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#GivingTuesday - Deadline for Giving Extended
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The Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences of the United Church of Christ participated in the #GivingTuesday generosity movement on November 29 and raised more than $3800. Donations will continue to be accepted through December 2. Gifts to the #GivingTuesday campaign will be used to support the Racial Justice Ministries of the three conferences.
Read more about how you can help support Racial Justice Ministries
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Survey Indicates Support for Tri-conference Collaboration, Possible Merger
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By Tiffany Vail
Associate Conference Minister for Communication
Over the last past 9 months, 555 people responding to a survey have indicated their support for the concept of a greater partnership or possible merger of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences.
In all, 73% of respondents indicated they were in favor of pursuing a proposal to either federate or merge. Included in that is the 191 (43.5%) who responded “yes, when can we start” and another 129 (29.4%) who chose “I think we should go for it, but I have some hesitations.”
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Local Churches in the News
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'Love Your Muslim Neighbor' Group Making Plans For Reaching Out
First Church of Windsor invites a local Imam to help build understanding and deeper relationships between Muslim and non-Muslim.
Local Churches Work to Unite Darien Youths
In tumultuous and divided times, three Darien churches are coming together to unite youths of different faiths.
The idea for #darienunited, a way to unite young members from congregations around Darien, did not begin in a church. The idea came to be when a reverend and a minister met in Starbucks.
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Spirit Calendar:
Judgement and Grace
Rev. Mary Nelson
writes:
"The Good News of Advent is that a King is coming, a Sovereign who judges us by a different set of rules than we judge ourselves."
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Spirited Wednesday: A Peaceable Future
The Rev. Mary Louise Howson writes: "...sharing in this journey is the only path toward healing and hope."
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Pressing Climate Justice Work
Pam Arifian writes: "Regardless of your political leanings, it can’t be disputed that the environment lost in the recent election."
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From the National Setting
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Standing Rock Allies Call On Supportive Citizens Across the Country to Pick Up the Pen and the Phone
As thousands of religious leaders, clergy, chaplains and military veterans make plans to converge in North Dakota Dec. 4 for a day of prayer at the water protectors camp north of the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation, UCC allies are calling for continued advocacy in opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) in the form of phone calls and petitions.
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The Rev. Dr. Robert B. L. Singer, Jr.
The Rev. Dr. Robert B. L. Singer Jr. died peacefully at home on November 25, 2016 at the age of 85. He was surrounded by his family.
Dr. Singer served as a pastor in Hingham and Marion, MA as well as in Newtown, Easton, Avon, and Middle Haddam, CT, and helped create the new Shalom curriculum for Sunday School which gained national attention, denominational recognition, and publication. Dr. Singer was a member of the United Church of Christ, Interchurch Council of Greater New Bedford, and the Housing for Elderly Committee in Marion.
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What's New on the New Website
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Environmental Justice
The new CTUCC Environmental Justice pages detail the Conference's commitment to creation stewardship and offers resources and information on efforts to improve the environmental impact of human activity.
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Dec. 2 - 4
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
One retreat for 4th, 5th and 6th graders; one for 7th and 8th graders. Celebrate Christmas, Silver Lake-style! Join your friends and make new ones as we anticipate Christ’s birth at Silver Lake.We will get busy and creative with Christmas crafts, outdoor play, baking, worship, and lots of singing of Christmas songs around the fire.
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Dec. 2 - 4
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Whether you’re a yoga devotee or a novice, a seasoned singer or shy about your voice, we have a special place for you in our circle!
This will be a weekend of exploration and restoration, rather than performance and perfectionism.
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Connecticut Conference Office, Hartford
CTUCC has several resolutions opposing casino expansion in CT and we are leading this for the state. Please join us at this meeting to learn more. All are welcome.
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Jan. 8, 2:00 - 7:00 PM
First Church of Christ, Congregational, Hartford
CTUCC young adults are invited to engage in this food ministry at Center Church, helping with food prep, sharing a meal with city guests, and reflecting on the intersection of economic and racial justice issues.
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Jan. 18, 6:00 PM
CT Conference Office, Hartford
This workshop is for leaders in all settings (Pastors, Youth Leaders, Giv2 Coordinators and parents) who want to enliven programs through collaborative service work. Participants will be shown a variety of age-appropriate service projects and come away with tips for preparation, engagement and reflection.
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Jan. 20-22; Feb. 3-5; Mar. 10-12
Silver Lake Conference Center
The Conference sponsors four confirmation retreats each program year for youth who may benefit from a retreat experience as they prepare for the rite of Confirmation.
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Jan. 22, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
Connecticut Conference Office, Hartford
Orientation meeting for people interested in going on a service trip for adults to the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota.
representative from Simply Smiles will present an overview and answer questions.
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Friday, Dec. 9, 8:00 PM
King Street United Church of Christ, Danbury
CALO Program and Access Connecticut NOW present this play, which chronicles the true story of a woman's relentless search for her birth parents.
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Dec. 15, 11:30 AM
First Church of Christ, West Hartford
There are challenges and joys of ministry that are particular to women in ministry.
In recognition of that, our Regional Minister, Tamara Moreland and I would like to invite you to a time of connection, worship, and fellowship as we live into the Advent Season.
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Dec. 3
Newtown Congregational Church
The Morning Event, is specifically geared for faith leaders from Christian as well as other religious traditions; The Evening Event will be a Public Lecture/Conversation.
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Jan. 24 - 25, 2017
First Congregational Church of Westbrook
A non-partisan, two-day training for faith communities to better welcome, integrate and offer healing outreach to veterans in their local area.
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Ongoing...
Help Shape Our Future: Take the Season of Discernment Survey
As the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences discuss the future of our settings, we want to hear your thoughts. Please take a few minutes to complete this online survey and help us to see if God is calling us into a new day and time to consider new ways of living out our mission and ministry together.
Go to the survey
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