Regional Minister Tom Clough to Retire
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After seven years serving as the Eastern Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference, The Rev. Dr. Thomas Clough has announced his plan to retire from his position effective June 30.
“Tom Clough has served faithfully for seven years on the Conference staff. His work in the Eastern Region of the Conference has been one of relationship building and providing resources and assistance to the churches of the Region," said Conference Minister the Rev. Kent J. Siladi. "Tom has been a valued member of our staff and brought his wisdom, experience and humor to our team. As he heads into the next phase of his life we wish him all the best and give thanks to God for his ministry and service.”
In reflecting on his time with the Conference, Clough lifted up the importance of relationship.
"My seven years in Connecticut have confirmed what I had experienced as a pastor in Massachusetts and Maine: that it is essential for Conferences to provide an available companion in ministry for our pastors who are serving local congregations," he said.
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Boards Approve New Conference Documents to Bring Before Delegates
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Inspired by the vision discerned by the leadership of our conferences, and because they believe that there are unlimited faith-filled possibilities when we combine our strengths to live the love and justice of Jesus, the Boards of Directors of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences have all given their approval to a covenant agreement, set of bylaws, and a process for nominating a Board of Directors for a new, unified conference.
The "
Covenant and Affiliation Agreement
" is a legal document that creates a new non-profit charitable corporation made up of the three UCC conferences of southern New England. The
bylaws
would then govern that new entity. Both the agreement and bylaws will be brought before Annual Meeting delegates June 15 - 16, along with the slate of officers and Board members for the new Conference. The Boards are in the process of making nominations for that Board now.
Delegates from the three conferences will be meeting together for their second
joint Annual Meeting
June 15 and 16 at the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA They will attend worship and plenary together, but will vote on this proposal in separate meetings during that gathering
.
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Consultant Shares Insights from Focus Groups
In late January and early February, more than 200 people attended focus group sessions held in Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and online regarding the formation of a new, unified conference. The groups were convened by Jim Schnurbusch, President of orgstory, who has been
engaged as a consultant
for this process.
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Many Voices, One Mission:
You Can't Go Back
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By the
Rev. Michael Ciba
Senior Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference
A few weeks ago, as I accelerated to merge into traffic on Interstate 84, I saw a billboard that said: “For surely I know the plans I have for you”—God. This comforting portion of Jeremiah 29: 11 appears frequently on many inspirational items these days, including coffee cups, plaques, and now even billboards. But, as with most things in scripture, God’s comfort comes with a challenge.
Jeremiah is writing from Jerusalem to leaders of the city who are being held hostage by their enemies. They feel abandoned by God and miss their familiar homes and place of worship. They desperately want to go home and get back to the life they once knew, a life they idealize because it was taken from them.
Many churches today long desperately for something they once had.
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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:
In Praise of Doubt
He is forever known as Doubting Thomas. Often John’s story about his needing to see Jesus’ hands and feet is used as a morality tale that looks down upon the uncertain and the questioning ones. In a sense the Christian community has often raised Thomas up as an example of what a follower of Jesus should never be – a doubter. “Have faith, believe, do not question”. And as a result, many a thoughtful seeker of the great mysteries of life have come to believe that sitting in a pew on Sunday morning is that last place on earth that one might actually wrestle with the great questions of ethics, morality and meaning.
Doubt and faith are actually intimate partners – dancing across the universe in pursuit of authenticity and truth.
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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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Upcoming Conference Events
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April 22, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Faith Congregational Church, Hartford
A dynamic worship service that will your renew your spirit. For all youth in grades 5 and up and their pastors, parents, or adult leaders.
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April 8, 1:30 to 3:30 PM
Harford Seminary, Hartford
The Connecticut Conference in partnership with Hartford Seminary offers this introduction to the three major world religions. Meet with seminary students to compare faith practices and traditions for Islam, Judaism and Christianity. There will be a panel presentation, followed by activity stations, and refreshments.
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April 11, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Hartford Seminary, Hartford
A workshop with the Rev. Peter Miano, Executive Director, The Society for Biblical Studies. He has over 25 years of experience as a missionary and teacher in the Holy Land.
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April 20 - 22
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
A weekend of exploration and restoration with a focus on using our bodies and voices as meditation in order to arrive at deeper peace and understanding.
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April 27 - 29
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Catch up with old friends, make new friends, and work hard to prepare YOUR conference center for the coming summer.
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April 28, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Mystic Congregational Church, Mystic
"I was in jail and you visited me." Five panelists will address various topics dealing with incarceration; time for questions and answers. After lunch, there will be a 90th celebration highlighting clergy women leaders.
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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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Registration Now Open!
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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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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Registration deadline April 28
May 1 - 3, 2018
Carefree Resort and Conference Center, Carefree, AZ
Keynote Presenters are the 2017 Antoinette Brown winners Rev. Loey Powell & Rev. DaVita McCallister.
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April 13, Seekonk Congregational Church, UCC, Seekonk, MA
April 14: Barrington Congregational Church, UCC, Barrington, RI
Rev. Chris Davies from the national UCC office, along with other leaders from southern New England, will be in Rhode Island to lead four workshops and discuss exciting ministries in RI and beyond. These workshops are intended for both clergy and laity. Come for one or both days and help your church come alive.
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April 20 - 23
Washington DC area
Through prayer, worship, advocacy training, and networking, we will seek policy changes that advance hope and overcome the devastating impacts of conflict, climate change and corruption on God’s people. Scholarships available for young adults - application deadline is March 2.
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April 20 - 22
Portland, ME
As many churches face shrinking resources, and shift from full-time to part-time paid leadership, do we see them as markers of failure or signs of emergent opportunities?
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April 21, 2018 at 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center,
Framingham, MA
Members-in-Discernment throughout New England are invited to this event to help understand how to navigate through the entire process within the UCC.
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April 22, 3:00 to 4:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Southington
The Milton and Katherine Chaffee Lecture on the Future of the Church this year will feature The Rev. Dorhauer, author, theologian and current General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.
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April 26 - 29
The United Congregational Church of Holyoke, MA
Interact with leading-edge speakers, Bart Ehrman, Deena Grant, Chung Hyun Kyung, Peter Rollins, and Carol Howard Merritt. Explore with workshop leaders, artists and musicians who see our faith traditions as part of the answer to today's polarized environment.
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April 28, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
First Congregational Church, Meriden
UCC minister, singer/songwriter, author, and Convergence Music Project CEO Bryan Sirchio will lead a fun, heart-warming and mind-expanding day.
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April 28, 1:00 to 7:00 PM
First Congregational Church, New London
One in a series of dinner parties with guests from local churches and guests from the New London Homeless Hospitality Center with a goal of building relationships across differences of economic status, culture, and race.
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May 1-3,
Pilgrim Pines, Swanzey, NH
This three day event gives church leaders a chance to refresh, rejuvenate and renew. Don't we all need that? Speakers:
·
The Rev. Da Vita D. McCallister
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Dr. Pamela Shellberg
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Rev. Emilia Halstead
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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 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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