Holy Week Message from Rev. Siladi
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It’s about Jesus.
It’s about disciples.
It’s about to be the week called Holy and our congregations are preparing the way for the times of worship and gathering of the communities who are called by Christ to be witnesses to the ends of the earth.
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An Easter People's Lamentation of Hope
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In his Easter Message, United Church of Christ General Minister and President the Rev. John C. Dorhauer invites all in the wider church to celebrate the hope of Easter.
We are an Easter people.
Shaped by the experiences of death, the wells of our enduring faith spring up and speak to us of the eternal.
This fundament, this bedrock, it grounds us.
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Connecticut UCC Present for March For Our Lives
On Saturday, March 24, thousands attended the Hartford March For Our Lives event, gathering at the Capital Building to add their voices to the millions of people across the country who are calling for the end of gun violence. Hartford police estimate that over 11,000 people attended the rally at the capital. Among them were Conference Minister the Rev. Kent Siladi, the Rev. Shelly Steakhouse, pastor at Firth Church of Christ (Center Church) in Hartford, and several other UCC clergy, lay leaders and conference staff.
Rev. Stackhouse wrote a reflection on the march:
At first, it was all the signs that grabbed me: the creativity, the passion, the candor ... Then, as people gathered together to begin walking, I realized that I had not been at a march with such a crowd of teens before.
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Prayer of Confession for Those Over 21
While attending the “March for our Lives” rally at the capitol in Hartford on Saturday I was privileged to join with so many others standing up for justice and action regarding gun violence in our nation. There were many witnesses from CTUCC congregations, both clergy and laypeople who had gathered with the crowd to voice their concerns and offer solutions. While standing with others I noticed that right next to me was Rev. Alice O’Donovan, a longtime leader of the CTUCC. She looked at me at one point during the rally and offered that I should write a prayer of confession which confesses the complicity of older people to not taking action to keep our young people safe. I said to her, “I think you should write that prayer.” She agreed to do so and that prayer is published
here
. In this week called Holy, let us begin with this confession.
—Rev. Kent Siladi, Conference Minister
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Many Voices, One Mission:
Our Common Strength
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By Tiffany Vail
Associate Conference Minister for Communications for the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences
Just over two years ago, I became the first shared staff person for the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences, managing communication for all three and also working with the team that has been planning the formation of a new, unified conference.
Because I’m in this unique position, I often get asked by folks in one conference what those other conferences are like.
There are, of course, differences. What we share in common, however, is even more important than where we differ.
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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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Conference Staff Completes Health Challenge
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Several members of the Connecticut Conference Staff recently completed a 9-week health challenge. The program Lean On Me: Climbing To Better Health challenged staff to get up from their desks during the work day and climb up and down several flights of stairs.
“We sit too much,” said the challenge organizer Drew Page, News & Media Editor for the Conference. “In our work, we are tethered to computers, phone conversations, and car rides. We need to get up and move from time to time to stay healthy.”
The Lean On Me challenge asked participants to set goals for total steps climbed by naming a mountain they wished to climb over a 45-day period. The total number of stairs they climbed was determined by which mountain they choose.
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Starting With Scripture:
A Living Presence
The Rev. Susan Izard
writes:
"In this resurrection story, we are invited to stop looking in the tomb."
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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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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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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 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 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:
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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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