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Together, As One - Video Released
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A new Vantage Point video is now available in which Conference Minister The Rev. Kent J. Siladi speaks with The Rev. Jocelyn Gardner Spencer, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock and member of the CTUCC Board of Directors.
In the video, the two talk about the proposal for the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island conferences to join together to form a new conference of the United Church of Christ.
"It's a new thing and its an old thing," Spencer says in the video. "It's consistent with the call of Christ, It's consistent with the mission of the church ever since the beginning: connecting with those who we think of as other, expanding the boundaries of who is considered us."
"If you think about who Jesus spent time with, it was always the people who were on the margins, who were pushed to the outside," she said. "He was all about crossing the boundaries that society had imposed on people, so in some ways we are re-embracing or re-discovering something that's been in our DNA since the beginning."
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Legislative Advocate Featured on Radio Program
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Conference Legislative Advocate Michele Mudrick and Former Congressmen Robert Steele were featured on WTIC 1080 Sunday speaking out against the expansion of casino gambling in Connecticut.
The two were interviewed for the Feb. 12 edition of "WTIC Public Affairs Face CT."
Listen now or download the podcast from the WTIC website.
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Register Early for Super Saturday
For Discounted Items
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Those who register for Super Saturday by March 2 can order a Be The Church T-Shirt or Banner at a discounted price.
The banners, normally $125, can be ordered for $100; the T-shirts, normally $18, can be ordered for $16. Items must be picked up AT Super Saturday - they cannot be delivered.
Super Saturday is a full day of workshops and networking featuring author, storyteller, and theologian.Brian McLaren.
Super Saturday!
March 18, 8:00 AM - 3:45 PM
Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbraham, MA
Get more information and register
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Local Churches in the News
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HARTFORD COURANT: Author Says It's Time To Pardon Windsor 'Witches'
First Church in Windsor Pastor The Rev. Nicole Grant Yonkman and Associate Pastor Char Corbett were involved in this effort to successfully convince the Windsor Town Council to pardon two women.
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NEW HAVEN REGISTER: Dixwell Congregational Church Kicks Off 3-Year Celebration
The oldest African-American Congregational church in the world will kick off a three-year celebration Sunday leading up to its 200th anniversary.
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THE NEWS & THE OBSERVER: Church Conference in Chapel Hill Examines Gun Violence
The Rev. Matt Crebbin, senior pastor of Newtown Congregational Church, was the keynote speaker at “Beyond Gun Violence.”
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NBC CT: Guilford Church Stands as Beacon of Hope for Refugees
For decades, First Congregational Church of Guilford has been a beacon of hope on the Connecticut shoreline for refugee families coming to the United States.
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The following ministerial changes were report to the Connecticut Conference in January, 2017:
Rev. Ed Cornell was Called as Pastor to Saybrook, First
Rev. Christa Swenson was Installed as Associate Pastor at Mystic Congregational
Rev. Cheryl Caronna began her term as Pastor at Canterbury, First
Rev. Joseph Tobin ended his term as Bridge Pastor at Goshen Congregational
Rev. David Jarvis started his term as Interim Pastor at Harwinton Congregational
Rev. John Collins ended his term as Bridge Pastor at Oxford United
Rev. Sara Ofner‐Seals ended her term as Pastor at Norwich, Park
Rev. Doug Clark ended his term as Interim Pastor at Haddam, First and Higganum Congregational
Rev. Jenei Rossigg ended her term as Pastor at Meriden, Center
Rev. John Madsen‐Bibeau started his term as Bridge Pastor at Goshen Congregational
Rev. Tomi Jacobs‐Ziobro started her term as Shared Pastor at Haddam, First and Higganum Congregational
Rev. Jack Zappulla started his term as Bridge Pastor at Meriden, Center
Rev. John Collins started his term as Interim Associate Pastor at Asylum Hill, Hartford
Rev. Greg Gray ended his term as Designated Pastor at East Hartford, South
Rev. Larissa Forsythe started her term as Associate Pastor at South Glastonbury, Congregational
Rev. Donna Manocchio retired as Associate Pastor at Asylum Hill, Hartford
Rev. Douglas Clark retired from Interim Ministry
Rev. Evans Sealand Jr, retired, previously served as Pastor at Canton Center, First, died on Dec. 29
See More
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Spirit Calendar: Small Steps; Big Impacts
Michele Mudrick writes: "...as people of faith, it's important to step outside our comfort zones and fight for justice."
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Spirited Wednesday: Whose Fool Are You?
The Rev. Timothy Haut writes: "Jesus came to remind us that our citizenship is not primarily in this realm of power and bluster, wealth, and glamor."
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Feb. 16, 6:00 - 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Simsbury
Dodgeball and bowling are great fun, but would you like to spend more time praying and worship with your youth group? Come for dinner and to explore this important aspect of our ministry with our young people.
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March 3 - 5
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Join us for a three-day interview and training session and become one of the future leaders of Silver Lake!
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Registration Now Open!
Minnechaug Regional High School,
Wilbraham, MA
A full day of workshops, networking and a keynote address by
author, storyteller, and theologian
Brian McLaren.
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March 23, March 30, and April 6
2:00 - 3:00 PM
An online book study of Eboo Patel's
Sacred Ground
. For pastors, youth leaders, and lay leaders who wish to explore new models for Interfaith dialogue. Try on this unique Lenten practice as a way to grow in understanding of Muslim neighbors.
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March 24 - 26
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! A weekend of exploration and restoration, rather than performance and perfectionism.
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March 24 - 26
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
For youth in grades 6 - 8, experience nature’s renewal and its sweet gifts.
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April 30, 3:00 - 5:30 PM
First Church of Christ Congregational, West Hartford
A dynamic worship service that will renew your spirit. All youth in grades 5 and up and their pastors, parents, or adult leaders are invited.
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May 5 - 7
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
From chopping wood to repairing buildings, moving picnic tables to raking leaves, there’s a project for everyone, high schoolers through adult.
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May 19 - 21
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Environmental justice and leadership training for youth in grades 9-12 who care about the health of their communities
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June 30 - July 5
Baltimore, MD
This event is for young leaders ages 13 to 18 who want to experience the vibrant diversity of the wider church.
Participation is limited to
18 from the Connecticut Conference - registration now open.
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Activism Teach-In
March 4, 11:30 AM
Hadlyme Public Hall, Hadlyme, CT
CTUCC Legislative Advocate Michele Mudrick will be one of the speakers at this event, sponsored by Together We Rise CT.
Embracing Stewardship: 2017 Northeast Ecumenical Stewardship Council Conference
March 24 - 25
Holiday Inn, Boxborough
How to Put Stewardship at the Heart of Your Congregation's Life. An Ecumenical Conference for Churches. Keynote Presenters at this two-day conference are Charles R. (Chick) Lane and Grace Duddy Pomroy. Chick and Grace provide two distinct but complementary voices, each supporting their shared conviction that stewardship belongs at the heart of each individual and congregation.
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