Thursday, March 26, 2009
March Mission News
Hi Everyone,
This month's newsletter has two big things and a request. The request is that the Pilgrim Mission Committee doesn't have many emails from the people in your church who would want to receive notes about mission projects and issues.
At our last Mission Fair, we asked how many received these notices. Very, very, very few knew anything about them. Few on missions committees, Justice committees, ONA committees, and few who were just generally mission and justice-minded people, but not on a committee.
So, we need your help to change that. A truckload of people would like to be connected to the wider world of UCC/Pilgrim Association Mission and justice activities, and you can help us link up.
Click on the email address below and (with their permission, of course) send us the emails of people who you think would enjoy this newsletter. They will thank you for it. We will thank you for it. God will thank you for it (Actually God will like you either way, but still....)
Stan
standuncan@post.harvard.edu
_______________________________________
Click here for a downloadable registration form (pdf)
Or click here to register on-line with a credit card.
Need help? Contact Karen Methot: methotk@macucc.org or 508-875-5233 x234
Sponsored by the Commission for Mission and Justice of the Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ
This month's newsletter has two big things and a request. The request is that the Pilgrim Mission Committee doesn't have many emails from the people in your church who would want to receive notes about mission projects and issues.
At our last Mission Fair, we asked how many received these notices. Very, very, very few knew anything about them. Few on missions committees, Justice committees, ONA committees, and few who were just generally mission and justice-minded people, but not on a committee.
So, we need your help to change that. A truckload of people would like to be connected to the wider world of UCC/Pilgrim Association Mission and justice activities, and you can help us link up.
Click on the email address below and (with their permission, of course) send us the emails of people who you think would enjoy this newsletter. They will thank you for it. We will thank you for it. God will thank you for it (Actually God will like you either way, but still....)
Stan
standuncan@post.harvard.edu
_______________________________________
Another
Mission Fair
Success!
Mission Fair
Success!
This year's fair was another great success. On February 21, we all gathered at First Congregational Church of Hanover, shared ideas and stories about Mission and Justice projects in our home churches, listened to Rosalee Sinn talk about the exciting work of Heifer Project, and had a tremendous lunch.
If you missed out, but want to have a booth at next year's fair, click here to send an email and let us know you are interested. We'll put you down early to avoid the rush.
Click here for more photosIf you missed out, but want to have a booth at next year's fair, click here to send an email and let us know you are interested. We'll put you down early to avoid the rush.
 Visit to Equal Exchange If you haven't already done so, send us soon your reservations for our trip to Equal Exchange, the fair trade coffee (and more) company. They are very soon needing to know who will be coming. April 24, 10:00-12:30  The trip will be April 24, at 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the place is their West Bridgewater factory and offices (see below for a map), and the opportunity is for all of us to get acquainted with our fair trade partners and learn more about them. We'll get to hear the fair trade story, see coffee being roasted, have a coffee "cupping" (tasting), and receive a free chocolate bar. You can't beat it. As a special treat, we will have an opportunity to meet several members of coffee cooperatives in Africa who are visiting Equal Exchange, learning to be "cuppers." Schedule 9:45-10 Arrive, register, drink coffee (of course) 10-10:15 EE & UCC Coffee Project Intro 10:15-11 Group 1: Coffee/ Chocolate Pairing Group 2: Roaster Tour 11-11:15 Break, coffee, bathroom 11:15-12 Group 1: Roaster Tour Group 2: Coffee/ Chocolate Pairing 12-12:30 Networking/ Brainstorming/ Q & A (EE will provide snacks-Pecans, Almonds & Dried Cranberries from our U.S. small farming partners) For much, much more information Click here for directions and a map. Click here to reserve your place on the tour (please tell us know). Click here to visit the Equal Exchange/UCC web page. Click here to sign up for their cool newsletter, "What's Brewing." Click here for a poster about the trip that you can print out for your church bulletin board. Click here if you get tired of things that are serious and want to take a break and look at pictures of my grandchildren If you know of others who would be interested, pass this note on to them too. The more the better. Send us a note here. |
Pilgrim Association Ark Challenge Time is running out on our Association-wide challenge to fill an entire Heifer Project "Ark."  This is for all churches in the Pilgrim Association working together and fill an "Ark" with Heifer Project International. One ARK is valued at $5,000 (you will be surprised to learn how much we've raised already).Our total will be announced at our Association Annual Meeting, May 30, at the Halifax Congregational Church (UCC), Halifax, MA. You must be present to win (well, actually you don't, but it always sounds cool when they say that on TV). Here's how it works: 1. Make any kind of pledge you want, from mission funds or special project or whatever, all year long. 2. Send your collected money to: Heifer Project International, 216 Wachusett Street Rutland, MA 01543 C/o Jeanne Casiello All funds to support this Ark Challenge will still be counted towards each church that individually supports AS WELL AS towards the cumulative total for the Association. 2. Mark on the check: "Pilgrim Assoc. Ark Challenge." Again, your money will still be counted toward your church. But if you add our project to the Memo line, they will also credit our project. 3. Then contact Rev. Joseph Wadsworth so both we and Heifer International can total the gift and support to both categories. (781-293-6393 or revjoe06076@yahoo.com) That's it. Then, if you really want to celebrate our collective mission work, send someone from your Mission committee along with your regular delegates to the Annual Meeting. That way many, many more of us can be a part of the project. Click here to send an rsvp to Halifax Congregational for your extra people. For a flyer to download for your church, click here. |
Mission and Justice
Leadership Gathering
For pastors, Mission or Outreach Committees
and those who have a passion for justice
Saturday, April 4, 2009 ~ 9 AM to 1:30 PM
First Congregational Church, UCC ~ Shrewsbury, MA
Leadership Gathering
For pastors, Mission or Outreach Committees
and those who have a passion for justice
Saturday, April 4, 2009 ~ 9 AM to 1:30 PM
First Congregational Church, UCC ~ Shrewsbury, MA
- Hear what other churches are doing
- Reflect on best practices such as:
⇒ How does your church organize around an issue?
⇒ How do you respond to resistance?
⇒ How do you respond to resistance?
- Hear about national, conference and local resources
- Share knowledge and inspiration
Click here for a downloadable registration form (pdf)
Or click here to register on-line with a credit card.
Need help? Contact Karen Methot: methotk@macucc.org or 508-875-5233 x234
Sponsored by the Commission for Mission and Justice of the Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ
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