MACUCC Staff Blog

Would you consider participating in a lay academy, which would explore ones faith as a lay leader in a congregation and create opportunities for resourcing and networking in a community setting?

Here and there we as a society have been able to loosen the bonds of injustice. Here and there we have been able to undo the thongs of the yoke of racism. Here and there we have even broken the yoke. But what we haven’t done is remove the yoke of racism from amongst us. It is still an ever present reality.

Churches tend to be very good at talking about what they do. They aren't nearly as effective at explaining why. 

All of us who have journeyed with the Church for any part of the last half century are keenly aware of change. We have watched the devolution of the institution while watching the evolution of new trends. It would seem clear that we have a better sense of the landscape of wilderness than we do of any promised land. In this season of Lent that is a probably a good place to be, if we don’t try to hurry into fix it solutions and just listen and observe God’s movement. 

Perhaps, for seven weeks in Lent, we can try out living in a different relationship to our money, our budgets, our time, our lifestyles and each other.

One of the many ways the Massachusetts Conference seeks to nurture the covenant among our churches is through making available many opportunities for clergy and laity to come together for worship, learning and networking. 

By the Rev. Peter Wells
Associate Conference Minister

I am sure you have heard that “a rising tide raises all boats.” But many of God’s children don’t even have a boat.

By The Rev. Dale A. Hempen
Associate Conference Minister

I have tried to live the ministry of encouragement, hope and gratitude… giving to others what I have been given!

By The Rev. Wendy Vander Hart
Associate Conference Minister

My mantra in preaching this season has focused on clarity of mission and purpose. In a Twitter world our churches need to be able to sum up their mission and purpose in the 140 characters of a tweet!  

By the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal
Minister and President, Massachusetts Conference, UCC

Bodies make the difference - for economic justice, for the environment and for the hungry.

By Tiffany Vail
Associate for Communication

In a social media world, being in a so-called position of authority is not enough. Today, people will not choose to hear your voice over the cacophony simply because of your title.

By the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal
Minister and President, Massachusetts Conference, UCC

For 2,000 years, disciples of Christ have identified with the poor, oppressed, marginalized and disinherited.  There can be no doubt that those witnessing through these many “occupations” are boldly lifting up those same values. 

By the Rev. Dale Hempen
Associate Conference Minister

We must know our Bibles, as well as the culture and pressures of our day, to preach the correct text and interpret it faithfully.

By Peter Wells
Associate Conference Minister

When it comes to our response to poor – in the presence of systemic injustice – should lukewarm be the temperature of our reaction and action?

By Paul Nickerson
Associate Conference Minister for Evangelism, Vitality and New Church Starts

There are only two kinds of churches in this world. Which are you?

By Don Remick
Associate Conference Minister

The work of denominations is making a crucial shift.

By Kris Lofrumento
Administrator of the Pastoral Excellence Program,
Program Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry

Ministry is about creating communities for others and making sure you have your own.

By Wendy Vander Hart
Associate Conference Minister

What might be different in our life together if the mission of the MA Conference was to provoke local church vitality and covenant?

The best advice for increasing giving in your congregation is to be a place where people have an opportunity to serve others, within the congregation, in the community or in the world.