Based on the positive response from the Dec. 27 staff worship, the Southern New England Conference staff has outlined a plan to provide programs on several dates in 2021. Staff will record a mix of liturgical elements and post them in advance.  These will include calls to worship, scripture readings, prayers, children’s messages, music, meditations, and benedictions. 

"We seek to be in relationship with local churches, and we hope that these resources will be a help to local pastors who have had to shoulder many burdens during the pandemic," said the Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba, Senior Area Conference Minister. "The videos are a way to supplement your worship library while introducing your congregation to the staff of the Southern New England Conference." 

Dates for 2021 worship programs are as follows:

• April 2- Good Friday and the Seven Last Words of Christ
• May 23- Pentecost
• October 3- World Communion Sunday
• December 26- First Sunday after Christmas

Rev James D. Ross II, Area Conference Minister for the Northeast Region, had this to say about the upcoming Good Friday service: “Though we are centuries removed from the day of Christ’s crucifixion, we yet have much to lament. Far too many people, most often those who exist at the margins of society, experience the unjust and violent deaths of their communities, cultures, and bodies. Their crosses may be figurative, but the public, humiliating, and dehumanizing spectacle is no less real as they are beaten, belittled, and splayed naked for the entertainment of gawkers and satisfaction of those so broken they can imagine no other way. Just as surely as the Christ, these are God’s own beloved, those for whom we should mourn.”

“Because we are humans, we often want to rush through the deep pain of Good Friday and bask in the joyfulness of Resurrection Sunday," continued Ross. "But we who seek to be like Jesus would do well to submit to our time in the cold dark tomb, communing with God our creator and becoming transformed for the miracle yet to occur. The Seven Last Words service is an invitation and opportunity for us to remember the experience of Jesus, grapple with today’s realities, and commune again with God and one another to experience God’s awaiting Easter morning.”

Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly, Area Conference Minister for the North Central Region, will be coordinating the May 23 service and she is looking to incorporate symbols of the spirit that fueled the vitality of the early church.  "At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit united the followers of Jesus in shared praise and mission. We hope that these worship resources will do the same for the churches of the Southern New England Conference. Come, Holy Spirit, come!"

Segments will be pre-recorded and posted two weeks prior to the worship date.  Pastors may use the entire program, or simply pull segments that meet their needs.  The videos will remain available on the website and can be used at any time. 

In addition, Clergy leaders may wish to use the worship programs offered by the national office of the United Church of Christ in concert with the Council of Conference Ministers.  Rev. Chris Davies and Rev. Elizabeth Dilley indicated that the UCC Staff is planning a program for Sunday, April 11.