HARTFORD (04/12/2010) -- The Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ will hold the Spring Session of the 143rd Annual Meeting at the First Congregational Church of Madison, UCC, on May 8, 2010. Keynoters the Rev. Dr. Steve Sterner and the Rev. Cameron Trimble, along with a small host of workshop leaders, will help delegates and participants explore what it is to be the vital Church of Jesus Christ in the strange environment of contemporary society.
Keynote Speakers |
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Seven Manifestations of Three Core Values of One Essential Truth |
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In an interview for the preview video available on ctucc.org/annualmeeting, Steve Sterner hinted at the seven ways to thrive by saying that they grew from a three core values and one essential truth. The essential truth, said Sterner, is that “God has a pervasive, eternal, everlasting, redemptive love for Creation. That’s critical for us to grasp.” The three core values emerge from that basic understanding, and the first two are shared by many Christian communions: The desire to transform lives and transform communities; and the commitment to engage in a welcome and a hospitality that is gracious and based on the gospel. The third, which Sterner believes marks the UCC as distinctive, is the understanding that “God is Still Speaking,” offering continuing revelation, a continuing testament. “We’re there first because we know that God continues to live and call and speak words to us.” And the seven manifestations? “I’m not going to say more than that,” joked Sterner, “or people won’t have to come to the meeting!” |
On the theme "God's Church in a Strange Land: Seven Ways to Thrive," the call letter reads, "Today’s church, at times, feels like it is wandering in a wilderness that is this world in which we minister and live. Come be equipped to face the challenges of today’s church. Learn about ways to grow the church and how to identify and equip leadership for the church of today and tomorrow."
Sterner and Trimble bring a combination of energy, creativity, passion, and experience in the church to their keynote presentations. Sterner has led in many settings of the UCC, while Trimble is one of the dynamic young clergy of the denomination.
Among the twenty-eight workshop offerings are these fascinating titles:
This will be the last Meeting of the Conference for Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, who will preside at the service of Holy Communion that will conclude the day. Worship will include the formal service recognizing the end of her authorized ministry, as she retires on May 15.
Workshop registration has now been integrated into the online registration process. A box lunch option is also available for those who register by April 30.
Registration will begin at 8:00 am, with opening worship at 8:55 am and adjournment at 5:00 pm. Online registration and all materials are available on the Conference web site.
