Weekly Reflection from The Spirit CalendarAll Things to All PeopleNews and AnnouncementsAdditional Incentives Make NYE 2012 Affordable to AllCLEVELAND -- Spring still may be several weeks off, but plans for the 2012 National Youth Event (NYE), July 10-13 in West Lafayette, Indiana, are taking root. National and conference initiatives are in place to make participation in and transportation to the event affordable. The Connecticut Conference is offering $100 scholarships and discounting fares on the New England Caravan bus trips to NYE. 02/03/2012In East Haven, Clergy Pledge to Work Toward ReconciliationEAST HAVEN -- In a Connecticut shoreline town where a Federal probe has produced criminal indictments against four police officers for systematically violating the civil rights of Hispanic citizens, and where the mayor has twice spoken hastily and insensitively in its wake, local clergy of three faiths called publicly "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," they said in a statement. "We, the undersigned religious leaders in East Haven, stand ready to facilitate this work of reconciliation." 02/01/2012Niantic Knits Scarves for Special OlympicsNIANTIC -- The Special Olympics USA Scarf Project caught the attention of Judy Snitkin one day while perusing the plethora of yarn options at A.C. Moore. A brief encounter with a complete stranger from St. Mary’s Church in Groton last spring left Snitkin ready to knit, purl, and spread word of a good cause. Members and friends of the Niantic Community Church UCC got involved and, as the February 27 deadline rolls around, the church has accumulated more than one hundred hand knit and crocheted scarves destined for the Connecticut Winter Special Olympics. 01/31/2012Walls Rise in PlainvillePLAINVILLE -- "Something there is that doesn't love a wall," wrote Robert Frost; the poet himself was skeptical that "good fences make good neighbors." In contrast, pastor the Rev. Dr. Claire Bamberg and the parishioners of the Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC, 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. 01/30/2012Silver Lake NewsSHARON -- There's lots going on at Silver Lake! Summer conference registration is open, the Maple Sugaring and Spring Action weekends are coming up, and there's still space available if you're hoping to bring a group to God's back yard for a retreat experience. 01/27/2012New Minister Profile: Rev. Ginny McDaniel and Rev. Nada SellersGRANBY -- Ginny McDaniel and Nada Sellers were searching for a church that looked to the future and would consider new ways of becoming a church. At First Congregational Church of Granby, they found that church, through very different paths. 01/25/2012New England Conference Ministers Extend Invitation to 2012 Lenten Carbon FastFRAMINGHAM, MA -- The six leaders of New England's United Church of Christ Conferences have joined together to ask leaders, members, and friends of UCC churches throughout the region to join in the 2012 Lenten Carbon Fast. Those who sign up will receive daily messages throughout Lent with a suggested carbon-reducing activity. This year, four bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts have added their names to the summons to fast. 01/24/2012Steps on a Long Journey: the Saugatuck Church Moves Forward After November FireWESTPORT -- From the Post Road that runs along its front, the facade of the Saugatuck Congregational Church UCC looks reassuringly normal. The 180-year-old meetinghouse door beckons invitingly, the white spire leads the eye to the heavens. Many have told Trustees Chair John Walsh something along the lines of, "Oh, good. It wasn't as bad as I heard." When he hears this, Walsh replies, "You need to see what's inside." One result of the severe damage is that investigators have been unable to isolate the cause of the November 20 fire. 01/24/2012Burglars Strike Central Connecticut CongregationsROCKY HILL -- At least three United Church of Christ congregations are among those whose facilities have suffered break-ins by burglars in the last two weeks. According to media stories and in conversations with Conference staff, the intruders have so far sought ready cash, but have generally left a mess in their wake. 01/23/2012Bread for the World's David Beckmann Visits TollandTOLLAND -- The United Congregational Church UCC of Tolland continued its practice of observing the Martin Luther King Day weekend by welcoming a leader in justice and peace work to its parish and pulpit. "I'm feeling really upbeat right now; more upbeat than anyone I know," said the Rev. David Beckmann, President of the anti-hunger advocacy organization Bread for the World. After a year when aid to the poor in the Federal budget stood at the edge of the precipice time after time, he marveled, "At the end of the day, what's amazing is that there were no major cuts to programs focused on poor people." 01/23/2012Touchstones with History: Shifting CalendarsHARTFORD -- Why is January the first month of the year? Why is December, which literally means the "tenth month" in Latin, really the twelfth month? The answer is the old Roman/Julian calendar. 01/23/2012Educational Missionaries Betty and Ken Frank Visiting in MayHARTFORD -- Common Global missionaries Betty and Ken Frank, who have served overseas for forty-one years, will be in Connecticut May 1-31, 2012, and available to visit local churches at worship, for evening gatherings, and with leadership committees to share stories of their work. The Franks currently serve as co-general secretaries of the American Board with the Health and Education Foundation in Istanbul, Turkey. 01/12/2012The Connecticut Conference UCC: 2011 in ReviewHARTFORD -- The Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ published a number of stories of ministry and of concern over the course of 2011. As the new year begins, we share just a few of the milestones of the previous year. 01/04/2012Giving Thanks! ConnTact: November, 2011HARTFORD -- The season of Thanksgiving is at hand, and it is to that spiritual discipline that ConnTact comes as well. Stories in this issue consider the struggles and the grace of looking at the realities of God's grace in the world, found in Scripture, circumstance, relationships, and within the human heart. 11/18/2011 |
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News BriefsMassachusetts UCC Church Reaches Out to Somers with Fundraiser Dinner Conference Seeks Nominees for Living Waters Award Getting a New Car? Donate the Old One to Silver Lake! Come to Camp! Silver Lake Registration is Open AA Clergy Group to Meet February 6 Selected Programs and Announcements: February, 2012 Upcoming EventsHealth Care for Everyone ActionFeb. 8, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm -- Opening Day of the 2012 Legislative Session: The lobbyists will...National Preach-in on Global WarmingFeb. 10 - 12 -- In February, hundreds of faith leaders of different religious traditions...Stepping Stones: After Sardines, then what?!Feb. 15, 2012, 6:00 - 8:30 pm -- What is youth group for? Why are we here every...Benefit Dinner and Show for Somers Congregational ChurchFeb. 17, 7:00 pm -- Belchertown UCC's Playhouse presents Muscling in on Murder (by Paula...Sacred Conversations: An Interfaith Dialogue on Freedom Justice and EqualityFeb. 19, 3:00 - 5:00 pm -- Join in this opportunity to engage in a sacred converstion...RESCHEDULED: Podcasting 101 for Faith-based and Neighborhood-based OrganizationsFeb. 23, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm -- Millions of people, in every age group and nearly every...TAWFG Shepherd's LuncheonFeb. 23, 12:30 pm -- This semi-annual luncheon is for Pastors of Congregations who have...Upcoming HolidaysFebruary 5: UCC Women's Week Begins February 12: Racial Justice Sunday February 14: Valentine's Day
February 22: Ash Wednesday
February 26: Church Vocations Sunday February 26: Seminary Sunday March 2: World Day of Prayer |
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