Annual Meeting 2003: First MailingJune 23, 2003
TO: All Delegates of Connecticut Conference Churches including Youth Delegates
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: This comes to you as the first of three e-mailings or mailings for the Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. The following are the dates and site:
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday The Moderator, Mr. Erskine McIntosh of New Haven; the Assistant Moderator, the Reverend David Spollett of Fairfield; the Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree; and the Chair of the Board of Directors, the Rev. Donald Ketcham of West Avon join in inviting you to the One Hundred and Thirty-Sixth Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. The theme "A People of Hope" ("La Gente de la Esperanza") was chosen by the Planning Committee. Our hosts for the weekend will be UCC churches in the Fairfield West Association. The Rev. Jeffrey Craw, Moderator of the Fairfield West Association, and the churches and pastors look forward to welcoming us all! Friday: Our Business Meeting will begin after dinner on Friday, at 6:15 P.M. Resolution/Affirmation Hearings will be on Friday at 4:15-4:45 at the middle school. Other events on Friday evening include the Conference Minister's Address and a worship service. A full agenda will be mailed/e-mailed in the second mailing at the end of August. Saturday: Activities will include a Keynote Address by Judge Frederica Brenneman of the Sautagtuck Church in Westport. Judge Brenneman served for 29 years on the bench of the Juvenile and Superior Courts of Connecticut, where she was known for her candor and wisdom in accessing the issues of juvenile justice and the needs of young people and their families. I have long admired Judge Brenneman from afar and am thrilled that she has agreed to be our keynoter this year. It was a special and memorable moment for me when I met her and her husband, Russell, to issue this invitation. Her leadership on the bench and her commitment to the vision of the United Church of Christ mean that this will be a great Annual Meeting. The day's business meeting will include reports from the Board of Directors, an update on the capital campaign but not a formal vote, workshops, presentation of the 2004 proposed budget, and speak-outs. Saturday workshops: These will be held at Saxe Middle School over lunch time. Enclosed with this mailing is a list of workshops being offered. You will sign up for the workshops as you register at the middle school in October. The CT Women of the UCC will have a luncheon and program. Saturday evening: We will begin with a banquet at Saxe Middle School honoring those ordained for 25 years and 50 years. Those to be honored will be listed in the late August mailing. A program is being planned for the evening. Sunday morning: Action on Resolutions and Affirmations will continue, followed by reports from the Board of Directors, action on the 2004 Budget, election of officers, and a speak-out. Items from the Board of Directors will be included. We will have lunch at the Saxe Middle School before being bused to the Congregational Church of New Canaan for the Sunday afternoon worship. Festival Worship with Communion and Installation of Officers will be on Sunday afternoon at 1:15 P.M. Our Conference preacher, the Rev. Dwight Juliani of Madison, will preach. The Worship Committee has planned an exciting and spirit-filled worship. A processional of clergy and lay delegates will begin the worship. Clergy are encouraged to robe for this service. Everyone from your church is invited to join your delegates and pastor(s) at this service. The service will be held at the Congregational Church of New Canaan. Buses will be provided to transport delegates from the middle school to the church and back to the middle school. Setting: Our setting this year will be the Saxe Middle School. The facility is fully accessible and has a large auditorium, many rooms for workshops, and snack bars. Because the hallways are nice and wide, the displays will be in the hallways as you walk between the auditorium and the cafeteria. Meals will be served in the cafeteria with specially prepared menus. The middle school is on Route 124, only 3/4 of a mile from Exit 37 off the Merritt Parkway; it is very easy to get to and there is plenty of free parking. Directions will be provided in the August mailing. Housing: Commercial lodging reservations should be made this summer if you plan to stay overnight in the New Canaan area (please see enclosed flyer). In the August mailing will be a form to complete if you desire to stay with a host family in the New Canaan area. Resolutions/Affirmations: We are enclosing the one Affirmation and four Resolutions that have been submitted in Group A. Hearings will be held on these resolutions/affirmation at the Saxe Middle School on Friday afternoon at 4:15 P.M. Authorized Ministers' Event: There will be information on this event in the late August mailing. Youth Delegates: Youth Delegates will be involved in the meetings this year as regular delegates. Other youth activities and work projects are underway for youth for the weekend. A flyer is enclosed with more details in late August. Other highlights this year:
Laity Sunday--October 19 We encourage all Pastors to plan now to have Laity Sunday for October 19 so that all Pastors may be available to attend the Annual Meeting in its entirety. A sermon will be provided by the Alternate Conference Preachers, the Revs. Joshua and Bette Anne Crowell, and will be mailed to every church in September. A full agenda will be mailed/emailed in August, along with forms for registration, housing, special needs, and child care. Please plan now to attend the Annual Meeting on October 17-19! Faithfully yours, Davida Foy Crabtree Conference Minister P.S. If you have any questions about this mailing, please contact Peggy Wright or Barbara Mansfield at the Conference Office by email (peggyw@ctucc.org or barbaram@ctucc.org) or phone (860-233-5564 or toll-free 866-367-2822). If you as a delegate find you are unable to attend the meeting, please let your church know immediately so an alternate delegate may be named, and let us at the Conference office know so the late August and September mailings will be sent to the correct delegate. Enclosures:
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