|
"Rev. Day" Celebrated and Released
|
|
HARTFORD - People from around the Connecticut Conference gathered on Sunday, May 28, to celebrate the ministry of The Rev. Da Vita "Day" McCallister as she ended her nearly 10 years serving as Associate Conference Minister. Rev. Day has been called to serve as Senior Pastor of First Church Somerville, MA, beginning in July.
The service included Scripture readings and testimonials by several of the youth and young adults she had mentored, uplifting music, and a laying on of hands and formal release of Day from service.
Read more and see a photo gallery
|
|
|
Tri-Conference Annual Meeting Approaching Fast
|
|
June is upon us, and that means the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting is just over two weeks away.
This historic meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island conferences takes place on June 16-17 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford.
The registration deadline is this coming Monday, June 5.
Get details of the meeting and register here
|
|
Still have questions about the Together, As One proposal to form a new conference?
You can view a short video giving another perspective on the Together, As One proposal
And there are three more opportunities for delegates to join online forums with the Conference Ministers and Board members to discuss it. These forums will be held online on June 7th at 7:00 PM, June 8th at 1:00 PM, and June 8th at 7:00 PM. Register here.
|
|
|
Youth Reflect on Experience Thinking About Working for God
|
|
Five youth have been exploring ministry in Thinking About Working For God (TAWFG) Apprenticeships for the last two months. Youth were placed at host churches to do a job shadow and have a close up view of parish ministry. This 40 hour paid apprenticeship also included a weekly online component to check in and share prayers.
The program wrapped up with a celebration on May 31 at the Connecticut Conference office. Apprentices shared reflections with their pastors, parents, youth leaders and friends.
|
|
|
Local Churches in the News
|
|
THE COURANT: Syrian Refugees Speak About New Life In Connecticut
Zeyad Al Abas, a Syrian refugee recently relocated to Glastonbury, and sponsored by South Church in Glastonbury, told his story to the crowd at the Community Conversation on "The Muslim Ban: An Examination of the Underlying Factual, Legal, Religious, Humanitarian, Policy and Economic Consideratins," on May 11 at the Riverfront Community Center.
Read the Hartford Courant article
|
|
Spirit Calendar: The Gift of Power
The Rev. Tom Clough
writes: ""We have been given life. We have been given love. We have been given the power to communicate."
|
|
Spirited Wednesday: Spirit on the Loose!
The Rev. Matthew Crebbin writes: "
Some fifty days after the worst day of their lives, a tiny band of Jesus’ followers became so infused with a fiery and transforming reality that the world around them would never be the same. Our calling is not to tame that reality but to embrace it when it shows up - even at the risk that we might end up being scorched to the very core of our beings."
|
|
|
Upcoming Conference Events
|
|
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.
|
Together, As One Online Forum
June 7, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Vard Johnson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)
|
Together, As One Online Forum
June 8, 1:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Jocelyn Gardner Spencer (Connecticut Conference Board member), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and George Peters (Rhode Island Conference President)
|
Together, As One Online Forum
June 8, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)
|
|
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.
|
General Synod 31
June 30 - July 5
Baltimore, MD
Join with thousands of faithful members of the United Church of Christ for formal church witness, inspirational worship, and fellowship
|
August 26, 11 AM to 5 PM
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
A cookout lunch will be provided, as well as time to participate in traditional Silver Lake activities, explore on your own, take a group decade photo, and join in worship.
|
|
June 5 -
9, 6 PM - 9 PM each evening
Yale Divinity School,
New Haven
This weeklong course of evening sessions is designed for pastors, seminarians, lay leaders, and youth ministers to gather for fellowship dinners, lectures, and workshop breakouts to name and discuss some of the adversities our youth face every day.
|
|
OWL Training in New Hampshire
June 30 - July 4
The First Church, Nashua, NH
This workshop trains teachers in how to teach participants about sexuality in age-appropriate ways.
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
