Presbytery of Boston

There is now a page on our website dedicated to COVID-19 resources, including updates from both the government and the PC(USA). Also included are resources for connecting with your congregation in alternative ways that might help you think of what to do while in-person gatherings are restricted.

If your church is having trouble coming up with online solutions for streaming services, I recommend this exhaustive guide on options for live-streaming services that includes step-by-step tutorials for each option. It is from a friend I went to graduate school with who has been thinking and writing about church and technology for over a decade and it is a very solid guide for beginners.

Also listed on the new dedicated page on the Presbytery's website is a list of what our congregations are doing as alternatives to Sunday services and other gatherings at their churches. As you finalize plans for live-streaming services and other alternatives means of connecting, please email office@presbyteryofboston.org so I can list what your church is doing on the website.

If there are other ways I can help you communicate with one another during these rapidly changing times, do not hesitate to reach out.

Benjamin Chicka
Communications Coordinator

Racial Equity Challenge

Our Young Adult Volunteers invite us to participate in the 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge.

The idea is simple: You (along with thousands of other people across the US) commit to deepening your understanding of, and willingness to confront, racism for 21 consecutive days. At the very least, the Challenge will raise your awareness, but it may change the way you see and interact with the world.

Registration is open for the Challenge, which will run from March 30 through April 19.

Click here for more information.

Click here to register.

When you register, list the Presbytery of Boston as your organization. If there are at least three participants from the PNNE and the Presbytery of Boston, the YAVs will schedule one meeting at the YAV house with optional Zoom/Skype connection to discuss our experiences in the challenge.

COVID-19 Mental Health Resources

Many people are worried about mental health during this COVID-19 outbreak, both their own, that of their families, and their congregations. Each day is bringing new changes to daily life that would have been unthinkable a month ago, a week ago, or even yesterday. Click here or an the image above for a curated “short list” from the Presbyterian Mission Agency gathered from trusted sources and grouped by intended audience: resources for everyone, children, Congregations, Clergy, Church Leaders, and people with preexisting meantal health concerns. Additions will be made as new resources are identified and vetted.

New! Jericho Walk every third Tuesday in Burlington: For over a year, on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 1:00 pm, the Burlington Area Clergy for Justice (BAC4J) has been sponsoring a Jericho Walk around the ICE Administration Office in Burlington, MA. This month's walk is cancelled due to social distancing restrictions. Visit this page for updates on future walks.

Women Thriving in Ministry: Ruthie Seiders, a member-at-large of our Presbytery, is leading a cohort of women pastors for encouragement and spiritual formation through a program called Thriving in Ministry in New England through Gordon-Conwell Seminary. This cohort is completely funded by a Lily grant. If you are interested, please email rseiders@grace.org

Mission at the Eastward Housing Ministry Work Group Application: MATE is reinventing itself, and would like to draw all kinds of new volunteers into its existing and new and innovative programs. If you feel that you our your church may be called to come spend some time with us this summer, repairing the homes of our neighbors in Western Maine and serving the least of these, please reach out to Thea Kornelius at rev.thea.mate@gmail.com or just fill out this application and send it back to us at PO Box 206, Farmington, ME, 04938

Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network: Are you a lawyer or know a lawyer with a bar card who wants to help people detained by ICE? The Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network urgently needs lawyers with or without immigration experience for interviews and possible services in Plymouth and Bristol jails. More information can be found on our website.

224th General Assembly Hands and Feet Service Opportunities: During GA 224 as part of the Office of the General Assembly’s Hands and Feet initiative, The Center: Mission Outside the Box will offer hands-on service opportunities. They will offer up to 4 service options, from 8:30-noon, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 22-26. Click here for more information and to register through March 6.

180 Days of Prayer: Currently ongoing and culminating on the opening day of the 224th General Assembly (2020) in Baltimore, current and former leaders of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are joining in 180 Days of Prayer. Click here for more information.

Links of Love: Links of Love is an effort to build a paper chain, one that stretches as far as the eye can see, to display at our 224th General Assembly (2020) in Baltimore, Maryland. This paper chain will be made up of a collection of smaller ones sent in by congregations (and even mid councils) who have participated in this activity—whether they are three feet long or 30 feet long. More information can be found on the website. We would love it if you shared this fun, connectional activity with your congregation.

Prayer Concerns: Please keep Jo-an Bott and Elise Kreiger in your prayers. Elise is Jo-an's life partner and had a mini-stroke in December from which she is still recovering. She has also been diagnosed with uterine cancer and recently received a pacemaker. Cards can be sent to: Elise Krieger 73 Briarwood Circle, Worcester, MA 01606

Please continue to pray for Jennifer Wegter-McNelly and her family. You may send cards to: 1904 Providence Ave., Niskayuna, NY 12309

Upcoming 2020 Events - Save the Date

More details about events can be found on our website here.

Pastors' Canadian Canoe Trip: Sept. 20-28

New! 224th General Assembly (2020): June 20-27 in Baltimore, MD - updates will be available soon regarding whether the event will proceed as planned, be postponed, or cancelled

Cindy's Travel as Co-Moderator

Due to current events and nationwide restrictions, Cindy's travel is suspended for the time being. At this point, all of the March and early April visits are canceled, and things through the end of May could be canceled as well.

April 24-27: Ecumenical Advocacy Days, Washington D.C.

April 29-30: Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network, Montreat

May 1-9: Presbytery Leader Formation Cohort

May 11-13: Winnebago Presbytery (WI)

May 13-16: Equipping Commissioned Pastors Conference, Texas

May 18-20: John Knox Presbytery (WI)

May 21-25: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Mission Presbytery

May 25-31: Presbyteries of San Gabriel and Los Ranchos (CA)