News - Southern New England Conference of the UCC

04/14/2021 - SPOTLIGHT: Witness

By: Andrew Page - Justice and Witness Spotlight

Pilgrim Church in Sherborn partners with AME church to examine racial experiences

04/14/2021 - Rev. Goodwin: Our Partnerships Can Change the Terrain of Southern New England

In a video released Monday, the Rev. Darrell Goodwin talked about the partnerships he has been forming over the last few months with regional business...

04/08/2021 - US Seeks Equity in Employment for People with Disabilities from Underserved Communities

The movement for disabilities justice touches every aspect of our church and society, benefiting everyone when the wisdom, gifts and witness of people...

Correction Digital Eastertide Service Available

04/07/2021 - Eastertide Service Available for Download

A virtual worship service designed for use on April 11, "A Simple Service of Testimony and Song in Celebration of the Resurrection," is now available for download. Videos of the full service, and the various elements, can be downloaded. The service is led by members ...

04/06/2021 - Youth @ Synod Serves as a Stepping Stone to Leadership

By: Deborah Kirk - General Synod

This summer the United Church of Christ will host a virtual General Synod gathering on July 11-18. Delegates from all over the country will convene ...

03/31/2021 - Holy Week Message; Good Friday Experience

Holy Week

In a Holy Week message released on Monday, Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin reminded pastoral leaders that God is already well pleased with them. "Before you figured out how to get palms to people, before you figured out how to have the most ...

03/30/2021 - FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-Related Deaths

Conference staff

This notice is important for all clergy. If you know of a family struggling under the financial burden of funeral expenses due to COVID, watch your ...

03/29/2021 - Charlie Kuchenbrod to Transition to Consultant Role

Conference staff

Charlie Kuchenbrod, who has served the Southern New England Conference and prior to that the historic Connecticut Conference for nearly 19 ...

03/25/2021 - Advocate Now to End the Torturous Practice of Solitary Confinement in CT Prisons

By: Allie Perry - Justice and Witness

Support Senate Bill #1059 by the Rev. Allie Perry, allie.perry@gmail.com In May 2019 at the historic Connecticut Conference’s last Annual Meeting, we...

03/24/2021 - Christian Nationalism — an Oxymoron — is Nonetheless Powerful, Panelists Warn

Justice and Witness

By Hans Holznagel, United Church News Christian nationalism is false. It is dangerous. And it has more influence in U.S. systems of power than many ...

03/24/2021 - Justice News: Ever Flowing Streams

Conference programming

Do you have a heart for justice, or simply want to know what is going on? We have a newsletter for you! The Southern New England Conference re-launches its Ever Flowing Streams e-newsletter this week. The monthly publication will feature news, reflections, and event ...

03/24/2021 - Participants Invited for Annual Meeting Virtual Choir, Speakouts

Annual Meeting

The Southern New England Conference's second online Annual Meeting will be held on May 8, and people are being invited to act now in order to ...

03/24/2021 - Silver Lake Welcomes a New Retreat and Finance Manager

Conference staff Outdoor Ministries

Ashley Nichols began as Retreat and Finance Manager on Thursday, March 18. In this role, she will work with rental groups to create retreat ...

03/24/2021 - Super Saturdays Bring Hundreds Together; Sermon Videos Posted

Nearly 450 people attended one or both Super Saturdays online over the last few two weekends. More than 175 Southern New England Conference churches ...

03/23/2021 - Work and Family Mobility Act

Justice and Witness

by Bridget Spann Community Outreach Organizer First Congregational Church of Williamstown, MA In my role as community outreach organizer at First Congregational Church Williamstown, I work with six different immigrant families to connect them with community resources ...

03/22/2021 - Earth Day Action Calendar

Environment

Compiled by the Southern New England Conference UCC Environmental Ministry Team April 1, 6 PM - A Passover Seder for Everyone. Join Rabbi Ellen Bernstein and Rabbi Cantor George Mordecai for a Passover Earth Festival of text, music, and earthly delights. Pay what you ...

03/19/2021 - Good Friday Service Available to Churches

Justice and Witness

A Good Friday service, Crucifixion and Black Death: A Seven Last Words Service of Lament, is now available for churches to download and use. It will also be shown on the Southern New England Conference Facebook page at 3 PM on Good Friday. The Seven Last Words service ...

03/17/2021 - Lucio Perez Leaves Amherst Church After 3 ½ years

Justice and Witness

Reprinted from UCC.org news with permission.

03/17/2021 - We Are Committed to Confronting Anti-Asian Bias

Justice and Witness

The following is a statement from The Rev. James D. Ross II, Minister for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Watch the video here, or watch it on Facebook to view it with captions As investigations continue, we mourn the deaths of the eight people killed in a shooting ...

03/16/2021 - Rev. Goodwin: My Faith Compels Me to Love

Justice and Witness

The Rev. Goodwin speaks out in response to a statement issued by the Vatican

03/10/2021 - SPOTLIGHT: 3-Way Worship

By: Andrew Page - Spotlight

Second Congregational Church of Coventry (CT) finds multiple ways to hold worship

03/10/2021 - Rev. Dr. Price Urges: #ChooseToChallenge

Justice and Witness

In a video released on Monday - International Women's Day - The Rev. Dr. Audrey Price urged everyone to #ChooseToChallenge. The Rev. Dr. Price, Executive Minister for Strategic Operations, said the attention on the achievement of women reminds her of the story of the ...

03/10/2021 - Rev. James Ross to Move to Justice Position

Conference staff Justice and Witness

The Rev. James Ross II, who began as the Associate Conference Minister for the Northeast Region on Feb. 1, will be moving to a new position: Minister for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity. The Rev. Holly Millershank, who served the historic Metropolitan Boston and ...

03/03/2021 - Silver Lake Sunday Worship Videos Available

Outdoor Ministries

Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer The Silver Lake Conference Center has made a complete virtual worship service available for churches that they may use - in whole or in parts - to celebrate their church's participation in outdoor ministry "Celebrating outdoor ministries...

02/23/2021 - ACM James Ross Appears on Basic Black

Conference staff Justice and Witness

Associate Conference Minister for the Northeast Region the Rev. James Ross appeared on the WGBH show Basic Black on Friday, speaking with host Callie Crossley and three other panelists about “The Black Church.” The conversation was a follow-up to the two-night PBS ...

02/22/2021 - Introducing Dawn Hammond

Conference staff

Having worked for more than 30 years for the historic Massachusetts Conference, Dawn Hammond is a familiar face to many. But she is still a relative newcomer to those from the historic Connecticut and Rhode Island conferences, and so introduces herself in this new video...

02/22/2021 - Should We Resume In-Person Worship? A New Resource

Disaster Relief

“Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 In this new resource, Health and Wellness Minister Debbie Ringen writes: "We hold tightly to the promise of the time when we will be able to freely gather, converse, hug,...

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02/22/2021 - UCC Issues Appeal in Response to Winter Storms

Disaster Relief

This information is from ucc.org. The complete article is here The United Church of Christ is issuing an appeal to assist people affected by this year’s Winter Storms. The impact of massive and intense storms is being felt across a wide swath of the United States. So ...

02/17/2021 - Space for Grace: An Ash Wednesday Message from the Executive Conference Minister

In a video released the morning of Ash Wednesday, Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin said that even though this is an unusual ...

02/16/2021 - SNEUCC Staff to Offer Worship Programs

By: Deborah Kirk - Conference programming Holy Week

Based on the positive response from the December 27 staff worship, SNEUCC has outlined a plan for worship programs on several dates in 2021. The next offering will be prepared for April 2, Good Friday.

02/15/2021 - Director of Human Resources to Begin March 1

Conference staff

The Southern New England Conference has hired a new Director of Human Resources and Staff Engagement: Simone Punancy, a native of Jamaica who now lives in Connecticut. As a Human Resources professional she is committed to bridging the gap that creates barriers to ...

02/10/2021 - Results of 2020 Proportional Giving Campaign

By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew Lee Gagen - Stewardship

The SNE Stewardship and Development Team shares results of the 2020 Proportional Giving by churches in the conference.

02/10/2021 - SNE Conference Staff Train in Email Security

By: Andrew Page - Conference staff

The staff of the Southern New England Conference recently began training in online and email security. This training, a program designed by KnowBe4 Security, prepares users to recognize the threats of cyber-attacks with a special focus on email phishing.

02/03/2021 - Super Saturday Registration Open

Conference programming Super Saturday

Super Saturday registration is open for the March 13 20th online event. Deadline for registration is March 4.

02/01/2021 - Rev. Goodwin Invites All to Celebrate Black History Month

By: Andrew Page

In a video message posted Monday, Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin invites all to celebrate Black History month. He offers ...

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01/29/2021 - MIDDLETOWN PATCH: Middletown Church Needs Help In Fight Against Food Insecurity

Local Buzz

First Church in Middletown is helping the fight against food insecurity while supporting city restaurants with its Sunday Lunch program.

01/26/2021 - Karen Ziel to Receive AUCE Founders' Award

Karen Ziel, SNEUCC Minister for Faith Formation and Leadership, has been named the recipient of the Association of United Church Educators' Founders' Award, which will be presented at AUCE’s virtual 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 13. The AUCE Founders ...

01/26/2021 - Price Brings Grant Project to SNEUCC

By: Tiffany Vail - Conference staff

When the Rev. Dr. Audrey Price came on to the staff of the Southern New England Conference Jan. 1, she brought more than her talent and expertise with her: she also brought along a $15,000 Louisville Institute grant to fund a project looking at how churches are ...

01/26/2021 - Rev. Goodwin Talks of Crafting the Journey Together

By: Tiffany Vail

In a video message posted Monday, Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin talked about the importance of honoring the historic roots of...

01/22/2021 - Rev. Tamara Moreland to Move to Local Church

Conference staff

Rev. Tamara Moreland The following announcement was sent to churches and clergy by The Rev. Audrey Price on Friday, Jan. 22 Beloved, Celebrating with her, I share that The Rev. Tamara Moreland informed me that “after prayerful and careful consideration ...

01/20/2021 - A Prayer for Inauguration Day

The following is a message from Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin: Dear Siblings in Christ, It has been a harrowing first couple of weeks serving as your Executive Conference Minister, and yet I trust in the reality that God has called us all for...

01/19/2021 - SPOTLIGHT: Remote Learning at Church

By: Andrew Page - Spotlight

Sterling Church Helps Community Handle Remote Learning Challenges

01/19/2021 - Introducing Rev. Dr. Audrey Price

By: Tiffany Vail - Conference staff

After just over two weeks serving on the staff of the Southern New England Conference, the Rev. Dr. Audrey Price understands that a lot of people are unclear on what it means that she is the "Executive Minister for Strategic Operations." "Here in the Southern New ...

01/16/2021 - Being Prayerful and Alert During the Coming Days

Justice and Witness

While we must not be governed by fear, it is important for us to be aware of what’s happening in our communities to keep our neighbors and ourselves safe.

01/15/2021 - HARTFORD COURANT: MLK Day event features King associate, fundraising for Unity Green

Justice and Witness Local Buzz

A virtual event on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday will bring a colleague of the icon to speak about the historical Civil Rights movement and the ...

01/06/2021 - Conference Minister Responds to Capitol Siege With Prayer, Song

Justice and Witness

Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin took to Facebook on Wednesday to lead the Conference in prayer and in song in response to the ...

01/06/2021 - Last Date for 2020 Gifts: Jan. 19

Stewardship

The following is a message from David Cleaver-Bartholomew, Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations: Please note that the deadline for remitting your church's Proportional Giving (i.e., Conference Dues + OCWM Basic Support) contribution is the close of business on ...