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A Weekend at Winter Camp
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By Debby Kirk
Sharon, CT-- As the cars turned off of Low Road and crept down the hill and a friendly voice leaned out of the brightly lit hut greeted each one. “Welcome, we’re glad you are here! Do you know where you are going? Have a great weekend!”
Our outdoor ministry site at Silver Lake is more than a summer camp and Friday, March 1, was the beginning of a typical ‘off season’ weekend. Youth and adults came from CT, MA, and RI to deepen their faith, create beloved community, learn leadership skills, and encounter God in nature.
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High School Students Lead Activism Training
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By Grace O’Connor
Hebron, CT - Regional Hebron, Andover, and Marlborough (RHAM) High School’s Activism club hosted an event at Gilead Congregational Church called “Activism Boot Camp” recently. The event was structured as a training for individuals seeking to become involved or increase their involvement in various forms of activism. Audience members represented all age groups with a large range of activism experience that included community leaders and members of the general public.
RHAM Activism is a group of students from RHAM High School in Hebron, CT. Co-presidents Skylar Haines, a high school senior and member of Gilead Congregational Church, and Abbey Perrin, also a senior, were inspired to form the club after attending a listening forum following the Parkland, FL shooting in February 2018.
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Many Voices One Mission: Justice Is Local
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By The Rev. Wendy Vander Hart, Associate Conference Minister for the MA Conference, UCC
I am running for office in my residential town of Arlington, Massachusetts. “Wendy Vander Hart – a ♥ for Arlington” is my campaign slogan (That's a heart emoji, in case it doesn't show in your browser.)
The position is humble Town Meeting Member. Fortunately, this does not require raising money for a campaign! I understand it as part of my personal declaration to embody our new Conference shared mission/purpose “Living the love and justice of Jesus.”
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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.
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Starting With Scripture: I Must
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By The Rev. Bob LaRochelle, a UCC clergyperson currently serving as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Plainville, CT
These two words 'I MUST' have always struck me because they lead me to wonder: What are the I MUSTS in my life? What are those things that I ABSOLUTELY have to do? Another way of putting this might be: What are the moral imperatives that drive my life? For Jesus, at the point in his life described in this passage, the answer was getting clearer by the moment. He was going to Jerusalem where the probability was clearer each and every day that he would proceed to suffer greatly and would eventually be killed.
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Obituaries
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The Rev. John Twinam, Minister Emeritus of Green's Farms Church in Westport, CT, died with his family by his side on March 12. he was 87.
Details will be posted on ctucc.org as they become available.
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The Rev. Gordon C. Johnson, Pastor Emeritus of the Plainfield Congregational Church and Central Village Congregational Church for 32 years, passed away February 25th, 2019, at the age of 84.
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Conference Events
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Peace Works: Silver Lake Summer Camp
June - August, 2019
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon CT
Registration is now open for campers in grades 4 - 12 to encounter God's love in creation; and to learn how to bring that love and justice into the world.
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InnoJazz: 10 Nouns 10 Verbs
March 19, 3:30 PM to 4:10 PM
Online
An online session in which participants will be lead through a process using improv rules to discover what new possibilities creative thinking can open up in their ministries.
Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times
March 21, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church of Southington, CT
Gain insights about anxiety from child psychologists and then 'test drive' the Unafraid resources by Adam Hamilton.
2019 Maple Sugaring
March 22 - 24
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
From tap to table, experience nature’s renewal and its sweet gifts at Silver Lake. For 6th - 8th graders.
Interfaith Exploration
March 31, 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
An exploration of the three Abrahamic Religions - Christianity, Islam and Judaism - designed for confirmation classes and youth group.
Meet the CTUCC Legislators
April 5, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT
An opportunity to meet three elected officials who are members of CTUCC congregations.
CTUCC Confirmation Retreat
April 5 - 7
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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Counselor Retreat at Silver Lake
April 12 - 13
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon, CT
This retreat is open to all who will serve as counselors at Silver Lake, whether it’s your first time or your 20th time.
Simply Smiles Mission Trip - Oaxaca, Mexico
April 13 - 20
Spend a week helping the kids who live at the Simply Smiles home for children in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico
Retreats that Renew and Refresh!
April 25, 6:00 to 8:30 PM
First Congregational Church, West Hartford, CT
Explore ideas for your next retreat in this Stepping Stones workshop.
Simply Smiles Mission Trip - South Dakota
May 11 - 18
Spend at week Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation working to restore hope for a better future.
Environmental Justice for All! Retreat
May 17 - 19
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon CT
For youth in grades 8 - 12 to explore how faith and justice intersect, learn about current issues in environmental justice and find their talents to make change.
2019 Special Meeting of the CT Conference
May 18, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
First Church of Christ Congregational in West Hartford
We will gather together as a historic Connecticut Conference in this transition year to worship, receive reports from Board and staff, consider resolutions, and celebrate the Living Waters award.
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Save the Date: The first Annual Meeting of the newly formed Together, As One Conference (CT, MA and RI) will be Nov. 1 - 2, 2019, in Worcester, MA
Classifieds
Other Events of Interest
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48th Annual NEAUCE Conference
April 30 - May 2
Pilgrim Pines, Swanzey, NH
Join Christian Education colleagues for worship, fellowship, and rich discussions.
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"Generosity Transformed" Conference
April 30 - May 3
Indianapolis, IN
Need to energize and revitalize your church’s strategies for faithful generosity? Does your church find it hard to talk about money? UCC Church Building & Loan Fund would like to make you aware of this ecumenical stewardship conference.
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