Silver Lake Shines for Spring Annual Meeting

SHARON (05/14/2007, rev. 05/16/2007) -- A beautiful spring day in a glorious natural setting greeted attendees at the Spring Session of the Connecticut Conference's 2007 Annual Meeting. About 400 gathered at Silver Lake Conference Center to elect Conference officers, attend workshops, hear Eco-Justice Ministries Executive Director the Rev. Peter Sawtell, and worship "Silver Lake style" to the accompaniment of drums and guitars. For a large number of those present, it was their first visit to the summer camp and conference center, which celebrates its fiftieth season hosting the Conference's outdoor ministry program this year.

Keynote speaker Peter Sawtell, an ordained UCC minister, praised Conference Minister Davida Foy Crabtree's call for a renewed focus on care for the Earth in her address last October. Noting the monumental changes in technology and social expectations that have happened in the United States since the formation of the United Church of Christ in 1957, Sawtell insisted that the adaptations necessary to mitigate the approaching environmental catastrophe are possible. Climate change cannot be avoided, he said, but human beings can do quite a lot to reduce their heavy footprint on the planet.

Sawtell called for an expansion of ethical thought, to break down the artificial barriers that separate "human" from "nature," and to consider the welfare of other species and systems when making ethical decisions. While he encouraged research and advances to reduce the harmful affects of human society -- examples include low energy light bulbs, high-mileage automobiles, and conversion of paper communication to electronic -- he stressed that technological solutions can maintain the viewpoint that the environment is merely a set of resources to be exploited by human beings, and may fail to ask the question of our just place in the world.

Click here for the full text of Rev. Sawtell's address.

Conference Minister Davida Foy Crabtree presented the 2007 Living Waters Award, celebrating exceptional lay leadership, to Elizabeth Horton Sheff, honoring her efforts to bring justice to Connecticut's most vulnerable citizens. Best known for her part in the civil action Sheff vs. O'Neill, which sought to address the inequities in Hartford's school system, she has served as Just Peace Minister for the Connecticut Conference and on the Hartford City Council. Currently, she is Director of Neighborhood Services at the Community Renewal Team, assisting individuals and families secure basic needs.

The day's worship, guided by Conference Preacher and Chaplain the Rev. Deborah Blood of Bloomfield, included the participation of several participants in Silver Lake's Khenuta summer conference, who led prayers, Scripture, and a touching reading of Douglas Wood's Old Turtle. Silver Lake and Conference staff members led the worshipers in songs commonly sung by summer conferees, and Dr. Crabtree presided at a communion service led without words. The congregation also created three "Ebenezers" (God has helped us), piling stones in celebration of God's gifts to the world.

The attendees heard more about the ministry of Silver Lake from leaders of the Now for the Future campaign. Bruce Barrett, Alden Tyrol, and Valerie Tutson each spoke in different yet equally powerful ways about the difference that Silver Lake has meant in their own lives, and in the lives of people that they have known. The capital campaign's goal and challenge goal of $8 to $12 million will expand summer capacity, add "adult-friendly" retreat facilities, reduce environmental impact, and model more sustainable water and energy practices.

General Synod Local Arrangements Committee members described the ongoing efforts to prepare for arrival of the 6,000 already-registered guests and the many more likely to join them in Hartford for the UCC's 50th Anniversary General Synod in June. Just over 40 days separate the Spring Annual Meeting and the first day of Synod. Committee Co-Chair Sue Butler-Woodward spoke of some of the highlights of the event, including addresses from Bill Moyers, Barack Obama, Marian Wright Edelman, and Lynn Redgrave. Volunteers are still being assigned to the large number of tasks with registration, hospitality, transportation, communication, and all the rest.

Workshops included several "workshops without walls" led by Silver Lake summer staff. A large number of attendees toured the campus and learned more about the plans to build new retreat facilities and enhance the summer experience. Others learned about youth ministry, environmental justice, local church endowments, and a large number of other subjects.

Delegates, guests, and permanent staff all praised the Silver Lake staff members and volunteers who worked so hard to successfully welcome those who came to Annual Meeting. To them go the Conference's heartfelt thanks.

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.