Resources for a Sacred Conversation on Race |
Justice Resources |
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On May 18, 2008, many pastors across the UCC will preach on race in hopes of beginning a sacred conversation. These resources are offered to facilitate those discussions. |
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Click here to download or view "Resources for a Sacred Conversation on Race" |
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A Call for Prophetic Witness to Abolish Torture |
Justice Resources |
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All practices of injustice impel us as people of faith to give vigorous witness to oppose them. Torture, as one of those practices, is so egregious, that if we fail to raise our voices and to act, the very stones will cry out. As Conference Ministers in New England we are jointly issuing this pastoral epistle, A Call for Prophetic Witness To Abolish Torture, as a way of raising our voices. We are calling on you, clergy and members of United Church of Christ congregations in our six New England Conferences, to join with us in this witness to abolish US-sponsored torture. |
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Click here to download or view "A Call for Prophetic Witness to Abolish Torture" |
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Action Suggestions for Congregations and Members of Congregations from the Campa |
Justice Resources |
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A selection of ideas and resources for church leaders and members to use in the effort to end torture. |
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360 Degrees of Financial Literacy |
Stewardship |
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As stewardship leaders, growing generous givers begins with financial wellness. This web site, recommended by the Pension Boards, UCC, gives local church members the tools needed to help them out of a financial crisis, assist them in teaching their children about money or guide them with their retirement plans. |
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Click here to download or view "360 Degrees of Financial Literacy" |
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Worship Resources for a Sacred Conversation on Race |
Justice Resources |
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A litany and prayer of confession for worship services, contributed by the East Woodstock Congregational Church UCC. |
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Click here to download or view "Worship Resources for a Sacred Conversation on Race" |
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2008 Pastors' Salary Guidelines Resources |
Church Administration |
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This page provides links to the two components of the 2008 Pastor's Compensation guidelines: the guidelines resource, which offers comprehensive information about clergy compensation issues; and a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (in .xls and .xlsx formats) allowing for easy calculations based on the recommendations. |
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Click here to download or view "2008 Pastors' Salary Guidelines Resources" |
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Health Care for All: A Curriculum for Churches |
Justice Resources |
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This page describes in more detail the 2008 resource "Health Care for All: A Curriculum for Churches," and provides a link to download the PDF version of the curriculum. |
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Click here to download or view "Health Care for All: A Curriculum for Churches" |
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IRS Publications Related to Churches |
Church Administration |
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This page provides links to documents at the Internal Revenue Service's web site for churches and religious organizations, to help them meet their obligations under the U.S. Tax Code. |
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Click here to download or view "IRS Publications Related to Churches" |
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Best Practices for Handling Church Offerings |
Church Administration |
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The days of carrying church offerings home in a paper bag hopefully are over, but just in case: Here are some helpful guidelines. |
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Click here to download or view "Best Practices for Handling Church Offerings" |
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Our Church's Annual Review |
Church Administration |
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Periodic review, evaluation and planning contribute to the clarity and vitality of our life, and ministry through the Church. An annual review can help us identify strengths on which to build and shortcomings where we need to make adjustments. To assist in this task you will find the following in this packet: (1) a step by step process, (2) a response form to be filled out by those asked to assist in evaluating the church's ministry and (3) a sample cover letter to accompany the response form. This is the PDF version of this resource, and requires Adobe Reader, a free download. |
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Our Church's Annual Review |
Church Administration |
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Periodic review, evaluation and planning contribute to the clarity and vitality of our life, and ministry through the Church. An annual review can help us identify strengths on which to build and shortcomings where we need to make adjustments. To assist in this task you will find the following in this packet: (1) a step by step process, (2) a response form to be filled out by those asked to assist in evaluating the church's ministry and (3) a sample cover letter to accompany the response form. This is the Word version of this resource, and requires Microsoft Word 97 or later. |
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Talking Points: Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. and Trinity UCC |
Conference Life |
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These "talking points" address questions raised in the spring of 2008 about Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago and its pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. |
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Click here to download or view "Talking Points: Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. and Trinity UCC" |
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Talking Points: The Black Church Prophetic Tradition |
Conference Life |
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These "talking points," provided by Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, address media accusations in March 2008 against the church and its senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr., setting his leadership in the contexts of prophetic preaching in the African-American church, American racial history, and the congregation's setting of inner-city Chicago. |
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Click here to download or view "Talking Points: The Black Church Prophetic Tradition" |
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Politics and the Pulpit 2008: A Guide to the Internal Revenue Code Restrictions |
Church Administration |
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The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has published this "plain-English" guide to the current rules governing political activity by churches consistent with their tax-exempt status under Federal law. |
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Racism, Experiences of the African-American Church, and Trinity UCC Resources |
Conference Life |
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A collection of resources related to issues of race, racism, liberation theology, and the mission and identity of the United Church of Christ, offered to help local congregations understand the spring 2008 controversies surrounding Trinity UCC of Chicago and retiring Senior Minister the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr. |
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The UCC Ad of April 2008: Letter Size |
Conference Life |
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On April 2, 2008, the United Church of Christ took out a full-page ad in the New York Times to describe this unique and precious expression of the Christian Church in America. This PDF prints at letter size. |
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Click here to download or view "The UCC Ad of April 2008: Letter Size" |
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Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart: Gulf Coast Response Opportunities |
Global Concerns |
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This trifold brochure provides background information and contacts for churches and members looking to assist with the long-term recovery efforts for the Gulf Coast and Florida. |
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Click here to download or view "Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart: Gulf Coast Response Opportunities" |
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Resources on Racism at ucc.org |
Justice Resources |
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Click here to download or view "Resources on Racism at ucc.org" |
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Silver Lake Scholarships |
Conference Life |
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This brochure describes the summer conferences program of Silver Lake Conference Center, and the importance of financial support for the scholarship programs that allow young people whose families have limited means to participate in this life-enhancing experience. It describes some of the ways that local churches and individuals can help make make building the next generation of leaders for the Church and the world possible. |
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Come to Summer Camp! Silver Lake Poster |
Conference Life |
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A dynamic poster, suitable for display, for churches wishing to feature the summer offerings at Silver Lake Conference Center. |
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Click here to download or view "Come to Summer Camp! Silver Lake Poster" |
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IRS Investigation: A Test of Church's Faith? |
Conference Life |
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An essay on the 2008 IRS announcement of an investigation into the appearance of US Senator Barack Obama at the 2007 UCC General Synod in Hartford by Davida Foy Crabtree. Originally published in the Hartford Courant on March 2, 2008. |
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Click here to download or view "IRS Investigation: A Test of Church's Faith?" |
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The UCC Ad of April 2008: Bulletin Size |
Conference Life |
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On April 2, 2008, the United Church of Christ took out a full-page ad in the New York Times to describe this unique and precious expression of the Christian Church in America. This PDF prints to size appropriate for insertion in local church bulletins. |
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Click here to download or view "The UCC Ad of April 2008: Bulletin Size" |
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Soul Food for Kids |
Christian Education |
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Soul Food for Kids is a resource produced by the Connecticut Conference in 1988 that has been updated by AUCE. It provides guidelines in the areas of the Bible, church history, the United Church of Christ, worship, prayer, the sacraments, seasons of the church year, and an extensive bibliography of church school resources, materials, and websites. (PDF, 6 MB) |
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A New Church/A New World |
Justice Resources |
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An anti-racism study group curriculum from the United Church of Christ. |
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A Church for All People: Becoming a Multiracial and Multicultural Church |
Justice Resources |
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A Bible study curriculum from the United Church of Christ. |
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Handbook for a Conversation on Race |
Justice Resources |
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A resource developed by the Massachusetts Conference UCC in conjunction with the visit of the Freedom Schooner Amistad to Boston in 2003. |
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Click here to download or view "Handbook for a Conversation on Race" |
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Tools for Effective Church Management |
Church Administration |
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A collection of documents developed by Ken Ulmer, former Connecticut Conference Associate Conference Minister for Administration, for use by local churches in supporting their programs and ministries. The collection includes sample forms, policy statements, financial tools, position descriptions, and more. this is a superb resource for any local church. |
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Click here to download or view "Tools for Effective Church Management" |
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Is Your Church Ready? |
Church Administration |
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If the fire alarm rings during a Sunday morning Worship Service (assuming, of course, that your church has a fire alarm system), is an evacuation plan in place? Do you know which exit to take from the Sanctuary? Is anyone prepared to direct visitors and to assist those with mobility problems to an exit? Has the Church School had a fire drill? Do the teachers know what to do when the alarm goes off? Do you know who the Emergency Management Officer is in your community? Is your church prepared to respond to a community-wide disaster? Is there a plan in place with the rest of the faith community in your town so resources are shared and not duplicated? These are just a few questions that every congregation needs to answer. The Local Church Check List will help you get started on an assessment of your church’s preparedness in case of an emergency or community disaster. |
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Safe Church Resources |
Church Leadership Development |
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This page contains links to resources useful in developing, implementing, and maintaining abuse prevention policies in a local church. |
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Building a Firm Foundation: A Creation-Friendly Building Guide for Churches |
Global Concerns |
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Our church buildings reflect who we are as a community of faith. Buildings that are built sustainably or "green" outwardly reflect our concern for and responsibility of God's beloved creation including those human communities that can be disproportionately impacted by unsustainable building practices. "Green" buildings also inwardly reflect this concern to congregants, reminding us of our responsibilities to live in loving community with all of God's creatures. This resource was developed by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. |
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Mission Partners of the Connecticut Conference |
Conference Life |
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A part of the 2007 Annual Report, this document contains contact information and web site addresses for a number of the Connecticut Conference's mission partners around the state and the nation. |
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Click here to download or view "Mission Partners of the Connecticut Conference" |
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Partners in Education |
Christian Education |
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Partner In Education are Christian educators, trained by the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries to assist local church leaders in creating new recipes for Christian education using a variety of fresh, innovative combinations of homegrown ingredients. |
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Environmental Survey Form |
Global Concerns |
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The Environmental Ministry Team of the Connecticut Conference is seeking information about steps that our congregations have taken to become more environmentally careful, popularly known as "Going Green." |
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Information on Holy Joe's Cafe |
Global Concerns |
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Holy Joe's Coffee Ministry is a project of UCC military chaplains in Iraq and Afghanistan. Supported by local churches in Connecticut and around the nation, it gives service men and women a casual place to find spiritual and social comfort and support. The link provides instructions for assisting with this ministry. |
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Click here to download or view "Information on Holy Joe's Cafe" |
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Resolutions Primer |
Conference Life |
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This is the basic resource for developing resolutions that will be presented to the delegates at a Connecticut Conference Annual Meeting for their consideration. |
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Spirit Calendar Archive |
Spirituality and Prayer |
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An archive of the Spirit Calendar, the Connecticut Conference's weekly theological reflection and prayer resource, distributed via email through the FIDO system. This archive goes back to the beginning of 2007. |
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