06/23/2021 - SPOTLIGHT: Juneteenth Signs
By: Andrew Page - Church Innovation Justice and Witness SpotlightSandwich Church Educates The Community about Juneteenth and its Local History
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06/23/2021 - Church Leaders Help Bring About Legislative Victories for Justice
By: Michele Mudrick Andrew Page - Justice and WitnessThanks in part to the combined efforts of Southern New England Conference staff, church leaders, congregations and our ecumenical partners, the 2021 ...
06/22/2021 - Andover Pride Car Parade Inspires Two Area Towns To Celebrate!
Justice and WitnessSubmitted by Rev. Dana Allen Walsh, South Church in Andover, UCC (MA) ~ dana@southchurch.com A bright blue sky was the backdrop for the joy-filled ...
06/17/2021 - Conference Staff to Observe Juneteenth
Conference staff Justice and WitnessThe SNEUCC is observing Juneteenth as a holiday, and giving the staff the day off on Friday June 18.
06/16/2021 - Churches Invited to Ring Bells for Juneteenth
Justice and WitnessA number of churches of varying denominations in southern Rhode Island are inviting churches across the Conference to join them in ringing their bells on Saturday, June 19, at 8 PM in commemoration of Juneteenth, and in memory of George Floyd and the many others who ...
06/10/2021 - ONA Sunday Worship Resources Now Available
Justice and WitnessNational Open and Affirming Sunday is June 27! The UCC Open and Affirming Coalition has released new liturgies and other worship resources for the 2021 celebration. Find these resources here. Links to music and videos on the worship page were written/assembled by ...
06/09/2021 - SPOTLIGHT: Justice Partners
By: Andrew Page - Justice and Witness SpotlightChurch of Christ in Norfolk Works With Redeemer's AME Zion Church to Combat Racism
05/20/2021 - Holy Joe's Cafe: 15 Years and Growing
Justice and WitnessHoly Joe's Cafe, a non-profit supporting deployed military chaplains and formerly based out of First Congregational Church of Wallingford, celebrates 15 years and has expanded its impact in those years.
05/19/2021 - Go Tell it On The Mountain: United Congregational Church of Tolland (CT) Explores Ways to Address Mental Health Issues
By: Andrew Page - Church History and Identity Justice and WitnessRev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister for the Southern New England Conference, speaks with Rev. Dr. Jeff Gallagher in his latest "Go ...
05/11/2021 - Go Tell it On The Mountain: Memorial Congregational Church in Sudbury Looks To Re-Focus
By: Andrew Page - Church History and Identity Justice and WitnessRev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister for the Southern New England Conference, speaks with Rev. Tom O'Brien in his second "Go Tell it On...
05/05/2021 - Nine Churches Receiving Faith In Our Future Together Grants in May
By: Tiffany Vail - Church Innovation Justice and WitnessThe Southern New England Conference will be awarding substantial recoverable grants to nine churches in May, to help them grow in spite of - and in ...
04/23/2021 - Go Tell it On The Mountain: New London Church Has Unique Outreach Partnership
By: Andrew Page - Church History and Identity Justice and WitnessRev. Darrell Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister for the Southern New England Conference, interviewed Rev. Sara Ofner-Seals on Wednesday. It was ...
04/15/2021 - Don't Back Down Says Goodwin After Racist Zoombombers Disrupt Training
Justice and WitnessAfter racist Zoombombers disrupted an anti-racism Conference staff training session on Thursday, Executive Conference Minister The Rev. Darrell ...
04/14/2021 - SPOTLIGHT: Witness
By: Andrew Page - Justice and Witness SpotlightPilgrim Church in Sherborn partners with AME church to examine racial experiences
04/08/2021 - US Seeks Equity in Employment for People with Disabilities from Underserved Communities
Justice and WitnessThe movement for disabilities justice touches every aspect of our church and society, benefiting everyone when the wisdom, gifts and witness of people...
03/25/2021 - Advocate Now to End the Torturous Practice of Solitary Confinement in CT Prisons
By: Allie Perry - Justice and WitnessSupport 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 WitnessBy 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 ...
03/23/2021 - Work and Family Mobility Act
Justice and Witnessby 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 ...
03/19/2021 - Good Friday Service Available to Churches
Justice and WitnessA 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 WitnessReprinted from UCC.org news with permission.
03/17/2021 - We Are Committed to Confronting Anti-Asian Bias
Justice and WitnessThe 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 WitnessThe Rev. Goodwin speaks out in response to a statement issued by the Vatican
03/10/2021 - Rev. Dr. Price Urges: #ChooseToChallenge
Justice and WitnessIn 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 WitnessThe 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 ...
02/23/2021 - ACM James Ross Appears on Basic Black
Conference staff Justice and WitnessAssociate 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 ...
02/01/2021 - Rev. Goodwin Invites All to Celebrate Black History Month
By: Andrew Page - Justice and WitnessIn a video message posted Monday, Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin invites all to celebrate Black History month. He offers ...
01/20/2021 - A Prayer for Inauguration Day
Justice and WitnessThe 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...
01/16/2021 - Being Prayerful and Alert During the Coming Days
Justice and WitnessWhile 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 BuzzA 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 WitnessExecutive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin took to Facebook on Wednesday to lead the Conference in prayer and in song in response to the ...
11/24/2020 - SPOTLIGHT: Diversity Books Bless East Hartford Children
By: Kelly Jane Caesar - Justice and Witness SpotlightFirst Congregational of East Hartford (CT) Donates Diversity Books to Enrich East Hartford Public Schools
11/18/2020 - Working for Justice: Giving Thanks for the SNEC Task Teams
By: Karen Methot - Justice and Witnessby Karen Methot Justice and Witness Ministries Thirty-six years ago, the Open and Affirming Ministry Team of the Historic Massachusetts Conference...
10/26/2020 - Blackmon to SNEUCC: Thank You
Justice and WitnessUCC Associate General Minister the Rev. Traci Blackmon thanks the SNEUCC for its effort in abolishing medical debt.
10/25/2020 - Conference-wide Effort Abolishes $26.2 Million in Medical Debt
Justice and WitnessWatch the Press Conference video here
09/21/2020 - Letter in Support of Transgender Student Athletes
Justice and WitnessThe following is a letter to Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Atty. General William Tong, in support of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference policy of allowing transgender student athletes to compete on sports teams that align with their gender identity. ...
09/07/2020 - Conference Ministers - Past and Present - Issue Pastoral Letter
Justice and WitnessReal structural change has to happen in our national and local structures where racism still exists even while flags and monuments are being removed.
06/04/2020 - Responding to the Scourge of Racism
Conference programming Justice and WitnessWe hope that you will engage the resources we recommend here and post them as you see fit on social media and other communication tools at your disposal.
05/21/2020 - Bridge Conference Ministers Speak Out On Murder of Ahmaud Arbery
Justice and WitnessA Message From the Bridge Conference Ministers of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ As followers of Jesus, who has...
04/27/2020 - Conference Ministers Speak Out on Racial Disparity of COVID-19 Impact
Justice and WitnessThis pandemic has once again demonstrated that there is no equality in America
04/27/2020 - Edwards House Food Put to Good Use
By: Tiffany Vail - Justice and WitnessThe freezers at Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center were full of food when the Coronavirus hit Massachusetts, forcing the facility - part of the Southern New England Conference's Framingham property - to stop hosting gatherings. But thanks to the Edwards House ...
04/21/2020 - Mashpee Wampanoag Solidarity: Actions
Environment Justice and WitnessSocial Media Actions Earth Day April, 22: Post this picture on social media calling for the protection of Mashpee lands on Earth Day, with this message: "Happy Earth Day! The protection of Indigenous rights = the protection of Mother Earth. Join the good fight in ...
04/21/2020 - Pajama Challenge Raises Enough to Forgive $1.3 Million in Medical Debt
By: Tiffany Vail - Justice and WitnessSee all the images on the Facebook Fundraiser Page Bridge Conference Minister Kent Siladi and UCC General Minister and President Rev. John ...
04/09/2020 - Who's Got the Best PJs? Siladi or Dorhauer?
By: Tiffany Vail - Justice and WitnessTwo denominational leaders, popping up on Facebook in their PJs? Yup. Starting April 13, The Rev. Kent Siladi, Bridge Conference Minister, and Rev. John Dorhauer, General Minister and President of the UCC, will be sharing pictures of themselves in their pajamas on ...
04/02/2020 - Statement Released on Mashpee Wampanoag Disestablishment
Conference staff Justice and WitnessMassasoit, Wampanoag Tribal Chief who aided the Pilgrims UPDATE: Support is needed! Please call the Committee on Indian Affairs at...
03/25/2020 - Pastor Plans Tent Ministry to Fight Covid-19 Crisis
By: Andrew Page - Justice and Witness Outdoor MinistriesWhen the "Stay home—Stay safe" Rhode Island, Rev. Jack Jones asked where do those without homes go the "stay safe"?
03/02/2020 - FALMOUTH ACADEMY NEWS: MLK Day, A Call for Restless Determination
Justice and Witness Local BuzzOn Monday, January 20, several Falmouth Academy faculty members and students (and a few siblings) attended the sold-out 13th Annual Martin Luther ...
02/10/2020 - Conference Launches Drive to Erase Medical Debt
Justice and WitnessOne of our first actions as a new Conference is to invite you and your congregation to make a difference in the lives of those saddled by medical debt in our region.
11/19/2019 - Request for Clergy Signatures to Oppose Gas Demand Fee for Churches
Justice and WitnessConnecticut Conference Minister the Rev. Kent Siladi sent a request to clergy today asking them to sign a letter to the Connecticut Public Utilities ...
11/11/2019 - SPOTLIGHT - Interfaith Youth Learn About Their Similarities
By: Andrew Page - Church Innovation Justice and Witness Making Disciples SpotlightIn a time when lines drawn between groups of people get darker and more defined, Newtown Congregational Church is making efforts to break barriers and...