By The Rev. Rochelle Stackhouse
Pastor, Church of the Redeemer, New Haven, CT
As the three Conferences have been discussing coming together to create something new, Church of the Redeemer and United Church on the Green in New Haven, CT, have been doing the same thing! We are working to create a new congregation together not because we are in trouble or desperate or about to close. We are doing this as two vital congregations who seek to come together to build critical mass as a strong, progressive congregation in the city of New Haven. We believe we can be stronger together than apart.
There have been challenges along the way in our process, and one of the most important factors for resolving those challenges and moving forward has been participation.
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Annual Meeting to Take Up Two Resolutions
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The 150th Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference - being held as part of the historic Tri-Conference Meeting June 16 - 17 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford - will take up two resolutions.
One calls on the Meeting to declare the Conference to be an "Accessible to All Conference, working to remove and/or overcome barriers to welcoming, and including all people in the work and witness of the United Church of Christ, including our Conference facilities and ministries."
The second resolution recommends that churches mark Transgender Remembrance Sunday annually on the Sunday prior to November 20th, which is recognized internationally as Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Read more about the resolutions
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Looking Back: Silver Lake in 1957
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"A Camp and Conference Center of Our Own!"
Those words spanned the top of the 2-page centerfold of the February 1957 edition of Congregational Connecticut — the publication of the Connecticut Conference of Congregational Christian Churches (soon to become the CT Conference of the United Church of Christ). Beneath those words were images that served as a first glance at the site that would become Silver Lake Conference Center.
In December 1946, the conference Board of Directors voted to purchase the near 50-acre plot known then as Camp Easton. In January of 1957, the Conference announce the decision and portrayed the camp as "exactly what we have been looking for."
Silver Lake will hold a 60th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, August 26, 2017, from 11 AM to 5 PM.
Check out this article for fun facts and pictures from Silver Lake's past
Register for the 60th Anniversary Celebration
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4 Days of Advocacy:
Learning, Networking, and Lobbying
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By Emily McKenna
Conference Office Mana
If I seem busier than normal this week, it’s because I took a few days off last week. Those days were part of my first-ever journey to Washington D.C. to attend the Ecumenical Advocacy Days conference, an annual gathering of several Christian denominations who attend in efforts to learn, network, and lobby for social justice in our nation.
This year’s EAD theme was ‘Confronting Chaos, Forging Community’ which featured plenary of many kinds, workshops, exhibits and events focused on combating what Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the “giant triplets” of inequality: racism, militarism, and materialism.
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Resurrection People Marching For God's Creation
A joint message from The Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Massachusetts Conference Minister & President, and Pam Arifian, Director of the Northeast Regional Environmental Justice Center of the United Church of Christ:
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Creation is at a turning point. We are headed toward a climate unseen in 50 million years.
Realizing this, what if the church were to begin to act like the earth was the Lord's? (Psalm 24)
One thing is for sure: WE WOULD MARCH with thousands of others to demand immediate action.
This Saturday - April 29 - join a march in New England or join us and hundreds of thousands of others in Washington DC.
Read more for details on the marches and other upcoming opportunities.
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In Memoriam: The Rev. Russell A. Ayre
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The Rev. A. Russell Ayre, 92, Pastor Emeritus of the First Congregational Church of New Milford, died peacefully April 10, 2017, at his home in Village of Golf, FL.
The Rev. Ayre was a 1951 graduate of Yale Divinity School. His first ministry post was at the Congregational Church in Derby, CT, which was followed by a stint in Mansfield, MA, The Rev. Ayre began his ministry in New Milford in 1957, and continued there until his retirement in 1989.
A memorial service will be held May 6 at 3 PM at the First Congregational Church of New Milford, 36 Main St., New Milford.
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Spirit Calendar: What Things?
The Rev. Mary Nelson:
writes: "We need more practice in telling our own story, in telling Jesus’ story."
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Spirited Wednesday: Encounter
The Rev. Frank Basler writes: "Imagine you and a friend were in deep in conversation and Jesus joined you."
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April 30, 3:00 to 5:30 PM
First Church of Christ Congregational,
West Hartford
A dynamic worship service that will renew your spirit! Come and lift your praises, celebrate vitality, and embrace diversity! The
preacher will be Rev. Da Vita "Day" McCallister. The Revival offering will support IRIS-- Integrated Refugee and Immigration Services.
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Upcoming Conference Events
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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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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 9 - 11
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Whether you challenge yourself on the high ropes course or lounge in the meadow, swap stories with old friends or spend an afternoon on your own, Clergy Camp is the place to step back from life's demands, unwind, and capture the joy of summer. For authorized ministers to network and engage in self-care.
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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.
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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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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.
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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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Local Churches in the News
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First woman to lead First Congregational Church in Wallingford
WALLINGFORD — The newest senior minister at First Congregational Church of Wallingford wants the church to be more than just a prominent building on the corner of South Main and Center streets.
Senior Minister the Rev. Kathleen Cunliffe, who’s also served at churches in the Plantsville section of Southington and Bristol, will be installed this Sunday. She’ll be the 18th pastor at First Congregational Church of Wallingford in nearly 350 years. Her predecessor, the Rev. Dean O. Warburton, was at the church for 21 years before his retirement.
Read the Record-Journal article
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May 3, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Yale Divinity School,
New Haven
Yale Youth Ministry Institute free monthly lecture: this lecture will provide historical material and pedagogical perspectives on nourishing youths’ joy by connecting them with the past in ways that foster truth-telling, communal and personal identity formation, agency, lament, and a vital life of faith and hope.
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May 5 - 6
Andover Newton Theological School,
Newton Center
Nine-hour workshop
led by the Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper.
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May 10 - 11
Edwards House Meeting & Retreat Center,
Framingham, MA
Training is based on the National Disaster Interfaith Network Disaster Spiritual Care training course, which trains and credentials faith leaders, spiritual care providers and institutional chaplains to volunteer as disaster chaplains or spiritual care workers in mass-care settings, or to serve their house of worship or local community during times of crisis.
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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.
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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
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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.
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July 9 - 12
Simmons College,
Boston, MA
This biannual conference seeks to nourish, inspire, and sustain church musicians.
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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.
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