Archive for the ‘Announcements’ Category
Written by Gregg Brekke @ UCC.org
July 21, 2010
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of General Synod's passage of the Open and Affirming resolution urging full inclusion of LGBT persons into the life and leadership of the church, nearly 140 participants gathered in San Diego, Calif., for the UCC's Coalition for LGBT Concerns Gathering July 14-17.
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With the theme "Any Body, Everybody, Christ's Body," Coalition presentations and breakout groups addressed the topics of disability ministries, expanding the network and impact of ONA churches, LGBT immigration issues and transgender inclusion among other themes.
Worship punctuated each day with morning and evening gatherings that included a wide array of speakers and an ensemble choir led by David Lohman and Bill Thomas. Workshops, small group discussions and affinity gatherings allowed time for learning and reflection.
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A closing banquet included the recognition of Eleonore Powell as a Coalition Pioneer for her years of support for the Coalition and her role as a "spiritual mother" to many of its members. Powell, 93, is the mother of the UCC's Executive for Administration and Women's Justice the Rev. Loey Powell.
The banquet's keynote address was delivered by UCC General Minister and President the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black. "Persistence is necessary – we need to keep at it…" he said noting the contribution the Coalition has made in efforts to make the UCC a more relevant church. "We need to think of ourselves as an extremely inclusive community – one that will hold onto that value even when it is challenged by power."
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Prior to the official start of the Gathering, 12 attendees participated in a border immersion experience through the UCC's Centro Romero Center located in San Ysidro, Calif. The group ventured into Tijuana, Mexico, to see and begin to understand some of the root causes of migration to the United States.
Standing on a hill overlooking a shanty-town in Tijuana, Centro Romero Program Coordinator Carlos Correa explained that most of the adult residents of the tin and cardboard constructed homes work in the foreign-owned factories, called maquiladoras, that loom over the shacks.
"This community is a non-existent community," said Correa, describing the unrecognized status of residents of the shanty-town which lacks water, electricity, schools, hospitals and fire or police services. "The only reason they are here is this land has no meaning or value to the government. If [the land had value], they would be bulldozed out of here in a heart beat."
Culminating the Gathering was the San Diego Pride Parade held Saturday on the streets of its Hillcrest neighborhood. Over 150,000 spectators watched the parade as floats, music performances, political activists, civic groups and churches showed their support for the LGBT community.
"Gathering was a chance to come together and hear stories of celebration, renewal, perseverance and courage," said Byron W. Adams of First Congregational UCC in Washington, D.C., and this year's event organizer. "These stories show us that we have come a long way down life's journey but we still have much traveling and hard work ahead to affirm the rights and lives of LGBT and straight brothers and sisters everywhere."
Posted in 
From the Insurance Board-
Here is the Summer, 2010 issue of The Steward.
Highlights from this issue include:
- Setting Financial Priorities for Your Church
- Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Abuse
- Protecting Your Copper from Theft
- And more!
We hope you enjoy! If you have any questions,
please contact us at 800.437.8830 or email us.
Click to download the Summer 2010 Newsletter.
America's first foreign mission society, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) was organized by Congregationalists in Massachusetts in 1810. The United Church of Christ is commemorating the 200th anniversary of this predecessor to their global ministries, now called Wider Church Ministries.
200 Years of Global Mission from United Church of Christ on Vimeo
Background
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was founded in 1810, the first organized missionary society in the United States. By the time of its centenary in 1910, the Board was responsible for 102 mission stations and a missionary staff of 600 in India, Ceylon, West Central Africa (Angola), South Africa and Rhodesia, Turkey, China, Japan, Micronesia, Hawaii, the Philippines, North American native American tribes, and the "Papal lands" of Mexico, Spain and Austria.
The Board's archive has an importance transcending church or missionary concerns. In particular, the voluminous letters of the missionaries from the field are fundamental sources for the history of the various places where the Board operated, as the Board's missionaries were often the first Westerners to document the languages and cultures of their hosts. Also included are records of organizations associated with the Board and miscellaneous manuscripts, largely personal papers and photographs of individuals connected with the Board. The archive is heavily used by scholars in history, anthropology, and linguistics, and by genealogists seeking details of their family history.
To read the rest of this article at UCC.org click here…
Mission Trip Opportunity in Kennebunkport, ME
Are you looking to plan a Mission Trip for your church or church youth group? Every summer thousands of visitors come from all over the world to visit the beautiful seacoast town of Kennebunkport, ME. There are breath taking beaches, charming shops, sailing, hiking, horseback riding, and more. Kennebunkport Maine is a popular summer time destination for many visitors. There are also lots to do in terms of mission work in the community.
First Congregational Church in Kennebunkport believes in practicing gracious hospitality and welcomes groups looking for mission opportunities.
For more information on mission trips and mission projects please call (207) 967-3897 or email firstchurch@gwi.net.
Dear Central Atlantic Conference Sisters and Brothers,
Since her launch ten years ago, the Freedom Schooner Amistad has sailed to ports in the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean, telling the story of the 53 brave African captives who escaped from their chains and made their way to freedom. More than that, though, Amistad, has been a floating civil rights and human rights classroom, carrying on the legacy of our forebears in faith, breaking down barriers between individuals, races and nations and carrying as her cargo the seeds of change. Over the last decade, Amistad has visited several ports within the CAC. This past March, I was with Amistad, as she sailed into Havana, Cuba, flying the flags of the United Nations, the United States, Cuba, and our own United Church of Christ.
While returning from Cuba, Amistad experienced a major crisis when structural metalwork on her bowsprit failed (photos and details at (http://amistadamerica.net/Rig_Failure_3HUB.html). While the crew managed to control the situation and stabilize the rig with no further damage to the vessel, the repairs are proving to be both extensive and expensive, mounting to well over $50,000.00.
Amistad needs your help and the help of your church so that she can make these repairs and continue her mission of working for justice for all people. I encourage you to ask your missions committee to contribute to Amistad’s repair fund or to take a special offering at your church so that all of your members can have the opportunity to help keep Amistad sailing.
Please send contributions directly to Amistad America, Inc., 746 Chapel St. Suite 300, New Haven, CT 06510. If you have any questions, please contact me at 203-722-8328.
Thank you for your help as we continue to confront the past and transform the future together!
Con Amistad (With Friendship),
Rev. Paul Bryant-Smith
Senior Pastor, First Congregational Church of Norwalk, CT (UCC) and Amistad Volunteer Deckhand & Historical Educator
