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Editor's Note:
You may have noticed that you are receiving this newsletter on a Thursday morning, rather than late on a Wednesday afternoon. We thought we would try this change in schedule to see if it is a more optimal time for our readers. We welcome your feedback on this change. If receiving the newsletter on Thursday instead of Wednesday impacts its usefulness to you or your congregation, please let us know by responding to this email. And thank you for reading!
~ Tiffany Vail, Associate Conference Minister for Communications
~ Drew Page, News and Media Editor
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Youth from 13 CTUCC Congregations "Hang-Out" with their Muslim Counterparts
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By Debby Kirk
MIDDLETOWN - The planning for the Interfaith Youth Hangout began back in November, but when January 29th rolled around, the program had a new urgency. President Trump had just announced a ban on refugees. Protests had erupted at airports across the country, and there was anxiety in the Muslim community.
This gathering was developed in collaboration with the Islamic Center of Greater Hartford. Bassma Saeed and the youth team of the Berlin Mosque had hosted several Youth Hangouts in 2016 as a way to bring interfaith groups together for conversation and fellowship. The Connecticut Conference offered to reciprocate and First Church in Middletown stepped forward to host.
Over 100 youth and adults attended this program. “We were delighted that so many of our sister UCC churches could join us! We had folks from Asylum Hill, First Church in Hartford, Madison, Middletown First, Middletown South, Mystic, Newtown, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, Tolland, Vernon, and Westbrook. This was a showing of solidarity for our Muslim neighbors,” said The Rev. Julia Burkey.
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Giv2 Youth Launch Diaper Drive
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By Debby Kirk
OXFORD - This was a Giv2 (Give Squared) service event with a twist. When kids and youth leaders met at the Oxford United Church of Christ, Congregational on January 28, they began the usual way with introductions and ice breaker games to get to know friends from other congregations. But then, they prepared for a 28-day diaper drive.
"This is a service project that will last through the month of February and be an expression of caring for families in the Naugatuck Valley region," said Nancy Zeigler, coordinator for the event.
Read more
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Advocates To Make Voices Heard on Casinos
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By Shannon Rye Wall
HARTFORD - Some two dozen of us gathered at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Hartford on Tuesday despite a snowstorm that began just as we prayed our way into the meeting. This was the second meeting of the Coalition Against Casino Expansion in Connecticut, a burgeoning group led by our own Legislative Advocate, Michele Mudrick.
I was there because I recently agreed to join the CTUCC’s Advocate Corps.
Casinos were not so much on my mind at the time, but I had already decided to step up my involvement at the state Legislature this session. I heard The Rev. William Barber, the founder of the Moral Mondays movement, speak last summer. He encouraged people of faith to get involved at the statehouses, where many of the laws that impact the most vulnerable in our society are enacted. With the drastic changes being contemplated at the federal level, the huge state budget deficit, and the Legislature almost evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, Hartford is one place where we can really make an impact.
Read more
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How Do Congregations Respond to Interfaith Couples?
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The Parish Paper
February, 2017
While Christian-Jewish may be most people's first association for "interfaith," as the population of "nones" grows, the most common pairing is actually a Christian and a nonbeliever - and the clash between belief and unbelief can be more difficult than the clash of belief in different things.
While there are often struggles regarding faith traditions and practices faced within an interfaith marriage, the greater struggles come from outside the relationship.
Read the Feb. edition of The Parish Paper
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Spirit Calendar: Maintaining The Light
The Rev. Michelle Hughes writes: "
People everywhere were shining in their embrace of their neighbors, in their standing up for the marginalized and affirming the maligned."
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Spirited Wednesday: Much Fear and Trembling
The Rev. Maritza de Gonzalez writes: "WE WILL SURVIVE! God is on our side."
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Feb. 12, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
First Church of Christ, Congregational,
East Haddam
All are welcome to join Part 1 of this conversation facilitated by two representatives of the CTUCC's Racial Justice Ministry. C
offee and light lunch served.
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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 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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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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Yale Offering Free Lenten Online Course on the Journey of the Universe
Yale University is offering three six-week online courses that can be audited for free under the theme of "Journey of the Universe: A Story for our Times." Two courses are on Journey of the Universe and one is on the Worldview Of Thomas Berry. An Integrating Capstone course is also available as part of the specialization certificate - it is not available to audit.
Read more
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Clergy to be Invited to Take Wellness Survey
The United Church of Christ will be participating in the Flourishing in Ministry project, a national study on clergy wellness.
UCC Clergy whose email addresses are listed in the UCC Data Hub will receive an email with a specific link and access code to take the survey on Tuesday, February 7, 2017. Participants will have through Friday, February 17, 2017 to complete the survey, which it is estimated will take about 45 minutes to complete.
Read more
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