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Preparing for an Historic Annual Meeting
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Prayer Calendar Released in Preparation for Vote
Members of the Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts Conferences are being invited to enter into an intentional season of prayer between now and the historic Tri-Conference Annual Meeting being held June 16 - 17.
The Planning Team that developed the United in Ministry and Ministry Case Statement will be publishing a weekly Prayer Calendar, available online and via email, that includes, an introductory quote from the statement, prayer themes, a Scripture verse, and a prayer.d more
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Board Announces the 2017 Living Waters Award
Joelle A. Murchison, Associate Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, The University of Connecticut has been named the 2017 Living Waters Award Recipient. The award will be presented at the 150th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference on June 16-17, 2017 at the Connecticut Convention Center.
Joelle, a member of the Faith Congregational Church UCC in Hartford, serves as the University’s main strategist responsible for guiding efforts to define, assess, and promote diversity, inclusion, and educational and employment access and opportunity.
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A Time to Come Together
By Sue Foster
Pastor of East Woodstock Congregational Church
There is something powerful about singing together. Jesus sang with his disciples and assured them that when even just two or three of them were gathered together, he would be present with them also.
Imagine the power, therefore, of hundreds of voices joining together to sing God praise. That will be our experience when the Conferences of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island gather together in June. The congregations of southern New England will celebrate our shared faith on June 16th and 17th as the Hartford Convention Center is transformed into a place of worship. The miles that separate us on a daily basis will be put aside as we come together for worship and work.
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2017 Summer Deans Gather for Deans Retreat
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Summer begins in March at Silver Lake with the annual Deans Retreat weekend. The volunteer program leaders gathered March 3-4 at camp, along with chaplains, guest speakers, and Silver Lake staff, to begin to create the community that will welcome close to 1,000 young people over the seven weeks of summer conferences.
The format of the weekend included a mix of guest speakers, workshops led by deans, required trainings on Safe Camp policies and emergency medication administration, and discussion and planning sessions.
The guest speakers this year focused on the justice work of the United Church of Christ
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BLOG: Time to Support $15 Minimum Wage Bill Is Here
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By David Biklen
A $15/hour wage bill is on the floor of the CT House of Representatives for consideration. The Labor and Public Employees Committee of the CT General Assembly approved the bill last week and sent it to the House. The bill increases the minimum wage in 5 yearly, one dollar steps to $15/hour by 2023.
Please contact your House and Senate legislators and tell them of your abiding interest in a fairer wage for CT.
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By Michael Ciba
Southwest Regional Minister
A few weeks ago, I was introduced to the idea of autophagy. Autophagy is a biological process in which certain elements within a living cell attack and destroy other materials within the cell. When first observed, it appears as though the cell is eating itself. In fact, the cell is doing a kind of housecleaning. Weak, diseased, or dying structures within a cell inhibit the growth and overall well-being of the body. Deconstructing and even destroying these diseased or ineffective structures enhances the cell’s overall health.
The early days of Lent are an opportunity to identify and destroy those things within ourselves that get in the way of our following Jesus.
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Local Churches in the News
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Benefit Concert Raises Over $4K for Community Kitchen
The First Congregational Church of Woodstock held a benefit concert on Saturday, February 25th for Community Kitchens of Northeastern Connecticut featuring the Bluegrass Gospel Project. The event netted over $4,000 from ticket sales, sponsorships, and a free will offering.
This was the second time in just eleven months that the Hill Church presented the Bluegrass Gospel Project in a benefit concert for Community Kitchens, and the second time the event sold out and raised over $4,000.
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Spirit Calendar: New Journeys
Alan Munshower
writes: ""It become imperative for me, while in the midst of my own new journey, to recognize the journeys of these young adults, and to extend a welcoming ...
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Spirited Wednesday: You Get A Blessing, You All Get A Blessing...
The Rev. Elivette (Elly) Mendez Angulo writes: "God's gift leaves no room for exclusivity; color, nationality, sexual orientation, parental status, immigration status... all are blessed EQUALLY!"
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Limited Slots Left
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 29, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
UCC Southbury
This event will present a timely gathering of speakers: Chris George, Executive Director of IRIS (Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services); Megan Miller from Church World Service; Aida Mansoor, President of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut and others.
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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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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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April 1, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Stamford
Come and hear a Native American perspective on American History and the Dakota Access Pipeline with Mark Charles, Navajo Christian Author and speaker.
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March 30, 2017 at 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
First Church, West Hartford
This lecture is part of an on-going effort by JPW Library and First Church West Hartford’s Outreach team to focus on issues of social justice, faith, and spirituality. Susan Campbell is an award-winning author of “Dating Jesus: Fundamentalism, Feminism, and the American Girl,” and the biography, “Tempest-Tossed: The Spirit of Isabella Beecher Hooker.”
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April 1, 12:30 - 4:00 PM
First Church of Christ, Congregational,
Farmington
2-day event to commemorate the 175-year anniversary of the freedom of the
La Amisted
captives.
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