What's happening this week?
The apostle Paul declared that he had "become all things to all people." Eric Anderson is skeptical of the claim, and of its very possibility, but applauds the attempt. "The impediments of culture, custom, and clan," he writes in this week's Spirit Calendar, "should not prevent the passing of God's love from the person who is blessed to know it to the person who does not know it yet... Let love win."
In the News:
The town of East Haven has been greatly troubled. They have experienced allegations of sustained mistreatment of citizens in its Hispanic communities, embarrassing remarks in public town leaders, and substantial disagreement in the community about what it means. Five clergy today stood on the steps of Old Stone Church UCC and called for "prayers for justice and peace and for a sustained reflection on human rights and justice. All of the citizens of East Haven need to build a culture that honors human rights and welcomes the diversity of races and cultures." The ministers pledged their readiness to join the work of reconciliation.
In East Haven, Clergy Pledge to Work Toward Reconciliation
"Something there is that doesn't love a wall," wrote Robert Frost; the poet himself was skeptical about the proposition that "good fences make good neighbors." In contrast, the members of the Congregational Church of Plainville UCC, particularly pastor the Rev. Dr. Claire Bamberg, love the sight of new walls rising in the winter sun. The wooden frames mark a new stage in the lengthy process of restoring the church's facilities for hosting, nurturing, and educating, since the social hall roof collapsed one year ago.
Judy Snitkin is a knitter, and also the church secretary of the Niantic Community Church UCC. A chance encounter in a knitting supply store inspired her to join the effort to knit scarves for atheletes in the Special Olympics Winter Games. She and her friends in the church's prayer shawl knitting ministry group have accumulated over one hundred scarves so far, and there are still four weeks left until they must all be ready.
Niantic Knits Scarves for Special Olympics
There's a lot going on at Silver Lake! Summer conference registration is open, the Maple Sugaring and Spring Action weekends are coming up, and there's space available for those hoping to bring a group to "God's back yard" for a retreat experience.
Other stories on our website include the outreach of the Belchertown, Massachusetts UCC church in aid of the Somers Congregational Church after their fire. The Conference seeks nominees for the Living Waters Award, and Silver Lake wonders, as you're planning to purchase a new car, if you might consider donating the old one to the Conference's outdoor ministry center. Learn more about all these stories at:
Some upcoming events:
Registration is now open for March in the Son, a day of workshops and learning experiences for pastors, church officers, educators, committee members, communicators, and more. Among the offerings are: a workshop for moderators, using your church as a community asset, faith formation, youth ministry, and holding meetings people want to attend. The $20.00 registration fee includes lunch for the March 24th gathering in Cheshire. Learn more here:
Mar. 24, 9:00 am - 3:15 pm: March in the Son: Equipping Church Leaders for a New Decade
Register here:
http://www.regonline.com/marchintheson2012
Get on the bus for the National Youth Event! It runs July 10-14 at Purdue University; Youth ages 13-18 are invited to this amazing event packed with dynamic workshops, inspiring worship, hands-on service projects, and rockin' recreation and music. The Connecticut Conference is coordinating with other New England conferences to provide bus transportation to NYE. Follow this link for information about registration, transportation, and scholarships:
http://www.ctucc.org/events.php?event-2800
As the General Assembly returns to the Capitol on February 8, healthcareforevery1.org has called for supporters to be present and show their suport for health care we can all count on. The National Preach-In on Global Warming is February 10-12, and on February 15 the Stepping Stones workshop is "After Sardines, then what?!" in Southington. There will be a special benefit performance for the Somers Congregational Church's rebuilding fund in Somersville on the 17th.
Participate in an interfaith Sacred Conversation on Race on February 19 at Faith Congregational Church UCC in Hartford. The next TAWFG Shepherds' Luncheon is on February 23. Rescheduled for that day is Podcasting 101 for Faith-based and Neighborhood-based organizations, led by Eric Anderson and Carol Vassar-Pettit in Hartford. Anderson's workshop Email, Websites, and Social Networks: Oh, My! is being rescheduled for a later date in New Britain.
On February 29, Temple Mishkan Israel in Hamden is the site for "Healing the Generations: A Multi-Faith Symposium on Trauma and Violence." The Rev. Marie Fortune is the keynote speaker for this major conference. Learn more and register at:
http://www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=2012635E&OID=110
At Silver Lake, registration is now open for the Maple Sugaring retreat Mar. 23-25, the Spring Women's Spiritual Yoga and Music Retreat April 13-15, and Spring Action Weekend Apr. 27-29. Learn more and register at:
Feb. 3 - 5: Confirmation Retreat
Feb. 8, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm: Health Care for Everyone Action
Feb. 10 - 12: National Preach-in on Global Warming
Feb. 15, 2012, 6:00 - 8:30 pm: Stepping Stones: After Sardines, then what?!
Feb. 17, 7:00 pm: Benefit Dinner and Show for Somers Congregational Church
Feb. 23, 12:30 pm: TAWFG Shepherd's Luncheon
Feb. 25, 9:00 am - 3:30 pm: DATE TBA: Email, Websites, and Social Networks: Oh, My!
Feb. 29: Leap of Faith: A Multi-Faith Symposium on Trauma and Violence
Mar. 2 - 4: Confirmation Retreat
Mar. 4, 10:00 am: Sing Praise Reunion
Mar. 6, 2012, 6:00 - 8:30 pm: Stepping Stones: Maintaining Best Practices for a Healthy Church
Mar. 24, 9:00 am - 3:15 pm: March in the Son: Equipping Church Leaders for a New Decade
You'll find more details about these and lots of other events at:
May your days this week be filled with the presence, guidance, and grace of God.
Eric Anderson, Minister of Communications and Technology
