Challenges & Encouragement in the UCC
UCC Ministry Team Newsletter #3
November 2007
This newsletter is a resource to the Byfield Parish Church, its friends, and
associates from its UCC Ministry Team
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17
The Team and its Mission Statement
The UCC Ministry Team was established by the elders of Byfield Parish Church following its Annual Meeting in May of 2006. The team consists of five members from the congregation: Jim Harrell (chairman), Doug Dawes (recording secretary), Don Hudson (Jr.), Malcolm Fowler, Nancy Cumming, and our pastor, Bill Boylan. The two elder liaisons to the team are Dan Tymann and Henry Richenberg. We are a small team within a larger team that is every member and friend of Byfield Parish Church.
Our mission is to design and implement strategies to affirm the historic gospel in the UCC, particularly in and between UCC congregations, by monitoring/engaging the denomination and by regular communication with the Byfield Parish Church.
1. Encouraging Words
2. General Synod Report – June 2007, Hartford, Connecticut
3. Let the Light Shine! by David Runnion-Bareford,
Executive Director of Biblical Witness Fellowship
4. Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, Annual
Meeting, Part 2 Report – September 2007, Worcester, MA
5. Essex Association Women's Fellowship Fall Meeting, November 7
6. Pastor Referral Network
7. Pulpit Prayer for Sister Churches
8. UCC Dues
9. Links
1. Encouraging Words
As the UCC Ministry Team considers the depth and scope of the work to which the Lord has called us in the United Church of Christ, we are inspired and instructed by the words of Nobel Peace Laureate Desmond Tutu. Referencing his experience in the struggle against apartheid, Archbishop Tutu wrote…
"From my experience in South Africa, I know that truth-telling is hard. It has grave consequences for one's life and reputation. It stretches one's faith, tests one's capacity to love, and pushes hope to the limit. At times, the difficulty of this work can make you wonder if people are right about you, that you are a fool.
No one takes up this work on a do-gooder's whim. It is not a choice. One feels compelled into it. Neither is it work for a little while, but rather for a lifetime – and for more than a lifetime. It is a project bigger than any one life. This long view is a source of encouragement and perseverance. The knowledge that the work preceded us and will go on after us is a fountain of deep gladness that no circumstance can alter.
Nothing, however, diminishes the fear and trembling that accompany speaking the truth to power in love. An acute awareness of fallibility is a constant companion in this task, but because nothing is more important in the current situation than to speak as truthfully as one can, there can be no shrinking from testifying to what one sees and hears."
2. General Synod Report – June 2007, Hartford, Connecticut
The 26th General Synod 2007 was held in Hartford, Connecticut, at the Hartford Civic Center. There were 8,500 registrants. This was the largest attendance at Synod, ever, as it was the 50th anniversary of the UCC. The UCC Ministry Team sent three team members -- Jim Harrell (accompanied by Sharon Harrell), Don Hudson, and Doug Dawes -- to participate in the event. We had no idea what to expect and had decided early on that what we really needed was to observe, listen, and learn. So observe, listen, and learn we did. It was a very eye-opening and educational experience.
Your Team members attended workshops and general sessions and watched the process of governance where resolutions were presented, discussed, refined, and voted in committee. Resolutions were either defeated in committee before reaching the floor, or presented to the General Synod with recommendations for approval or defeat.
The Byfield Team met with David Runnion-Bareford and Liz Claver from Biblical Witness Fellowship and with Bob Thompson and others from Faithful & Welcoming Churches to pray and strategize. During the day, we engaged in one-on-one conversation with other delegates and visitors to Synod, as the Lord led, and we attended various workshops and took part in the events in the main arena. One such event was a speech by United States Senator Barack Obama, Democrat Presidential candidate.
We learned to ask questions and in so doing, to lead the conversations, while attempting to build relationships and gain an understanding of the viewpoints of those we were engaging. Somewhere during the conversations we would expose our perspectives and beliefs that are predicated on historical Bible teachings. You could actually see the people deflate, when they realized they were speaking with people that believe the Bible is the inerrant and fully revealed word of God. It was like they were experiencing a kind of pain. We pray that what they were feeling was the urging of the Holy Spirit.
On Sunday, after prayer and breakfast with several of our brothers and sisters in Christ, we asked the Lord to guide us to a local UCC congregation with whom we would worship. We picked the Union Congregational church of Rockville, Connecticut, out of the telephone book, and drove the half hour to Rockville. There had to be at least a dozen of us, which virtually doubled the size of the congregation's 2 nd service (their "contemporary service."). We sang, worshipped, prayed, and spoke with the parishioners.
The Rockville church was utilizing the services of an interim pastor at that time. We are pleased to announce that the pastor they hired shortly thereafter was referred to them through the Pastor Referral Network, which is administered by the UCC Ministry Team at Byfield Parish Church.
3. Let the Light Shine! by David Runnion-Bareford, Executive Director, Biblical Witness Fellowship
It has been a season of silence for BWF, in part because there was nothing left to be said. Our witness to the churches, the media, the denominational leadership and the world has been clear and loud. The idolatrous decision in the summer of 2005 to attempt to tell God that marriage was whatever we, in our human delusions, wanted it to be, placed the UCC beyond the boundaries of reality. We called for the denomination president's resignation, reiterated our witness that Jesus is Lord, the Bible is true, human life and human sexuality are sacred and, well, what more could we say?
But then something happened: On Sunday, May 13 th, I was given the text of Isaiah 44 to preach in the pulpit at Candia, NH. As I prepared it, the Holy Spirit hindered my use of the key verses 3 - 5, which read:
"For I will pour water on the thirsty land; and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. One will say, 'I belong to the Lord', another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand 'The Lord's"
The Spirit seemed to indicate that these were not for that day. Perplexed, I went on and emphasized other verses in the text. Some weeks later, I was in an amazing four day meeting with 900 church leaders from 70 countries worshiping at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London. As we were worshiping in the Spirit, the worship leader read this text:
"For I will pour water on the thirsty land; and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. One will say, 'I belong to the Lord', another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand 'The Lord's"
At that moment the Holy Spirit spoke very clearly to say, "This text is for the congregations of the United Church of Christ." I was stunned. How? Why? Why now? On what basis? But again and again this word washed over me for the next two days until I could only be moved to tears: "This word is for the congregations of the United Church of Christ – really!"
What this means next will have to be revealed. It will be a season to move beyond "right" and "left" to a radical gospel rooted in a radical relationship with Jesus. It will mean being a radical church in the context of much folk religion and cultural confusion. I believe as we listen that God is going to honor the invitation extended to him by the UCC to speak. GOD IS STILL SPEAKING! I believe that the key is in the UCC's 50 th Anniversary theme "LET THE LIGHT SHINE."
David's Post-General Synod Reflection…
The real story of this Synod, is that GOD IS STILL SPEAKING. It was made clear to me that 2007 is to be marked down in the UCC as the year of the Holy Spirit. Calling upon the Holy Spirit to act, to fall fresh on us, to guide, to anoint, was repeated by a wide variety of voices. I am very convicted that God is on the move, to reclaim His churches. Now is the time to rededicate ourselves to this vital mission field in the power and humility of the Holy Spirit. To succeed we will need a network of intercessory prayer. If you are an intercessor, know some, are connected to a team, we need you. We need you now. Email us at http://www.biblicalwitness.org/ What was revealed in Hartford is that God is about to do something in our churches for which many of us have yearned for a lifetime. It has begun, and will unfold as none of us could have anticipated. It will defy our right/left categories and once again have us dying to ourselves if we hope to live. Stay tuned.
4. Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ Annual
Meeting, Part 2: Report – September 2007, Worcester, MA
The Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ held Part 2 of its 208th Annual Meeting at the DCU Center in Worcester on Saturday, September 29 th. (Part 1 of the Annual Meeting was held in June at the 26th General Synod in Hartford, Connecticut.) The UCC Ministry Team attended Part 2, joined by Sharon Harrell and Allen Trefry. We were pleased to register Malcolm Fowler and Don Hudson as voting delegates. More than 500 people were in attendance. The day-long event consisted of hearings and voting on three resolutions, lunch, keynote address, workshops, and a worship service that included the installation of the new Massachusetts Conference Minister, Jim Antal.
Byfield Parish Church has not participated in Massachusetts Conference Annual Meetings for many years. The UCC Ministry Team attended the Annual Meeting to watch, learn, vote, participate, and network. God provided all these opportunities to the Team, in order that we might better know our brothers and sisters in the Massachusetts Conference and that Our Lord might be known through us!
5. UCC Dues
In order to remove barriers to our congregation's renewal efforts and to retain the respect of our denomination, we need to be squeaky clean as a UCC member congregation in meeting our membership obligations to the denomination. Our dues to the denomination for the calendar year 2007 are $4,356. Collected and paid to date is $2,428, leaving a balance of $1,928 due before December 31, 2007.
When we voted as a congregation to remain in the UCC denomination, we further decided to respect those members of our congregation who, as a matter of conscience, choose not to support the denomination financially. Accordingly, UCC dues are no longer a General Budget line item. However, members may choose to give to the UCC Dues Fund voluntarily. If you are led to support our membership in the UCC denomination financially, please clearly indicate this intention with your giving.
6. Pastor Referral Network
The Pastor Referral Network (PRN) is a referral service for pastors and congregations in the United Church of Christ. It serves to connect pastors and churches of like mind and spirit. The work, records, and mechanics of the PRN have been transferred to the oversight of the UCC Ministry Team at Byfield Parish Church. We anticipate with excitement that the team will enable this ministry to grow with renewed energy and new vision under the power of the Holy Spirit.
An independent phone line has been installed in the Byfield Parish Church office (978-352-6800). The team is pleased to announce that Don Hudson (Jr.) is now serving as national PRN Administrator. In that capacity, Don is overseeing the program and is responsible for its general direction and growth, as well as handling special correspondence. He is working with Minda Fowler, who is responsible for day-to-day operations. Don is currently in the process of assembling a team of advisors and specialists to help administer the PRN.
Churches of the UCC with empty pulpits are encouraged to register with the PRN (email: info4churches@pastorreferralnetwork.com). Those that do so will be included in a descriptive listing of "Churches Seeking Pastors" that is sent monthly to clergy who have registered with the PRN. Clergy are then free to contact search committee contact people directly, to inquire about open pastoral positions. Additional information about the PRN is available on its website at http://www.pastorrefferralnetwork.com/.
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New PRN mailing address |
Pastor Referral Network, PO Box 323, Georgetown, MA 01833 |
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PRN website |
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New PRN phone number |
978-352-6800 |
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PRN Administrator Don Hudson's email |
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Minda Fowler's PRN email |
7. Pulpit Prayer for Our Sister Churches – Round One!
On Sunday, September 2nd, upon praying for the First Congregational Church of Saugus, our church completed its first rotation of Sunday service prayer for the 35 churches in the Essex Association. The UCC Ministry Team, led by the Holy Spirit of God, recommitted to praying for our sister churches in the Essex Association as one of our first steps in reaching out to them to share the love and the light of Jesus Christ.
The church that is to be lifted up in corporate prayer from our pulpit on Sunday is called during the week. These conversations with the church's pastor or secretary have been wonderful opportunities to connect and learn what God is doing at that church. Our second prayer rotation is under way, and the UCC Ministry Team anticipates many more blessed opportunities to demonstrate our love for our neighbors. Thank you for your individual prayers, as well. The prayer calendar is below. Consider adding these churches to your personal prayer time.
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December 2 |
Pilgrim Congregational Church, Merrimac |
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December 9 |
Union Congregational Church, Amesbury |
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December 16 |
Main Street Congregational Church, Amesbury |
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December 23 |
Congregational Church of Topsfield |
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December 30 |
First Congregational Church, Essex |
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January 6 |
First Church Congregational, Wenham |
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January 13 |
First Parish Church, Manchester |
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January 20 |
Trinity Congregational Church, Gloucester |
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January 27 |
Union Congregational Church, Magnolia |
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February 3 |
First Congregational Church, Rockport |
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February 10 |
First Church Congregational, Danvers |
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February 17 |
Maple Street Congregational Church, Danvers |
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February 24 |
Church in the Cove, Beverly |
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March 2 |
Dane Street Congregational Church, Beverly |
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March 9 |
Immanuel Congregational Church, Beverly |
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March 16 |
Second Congregational Church, Beverly |
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March 23 |
Tabernacle Church Congregational, Salem |
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March 30 |
First Church of Christ, Marblehead |
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April 6 |
First Church, Swampscott |
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April 13 April 20 April 27 May 4 |
Nahant Village Church, Nahant Central Congregational Church, Lynn Lynnfield Community Church, Lynnfield First Congregational Church, Saugus
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8. Essex Association Women's Fellowship Fall Meeting, November 7 th
The Essex Association Women's Fellowship held its 2007 fall meeting on Wednesday, November 7th, at the Congregational Church of Topsfield. Miriam Boylan, Program Coordinator for the EAWF, invited The Reverend Robert McGlew to be the program speaker. Bob shared his life story in word and song. Donna Collins, a student at Andover Newton Theological Seminary, led the women in worship. The newly appointed Acting Associate Conference Minister for the Andover and Essex Associations, Carol Atwood-Lyon, was present to greet all in attendance and to join us for lunch. Nancy Cumming, Corresponding Secretary reports that 90 women from a number of Essex Association churches were in attendance with many from Byfield Parish Church. The next meeting of the EAWF will be April 30, 2008, at the First Congregational Church in Saugus. Thanks be to God for the opportunity He has given us to share the love we know in Christ Jesus with the women of this fellowship.
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9. Links |
Biblical Witness Fellowship, Candia, NH |
http://www.biblicalwitness.org/
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Pastor Referral Network, Georgetown, MA |
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National UCC Denomination website, Cleveland, OH |
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Massachusetts Conference website, Framingham, MA |
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Byfield Parish Church, Georgetown, MA |
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…is the Lord calling you to become involved at a new or deeper lever in this work? Consider speaking to our pastor or any member of the UCC Ministry Team. The Almighty is opening doors in many areas and He is calling His own to this kingdom building effort!