Special Events
Nurturing Pastoral Leadership & Development
Educational Retreats & Colloquies
These annual events will offer all clergy the opportunity to join together with partners from different backgrounds to learn and reflect on transitional times in their ministry. During the event, there will be opportunities for discussion, reflection and learning. The TWT Program Coordinator is open to suggestions for questions and topics to be addressed at a future event.
Nurturing Clergy Resiliency, Creativity & Wellness
with Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund
Pastors & Chaplains, when was the last time you found time 
to take a deep breath and tend to your body and your spirit? With the extra demands of ministering in the midst of a pandemic, many ministers are in need of respite and self-care. Join us for presentations, workshops and conversations around building resiliency, attending to mental wellness, and nourishing the spiritual life of faith leaders. The event will also include opportunities to participate in spiritual practices and other forms of hands-on self-care.
Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund is the author of the widely regarded book Blessed are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness, Family and Church (Chalice Press, 2014) and blogs at sarahgriffithlund.com. In addition to serving as the Senior Pastor of First Congregational UCC in Indianapolis, she is the Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice on the UCC's Wholeness Advocacy Team of Justice and Local Church Ministries.
January 26 & 27, 2021 - More Details Coming Soon!
Location: Online Event
Coming in May 2021
Leading in a Liminal Season - Susan Beaumont
Rev. Susan Beaumont is a coach, consultant and the author of How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You are Going: Leading in a Liminal Season.
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
Details: Breakfast & Registration 7:00 am-8:00 am, Program 8:15 am-4:30 pm (6 Contact Hours)
Location: Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, 14 Mechanic Street, Southbridge, MA
Costs: $125 (includes full breakfast, full day with Susan Beaumont, lunch buffet & snacks)
For Complete Details: Leading in a Liminal Season with Susan Beaumont Flyer or visit the event page: Susan Beaumont Event
Registration Form: www.togetherwethrivegrant.org/beaumont2020
Affinity Groups
Clergy Affinity Groups are facilitate by a topic expert and will provide the opportunity for meaningful relationships between similarly-positioned clergy around a topic or theme. Groups will be formed and programming will be crafted based upon each group’s own unique ministerial focus. These Affinity Groups are conducive to creating a safe space in which clergy can learn and grow through deep sharing and honest reflection.
Upcoming Affinity Groups
Early this past spring, the launch of our initial Affinity Groups were postponed to the Fall, in hopes of being able to launch as expected. Since then, the impact of the global pandemic has expanded beyond what we had imagined. Like many organizations, we have had to reassess the structure of many of our programs. Traditionally, the model of Affinity groups has been centered on quarterly in-person gatherings. With the safety measures around COVID-19, our approach to these groups has changed. With the major shifts in how ministry happens, the needs these groups are intended to address have also changed. We will be taking the summer to revamp our Affinity Groups with the hope of launching new groups later this year.
Stay tuned for new offerings and a reimagined way of gathering and learning together.
The Art of Preaching
Focus: The discipline and art of preaching as a way of touching lives, addressing today’s spiritual hunger and nourishing the preacher's soul. The group is open to all styles and experience levels.
Group Leader: Rev. Susan Cartmell
Location: TBD according to geography of participants
Costs: $250 per year (for 4 gatherings)
Preaching Affinity Group Information Flyer
Anti-Racism in Ministry
This Group is full and no longer accepting participants.
Focus: Learning, support and accountability for pastors engaged in Anti-Racism work in their ministry setting.
Group Leader: Dr. Donique McIntosh & TBD
Location: TBD according to geography of participants
Costs: $250 per year (for 4 gatherings)
Register for an Affinity Group: Affinity Group Registration
Questions: Contact the Program Coordinator (Ramsey-mabroukh@sneucc.org)