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The Disconnect
By The Rev. Kent Siladi
Connecticut Conference Minister
We talk about covenant a lot in the United Church of Christ. We maintain that our polity is covenantal. The UCC Constitution and Bylaws were rewritten in 2000 to underline the connections between the "settings of the church" (Local church, Association, Conference and National).
However, many among us spend a lot more time living as if we are not connected to one another. I have often said that a leader of the United Church of Christ can spend their entire ministry never saying the words "United Church of Christ," and there would be little to no repercussion for making that choice to be disconnected from the rest of the church.
The above is an excerpt. Read the entire message here
Unity in Diversity
By Sir John Hargrave, a member of The Wellesley Congregational (Village) Church
I’ve always thought Paul showed a sense of humor when he wrote that passage about “many parts, one body” in his letter to the Corinthians. “In this body,” I imagine him writing in an early draft of the letter, “we are each a part. One of you, and I won’t name names, is a pain in one of my body parts.”
If you get to choose your part of the body, most of us would like to be the eye, or the mouth, or the heart. Few of us would choose to be the spleen. The gallbladder is not in high demand. Nobody wants to be the butt of jokes, much less the butt of the body of Christ.
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 Read more about the Annual Meeting, and register
(Registration Deadline is June 5th)
Read more about the Together, As One proposal
Super Saturday Workshop Proposals Being Accepted
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Workshop Proposals are now being accepted for the October 21 Super Saturday event at Keefe Technical Regional High School in Framingham, MA.
If you would like to share concepts and practices you've developed that are changing your congregation or community's mission and ministry, we invite you to consider submitting a workshop proposal. As a workshop leader, your registration will be free.
Proposals are due by May 31.
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Bulletin Inserts Available to Publicize Historic Meeting
The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences are making available bulletin inserts for churches to use to let members know about the historic Tri-Conference Annual Meeting taking place June 16 - 17 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT.
Inserts can be downloaded, or bundles of printed inserts are available upon request.
Read more
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Upcoming Conference Events
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Installation of Robert Hollis
June 4, 2017, 3:00 PM
First Christian UCC (Rice City), Greene, RI
 Together, As One Online Forum
June 7, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Vard Johnson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)
Together, As One Online Forum
June 8, 1:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Jocelyn Gardner Spencer (Connecticut Conference Board member), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and George Peters (Rhode Island Conference President)
Together, As One Online Forum
June 8, 7:00 PM
An online forum open to anyone who would like to join a discussion about the proposal to form a new Conference. With Kent Siladi (Connecticut Conference Minister), Corey Sanderson (Massachusetts Conference Board member), and Barbara Libby (Interim Rhode Island Conference Minister)
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Authorized Ministry Luncheon
June 16, 2017 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Hartford Marriott Downtown, Hartford, CT
This luncheon, a pre-meeting event to the Tri-Conference Annual Meeting, is an opportunity for authorized ministers, lay leaders and others to gather and share time in community.
Registration Deadline: June 5th
Tri-Conference Annual Meeting
June 16 & 17
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
Be part of UCC history at this first ever combined Annual Meeting of the Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut Conferences! UCC General Minister & President The Rev. John Dorhauer will be the keynote speaker.
 General Synod 31
June 30 - July 4
Baltimore, MD
Thousands from across the country will gather to discern resolutions of witness, church structure, and function.
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Classifieds
Other Events of Interest
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UCC Musicians Association Summer 2017 Conference
July 9 - 12
Simmons College, Boston, MA
This biannual conference seeks to nourish, inspire, and sustain church musicians.
2017 Craigville Theological Colloquy
July 10 - 14
Craigville Retreat Center, Craigville, MA
A full week including presentations, Bible reflections, daily worship services, small group discussions, singing, playing music and Keynote Speaker Professor Lee C. Barrett.
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Links
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