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The Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences are now sharing an email newsletter platform. To subscribe to publications from any of the three conferences, visit our subscription page.
East Hartford Church Strengthens Community Ties Through Its Parsonage
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By Drew Page
What can a church do with an unused parsonage? The obvious answer is rent it out to turn it into a source of income, but this answer comes with a host of challenges and questions about a church’s purpose. Perhaps a better question to ask is how can this building add to the ministry of the church?
Rev. Kelly Jane Caesar and the congregation at First Congregational Church of East Hartford (FCCEH) asked this question in 2015 when deciding the fate of the adjacent Woodward House, a large multi-bedroom residence that once served as the parsonage. The congregation, with a history of community involvement, wanted to use the building to serve the community. Caesar was also interested in using the talents of church members.
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Silver Lake Award Celebration Honors Rev. Davida Crabtree
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The Silver Lake community spent the afternoon of October 14th celebrating The Rev. Davida Crabtree, and supporting UCC outdoor ministry at Silver Lake Conference Center.
The Silver Lake Award Celebration, lifted up the (ongoing) life's work and ministry of the Rev. Crabtree, the recipient of the 2nd Annual Silver Lake Award. The Silver Lake Award honors someone who has been shaped by the mission of Silver Lake, and has gone on to do great things in the world beyond camp.
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New Britain Family to Leave Old Lyme Sanctuary
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OLD LYME – The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme (FCCOL) announced at a press conference today that Malik Naveed bin Rehman and his wife Zahida Altaf are ending their time in sanctuary at FCCOL. They do so because ICE recently announced it is not opposing the couple’s stay request, which is currently pending at the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. Based on that information, Malik and Zahida, together with their attorney, Glenn Formica, and the ministers at FCCOL, feel it is time to end their time in sanctuary, return to their lives, and await a ruling from the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.
They now make plans for two futures. Only one of those futures will allow them to fulfill their dreams, residing permanently in the United States. Malik and Zahida are relieved and appreciative that the Government has not opposed their Stay filed with the Court of Appeals and would like to express their appreciation to the individual ICE officers involved in that decision.
Read the entire press release from FCCOL
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Many Voices One Mission: Irrelevant?
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By TJ Harper, Racial Justice Associate for the MA and CT Conferences, UCC
Will the Church become an Irrelevant Social Club?
Intuitively when I hear this question about the future of the Church, with regards to becoming an irrelevant social club, I answer: No, of course not! The Church is an institution that has remained viable for hundreds of years. Yet, we are at the precipice of a changing religious landscape in America. According to a recent Pew study, 80 percent of Young Millennials, where I belong to this generation, believe in God while only 38 percent of Young Millennials believe that religion is important.
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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: I Want The Front Seat
By The Rev. Diann Bailey, Associate Minister of Youth and Intergenerational Ministries at First Church of Christ in Suffield.
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And they said to him, ‘Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.’? ~ Mark 10:37, NRSV
“I want the front seat!” This was the frequent call of my two sons. Each was claiming their space in the car; to be upfront with mom and looking out the window. They wanted none of this backseat, second-hand view stuff. Whoever claimed, commandeered or earned the front seat considered themselves the “most favored child” status, at least for that trip.
When I read this passage, I think back to those childhood years. I offered unconditional love to each son; trying to lift up and affirm each of their unique gifts. And yet, it was never quite enough.
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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
New Reviving Justice Event Combines Worship, Workshops
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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 and the following workshops and panels:
- Racism Repackaged: The Misconception of Change from the 1960s, led by TJ Harper
- Community Organizing 101, led by Pat Speer, Mentor / Organizer with Christian Activities Council in Hartford
- Environmental Racism Panel moderated by Terri Eickel, Executive Director of Inter-Religious Eco Justice Network
- Immigration Justice Panel moderated by Rev. Edwin Perez, Jr. and Rev. Gini King
Read more and register
Meet the UCC's First Ordained Digital Minister
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The Rev. Jasmin E. Taylor, Associate Pastor of Digital and Media Ministry at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, will join Connecticut Conference Minister the Rev. Kent J. Siladi LIVE via Zoom and Facebook on Nov. 1 at 4:00 PM.
Learn more and register
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Online Innovation Sessions Being Offered This Fall
Suzi Townsley, Associate Conference Minister for Innovation, Leadership and Change, will be hosting a series of online conversations this fall: Zip Equip sessions on Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 are designed to support church leaders by providing some of the best thinking from the organizational development and change management world; and InnoJazz on Nov. 20 will be 40-minute innovation sessions to foster creative thinking.
Read more and register
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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!
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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.
CTUCC Fall Boundary Training
Nov. 13, 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Church of Christ, Congregational in Newington
Basic and advanced training for clergy, including a plenary with the Rev. Ron Brown.
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Classifieds
Director of Children's Ministry - East Granby
More: ctucc.org/classifieds
Other Events of Interest
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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
Walk with Al for Immigrants
Oct. 21, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Ribicoff Federal Building, Hartford
Al Dornan is a 79-year old man who has been walking for immigrants every day, 2.2 miles each day, since January 25th, 2018.
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Ebony and Ivory Ball
Oct. 27, 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Center Church Church House, 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
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