Connecticut Conference UCC Events
Event Listings from the Connecticut Conference United Church of Christ
  • Lenten Lunchtime Concerts: Mar. 10, 12:00 pm
    Noah Horn is finishing his final semester of the Master of Music program in organ performance at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music. He currently studies with Thomas Murray, and is choirmaster and organ scholar at Christ Church, New Haven. For two years, he directed the youth music program and summer musicals at St. Thomas\'s Episcopal Church, New Haven. He is involved with several local musical organizations, including United Girls\' Choir and Elm City Girls\' Choir. He holds the B.Mus. degree from Oberlin Conservatory in organ performance, having studied with David Boe, and originally hails from Davenport, Iowa. He is grateful for the opportunity to make music with one of Flentrop\'s magnificent organs.

  • Toxins where You Least Expect Them: Presentation by Sarah Uhl: Mar. 10, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
    We’ve all heard about toxic BPA in baby bottles but did you know it is also found in the linings of most canned foods? Had you thought about what chemicals might be lurking in your cosmetics? Do you know which cleaning products are safe to use? The First Church of Christ in Mansfield Center will host a Potluck supper and a Conversation with Sarah Uhl, Coordinator of the Coalition for a Safe and Healthy CT on Friday March 10, 2010 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Please come for dinner and stay for an informative presentation about toxins found in everyday products and positive action we can take to correct the situation. We will make some of our own ‘green’ products and do letter writing to our leaders to encourage them to act to replace known toxins with safer alternatives!

  • Boston University School of Theology Seminary Singers: Mar. 11, 3:00 pm
    Come one, come all to Center Congregational Church on Thursday, March 11 at 3 p.m. to experience a diverse array of sacred music offered by the Boston University School of Theology Seminary Singers on their spring 2010 Concert Tour. The Seminary Singers is a choral group with a 78-year history and a cutting-edge, globally inspired musical repertoire. All are welcome to attend this free public concert. Donations will be accepted at the end of the concert. The Seminary Singers is comprised of students, faculty and administrators from the Boston University School of Theology. Many of the students are preparing for parish ministry; others are pursuing ministries in music, teaching and chaplaincy. With members from all over the United States, and the world, the group prides itself on reflecting that diversity in the music it performs. The Seminary Singers will present several anthems in a variety of languages, including Korean, Spanish, and various African dialects. The styles of music will range from traditional choral anthems, to modern takes on classic hymns and new settings of beloved scriptural texts, to spirituals and contemporary music with gospel flair. The goal of the program is to show the variety of styles, sounds and symbols that Christians have used to praise God through the ages and around the world. Several instruments (including African drumming) and a liturgical dancer will join the Seminary Singers for this concert as well.

  • The Concert Handbell Ringers of the Wheeler School: Mar. 11, 7:30 pm
    The Concert Handbell Ringers of the Wheeler School, Providence, RI, will perform at The Spring Glen Church, 1825 Whitney Avenue, Hamden, on Thursday, March 11, at 7:30 PM This is the first concert in the ringers’ annual spring tour, and their first appearance in Hamden. The Wheeler School is an independent day school in Providence, Rhode Island, serving 850 students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Students come from Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The auditioned Wheeler Ringers perform on six-and-a-half octaves of handbells and handchimes and will present a varied program of music composed early in the history of the instrument. Under the direction of Daniel K. Moore, the ensemble has appeared throughout the US and Canada, performed opening concerts for regional and national handbell festivals, appeared on stage with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded with the Empire Brass Quintet, and is currently working on a second solo CD. The concert is free and open to the public.

  • Connecticut Bus to Celebration VIII: Mar. 12 and 14
    Connecticut women attending "Together Building Bridges," the Eighth UCC New England Women's Celebration in Burlington, VT, may travel together on a Connecticut group bus! Extend your time with your friends, and leave the wear of driving behind.The bus leaves Friday, March 12, from the following locations:7:00 am: First Congregational Church, Fairfield7:45 am: North Haven Congregational Church8:30 am: Commuter Parking Lot at Exit 38 in WindsorThere will not be a lunch stop; please bring a bag lunch on the bus with you. Box lunches for the return trip may be ordered at the Celebration VIII web site.

  • Women's Celebration VIII: Together Building Bridges: Mar. 12 - 14, 2010
    Celebration VIII, TOGETHER BUILDING BRIDGES "...a time to breakdown and a time to build up...," (Ecclesiastes 3:3) will bring together not only women from all of the New England Conferences of the United Church of Christ, but women from several of our ecumenical partners from our region. We have invited over two dozen groups of women from other branches of Christianity to keep their sisters in faith informed as we plan, so they will be able to be with us in Burlington, Vermont to participate in this exciting event. Our planning also includes several meals, approximately 30 workshops, six renowned speakers, exciting music, dozens of displays, and plenty of time for fellowship.

  • Five Fridays Lenten Concert Series: Bill Speed: Mar. 12, 12:15 pm
    "Music at the Meetinghouse" presents the Five Friday Lenten Concert Series: half hour organ concerts during the last five Fridays in Lent. On these dates from 12:15-12:45 pm, the public is invited to bring and eat their lunch in the sanctuary while listening to meditative organ music. These concerts are the music department's Lenten gift to the community.

  • Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band Benefit Concert: Mar. 13, 3:00pm
    The Heartbeat Dixieland Jazz Band will present an all gospel, benefit concert which will be recorded for later release. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Skip Hughes, the bands trombonist whose house and all contents were lost in a fire in December 2009. The band performs in many venues throughout CT, including the Durham Fair and The Great CT Jazz Festival. Guest vocalist Dianne Mower has worked with Dave Brubeck, has sung and recorded internationally, and has performed in the top New York City jazz clubs. Snow date is Sunday, March 14 at 3:00pm.

  • Time, Talent and Treasure Auction: Mar. 13, 6:30 - 9:00 pm
    In memory of Rachel Garcia, the First Congregational Church of Guilford is holding this live auction of time, talent, and treasure to benefit the two spiritual homes of the young woman who left such a mark on the lives of those around her. Auction proceeds will benefit First Congregational Church and the Now, for the Future Campaign for Silver Lake Conference Center. Young Rachel's spiritual life was nurtured in the congregation and found a special blossom at Silver Lake.Hor d'oeuvres and desserts will be available during the auction, which primary features services donated from the Guilford community.

  • Silent Auction for Now for the Future Campaign: Mar. 13, 7:00 pm
    The United Congregational Church of Tolland UCC invites you to a Silent Auction in support of the Now for the Future Campaign for Silver Lake Conference Center. It will end with an evening coffee house, delicious desserts, and music by Dan Broderick and friends. We hope to see you there.Items have begun to come in. Here is a partial list: an organ suitable for a small church, a new GPS, a gift basket, a weekend at the Cape, a monthly baked dessert or bread for a year by that famous epicurean Jan Bittner, one service call by an electrician, art lessons, jewelry, and some arts and crafts items. The goal is to have 50 items and great variety of goods and services. Some of the items will be on display during coffee hours.

  • Taize Worship Services: Mar. 14, 2010, 6:30 pm
    The Taize workshop service is based on worship created by the Taize Community in Taize, France. Co-sponsored by the Spiritual Life Center and First church of Christ, Congregational, the ecumenical Taize Service is a contemporary, contemplative time of song, silence and prayer. It is a time to center ourselves in the presence of God, to let go of the busy schedules of our lives, and be held in God\'s tender love and compassion. All are welcome.

  • Stepping Stones: What About Those Tweens? Ministry for Youth Grades 4-8: Mar. 16, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
    Were you a church school drop out? I was! By the 5th grade, I had decided to help with the younger grades instead of attending my own church school class. Does that sound like any 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th graders in your church?Our middle schoolers and even youth as young as 9 years old are a challenge for church school teachers, youth advisors, and parents alike. How do we reach the video game generation with the good news of Jesus Christ? How do we connect them so they remain connected to the body of Christ?This workshop will answer those questions; talk about the unique characteristics of the Millenials (1982-98) and Generation Z (1999-2019); build on the learning of family faith formation; and explore creative models and curriculums for reaching our tweens.Leader: Rev. Kristen Kleiman, Pastor, First Congregational Church UCC of Bristol.

  • Five Fridays Lenten Concert Series: Paul Jordan: Mar. 19, 12:15 pm
    "Music at the Meetinghouse" presents the Five Friday Lenten Concert Series: half hour organ concerts during the last five Fridays in Lent. On these dates from 12:15-12:45 pm, the public is invited to bring and eat their lunch in the sanctuary while listening to meditative organ music. These concerts are the music department's Lenten gift to the community.

  • Confirmation Retreat: Mar. 19 - 21
    The theme of this retreat for confirmation class members and advisers is "Unity in the Body of Christ." The purpose of these retreats is not to teach confirmation all in one weekend, but to help build community and to ask the questions that are key to a Confirmation process. This is a unique opportunity for young people engaged in the active process of understanding their faith to encounter other youth and adults working on the same issues in a beautiful setting.

  • A Conference On Prayer: Mar. 20, 8:15 am - 3:00 pm
    A Conference on Prayer: Praying without Ceasing: Reclaiming our Spiritual Roots Registration Cost $10 – Includes light refreshments and lunch Pre-Registration Deadline is March 14, 2010 Keynote Speaker: Armand Proulx – The Quiet A Awakening-Of Wellsprings and Streambeds Workshops: A Dare for Prayer: Presented by Reverend Bill Keane Art and Soul: Process Painting …a Path to the Healthy : Presented by Harriet Carew Ignatian Spirituality: Finding God in all Things : Presented by Patricia Brennan Centering Prayer/Centered Living: Presented by Armand Proulx The Labyrinth: Presented by Anne O’Conner

  • Baldwin Seminar on Prophetic Ministry: Mar. 20, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
    The inaugural Baldwin Seminar on Prophetic Ministry examines the moral issues raised by developing technologies. The first keynote speaker, Dr. Robert E. Michler, head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, speaking on "Advances in Medical Technology and the Ethical Questions They Raise." Mary McDowell, Executive Vice-President and Chief Development Officer of Nokia, will offer the second keynote on changes in communication technology.Theological reflectors from four traditions -- Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, and Islamic -- will contribute their insights to the event.Please make registration checks payable to the Missionary Society of Connecticut.

  • National Weeklong Leadership Training Event: Mar. 21 - 26
    This powerful weeklong leadership training opportunity will take place in Meriden, Connecticut, from Sunday, March 21, 2010 to Friday, March 26, 2010.The non-partisan training will be attended by clergy and faith leaders, social justice advocates and organizational staff, parent leaders, early childhood advocates, and local elected officials who want to experience the training that Barack Obama taught as a community organizer.The training has been designed and will be conducted by experienced organizers affiliated with Building One America and MARC (a professional association of community organizers), as well as veteran trainers for Camp Obama, the enormously successful organizing program of Obama for America.This training will allow you to reflect upon your experiences and what it means for you to be a leader in the public arena. You will engage with other participants in a learning community that emphasizes self-reflection, introspection and mutual inquiry. You will benefit from an environment, which will give you the opportunity to take risks, practice new behaviors and reexamine your current strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the week, you will develop a personal plan of action for becoming a more effective and powerful person. The training teaches ordinary people to unleash their capacity to impact the social, political, environmental, and economic decisions affecting their lives.

  • Music Series at South Church: Morris Robinson, Bass: Mar. 21, 2010, 4:00 pm
    Former football player turned opera singer Morris Robinson is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the most sought after basses performing today in opera, concerts, and solo recitals. His "miracle voice of endless potential" is sure to fill our space with rich warmth in a recital including art songs, opera arias, and spirituals. Free-will donation. All events are open to the public and will take place in the sanctuary of South Church in New Britain.

  • The Music Series at South Church: Morris Robinson: Mar. 21, 4:00pm
    The Music Series at South Church presentss a concert featuring Bass Vocalist Morris Robinson. Former football player turned opera singer, Robinson is quickly gaining reputation as one of the most sought after basses performing today in opera, concerts, and solo ricitals. His "miracle vocie of endless potential" will be highlighted in a recital including art songs, opera arias, and spirituals.

  • Sensitiviites and Skills for Interfaith Leadership: Mar. 24, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
    Spring In-Service Day for Spiritual Directors, Pastoral Counselors, Chaplains, Hospice Caregivers and Peace and Justice Workers:Sensitivities and Skills for Interfaith Leadership. An exploration of the dynamics and skills of interfaith leadership including an overview of the process of conflict transformation, essential skills and attitudes for facilitation, the dynamics of diversity, and the integration of shared spiritual reflection and prayer. Participants will have the opportunity to experience a variety of approaches in this interactive workshop including exercises for spiritual devotion, small group dialogue, and team facilitation. Facilitators: Yehezkel Landau and Karen Nell Smith