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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 ...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
"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
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 ...
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...
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 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
"For them, preserving and maintaining the church is not an end in itself. And it never has been."— Rev. Don Remick
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
One in a series of blogs on spiritual practices. Meditation takes many forms with many names.
One in a series of blogs on spiritual practices. In the coming months I am hoping we can ...
Psychologists will tell us that one of the most basic drivers of human behavior is the need to find safety and stability. And churches are perceived as sanctuaries ...
Friends, A new policy has been adopted by FEMA that relates to houses of worship. Formerly, when a disaster was declared for a region the federal resources through FEMA ...
The last few months have been an overwhelming time of natural disasters. Several severe storms struck the gulf and east coast with hurricanes at their highest level. ...
Overwhelm: It seems to be a common word these days. News is full of stories that tap deeply into our compassion and concern. But they are so full of emotion that it ...
I am shaken. There are times when words are not adequate. There are times when emotions run so deep and painful that any attempt to express them with words could unleash ...
The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it ~ Psalm 24:1 Hurricane Harvey produced a level of rainfall and flooding that "hasn’t ...
Slowly, camera crews have gotten into the islands following the devastation of Irma. There were damaged (and many unlivable) homes and debris everywhere. And the power, ...
At this point it seems unlikely that it will make landfall. BUT, there is a worst case scenario that it could strengthen and then make landfall in New England.
Psalm 57:1 “Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me, For my soul takes refuge in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge Until destruction passes by.”...
In the spring of 2010, eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island were hit by two storms. Each delivered over a foot of rain. We worked for over two years following those ...
The news reports continue to tell the story of unimaginable devastation following the flooding rains of the hurricane. The images move us at that deep place within our ...
Friends, We are frequently getting requests about resources for individuals and churches around skills to help transform conflict into health choices, conversations and...
Tornado season started much earlier than usual and we already set a Massachusetts record for the first tornado in February. Weather forecasters herald this as the ...
From the MACUCC Disaster Resource Team Friends, You may have heard and seen pictures of the damage from a tornado that touched down in the Conway region of our ...
Mission Insite has a way for you to economically acquire a list of folks who are new to your community.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a Category 5 hurricane. And unless you’ve been there you really can’t imagine what 150+ mile an hour winds can do. Haiti can tell ...
As we woke up this morning (Friday, September 2nd) Hurricane Hermine has come ashore it Florida and made its way across the state. It is hard to believe that this is the ...
Friends, A half dozen years ago New England had two back-to-back storms each of which dumped a foot of rain into our area. We became familiar with the work of helping ...
Friends, Each season of the year has its own possibilities for disasters. We are about to enter the peak of the hurricane season. While this is predicted to be normal ...
A little over a week ago our Conference staff sent out an email to all our churches checking in on the impact of the winter. We had been hearing of some challenges with ...
Early in my last church ministry I began working with the town's fire department as chaplain. I quickly became involved in a county-wide team that provided Critical ...
In this current era of life and culture, one of the realizations is a return to an ancient concept of relationships. How do we get to know our neighbors? How do we ...
UCC Disaster Ministries responds to recent tornadoes in the U.S.
Friends, This Easter season marks the anniversary of the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. There will be many ways in which people and churches may be ...
The UCC Ministry Devvelopment Council is asking for our help so that they can better fine tune their work and develop the resources our churches, clergy and laity need ...
FEMA issues guide to preparing for power loss.
A new way of doing ministerial profiles will be launched early in 2014. Find out more.
Don Remick shares his reflections on the actions, sights and sounds of General Synod.
White House, UCC release guides on local church disaster preparedness, emergency operations.
Don Remick's look at all that was packed into a little more than 24 hours at the 214th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference.
It would be hard to miss the images and stories of the impact of the tornado that swept through Moore, Oklahoma. They weigh heavy on hearts and souls. And those who have...
Over the years I have worked in disaster long term recovery and with critical incident stress response teams. In the training I have learned a rule of thumb from a couple...
They are known as chaplains, spiritual companions, pastoral counselors, among other names. They are pastors beyond the walls.
Flu update for 2013.
A new legacy fund will double your gift to Hispanic Ministries made by Jan. 31.. Learn more!
From donating blood to assembling a clean-up bucket, the Disaster Resource Team talks about ways you can help the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
While we continue to offer support to our UCC churches and through them to our communities, our hearts go out to the other regions within the path of Sandy. In our ...
Did you know that we the Massachusetts Conference, UCC, have new church start congregations in Jamaica Plain, Mashpee, Lawrence, Lowell, Everett, Worcester, Southbridge, ...
Christianity After Religion: Diana Butler Bass’s new book is captivating…in a disturbing ...
During the Annual Meeting I encouraged folks to notice where God was present. At the end of the meeting, in our closing time of prayer and worship I offered my ‘found ...
Volunteer groups are needed in Binghamton, NY, to help with disaster relief due to severe flooding in September of 2011.
All of us who have journeyed with the Church for any part of the last half century are keenly aware of change. We have watched the devolution of the institution while ...
By Don Remick Associate Conference Minister The work of denominations is making a crucial shift.
Much was accomplished in an experession of church that all should experience.