2010 Fall Annual Meeting Workshops

We are offering pre-registration for workshops and the current offerings listed below are included as part of the registration form. Your registration packet will include tickets for the workshops for which you have registered. A listing of workshops that still have space will be available at registration on October 22 & 23 for those who do not pre-register. There are two workshop sessions lasting one hour each, and several two-hour workshops covering the entire workshop time slot; the workshops are categorized according to the area of interest they are designed for: GM – Global Ministries; LM&O – Local Ministry and Outreach; E – Evangelism. If you select a two hour workshop you cannot select any of the one-hour sessions.

Session I Workshops

1: GM: Journey into the Hearts of Global Partners through Volunteer Service -- La Marco Cable, Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) & the United Church of Christ: Come learn how you may have a hands-on experience in global mission through fully supported missionary positions, short and long term volunteer opportunities and people-to-people pilgrimages. Volunteer assignments are facilitated by Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, which is our denomination’s shared global ministry effort.
2: GM: Your Church Is Not Too Small: Youth Mission Trips - Who, What, Where and How -- Saugatuck Congregational Church, Westport, United Church of Christ, Southbury, First Congregational Church, Madison, & First Congregational Church, Cheshire: There is no better tool for achieving quality time with youth than Mission Trips. In just a week’s time, relationships grow, the lessons of the Gospel come alive, and young lives are changed in powerful and positive ways. Even more, there’s tons of fun to be had! Come hear a panel of youth give testimony to what Mission Trips have meant to them, meet others who may be willing to join forces to offer a trip, and receive hints and tips on how to get started, how to raise funds and save on costs, and how to design for success.
3: GM: Love in Action: Two Short Term Volunteer Service Opportunities in China -- Ian Skoggard, Church of the Redeemer, New Haven & Norani Abu Bakar, Yale Divinity School Student: Learn about two short-term volunteer service opportunities in China: 1) Teaching oral English to Chinese high school English teachers, and 2) Helping out homeless people in Shanghai.
4: GM: Preparing the Ground: How to Promote Global Ministries in Your Congregation -- Clyde Work, First Congregational Church, Guilford.: In order to organize a mission trip in your church, there first must be interest and awareness about global ministries among church members. In this workshop hear how one church’s mission committee educated its congregation about global ministries, and how it achieved a high level of congregational involvement in mission activities.
5: LM&O: Refugee Resettlement Ministry -- Bassma Janabi, Bryn Smallwood-Garcia, Patty Buchan, & Jennifer Wurst, Congregational Church of Brookfield: Hear the personal story of a recently resettled Iraqi refugee woman and the welcome she received from the Refugee Resettlement Ministry Team of the Congregational Church of Brookfield. Learn how your church may be able to do to help refugees from war-torn areas of the world resettle in safety here in the United States. With the help of the New Haven-based Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services (IRIS) and the US State Department, Brookfield has already been able to resettle three families. The church’s volunteers say the work -- heeding the call of Jesus in Matthew 25 to “welcome the stranger” — is some of the most rewarding and fulfilling ministry they have ever done. It is like taking a mission trip without ever leaving town.
6: LM&O: Creating“Green”Churches: A Model for Christian Witness -- Members of the CTUCC Environmental Ministry Team: Have you considered the fact that your church could serve as a model of environmental witness in your community? The Connecticut Conference Environmental Ministry Team will give practical information to help your church implement energy savings, raise awareness about environmental issues, and encourage responsible personal environmental stewardship. Successful congregations can earn recognition as a “Green Congregation.”
7: LM&O: Sharing our Know How: Teaching Basic Financial Literacy to the Homeless -- Nancy Wells and Billie Ward, United Church of Stonington: The United Church of Stonington is partnering with the Mystic Area Shelter and Hospitality (MASH) to deliver a basic financial literacy course for families on the edge of poverty and homelessness. Come learn about their plans and see how a small church and a small agency can make a big difference in their community.
8: LM&O: Environmental Justice as Outreach: Re-examining Environmental Ethics and Awakening New Possibilities -- Tom Carr, Interreligious Eco- Justice Network, Hartford, CT: The mission of the Interreligious Eco-Justice Network — Connecticut’s Interfaith Power and Light Affiliate — is to involve people from every faith tradition in prayer, dialogue, education and advocacy in celebration of the sacredness of creation. The organization believes that faithful living reflects a right relationship between humankind and the environment, and its vision is to help religious communities reclaim their ancient traditions and live as faithful stewards of life. The Rev. Tom Carr, the group’s co-chair, will share thoughts and ideas about how your congregation can become more engaged in this important area of justice and witness.
9: LM&O: Special Commission On Conference Sustainability – Report and Discussion -- Doug Morrill, First Congregational Church, Bloomfield, Micki Nunn-Miller, The United Church of Christ in Cornwall, and other Commission members: At the October 2009 Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ recommended that a special commission be established to study the financial sustainability of the Conference and to develop alternative models of support that would strengthen the long term financial viability of the Conference. The Commission has concluded its work and presented its findings and recommendations to the Board and the Annual Meeting. This workshop will be led by a panel of selected representatives from the Commission who will review the work of the SCCS including its conclusions and suggested courses of action both near term and long term. Given the financial challenge facing the national setting of the UCC and the Connecticut Conference, this is an opportunity to engage members of the commission in a discussion and to ask questions and offer observations on critical topics like the future of Our Church's Wider Mission and the need for improved communication and stronger relationships between the Conference and the local Churches.
10: E: The Fisherman Project: Welcome, Evangelism, and Outreach -- Michael Malone and Members, First Congregational Church of Haddam: A congregation in central Connecticut recently launched a new ministry they call The Fisherman Project. With homemade bread as the centerpiece, this small church in a small town is creating visibility for the church and its ministries, is serving as a source of welcome for newcomers to the community, and at the same time is raising money for an important and valued community outreach program — the emergency fuel assistance agency. Hear how the church came up with the idea, organized its resources, and how bread figures in! Hear also how one good idea has spawned other good ideas and how the project has generated a renewed sense of community within the congregation.
11: E: Turning Visitors into Members: Hospitality 101 -- Mike Penn-Strah, Connecticut Conference: Church growth consultants report that most people make up their minds whether they will return to a church within the first four to eight minutes of their initial visit—long before the pastor enters the pulpit or the choir sings one note! Most churches do not actually do the things that will make visitors feel welcome and eager to return. This workshop will teach participants simple and effective ways to welcome guests and turn visitors into new members.

Session 2 Workshops

12: GM: The Impact of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) on Korean Churches -- Hojun Chang, Storrs Korean Church, UCC: The first American missionary to Korea was the Rev. Horace G. Underwood, who served under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, because his application to serve as an ABCFM missionary was turned down. As a result, in South Korea today almost 60 percent of Christian churches are now affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and more than 40 percent of Korean churches in the U.S. are Presbyterian. By understanding the history of missions from the point of view of the people and countries that have been the focus of missionary efforts we can try to find a beneficial mission strategy for the future.
13: GM: Simply Smiles: Encountering Poverty and Taking a Stand -- Bryan Nurnberger, Naugatuck Congregational Church: Connecticut resident Bryan Nurnberger, recipient of the Connecticut Conference’s Living Waters Award in October 2010, will tell his inspiring story of leaving behind a career as a professional rock climber in order to found Simply Smiles, an organization dedicated to providing bright futures while improving the daily lives of all impoverished children. Nurnberger’s life changed after he happened upon a struggling children’s home in an impoverished area of Mexico, where he was able to stay after a climbing accident. When he returned home he founded Simply Smiles in order to help the Mexican children. Today church groups from all over participate with Simply Smiles on both international and U.S. mission trips.
14: GM: Adopta Una Familia... Twelve Years of Mission Projects in Guasmo Sur, Ecuador -- First Congregational Church, Branford: First Congregational Church, Branford has been involved since 1999 with the people of Guasmo Sur, Ecuador, building homes and relationships in a Pacific port city that is marked by extreme poverty. Over the last 12 years more than 500 people have shared in transformative mission experiences with families of Guasmo Sur. This workshop will show you how a mission project can inspire a local church, raise up committed youth and adults, and foster global relationships. You will hear the ins and outs of planning and learn how to implement and sustain a viable long-term program. .
15: GM: Teaching in Zambia: Serving as a Short Term Global Ministries Volunteer -- Deb Blood, First Congregational Church, Bloomfield: Deb Blood, senior pastor at First Congregational Church in Bloomfield and a member of the UCC’s Wider Church Ministries board of directors talks about her remarkable summer 2010 short term volunteer mission trip to Zambia, where she taught at the United Church of Zambia Theological College in Kitwe. She will discuss how she became a volunteer and share her experiences living in the Zambia and teaching at the seminary.
16: GM: Sacred Journey 2010: Korean Partnership Youth Exchange Trip -- Irene Choi, First Church of Christ, Glastonbury: Since 1992 the Connecticut Conference has maintained an ecumenical partnership with the Kyung-Ki Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in South Korea, and every two years the Korean Partnership Committee sponsors a summer exchange trip to South Korea for youth in grades 9 to 12. The 2010 trip was July 28-August 12 and was led by Committee co-chair, Irene Choi and Brian Sears from First Church, Glastonbury. Participants from the trip will share their experiences in this workshop.
17: GM: Changing Haiti One Child at a Time -- Elisabeth Kennedy, Middlefield Federated Church, Middlefield: Learn the story of HELO – and organization founded to provide Home Education Love and Opportunity to orphaned and abandoned children in Haiti, the least developed country in the Western Hemisphere. Since the earthquakes of January 2010, poverty in Haiti has risen, with 71 percent of the population counted as living in conditions of “extreme poverty,” and orphaned children are particularly at risk as Haiti struggles to rebuild. In an effort to respond to this tragedy and quickly respond to the cries of Haiti’s children, HELO immediately started building and has opened 2 additional homes since January. Hear from the co-founder of this ministry how your church can be involved and make a difference, helping to change Haiti one child at a time.
18: GM: Transformed by Mission - Me and My Church -- David Rockness & members, First Congregational Church of Litchfield: In this workshop members of First Congregational Church of Litchfield’s Ugandan Mission Team will share the “afterglow” of their trip to Canaan Children’s Home in Jinja, which was organized through Hearts of the Fathers Outreach of Sheffield, MA. Team members will tell about their participation in a school, visits to sponsored children and orphanages, mission work at the Children’s home, and their assistance in the construction of a chicken farm. Hear their inspiring stories, and learn how your church could participate and be similarly transformed.
19: LM&O: Covenant to Care: Churches and Social Workers Working in Partnership -- Nancy Bennett, Gilead Congregational Church: Covenant to Care for Children is a non- profit organization based in Bloomfield. Through the organization’s “Adopt a Social Worker Program,” churches throughout Connecticut are matched with a particular social worker from the State’s Department of Children and Families. Churches then partner with that social worker to provide necessary and special items needed for children in that social worker’s caseload. This augments the provisions of the State, often assuring greater stability in the life of a child. In this workshop learn how to implement this program in your congregation.
20: LM&O: Living the Green Life -- Curt Johnson and Nancy Dittes, Spring Glen Church: If you could make one small change in your life that would have a big impact on helping to preserve the environment, what would it be? How might the impact of that change be multiplied if you could convince some of your friends to make the change along with you? Explore the personal side of environmental impact — share what you are doing and hear suggestions regarding reducing energy consumption and water use and accessing more energy efficient modes of transportation and food production. What habits can we change without much effort? What kinds of encouragement can we provide one another and what incentives are available? What can we do to help raise the consciousness of others?
21: LM&O: Community Activism and the Meetinghouse: A Small Church Takes the Lead -- Jim Simpson & Members of Haddam Neck Congregational Church: Just because a congregation is small in numbers doesn’t mean it cannot be large in impact. Haddam Neck Congregational Church has become a key player in its community’s efforts to conserve 582 acres owned by Connecticut Yankee Atomic Power. The property includes three miles of river frontage along the Connecticut and Salmon rivers, which has extensive natural and historical value. A year ago, local residents launched a community organizing effort called the Connecticut Yankee Conservation Project, and church members have been at the forefront of this group’s work. Learn how the church got involved and how this unexpected activity has changed the journey of a small, rural congregation.
22: LM&O: Spreading the Spirit of Christ in the Garden -- Mike Ader, Robert Burns, and John Clark, First Congregational Church of Ledyard UCC: Ledyard’s First Congregational Church teaches a method of gardening and food production called “Growbiointensive,” as both local and global Christian mission and outreach. Currently the church’s focus is to teach the method within their own community. Later they plan to share these environmentally and economically beneficial techniques with their sister congregation in Guadalajara, Mexico.
23: E: Bricks and Mortar Evangelism -- Ineke Mitchell, Connecticut Conference: Our church buildings say a lot about what we value and believe. In this workshop we will explore how our space communicates our faith in ways you might never have imagined, and you will learn practical ways to enhance your church’s physical facilities to make them more welcoming and inviting to the new members you want to attract.
24: E: Making a Joyful Noise: Music as Gospel Communication -- SouthCongregational/1stBaptist,New Britain, First Congregational, Stamford, and First Congregational Church of South Windham: Music is a wonderful and powerful ‘language’ that touches emotions, influences moods and brings people together, and it’s not surprising that music has always been an important part of worship. Traditional music programs have long been central to many of our Connecticut churches’ ministries, but music is also the focus of some innovative new outreach and evangelism efforts, as well. In this workshop you will hear from three CTUCC churches with successful music ministries: an urban church with a mature, traditional music program; an urban church with a non-traditional arts-oriented music program; and a very small rural congregation with a vibrant, ‘live music’ weekly coffee house ministry. Find out how they do what they do, and take their ideas back to your congregations.
25: E: Looking to Grow Your Church? Why? -- Susan Tarolli and Sarah Verasco, Connecticut Conference: When the goal is to increase the number of pledging units for a thin budget or recruit the youth so that new young families will lower the average age of the membership, evangelism gets confused with survival tactics. Instead of trying the same things over and over and expecting different results, consider entering into an intentional season of assessment and discernment to discover the particular gifts and opportunities in your ministry setting.

Feeling like you don’t have any options? Not sure which way to turn? Crossroads is a new ministry of the CT Conference that seeks to engage congregations who are wondering what their future holds and how to connect with their unique purpose and mission in the Church that Jesus called into being. We want to hear from you and we want you to hear from us.

Session 1 &Amp; 2 Two Part Workshops

26: GM: Critical Presence: Highlights of History, Theology, and Vision in Global Ministries -- Debbie Pallatto-Fontaine, Gilead Congregational Church: Through video presentation and informational handouts, this workshop will give you an overview of Global Ministries, without clutter or confusion! You will also learn concrete and specific ways for becoming a global mission church in your region and how to engage in covenantal partnership with Global Ministries.
27: GM: Looking at Bio-Medical Ethics and What They Mean for the Care-Giving Ministry of the Church -- Robert E. Michler, MD: Learn from international cardiologist, Dr. Robert Michler, about the emerging new ethical issues that are being thrust upon us by bio-technology. Individuals will provide theological reflections from Christian, Buddhist and Islamic faith traditions related to Dr. Michler’s remarks. This workshop is made possible by a gift from Harry Baldwin in conjunction with Second Church, Greenwich, and United Church, Bridgeport.
28: GM: Moving From Missionary to “ Critical Presence” in China: An Honest Look at the New Realities of Christian Presence in the Peoples’ Republic of China -- Doreen and Michael McFarlane: In this workshop Doreen and Michael McFarlane, UCC ’missionaries’ who have lived in China for the past four years, will share their experience and perspectives. They will look at the pros and cons of past Christian mission activity in China, discuss how our goals and mission work have changed in recent years, and what we might plan and expect in the years ahead.
29: E: Faith Practices: Transforming Hearts -- Karen Ziel, Connecticut Conference: The first hour of this workshop will be an exploration of habits of the heart—those spiritual or faith practices that form and re-form us throughout our lifetime when practiced individually and in community. How do such practices form us? What potential do they hold to transform the community, the church, or an individual? The second hour of the workshop will be an opportunity to preview various resources that invite people of all ages to explore these habits, which are so integral to our faith formation, including the excellent Faith Practices curriculum materials recently released by the United Church of Christ.
30: E: Equipping Congregations for Ministry: Discovering Our Spiritual Gifts -- Patricia Bjorling, Connecticut Conference: Have you ever agreed to serve in a ministry or program, not because you were passionate about it, but because “somebody had to do it?” In many churches, ministry leaders use what might be called a “filling the slots” approach to staffing Sunday school and other ministry programs. What if, instead of starting with program needs and recruiting people to fill slots, we started by helping every Christian discover God’s call? And then, what if the church said to each person, “How can we help you fulfill your call?” This two-part workshop will include both foundational information and practical, hands-on tools, including completion of a spiritual gifts inventory. Workshop participants will also take home materials suggesting how to use the materials in various congregational settings.

[Workshop List in PDF Format]

No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.