Be part of UCC history!

Everyone (voting delegates and guests) is invited to:

• Worship and share communion with your New England neighbors
• Explore the future of our church with UCC General Minister & President John Dorhauer
• Discern whether to endorse a new conference and move forward: Together, As One

Registration deadline EXTENDED to JUNE 7th at MIDNIGHT!

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Help Spread the Word

Order for free or Download a bulletin insert to invite everyone in your church to attend.

View a recording, and download a presentation, on why coming to this meeting is worthwhile

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Learn More

• Read a series of blog posts on why you should come to this Meeting
• Learn more about the proposal for a new conference
• Attend an Online Forum Between May 16 and June 8 for more on the new conference proposal

 
You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one teacher, one faith, one baptism, one God and Parent of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. Christ keeps us in step with each other. The very breath and blood of Christ flows through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love,  Ephesians 4:4-6,14-16, The Message, adapted.​

Why is this meeting historic?
This Annual Meeting marks the first time that our conferences – Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island – will hold our annual meetings Together, As One. And it is the first time since the United Church of Christ was formed in 1957 that delegates will be asked to endorse the idea of joining together to form a new conference.

What is this new conference proposal?
In January, 2017, following a year of discernment, the boards of directors of the three conferences unanimously approved a resolution to form a new conference. They are now asking delegates to endorse that resolution, and to authorize the development of a detailed proposal for the new conference, which would come back to the annual meetings for approval in 2018. (Read more information and the Resolution here).

How will this work?
At this meeting, delegates and guests from the three conferences will attend a joint plenary session where together they will discern whether this is the right step to take. United Church of Christ General Minister the Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer will be part of that conversation. Then, delegates will separate into their individual conference annual meetings to vote on this resolution and take up other conference-specific business. They will then come back together for a final joint plenary.

Join us as we take the lead from Christ, for we are a people on the move. Together, As One.
 

Worship

Worship on Friday and Saturday will be filled with color, energy and music, and it will be a celebration of our distinct and shared visions. It will include communion and the dynamic preaching of The Rev. Dr. Maritza Angulo de González (left).

Dr. Maritza is the Co-Pastor of Manantial de Gracia “Spring of Grace” in West Hartford, CT. She is serving as a member of the United Church of Christ Board of Directors, appointed to the Executive and the Justice and Witness Ministry Committees. She also serves on the Leadership Team for UCC’s Proyecto Encuentros de Gracia y Bienvenida (www.ucc.org/bienvenida) and the Latinx Ministries. She is the Clinical Director for the Behavioral Health Department at Community Health Services in Hartford, CT.

Dr. Maritza is a bold, energetic and transformational leader. She is a pastor, friend, mother, counselor, advocate, confidant and above all a servant of God. She has helped many in finding their personal connection with God, without demands, but with love, because God is love. She is not afraid of walking into empty places, she knows that God is the builder and He is still ‘abriendo surcos’.
 

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Hotel Information

Hotel accommodations are not included in the registration. Please contact the hotel directly.

The Hartford Marriott Downtown
200 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 249-8000
Discount Rate -$149.00 (plus taxes and fees)
Parking Rate - $19.00 - Hotel is connected to the Convention Center
Reservations can be made by calling the hotel or using the following link: aws.passkey.com/go/unitedchurch2017 . If calling, ask for the UCC Tri-Conference Annual Meeting rate.
Reservations must be made by May 16th, 2017

Homewood Suites by Hilton
338 Asylum St, Hartford, CT 06103
(860) 524-0223
Discount Rate - $95 (includes a free hot breakfast)
Parking Rate - $17.00 per night.
Reservations can be made by calling the hotel or using the following link:
http://group.homewood-suites.com/MissionarySociety  If calling, ask for the "MSC" rate.

 

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Where to park

The Convention Center and Marriott Hotel share a covered parking garage that is attached to the venue.  The main entrance for the garage is from Columbus Blvd. , at a set of traffic lights where Columbus Blvd. meets Potter Street and Front Street.  You will need to turn onto Potter Street to access the garage.     
 
The entrance to the Convention Center and hotel is on Level 1,  to your left as you enter from Potter Street.
 
If you want to drop passengers off at the entrance of the Convention Center/ Marriott Hotel, it is easiest to use a different garage entrance. Turn from Columbus Avenue onto Grove Street, and then take a right on Mechanic Street.  As you enter the garage from Mechanic Street,  the entrance to the Marriott Hotel/Convention Center will be on your right.
 
The garage has 8 levels of parking and plenty of room, with accessible spaces on every level.  However, it will be easiest to access the venue if you park on the first or second level, on the side nearest to the Convention Center and hotel.
 
Discounted parking vouchers will be available at the registration table; these will allow you to park for $11 per day rather than the regular rate of $19 per day. Please remember to ask for a voucher.  If you are attending both days of Annual Meeting, you will need a separate voucher for each day.

Download PDF version of Parking Map
 

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Annual Meeting 2017- Child’s Play Space  (Registration closed)

We want YOU to be able to join us! The impact of your presence at the first collaborative Annual Meeting of the MA, CT, and RI Conferences of the UCC will be evidenced in our common life for years to come. There are two different programs available, one for children ages 4 - 10 and one for children 6 to 47 months. Read on for details:

Ages 6 months to 47 months

The Young Children’s Play Space is a safe environment for those who are 47 months and under.  The minimum age is 6 months.  This child-care space for young children will be offered offsite at the Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT  06105, just minutes from the CT Convention Center.  This clean, safe and appropriate space for the youngest children in our community will offer parents the peace of mind they are seeking when choosing a child care situation for your little one.  Our ratio of adults to children, the equipment within the spaces and the caregivers are aligned with best practices when providing care for young children as described by the CT state Dept. of Public Health.   In order to serve you, your child MUST BE registered by June 9, 2017. 

Hours:
The programming will NOT be offered during meal breaks as noted below: Parents are expected to bring their lunch to the child care space and connect with your youngster.  This child care for young children WILL BE OFFERED on Saturday, June 17, 2017 ONLY.

• Saturday program (June 17) is from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM EXCEPT during the lunch break: 11:45 AM- 1:15 PM

Location: Asylum Hill Congregational Church, 814 Asylum AVE, Hartford, CT  06105.

Costs: Children’s Program costs will be subsidized by the overall Annual Meeting budget, however there will also be a cost to parents as follows:

• $30.00 per child
• Family of 2 or more $50.00

We regret that we are unable to offer discounts for partial days.

 

Ages 4-10 (Registration closed)

Your child ages 4-10 will join others in our well supervised childcare space with a number of exciting activities in which to engage. Crafts, stories, free play and large motor activities will be offered. Families may also choose a CT Science Center option for their child (for an additional fee) and offer their youngster an opportunity to explore this amazing learning environment on Saturday afternoon!

This program is available on a first-come, first-served basis for children ages 4-10 and must be reserved and paid for in advance by the registration deadline.

• Friday evening’s Child’s Play Space will open at 6:00 PM and close promptly at 9:00 PM.
• Saturday’s Child’s Play Space will open at 8:30 AM and close for lunch from 11:45 -1:15 PM. Children will be welcomed back at 1:15 PM and the space will remain open until 4:30 PM.

Please read all information carefully as you prepare to register your child(ren).

Cost:

• 2-day fee — $30.00 per child | $55.00 per family of children
• $15.00 per child for the CT Science Center option (In addition to child care fees)

For your information:

• Parents or guardians must complete a registration form FOR EACH CHILD.
• All caregivers will adhere to the Safe Conduct Policy of Silver Lake Conference Center and the CT Conference UCC.
• All caregivers will have a thorough background check and experience in children’s ministry.
• Our discipline policy will be: distract, redirect and self-correct for all children. When all means of these standard best practices for discipline are exhausted and the child is unable to be successful in his/her participation, the parent or guardian will be contacted for support.
• Once your child has been registered, you will receive a Consent form.

Questions? Clarifications? Contact: Karen Ziel, karenz@ctucc.org, 860.761.7104
 

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