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Eric S. Anderson Minister of Communications and Technology 860.761.7102 webmaster@ctucc.org |
This regular audio podcast begins with a spiritual reflection, and then offers the current news and upcoming events in the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Eric Anderson isn't persuaded that the "yoke is easy;" he tends to think, in fact, that the greatest commandment - love one another as I have loved you - is the hardest of all. The Conference Minister Search Committee expects to complete the profile and position description by June, and the streets of Hartford feel the tread of 5,000 pairs of feet, raising money for their hungry neighbors. UCC General Minister and President Geoffrey Black praises President Barack Obama's declaration on marriage equality, and we look forward to this weekend's Conference Spring Meeting!
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Tom Clough has an interesting approach to growing up - he tries not to. Too much of "adulthood" seems to require a kind of pretension that, he believes, hides the holy irreverence of God. In the news, the Conference will reduce the number of regional ministers from five to four in June, a new study shows that roughly half of Americans have a connection to a faith community, a church closes in Shelton, citizens continue to call for access to health care, and volunteers prepare Silver Lake for summer. And remember to register for the Annual Meeting! The deadline for meals is May 4!
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In the First Letter of John, he talks about finding the path of real love. That's what it's all about, says Ineke Mitchell, and sometimes finding the way takes a very special partner, like her service dog, General. Green teams find new inspiration and information together, and the Northeast Chapter of Giv2 helps paint a service agency's new offices in Thompson. Tax professionals raise a warning about documentation issues, and we learn about why Connecticut is known as the Constitution State. Hint: there is a tree in this story.
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Michael Ciba doesn't always sleep well, which lends a particular meaning to Psalm 4's words of assurance that God is with us. "Whether we sleep or lie awake," he says, "we can trust in God's presence." The Somers congregation has recovered use of parts of their building, so that their community suppers and food pantry are coming home. A plan to rebuild their meetinghouse went to their Church Council this week, and they may be able to break ground this summer to rebuild what was lost in a New Year's fire. The April ConnTact asks the question, in an age when the "spiritual but not religious" outnumber mainline Protestants, does Church matter? Our writers think it does, whether it's in a New England meetinghouse or outdoors at Silver Lake. Church matters because it reveals and emulates the love of God.
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Americans tend to be self-reliant, and to see financial success as a sign of intelligence, and industry. Shortages, on the other hand, may be perceived as signs of inadequacy. What if we thought "tough luck" less, and "be generous" more, asks Patsy Bjorling. Jesus' early followers, after all, held everything in common, a truly radical notion in this day and age! In the news, Connecticut's General Assembly has sent a death penalty abolition bill to Governor Dannel P. Malloy, who has pledged to sign it. Health care advocates prayed, and reminded policymakers this week of the most vulnerable in our society.
