UCC Ministry Team Newsletter #2
May 2007
This newsletter is a resource to the Byfield Parish Church, its friends, and associates from its UCC Ministry Team
"O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your might; what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds and mighty acts like yours!"
Deuteronomy 3:24
The members of the UCC Ministry Team are gratefully committed to the redemptive work of God's Holy Spirit in the Essex Association, the Massachusetts Conference, and the greater denomination of the United Church of Christ. To God be the Glory!
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), Don Hudson (Jr.) (recording secretary), Doug Dawes, 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.
The mission statement is: Our mission is to design and implement strategies to affirm the historic gospel in the UCC, particularly in and between United Churches of Christ by monitoring the denomination and by regular communication with the Byfield Parish Church.
1. UCC Ministry Team Sponsors India Gospel Literacy Conference
2. Essex Association Women's Fellowship Meets at Byfield–Appoints Nancy Cumming Corresponding Secretary
3. Second Congregational, Boxford, Hosts Essex Association Annual Meeting
4. Pastor Referral Network Now at Byfield Parish Church
5. UCC Dues: An Explanation
6. New Pastor Installed at Groveland Congregational Church
7. Two UCC Pastors Step Down
8. Pulpit Prayer for Sister Churches
9. General Synod: the UCC Turns 50!
10. Links
1. UCC Ministry Team Sponsors India Gospel Literacy Conference
On Sunday, April 22, the UCC Ministry Team presented an open-invitation conference at the Byfield Parish Church. The purpose was to share the impact of gospel literacy programs in India with the churches of the Essex Association of the United Church of Christ. Following a multi-faceted promotional effort, we were pleased to welcome 50 people to the afternoon event. Our pastor Bill Boylan's opening remarks highlighted the historical bridge between our denomination's past missionary work in India dating back to 1812, and our present day call to continue to share the gospel in that land.
Bill Teate of Glad Tidings India introduced guest speakers from India -- Selvi and Gloria -- who shared in disturbing detail the plight of poor illiterate women in India and the empowering and redemptive effect of literacy and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bill Scott, a missionary to India for over 55 years (and Bill and Miriam's host during their recent India trip) gave a brief history of the program that has led to the daily distribution of 47,000 pieces of Bible literature every working day in that country. He remained on hand to answer questions from the audience and to share his eye-witness account of the amazing impact of the gospel on individuals, families, and villages in as little as one year after participation in the gospel literacy program. Many in the audience responded to an opportunity to underwrite further literacy efforts of Glad Tidings India.
Among the churches attending were First Church of Christ in Bradford, Rowley Congregational Church, Immanuel Congregational Church of Beverly, Trinity Congregational Church of Gloucester, and First Church of Saugus. Simon Miner presented special music. Refreshments and personal contact with Glad Tidings India representatives followed in our Fellowship Hall.
Stay tuned for our next local conference.
2. Essex Association Women's Fellowship Meets at Byfield –Appoints Nancy Cumming Corresponding Secretary
The UCC's Essex Association Women's Fellowship (EAWF) formally installed UCC Ministry Team member Nancy Cumming to the position of Corresponding Secretary for a two-year term. Nancy joins Miriam Boylan (Program Coordinator) and nine other women who make up the officers and coordinators of the EAWF. We rejoice that God has opened this door for Nancy and Miriam to serve Him in the Fellowship!
The Byfield Parish Church hosted the semi-annual meeting of the EAWF on Wednesday, April 25. Sixty-five women were welcomed from a number of Essex Association churches. Guest speaker Reverend Beverly Weinhold shared an inspiring message -- "Ruth and Naomi, Forever Friends." The Reverend Lelly Smith led the women in worship. The luncheon was prepared and served by a faithful team of men and women from Byfield Parish Church, led by Leah Craig. Many thanks to Leah and the team for the delicious meal!
The Essex Association Women's Fellowship will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, November 7, 2007, at the Congregational Church of Topsfield. The guest speaker will be The Reverend Robert McGlew. Bob, retired from the Air Force, worshipped at Byfield Parish Church and served as an elder, administrative assistant, and a minister to the elderly. All women are welcome to attend.
3. Second Congregational, Boxford, Hosts Essex Association Annual Meeting
The Essex Association held its annual meeting on Saturday, May 12, at the Second Congregational Church of Boxford. Attending from Byfield Parish Church were Bill Boylan, Doug Dawes, Nancy Cumming, and Allan Trefry. Bert Noyes also attended the meeting, representing the First Parish Church of Newbury. Keynote speaker was senior minister of First Congregational Church of Falmouth and congregational author and historian, the Reverend Dr. Douglas Showalter, whose talk was titled, "Reclaiming Our Roots." Three workshops were offered: "Stepping out in Faith: Sharing Our Mission Stories;" "Growing our Church/Proclaiming our Faith;" and "Keeping Faith with the Past: What to Do With Your Church Records." Five seminary students who are "in-care" with the Essex Association led a worship time. The meeting was well attended and provided many opportunities to see old friends and meet new acquaintances. Consider attending the next annual meeting. All are welcome and there is no charge.
4. Pastor Referral Network Now at Byfield Parish Church
The Pastor Referral Network (PRN) is a referral service for congregations in the United Church of Christ and others of Reformed, Evangelical, Congregational, Christian heritages…helping to connect pastors and churches of like mind and spirit.
The work, records, and mechanics of the PRN are in the process of being 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. The team is pleased to announce that Don Hudson (Jr.) will serve as national PRN Administrator. In that capacity, Don will oversee the program and be responsible for its general direction and growth. He will work with Minda Fowler, who will be responsible for day-to-day operations.
Churches of the UCC with empty pulpits who are seeking a godly, theologically conservative, and biblically literate pastor, 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 will then be free to contact the church contact person directly to inquire about open pastoral positions. Additional information about the PRN is available on our website at http://www.pastorrefferralnetwork.com/.
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New mailing address |
Pastor Referral Network, PO Box 323, Georgetown, MA 01833 |
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New website |
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New phone number |
978-352-6800 |
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PRN Administrator Don Hudson's email |
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5. UCC Dues: An Explanation
From the Massachusetts Conference website,
"Fellowship dues have been paid by the churches of the Massachusetts conference to support common ministries since the 1840's. It consists of two parts. Association dues cover the cost of Association programs and services. Each Association sets its own dues. Conference dues contribute to the cost of Conference programs and services including regionally deployed ministers and staff. Fellowship dues are assessed on a per member basis. Association treasurers bill each church for its fellowship dues. They retain the Association portion and remit the Conference portion to the Conference. Dues are due by December 31 each year."
At our Annual Meeting of May 2006, 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 item. However, members may still choose to give money to the UCC Fellowship Dues Fund, and some have done so.
On January 2, 2007, Byfield Parish Church (BPC) paid UCC Fellowship dues in the amount of $3,502.00, for the 2006 calendar year. This amount was split between the Essex Association ($218.87) and the Massachusetts Conference ($3,283.13). The UCC Fellowship Dues Fund balance at BPC is $1,049.00. If you wish to give money to the BPC UCC Fellowship Dues Fund, you must clearly indicate so when you give.
6. New Pastor Installed at Groveland Congregational Church
Groveland Congregational Church has installed their new pastor, Reverend Lance Dallaire. UCC Team members Malcolm Fowler, Nancy Cumming, and Pastor Bill Boylan -- along with Byfield Parish Church members Allan and Sherry Trefry -- attended the March 25 installation at the Groveland Congregational Church.
This was a great opportunity to participate in the welcome of Pastor Dallaire to Groveland and to the Essex Association and to experience a pastoral installation as practiced by our denomination. The UCC Team hopes to use events such as this to build our interpersonal network with men and women in the denomination as friends and ambassadors for Christ.
7. Two UCC Pastors Step Down
Two local and longtime pastors recently announced that they are stepping down from their positions as senior pastors. The Reverend Jeanne Marechal announced her retirement from the Second Congregational Church of Boxford after serving as senior pastor since 1993. The Reverend Kent Allen announced to the Central Congregational Church in Newburyport that he is accepting the call to pastor a church in Maine. Pastor Allen has served as senior pastor at Central since 1988. We are holding these churches and their search committees in prayer. Please join us in asking God to set aside pastors faithful to His full counsel as contained in His Holy Word to serve in these churches. Do you have friends or family who worship in these churches? Let them know that we at Byfield Parish Church care about them and that we are praying for them. May God guide and sustain these churches and may He use this "interim season" to bring each person closer to Himself.
8. Pulpit Prayer for Sister Churches
The prayer from our pulpit each Sunday continues to be a wonderful vehicle to reach out to each of the almost 40 churches in the Essex Association to share our caring and the love of our Savior. As per the prayer schedule below, a church is contacted each week to ask for specific prayer requests and to share our desire to lift them before God. Consider adding these churches to your personal prayer time.
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April 29 |
First Congregational Church, Essex |
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May 6 |
First Congregational Church, Wenham |
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May 13 |
First Parish Church, Manchester |
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May 20 |
Trinity Congregational Church, Gloucester |
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May 27 |
Union Congregational Church, Gloucester |
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June 3 |
First Congregational Church, Rockport |
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June 10 |
First Congregational Church, Danvers |
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June 17 |
Maple Street Congregational Church, Danvers |
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June 24 |
Church in the Cove, Beverly |
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July 1 |
Dane Street Congregational Church, Beverly |
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July 8 |
Immanuel Congregational Church, Beverly |
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July 15 |
Second Congregational Church, Beverly |
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July 22 |
Tabernacle Congregational Church, Salem |
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July 29 |
First Church of Christ, Marblehead |
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August 5 |
First Congregational Church, Swampscott |
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August 12 |
Nahant Village Church, Nahant |
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August 19 |
Central Congregational Church, Lynn |
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August 26 |
Lynnfield Community Church, Lynnfield |
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September 2 |
First Congregational Church, Saugus |
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9. General Synod: the UCC Turns 50!
The UCC is observing its 50th anniversary this year, and there are plans to celebrate at the 26th General Synod in Hartford, Connecticut, June 22-26. Attending from Byfield Parish Church will be Bill Boylan, Jim Harrell, Doug Dawes, and Don Hudson (Jr.). The weekend is filled with exhibits, workshops, worship, concerts, service projects, Bible study, special guest speakers, and synod business. Go to the main synod information website, www.ucc.org/synod for all the details, including a list of proposed resolutions. Please pray for God's blessing on our members who will attend and for the work of the Lord to be advanced through the 26 th General Synod.
10. Links
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Final Report of the Listening Process Steering Committee |
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Glad Tidings India, Paradise, PA |
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Biblical Witness Fellowship, Candia, NH |
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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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Suggestions and comments are also welcome at uccministryteam@gmail.com