PUTNAM (9/03/2010) -- Congregational Church
The Rev. Tom Meyer, pastor of the Putnam Congregational Church UCC, announced that he would stay in the church steeple for 11 hours or until the community had raised $5,000 toward needed repairs for water leaks. With the aid of local radio station WINY, the effort to "rescue" Meyer had surpassed the goal within five hours.
Read the story from: Norwich Bulletin
STAMFORD (9/03/2010) -- First Congregational Church
An interfaith group in Stamford joined their Muslim neighbors in the Ramadan fast on September 2nd, breaking it together at First Congregational Church UCC. Church member Susan De Simone reports it was an extraordinary event, packed wall to wall. The link is to photos at the Stamford Advocate.
Read the story from: Stamford Advocate
OLD LYME (9/03/2010) -- First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
The Rev. David Good, senior pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC of Old Lyme, was among several religious leaders of several faith traditions declaring their opposition to the attacks against Muslim Americans in recent weeks. Good and the other speakers were invited by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Connecticut, which sponsored the press conference in New Haven.
Read the story from: New Haven Register
PUTNAM (9/02/2010) -- Congregational Church
Just three hours into an innovative fundraiser - in which the Rev. Thomas Meyer, pastor of the Congregational Church of Putnam UCC, has been "banished" to the steeple until $5,000 has been raised - church trustees report pledges of about $4,000. Meyer had been in the steeple since 6:00 am, as local radio station WINY has run a "jailbreak" style radiothon to raise the renovation funds.
Read the story from: Norwich Bulletin
STAMFORD (9/02/2010) -- First Congregational Church
"Look around and see the many faces of God," said the Rev. Dr. Cari Jackson, pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC of Stamford, in welcoming 200 religious leaders, public officials, and citizens to the church to make a public witness against anti-Muslim acts and speech. Speakers urged attendees to be true to the call to treat each other well found in the world's faith traditions.
Read the story from: Huffington Post
PUTNAM (9/01/2010) -- Congregational Church
The pastor of Putnam Congregational Church will spend Thursday in the steeple of the church to raise money for water damage repairs to the church. Rev. Tom Meyers will remain "banished" 100 feet above the ground until 5pm or until $5000 is raised to help repair the church sanctuary and steeple. Church leaders are joining efforts with WINY Radio hosts to take pledge calls at the radio station as part of a $75000 campaign to repair the 140-year old church.
Read the story from: Norwich Bulletin
GREENWICH (9/01/2010) -- Second Congregational Church in Greenwich
Second Congregational Church will hold a service titled “A Quiet Time to Remember 9/11” on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 a.m. on the Greenwich Labyrinth for Peace and Healing. The labyrinth is on the grounds of the church, at 139 E. Putnam Ave. in Greenwich.
Read the story from: ShorelinePlus.com
NORWICH (8/31/2010) -- First Congregational Church of Norwich, Inc.
A team of local historians is touring churches in the city of Norwich, recording both the music of church bells and the inscriptions they bear. They hope that all the bells will sound their voices together on the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, as they did in celebration on that day in 1863. The First Congregational Church UCC of Norwich is among those whose bell rings in this video.
Read the story from: New London Day
STAFFORD SPRINGS (8/31/2010) -- The Congregational Church of Union, CT. Inc.
The Rev. Dr. Robert R. LaRochelle's new book, Part-Time Pastor, Full-Time Church, raises the challenges and the promises of part-time and bi-vocational pastoring, an increasing reality in the life of local congregations. Bi-vocational himself, LaRochelle emphasizes the need and the possibility for vital ministries in these conditions. The book is due to be published by Pilgrim Press in October.
Read the story from: CTUCC.org
NORWICH (8/31/2010) -- First Congregational Church of Norwich, Inc.
According to local historians who are surveying the bells of Norwich, the oldest bell in the city is in the oldest church building, the 1801 First Congregational Church UCC. The small group of enthusiasts hope to re-create the one-hour ringing of all Norwich's bells on January 1, 1863, in celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation's enactment, on the 150th anniversary of the event.
Read the story from: New London Day
WATERBURY (8/30/2010) -- First Congregational Church of Waterbury, Inc.
Approximately 150 Waterbury families found some of the school supplies and uniforms they needed as the academic year approaches at the First Congregational Church UCC. The annual Acts 4 Ministry "Back to School Swap and Shop" is also sponsored by Waterbury Baptist Ministries.
Read the story from: Waterbury Republican-American
LEDYARD (8/30/2010) -- First Congregational Ch of Ledyard UCC
The First Congregational Church UCC in Ledyard reported a burglary on August 26. The intruders entered through a window, and took some small cash and change.
Read the story from: New London Day
AVON (8/30/2010) -- Avon Congregational Church
The Avon Congregational Church UCC's cooks return to the kitchen after their summer break from the First Friday monthly dinners, beginning October 1. The public suppers support the the church's ministries and other charities.
Read the story from: Avon News
GREENWICH (8/30/2010) -- Second Congregational Church in Greenwich
Homecoming weekend at the Second Congregational Church UCC of Greenwich, September 11-12, takes the theme of "The Great Treasure Hunt." The treasures include the mysteries of Creation and those of faith; pastor the Rev. Robert H. Naylor promises a special "animal guest" to help with Sunday's sermon.
Read the story from: StamfordPlus.com
SOUTHINGTON (8/30/2010) -- First Congregational Church of Southington
Creedible.com editor Tracy Simmons blogs about her experience worshiping with members of the First Congregational Church UCC of Southington, and praises the welcome, the music, and the preaching of their contemporary service. "There is something very cool about sitting inside of a historic church and listening to modern music," she said.
Read the story from: Creedible.com
AVON (8/25/2010) -- Avon Congregational Church
Homecoming Sunday, featuring a special breakfast and worship service, will be held on Sept. 12 at the Avon Congregational Church UCC. Sunday School registration will be held that day, and parents may also register children in advance on the church's website.
Read the story from: Avon News
WESTPORT (8/25/2010) -- Congregational Church of Green's Farms
Green's Farms Congregational Church UCC in Westport turns 300 years old next June, and members have turned their efforts to preparing for the celebration. People of all ages cleaned headstones in the church cemetery, and the music program is preparing new pieces for the observance, including a newly commissioned hymn in honor of the anniversary.
Read the story from: Westport Patch
RIDGEFIELD (8/25/2010) -- First Congregational
The First Congregational Church UCC of Ridgefield once again brought a large group of local young people to Orland, Maine, where they gave their labor to home rehabilitation projects sponsored by HOME, a social service agency with long-standing UCC connections that serves the rural poor. The story authors, graduating seniors who had made their fourth trip, bear witness to the commitment to the mission.
Read the story from: Ridgefield Press
KENT (8/25/2010) -- First Congregational Church
The First Congregational Church UCC of Kent is the 40th site of the Field of Flags, which honors those lost in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with a small American flag for each fallen serviceperson. The display in Kent was dedicated on August 15.
Read the story from: Litchfield County Times
HEBRON (8/25/2010) -- Gilead Congregational Church, Inc.
Hartford Courant columnist Susan Campbell spoke to a group at the Gilead Congregational Church UCC about her new book, Dating Jesus: A Story of Fundamentalism, Feminism, and the American Girl. According to pastor the Rev. Denise Esslinger, Campbell's appearance was a new addition to their summer book discussions, as it was the first visit of an author.
Read the story from: Norwich Bulletin
RIDGEFIELD (8/25/2010) -- First Congregational
The First Congregational Church UCC of Ridgefield has one of Connecticut's stone buildings, erected 122 years ago. For the next two months, Historic Preservation of Weston will replace mortar and flashing, repair masonry, and renew the gold leaf on the clock faces. Worship continues to be held in the church sanctuary during the work.
Read the story from: Ridgefield Press
PUTNAM (8/25/2010) -- Congregational Church
The Putnam Congregational Church UCC has given $2,000 to Day Kimball Hospital?s Deary Memorial Cancer Fund, which helps pay for cancer-related procedures that patients can not otherwise afford. The funds came from the church's ninth annual golf tournament, which they have previously used to support other helping agencies in the Quinebaug Valley area.
Read the story from: Norwich Bulletin
STAMFORD (8/25/2010) -- First Congregational Church
The Rev. Cari Jackson, pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC of Stamford, welcomed leaders and members of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths to an outdoor witness against incidents of Islamophobia that have marked recent weeks. The speakers called for unity among citizens against words and deeds of bigotry and hatred.
Read the story from: Connecticut Post
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