Led by the Holy Spirit, in September 2015 each of the Boards of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut conferences voted unanimously to adopt a resolution committing to join one another in using the 2015-2016 program year as a season of discernment to listen to how God may be calling us to either federate or merge. The fundamental question is: Is this collaborative ministry among the three Conferences of Southern New England something God wants us to do? How might it be a sign of faithfulness to God’s call?
We invite you to engage in discernment both as part of a group and as an individual:
GATHERINGS - In 2015-2016 various UCC gatherings (small groups at Conference gatherings or Association meetings; Communities of Practice; Church Councils or Committees; Super Saturday; Committees on Ministry; etc.) will use the resources below to engage in conversations. Events are listed at the right.
SURVEY - We hope that every one – whether or not you participate in one or more of these conversations - will take a few minutes to respond to this survey at: https://www.research.net/r/RIMACT.
Even as the discernment process is ongoing, the three southern New England conferences are engaging in mission and ministry efforts together. Watch for this symbol to identity those collaborative efforts. Find out more. |
Sample article to announce your church's discernment discussion (Word)
Frequently Asked Questions about what a merger or federation might mean
New! More about our Conferences - statistics and visions
Facilitator's Guide (PDF)
Facilitator's Guide for Leading a Structured Conversation. Use the Participants Guide in conjunction with this resource.
Participants Guide (PDF)