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Together, As One Efforts Moving Forward

Ever since the historic June vote by Annual Meeting delegates from the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island conferences to join together in forming a new conference, the new Together, As One board and staff members have been working to build relationships, share information, align ministries and attend to all the details the transition requires.

Read an update on what is happening


Many Voices One Mission: Advocate Together

By Michele Mudrick, Legislative Advocate for the CT Conference, UCC

The 2019 Legislative Session starts on Wednesday, January 9.  Take a moment to consider the following questions:

  • Are you curious about the legislative issues that CTUCC is working on at our state Capitol?
  • Would you like your voice to be heard at the Capitol?
  • Would you like a script and fact sheet emailed to you so you know exactly what to say to your State Senator and State Representative on issues that CTUCC is working on?
  • Would you be willing to work with CTUCC in our efforts to promote environmental, racial and economic justice in our state?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I encourage you to join the CTUCC Advocate Corps! It’s easy to join! 

Read more


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

 


God’s Words

By Alison Buttrick Patton, pastor of Saugatuck Congregational Church, UCC in Westport, CT

One of the criticisms I often hear leveled against the Christian Church (maybe you’ve heard this one, too), is that the church is full of hypocrites, full of people who claim to follow the Way of Jesus but who do more judging and excluding than they do loving and inviting.  A study by the Barna Group in 2007 found that most sixteen to twenty-nine year olds have a negative view of Church (interesting to note that Jeremiah may well have been a teenager when God called him…).  87% of those young people said the Church is judgmental. 85% said the church is hypocritical. 70% said the church is insensitive to people who are different.

Read the sermon and/or watch the video


Starting With Scripture: Grasp and Let Go

 

By The Rev. Stephen Finlan, Designated-term Pastor at The First Church, West Bridgewater, MA.

Here’s a radical idea: what would happen if we really believed the Gospel teaching that God is just and loving, that God will complete the good work begun in us (Phil 1:6), that “God will wipe away every tear” (Rev 7:17; 21:4)? I think it would change how we handle disappointment and apparent failure.
 
If we really believe that truth and justice reign in heaven, then certainty about the triumph of good is the only truly rational belief for us to hold. We have been given an eternal destiny. Let us stake our lives on this. Let us live as though already in the kingdom of heaven!

Read the full post


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

 

2018 Christmas at the Lake
Nov. 30 - Dec. 2
Silver Lake Conference Center

Two sessions:
4th-6th graders, and 
7th & 8th graders.
Join your friends and make new ones as we anticipate Christ’s birth at Silver Lake, with or without snow!

Zip Equip
Dec. 4, 3:30 to 4:10 PM
Online

Brainstorm by Questions, a conversation designed to support church leaders by providing some of the best thinking from the organizational development and change management world.

2019 Women Clergy Event: Food for the Journey
February 5, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM
South Congregational Church, 
East Hartford, CT

Clergy women are invited to a day of relaxation and prayer. Explore the indoor labyrinth, relax with kinetic sand and soulful music, find time to create in the art space or find silence in the prayer corner. 

CT UCC Confirmation Retreat Weekend
February 8-10, 2019
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!

Classifieds

Part Time Admin Assistant - CT Conference UCC
This position is a part-time position (25 hours per week) which provides administrative and program support to three ministries of the Conference.  The main components of the position include support for the Regional Ministers, the Racial Justice Ministry and the Consolidated Trust Fund.

Tenor Choral Scholar - Suffield, CT
First Church of Christ, Congregation in Suffield, CT  is looking to hire a male choral scholar to attend approx. 6 calls a month—typically on the first three Wednesday  and the first three Sundays 

More: ctucc.org/classifieds


Other Events of Interest

Non-Directive Coaching Skills Basics for Busy Pastors
Jan. 29, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Edwards House Meeting Center, Framingham, MA

Led by Rev. Todd Weir and Rev. Jim Latimer, who teach how to listen powerfully and not give advice. 

 
 
 

Connecticut Conference, UCC
125 Sherman Street, Hartford, CT 06105
Toll Free in CT: 866.367.2822 | 860.233.5564