2007/2008 Human Development Report

This is the United Nations' report on human development, covering issues of poverty, education, and opportunity.

Click here to download or view "2007/2008 Human Development Report"

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A Biblical Persepctive on the Environment

A Bible study compiled by the Rev. Martha M. Nilsen of the First Congregational Church UCC of South Windham.

Click here to download or view "A Biblical Persepctive on the Environment"

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A Paen for Earth: Te Deum Laudamus

This poem by the Rev. Timothy Haut, pastor of the Deep River Congregational Church UCC, celebrates God's gift of creation.

Click here to download or view "A Paen for Earth: Te Deum Laudamus"

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Beyond Katrina: A Call for United Church of Christ Awareness and Action

This article by New Orleans resident and UCC ordained minister John Pecoul grew out of his work briefing UCC disaster response teams, who urged him to write the highlights and briefings he offered as part of their orientation to the city and region. Rev. Pecoul includes sources of information, websites, and action options useful for work team participants and for those looking for ways to help in the post-hurricane recovery.

Click here to download or view "Beyond Katrina: A Call for United Church of Christ Awareness and Action"

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Building a Firm Foundation: A Creation-Friendly Building Guide for Churches

Our church buildings reflect who we are as a community of faith. Buildings that are built sustainably or "green" outwardly reflect our concern for and responsibility of God's beloved creation including those human communities that can be disproportionately impacted by unsustainable building practices. "Green" buildings also inwardly reflect this concern to congregants, reminding us of our responsibilities to live in loving community with all of God's creatures. This resource was developed by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.

Click here to download or view "Building a Firm Foundation: A Creation-Friendly Building Guide for Churches"

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Climate Change and Global Warming FAQ

Frequently asked questions about global warming and climate change, prepared by the Connecticut Conference's Environmental Ministry Team

Click here to download or view "Climate Change and Global Warming FAQ"

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Connecticut Conference - Blue Globe Award

This presentation by Susan Sanders, the United Church of Christ's Minister for Global Sharing of Resources, honors the Connecticut Conference's generous giving to One Great Hour of Sharing from 2000 to 2005, and describes some of the ways that the small gifts added up to make profound differences to people responding to disasters, trying to improve their situations, resist disease, farm their land, and drink clear water.

Click here to download or view "Connecticut Conference - Blue Globe Award"

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Cool Congregations Carbon Footprint Calculator

The Regeneration Project and the Center for a Sustainable Economy have created this easy-to-use calculator for evaluating a congregation's impact on the atmosphere through carbon emissions. There is a calculator for households to use as well.

Click here to download or view "Cool Congregations Carbon Footprint Calculator"

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Earth Care Demands Action as Well as Thought

In this column in Notes from the Quad, the alumni e-magazine of Yale Divinity School, YDS professor Willis Jenkins argues that churches cannot just think and advocate, they must act.

Click here to download or view "Earth Care Demands Action as Well as Thought"

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Environmental Ministry Team Resolution "On the Yankee Atomic Power Land in Haddam Neck, Connecticut"

The Environmental Ministry Team's July, 2010, resolution encouraging sale of the Connecticut Yankee property in Haddam Neck to a qualified conservation organization.

Click here to download or view "Environmental Ministry Team Resolution "On the Yankee Atomic Power Land in Haddam Neck, Connecticut""

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Environmental Sermons

Sermons related to our responsibilities for the Earth as collected by the Environmental Ministry Team.

Click here to download or view "Environmental Sermons"

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Environmental Survey Form

The Environmental Ministry Team of the Connecticut Conference is seeking information about steps that our congregations have taken to become more environmentally careful, popularly known as "Going Green."

Click here to download or view "Environmental Survey Form"

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Global Awareness

This booklet describes the resources available from the Conference for interpreting the mission of the United Church of Christ overseas, including local people who have been missionaries, and information about hosting missionaries in a local church. The file prints such that it can be the master for photocopying and assembling booklets.

Click here to download or view "Global Awareness"

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Global Distribution of Poverty

The Global Poverty Mapping Project seeks to enhance current understanding of the global distribution of poverty and the geographic and biophysical conditions of where the poor live. Additionally, the project aims to assist policy makers, development agencies, and the poor themselves in designing interventions to reduce poverty.

Click here to download or view "Global Distribution of Poverty"

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Global Warming Ministry: How One Congregation Began

The story of the early work of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church of Hartford's work in relation to global warming, beginning around 2006.

Click here to download or view "Global Warming Ministry: How One Congregation Began"

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Green Action Steps for Churches

Action steps that can be taken by local churches to reduce their impact on the Earth's resources. Completing 80% of the steps in any of the three stages achieves recognition as a Green Church in the Connecticut Conference from the Environmental Ministry Team.

Click here to download or view "Green Action Steps for Churches"

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Green Church Congregation Award Application Form

Churches who have completed 80% of the steps in any of the three stages in the Green Action Steps document should use this form to request recognition as a Green Church in the Connecticut Conference from the Environmental Ministry Team.

Click here to download or view "Green Church Congregation Award Application Form"

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Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart: Gulf Coast Response Opportunities

This trifold brochure provides background information and contacts for churches and members looking to assist with the long-term recovery efforts for the Gulf Coast and Florida.

Click here to download or view "Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart: Gulf Coast Response Opportunities"

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Information on Holy Joe's Cafe

Holy Joe's Coffee Ministry is a project of UCC military chaplains in Iraq and Afghanistan. Supported by local churches in Connecticut and around the nation, it gives service men and women a casual place to find spiritual and social comfort and support. The link provides instructions for assisting with this ministry.

Click here to download or view "Information on Holy Joe's Cafe"

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Liturgical Resources for International Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, 2006

In the 2006 resolution "To Abolish Torture Now -- Without Exceptions," the delegates to the Conference Annual Meeting called upon local churches to recognize International Human Rights Day, celebrated on December 10 in 2006, and to pray for people being tortured around the world. This document contains a variety of worship resources suitable for use on Human Rights Day.

Click here to download or view "Liturgical Resources for International Human Rights Day, Dec. 10, 2006"

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New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, and the Aftermath

This article by a Louisiana resident provides excellent background on the geography of New Orleans, its development as a city, and the interaction between human intervention and the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina. It is particularly suited as preparation for work groups planning to travel to the area.

Click here to download or view "New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, and the Aftermath"

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Opportunities for Positive Contributions

This is a catalog of organizations committed to peace and nonviolent resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Churches will find housing projects, sports leagues, churches, and many other groups to support by contributions, relationships, or by purchasing their goods, and so make a positive contribution to peace in the Middle East.

Click here to download or view "Opportunities for Positive Contributions"

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Planning a Missionary Visit in Your Congregation

For local congregations requesting or receiving a missionary visit. Having a missionary come to your church can be an exciting opportunity to educate the congregation about what's happening in global mission through the Global Ministries missionaries that you support. Some intentional planning makes the experience a memorable one for all.

Click here to download or view "Planning a Missionary Visit in Your Congregation"

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Recycling Resources

From the Environmental Task Force of the United Church on the Green: a list of donation sites and recycling centers. Though primarily oriented toward resources in the New Haven areas, this list is useful to people all over the state.

Click here to download or view "Recycling Resources"

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