CURRENT NEWS
Massachusetts Council of Churches continues to oppose the
expansion of casino gambling in Massachusetts. On
Thursday October 29, 2009
Testimony was submitted to the Joint Committee on Economic Development and
Emerging Technologies
by Laura Everett, Associate Director, Massachusetts Council of Churches.
Monday November 2, 2009: Laura Everett gave testimony before the Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture in support of H-757 & S-442, An act for a competitive economy through safer alternatives to toxic chemicals and in opposition to H 803, An act to further regulate the toxic use reduction act.
"The Green Patriarch" and Christian responsibility for Climate Change
After a recent screening of the documentary, "The Green
Patriarch", at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, four panelists
discussed the film with the viewers.
(L-R) Dr. Timothy Patitsas, Professor of Ethics, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
School of Theology; Bishop Roy Cederholm, Episcopal Diocese of Mass.; Rev.
Dr. Jim Antal, President and Minister, Mass. Conference, the United Church
of Christ; and Ms. Marla Marcum, MCC Environmental Task Force.
On July 27, 2009 Rev. Jack Johnson gave testimony to the Massachusetts Joint Judiciary Committee at the State House on CORI reform.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Pictured above are representatives who serve with the Council. (L-R)
Bishop Peter Weaver, New England Conference, United Methodist Church; Ms.
Marla Marcum, member of the MCC Environmental Task Force; Ms. June Carter,
member MCC Board of Directors representing the New England Conference,
United Methodist Church; and Rev. James McPhee, assistant to the Bishop of
the New England Conference, United Methodist Church and member of the MCC
Board of Directors representing the New England Conference.
Over one thousand United Methodists from the New England Conference gathered on June 18th for their Annual Conference at Gordon College. The geographical area of the Conference includes all of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and a portion of Connecticut. In 2010 Vermont will be come part of the Conference. The Reverend Jack Johnson, executive director of the MCC, brought greetings to the Annual Conference and shared ministries of the Council.
CELEBRATION OF NEW
CHURCH IN BOSTON
BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Sunday, June 14th was a special day in the life of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston. A service of dedication, lead by Bishop Richard F. Norris, for the worship and ministry center brought together hundreds of members, friends, clergy and community leaders to the celebration. Our congratulations to Pastor Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond, co-pastor Rev. Dr. Gloria White Hammond, and the congregation on this most blessed and special occasion.
(L-R) Rev. Dr. Gloria White Hammond; Presiding Elder Herbert Eddy; Bishop
Richard F. Norris; Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond (Photo by KC Bailey, NECVCS, AME
Press)
Attending the 2009 Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are: (L-R) The Rev. Jack Johnson, MCC Executive Director; The Rev. Herbert Eddy, Presiding Elder, New England Conference, African Methodist Episcopal Church; Bishop Richard F. Norris, First Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (Photo by KC Bailey, NECVCS, AME Press)
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SPORTS SHOULDN'T SIDELINE WORSHIP
Father Luke A. Veronis is to be commended for his witness to the community on the subject of Sabbath keeping. Farther Veronis, pastor of St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Webster made headline news when he challenged Sunday morning sports.
View his sermon; news story from the Catholic Free Press, Diocese of Worster, containing a statement signed by seventeen clergy of the Webster, Dudley, and Oxford areas; and the Massachusetts Council of Churches policy statement on youth sports on Sundays.