By Karen Ziel, Minister of Faith Formation and Leadership for the CT Conference, UCC

It began with an invitation from my long-time friend and colleague, Ms. Debbie Gline Allen, the Consultant for Christian Education and Youth Ministry at the MA Conference, UCC.  Come along, she invited, and join me in creating an event I imagine will offer local church leaders for faith formation an opportunity to “summit”! (I’m aware I have used a verb here.)

The idea of a summit intrigued me. Imagine the possibilities! She explained that she envisioned an opportunity to gather those from our local churches who are committed to Christian formation and education.  We’ll summit for conversation, learning, mutual support and sharing. 

By The Rev. Kelly Gallagher, Associate Conference Minister for the MA Conference, UCC

The line of 400 or more people walked quietly down the beach, 4 by 4 in a strange and fascinating procession. On a cool December day in San Diego, with signs and birds, in stoles and clergy collars, robes and bright t-shirts, this mixed posada moved slowly and deliberately toward the border between Mexico and the United States. There were people of many races, many colors, many traditions, ages, abilities and backgrounds from all over the US – people of faith gathering at this wall to bring witness and word: Love Knows No Borders.
 
In that group of so many were people from the Tri-Conference, in San Diego for the Authorizing Ministry for the 21^st Century Conference offered every other year for ACMs and Conference Ministers to discuss common issues and best practices around Search and Call, church vitality and such. There was something powerful about sharing this time together in this place – at this border. In Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts we are seeking to break open our borders, to challenge boundaries and walls that have separated us for hundreds of years.

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The Day: After 183 years, Congregational church is dissolving

Waterford — Following its move out of New London in 2013 and the cessation of independent worship services in September, the Second Congregational Church — more recently known as Waterford Congregational United Church of Christ — is dissolving on Monday.

From July 2013 through Sept. 30, 2018, Waterford Congregational had its home at Crossroads Presbyterian Church, where it held a weekly Sunday service following the Presbyterian service.

The congregation voted on Sept. 16 to discontinue separate services, and on Oct. 21 to officially dissolve the church effective at the end of the year.

"The congregation had kind of reached the end of its life, which happens in our churches, so they made a very careful, conscious, faithful decision to dissolve the congregation," said Matt McCaffrey, pastor for the past seven years.

Read the full story at TheDay.Com