What's New, and What's Brief
HARTFORD (04/23/2008) -- The Spring 2008 issue of Conference Call, the periodic bulletin of the Connecticut Conference, is on its way to local churches. Church members can expect to find it in their Sunday bulletins in the next few weeks.
Stories in this issue include:
The call for a national sacred conversation on race, an invitation from national leadership to local churches to consider race relations in America on Sunday, May 18;
Welcomes to new staff members Da Vita McCalliaster, the Associate Conference Minister for Youth and Young Adult Ministries; and Dave Kobersmith, Site Manager at Silver Lake Conference Center;
An invitation to the celebration of Imagination and Creativity that will be the Spring Session of the Conference Annual Meeting, to be held at South Congregational Church UCC in Middletown on May 10;
A preview of the National Youth Event, being held July 24-28 at the University of Tennessee; and
The great news that Now for the Future, the Campaign for Silver Lake, has exceeded $2 million in gifts and pledges.
Follow the link below to read Conference Call in PDF format.
HARTFORD (04/22/2008) -- Following the devastating hurricanes of 2005, the churches of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ pledged their support to the recovery efforts along the Gulf Coast. Local churches, Conference leaders, youth fellowships, and members have contributed countless hours and thousands of dollars to the recovery effort to date.
As an aid to the continuing effort, the Disaster Response Ministry Team has made a new brochure available to local churches that briefly tells the story of the places in which the Conference has made specific commitments: Central Congregational Church in New Orleans, LA; Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS; and the Florida Conference. The brochure offers suggestions and contact information for churches looking for a way to participate in the region's recovery, and describes the Gulf Coast Ambassadors program, a group of volunteers who are available to come to local churches to tell the story of the disaster, its aftermath, and the work at hand.
Click the link below to view and download the brochure in PDF format.
SHARON (04/22/2008) -- This summer, get a friend to come to Silver Lake for a summer conference, and get a free T-shirt!
Lots of spaces are available still to sign up. Don't miss the fun and all the new friends you'll make!
Go to http://www.silverlakect.org to register or take the virtual tour.
Silver Lake will hold an Open House on May 4th -- go to http://silverlake.ctucc.org/events.php?event=1732 for more information -- or email or call Lesley at lesleym@ctucc.org or 860.364.5526 to register.
Follow the link below for a flyer in PDF format.
SHARON (03/24/2008) -- What is there to do at Silver Lake?
You can swim in the lake
You could swing from the trees on our Challenge course
Make something out of clay
Write and sing a song
Dance, sing, shout!
Play soccer
Listen for God in the silence of the woods
Play music
Run around
Talk with a friend
Watch the stars
Write a prayer and share it at vespers
Toast a marshmallow (or two) over a campfire
Tell stories
Play volleyball
Watch a deer in the woods
Listen to the stream at the waterfall chapel
Hike in the woods
Eat great food
Make new friends
Don't wait... Sign up now!
Come and be a part of this loving community that not only welcomes you for who you are, but also encourages you to find out who you are becoming!
Go to http://www.silverlakect.org to find out about this summer's conference offerings.
SHARON (03/24/2008) -- The Connecticut Conference is offering a new brochure on supporting the scholarship ministry that allows young people whose families have limited means to attend Silver Lake Conference Center summer programs. Individuals and local churches can both play an important role in helping to develop the leadership of the Church and world that occurs at Silver Lake.
Follow the link below to see the brochure in PDF format.
SHARON (03/24/2008) -- Silver Lake Conference Center, echoing the billboard appearing on Interstate 95 in southern Connecticut, has produced a dynamic poster for display in churches who wish to encourage their young people to participate in summer conferences. Follow the link below to see and download the poster in PDF format.
