What's New, and What's Brief
MIDDLETOWN (03/09/2010) -- Connecticut Light and Power is aggressively pushing Home Energy Solutions audits and energy services to meet their quotas. According to the Jonah Center, coupon is available that will reduce the co-pay from $75 to $25. The audit value itself is estimated at $450 to $1000.
To receive the coupon and apply, send an email to the Rev. John Hall, pastor of the First Church of Christ UCC in Middletown, at Hall.john987@sbcglobal.net. Residents are eligible to receive these energy services to further improve their home's energy efficiency every 18 months.
Send the following information: name, address, phone number, CL&P account number, and Yankee Gas account number (if applicable).
Free energy audits are available under the WRAP program to households which bring in less than 60% of the state median income. Email John Hall for more information about that program as well.
SHARON (03/08/2010) -- Two Connecticut Conference churches will hold auctions this weekend benefiting the Now, for the Future Campaign for Silver Lake Conference Center. Silver Lake, the Conference's outdoor ministry center in Sharon, has been raising funds for significant new retreat center facilities to enhance its summer and year-round programs.
The First Congregational Church UCC of Guilford's Live Auction of Time, Talent and Treasure on March 13 honors the memory of Rachel Garcia, whose all-too-brief twelve years were signficantly marked by the spiritual nurture and awakening she found at her church and at Silver Lake. Her father, Carlos Garcia, will serve as auctioneer for the event. He is pictured at right with Associate Pastor the Rev. Susan Murtha.
The New Haven Register covered the story on March 12:
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/03/12/news/shoreline/b1-guauction.txt
Instead of goods, the "items" for auction in Guilford consist of skills and services offered from the community. Rev. Murtha reports that over $45,000 worth of volunteer time and talent has been contributed to honor Rachel.
On the same day, the United Congregational Church UCC of Tolland will hold an auction of goods and services; items range from a home-baked bread or dessert each month to an electronic organ. Silver Lake alumni Dan Broderick and friends will close the night with an evening coffee house of great music, accompanied by beverages and desserts.
For more information, follow the link below.
SHARON (03/01/2010) -- 
Silver Lake Conference Center has produced a flyer and poster inviting young people to its summer conferences program, offering "Fun, Faith, Friends for Life!" The flyer arrived via email in local church pastors and office staff mailboxes early this week.
Silver Lake, the Connecticut Conference's outdoor ministry venue for over fifty years, has thirty-eight conferences available this summer for young people in 4th grade and up, families, and alumni/ae. Themes include sports, the arts, the environment, community, and even radio and video production. One of the conferences will take participants to a rural mission site in Orland, Maine; the pre-camp "Pioneer" conference gets the facility ready for the first week of camp.
The PDF file is suitable for printing and display on church bulletin boards as well as inclusion in worship bulletins and in church newsletters. To download it, follow the link below.
CLEVELAND (02/26/2010) -- The United Church of Christ's Volunteer Ministries has announced a new Young Adult Service Communities program. Applications are being accepted for summer or year-long volunteer placements.
Community is the core of the program. Three to five young adults serve in social service or justice advocacy agencies in the local community of a Companion Communities' host church. "The best part of the year was going on the journey with those I served alongside," said one participant. "You get to see into their lives. You get to celebrate their accomplishments."
The program welcomes from young people between the ages of 19 and 30 for summer placements, and between 21 and 30 for year-long assignments. Volunteers will find hands-on justice advocacy and service opportunities, community living, faith conversations, and leadership development. Housing, health insurance, and a stipend for food and incidental expenses are provided. Participants may also qualify for a part-time AmeriCorps Education grant.
Follow the link below for more information and the online application.
ROXBURY (02/24/2010) -- 
When the Roxbury Congregational Church UCC celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Rev. David Peters' ordination on February 7, he received as well a special recognition for his long and distinguished service to Silver Lake Conference Center, the Connecticut Conference's outdoor ministry facility in Sharon. Co-Directors Tim and Anne Hughes and Site Manager Dave Kobersmith presented him with a cross fashioned from the boards of retired cabins. Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree was also present to extend her thanks.
A native of Wallingford, Peters first came to Silver Lake as a conferee, but in the years since has been the long-time dean of the pre-camp Pioneer conference, helping to prepare cabins, kitchen, and waterfront for the summer season. He serves as one of the co-chairs of the Now for the Future capital campaign for Silver Lake, and on days off can frequently be found on site with tools in his hands.
In the photo, from left to right: David Peters, Davida Foy Crabtree, Tim Hughes, Anne Hughes, Dave Kobersmith.
HARTFORD (02/23/2010) -- The Spring 2010 edition of the Communicator, the newsletter of the Connecticut Women of the United Church of Christ, is now available for download in PDF format from the Connecticut Conference web site.
The spring issue covers activities of CT Women of the UCC around the state, where many groups have been working earnestly on relief efforts for the earthquake survivors in Haiti. There is a great deal of information about the upcoming trip to the New England Women's Celebration VIII scheduled for March in Burlington, Vermont, including scholarship and transportation arrangements.
In addition, registration materials for the CT Women of the UCC's spring meeting are in the newsletter. Susan Campbell of the Hartford Courant will speak on "Bridging Faith and Works" to the assembly in Southbury on Saturday, April 24.
Follow the link below to view the newsletter in your browser or download it to your computer for later reading.
HARTFORD (01/05/2010) -- Connecticut Women of the UCC have arranged for bus service to UCC New England Women's Celebration VIII -- "Together Building Bridges" -- which will be held at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont, March 12-14. "Spend a little more time with your friends," they urge, "and leave the stress of the long drive at home!"
The bus will make three stops:
7:00 am: First Congregational Church, 148 Beach St., Fairfield
7:45 am: North Haven Congregational Church, 28 Church St., North Haven
8:30 am: Commuter Parking Lot, Exit #38 (Day Hill Rd.), Windsor
There will not be a lunch stop on the trip, so participants should pack and bring their own lunch. Box lunches for the return trip may be ordered on the Celebration VIII web site: http://www.uccwomenscelebration.org
The round-trip fare is $65.00. Follow the link below for a reservation form to mail in with your check.
HARTFORD (12/01/2009) -- Do you know someone who works for justice, lives ethically, builds community, and promotes the common good in the workplace and in the community?
Then we need to hear about that person, because that's who we look for to honor with the Living Waters Award. The award recognizes a United Church of Christ layperson who has excelled in living their faith in their home, workplace, and community as well as their local congregation.
To nominate someone, write to Cecile Gilson at cecileg@ctucc.org or call 860.761.7109.
The Living Waters Award will be presented at the Spring Session of the 2010 Annual Meeting on May, 2010, at the First Congregational Church UCC of Madison.
The link below leads to a flyer suitable for posting in your church.
