Invitation to the 2007 Fall Annual Meeting

June 11, 2007

TO: All Delegates of Connecticut Conference Churches including Youth Delegates
Authorized Ministers: Ordained, Commissioned, Licensed
Officers, Board of Directors, Moderators of Associations
Former Moderators of Annual Meetings
Nominating Committee of the Conference
In-Care Students

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

This comes to you as the first of only two mailings for the October Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ. The following are the dates:

Friday and Saturday
October 19 and 20, 2007
Tolland High School, 1 Eagle Hill Drive, Tolland, CT

Theme: “Let It Shine…Into the Future”

We will gather in celebration of the completion of the 50th anniversary year of the United Church of Christ and moving into the 51st year. Our theme is drawn from the General Synod theme: “Let It Shine!” Our commitment to vibrant and engaged churches is our focus.

The Moderator, Dr. Eileen Sypher of Chester; the Assistant Moderator, The Rev. Mark Abernethy of South Windsor; the Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree; and the Chair of the Board of Directors, Joan Burgess of Litchfield, join in inviting you to the One Hundred and Fortieth Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ.

The Steering Committee has designed a two-day meeting beginning on Friday afternoon. Here are the highlights of the meeting.

Friday:

• Authorized Ministers’ Lunch and Program at the United Congregational Church of Tolland.
  
  The speakers will be The Rev. Dr. William Imes, President of Bangor Theological Seminary and The Rev. Dr. Nick Carter, President of Andover Newton Theological School. “Leading change in the church: New skills for new realities.”
  
  Please see the enclosed flyer for more information. The program will include honoring those ordained 50 and 25 years. Registration for the Annual Meeting will take place at this event for those who attend.
• Registration
• Workshops focused on vibrant and engaged churches
• Dinner
• Opening Plenary including Worship
• Conference Minister’s Address
  (Note: A full agenda will be included in the September mailing and will be available at www.ctucc.org.)

Saturday:

The program will be rooted in a new video from the United Church of Christ in which we will listen in as young adults discuss their hopes, needs and convictions about the church. Several of those featured will be present, as will Hans Holznagel, “star” of another video, who will address us and then help us engage in conversation about our churches as we enter the next 50 years of the UCC. Workshops will be presented. Business will include:

• Report and recommendations for action from the Comm,unity Team
• Presentation on Now for the Future: the Campaign for Silver Lake
• Resolution (enclosed)
• Stewardship of our Resources for 2008

Setting:

Tolland Association will host the meeting to be held at the new Tolland High School, 1 Eagle Hill Drive, Tolland, CT.

Youth Delegates:

Youth Delegates will continue to be involved in the meetings this year as regular delegates. They will have a particular interest in the subject!

Child Care

Child Care will be available if requested. Forms for sign-up will be included in the early September mailing/email, along with forms for registration, housing, and special needs.

Please plan now to attend the Annual Meeting on October 19-20!

Faithfully yours,

Davida Foy Crabtree
Conference Minister

P.S. If you have any questions about this mailing, please contact Cecile Gilson or Barbara Mansfield at the Conference Office by email (cecileg@ctucc.org or barbaram@ctucc.org) or phone (860.233.5564 or toll-free 866.367.2822).

Enclosures/Attachments

Rules of Procedure for the Annual Meeting (please bring them with you to the meeting)
Proposed Resolution: "Seeking Support for Universal Health Care/Universal Health Care coverage in CT" PDF
Letter from the Resolutions Commitee PDF
Serving as a Delegate in the United Church of Christ PDF
Authorized Ministers' Luncheon Flyer PDF