HARTFORD – Referencing Jackie Robinson's famous quote, "A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives," Conference Minister the Rev. Kent J. Siladi sent a letter to the more than 1500 church members, clergy, and people associated with the Connecticut Conference asking them to join in making an impact through gifts to Friends of the Conference. Donations to Friends of the Conference can be made by clicking the "DONATE" ribbon on the top of this page.
 
"Our common mission and ministry center on the belief that we can accomplish more together than we can alone," Siladi wrote.
 
The letter listed several programs and ministries of the Conference in areas such as Justice Ministries, Leadership Development, Local Church Vitality, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry. Gifts to Friends of the Conference help provide resources that make these initiatives possible.
 
"We believe that the ties that bind us as God’s people invite us to work together to be the church that the world needs today," continued Siladi.
 
If you would like to make a personal contribution to Friends of the Conference and support the ministries of the Connecticut Conference, visit www.ctucc.org/donate and click on the "Donate Now" button.
 
Below is the original letter sent on November 8:
[Editor's note: Directions for giving online in the original letter were sent prior to the release of the new Conference website. The word "Donate" has replaced the word "Give" in the new version.]
 

Dear Colleague of the Connecticut Conference:
                 
Jackie Robinson made the bold statement that, “A life is not important except for the impact it has on other lives.”  We believe that our witness as the United Church of Christ here in Connecticut makes an impact every single day.  We want you to join us in making an impact through your financial support of the “Friends of the Conference” appeal.
Our common mission and ministry center on the belief that we can accomplish more together than we can alone.  We believe that the ties that bind us as God’s people invite us to work together to be the church that the world needs today.  Collaboration and cooperation are key ingredients to making a difference. 
 
Our Conference makes an impact as we: 

• Offer support to congregations that are in transition.
• Work towards eliminating racism through our Racial Justice Ministries.
• Address the impact of climate change and seek to be wise stewards of the earth through our Environmental Ministries.
• Advocate for the “least of these” in Connecticut at the state Capitol through our Legislative Advocate and our Economic Justice Ministries.
• Equip and empower faith formation leaders who are engaged in important ministries in local churches.
• Gather to worship and be touched by God’s amazing grace at our Youth and All Ages Revivals.
• Mobilize youth through Giv2, TAWFG (Thinking About Working For God) and our life-changing ministries at Silver Lake Conference Center.
• Facilitate networking and sharing of best practices among churches throughout Connecticut.
• Provide resources to assist churches in financial development and managing congregational endowments.
• Provide clergy-excellence peer groups to encourage and equip our local pastors.
• Work collaboratively with the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Conferences to advance common goals. 

As you think about our work and contemplate why and how this matters to you, I encourage you to take a look at a new and uplifting video we just released, titled OCWM:  Multiplying Impact.  We have inserted a card with this mailing with information about the video.
Be assured that through these highlighted ministries and in many more ways, we make a difference by making possible things that could not be done, or done as well, without our leadership and support. We invite you to support the Connecticut Conference’s mission with a financial gift.  You may send a check to the Conference Office with the enclosed card or make your gift on our website, www.ctucc.org; just click on the word “Give” and designate the amount of your gift to the “Friends of the Conference.”
 
Thank you. Together we can make an impact!
 
Sincerely,
The Rev. Kent J. Siladi
Conference Minister