Earth Day Week and Other Upcoming Events

April 13, 2012

To all who are joined in covenant in the UCC in Massachusetts: I pray that the revelation and transformation of Easter continues to nurture you and your congregation! 

 Between now and when we gather as a conference for Annual Meeting on June 15-16 [please click here to register] there are numerous opportunities for ministry, learning and witness.  I encourage you to consider the following 2 events and a variety of Earth Day and environmental resources:

April 18, 2012 6:45 p.m.:

The Arab Spring, Religious Minorities, and the New Middle East: Is Pluralism a Possibility? 

Former Under Secretary of State Nicholas Burns and Professor Ahmed H. al-Rahim will engage this important topic as the first in a series of presentations and discussions put on by the American Jewish Committee and co-sponsored by the American Islamic Congress (AIC), The Boston Theological Institute (BTI), and World Boston.  The series is entitled “Pluralism, Peace and Prayer: The Struggle for the Soul of the New Middle East.”  This event is free and open to the public. Register at www.ajcboston.org/Pluralism .

April 26-29, 2012

Awakenings: A feast for the head, heart and spirit

United Congregational Church of Holyoke   

$50 discount for people in New Clergy Groups- contact Willie Sordillo for more information.

This three-day ecumenical study conference for lay and clergy features keynote speaker Marcus Borg and 17 workshop leaders, including Conference Minister & President Jim Antal and jazz worship leader Willie Sordillo.   Find out more.

EARTH DAY SUNDAY (April 22 or 29) - Resources and related environment and climate opportunities:

 Green Congregations –

In conjunction with Earth Day, be aware that at MACUCC Annual Meeting, Green Congregation Certificates will be awarded to all qualifying churches.  How about yours?  Click here for details:  http://www.macucc.org/pages/detail/2470

Earth Day resources and events:

• Read this post by Bill McKibben  emphasizing the urgent need for a spiritual voice to underline the fact that global warming is already causing human anguish and mortality in our nation and abroad, and much more will occur in the future without rapid action.
• From the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs: http://www.nccecojustice.org/earthday/
• Tell your congregation about these great interfaith activities in Washington DC:
  http://www.macucc.org/pages/detail/2100
• Encourage your YOUTH to connect with an Earth Day flash mob
• Send your youth to "YOU, YOUR LIFE, YOUR EARTH"  for Jr. and Sr. High Youth in Manchester, NH on May 5 from 10:00-3:30 pm.
  Click here: May 5 Youth Gathering in NH
• Plant a faith garden at your church – Interfaith Power and Light shares stories in "Sow a Cool Harvest."

Other Environmental and Climate opportunities:

• May 5: “Connect the Dots” by joining communities around the planet in a huge global day of witness.  Visit www.climatedots.org and register an event in your community.  Bill McKibben says, “We're so hopeful that religious communities will be involved in this work, for it stems directly from the stewardship commandments of the Hebrew Bible and the Gospel injunctions to love one's neighbor. One of the things that faith communities do best is bear witness, on our own behalf and on behalf of those whose voices are not heard in our societies.”
• June 23-30: Star Island, off the coast of NH, is the place for YOU!!  Go to http://nhcstar.org/  to learn about a week (June 23-30) full of natural history—the 2012 Theme is “The Secret Lives of Birds and Turtles” and to http://starisland.org/  to learn more and to register.

The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal
Conference Minister and President
Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
1 Badger Rd.
Framingham, MA 01702
508.875.5233 fax 508.875.5485