|
Youth Anointed to be Troublemakers
|
|
|
WEST HARTFORD: Adults encouraging youth to be troublemakers? Really?
One would think that to be counter-intuitive, or perhaps wrongheaded. But that's just what happened at the 7th Annual Youth Revival on Sunday at Manatial de Gracia and First Church in West Hartford Sunday: 175 youth and adults were not just encouraged, but publicly anointed, to be troublemakers.
Read More
See photos
Watch the video highlights
|
|
|
|
Conference Leaders to Host 5 Online Forums Regarding New Conference Proposal
|
|
Leading up to the historic, first-ever Tri-Conference Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island Conferences, Conference leaders will be hosting a series of five online forums, or webinars, open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference.
The free webinars will be no longer than 90 minutes each (depending on the level of audience participation) and will be limited to 100 participants each. They will be held at various times on May 16, May 21, June 7 and two on June 8.
Go to the website for details and to register
|
|
By The Rev. Kurt Walker
Pastor, Chapel Street Congregational Church, UCC, Lincoln, RI
I love the UCC. Having been born and raised in the denomination, I learned from an early age what it means to be in covenant with one another. We UCCers stick together, recognizing we are bound together not only to God, but to one another as a member of the body of Christ, living and breathing in the world today. This is who we are and who we are called by God to be, and I am thankful for it.
Yet, we New England Congregationalist are a fiercely independent brood. An often heard quip is, ask ten UCCers who God is and you'll get sixteen different answers. That independence is part of our DNA, yet sometimes we forget that the Church universal can only thrive through the inclusion of new people, from new places, with new ideas, and a new vision for the future of the beloved community ...
As the delegates of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut Conferences of the United Church of Christ prepare to meet this June, many are fearful of an unknown future. Many are fearful of losing our independence. Many are fearful of losing our distinct individual identities. Still others are asking, "what's in it for us?"
Read the entire post
|
|
|
From a Powerful Moment in D.C.: A Movement Continues
|
|
By Pam Arifian
Director of the UCC Northeast Regional Environmental Justice Center at Silver Lake
The People’s Climate March on Saturday, April 29th did not disappoint. There were many actions leading up to the big day, including lobbying at Capitol Hill and direct actions. I arrived in Washington D.C. on Thursday evening, and spent Friday engaged in a teach-in, supporting a direct action, and engaging with youth.
Here’s my story.
|
|
|
In Memoriam: The Rev. Vernon Lloyd Phelps
|
|
The Rev. Vernon Lloyd Phelps, age 89, a long-time member of the Connecticut Conference's Public Education Advocacy Team, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.
The Rev. Phelps, of Cromwell, CT, was an integral part of the Connecticut Conference - he and his wife, Mary Phelps, attended many Annual Meetings as delegates and visitors.
Funeral Services were held Wednesday, May 3, at the First Church of Christ, UCC in Mansfield, CT.
Read more
|
|
Spirit Calendar: Breaking Bread
The Rev. Ryan Gackenheimer:
writes: "To be able to dine together, to be present with one another and to recognize the Christ within the other, and to simply break bread and give thanks for life in community and fellowship is a gift from which we can all grow."
|
|
Spirited Wednesday: Radical Inclusion
The Rev. Lindsey Peterson writes: "It is not gender neutral, race-neutral language I hunger for; not mere inclusion in the story. But radical inclusion."
|
|
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. Come for the weekend or just for a day.
|
|
|
Upcoming Conference Events
|
|
|
May 12, 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Need some tips on writing or updating your Ministerial Profile? Kent Siladi, Don Remick, and Barbara Libby will be available by Zoom to help.
|
|
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
|
May 21, 2 - 4 PM
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Come take a tour of camp, meet the Director, volunteers, and staff, roast a marshmallow, make a nametag, meet some new friends! All are welcome.
|
May 28, 3:00 PM
Faith Congregational Church,
Hartford
A time of worship and celebration of the ministry of The Rev. Da Vita McCallister, who is leaving the Connecticut Conference staff after having served for nine years.
|
|
June 6
Lyman Orchards Golf Club, Middlefield
Grab your buddies and your clubs and swing into summer with a day on the links, all while helping to support the Connecticut Conference's vital outdoor ministry.
|
Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
June 16 - 17
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
The historic first joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences. With UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer as keynote speaker.
|
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.
|
|
|
May 5 - 6
Andover Newton Theological School,
Newton Center
Nine-hour workshop
led by the Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper.
|
|
May 13, 2017 at 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Rocky Hill Congregational Church
Jessica Steytler, librarian with the Congregational Library in Boston, will present a workshop on Archives 101.
|
|
May 16 - 18
Miramar Retreat and Conference Center, D
uxbury, MA
Singing God’s Song in Uncertain Times; R
enewing our Bodies & Souls - Listening to our Muse;
elebrating Our Lives as Sisters in Ministry
|
|
|
May 22 - 24
Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
An opportunity for religious leaders to engage as communities of “moral deliberation,” to reflect and offer up practical opportunities for engagement in the public sphere.
|
July 9 - 12
Simmons College,
Boston, MA
This biannual conference seeks to nourish, inspire, and sustain church musicians.
|
|
July 10 - 14
Craigville Reterat Center, Craigville, MA
A full week including presentations, Bible reflections, daily worship services, small group discussions, singing, playing music and Keynote Speaker
Professor Lee C. Barrett.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
