HARTFORD -- The Connecticut Conference published "2017 Ministries of the Connecticut Conference UCC" today, a two-page document designed to be inserted into local church annual reports. The report features easy-to-read statistics and colorful photos. Click on the image to download, or scroll down for the text of the report to copy and paste into other formats.


 Download the 2-Page Document (PDF)
 

2017 Ministries of the Connecticut Conference UCC

In 2017, the Connecticut Conference took an historic first step toward forming a new, unified conference with our siblings in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. This Conference has long known that together, we can do more to live the love of justice and Jesus than we can do alone. This move toward uniting is the next natural step on our journey.

The details of this new venture are still unfolding. Follow along at: ctucc.org/ta1updates

In the meantime, here is a look back at what we as a Conference did together in 2017:

Silver Lake Conference Center

918 young people learned leadership through 37 summer conferences (500 attended environmental justice training)
This was an increase of 109 campers over the previous year—an important reversal in what had been a downward trend.

• 75 deans, 124 counselors, and 7 chaplains volunteered to lead, nurture, and inspire
• 47 dedicated summer staff sang, cleaned, ran, protected, and mentored the conferees
• More than 3000 youth and adults enjoyed weekend retreats at Silver Lake during the spring and fall 
• $67,950 in sponsorships were provided to 287 campers by individuals, churches and associations
• $31,625 in Silver Lake Scholarships were awarded to 106 individuals
• The Golf Tournament and Fancy Camp Gala raised nearly $20,000 to support the ministry of Silver Lake
• 8 multiracial youth welcomed to 4th Annual Environmental Justice For All! Retreat

Youth and Young Adult Ministries

•  32 youth attended Youth@Synod as part of a collaborative CT/MA/RI Tri-Conference trip to Baltimore
• 250 Giv2 (Give Squared) participants from 5 chapters gave close to 600 service hours to CT Communities
• 110 youth and adults gathered at the Interfaith Youth Hangout at First Congregational Church of Middletown
• 173 attended Youth Revival in West Hartford, and offered $944 for refugee resettlement
• 130 confirmands from 15 churches participated in CTUCC Confirmation Retreats, which included Creation Care Workshops
• 5 Thinking About Working for God Apprentices explored call through this signature CTUCC job shadow program
• CTUCC partnered with First Church Simsbury to support the Young Adult Service Community program

Inspiring & Supporting Vital Ministry

• 283 Leaders attended 2 Super Saturday Events
• 250 leaders from 16 congregations participated in 12 Safe Conduct Trainings
• 50 leaders from 18 congregations took part in Stepping Stones Christian Education workshops
• 9 facilitators were trained to begin work with Clergy Excellence Groups
• 40 pastors connect with the Conference Minister in one-on-one conversations
• 25 people began transitional, interim, bridge or designated term pastorates
• 12 people became Members in Discernment
• 11 new clergy were ordained and 19 clergy began new settled pastorates
• 48 delegates, 12 youth delegates and 10 staff sent to General Synod in Baltimore

Justice Ministries

Racial Justice:

• 20 churches completed either a racial justice training or a sacred conversation on race
• 25 middle school youth engaged in the “Did You Know?” youth racial justice curriculum
• ALL Silver Lake summer staff went through 6 hours of racial justice training

Environmental Justice:

• Environmental Justice workshops and discussions held at 3 churches
• 4 interfaith climate justice vigils in CT were coordinated and several nationwide actions were promoted
• 175 people began receiving a new monthly newsletter with updates on environmental issues

Economic Justice:

• 14 faith denominations/organizations were brought together into the Coalition Against Casino Expansion
• 70 people attended a meeting in opposition to a casino in East Windsor and 13 leaders spoke out at the state capitol
• The Conference Minister was arrested while advocating for the marginalized

Conference Staffing

New Staff:
Debby Dione, Director of Finance & Budget (share with MA)
Jill Ford, Program Associate & Conf. Registrar
Toyan (TJ) Harper, Associate for Racial Justice (shared with MA)
Susan (Suzi) Townsley, Associate for Leadership, Innovation and Change

Changed Positions:
Jennifer Kronholm Clark, SLCC Program Director
Isaac Monts, Associate for Justice and Leadership
 
Staff Departures:
Jane Fawcett
Cecile Gilson
Michelle Hughes
Day McCallister
Alan Munshower