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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2008 Annual Report of the Connecticut Conference, UCC |
Conference Life |
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Click here to download or view "2008 Annual Report of the Connecticut Conference, UCC" |
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Green Action Steps for Churches |
Global Concerns |
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Action steps that can be taken by local churches to reduce their impact on the Earth's resources. Completing 80% of the steps in any of the three stages achieves recognition as a Green Church in the Connecticut Conference from the Environmental Ministry Team. |
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Click here to download or view "Green Action Steps for Churches" |
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Climate Change and Global Warming FAQ |
Global Concerns |
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Frequently asked questions about global warming and climate change, prepared by the Connecticut Conference's Environmental Ministry Team |
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Click here to download or view "Climate Change and Global Warming FAQ" |
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Religious Giving in Tough Times |
Stewardship |
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The Lake Institute on Faith and Giving, part of the Philanthropy Center at Indiana University, offers these insights and practical suggestions for congregations and other not-for-profits during times of financial stress and upheaval. |
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Click here to download or view "Religious Giving in Tough Times" |
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Resources for Silver Lake Sunday 2009 |
Conference Life |
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Join congregations around the Connecticut Conference in celebrating the life-enriching ministry of Silver Lake Conference Center on January 25, 2009. The resources are suitable for use on other dates as well. |
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Click here to download or view "Resources for Silver Lake Sunday 2009" |
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2009 Pastoral Statement for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity |
Interfaith and Ecumenical Resources |
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The statement from the Christian Conference of Connecticut's Board of Directors acknowledges the sinful sources of division between the churches of Christ, and calls for church members to join their selected leaders in praying for a unity that builds peace among all people. Recalling the Biblical image of dry bones being brought to life in Ezekiel, the letter asserts confidence that "God is able, even in the face of our seeming death and brokenness, to bring forth healing and unity." |
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Click here to download or view "2009 Pastoral Statement for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" |
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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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Endowment Management Workshop Handouts |
Church Administration |
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The handouts provided by the Associate Conference Minister for Endowment Ministries when leading a workshop on healthy endowments for churches. |
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Click here to download or view "Endowment Management Workshop Handouts" |
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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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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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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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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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Mission Partners of the Connecticut Conference |
Conference Life |
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A part of the 2008 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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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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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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2008 Address of the Conference Minister |
Conference Life |
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Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree's address to the Fall Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference, entitled "Wilderness, God, Joy." |
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Click here to download or view "2008 Address of the Conference Minister" |
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Annual Meeting 2008: Growing Beyond the Reluctant Steward |
Conference Life |
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The Rev. Stephen Gray's presentation to the Authorized Minister's Event at the 2008 Fall Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference encourages the participants to move from beyond reluctant to enthusiastic stewards of the financial gifts given by God. |
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Click here to download or view "Annual Meeting 2008: Growing Beyond the Reluctant Steward" |
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Keynote Address: From the Myth of Scarcity to the Reality of Abundance |
Conference Life |
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The Rev. Stephen Gray thoroughly engaged his hearer's with this address to the Fall, 2008, Annual Meeting of the Connecticut Conference. |
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