Welcome to the Conference of Churches website!



		\| \| \|

"We Stand Together Open to Make a Difference!"

Welcome to the Capitol Region Conference of Churches. We are a 105-year old ecumenical non-profit organization that currently serves over 450 faith communities, representing more than half a million Christians.

CRCC's mission is to unite, empower, and enable faith communities to provide faith-based social service programs. Now more than ever, our support services are needed to meet vital needs within our community. Racial and ethnic health disparities are rampant in Hartford, where the city's high level of socioeconomic stress has attracted national attention. Hartford has the state's highest rate of single-parent households, as well as the state's second-highest poverty rate. By transforming our sorrow over such statistics into action, we can change our reality, one neighborhood at a time. As we provide resources and expertise that support faith-based services, we invite you to share in our mission.

Additionally, because of its role in supporting faith-based social services, CRCC has been designated by the federal government as Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) for the state of Connecticut. As OFBCI, CRCC provides information, training, limited funding, and publicity to support faith communities and faith-based groups that provide social services addressing community needs.

FaithWorks: Faith Based Capacity Survey: CRCC serves 450 churches in the Greater Hartford area alone. No matter the denomination or background, each faith community believes in caring for others to show God's love. So why are there still so many needs going unmet within our community? 101 faith communities interviewed during our faith-based capacity study told us that in order to establish new programs or improve existing ones:

3 out of 4 faith communities need funding
2 out of 3 need more staff
Half need more volunteers
Half require training.

Because we service each of those needs, we have hope that the lives of our residents will continue to improve.

The staff of CRCC interviewed 101 faith leaders in Greater Hartford to determine the ability and willingness of faith communities to provide social services. Click here to download the PDF report.

Reverend Copeland's sermons can be heard each Sunday on Rich Answers, WRCH 100.5 FM from 5:30 -6:30 a.m. And tune into WJMJ's Ecumenical Encounter at 1:10 p.m. 88.9 FM.

To have Reverend Shelley Copeland come to your faith community or organization to speak, simply contact us at info@conferenceofchurches.org.

In the News: Reverend Copeland's letter to the editor, in response to an article suggesting "stinginess in the church," was recently featured in the Hartford Courant. Read more...

Now Available: Wisdom's Children Training for Faith-Based Child Advocates. Click here to complete this interactive learning experience. (Powerpoint, 6mb File).

FaithWorks Summer Leadership Institute

January 24, 2007

Dear Friend of Faith-Based Work in Connecticut;

It gives me great pleasure to extend this letter of invitation for your participation in The FAITHWORKS Faith Based Community Development Leadership Institute which will take place from June 20, 2007 to June 30, 2007 in Hartford, Connecticut. This intensive, residential learning experience was designed to equip faith and grass roots leaders with the skills they need to execute programs to improve the quality of life of individuals living in some of our states most distressed neighborhoods.

The Institute, which is a project of The Connecticut Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, under the umbrella of The Conference of Churches, has been funded in part from the state of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management and the office of Governor Jodi Rell. The ten-day residential program provides �Fellows� with the opportunity to meet and to learn from federal and state experts as well private foundation officers, university professors and community development practitioners. Training will take place at the state Capitol, Hartford Seminary and Yale Divinity School.

Our first class of Fellows is limited to 40 men and women who work in 17 target communities. Each participant will develop a community action plan during their time with us and will be supported by executive coaches for a year after the institute. It is our hope you will consider submitting an application to participate in our inaugural class or you will pass the materials on to a candidate you believe will not only excel at the training, but come back to your local community to make a difference.

We have included for your review a program brochure, application, nomination letter form, sample sponsorship letter and sponsorship idea list. All applications must be received by March 20, 2007. If you have any questions or need further assistance please feel free to contact me at 860.236.1295 ext.12 or scopeland@conferenceofchurches.org please write �institute� in your subject line. I look forward to working with you in the near future.

Sincerely;

Rev. Shelley D.B. Copeland, M.A., M.Div.

Institute Director

Related Materials

General Information

Application

Nomination Form

Sample Sponsorship Letter

Executive Coaching Brochure

Check out CRCC's combined ANNUAL REPORT for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.

Become part of our Ministry! Volunteer! CRCC is seeking volunteers to share their time and talent with our ministry. Click here to find out more.

Visit our Community Announcements Page to see items of interest to faith communities! If you'd like your announcement to appear on this page, please contact Angela Canova at acanova@conferenceofchurches.org.

For more information on grants, click here.