12/29/2020 - Farewell Thoughts
By: Marilyn Kendrix - Conference staffRev. Marilyn Kendrix shares her farewell thoughts as she finishes her time serving as Bridge Conference Minister of the Southern New England Conference.
Blogs
Blogs
12/28/2020 - Farewell Reflections
By: Don Remick - Conference staffRev. Don Remick share his thoughts as the year and his time serving as Bridge Conference Minister come to a close.
12/22/2020 - Substance Abuse Addiction: Help is Available
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffChristmas is the season for joy, right? Maybe, maybe not. For many it is the season for depression and stress. Expectations of happy family get togethers even in the ...
12/16/2020 - COVID -19: Clergy Are Trusted Community Messengers
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffFrom the CDC: "Community- and faith-based organizations, employers, healthcare systems and providers, public health agencies, policy makers, and others all have a part in...
12/15/2020 - Joy and Grief this Christmas
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffHolidays are usually a busy, joyous time to celebrate. Our religious and secular traditions provoke memories of years past spent with family and friends. Every year there...
12/09/2020 - Longest Night Liturgy Available
By: Peggy Matteson Deborah Ringen - Conference staffLongest Night services bring the opportunity of pastoral care to those experiencing loss, grief and pain even in the joyous time of Advent and the coming of Christ. This...
12/02/2020 - The COVID Pandemic and Opioid-Related Mortality: The Church Can Help
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffConnecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island are among 40 states that have reported an increase in overdose deaths during 2020 as compared to 2019. The pandemic is ...
11/18/2020 - A Thanksgiving Prayer for Those Who Are Weary
By: Jessica McArdle Deborah Ringen - Conference staffGrateful for this sheltered place With light in every window Saying, "Welcome, welcome, share this feast Come in away from sorrow" ~ from the Thanksgiving Song, by Mary ...
11/17/2020 - Budgeting in a Time of Uncertainty and COVID-19
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Conference staff StewardshipHistorically, a church’s budget should have served at least three purposes: 1) provide financial guidance for the upcoming year; 2) place a limit on spending; and 3) be a...
11/16/2020 - 400 Years of Colonization, Doctrine of Discovery and Manifest Destiny
By: Kelly Gallagher - Conference staffFrom an address given by Rev. Kelly Gallagher for the Oct. 18 event 400 Years: Truth & Healing for the Next Seven Generations I stand in what is called today ...
11/04/2020 - Dying With Dignity Legislation Update
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffOver the past months, I have written to you about the importance of advance healthcare directives and end-of-life care planning. These critical conversations with our ...
11/04/2020 - Thanksgiving During a Pandemic
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffOh God, how we long for a traditional holiday table where many extended family and friends have gathered in the glowing warmth of a feast and holiday decorations. We ...
10/28/2020 - Covid Survey Results, Continued
By: Don Remick - Conference staffWord cloud created from most frequently encountered words from the survey. The larger the word appears, the more often it occurred. We received nearly 300 ...
10/28/2020 - Election Exhaustion / Election Resilience
By: Don Remick - Conference staff1 John 2: 15 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; 16 for all that is in the world—the desire of ...
10/26/2020 - Congregations Can Support Mental Health
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffLast April, I wrote a blog titled Mental Health and Suicide Resources discussing the unique circumstances of the pandemic such as isolation, loss of a job, uncertainty ...
10/01/2020 - Important Documents – Does Your Church Know Where They’re Kept? (Part I)
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew Jonathan Guest - Conference staff Stewardshipby Jonathan Guest and David Cleaver-Bartholomew For many churches these are challenging and stressful times. Church members are concerned about worship, programs, and ...
09/23/2020 - When Clergy Face Depression We Can ALL Help
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffAll human beings experience feeling “blue” or “down in the dumps” sometimes. It may come as a surprise, but clergy are human too! It can be hard to admit that one might ...
09/02/2020 - Masks Are More Important Than Ever: Slow the Spread
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffPeople are getting out more as local restrictions ease allowing restaurants, businesses and schools to open with specific guidelines to reduce the threat of coronavirus ...
09/01/2020 - Pilgrimage Through the Pandemic
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffThis interview captures the reality of the experience of COVID-19 and the theological reflection required to make sense of the world in the pandemic. The Rev. Karen ...
09/01/2020 - Use Your Voice to Promote Flu Vaccination this Season
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffFaith Community Nurses, clergy and lay ministers of health are trusted by the people of the congregation and community. The foundation of our faith encourages caring for ...
08/31/2020 - When the Pastor is the Caregiver at Work and at Home
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster ReliefHow can clergy juggle family caregiving and the stress of serving their flock during a pandemic, racial injustice, hurricanes, and the divisive political climate? Even ...
08/24/2020 - Universal Charitable Tax Deduction for 2020
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Conference staff StewardshipAs part of the CARES Act that became law earlier this year, the government provided a new universal charitable tax deduction. The deduction allows taxpayers to deduct up ...
08/17/2020 - Stewardship, Choice, and Discipleship
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Conference staff StewardshipOne aspect of stewardship that struck me afresh the other day is that biblically speaking, stewardship is not presented as optional for us. In Genesis 1.27-28 we are told...
08/14/2020 - Discipleship Matters!
By: Marilyn Kendrix - Conference staff Faith Formation and Christian Education Leadership DevelopmentDiscipleship matters. This is a statement that can be read two ways. If we read ‘matters’ as a noun, it refers to things having to do with discipleship. But if we ...
07/24/2020 - A Few Final Thoughts
By: Kent Siladi - Conference staffRev. Kent Siladi offers some final thoughts before his departure.
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07/23/2020 - Care for One Another- Immunize!
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff“Dear children, let us love not with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” ~ 1 John 3:18 The novel coronavirus pandemic has caused uncertainty, fear, and loss ...
07/09/2020 - The Conversation Continues: Update on Death with Dignity Legislation (MA)
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Justice and WitnessThe importance of conversation with loved ones surrounding one’s end of life choices for ...
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07/02/2020 - COVID-19: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Going?
By: Don Remick - Conference staffIn the winter of 2020, the Southern New England Conference of the UCC was just beginning as a new legal and ecclesial entity. It was in this moment that news of a new ...
06/30/2020 - Economic Justice and Stewardship
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Conference staffAt its core, stewardship is countercultural. It raises up God’s vision and economy for the world, an economy of abundance that tilts toward “the poor, the widow, the ...
06/17/2020 - It’s Hurricane Season: “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit.” - Luke 12:35
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster ReliefHurricane season 2020 has begun; amidst the coronavirus pandemic and racial injustice we ...
05/28/2020 - A Reflection on Ahmaud Arbery’s Murder and Racism
By: The Rev. Dr. Donique McIntosh - Conference staff Justice and WitnessI avoided reading detailed accounts about it. I decided long ago that I won’t watch the videos. I couldn’t take one more painful thing in the midst of this pandemic; I ...
05/22/2020 - Tips for Pastoral/Spiritual Care in Nursing Homes During Quarantine
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster Relief Justice and WitnessAs a faith community nurse I can relate to pastoral concerns around providing spiritual care during the pandemic. We are used to being with a person or family during ...
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05/19/2020 - COVID-19: How Will We Vote in November?
- Conference staff Justice and Witnessby Lisa Chandler, First Church of Glastonbury (CT) Covid has changed everything. It shocks the senses when we realize that our normal routines and expectations are no ...
05/13/2020 - Bottom Line: Maintain Your Health - Mind, Body, and Spirit
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster ReliefAs we all focus on trying to prevent the spread of COVID 19, caring for our general health and well-being is sometimes neglected. Mental health concerns, chronic disease ...
05/13/2020 - Pediatric Healthcare During the COVID 19 Pandemic
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster ReliefExperts are learning more every day about the novel coronavirus. There are two issues to be aware of that impact parents and children in particular. While it was once ...
05/11/2020 - The Good Samaritan - The Good Steward
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Conference staff StewardshipThe story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25-37) is one that many of us have heard at least a dozen times. But I wonder how many have heard it through the lens of ...
05/01/2020 - Living More Deeply Into Who We Were Created To Be
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Conference staff StewardshipLast weekend, I discovered two writings that intrigued and excited me. They did so because they reveal generosity as a point where our scientific and religious worlds ...
04/28/2020 - Resilience in the Face of Stress
By: Marilyn Kendrix - Conference staffLast week, the Bridge Conference Ministers extended their recommendation to suspend in person worship through the month of May. By now, after being safe at home for ...
04/24/2020 - What do Worry Time and a Good Meltdown Have to Do with Well-Being?
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster ReliefHour, by hour, day by day, week by week, month by month… how long will it take for life to return to some kind of normal or new normal? The federal, regional, and local ...
04/22/2020 - We’ve Dipped Our Toes in the Water, Now What?
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Church Growth and Vitality Conference staffThis period of no public worship has forced a great many of our churches to dip their toe in the water of online digital worship, and their experiences have ranged from ...
04/17/2020 - Mental Health and Suicide Awareness and Resources
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster ReliefEveryone in the world is experiencing the COVID 19 pandemic to varying degrees depending on your geography, but we all are undeniably experiencing change, uncertainty, ...
04/03/2020 - Wear Face Coverings, Not Masks, in Public
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster Relief Justice and WitnessExperts are speaking out in favor of a public advisory to wear protective face coverings when in public. They emphasize maintaining physical distancing, keeping our hands...
03/31/2020 - Protect Incarcerated People in CT from COVID-19
By: Michele Mudrick - Conference staff Justice and WitnessI was on a webinar last week hosted by ACLU Connecticut and the Smart Justice Team, and since then there has been the first positive COVID-19 test of an adult ...
03/30/2020 - Discipleship in the Time of Pandemic
By: Marilyn Kendrix - Conference staff Justice and WitnessAs I sit reading the Sunday paper’s special sections on the third Saturday of the coronavirus shelter-in-place order, I can’t help but think about discipleship in this ...
03/27/2020 - Transition or Transformation?
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Church Growth and Vitality Conference staff StewardshipI frequently hear people express their strong desire for us to transition out of this pandemic and return to basically what life was before it struck. They just want to ...
03/26/2020 - Six Lessons Coronavirus Can Teach Us About Climate Change
By: Margaret Bullitt-Jonas - Conference staff Environment Justice and Witnessby Margaret Bullitt-Jonas and Leah D. Schade, co-editors of the book Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis Earth Day 2020 comes at a ...
03/25/2020 - Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves During a Pandemic: Stop Stigma
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Disaster Relief Justice and WitnessAre you feeling scared, sad, disappointed, concerned you may become ill with COVID-19? Are you watching the news or scouring websites to find out how many new cases have...
03/23/2020 - Scarcity or Generosity?
By: David Cleaver-Bartholomew - Conference staff StewardshipAs the Coronavirus and its effects on people’s livelihoods has become more severe, I have been struggling with the question of how we can talk about giving to the One ...
03/18/2020 - Self-Care for Clergy: Prevent Burnout
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staff Justice and Witness“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and ...
03/16/2020 - Discipleship
By: Marilyn Kendrix - Conference staff Faith Formation and Christian Education Justice and Witness“The local church exists to make disciples of Jesus” says our mission statement. Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” And of course, Peter responds, “Yes, Lord, you know that I...
02/12/2020 - Faith, Common Sense and Reducing Panic
By: Deborah Ringen - Conference staffNews reports are filled with reports about the spread of illness and death due to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-n CoV). As I listen, I cannot help but see the ...
12/10/2019 - I Have Work To Do. So Do You
- Conference staff Justice and WitnessEarly in November, the Conference Ministers gathered in Birmingham for our fall meeting. But it was more than a meeting. We had been encouraged to read articles and books...
06/12/2019 - Many Voices One Mission: From the Inside
By: Charles Ericson - Conference programming Conference staff Many Voices, One Mission Together, As One"There is an easy, sometimes playful energy of collegiality among us that can escalate into laughter or occasionally bring forth a tear. "— Rev. Chuck Ericson
07/02/2018 - At Such a Time as This
- Conference staffFriends, On July 1st I stepped into a new role as your Transitional Interim Conference Minister. It was only one day after many of you had participated in rallies that ...
03/28/2018 - Faith Awakenings: Prayer in Motion
- Conference staffNot all prayer happens in sitting positions There are traditions that focus on stillness in motion. If you have ever paced to contemplate or resolve and problem you ...
01/30/2018 - Safe and Secure
- Conference staff Disaster ReliefPsychologists will tell us that one of the most basic drivers of human behavior is the need to find safety and stability. And churches are perceived as sanctuaries ...
01/19/2018 - A Living Hope
By: Wendy Vander Hart - Conference staff Justice and WitnessThe meeting began with the passing around of a relic- a button from the Poor Peoples Campaign march in 1968. Fingers grasped the round blue button with the picture of ...
10/17/2017 - Can Flames Compete with Tweets?
- Conference staff Disaster ReliefOverwhelm: It seems to be a common word these days. News is full of stories that tap deeply into our compassion and concern. But they are so full of emotion that it ...
09/27/2017 - The Power to Protest - and Speak Out
By: Toyan Harper - Conference staff Justice and WitnessWhen Frederick Douglass was asked to speak about the “celebration of America’s independence” he delivered: “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
08/23/2017 - March for Justice in Boston: Answering the Call
By: Toyan Harper - Conference staff Justice and WitnessTo see 40,000 people gathered in Boston to counter-protest 30 or 40 Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists was remarkable. Even if some of our political leaders refused to call...
08/02/2017 - Farewell From Cecile
By: Cecile Gilson - Conference staff"In Ecclesiastes we are famously reminded that there is a time for everything." —Cecile Gilson
03/14/2017 - Living in "in between" times
By: Barbara Libby - Conference staffIn the midst of Sunday's sermon at the Church of the Redeemer, UCC in New Haven, CT I heard my pastor (Rev. Dr. Shelly Stackhouse) preach about the Gospel of John text ...
03/08/2017 - Autophagy in Lent
By: Michael Ciba - Conference staffAutophagy is a biological process in which certain elements within a living cell attack and destroy other materials within the cell... The early days of Lent are an ...
03/07/2017 - "I've got the fire of love in my flesh and my bone"
By: Barbara Libby - Conference staffI sang these words at worship this Sunday in a hymn called “Gather us In”:
02/28/2017 - How about Re-booting your faith this Lent?
By: Barbara Libby - Conference staff Faith Formation and Christian EducationAs the long Church Season of Epiphany comes to a close, we begin the Season of Lent this Wednesday evening, March 1st.