http://www.ctucc.org/ News from the Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ en-us Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:55:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/images/favicon.ico http://www.ctucc.org/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 webmaster@ctucc.org (Eric Anderson) webmaster@ctucc.org (Eric Anderson) http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=935 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100208_spclcommission.html The Special Commission on Conference Sustainability, established by delegates to the Connecticut Conference's Fall 2009 Annual Meeting to study the current financial model of the Conference, has begun its work. Fourteen highly talented members of UCC churches in Connecticut and a representative from the national staff of the United Church of Christ will consider how best to sustain the ministry of the Conference within the context of national and global commitments. A preliminary report is expected in May of this year at the Spring Meeting. Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:55:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=934 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100105_pastoralletter.html The Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree has shared a new pastoral letter with church leaders around the Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ. Leading with thanks for the gifts of local congregations toward the work of the church in Conference and national settings, and with joy at the outpouring of help for the earthquake-stricken people of Haiti, the Conference's spiritual leader announced a new ministry initiative to help churches deepen and extend their life and work. Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:05:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=933 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100128_campaignfinance.html In the wake of a decision by the United States Supreme Court with the potential for adding significant amounts of corporate money to election campaigns, Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree has signed a letter endorsing passage of the Fair Elections Now Act. The bill, which has over 120 co-sponsors in the United States House of Representatives and Senate, would reward candidates who attracted donations in small amounts as opposed to those receiving large gifts from institutions. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:34:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=932 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100128_slccprograms.html Silver Lake Conference Center, the Connecticut Conference's year-round retreat and summer camp facility, has opened registration for the 2010 summer conference season as well as the popular spring women's retreat and early June Golf Tournament. The joys of friendship, worship, loving competition, exploration, music, and giving are open to people of all ages through this special outdoor ministry program. Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:30:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=931 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100127_haitiuccgenerous.php The overwhelming outpouring of generosity from United Church of Christ members and congregations to earthquake-ravaged Haiti continues to set new standards, according to church leaders. As of noon on January 26, two weeks after the disaster, more than $560,000 had been raised by the UCC Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, according to Susan M. Sanders, the UCC's minister for global sharing of resources. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:52:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=930 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100126_haitifaq.php Responding to many questions about United Church of Christ response to the Haitian earthquake of January 12, the national offices of the denomination have prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the relief effort. The document describes the UCC's current work, looks forward to ways in which the church will continue to provide aid into the future, and clarifies the best ways to support the people of Haiti at this time. Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:24:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=928 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100125_wirelessmics.html The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which oversees radio broadcast in the United States, has issued a rule that will prohibit use of wireless microphones on the 700 MHz. wavelength beginning on June 12, 2010. Churches, musicians, and others who use such devices should check their equipment to see if it falls in that category. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:59:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=929 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100125_cwshaitisit.php Via prepositioned supplies, Church World Service (CWS) partners were able to begin assisting survivors within 24-hours of the quake. CWS and its partners continue to respond to the needs of survivors both in and outside the capital of Port-au-Prince. Attention is also now turning to survivors who are now expected to leave the capital of Port-au-Prince for rural areas and into displacement camps just outside the city. Some 400,000 persons are expected to move to the camps. Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:50:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=925 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100121_smallchurchgrant.php The Connecticut Conference is pleased to announce that it will be offering grants to small churches for new or expanded outreach projects. The program is possible because of a $50,000 award to the Conference from the Frank E. Clark Charitable Trust of New York City, which made the grant to permit community support by congregations stressed by the current economic conditions. Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:31:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=924 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100120_thesetimeswapping.html At Wapping Community Church in South Windsor, the concept of congregants-as-ministers is truly recognized through an active Stephen Ministry. Wed, 20 Jan 2010 11:23:05 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=923 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100119_uccgiving.php Giving to the UCC's Haiti earthquake response is shattering previous online giving rates, indicating a generous outpouring from across the United Church of Christ, church leaders say. Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:01:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=920 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20100113_haitianearthquake.php A 7.0 earthquake hit Haiti just before 5:00 pm on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 with major damage and loss of life feared. Striking 10 miles west of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, with a population of over 2 million, the shallow quake has been followed by several significant aftershocks. The United Church of Christ has launched an emergency appeal for Haiti. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:00:00 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=878 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_genlassn.html Over one hundred church musicians, Christian Educators, and clergy celebrated the 300th General Association of Connecticut's United Church of Christ ministers at Silver Lake Conference Center September 21 - 22. UCC General Minister and President the Rev. John H. Thomas and Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree brought profound insights, theological depth, historical scholarship, and fervent love for the pastoral office to their presentations. The assembly followed their leadership into earnest conversations toward better understanding and better fulfillment of their calling to ministry. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:14:24 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=879 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_annlmtg.html Over five hundred authorized ministers, lay delegates, young people, and other members of the Conference's churches came together at the new Middletown High School Friday and Saturday, October 23-24, for the Fall Session of the 2009 Connecticut Conference Annual Meeting. The participants heard from the UCC's new General Minister and President, the Rev. Geoffrey Black, and from Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree. They set budgets and began a process of discernment for the Conference's financial future. And they engaged in earnest and prayerful conversations on difficult topics: the tragedy of racism, the economic crisis, and the shortfalls in funding for Conference ministries. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:16:10 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=880 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_friend.html Support of Conference ministries is provided in large part from local churches' annual giving to Our Church's Wider Mission. But gifts from individuals given directly to the Conference are also important. One hundred percent of gifts given in response to the annual Friends of the Conference appeal stays in Connecticut to fund Conference ministries and programs. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:17:46 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=881 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_freshed_thanks.html As I write, I anticipate a very festive holiday season for myself and for my family. Thanksgiving looks to be a splendid feast; there are a lot of good cooks in the circle that will gather. I anticipate it to be a crowded feast as well, as we'll be coming together in a different, and much smaller, house this year. I wonder, in fact, if we'll need a crowbar to un-wedge us from each other after dinner... Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:19:41 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=882 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_fishing.html Often when we think of mission work, we think of donating money to charities, rebuilding homes for those who have endured a tragedy, or traveling to underdeveloped countries to help make better lives. In Branford, a widely growing mission involves something as simple as taking a veteran fishing. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:20:48 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=883 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_dfc_giver.html Who is this Jesus whom we greet in Advent? Over the generations of the Bible, he is presented to us according to so many different interpretations and emphases that it can be difficult to sort out true identity and mission from all else. As we begin Advent in this challenging year, I choose Giver. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:25:14 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=884 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_census.html The Census Bureau has created a Partnership Program to combine the strengths of local governments, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, school, media, businesses and others, to ensure a complete and accurate 2010 census. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:26:38 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=885 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_youthrally.html Over sixty young people spent the day at the Berlin Congregational Church, UCC, on Sept. 27th for a youth rally. Planners formatted it like a rally that they had attended at the Killingworth Congregational Church, UCC, some years prior. "Our church liked the Killingworth event so much; we missed attending so we planned one for ourselves," said organizer Caroll Cyr. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:27:58 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=886 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_transitions.html Pastoral transitions that have been reported to the Connecticut Conference. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:29:33 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=887 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_talk.html The Conference has placed a comprehensive survey on its web site inquiring about a wide range of communication media, including forms already being used and some emerging mediums, as it develops a comprehensive publication plan. Some of the early groups asked to participate were people who have followed the Conference on Facebook and Twitter, and the Conference's Authorized Ministers, reached via email. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:32:11 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=888 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_spiritcal.html I don't think I ever noticed before that it wasn't Jesus who got mad at the two who wished for privileged places next to him -- the ones who were outraged were their peers. Jesus' only response was to remind them what authentic discipleship will actually look like: an everlasting participation in his baptism and in his shared cup of blessing... And, further, that truly honorable lives are lives lived in service to others. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:34:04 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=889 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_slccsunday.html Silver Lake Sunday: It's a time to lift up the uplifting experiences of conferees, counselors, deans, chaplains, staff, and alums whose lives were enriched by experiences at the Connecticut Conference's outdoor ministry center in Sharon. Raise the songs, prayers, pictures, or poetry, which evoke a summer's day surrounded by friends in one of God's most beautiful natural settings. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:36:16 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=890 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_slcccelebration.html More than one hundred people gathered on Sunday, September 20, at Silver Lake Conference Center under cloudless skies and perfect fall weather to dedicate three new buildings. The celebrations honored those who labored to build the three structures and the people for whom each was named. Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree introduced the day with the words of Paul, reminding us that all buildings are laid upon the one foundation that is Jesus Christ. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:37:22 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=891 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_slccbuilding.html Silver Lake Conference Center plans to begin construction soon on its latest building: a new Commons Building for the Cabin Circle area. The new facility will provide sheltered program space for summer conferences held in that section as well as sleeping space for deans. Like the new Hillside Commons dedicated last month, this is a summer-only facility and will rise with substantial amounts of volunteer labor. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:38:20 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=892 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_iragifts.html If you are looking for a tax-effective gift to make to your church, the Now for the Future Campaign for Silver Lake, the Connecticut Conference, or any other non-profit organization, your individual retirement account (IRA) may be a great choice. A little over a year ago, Congress re-authorized legislation that allows donors to make charitable gifts from their IRA accounts during the 2009 tax year without incurring income tax obligations on the withdrawal. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:39:38 -0500 http://www.ctucc.org/news.php?story=893 http://www.ctucc.org/news/20091112_ct0911_index.php This month's issue covers the conversations and decisions of the Fall Annual Meeting, puts on spotlight on a unique ministry with veterans in Branford, celebrates the 300th General Association, and ask for help with understanding our communications in the Conference. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:40:34 -0500