Dreamers Bill Backed by CTUCC Leaders Passes
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Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed legislation last week that opens financial aid in the state to “dreamers,” the undocumented immigrants brought here as children, a bill for which Connecticut Conference leaders had lobbied.
Under the bill, undocumented students across the state who attend public colleges and universities will be eligible to apply for the financial aid that the state's public colleges set aside to provide need- and merit-based financial aid. It does not give them access to taxpayer-funded aid.
"All students, including undocumented immigrant students, pay into the institutional aid pool, but undocumented students did not have access to this aid," said CTUCC Legislative Advocate Michele Mudrick. "This is wrong. We are glad justice has been served and now undocumented students can be eligible for this aid."
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Korean Delegation Trip: What I Learned
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Editor's note: This is an update from one of the 10 Connecticut Conference delegates who visited the Republic of Korea (PROK) last week to mark the 24th year of the partnership between the Conference and the Gyeonggi Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church of Korea.
By The Rev. Rochelle A. Stackhouse (at right in picture), Transitional Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Hartford, CT
I thought about doing a blog post called “What I did on my trip to Korea,” but I decided instead to think about what I learned on my trip to Korea ...
Worship is worship, even if you can’t understand the language of worship. An elder prayed with such heartfelt emotion that I was drawn to tears, though I have no idea what she said. Singers energetically lifted up praise and I felt uplifted! By carefully listening and watching the monitor with the words and music projected on it, I figured out what the letters were for Jesus (or Jesu as they say) and so could sing it every time it appeared. Paying attention makes a difference in worship.
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Living Sanctuary: 40 Days in the Wilderness
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By The Rev. Laura Fitzpatrick-Nager, Associate Pastor at The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
After another boisterous community meal in our church hall last night, I waved goodbye to Malik, Zahida and their five year old daughter, Roniya, as they walked downstairs. Stepping outside into the cool, spring night, I shivered with the injustice of their stolen freedom. I get to go home. They cannot, without the threat of deportation.
For over 40 days and nights Malik Naveed bin Rehman and Zahida Altaf have lived in sanctuary at my church. This holy family awaits the outcome of their legal case working its way through a lengthy appeals process.
Originally from Pakistan, bin Rehman and Altaf have made New Britain their home for nearly twenty years. They own The Pizza Corner in town and are known by the locals for their hospitality-- and for their great chicken tikka pizza. At a recent church fundraiser for the family, bin Rehman and Altaf were elbow deep into dough making thirty pizzas with a host of volunteers.
Together, we’ve been like the disciples waiting in the Upper Room fearful of what may happen next and yet, comforted by being together in loving community.
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Churches Encouraged to Take Special Offering May 20
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CTUCC Churches are being encouraged to take a special
Strengthen the Church
offering on or around
Pentecost Sunday, May 20.
Strengthen the Church
is
one of the four special OCWM offerings of the United Church of Christ, but it is being structured differently this year. Ninety percent of the money raised will remain in the Connecticut Conference, and will be used to support Silver Lake Conference Center, Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Faith Formation Ministries in the Conference; the remaining 10 percent will be shared with the national setting's
Strengthen the Church
initiatives.
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Many Voices, One Mission:
Using Our Gifts
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By Charlie Kuchenbrod, Executive Associate Conference Minister for the
Connecticut Conference, UCC
It is a great privilege to work for the United Church of Christ!
I had an unusual day recently. Churches contacted me regarding:
- A poorly managed incident in a day care program;
- The termination of a lay staff member for misconduct;
- Conflict over endowment spending, and a
- Payroll administration problem needing a legal and diplomatic solution.
I didn't make much progress on other tasks! I hope I provided competent support while recognizing the limits of my own expertise. (First, do no harm!) Let's imagine that the four churches felt well supported by the Conference that day. No, actually, most of the members of each church had no clue that the Conference provided any support for their congregation. There may have been a handful of people, or only one person, who felt well supported. Furthermore, there were 230-something other churches in the Conference that I didn't do much to support that day. I know that many people view administration as a diversion of resources from mission. But didn't I have a positive impact that day?
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Many Voices, One Mission
is a new regular series highlighting the ministries of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences of the United Church of Christ.
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Starting With Scripture:
Joy
By Rev. Jocelyn Gardner Spencer, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Woodstock
I can think of a whole lot of reasons not to feel joyful.
The death of loved ones… depression and addiction… shrinking membership in our churches… ecological disasters… racism and misogyny and homophobia… the ongoing refugee crisis… the threat of nuclear war…
I’m sure you could add another ten things to that list without even trying. There are, it turns out, a whole lot of reasons not to feel joyful.
But the thing is, this is not a new phenomenon. This moment in which we live is not the first time that humans have found ways to be awful to one another. This is not the first time that bad things have happened to good people. This was as true in the time of Jesus as it is today.
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Starting with Scripture
is a weekly devotional written by current and former clergy and church leaders of the Connecticut Conference, UCC. Subscribe to receive the reflection each Monday at:
ctucc.org/subscribe
.
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Clergy Transitions: May 2018
The following ministerial changes were reported to the Connecticut Conference in April 2018:
Rev. Dr. Thomas Gregory Gray was called as Settled Pastor at Thompson.
Rev. Dr. James Campbell was installed as Senior Pastor at Cheshire.
Rev. Jill Olds was installed as Associate Minister at Tolland.
Rev. Jane Newall began her term as Designated Pastor at Brooklyn Federated.
Rev. Sarah Vetter ended her term as Bridge Pastor at Madison North.
Rev. Ann Aaberg ended her term as Senior Pastor at Mystic.
Rev. Jamie Harrison began his term as Interim Pastor at Mystic.
Rev. Susan Strachan ended her term as Pastor at Wolcott.
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Leading up to the second Tri-Conference Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences, Conference leaders will be hosting a series of five online forums for discussion about the upcoming votes to formally create a new, unified conference.
Tuesday, May 15, 7:00 PM
Sunday, May 20, 4:00 PM
Wednesday, May 30, 1:00 PM
Thursday, June 7, 7:00 PM
Tuesday, June 12, at 7:00 PM
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May 8, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Church of Christ, Congregational, Newington
Basic and Advanced Boundary Training for Clergy with advanced workshops on retirement, financial leadership, self-care, and virtual safe church boundaries.
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May 12, 2018 at 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
First Church of Christ in West Hartford
Former conference minister Davida Foy Crabtree will be the presenter at this annual event. The theme is
Sharing our Story
, an overview of significant people and events in our Congregational history.
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May 17, 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Seabury, Bloomfield, CT
Retired clergy are invited to join for lunch and fun.
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May 18 - 20
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
An intentionally diverse conference for youth in grades 9 to 12 who care about the health of their communities.
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May 20, 2018 at 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon CT
In addition to tours of the camp and conference center, the newly built high ropes course will be staffed and open to those who would like to climb, and the new disc golf course will be available for those who want to test their skill with a flying disc.
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June 5, 2018 at 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Lyman Orchards Golf Course, 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. The 12th Annual Silver Lake Golf Tournament
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June 15 - 16
Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, MA
Registration is now open for the second joint Annual Meeting of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences.
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June 27 - 30
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Join fellow clergy for reflection, renewal, and worship in the woods.
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May 7-11
Chirst Cathedral Church, Hartford
Conflict is normal and inevitable whether in the home, school, community, church or workplace. Leaders in all walks of life often have a responsibility to help others work through their conflicts.
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May 19, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA
Learn how empower others to solve their own problems. Led by Rev. Todd Weir and Rev. Jim Latimer.
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May 19 - 25
Andover Newton Theological School, Newton, MA
Because Andover Newton is moving to Yale Divinity School, a selection of some 70,000 books will be available for sale at prices of $3, $5, and $10.
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May 31, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Woodridge UCC, Cranston, RI
Rev Susan Cartmell, a Massachusetts Conference UCC minister and author of "Uncommon Preaching," will explore with other clergy her approach to preaching and lead participants through a step by step process to try some new approaches.
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