Fire Guts the Structure
of One of Our Own
Martin Luther King Jr.
Community Presbyterian Church
Springfield, MA
Dear Neighboring Vermont Churches:
We received this devastating news from our Presbytery and have shared it with our session members. Last night our session voted to send a check for $1,000 to this congregation who shares the name of one of our most prominent spiritual leaders in recent times, to rebuild their church.
The aftermath is being investigated by local police and bomb squads and the Federal Bureau of Investigation which is treating it as a hate crime. We reach out to you to join us in prayer and financial contributions not only to rebuild the physical structure, but to begin the healing of the people who have been shattered by this event. Checks can be mailed to:
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church
14 Concord Terrace
Springfield, MA 01109
You can still donate to the church's recovery online at this link
I am writing on behalf of a small rural Presbyterian church in Topsham, Vermont who asks you to extend unconditional mercy to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we can rebuild their confidence and assure them that the love of our neighboring churches surrounds them during this hurtful time.
Ann Peck
Clerk of Session
Topsham Presbyterian Church USA
Consider this letter from Topsham as an invitation for other churches in PNNE to consider demonstrating their care by sharing financial support
New! Black Church + White Domestic Terrorism
On Dec. 28. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church experienced yet another arson attack. This is the second Black church in Springfield in recent history to be targeted in an act of white domestic terrorism. So, Mass Council of Churches staff held a special Facebook Live talk with Rev. Dr. Terrlynn Curry Avery, pastor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church. You can view the archived video here.
New! Discussion of the Attack on the United States Capitol
The Washington Office of the PC(USA) is hosting a conversation between Associate Director of Advocacy, Rev. Jimmie R. Hawkins and Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson as they dissect the attack on the Capitol Building and the events leading up to the attack. The video will go live today, Jan. 14, at 3:30 pm on their Facebook page.
New! New England Glow Movie Night
Sunday, January 17 at 7:00 pm they will be watching The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. To register please click here. Email Jen at newenglandglow.rym@gmail.com for more details or to join the email list.
New Hampshire Clergy Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
On the pre-registration form, clergy should select “At-Risk Health Workers” as they “have indirect or limited patient contact.” In New Hampshire’s plan, clergy are considered “Non-Clinical Front Line Workers,” particularly those with direct patient contact so they are eligible for vaccination in Phase 1a. This is documented in the Technical Assistance document here.
Webinar on Best-Practices for Hybrid Worship
Eric H. Doss presented a webinar on December 15 on practical advice on technology and best-practices for hybrid worship. The recording is now available under "worship resources" on the COVID-19 resources page on our website. You can find a list of resources Eric mentioned in the video on his website. If you are interested in more material, you can sign up for his newsletter and hire him for related presentations.
Prayer Calendar
Our prayers for the week of Sunday, January 17 are for Hospital and Hospice Chaplains and Revs. Karen Fleming, Mia Dyson, Devin Dickinson, Skye Murray, and Deadra Ashton.
New! The January issue is available: "Build a Robust Network"
Because this is a subscription service, you must be a member of the Presbytery or one of our congregations in order to view the content. Once you have registered on the website and have been authorized, you will be able to log in and view each edition.
Contact lists
The Clergy Directory and
Commissions/Committees Directory can be found on our website. You must be a member of the Presbytery and log in to view these documents. Both directories were updated after the most recent Presbytery meeting.
If you have an update or change, please send it to office@pnne.org.
Publications and website links Subscribe to Presbytery communications: PNNE sign-up form
Mondays are usually the day off for the Stated Clerk. The Resource Presbyter has started taking Fridays off. If there is an emergency or you need immediate assistance, please call their cell phones and leave a message.
Connecting: For All Ministers
We have two opportunities during the week to connect for support and encouragement. The login information can be found in the Presbytery calendar on the website.
Mondays at 10:00 am
Tuesdays at 3:00 pm
Epiphany Present
Three things are given
three gifts to set our souls afire
To recognize the hand that makes us
Reach out and touch the hand that shakes beside us
Set free the hand that wakes within us
Create
Relate
Appreciate
And in all this to dance
the dance of death
along to life again.
