Korean Partnership Team Calls for Prayers

The following was submitted by Ginny McDaniel on behalf of the CTUCC Korean Partnership:

In Korea, August 15th is celebrated as Liberation Day, the date of Korea’s Liberation from Japanese colonization at the end of World War II. It’s a date marked by both South Korea and North Korea, as many regard the two states as one country whose shared history and future are but momentarily, if tragically, divided by the circumstances of war and politics.


We invite all churches of the Connecticut Conference to offer prayers for peace on August 13 or 20. Liturgical resources from the World Council of Churches are available.


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Farewell From Cecile
By Cecile Gilson

In Ecclesiastes we are famously reminded that there is a time for everything. This week I am closing in on the time for me to move to another chapter in my life. For the past 17 years I have had the privilege of serving the churches, clergy and laity of the Connecticut Conference UCC. I have come to know many of you over that time; you are the voice on the other end of a phone line, the author of an email or attendees at events and Annual Meetings I have attended. I have answered and asked many questions, listened to your stories and concerns, received your blessings and gratitude, and shared in your passion for this Conference and denomination.
 
Words can never fully express the gratitude I feel as I leave this position. It has been my honor to serve the church in the various roles I have held at the Conference. I know that the mission and ministry of this Conference is in good hands and I am excited for the future that is to come.
 
The Conference staff, churches, clergy and laity of this Conference will be in my prayers. I will miss you all.

Clergy Transitions: August 2017
The following ministerial changes were reported to the Connecticut Conference in August 2017:

Rev. Susan Prichard was Called as the settled pastor at Norwich, First
Rev. Barbara Hesse was Ordained at Elmwood Community Church
Rev. Laura Johnson was Ordained at the United Congregational Church of Tolland
Rev. Adrienne Armes began her term as Acting Associate Pastor at Windsor, First
Rev. Sandra Olsen began her term as Transitional Pastor at Unionville, First
Rev. Margret Hofmeister ended her term as Pastor at North Congregational, New Hartford
Mrs. Jill Ford began her term as Program Associate and Conference Registrar for the CT Conference UCC
Rev. Mary Apicella ended her term as Pastor at Brooklyn, Federated
Rev. Dewey Fagerburg, Jr., retired pastor Danbury, First, died July 14.
Rev. Virginia Black, retired, Interim Associate Conference Minister, died July 22.

Obituaries

The Rev. Joseph O. Shaw, Jr. 100, who served Congregational churches in Stratford and Morris, died on June 20, 2017. He was 100 years old, and had been living in Florida.


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Reflections
Spirit Calendar: The Never Ending Miracle

Drew Page writes: "The miracle didn't end with 12 baskets of leftovers; it continues through us..."


Spirited Wednesday:  Time To Encounter

The Rev. Lee Ireland
writes:
 "Have you been surprised???? Or are you hungry and thirsty for an encounter with God."

Local Churches in the News


'Undie Sundays' Expands Throughout Fairfield County


Undie Sundays are becoming a regular thing.


It's all part of a donation drive by The Undies Project, a two-year-old Cos Cob-based non-profit that collects and distributes new, unused men's, women's and children's underwear to those in need 


Read the article in the Greenwich Daily Voice


Governor Malloy Signs Criminal Justice Reform Bills at Faith Congregational Church


Governor Dannel Malloy signed legislation to reform Connecticut’s criminal justice system on Wednesday at Faith Congregational Church in Hartford.


Read the Yankee Institute article 
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
Conference Office, Hartford, CT
Sept. 25 to 26
Heritage Hotel & Conference Center, Southbury, CT
Annual Clergy gathering with the theme: What the heck IS the future of the Church?  with  Rev. Dr. Sarah Drummond, Dean of Faculty at Andover Newton Theological School.
Sept. 29 to 30
Silver Lake Confernce Center, Sharon
Connecticut Women of the UCC annual fall retreat open to women of all conferences.  
Oct. 21, 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM 
Keefe Regional Technical School, Framingham

This full-day event includes morning worship, two workshops, an optional lunch activity, continental breakfast, lunch, marketplace and closing worship. Keynote speaker is The Rev. Noel Andersen, UCC & CWS Grassroots Coordinator for Immigrants' Rights.

Oct. 22, 2:00 PM
The Bushnell Center of the Performing Arts,
Hartford, CT
Salisbury Sinfonietta & the Conference invite  Connecticut & Regional Church Choirs  to participate in a event for Remembering the Reformation Quincentennial, and Celebrating Unity Today.  A pre-concert talk titled: Luther talks with Pope Leo X  will also be part of the day.
October 25, 2017 at 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
First Church of Christ, Simsbury
Come spend the day with author Paul Nixon to explore "Changing Ministry in a Hyper-Gutenberg World." Featuring: breakout sessions looking at various models of the church that are thriving; a panel of UCC leaders who are doing innovative ministry here in Southern New England;  a panel of "Nones" and "Dones" finding meaning in the secular realm beyond the church.
Find a complete list of Conference events at: www.ctucc.org/events
Classifieds
Other Events of Interest
Sept. 8 - 9
Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center,  Framingham, MA
One of four regional events to which Committees on Ministry, authorized ministers, and members of the UCC who are interested in the proposed changes to the UCC Manual on Ministry are invited to take part.
Oct. 31, 8:15 AM to 4:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA
Planned in collaboration with Ernst & Young Financial Planning Services®, this seminar is designed to provide tools and resources to lay and clergy to make handling their finances and planning for the future easier.
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