark ...
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Today started early with our first Tri-Conference Caucus at 6:30 in the morning. We are off to a great running start though, despite the sleepy eyes and coffee groans, ...
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Busy day, workshops just wrapped up…three plenaries into Synod 32…leaves many ‘lookin’ for the heart of Saturday night’. Today we heard from Matthew Desmond, personally ...
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It’s travel day…or yesterday was for me. Long, long…long, long…long, long… story short; ask some of the CT delegation how their connection in Chicago went. Two of us ...
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The morning brought a buzz that resounded from the lobby of the hotel. I didn’t have anything scheduled for my time this morning but there was still so much to do. It was...
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My taxi driver and I made a surprising connection this morning en route from the airport. His name was Mustafa and he talked while driving and smiling about all of the ...
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The 8 o’clock hour here in Milwaukee offers a quiet excitement as I sneak by the check-in tables and make my way to the counter for my room key. It’s easy to avert ...
"Our faith as Christians reminds us that for everything there is a season." —Emily McKenna
This is a true story of how church educators stood up to a large publishing company to stop perpetuating racism through our children.
Jesus said, “I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.” Matthew 25:35a Dr. Warren receives a blessing from clergy. Photo by Liza Neal. “If you live ...
"There is an easy, sometimes playful energy of collegiality among us that can escalate into laughter or occasionally bring forth a tear. "— Rev. Chuck Ericson
TAWFG Apprentice Grace Winakor reflects on a recent memorial service she attended and a lesson she learned about relationships.
I invite you and your local United Church of Christ congregation to take the steps to become a Just Peace Church. Since 1985, the Just Peace Pronouncement at General ...
Grace O'Connor Intern, CT Conference, UCC In the first event of its kind, a Forum on the Economic and Social Impact of Expanded Gambling was held at the Connecticut ...
"The best and most effective partnerships are formed in the context of communities, organizations, and families within whom these values and this way of being are deeply ...
Vital congregations reach out to strengthen the communities where they are located. Different denominations give different names for this ministry, including mission and ...
"Faith is more caught than taught." —Debbie Gline Allen
The Synod Selection Committee has accepted our resolution “Calling for the U.S. to pull ‘Back From the Brink’ and Prevent Nuclear War.” It all began in the fall of 2017, ...
Is your church approaching a financial cliff? Wondering how to avoid going off the edge? Read on for a primer on how churches wind up on the edge of the cliff, and to ...
"Sure, I can connect with *more* people online than I can in person, but these connections...
Text of the Conference Minister's Address at the May 18, 2019 Special Meeting of the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
Text of Rev. Kari Nicewander's sermon at the May 18, 2019 Special Meeting of the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
"I don’t know about you, but the simpler way isn’t always obvious to me." — Martha Goodman
...The fossil fuel industry has spent millions of dollars trying to make the climate ...
As a follow-up to my initial blog post at the start of my internship with CTUCC, here are some of my reflections on the past semester: It seems hard to believe that a ...
This is the testimony given at the 9th Annual Youth Revival May 5 at the Bloomfield Congregational Church A little over a year ago, I was sitting by my locker with all ...
“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord ...
"Churches need to be more innovative. Clearly, the old way of doing things is not working, as demographic studies will show." — Susan Page Townsley
This is one of a series of reflections on the joint gathering of the board members of Together, As One Board with the members of the boards of the historic Connecticut, ...
This is one of a series of reflections on the joint gathering of the board members of Together, As One Board with the members of the boards of the historic Connecticut, ...
This is one of a series of reflections on the joint gathering of the board members of Together, As One Board with the members of the boards of the historic Connecticut, ...
This is one of a series of reflections on the joint gathering of the board members of Together, As One Board with the members of the boards of the historic Connecticut, ...
This is one of a series of reflections on the joint gathering of the board members of Together, As One Board with the members of the boards of the historic Connecticut, ...
"As the Spotlight editor, I hear about individuals and church groups doing amazing things every day."— Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane
“How often, making music, we have found a new dimension in the world of sound, as worship moved us to a more profound Alleluia!”[1] The worship band represents a way of ...
We call ourselves the Actual Justice Task Team. We began as the Innocence Commission Task Team. Having been scandalized by first degree murder convictions of two African...
Dorothy Lovett Buckley shares thoughts on attending a conversation with Environmental Leader and Former MA Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal.
"Once a pair identifies the common bond on their cards, they share with each other to discover a common bond between themselves." — Jennifer Kronholm Clark
"So often, people fail to realize the interconnectedness of our struggle, because individual liberties are mistaken as the liberation of all people." — TJ Harper
Earth Day is this month! April 22 is the day set aside—for almost 50 years—to raise awareness of the fragility and vulnerability of our planet.
By Suzanne Swanson The RICUCC Haiti Task Force, in collaboration with the United Congregational Church UCC of Bridgeport, Ct., had a very amazing Haiti mission trip ...
"In the midst of an occupation by a repressive foreign power, where religious authorities were collaborators, where the economic system was unjust and income inequality ...
Since coming to the Rhode Island Conference in July, I have traveled around the state, visiting with RICUCC churches, meeting folks and sometimes preaching the Word. ...
by The Rev. Gail Wright Even before I became a member of the Interfaith and Ecumenical ...
Empower the parents, grandparents, and caregivers in your congregation to take back their role as Christian educators and faith-formers in the home.
"What if legacy thinking guided all our church decisions?" — Rev. Jonathan New
Some neighborhoods feel more secure once neighbors have become acquainted. Church leaders wanting to get to know their community could organize a block party. It can be a...
Hearing from so many others who view climate change as a worrisome issue was helpful for me personally in recognizing that nobody must face it alone.
"It truly is a life changing experience being a counselor." — Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer
"At our last Conference Wide "Did You Know" Youth Racial Justice Program, there were many young people who didn't know." — Isaac Monts
"The magic is in connecting their hearts and minds with wonder and beauty of the planet..." — Pam Arifian
In the midst of this season of Lent there is a calling to pause, listen and watch for the movement of the Spirit and breathe deeply the presence of God. In those ...
With the news of last week’s shootings in New Zealand I again offer these resources for talking with children.
"Our most vital churches have a pulse on their neighborhood and are actively serving God’s people..." —Rev. Wendy Vander Hart
Part Two of Dan Smolnik's look at church growth patterns.
"It’s never easy to admit you don’t have the answers." —Tiffany Vail
“Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;” -Isaiah 55:1 Beloved Community,, As people of faith we meet our God in all the ways we put love for our neighbors, our ...
The MACUCC Restorative Justice Task Team advocates for restorative practices in all areas of our community life, whether within the criminal legal system, in communities ...
Recent advances in media technology have brought sweeping changes to many aspects of everyday life, including church. In 2012, 35% of US congregations were using video ...
"Across America, the Church is not disappearing at all." - Dan Smolnik
"John the Baptist may be the right patron for 'Together as One.' " —Rev. Michael Ciba
Come outside with us to meet God through Christian community.
Dear Friends, How are we doing with social and racial justice? …as communities? …as churches? The UCC Restorative Justice Task Team is grappling with this question; we’...
"In my head, I know that churches are places where communities gather, and that many have a season of life and impact, and then reasons arise that means that the church ...
"One of the fundamental lessons of that road is liminal space. It is learning how to become comfortable with having more questions than answers." —Rev. Don Remick
Here are 7 key ways that can ensure your congregation will receive the best from its faith formation staff person.
This joyful milestone reminds us that no matter where we are, God is faithful. It is a way to connect generations and build relationships.
"Through all this advanced communication – this collaboration – stuff gets done." — Drew Page
Urban Semester Intern, Grace O'Connor visits the Capitol with CTUCC Legislative Advocate Michele Mudrick and Rev. Dick Allen of South Glastonbury to meet Representative ...
Recently Rev. Marisa Brown Ludwig, pastor of First Church of Christ in Longmeadow, MA and long-time member of the Interfaith and Ecumenical Task Team of the MA ...
In the words of Rev. Traci Blackmon, the children at the border "are not well." And we are their keepers.
Parents are the primary and most effective faith educators for their children. So let's help them to celebrate Lent at home!
"We are map-less. But we cannot stand still." — Sioux Wilusz
At First Church, the newly arrived pastor faced a question over whether to continue holding its evening service, which utilizes a rock band, praise songs, and emphasizes ...
Debby Kirk, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, will be overseeing the work of CTUCC's new intern, Grace O'Connor. Debby has this to say: " We are delighted to ...
"I find myself looking forward to working with people from our future tri-conference as we get to know each other and begin reaching out with resources shared, offers of ...
A message from Kelly Gallagher, ACM for Justice and Witness, Massachusetts Conference Greetings Ever Flowing Streams readers! It is with great joy that I announce to you ...
After the recent Sunday morning snowstorm coupled with bitter cold, many churches decided to cancel worship. Here is how one pastor offers worship at home when ...
Reflections from the first Indigenous Peoples March, January 18, 2019, Washington DC
"God always sees us as sequined, so let’s get out there, sparkle, and get things done! " —Emily McKenna
Editor's Note: The author took part in the Interfaith Freedom and Justice Ride 2019, a delegation of 37 Christians and Jews from Hartford who traveled together to ...
"What do we do in this in-between time where the answers are not readily apparent, let alone within reach?" —Debbie Gline Allen
Editor's Note: The author took part in the Interfaith Freedom and Justice Ride 2019, a delegation of 37 Christians and Jews from Hartford who traveled together to ...
Editor's Note: The author took part in the Interfaith Freedom and Justice Ride 2019, a delegation of 37 Christians and Jews from Hartford who traveled together to ...
Editor's Note: The author took part in the Interfaith Freedom and Justice Ride 2019, a delegation of 37 Christians and Jews from Hartford who traveled together to ...
Rev. Mary Nelson reflects on a day spent in support of a long-time Silver Lake friend as she waits at a hospital.
Each congregation has a unique culture, and the process used to transition children into corporate worship will need to be an individualized one.
Happy 2019! May it be a year of dignity, vigorous compassion, and robust declarations of God’s inclusionary vision. You may have your own desires for this new year. So ...
"As we look to acknowledge that the borders we have created may not be serving God’s call for us as church, it opens our hearts to consider other borders and boundaries ...
January 2019—Volume 27, Number 1 Copyright @ 2019 by Herb Miller Most pastors, laypersons, and denominational leaders develop a personal theory that ...
"While leaders form bonds within their congregations; healthy relationships of mutual support among peers are essential."— Karen Ziel
Most people know very well the tradition of lighting an Advent wreath at church. But First Church in Marlborough is doing something different - it encourages families to ...
Friends, I wish you darkness. Watch people, tell us of the night. This is such an interesting time of year. At least, here in New England. The days shorten. The ...
"They are more than just balance sheets and income statements; they tell the story of the Conference and how our local churches have helped better the world over the past...
Over two thousand years ago, a young woman gave birth to a baby and the world has not been the same since.
Not only do these words make a beautiful Christmas prayer but as we turn our attention to the New Year and new beginnings these are wise words to enact each day. - Gwen ...
It is my hope that our children will grow up knowing the true reason we celebrate Christmas. Let's get intentional!
"What makes Christian Community different, however, is that in Christian Community we believe in reconciliation, the restoration of relationship, and welcoming folks back...
I am convinced that there are people in your congregation that will thank you for sharing this information with them! Read on! The Conference is organizing a week-long ...
Maybe you've heard of FOMO: the Fear of Missing Out? It's the fear that somewhere someone ...
"A minister needs time to think creatively and playfully." — Susan Page Townsley
Dear Friends and Fellow Clergy, I am writing to you in the wake of the Tree of Life Synagogue massacre because I am heartbroken once again. The blatant targeting of ...
"The meal hasn't changed. The story is still the same. Yet, our actions will speak louder than our words." - Rev. Timoth Sylvia
Holding conversations with neighbors can provide church leaders with vital information about the community. A one-on-one interview takes the process a step further by ...
"Would you be willing to work with CTUCC in our efforts to promote environmental, racial and economic justice in our state?" — Michele Mudrick
by Elena Huegel At the grocery store yesterday, the smells from a newly arranged corner of the fruit and vegetable area transported me back to my early ...
One of the criticisms I often hear leveled against the Christian Church (maybe you’ve heard this one, too), is that the church is full of hypocrites, full of people who ...
Wildfires have become a regular plague for the people of California. The year began with sweeping fires in January. More lives and homes were lost in July. And now the...
"The church’s profile thus becomes first a tool by which a congregation understands itself and, then, a means by which it honestly reveals itself to a potential pastor." ...
I brought two props with me: a globe and an icon.
This piece is taken from the report given by Brendan Curran, Associate Minister at the Barrington Congregational Church UCC in Barrington, RI, to the 212th Autumnal ...
"God gave Creation over to humans as stewards, and it seems we’ve forgotten our duty to care for it." — Jennifer Kronholm Clark
Children are constantly taking in what is going on around them, even when they don’t appear to be paying attention.
Community – that basic human impulse to be part of a group, particularly one that understands your struggles and offers support and friendship.
When we are faced with an emergency or weather event that mandates the evacuation from our homes, we often have very little to no time in which to gather and pack the ...
"The church - matters. Symbols - matter. Open doors - matter." - Shawn Fisher
Seminaries and social work programs often ask their students to create a self-care plan. Not only does this send a message about self-care while pursuing a degree, ...
"The interconnectedness of justice issues and climate impact means that your action at every level matters." — Pam Arifian
"The stewardship committee often is placed in the church trustee/finance budget constellation of people. It belongs in the deacon/faith formation constellation of ...
We want to believe that houses of worship are safe spaces, yet we have been shown again that there are those that would desecrate religious places through violent ...
Christian Education Youth Ministry Communities of Practice provide opportunities to gather monthly to share resources, ideas, and support.
"As the United Church of Christ...we do Jesus differently." —Rev. Wendy Vander Hart
"There seems to be, in many cases, a disconnect between what one’s perception of God is and how that perception aligns with the beliefs and actions of the Church." — TJ ...
* Quote from Professor Katherine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist and Evangelical Christian A blog by Rev. Dr. Jessica McArdle A few weeks ago, I attended a lecture ...
In light of recent events in our nation and in response to a concern raised that the #MeToo movement is becoming a permission-giving movement where false accusations can ...
"As we dedicate ourselves to building God’s kingdom, we must define what it looks like in the local community." —Debby Kirk
I was standing at the check-in counter for a routine medical appointment a couple years ago when I heard those words. They came from an older gentleman standing at the ...
"And churches stay on the ground, involved in helping people find their way into a new normal, long after the news crews have moved on to the next disaster or lead ...
The church is no stranger to controversy. Chapter 15 of the Book of Acts describes a ...
The Body of Christ is eternal. It is alive and well across the globe. And for the institutional church, the road ahead may look substantially different from the road ...
When it comes to emergency or disaster situations, once we know our families and pets are safe we are left to think about what we need to bring with us to either a friend...
"When the mission of the institution becomes sustaining the institution itself, the institution falls apart." —Rev. Michael Ciba
September is national Preparedness Month and your Disaster Resource and Response Team invites you to consider the implications of emergencies and disasters on children, ...
So it's been a little over three weeks since my farewell gathering at The Rev. Kathy Henry's beautiful home and my exit from the Rhode Island Conference staff. I just ...
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you ...
Recently, we received ... a note of thanksgiving for our church’s openness in playing a role in the burial of the author’s brother. It was a genuinely heartfelt note… and...
"Language – and the evolution of language – is a fascinating thing. It can also be a ...
This month is Disaster Preparedness month. You will find another great resource here: Disaster Resiliency (PDF) written by Judy O'Donnell. And we have seen that ...
Children are capable of understanding way more about God than we tend to give them credit for.
"I find that face to face communication can save time and improve the clarity of a discussion." — Drew Page
Friends, It has been a year since hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. And, as I write this, hurricane Florence is bearing down on the mid Atlantic coast with 2 more ...
September is Preparedness Month and your Disaster Resource and Response Team brings you a wealth of resources. We offer you a bulletin insert prepared by team member ...
"Every Sunday becomes an opportunity..." — Tracy Fouke Bausum
September is Preparedness Month and your Disaster Resource and Response Team brings you a wealth of resources. We offer you a bulletin insert prepared by team member ...
You have discerned that your congregation needs to hire a Christian educator and/or youth ministry leader. So now what do you do?
"Churches are closing and it’s time to break the silence." — Rev. Jonathan New
Many people feel called to their work and respond to job demands in ways that reflect a sense of vocation. But do we expect clergy to perform their calling with even ...
September is Preparedness Month and your Disaster Resource and Response Team brings you a wealth of resources. As we head back to school and back to church, we offer you ...
Rev. Jeff Lukens created a communion liturgy to address the "healing and wholeness" needed in a time when news about immigrants and their families is often disturbing and...
"You are in control of your own movement. And when you get good and comfortable, Rock The Boat." — Sioux Wilusz
The season of retirement has come for three longtime Christian educators: Merrill Noble, Ruth Ann White, and Nancy Sides. Well done good and faithful servants!
"And all of us can pray."— Karen Methot
As we approach the anniversary of the events in Charlottesville caused by white supremacy and hatred, let us take a moment to reflect on where we stand today as people of...
"If that’s not God showing up, I’m not sure what is!" — Emily McKenna
Only churches of innovation, refreshed tradition, and creative service ministry promise to move us to the future.
A congregation’s community project often starts with someone’s idea or dream, followed by a plan designed by a core team, and then, a group of volunteers willing to roll ...
"We need to stop believing that teaching the Bible in an educational setting will bring ...
We read about families at the border being split up. We weep. We cry. We wonder what we can do (see one idea here). The work at the border is indeed important and ...
There are some spaces in which I feel less than human, less than myself, and it's important to begin conversations like the one we're about to have by reminding us that ...
Einstein is quoted as saying: “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” It is one of my favorite quotes. (And though there is ...
"This community-building thing we do works for grown-ups, too!" — Rev. Mary Nelson
"Now is the time to get at it." — Rev. Kelly Gallagher
Friends, As I write this, the local news this morning is leading with a story of a police officer killed in the line of duty in Weymouth this past weekend. Officer ...
by Rev. Dr. Jessica McArdle [The first Passover] was a vigil held by the Lord…to bring God’s people out of the land of Egypt.~ Exodus 11:42 Then Jesus said, ‘My soul is ...
"If faith formation is to be relevant and transformational, it must be renewed and reimagined by every generation." —Karen Ziel
"The only fact that matters is that we persist; that we do not turn from the path we have chosen." —TJ Harper
Your congregation's history matters - and not just to the people in the pews.
Friends, On July 1st I stepped into a new role as your Transitional Interim Conference Minister. It was only one day after many of you had participated in rallies that ...
During the Winter 2018 storms, a well-known disaster response organization reached out to local churches to see if any of them could offer shelter accommodations to about...
In the 1950s, a new church start pastor challenged every member to invite two newcomers each month. Members enthusiastically committed to such a plan and the pastor’s ...
As I stood with my sign for the Poor People’s Campaign on the Washington DC Mall listening to voices and stories from people on the margins of our society, I kept looking...
"The Bible is a not a book free of politics." —Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer
" Even though I didn’t understand the language being spoken, I clearly understood the purpose and meaning behind the act of giving praise, acknowledging our blessings, ...
"It is often too easy for faith communities to whitewash Jesus’ subversiveness." - The Rev. Isaac Lawson
"You and I, every one of us, has resources within us that can, that must, be put to use in the quest for justice." - The Rev. Jocelyn Gardner Spencer
"High touch—paying attention—reduces these anxieties." —Martha Goodman
Forest Day Camp at Irons Homestead is ready to roll. Campers arrive on Monday to take part in a fun-filled summer. Our program director Kim Hancock and head counselor, ...
Before you head to the beach, bookmark this blog to use when you review the curriculum materials you're using.
"When have you been uncomfortable, but did/said/stood up for [your work] anyway?" —Michele Mudrick
"I have often felt as if I can see God in the faces of the congregation when I am singing." — Dori Hall
When the leader of one of the world’s major faith traditions convenes two hundred leaders who have given their lives to combat climate change, an endless flow of creative...
Jim Antal presents His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with his book Last week, the religious leaders of a quarter of the world’s population confronted ...
In the crucible of a collective — be it a family, a village, or a denomination — we learn who we are. We learn what drives us bonkers and what makes us happy, how we are ...
"We can talk until the cows come home about structure, process and strategy and get stuck in the weeds missing the fundamental nature of what is truly important in ...
In March of 2017 I wrote a newsletter lead that revealed how strongly I felt about the possibility of the Rhode Island Conference UCC, the Massachusetts Conference UCC, ...
“Where is the nursery?” That is often the first question when young parents visit a new church. At a minimum, they expect their question to be answered with confidence, ...
This is the third in a series of four blog posts looking at the Vision, Mission and Purpose statement drafted for a new, unified Conference. Delegates from the ...
"Our response to each new challenge has come from that core mission: intentional Christian community." —Jennifer Kronholm Clark
While advocates speak out for child safety, who is paying attention to how the children are processing the violence they see in the news?
"A Conference merger can be a bureaucratic quagmire, or it can be a ministry. We just need the right foundation." —Rev. Jack Davidson
This story is about what we bore witness to in court the day after our arrest. I share it because I think it’s urgently important in this life to shed our illusions. I ...
"Because we have been born in a time such as this, we have this opportunity to bear witness to the truth." —Rev. Jim Antal
Every year, Grandmother (Uncí) Carole Bubar-Blodgett, of Wabanaki lineage, takes four ...
The word that gets me in the proposed vision statement for the new, unified Conference is “unconditionally.” — Max Grant
"The blessing of a caring community will be realized in countless ways." — Debby Kirk
"There are days when it feels like the tasks for the day are overwhelming." —Rev. Kent Siladi
It’s unusual to see a scientist, a politician, an economist, and a religious leader sitting together at one table to discuss climate change. Yet that’s just what happened...
Three months ago, I attended an unprecedented gathering of Massachusetts religious leaders and climate scientists to discuss the shared imperative to address the climate ...
"As with all charitable giving, church people are inspired to give when they understand and believe in the church's mission, know how it's making a difference, and have ...
Recently there have been several significant deaths of persons who have impacted my ministry along my journey. Last week it was Dr. James Cone, founder of black ...
"Do you know a young seeker who has an inquisitive spirit? Is there a youth in your congregation who is ready to explore faith at a deeper level?" — Debby Kirk
In “church-speak” one could say that one of the most powerfully meaningful experiences is ...
Creating partnerships to promote love and respect between Domestic Workers and their employers makes sense. And if these partnerships also promote social and racial ...
"Offering sanctuary is our sacred responsibility grounded in the biblical ethics and gospel values of neighbor love." — Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager
"I know that there is one Spirit, but many gifts." —Charlie Kuchenbrod
Barbara Gregory (middle) with Amanda Sheldon, Program Associate for National Disaster and Refugee Ministries and Zach Wolgemuth, UCC Disaster Ministries Executive Since...
It's the time of year when many cities and towns sponsor town-wide clean-up days. Our ...
When Jack picked up his car after repairs at the local dealership, he noticed instructions securely taped on the main desk where all customers could easily read it. "What...
Editor's note: This is an update from one of the 10 Connecticut Conference delegates who visited the Republic of Korea (PROK) last week to mark the 24th year of the ...
Editor's note: This is an update from one of the 10 Connecticut Conference delegates currently visiting the Republic of Korea (PROK). They are marking the 24th year of ...
"Memory has an influence on what we see and do." — Rev. Wendy Vander Hart
Do you know about NEAUCE? It is an annual awesome 3 day retreat of worship and workshops and guest speakers for CE folks and Pastors. It is a great way to connect and ...
Editor's note: This is an update from one of the 10 Connecticut Conference delegates currently visiting the Republic of Korea (PROK). They are marking the 24th year of ...
The four delegates from the Mystic Congregational Church, the Reverend Christa Swenson, Shinny Stone, Sue Johnson and Karin Stuart traveled especially to celebrate our ...
The second day of our journey in Busan has us enjoying the skyline of Korea’s next largest city with a population of over 5 million. Hard to think of any comparable US ...
Editor's note: This is an update from one of the 10 Connecticut Conference delegates currently visiting the Republic of Korea (PROK). They are marking the 24th year of ...
Train station built in the hope of future connections. See more photos Editor's note: This is an update from one of the 10 Connecticut Conference delegates currently ...
"We are partners with each other, and with God, in the co-creation of earth, every day."— Pam Arifian
In the week following Easter, I traveled to Washington D.C. to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who was murdered ...
"For them, preserving and maintaining the church is not an end in itself. And it never has been."— Rev. Don Remick
There are times when voices outside of congregations, associations, and the Conference can have a different perspective and shed new light on the call to racial justice. ...
There are so many Sunday School curriculum resources out there — how do you even begin to choose the best one for your church?
I have a love-hate relationship with children’s messages. I love that the offering of a children’s message provides a time for talking about God with children within the ...
"Through the words of Jeremiah, God speaks to a church that is too focused on what it has lost." —Rev. Michael Ciba
Carbon dioxide emissions have been implicated as a key factor in rising global temperatures. Because all church buildings use energy, much of it derived from carbon-based...
Not all prayer happens in sitting positions There are traditions that focus on stillness in motion. If you have ever paced to contemplate or resolve and problem you ...
"What we share in common, however, is even more important than where we differ." —Tiffany Vail
Recently, our federal government extended the assistance from FEMA to houses of worship in federally declared disaster zones. FEMA typically comes in to these disaster ...
"Love one another. It is finished. He is Risen!" — Rev. Kent Siladi
I have always imagined justice as a Godly concept about turning the world into a utopian society where there are no poor, hungry, hateful,or violent people. Yet, until ...
"We, the Conferences of the United Church of Christ, are uniquely positioned to tell the most important stories of our time." —Drew Page
Recently we had an opportunity to visit with the Rev. Cheryl Kerr, pastor of the Allin Congregational Church in Dedham, MA, to discuss the plight of Puerto Rican evacuees...
"Low wages unnecessarily stress the state economy, government services, and workers and their families. The state can reduce each of these stresses by increasing the ...
"The notion of arming teachers with guns as a response to gun violence is abhorrent and absurd." —Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager
"There is no one way or best way to achieve racial justice; instead, it is our collective differences and our united goal that will one day allow us to be successful in ...
New and updated resources now available: "Seeking a Christian Educator or Youth Ministry Leader" and "Youth Ministry Handbook"
Three recent storms caused major disruptions all over Massachusetts. The extreme weather ...
"Our congregations and our wider church need to look outward and shout to the world that Jesus Christ is Sovereign without being judgmental or formulating value judgments...
The Parkland shootings have once again brought the issue of gun safety to the front of our national dialogue. This time, however, our young people are being listened to ...
This past weekend a winter storm ('Riley' by name) exploded into a hurricane force Nor'Easter. Wind recordings topped out at nearly 100 MPH in some areas. That wind ...
March 2018—Volume 26, Number 3 Copyright @ 2018 by Cynthia Woolever Imagine a company with more than 300,000 small retail outlets, which are locally...