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Invitation, Hospitality and Follow-Up Training Continues
by Tiffany Vail, Associate for Communication & Technology
In preparation for the “Still Speaking Campaign” six training workshops were held across the Conference. The response was tremendous: 900 people representing 205 congregations came for instruction on how to best utilize the advertising campaign, how to invite others, how to greet the first-time visitor and how to follow-up appropriately.
With the television campaign tentatively set to continue during the four weeks leading up to Easter, the Commission for Evangelism and Renewal and the Commission on Communication will offer two additional training opportunities.
Invitation, Hospitality & Follow-Up 101
Feb. 12, 9am -1pm
The First Church in Marlborough, Congregational
Repeat of the basic fall course for congregations not able to participate previously or for churches who want additional people trained. Bring a bag lunch.
Invitation, Hospitality & Follow-up 201
Feb. 26, 9am - 1pm
The Plymouth Church in Framingham
Builds on the 101 workshop, and is geared for those who attended the training in the fall or the Feb. 12th training. “Best practices” of what churches did with the advertising campaign during Advent will be shared. There will also be in-depth training on how to share one’s faith and invite
others to church. This is a “hands-on” experience. Bring a bag lunch.
These training sessions are required for churches that opt-in to the Still Speaking Initiative. Churches that opt-in must receive this training to be listed as a Still Speaking church on the stillspeaking.com website. To register for these events, please email Ellie Kell at kelle@macucc.org. Please include the names of those attending and the name of your church.
First Church in Longmeadow bestows beanie babies to their eighty church school members in order to make worship space more friendly for little ones. These cuddly creatures act as the children's “Faith Friends” to keep them company in worship. Nancy Yesu, First Church's Director of Children Ministry, snapped this photo of Julie (on left) and Emily (on right) as she explained that they also offer special beanie baby bears to children visitors, and invite them to take them home as a reminder of their visit. A tag accompanies each bear with information about the church. “We've gotten positive feedback,” says Yesu. “The parents believe the toys help the children transition more easily, and it's a great opportunity to be more welcoming to visitors.”
Where Does The Money Go?
Andy Gustafson, ACM for Stewardship & Financial Development, reports that all disaster relief gifts received at the MACUCC are forwarded to the national UCC and are placed in the One Great Hour of Sharing fund. One hundred percent of designated gifts goes to the area specified. No overhead cost is charged to it. Money is distributed through international partners, such as Church World Service, as well as church and ecumenical partners overseas. Needs are assessed and received by the local people most affected. The UCC can respond quickly, efficiently and effectively to disasters like the tsunami because of the many pre-existing organizations, missionaries, systems and partnerships which are supported through OCWM Basic Support.
Lunenburg Church Asks for Shawl Help
Jane Blake, United Parish, Lunenburg, invites knitters and crocheters to join the Ad Hoc Prayer Shawl Ministry for Beslan, Russia, families. Visit ww.shawlministry.com or contact janeblake101 @earthlink.net for more info.
Free Bibles Available
Priscilla Clark, Acting Church Secretary, West Concord Union Church, reports that the West Concord Church has 80 RSV and NRSV bibles in good shape and would like to donate them to any church that needs them. Contact Clark at office@westconcordunionchurch.org or (978) 369-6309
New Administrator for MBA
Tom Clough has hired Colin Loggins as the new administrative assistant in the Metropolitan Boston Area Office. Colin, who started January 3rd, has had many years of office experience, most recently with a real estate firm in Northampton, and is also a musician.
Share your Still Speaking Story!
You are invited to share your church's experiences with the first phase of the United Church of Christ Still Speaking campaign. Did you advertise? Widen your hospitality
practices? Follow-up with newcomers? What was the result? Share your story, and read about experiences at other churches at http://www.macucc.org/discus