Newsletter Briefs from the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ

In Covenant... Newsletter briefs from the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ Issue Date: Summer, 2014. This & other versions available at: macucc.org/download.

Massachusetts Conference churches are invited to use any and all of these briefs in newsletters, bulletins, or in any way they see fit. Please include language explaining that their source is the “Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ, macucc.org.”

Questions or suggestions? Please contact Tiffany Vail at [email protected].

500 in attendance at 215th Annual Meeting inspired toward greater works

Through moving speeches, dynamic worship, testimonials and more, the 500 people who attended the 215th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Conference in June were urged to go forth and do "greater works" even than those done by Jesus Christ. Keynote Speaker Yvette Flunder dared the crowd to be a "little less organized and a little more rowdy" and reminded them that Jesus was killed because he was a political subversive who spoke truth to power. Several attendees shared testimonials of works at their churches, from the Boston Marathon scarf project that brought in 7000 hand-knit scarves to "wrap in love" runners and others impacted by the bombings last year to a church- to-church partnership where a small donation has been paid forward again and again. Delegates were reminded that it was the Massachusetts Conference Annual Meeting 30 years ago that started the Open and Affirming movement in the United Church of Christ, when the very first ONA resolution was passed urging the inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people into the lives and ministries of the churches. That historic vote, according to Conference Minister and President Jim Antal, is an example of how the future is written: "by imagining new possibilities and acting on them as if they are inevitable." Read more about the meeting, watch videos of major moments, view photos and find more at: www.macucc.org/newsdetail/124500 . Conference readies response if unaccompanied children arrive in Mass.

In mid-July, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick announced that the state was volunteering to house up to 1,000 unaccompanied children who have come into the country from Central America. Associate Conference Minister Kelly Gallagher, via a special emailing to churches, asked for volunteers to help with food, clothing, translation and other needs if they come. In just a few days, more than 100 volunteers had responded. Gallagher has notified the Governor’s office, the Red Cross and Church World Service of the availability of help. At this writing, an initial response team meeting was being planned for late July.

Find out more: macucc.org/unaccompaniedchildren

Upcoming Conference Events

Super Saturday Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 Keefe Technical School, Framingham, MA Join hundreds of pastors and lay leaders from across two Conferences for a day of worship, workshops, forums, networking and a marketplace. Keynote speaker is the Rev. M. Linda Jaramillo, Executive Minister of the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries. More: macucc.org/supersaturday

Christian Education Certification Program Oct. 2014 - April, 2015 The Educator's Certification program is designed to equip people for the educational ministry of the church. Certification requires completion of six regular sessions plus two electives over the course of two years. Certification will indicate that an educator has achieved a level of proficiency through knowledge, experience and training that should be properly compensated. More: macucc.org/certification