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Conference Takes Lead in Opposing More Casinos
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By Drew Page
The 2017 Legislative Session of the Connecticut General Assembly begins on January 4. With only one month to go, The Connecticut Conference's Legislative Advocate, Michele Mudrick, has been working hard to organize the opposition to an issue that has been raised regularly in recent years: a new casino in the state.
"We already have two of the largest casinos in the world in Connecticut," says Mudrick. "We do not need another built on the backs of low wage earners, minorities, and the elderly."
Read more to find out how you can get involved
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Bridgeport UCC Announces Sale of Property
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By Drew Page
BRIDGEPORT - The United Congregational Church of Bridgeport announced their decision to sell the church building and property to the Bridgeport Islamic Community Center (BICC) on Monday at a press conference in Bridgeport. The church will temporarily relocate in May and begin searching for a new home.
"As an active, vibrant, 321-year-old congregation, this is our opportunity to preserve this beautiful building, see it maintained and used as a House of Prayer, and move forward as partners in serving the community," said the Rev. Sara Smith, pastor of United Congregational. "We are especially grateful that where there is fear and uncertainty in some places, this sacred building with its steeple, is still the beacon of hope for people of all faiths, all races, all backgrounds."
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#GivingTuesday Gifts Exceed $4K
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The Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences of the United Church of Christ participated in the national #GivingTuesday generosity movement on November 29 and raised more than $4500. These gifts will be used to support the Racial Justice Ministries of the three conferences.
"We are so grateful for the donations," said Connecticut Conference Minister the Rev. Kent Siladi.
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Faith Formation Leaders To Be Mentors
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"Where would any of us be were it not for the mentors who came along and, at just the right moment, blew on the embers of our being-in-that-place, bringing visions to light, thoughts into focus and frustrations into opportunities?"
- The Rev. Dr. Claire Bamber, speaking at a
recent training opportunity for faith formation leaders to become mentors.
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BLOG: Why We Must Raise Minimum Wage To $15
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By The Rev. Kent J. Siladi
Conference Minister
In Connecticut, we happily receive goods and services from many people — retail workers, home health aides and food service workers — who are paid less than the poverty level. We ought to do better. And there is a growing understanding that we can.
On Dec. 1, a state legislative advisory panel on low-wage workers agreed, recommending that Connecticut establish a $15 minimum wage. Earlier this year, the Connecticut Conference of United Church of Christ also asked the legislature to set the minimum wage at $15 per hour, effective 2019. The conference also asked its member churches to review compensation of their staff and develop plans to pay at least $15 per hour.
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Spirit Calendar:
Waiting
The Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer
writes:
"We can wait for this to happen, like one waits on a bus. Or we can live into Advent and get impassioned to act..."
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Spirited Wednesday: Carry The Light
The Rev. Lee A. Ireland writes: "Life brings us to moments when we are the bearers of the light."
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From the National Setting
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Standing Rock water protectors celebrate victory, stay vigilant
After celebrating a historic decision on Sunday by the Army Corps of Engineers that blocks the builders of Dakota Access Pipeline from running pipe to carry fracked oil under the Missouri River, the Standing Rock Sioux Nation and their allies are staying the course in an effort to stop the project from further impacting their sacred lands and water sources.
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The Rev. Robert B. Fichter
The Rev. Robert B. Fichter, age 95, of Hampton, Connecticut, died Nov. 25, 2016, during his sleep.
He served several churches in the Connecticut Conference as pastor: from 1972 to 1976 in South Killingly,from 1976 to 1983 in Burlington, and from 1983 to 1994 in Scotland. He also served as a Pastoral Visitor in Columbia from 1994 - 2010.
The memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016, at 10:30 AM at the Hampton Congregational Church at 263 Main St. (Route 97), Hampton, Connecticut.
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What's New on the New Website
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Event Calendar
The new CTUCC Event Calendar includes events being sponsored by the Conference, by local churches and by related organizations. Simply visit ctucc.org/events and click on an event for complete information. You can even add the event to your own calendar with the click of a button, and find a map to the venue location.
Your church is invited to submit events by using the "Submit an Event" button that can be found on the calendar page.
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Upcoming Conference Events
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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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Minnechaug Regional High School,
Wilbraham, MA
Keynote speaker will be
author, storyteller, and theologian.
Brian McLaren Workshop proposals are now being accepted.
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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. 10, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Middlesex Community College, Middletown
All D.U. E Justice leaders, partners, and allies are invited to plan, strategize, and dream about the best response to current reality. Issues are: Good Jobs, Fair Wages; Universal Access to Public Education; Democracy in our State and Workplace; Racial Gender & Ethnic Justice; A Vibrant, Fairly Funded Public Sector.
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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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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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