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 ...

01/06/2021 - New Conference Minister Requests Prayers, Prayer Shawls

By: Tiffany Vail - Conference staff

In his first week serving as the first Executive Conference Minister of the Southern New England Conference, the Rev. Darrell Goodwin released a video...

01/05/2021 - SPOTLIGHT: Voices of the Pandemic

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Spotlight

Tolland Church (CT) Interviews Front Line Workers

12/28/2020 - SPOTLIGHT: Can the Exodus Story Be Made into a Fun Video Series?

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Spotlight

Mansfield church offers Sunday School and Faith Formation via YouTube videos

12/27/2020 - HARTFORD COURANT: Darrell Goodwin represents more than 600 churches as the new leader for the United Church of Christ

Conference staff Local Buzz

Rev. Darrell Goodwin, the new Executive Conference Minister for the Southern New England Conference is interviewed by the Hartford Courant.

12/22/2020 - New Tech Deacon Roundtable Meetups Forming

By: Eric Elley - Conference programming

You and the tech deacons in your congregation are invited to join us for SNUECC-sponsored Tech Deacons Roundtable Discussions, facilitated by SNEUCC Digital Minister, Eric Elley.

12/17/2020 - Online Church Fair is...Bazaar

By: Kevin Williams - Christmas Church Growth and Vitality

When you focus not on what a pandemic has taken away but what new opportunities it has created, magic can happen!

12/15/2020 - Dec. 27 Worship Service Available in Downloadable Video

Christmas Conference programming

The Long Awaited Gift, a worship for December 27 is ready and available as a gift to the congregations of the Southern New England Conference.

12/11/2020 - SPOTLIGHT: Birthdays Still Happen During a Pandemic

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Spotlight

Ellington Church Makes Sure All Can Celebrate Them

12/08/2020 - Words of Gratitude Offered for Departing Staff

Conference staff

The following is a message from Bridge Conference Ministers Don Remick and Marilyn Kendrix “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and move our hearts to dance.  They awaken us to a new understanding, leave footprints on our hearts, and ...

12/07/2020 - More New Conference Positions Filled

Conference staff

The Bridge Conference Ministers, and retreat center managers, have announced a number of positions which have been filled on the newly configured Conference staff. Three program support associates will work with the Area Conference Missioners, as follows: Jill Ford ...

12/01/2020 - A Win for Your Congregation and God's Creation!

Environment

To pastors and other church leaders:  Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Special Advisor on Climate Justice to UCC General Minister and President (and retired Massachusetts Conference Minister) is inviting churches to sign up for this package offer: ten books; one sermon; and one ...

12/01/2020 - Advent & Christmas Worship Resources Compiled on Website

Conference staff are compiling video resources that can be used for Advent and Christmas online worship services, and will continue to do so as more ...

12/01/2020 - CT Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFMLA) Requires New Payroll Tax Withholding Effective January 1

By: Charles Kuchenbrod

All Connecticut employers with at least one employee are required to withhold 0.5% of all wages paid after January 1, even if the wages are for time ...

11/24/2020 - Conference Providing Worship Materials for Dec. 27

Conference programming

The Southern New England Conference will offer materials for a special online worship for churches to use the Sunday after Christmas (Dec. 27). The worship will be available on Vimeo beginning Dec. 16 in a video format that can be streamed or downloaded for use by any ...

11/24/2020 - SPOTLIGHT: Diversity Books Bless East Hartford Children

By: Kelly Jane Caesar - Justice and Witness Spotlight

First Congregational of East Hartford (CT) Donates Diversity Books to Enrich East Hartford Public Schools

11/20/2020 - RI Clergy Support COVID Worship Restrictions

Editor's note: Bridge Conference Ministers the Rev. Marilyn Kendrix and the Rev. Don Remick have signed the following letter:   ​We, members of the clergy in Rhode Island, represent many faiths, but all of our traditions speak passionately about the sanctity of life. ...

11/18/2020 - Two More Conference Positions Filled

Conference staff

The Bridge Conference Ministers have announced that two more positions on the newly configured Conference staff, which goes into effect Jan. 1, have been filled, both by current staff with deep local church connections. Emily McKenna, who has served as the Hartford ...

11/18/2020 - Working for Justice: Giving Thanks for the SNEC Task Teams

By: Karen Methot - Justice and Witness

by Karen Methot Justice and Witness Ministries     Thirty-six years ago, the Open and Affirming Ministry Team of the Historic Massachusetts Conference...

11/16/2020 - SPOTLIGHT: Virtual Church Services are Alive with the Sound of Music

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Spotlight

Despite pandemic, church finds ways to keep musically active

11/16/2020 - Generosity, Risk, and Grace

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane

Conference receives two major gifts from generous donors

11/13/2020 - Northeast Association gives away $50,000 in Ministry Catalyst Grants

By: Adam Isbitsky - Church Growth and Vitality

The Board of Directors of the Northeast Association of the Southern New England Conference announced a Ministry Catalyst Grant program to benefit its ...

11/12/2020 - Council of Conference Ministers Offer Worship Service

The Council of Conference Ministers has developed a worship service centered around the Parable of the Talents.

11/11/2020 - Four Staff Announced, Including New Innovation Leader

The Bridge Conference Ministers have announced that four more positions on the newly configured Conference staff, which goes into effect Jan. 1, have ...

11/05/2020 - NEW HAVEN REGISTER: Black Church Project in New Haven aims to provide culturally affirming addiction treatment

Local Buzz

Kimberly Guy has not used crack cocaine in 18 years, a success she partially attributes to her ability to seek and receive help for her addiction.

11/04/2020 - A Look at the Area Conference Missioner Search Process

Conference staff

The following was written by Bridge Conference Ministers the Rev. Don Remick and The Rev. Marilyn Kendrix We have been working steadily to develop ...

11/03/2020 - Six Area Conference Missioners for 2021 Called

By: Tiffany Vail - Conference staff

Six Area Conference Missioners have been called to work as agents of transformation in the newly configured regions of the Southern New England Conference, beginning in early 2021. Three current and three new staff members will serve in these newly defined positions, ...

11/03/2020 - Super Saturday Keynoter: Unprecedented Times Can Be an Opportunity

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Conference programming Super Saturday

Rev. Sarah Heath, an ordained minister in the California Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), who currently serves as the ...

11/03/2020 - Virtual Super Saturdays Draw More Than 300 Attendees

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Conference programming Super Saturday

Most churches have had to adapt to conducting services in new ways over the past year, and it was no different for this year’s Super Saturday.  What ...

11/02/2020 - COVID Update from the Bridge Conference Ministers

We urge you to refrain from in-person in-building worship if the incidence of Covid is high or growing in your area.

11/02/2020 - Social Media Presence for Environmental Ministry Team

Environment

The Environmental Ministries Team of the Southern New England Conference is now active on social media, with regular new posts on climate justice ...

10/28/2020 - Conference Leaders Among Signers of Letter Calling for Communal Lament, Focus on Mental Health

Responding to increasing distress and despair among pastors and across congregations, church leaders from all six New England states signed on to a ...

10/28/2020 - Grant Program Deadline Set; Info Session Scheduled

The Southern New England Conference has set Jan. 15 as the deadline for churches to apply for the first round of the Faith In Our Future Together Grant program, and an online informational session for those interested is being held on Nov. 19 at 4:30 PM. The session ...

10/28/2020 - Six More Staff to Continue in New Structure

Conference staff

The Bridge Conference Ministers have announced that six more current Conference staff members will continue on in the new structure in 2021. Three Silver Lake Conference staff members will continue in their positions: Jennifer Kronholm Clark as Program Director, Ruth ...

10/27/2020 - UCC General Counsel Warns Against Officiating Weddings Remotely

Heather E. Kimmel,  General Counsel for the United Church of Christ, sent the following email to Conference Ministers: Please know that one of your ...

10/26/2020 - SPOTLIGHT: Over Nine Thousand Meals and Counting

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Spotlight

Sterling church believes food is love

10/26/2020 - Blackmon to SNEUCC: Thank You

Justice and Witness

UCC Associate General Minister the Rev. Traci Blackmon thanks the SNEUCC for its effort in abolishing medical debt.

10/26/2020 - Three Receive Faith Formation Certification in Virtual Ceremony

Faith Formation and Christian Education

Three educators who completed all the requirements for certification in Faith Formation Leadership were honored during a virtual ceremony on October ...

10/25/2020 - Conference-wide Effort Abolishes $26.2 Million in Medical Debt

Justice and Witness

Watch the Press Conference video here

10/20/2020 - Four Staffers to Continue as Faith Formation Team

Conference staff

The four staff members dedicated to supporting faith formation in the historic Conferences - Debby Kirk, Karen Ziel, Kristin Putney and Debbie Gline Allen - will all continue on the staff of the new Conference. Previously, Debby Kirk and Karen Ziel worked full-time in ...

10/19/2020 - Episcopal Deacon to Serve as Digital Minister

By: Tiffany Vail - Conference staff

An Episcopal Deacon who has experience working with local churches to move worship and other ministries online has been called as the Southern New England Conference's first Digital Minister.   The Rev. Eric Elley has been working as a technology consultant to ...

10/16/2020 - Executive for Missional Implementation Called

By: Tiffany Vail - Conference staff

The Rev. Dr. Audrey C. Price, an Associate Conference Minister for Leadership Development in the Central Atlantic Conference, has been called as the Southern New England Conference's first Executive for Missional Implementation. In this role, Rev. Price will be serving...

10/15/2020 - SNEUCC Environmental Ministries Recognizes 12 Leading UCC Churches

By: Ted Wade - Conference programming Environment

Twelve congregations have accepted the “Congregation Climate Justice Voter Challenge” and more are on the way! These churches have formally agreed to...

10/13/2020 - More Conference Positions Announced

Conference staff

The Bridge Conference Ministers have announced that three more current staff will continue to serve in the new staff structure. Dr. Donique McIntosh, who joined the staff in August of 2019 as Racial Justice Team Leader, will serve as the Minister for Racial and ...

10/07/2020 - Conference to Offer $1 Million in Local Church Grants

By: Tiffany Vail - Board of Directors

In response to the disruptions caused by both COVID-19 and systemic racism, The Southern New England Conference has announced the launch of the Faith ...

10/05/2020 - SPOTLIGHT: We Heart You

By: Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane - Spotlight

Kensington church “flocks” congregation with love

09/30/2020 - Silver Lake Business Manager to Retire

Conference staff Outdoor Ministries

The following is a message from Stephanie Pitman, Business Manager, Silver Lake Conference Center Dear friends and colleagues, Well, the time has come for me to retire from full time work at Silver Lake. Of course I have mixed feelings about leaving Silver Lake and ...