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CT, MA Conferences to Share Associate for Racial Justice Ministry

Toyan (TJ) Harper – the current Associate for Racial Justice Ministries for the Massachusetts Conference – will be expanding his role to serve in the same capacity for the Connecticut Conference beginning this August.

"We are so excited to welcome TJ to our CTUCC staff," said Connecticut Conference Minister the Rev. Kent J. Siladi. "This collaboration will help our Conference continue its commitment to racial justice ministry.  We are building on the work started by The Rev. Day McCallister and the Racial Justice Ministry Team.  TJ has had a tremendous impact already in the Massachusetts Conference, and we are overjoyed to partner with them in Racial Justice Ministries."

Harper has been working full-time for the Massachusetts Conference since last fall; he will now split his time between the two Conferences.

This is a new, half-time-equivalent position for the Connecticut Conference. Harper will work with Isaac Monts, the Connecticut Conference’s part-time Program Associate for Racial Justice Ministry.

Read the full article

Annual Meeting Videos Now Online

Videos from the first-ever joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences are now available online for viewing:


Visit the Annual Meeting wrap-up page for all the news articles, videos and photos from the meeting. Delegates: please use these materials to report back to your congregation.

SLCC Summer Begins With Pre-Camp
Silver Lake Conference Center's Summer Conference Season is up and running. The first two summer conferences of the 2017 season — Pioneer and JCT — ran during Pre-Camp Week, June 18 through June 24. The camp staff spent much of the week in training, preparing for the full 7-week camp season which started Sunday, June 25.

Conference Celebrates Gilson's 17-Years Service

HARTFORD - Friends, board members, colleagues, and family members gathered at Immanuel Congregational Church on Sunday to celebrate the 17-year service of Cecile Gilson, Executive Assistant to the Conference Minister. Gilson is retiring in August.


The Rev. Dr. James R. Harrison, Gilson's former pastor at First Congregational Church of Woodstock, honored Gilson's passion and convictions.  "She has rattled cages that needed to be rattled. She has spoken up when others have failed to speak out," said Harrison. "She has befriended other who are different in all kinds of ways. And although she has been warned, and although she has been given an explanation, nevertheless she has persisted."


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Reflections
Spirit Calendar: Joyful Noise

Jennifer Kronholm Clark 
writes: "The energy of camp songs revitalizes me in a way unique to this outdoor ministry setting."


Spirited Wednesday:  Welcome!
The Rev. Sue Foster writes:  "Hospitality isn’t rocket science. We need to extend human kindness and courtesy to all of God’s people."

Upcoming Conference Events
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. 
Aug. 29, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Details to be announced.
Find a complete list of Conference events at: www.ctucc.org/events
Classifieds
Other Events of Interest
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.
July 13, Hidden Figures
July 27  42: The Jackie Robinson Story 
6 - 9 PM, First Congregational Church of Woodstock
A FREE summer movie series open to the local community focused  on recent award winning films that explore race relations in society, followed by a facilitated discussion.
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