A Beautiful Complicated Story
by Wren Bellavance-Grace
“I call that church free which is not bound to the present... It earns and creates a tradition binding together past, present, and future in a living tether, in a continuing covenant...” ~ James Luther Adams
“I am not a church person. I came here because of Rev. Jane Doe, and when she leaves, I’m out.”
I heard those words in conversation with a member of one of our New England congregations recently. This “not-a-church-person” person also happens to serve on the board of his congregation now.
We all come to Unitarian Universalism in our own way. For some of us, it’s a birthright — I have met a few folks who could trace their congregational roots all the way back over seven or eight generations! Some of us were brought in by friends, or were drawn by a faith home that would help us raise our children with the values we hold dear. And yes, some of us happen to arrive during the tenure of a minister we just adore. To this day I’m pretty sure my first minister wrote their sermons just for me.
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What is the Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society (MCCS)?
“I had a bug infestation, twice, and then identity theft.”
“First the washing machine, then the gas stove and water heater needed replacement.
Prescription drug and medical bills are stretching a budget based on a skimpy pension and Medicaid to the breaking point, with major dental work on the horizon.”
What do these situations have in common? Financial despair and lack of options to meet basic needs. These needs and others have been alleviated through support from the Massachusetts Congregational Charitable Society, (MCCS), the oldest charitable organization in the US, founded in 1786.
“It was good to hear from you, a voice of caring in this uncertain time... I was about to contact you regarding pressing medical bills due to two recent heart valve replacement surgeries...”
MCCS provides financial relief and support for retired persons who have served as Unitarian Universalist or United Church of Christ or Congregational ministers in Massachusetts or Maine, and for persons who are the spouses, widows/widowers, children, or former spouses of such ministers. MCCS grants restore dignity, strengthen independence and family ties, and reinforce the bonds of gratitude we hold for the faithful service of pastors and their families.
“My son’s residence remains under lockdown because of the virus, but a staff person uses a transportation service enabled by your grant to bring him to a halfway point, allowing me at least some chance to see him in person. My car and I are both aging; the car gets more regular checkups and care than I do, but we get where we need to go and enjoy the ride.”
Do you need some help, or know someone who might? Application information can be found at www.massccs.org
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The Spring 2021 issue of UU World magazine with the theme "(Re)Building Democracy" incorporated a variety of changes in editorial focus and design. The staff of the magazine want to hear your feedback so they can keep improving the magazine. Please complete a quick 20-question survey and let them know your thoughts (your answers will be anonymous).
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Open Faithify Campaign(s) |
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Save Chrisma from Deportation. Chrisma, a 29-year-old asylum seeker from Republic of Congo (ROC) and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester New Hampshire, need your help reaching their goal! Tragically, Chrisma’s asylum appeal was denied and now he is facing a deportation hearing that will send him back to the country from which he fled. Luckily, his hosts at UU Manchester – found an Immigration Attorney experienced in Removal Defense. Find out how you can help! |
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Help send justice leaders on a silent
retreat to restore their spirits.This past year has been traumatic for so many people, in so many different ways. But it has been especially challenging for UU Justice Leaders – seminarians, clergy, and lay leaders in congregations and community. These leaders are called to be on the front lines of movements towards justice, challenging us to be agents for change, strategizing in the face of opposition, and comforting those affected by trauma.
This is an opportunity to offer a healing experience for those standing at the forefront of our UU justice efforts. Your contributions will help provide full or reduced tuition at SpiritRest Silent Retreat. Click here to learn more and donate. |
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Hope for Us: Conflict Engagement Team
As of May 1, 2021, Hope for Us: Conflict Engagement Team has been working together to develop teams and processes to help Congregational Life Staff serve congregations in conflict. This process of formation will, of course, take time. We are off to a great start.
Hope for Us: Conflict Engagement Team is the culmination of many things:
- The vision of the late Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson
- Years of training in different processes for conflict management and restorative practices
- Developing and practicing a variety of district and regional models for conflict engagement
- The iterative process of comparing and improving those practices
- This time of change and opportunity
- The maturational growth of Unitarian Universalism
Many of us close to congregations have seen the need for a process that could help congregational leaders regain and recommit to covenant with the goal of community vitality. The Widening the Circle of Concern report includes a call for the development of a conflict team (p 119-120). Continue reading...
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Registration for virtual GA 2021 is $200 per person. General Assembly registrants will receive access to the 2021 Online Participation Portal, including live, semi-live, and on-demand video content, the virtual exhibit hall, chat features, support, and a (new!) GA mobile app.
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Youth are Invited to Join Synergy Bridging Worship Service at GA!
The Synergy Bridging Worship during General Assembly that honors and celebrates our youth transitioning to young adulthood (UUs call them bridgers) is free and open to the public. Even those bridgers who are not registered for General Assembly can be honored and their friends and family can attend the livestream. It’s happening Friday, June 25th at 7 pm ET.
To be honored at Synergy, bridgers can submit a photo, short video, or just their name and congregation which will be featured in the worship service. Deadline for submissions is June 7th. Each bridger will receive a commemorative engraved chalice flame necklace.
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Stay home and travel the UU world!
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Pop Up Webinar for Smaller Congregations Thursday, June 3rd.
When the Congregation IS the Youth Group: How to bring the culture of youth and emerging adult ministry to multigenerational communities. Join Shannon Harper and Jennica Davis-Hockett, UUA Youth and Emerging Adult Ministry Specialists, as we explore relationship-centered community building for all ages in small congregations. A great second part to the Sharing Youth in Smaller Congregations webinar from April! For more details and registration click here.
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Thrive Youth 2021: Liberating Our Stories
The Thrive Youth 2021 summer Kickback and gatherings have started! Led by some amazing facilitators, join other UU youth of color through this 5 part bi-weekly interactive online workshop to connect and share the stories of UU People of Color, learn about our legacies and add your own voices to the records. The next gathering is on Wednesday, June 9th. Click here to learn more and register.
(Video on the right) Jaidyn, a Thrive Youth East 2016 participant talks about her experience and why YOU should apply!
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Summer Renaissance Modules
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The Well: A Spiritual Retreat for People of Color and Our Families
The Well is a life-giving retreat. Just like a communal well in ancient times, we gather at the Well, share wisdom and learn from each other, talk about things that matter, and fill our vessels with resources that sustain us.
As a rare multi-generational opportunity for children, youth, and adults, programming of the Well explores our spiritual paths, including rites of passage that bear witness to our experiences. There will be food, music, sports, history, arts, and bodywork that nurtures our souls, and worship, rituals and networking that uplift our spirits.
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The Guild of Interim Religious Educators
The Guild of Interim Religious Educators now offers a training program focusing on congregational transitions for professional staff serving in religious leadership roles.
This program provides you with the tools you and your team need while serving a congregation experiencing a transition. And when you want to imbue your work in the congregation with fresh perspectives, this program will provide you with the skills you need to re-imagine a bright future in your church!
This program is the first of TWO seminars, providing leaders with the skills and perspectives they need on a variety of topics. They include:
- Leadership, systems and change models
- Vantage points for change: adaptive leadership skills and navigating transitions
- The work of the congregation through a time of change: developmental tasks, using innovation and appreciative inquiry to promote change, developing visionary leadership in the congregation
- Working as a staff team: collaboration, building synergies, respecting reporting structures
- Understanding the ways in which grief and trauma can impact congregations
- Leaving well and ‘with joy”; paving the way for new leadership
Facilitators: The program is co-facilitated by Michele Grove, D.Min, Lily Rappaport, and Deborah Weiner.
Dates and Cost: Thursdays: July 29, August 5, 12, 19 - 1:00 PM EDT (each class runs for 2 hours). Deadline for registration: July 15. Registration fee: $200; GIRE members* receive a 20% discount ($160). For more information and to register. Any Questions? Email [email protected]
*annual GIRE membership is $25/year
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While this era has many challenges, it also brings opportunities for us to realize just how interconnected we really are.
UUs from all over the country are now live-streaming worship! If you are among them, you can add your congregation to this list.
Consider dropping in on congregations you might never have a chance to visit otherwise!
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List of Resources for COVID-19 |
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About the New England Region |
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and to our UUA Annual Program Fund make all of our work possible.
We offer learning opportunities throughout the New England Region for congregational members, lay leaders, and religious professionals.
Know someone at church who would like to subscribe?
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Contact us!
(617) 948-6415
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