Greenwich Youth Create Banner To Oppose Gun Violence
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By Drew Page
All across the nation, students and adults participated in “walkouts” yesterday to protest gun violence. In Connecticut, several churches joined these walkouts to show solidarity with the students from Parkland, Florida where this particular movement began.
Youth from First Congregational Church of Greenwich have taken another approach to ending gun violence. They created a banner in order to send a message to church members and the larger community that they feel change is necessary to keep youth safe from gun violence.
The banner depicts the silhouettes of five teens on a black background. The images of the teens are formed with 215 names of lives lost due to gun violence, and the places where mass shootings have occurred. At the top are the words “Be The Change”. Below the five silhouettes are the words “Never Again”.
The images does not use the word gun or show any image of a firearm. But the message is clear.
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Social Media Challenges Raise Funds for Conferences
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By Tiffany Vail
Inspired by a
Super Saturday
falling on St. Patrick's Day, leaders in the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences have issued challenges to their social media friends: donate to my Conference, and I'll go overboard with the wearing of the green.
It started when former Connecticut Conference Minister Davida Crabtree challenged current Conference Minister Kent Siladi to wear a shamrock-festooned suit jacket (see picture) to Super Saturday if she could get 50 people to donate to the Connecticut Conference Friends of the Conference appeal.
Spurred into action, Massachusetts Conference Board of Directors Member Patty Kogut, pastor of the North Congregational Church in Middleborough, MA, said she would wear a full leprechaun costume if 50 people contributed to the Massachusetts Conference Friends of the Conference. Then, in a
drive spearheaded by her daughter
, Rhode Island Interim Conference Minister Barbara Libby agreed to come to Super Saturday with her hair dyed green if at least $500 was donated to Racial Justice Ministries in that Conference.
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UCC Counsel Warns that Housing Allowance May End
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United Church of Christ General Counsel Heather Kimmel is advising churches and clergy to recognize that the end of the clergy housing allowance is a possibility.
The clergy housing allowance is compensation provided to ministers by their employers which the ministers can exclude from their income for purposes of calculating federal income tax. The amount excluded is limited to the fair rental value of the home.
In a memorandum issued to the Council of Conference Ministers, Kimmel advised that a Wisconsin court recently ruled that the clergy housing allowance is "unconstitutional as an Establishment Clause violation, because it is a preference for religion." She goes on to say that the court order "applies only to those who receive compensation in the form of a clergy housing allowance; it does not apply to ministers who live in church-owned parsonages."
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CT Conference Takes Action Early in State's 2018 Legislative Session
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The 2018 Legislative Session of the Connecticut General Assembly began on February 7, and the CT Conference’s Legislative Advocate Michele Mudrick has been hard at work tracking the issues as new bills are raised by representatives and senators around the state.
Guided by the
Resolutions adopted by the delegates of the CT Conference
at annual meetings dating back to the 1970s, Mudrick is the tireless voice of the Conference at the state capital. She attends hearings, speaks to legislators, writes testimonies, and organizes gatherings of people across the state to move them into action and advocacy in support or opposition of those issues the Conference has chosen to act upon through its
resolution process
.
Currently, Mudrick has submitted
testimonies
on 4 issues that are in the early stages of legislation.
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Many Voices, One Mission: Be A Champion for Racial Justice
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By TJ Harper
Associate for Racial Justice Ministries
Massachusetts and Connecticut conferences
In the past several months, I have been visiting an increasing number of churches in Connecticut and Massachusetts to preach and present workshops on racial justice. I have noticed that when congregations attempt to stand and address the racial injustices that plague our communities and our country, there is division within many congregations. Some pastors have privately expressed a deep reluctance to preach about racial justice due to possible backlash from parishioners. Some parishioners privately expressed to me that the congregation wants to do more to address racial justice, but the pastor is reluctant. In some cases, the pastor and the congregation want to work toward racial justice but do not agree on which path to take.
My message today is simple: Be a champion for racial justice. There is no one way or best way to achieve racial justice; instead, it is our collective differences and our united goal that will one day allow us to be successful in achieving equity for all God's people.
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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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In Memoriam: The Rev. Dr. Charles John Duey, Sr.
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The Rev. Dr. Charles John Duey, Sr.
, who served as pastor of the Covenant Congregational Church of West Hartford for 20 years beginning in 1967, died on March 7, 2018. He was 89.
The Rev. Duey was first ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church, and he and Alice served as missionaries in Alaska and later in Ecuador for eight years. While working in the education system, they also established a new congregation in Guayaquil, which went on to become a national Covenant church. It celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016.
In 1967, The Rev. Duey received a call to be the pastor of the Covenant Congregational Church of West Hartford and served there for 20 years. He also served as interim minister in four United Church of Christ churches in Newington, Stratford, Cheshire, and East Hartford.
A memorial service will be held at the Church of Christ Congregational Newington, 1075 Main Street, Newington on Saturday, April 28 at 11:00 AM.
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Starting With Scripture: Fruit From Death
Rev. Paul Bryant-Smith
writes:
"When new life springs out of death, God is present."
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March 31st is Deadline for Living Waters Award Nominations
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The Connecticut Conference is currently seeking nominations for the 2018 Living Waters Award, to be presented at the 151st Annual Meeting, June 15 & 16, 2018.
Persons honored by The Living Waters Award are those who work for justice, live ethically, build community, and promote the common good in their workplaces and in their communities. This award recognizes outstanding Christian ministry, life, and witness that is done OUTSIDE the church setting as an expression of one’s faith.
The Deadline for submissions is March 31st.
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Upcoming Conference Events
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March 23 - 25
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
From tap to table, experience nature's renewal and its sweet gifts at Silver Lake!
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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 22, 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Faith Congregational Church, Hartford
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 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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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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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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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 27 - 30
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon
Join fellow clergy for reflection, renewal, and worship in the woods.
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April 4, 2018 at 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Yale Divinity School, New Haven
Abounding Joy: Grace and its Consequences with Dr. Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne
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April 6 - 8, 2018
Portland, Maine
A chance for women to learn and share their faith beyond the local church and Conference setting. Includes numerous workshops and addresses by the Rev. Traci Blackmon, the Rev. Sarah Buteux, Leslie Adelson Lewin and others.
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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 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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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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