2018 Living Waters Awards Recipients Announced
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The Connecticut Conference Board of Directors has selected three recipients for the 2018 Living Waters Award.
Marjorie Roach is a retired nurse and a member of First Congregational Church of Coventry. Hugh and Kate McLean, both retired educators, are members of First Church of Windsor.
All three will be presented the award at the
151
st
Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference
on June 15-16, 2018 at Mass Mutual Center in Springfield, MA. This meeting will be part of a
joint meeting of delegates from the Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences, UCC.
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.
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By The Rev. Kent Siladi, Conference Minister
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
~ 1Thessalonians 5:16-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
There are days when it feels like the tasks for the day are overwhelming. There are days when I feel like I have accomplished absolutely nothing. There are days when I am inundated with requests and emails and meetings, when staying focused on the big picture is close to impossible. These words from 1 Thessalonians probably should be taped to the back of my hand to look at every few minutes. While you might be thinking “what a great tattoo,” I am way too afraid of needles to entertain that thought.
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Seek And You Will Find - Nurturing Young Leaders
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By Debby Kirk, CTUCC Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Do you know a young seeker who has an inquisitive spirit? Is there a youth in your congregation who is ready to explore faith at a deeper level? Can you think of a teen who is keen to investigate justice issues and learn about advocacy?
The
Eastern Regional Youth Event
is a great way for youth (grades 7-12) to learn leadership skills and connect with the wider church. Youth from Maryland to Maine will gather on July 19-22 at California University of Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh.
- Find friends and ‘family’
- Find fun
- Find faith
- Find inspiration
- Find a passion
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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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Super Saturday Workshop Proposals Now Being Accepted
The next
Super Saturday
is being held
October 20, 2018, at Keefe Regional Technical High School in Framingham, MA
. Anyone wishing to share concepts and practices they have developed that are changing their congregation or community’s mission and ministry is invited to submit a workshop proposal. Workshops that may be of particular interest include: creative worship, church vitality in the 21st century, church leadership, faith formation/christian education, youth ministry, spiritual practices, care & wellness, community ministries, social media, and outreach. As a workshop leader, your registration will be free.
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Many Voices, One Mission:
Inspired To Do
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By Rev. Jonathan New, Associate Conference Minister for Stewardship & Financial Development for the Massachusetts Conference, UCC
In the Massachusetts Conference I’m known as the “stewardship guy.” Of course, most people hear that and think “money guy.” Funny thing, I think of myself as the “mission guy.” Because, for me, the money is only important to the extent that it’s making mission and ministry happen.
I’m often in churches preaching on stewardship and meeting with church leaders. We talk about annual giving, planned giving, and capital campaigns. We discuss the proper management and use of endowment funds, and good budgeting practices. The problem of not seeming to have enough money to fund the budget almost always comes up. Like everyone, it’s hard for churches to pay the bills.
But, after twenty plus years in ministry, there’s something I know in my bones: No one was ever inspired to give generously by the call to “help us pay the bills”! As with all charitable giving, church people are inspired to give when they understand and believe in the church’s mission, know how it’s making a difference, and have confidence in its leadership.
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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:
Drink Deeply
By The Rev. Susan Foster, pastor of East Woodstock Congregational Church.
Here is it – a 3000-year-old warning against fake news: “Do not follow the advice of the wicked.”
There is no shortage of bad advice and discouraging words these days. Many people avoid listening to the news because it causes too much anxiety. A feeling of helpless rage arises amidst reports of heart-breaking shootings, callous neglect of our environment, and blustering threats and name-calling.
The news never stops; our phones vibrate with the latest tweet storm or “urgent” report. The resulting information overload can be physically and emotionally exhausting, leaving us paralyzed by conflicting messages and terrifying news bulletins.
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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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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 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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May 29, 6:00 to 7:30 PM
Online
An opportunity to discuss the four resolutions coming before the 151st Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference UCC.
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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 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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July 9 - 13
Craigville Retreat Center, Craigville, MA
This year's topic: Building Bridges: Immigrants, Refugees, and the Church. Keynote Speaker: Ms. Linda Hartke, President & CEO, lirs.org, Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service.
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