April 8, 2005
To:
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
This comes to you as the Call to Spring (Part I of the One Hundred Thirty-Eighth) Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ (Connecticut Conference of the Congregational Christian Churches) to be held at
First Congregational Church, UCC
23 South Main Street
Wallingford, CT
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Remember that all sessions are open to registered visitors as well as delegates, so be sure to tell others about this event!
This is the first time we have had a portion of our Annual Meeting in the Spring and the theme of the meeting will be “Mission Matters.” Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Wallingford with adjournment at 4:30 p.m. The full agenda for the day is enclosed in this mailing.
Keynoter: We are honored and privileged to have as our keynoter the Rev. Dr. John H. Thomas, General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ. John will speak at 9:30 followed by a “Response” session. He will lead a Forum later on in the morning and will have a Forum with the Youth during the afternoon session. Please do bring your youth groups to share in this special time with John.
Worship will begin at 9:00 a.m. It is being planned by our Alternate Conference Preacher, the Rev. Denise Esslinger of Gilead. An offering will be received during one of the worship times. The meeting is designed as a worship/reflective experience throughout the day, with Communion at 4:00.
Lunch: During the lunch time, there will be an opportunity to eat in small groups for informal conversations. The registration is $20.00 per person which includes a box lunch if you pre-register; youth $10.00 includes a box lunch if pre-registered. Registrations are possible the day of the meeting but lunch will not be available; however, the cost will still be the same. A Youth Group will have a snack bar available for those of you who do not order lunch in advance. No food or drink is allowed in the sanctuary.
Child Care will be available. Please indicate on the registration form your need for child care. Parents are to provide lunch for their child/children.
Special Needs: Please indicate on the registration form if you need: handicapped parking, nearby parking because of physical limitations, a sign language interpreter, or special seating, etc. Contact Peggy Wright: peggyw@ctucc.org or 860 233-5564 (toll free in CT 866 367-2822).
Forum for Youth: Please note that John Thomas will have a Forum with the Youth in the afternoon, so do plan to bring youth with you.
Workshops: Session I Workshops in the morning will be on the “Wider Mission” theme; Session II Workshops after lunch will be on the “Local Mission” theme. Enclosed is a list of workshops being offered. Sign-up for the workshops will occur when you arrive and register the day of the meeting, but please review the list before you come and be ready to select your ticket when you arrive.
Plenary: There will be very limited business on the agenda. The Nominating Committee will be elected. We will take time for a spotlight on Silver Lake Conference Center and a preliminary report on its strategic plan for ministry, in anticipation of a proposal for a capital campaign that will come to our fall meeting October 21-22, 2005.
When we assemble at the First Congregational Church in Wallingford, we will be the Body of Christ worshipping, praying, and making a witness to Jesus Christ. Come prayerfully, thoughtfully, and enthusiastically to seek God’s wisdom for our common mission as the United Church of Christ in Connecticut.
Sincerely in Christ,
The Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree
Conference Minister
Enclosures:
