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Panel Discusses Accessible To All Movement
 In the latest episode of Live With Rev. Siladi, Conference Minister The Rev. Kent Siladi speaks with Jaclyn Schofield and the Rev. Sarah Lund about the Accessible To All (A2A) movement. The discussion focused on the why the movement is necessary, what obstacles churches face in trying to become more accessible, and what resources are available to churches and those interested in learning more about the A2A movement.
Watch the video, with closed captioning, here
Many Voices One Mission: It's All About Relationship
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By Debbie Gline Allen, Consultant for Christian Education & Youth Ministry for the MA Conference, UCC.
Even before I recognized my call to faith formation ministries, it was the relationships I had formed in the choirs and youth groups at the church where I grew up that began planting those seeds of ministry within me. So the cliché “It’s all about relationship” is more than just a cliché for me. And I’m sure that it’s more than a cliché for any congregation that is thriving.
The critical importance of relationships actually has research behind it. Search Institute is a research organization that began in 1958 with a youth survey conducted by the Lutheran denomination. Since then, it has grown and expanded its research for a variety of denominations and secular agencies that relate to youth and the issues affecting their well-being. Search Institute’s most recent research projects have been focused on relationships. Their concluding statements based on this research are, “Nothing — nothing — has more impact in the life of a child than positive relationships,” and “It’s not programs that change people, it’s relationships.”
Read the full post
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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: Here and Now
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By The Rev. Dr. Brenda M. Pelc-Faszcza is the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Canton Center.
I’m praying not only for them
But also for those who will believe in me
Because of them and their witness about me.
The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—
Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you,
So they might be one heart and mind with us.
Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me. ~ John 17:20-21 (The Message)
In Easter season,
we make the same decision we make on Easter Day –
is it about here and now
or someday?
Are the stories about this world
or another?
Will they matter this afternoon
or only when all our afternoons on earth are over?
I think they matter today,
for here and now,
for the world as we find it
and for the world we are making.
Is this not what Jesus always said to us?
Read the full reflection
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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/subscrib
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Obituaries
The Rev. Dr. Harry L. Peatt, formerly a pastor, associate pastor, and intirim pastor in CT and several other states, died peacefully at River Glen Health Care Center in Southbury, CT on May 14, 2019 after losing a battle with cancer. He was 79 years old.
Read the full obituary
Conference Events
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CTUCC Racial Justice Training
June 10, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Congregational Church in South Glastonbury, CT
This training - which fulfills the requirement for clergy - seeks to unmask racism while creating a common language with which we can identify the social and institutional constructs of racism.
Spring Interim Gathering
June 18, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Congregational Church of Westborough, MA
Agenda for the Day: Together As One General Information, interim life in the new conference, Don Remick presentation: "Powerful Questions Can Change Your Church."
Clergy Camp
June 26 - 29
Silver Lake Conference Center, Sharon CT
Join fellow clergy for reflection, renewal, and worship in the woods
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CTUCC Racial Justice Training
July 23, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Guilford, CT
This training seeks to unmask racism while creating a common language with which we can identify the social and institutional constructs of racism. Fulfills the training requirement for clergy.
The Fiscal Cliff: Part 1 of Navigating the Wilderness
July 10, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Online
Is your church approaching a financial cliff? Are you wondering how to avoid going off the edge. Take part in this first in a series of webinars with Susan Townsley and Charlie Kuchenbrod.
Save the Dates:
General Association 2019
Sept. 23 - 24
Annual Meeting
Nov. 1 - 2
DCU Center, Worcester, MA
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Classifieds
Other Events of Interest
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Green Forum on Divestment
June 2, 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Immanuel Congregational Church, Hartford
Learn about strategic divesting from fossil fuel industries.
Not Your Grandmother's Dinner Party
June 8, 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
First Congregational Church, New London
Come dine with guests from the New London Homeless Hospitality Center.
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2019 Craigville Theological Colloquy
July 8 - 12
Craigville Retreat Center, Craigville, MA
Faith & Science: The Choices We Make with Dr. Jennifer J. Wiseman and Professor Ron Cole-Turner.
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