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Peaceful Protest to End Racism in Fairfield
In light of two racial bias incidents that have happened in Fairfield in the past week, one at a town elementary school and the other involving Fairfield
police officers, concerned families are gathering to protest racism. Organizers are asking that participants wear yellow in solidarity, and all ages are welcome. We encourage everyone to share
the flyer and please feel free to be in touch with Paula Cocozza at
paulac...@ccgb.org if you have any questions.
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Rev. Dr. Herron Gaston Book Signing!
There will be a book signing by Rev. Dr. Herron Keyon Gaston, Pastor of Summerfield United Methodist Church on
Thursday, May 30th from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Yale Divinity School, 409 Prospect St., New Haven. His two books are entitled:
The Darkest Night an Incarceration Memoir from Jail to Yale, and Practically Reversing the Trends of Mass Incarceration. Rev. Gaston goes right to the heart of an issue at the core of CCGB's mission. Hope many of you can attend, and even more
of you will buy his books!
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SAVE $ on Utilities!
Community Purchasing Alliance
Last month 36 congregations, schools and non-profits worked together to secure an electricity contract at 30% cheaper than the current utility rate
(see attached flyer). It was a first step in making real an aspiration - a Cooperative of peer community institutions that can work together to strengthen their operations.
To build on this momentum, we're putting together a purchasing group for heating gas and oil
for the 2019-20 season and we'd like your congregation to consider joining.
Click here for
details
Click here for the
flyer
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Lift Up Your Voice! Advocacy Matters!
From CT Juvenile Justice Alliance: "We have
GOOD NEWS to share. Last week, the Appropriations Committee released their proposed budget for the next two years. This budget increases funding for juvenile justice by $11 million dollars
each year.
These is a HUGE WIN! While we know there is a LONG WAY to go before a final budget is passed, getting this increase into this proposal was a tough
fight - as you well know as our fearless, tireless fellow advocates!
Big thanks to all of you to wrote, called, tweeted, messaged, testified, etc to ensure the message that we need to invest in youth and stop incarcerating
youth got heard. It did!
Please keep this pressure strong so these proposals survive budget negotiations. Thank you emails, tweets, Facebook posts go a long way to
the legislators that are responsible for this win."
Please continue to advocate FOR
SB 691, At present, if you have been convicted of a misdemeanor
in Connecticut, that record is available to potential employers and landlords forever, unless you go through an onerous, perhaps expensive (and often unsuccessful) process to get it removed, impacting your likelihood of being hired or getting an apartment.
SB 691, known as the “Clean Slate” bill in Hartford, would automatically remove such records three years after you have completed all aspects of your sentence, excepting domestic violence and sex abuse crimes. The bill may be in trouble, mainly due to the
initial cost estimates of implementation. Please contact your State Senator and State Representative to ask that they make sure they are aware of recent Bill changes that would lower costs and also answered some voter concerns with the initial Bill wording.
Let’s make it easier for those who have paid their debt to society to restart their life!
SB 948 (NEW BILL #) -
which reduces by one day (to 364 days) the maximum sentence for misdemeanors
Please continue to advocate AGAINST
HB 7332 -
An Act automatically transferring youth to adult court
Support CT Against Gun Violence in their advocacy efforts as well!
On April 23, a coalition of gun safety advocates came together in the State Capitol for Gun Safety Reform Advocacy Day to raise their collective voice
in support of the proposed gun safety legislation. The legislation, which is comprised of four separate bills, was voted favorably out of committee with bipartisan support on March 20 and is
expected to go to the floor in May. Our Connecticut Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer and several legislators from both sides of the aisle, all spoke in support of the proposed legislation.
The day also included moving remarks by family members irreparably affected by gun violence.
Now is the time to reach out to your legislators to ask them to cast their votes in support of these critical
common sense measures that will enhance public safety.
For more information on all of this pending legislation, visit the
Advocacy section of our website, or call us at 203-334-1121. Thank you!
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The Tent of Abraham Invites You to Our
COMMUNITY INTERFAITH IFTAR
MAY 21, 2019 from 7:15 to 9 PM
Hosted by
Here is the
FLYER/Bulletin Insert (copy on both sides, flip on short edge, then cut in half)
Here is a
POSTER - please post and share!
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Projecto Nueva Vida's Rosa Rosa Receives Recognition!
Rosa has been a part of the CCGB family since 2017. She is the case manager for our Projecto Nueva Vida program. Her passion and dedication to the
re-entry and substance abuse population is undeniable. This dedication was recognized when she received a Community Partner of the Year Award at the Annual Bridgeport ReEntry Awards Ceremony this past month at Housatonic Community College. We are very proud
of her and the work she does!
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What is Hang Time?
It’s a two-hour long gathering every Tuesday evening in a comfortable centrally located space provided by Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust. Its goal
is to enlighten, educate, de-conflict, and problem solve through discussion, and to reduce the level of violence in the community and recidivism among returning citizens through empowerment, community engagement, and building connections.
Her Time is the sister program to Hang Time. Its goal is to provide an educational space for women to learn from one another, openly express themselves
without fear of retribution or ridicule, and draw support from the unconventional cohort of women.
At a Hang Time session this past month, participants received a lesson in global diversity, tolerance, and respect of Sikhism from Mr. Swaranjit Singh
Khalsa. His informative and historic lesson of his religion was a cultural experience!
Visit www.hangtimerealtalk.com for
more information on the important work they do. (The Council of Churches is the fiscal sponsor for Hang Time and Her Time.)
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News and Happenings!
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Voices Cafe at The Unitarian Church in Westport, 10 Lyons Plains Road, Westport, presents
Emma's Revolution on Saturday, May 11 at 8:00 pm. The Smart, funny and informative like Rachel Maddow and Jon Stewart with guitars. That’s Pat Humphries and Sandy O of
Emma's Revolution.
Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase online at voicescafe.org
or by calling David Vita at 203.227.7205 x 14.
"Boasting gorgeous close harmonies and unsinkable tunefulness, Emma’s Revolution is a classic, globetrotting folk duo. Their music is progressive, socially-conscious, confrontational, and
shot-through with intelligence and cutting humor”, wrote the The Iowa City Press-Citizen.
Click
here for the flyer!
·
Mother's Day Flower, Gift and Bake sale at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday May 11. Click
HERE for details!
·
Emergency Preparedness program for congregations on May 14. Check out the
flyer
for details and to RSVP.
·
Check out Salem Lutheran Church's Summersong camp program
HERE!
For a bulletin insert on the camp details click HERE.
·
Are You Having an Event? Let our CREATE Culinary Students cater it for you! It's affordable, and you are supporting a great ministry! Here is our
FLYER.
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Are you interested in going to West Africa? The Rev. Sara Smith is leading a trip in January 2020.
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Click HERE
for Overview
Click HERE
for Flyer
Click HERE
for Reservation Form
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(Members of CCGB, be sure to send us your events and we will post them here)
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Do you know about Amazon Smile?
AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with
the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile,
the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Please
consider shopping at smile.amazon.com and selecting The Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport as your charity!
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Want to see more? Follow us on Social Media!
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