What's New, and What's Brief
COLCHESTER (05/08/2013) -- 
On May 5th, the congregation of the Colchester Federated Church, affiliated both with the United Church of Christ and with the American Baptist Churches, approved a formal statement declaring the church to be "Welcoming, Open and Affirming." The title reflects the different language used in the LGBT equality movements of the two denominations.
On the same day, the church also approved a visioning statement and graphic, emphasizing the love of God, the redeeming power of Jesus, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. "We welcome all to journey with us sharing, learning, teaching and reaching out in love," it says.
"We the members of the Colchester Federated Church believe that all people are created in God's image and thus are loved and blessed equally by God," the statement opens. It invites people to follow Jesus into the full life of the congregation regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, as well as a a variety of other characteristics such as age, race, and status.
Once the statement is reviewed by the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns, Colchester will be officially welcomed into the list of ONA congregations.
SHARON (03/12/2013) -- What can you do in a week at Silver Lake?
How does this sound:
Having Fun: splashing water into a canoe, or sliding down "Mudge Mountain" into the lake, or climbing that tree on the challenge course.
Making Friends: sharing the cupcakes you frosted together, getting everyone over the wall, or singing around the tables in the social hall.
Being Myself: sharing the silly joke, wearing your favorite sneakers, trying out that craft you've never attempted before.
Finding God: in the sight of a deer across the meadow, in a rock-and-roll chorus, in the prayer your wrote yourself.
Sign up for a week of life-changing adventure in "God's Backyard." Online registration is open for children entering grades 4 through 12.
Download the flyer here:
http://www.silverlakect.org/pdfs/ComeToSilverLake_flyer_201303.pdf
Learn more about summer conferences and register at the link below.
HARTFORD (03/08/2013) -- Tim Rose, a Global Ministries missionary who serves in France, will be in the Connecticut Conference July 17-26 and August 3-18, 2013, and available to visit local churches during those times.
Tim will be pleased to come and visit congregations. He can lead a second hour after Sunday worship, join in an Outreach/Mission Meeting, or share stories of his work at a Potluck Supper or picnic, Bible Study or any other appropriate event in the church community. Perhaps a gathering of several local churches of the Conference could be arranged to provide an opportunity for fellowship and to learn more of his mission work on issues of justice and reconciliation with immigrant communities in France.
Missionary visits provide an opportunity to personalize Global Mission. They offer a chance to hear faith stories and to understand what it means to be a missionary in the 21st century, to be a Critical Presence, meeting people at their point of deepest need, be it spiritually, physically, emotionally and/or economically. And while many of us would be surprised to think of France as a mission field, the Common Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ supports missionaries in five major regions around the world, including the Middle East and Europe, the region in which Tim serves.
Tim will have housing here in Connecticut and transportation. We ask that churches provide the usual hospitality such as a meal and extravagant welcome. Tim may also need supplies or equipment for his presentation.
