The Conference Works and Celebrates

Day Two: October 21

Conference Moderator the Rev. Gordon Rankin led the delegates through myriad affirmations, announcements, and actions through the course of Saturday's very busy agenda. From the morning's worship through the afternoon's workshops to the evening's recognitions, it was a very full day.

After setting the order in which it would consider the weekend's resolutions, a great parade of youth entered the Pomperaug High School auditorium to be commissioned for their day of service in nearby Waterbury. Wearing white T-shirts and led by Conference Youth Ministry Specialists Merrilyn Garcia, Cheryl Thomas and Sandy Daly, the youth gathered to receive the commissioning and blessing of Conference Chaplain the Rev. Jared Rardin.

Regional Seminary Task Force Report

Deborah Blood

The Rev. Joshua Crowell, pastor of the Congregational Church of Essex, then reported for the Regional Seminary Task Force. He introduced a member of the Essex church who is a student at Andover Newton Theological School, Ms. Deborah Blood. A working attorney, Ms. Blood nevertheless asserted that seminary was more difficult than law school, as it requires the students to engage their emotions and their spirits as well as their academic abilities.

A Missionary from Colombia: Ricardo Esquivia

The day's keynote address was delivered by Ricardo Esquivia, Executive Director of JUSTAPAZ, the Mennonite Office for Justice, Peace and Non-Violence of Colombia, our newest partners in mission. Bonnie Klassen, a Canadian Mennonite who has worked with him for several years, ably translated for the English speaking delegates.

Ricardo Esquivia and Bonnie Klassen

Mr. Esquivia spoke of the struggles of the Colombian nation, which range from unequal economic and agricultural competition with the United States and Canada to an active, ongoing civil war. 30,000 people die of violence in Colombia each year, 3,000 due to military action and 90% from the associated crime and social upheaval. A huge number of people have been displaced, fleeing from the war-torn and (to reduce drug production) fumigated and sterilized lands to the cities, where there is not nearly sufficient work for those who have lost everything.

Mr. Esquivia noted the ineffective way in which the United States has pursued its anti-drug policies. Even now, the US Congress has approved a $1.5 billion military aid package to the Colombian government, which does not enjoy popular trust. One example is the fumigation of land: suspected drug farms may be sprayed with herbicides, reducing or eliminating its usefulness for farming. The farmers, already pressured by prices depressed from overseas competition, need a reliable source of income: and all too often in these cases, they have very few resources. Many have turned to cultivating coca, the plant at the root of cocaine. The result: more coca growers, not less.

"Churches are a seed of hope and light," he said. "Where sin abounds, grace is more abundant." He encouraged the delegates to do what they could to change US policy to more constructive directions. A partnership between the Connecticut Conference, JUSTAPAZ, and the Central Atlantic Conference, which was signed during the morning session, will hopefully provide our churches with the tools to do that, and to educate both church members and non-members about Colombia.

"Right now we are receiving a message of death from the north," said Mr. Esquivia. With the church's aid, this can be a message of life."

Following worship, the Conference considered the Treasurer's report and reviewed the proposed budget for 2001 to be acted upon Sunday October 22.

Resolutions

During action on resolutions during the morning session, the delegates voted two with some amendment: the Resolution on Training for Sexual Misconduct, and in confirmation of the partnership signed earlier, the Resolution on Colombia. A third was rejected by a narrow margin -- the Resolution on Separation of Church and State -- after sensitive and sincere discussion.

Silver Lake Report

Dana Fisher

Dana Fisher, the Director of Silver Lake Conference Center, reported on the state of affairs at the Conference's summer camp and retreat center located in Sharon. She encouraged the delegates to help the Center staff recruit volunteers as counselors and especially as deans during the summer. She noted that some plans considered for the previous summer -- some extra camps the Silver Lake Board of Directors had considered -- could not be staffed among the group of deans. Two conferences made do this past year without the same dean on site through the entire week!

Pre-Capital Campaign Voted

During the Board of Directors report presented by Board chair Alan Green, the Rev. Roger Nicholson described the initial outlines for a capital campaign being researched by the Board. The delegates voted to enter a "process moving toward the development and launching of a major capital campaign and affirms that the Conference is in a pre-campaign phase."

Signing the Korean Partnership

Representatives from the Kyung-Ki Presbytery and Partnership Chair the Rev. Paige Besse-Rankin described the history and accomplishments of the partnership, which they then renewed by signing a new agreement to continue the arrangement. Exchanges of visits, and particularly participation in the summer camping programs of the two, are important parts of the plans coming.

The Lay Awards

Lay Award Recipients

The Laity Award was presented to two deserving recipients. The Cloud family shared an award that any of the individuals could have earned independently. Hartford residents, they have been involved in the church, local government, businesses, and charities; Chris Cloud is Director of Amistad America. Christopher Cox is part of the staff of Mystic Seaport which built the Amistad replica now sailing up and down the coast; throughout his career he has built bridges between the established culture and its ignored or vulnerable citizens. When with the Hartford Atheneum, he led the effort to include African and African-American art in that museum's exhibits and collections.

The Youth Report on their Day

Some of the youth returned in the evening to describe their day cleaning up a run-down Waterbury neighborhood with the assistance of the city's public works departments, other volunteers and especially local residents. Some of the young people read their own and their compatriots' comments on the feelings raised during the day, and showed a video of their labors. They received a standing ovation from the assembled delegates.

Honoring BBZ

Barbara Brown Zikmund (BBZ)

The evening ended by honoring the Rev. Dr. Barbara Brown Zikmund, outgoing President of Hartford Seminary, who has been such a good friend to the Connecticut Conference, the United Church of Christ, and indeed of the church at large. BBZ's accomplishements include editing Hidden Histories of the United Church of Christ and The Living Theological History of the United Church of Christ; the latter is a continuing project which prints the primary documents of our faith from the apostolic age to the present day. She challenged the Conference to emulate the bee, which creates useful things, has an eye for beauty, and when necessary is able to sting.

After a full day, the delegates returned to their homes or lodging, with plenty of work waiting for the next morning, and a great deal accomplished over the course of the day.