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Nation's Oldest Clergy Gathering Focuses on the New

The Rev. Dr. Katherine Henderson,
President of Auburn Seminary

It may have been the nation’s oldest continuing gathering of clergy. But it was full of new ideas, new perspectives and new imaginings.

The 310^th General Association – an annual Connecticut Conference tradition of bringing together clergy and other leaders – was focused on innovation. The 80 participants heard from the president of Auburn Seminary about remarkable changes that have taken place there, heard about a new evening worship service at a local church and tried games and exercises designed to get them thinking about how to take their own new ideas for ministry and make them happen.

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Townsley to Host Online Innovation Sessions

Suzi Townsley, Associate Conference Minister for Innovation, Leadership and Change, will be hosting a series of online conversations this fall: Zip Equip is designed to support church leaders by providing some of the best thinking from the organizational development and change management world; and InnoJazz will be 40-minute innovation sessions to foster creative thinking.

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Many Voices, One Mission:
Called and Sent

By The Rev. Dr. Michael Ciba, Senior Regional Minister for the CT Conference, UCC

One of my favorite passages of scripture is the story of Jesus sending the disciples out to share the good news in the villages of the countryside in Matthew 10: 1-15. Jesus gives the disciples authority to confront evil and then sends them out to do what he says. He identifies who should go, where they should go, what they should say and do. He advises them how to take care of themselves while they are doing the work he wants them to do. He tells them how they should respond if things work out and how they should respond if they don’t.

This is one of the few places in the gospels where Jesus acts like the leader of an institution: articulating a vision, recruiting staff, telling them how to do the job, cautioning them about risks and pitfalls, and letting them know what to expect.

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Many Voices, One Mission is a regular series highlighting the ministries of the CT, MA, and RI Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Starting With Scripture: Worry About Yourself

By The Rev. Kristen Provost Switzer, associate pastor of Newtown Congregational Church.

Hearing the phrase, “Don't worry about (insert name here), worry about yourself,” takes me right back to my adolescence. Maybe someone has said that to you at some point in your life. Maybe you have said that to your own children. Maybe you’ve even wanted to say that to a few adults.

The disciples are perhaps acting childish here, as they do for much of the Gospel of Mark. In last week’s lectionary reading, they were quarrelling over false ideals of being the best. This week, their jealousy of a local healer is apparent. Jesus quickly refocuses their conversation onto something worth worrying about: their own moral character.

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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.

Upcoming Conference Events

Reviving Justice: Inspire / Connect / Act
Oct. 27, 1:00 to 5:00 PM
First Church of Christ in Simsbury, CT
Gather for worship, networking, and workshops. Connect with faith and community leaders who are working for environmental, economic, and racial justice. With worship led by the Rev. Dr. Damaris D. Whittaker.

CT Women UCC - Day of Retreat
Oct. 6, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Center Congregational Church, Manchester, CT
A day of meditation and relaxation centered around "Planting Seeds of Hope Across the Generations."

Second Annual Silver Lake Award - Garden Party Fundraiser
Oct. 14, 2:00 to 5:00 PM
Farmington Gardens, Farmington, CT
The Silver Lake Board will present The Rev. Davida Foy Crabtree with the 2nd Annual Silver Lake Award at this garden party.

Next Steps Workshop: Retreats that Renew and Refresh!
Oct. 16, 6:00 to 8:30 PM
John P. Webster Library, West Hartford, CT
Come and explore creative ideas for your next retreat! Icebreakers, discussion questions, theme outlines and craft ideas.

Super Saturday
Oct. 20, 8:00 AM to 3:45 PM
Keefe Regional Technical High School, Framingham, MA
Join us for a full day of worship, workshops and networking. Keynote address by Dr. David M. Csinos, who writes widely about faith formation, children's ministry, youth ministry, and culture.

Confirmation Retreat: Discipleship Matters
Nov. 2 - 4
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
Join us for a great experience with activities, worship, and fellowship appropriate for youth in grades 7-9 during their Confirmation year!

SHINE 4 JUSTICE
Nov. 2 - 4
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
An annul event for youth who want to grow their leadership skills.The weekend will include racial justice training as well as favorite camp activities -- low ropes, campfire with s'mores, and a night hike.

Tending the Fire
Nov. 6-8; Jan. 8-10; March 12-14
Framingham, MA & Sharon, CT
This series of retreats helps clergy “think systems” in their congregations and their personal lives, so they can lead change that lasts.

Classifieds

ctucc.org/classifieds

Other Events of Interest

UCC W.I.S.E. Conference for Mental Health
Sept. 29
South Church, UCC, Andover, MA
Learn about action steps for individuals and congregations to become WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) about mental health.

Building A Longer Table: Embracing the Disability Community
Oct. 15, 2:00 PM
Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
This workshop will provide a look at the difference between accommodating, inclusion and embracing the disability community.

A Conversation With... Julie Lindahl
Oct. 21, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
John P. Webster Library, First Church, West Hartford
The author will discuss her book The Pendulum: A Granddaughter's Search for Her Family's Forbidden Nazi Past

Ebony and Ivory Ball
Oct. 27, 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM
224 Ecospace, Hartford, CT
An evening of music, wine, appetizers, yummy desserts, and dancing, to benefit a scholarship fund to send two youth to UCC General Synod.

Diana Butler Bass at First Church, West Hartford
Oct. 27, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
John P. Webster Library, First Church, West Hartford
The author will discuss Gratitude as Resilience: Why We Need to Be Grateful Now

Widening the Welcome
Nov. 1 - 3
Niagara Falls Convention Center, Niagara, NY
Workshops and panels; invited speakers include Traci Blackmon, Sarah Lund, Jennifer Brownell, and keynote speaker John C. Dorhauer, UCC General Minister and President.