What's happening this week?
Rivers may be placid or they may be rapid, but they change the land around them. When justice rolls like a river, declares Da Vita McCallister in this week's Spirit Calendar, it pushes the boundaries as well: sometimes smoothly, and sometimes accompanied by violence. "But whether smooth or violent, justice must roll on until every dry place has been watered."
In the News:
She had no intention of writing a play during her sabbatical. But Lynn J. McNeil (a pseudonym) couldn't take the class she wanted, so she signed up for one on writing and presenting a one-person show. On March 9, the one-act play Thou Shalt Not Dance, a semi-autobiographical story of a spiritual journey of both pain and hope, is the pre-season special opening at the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts.
CTUCC Pastor/Playwright Tells Story of Resilience and Hope
More than 100 residents from across the state, including about forty faith leaders supporting the efforts of the UCC-related Christian Activities Council, turned out to remind returning members of the Connecticut General Assembly of the unfinished work of health care reform. The signature bright red shirts of "HealthCare4Every1" stood out in the Capitol building, punctuating the call to include consumers and small businesses in the ongoing negotiations.
Health Care Advocates Greet Returning State Legislators
On March 24, local church leaders from across the state, and across many different fields of ministry in their congregations, will come to the First Congregational Church UCC in Cheshire for a day of learning, fellowship, worship, and inspiration. The sixteen workshops offered that day, presented by Conference and national staff, Connecticut pastors and lay leaders, and skilled experts, will feed the callings and skills of church officers, committee members, pastors, educators, Sunday School teachers, and communicators.
March in the Son: A Day to Equip CTUCC Church Leaders
Spring still may be several weeks off, but plans for the 2012 National Youth Event (NYE), being held July 10-13 at Purdue University 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.
Additional Incentives Make NYE 2012 Affordable to All
In other stories on our website, we pay tribute to Leonette Wishard, a former overseas missionary, who died in December at the age of 109. We also welcome the Rev. Dr. John Pelletier to his new ministry at the First Church of Bethlehem, UCC. All the current headlines from the Conference and national UCC are at:
Some upcoming events:
Registration is now open for March in the Son, a day of workshops and learning experiences for pastors, church officers, educators, committee members, communicators, and more. Among the offerings are: a workshop for moderators, using your church as a community asset, faith formation, youth ministry, and holding meetings people want to attend. The $20.00 registration fee includes lunch for the March 24th gathering in Cheshire. Learn more here:
http://www.ctucc.org/marchinson
Register here:
http://www.regonline.com/marchintheson2012
Get on the bus for the National Youth Event! It runs July 10-14 at Purdue University; Youth ages 13-18 are invited to this amazing event packed with dynamic workshops, inspiring worship, hands-on service projects, and rockin' recreation and music. The Connecticut Conference is coordinating with other New England conferences to provide bus transportation to NYE. Follow this link for information about registration, transportation, and scholarships:
http://www.ctucc.org/youth/nye.php
The National Preach-In on Global Warming is February 10-12, and on February 15 the Stepping Stones workshop is "After Sardines, then what?!" in Southington. There will be a special benefit performance for the Somers Congregational Church's rebuilding fund in Somersville on the 17th.
Participate in an interfaith Sacred Conversation on Race on February 19 at Faith Congregational Church UCC in Hartford. The next TAWFG Shepherds' Luncheon is on February 23. Also that day is Podcasting 101 for Faith-based and Neighborhood-based organizations, led by Eric Anderson and Carol Vassar-Pettit in Hartford.
On February 29, Temple Mishkan Israel in Hamden is the site for "Healing the Generations: A Multi-Faith Symposium on Trauma and Violence." The Rev. Marie Fortune is the keynote speaker for this major conference. Learn more and register at:
http://www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=2012635E&OID=110
At Silver Lake, registration is now open for the Maple Sugaring retreat Mar. 23-25, the Spring Women's Spiritual Yoga and Music Retreat April 13-15, Spring Action Weekend Apr. 27-29, and On the Edge of Fire: a Men's Spirituality Retreat May 4-5. Learn more and register at:
Feb. 10 - 12: National Preach-in on Global Warming
Feb. 15, 2012, 6:00 - 8:30 pm: Stepping Stones: After Sardines, then what?!
Feb. 17, 7:00 pm: Benefit Dinner and Show for Somers Congregational Church
Feb. 23, 12:30 pm: TAWFG Shepherd's Luncheon
Feb. 29: Leap of Faith: A Multi-Faith Symposium on Trauma and Violence
Mar. 2 - 4: Confirmation Retreat
Mar. 4, 10:00 am: Sing Praise Reunion
Mar. 6, 2012, 6:00 - 8:30 pm: Stepping Stones: Maintaining Best Practices for a Healthy Church
Mar. 24, 9:00 am - 3:15 pm: March in the Son: Equipping Church Leaders for a New Decade
You'll find more details about these and lots of other events at:
May your days this week be filled with the presence, guidance, and grace of God.
Eric Anderson, Minister of Communications and Technology
