Bi-Vocational Ministry Conference

The upcoming Bi-Vocational Ministry In the 21st Century Conference happens April 15-16, 2016, and is sponsored by the UCC and partner denominations.  The conference will be an ecumenical gathering of bi-vocational pastors and judicatory leaders.  Your presence and the participation of pastors and judicatory officers from your denomination will enrich the conversation.

Initial registration goals have been met, registration will continue to be accepted until April 4th.  You may find additional information here [Link]. 

The Future of Hispanic Ministries

In September, 2015, the elected officers of the UCC Council for Hispanic Ministries appointed a team to gather opinions and insights focused on the future of Hispanic/Latino(a) Ministries and Leadership in the UCC.  As a first step, the team will launch a church-wide electronic survey inviting the participation of Latinas and Latinos across the various settings of the church.  We are deeply grateful to the UCC Center for Analytics, Data, and Research (CARD), for their support and expertise in the survey’s design. If you identify as Latina or Latino you are invited to visit https://www.research.net/r/UCCLatinos to participate in the survey. Your response is needed by March 31, 2016. Thank you for contributing your thoughts to the future of Hispanic Ministries in the UCC.

NYE organizers announce update to event registration

February 25, 2016
Written by Anthony Moujaes

Organizers of the United Church of Christ’s upcoming National Youth Event are making a revision to the registration window to ensure youth participants have the first rights to register for the July gathering, before opening registration to reasonably accommodate families that hope to take part in the event.

The decision to delay family registration allows youth participants and chaperones a dedicated registration period until May 1. But in recognizing the importance of family, and understanding that an event at Walt Disney World holds a wide appeal, family members of participants will be able to register on a first-come, first-served basis beginning May 1.

"This decision to delay the registration of families for NYE until all youth have had their chance to register is one that will understandably create some anguish, anger, and pain across the life of the United Church of Christ. It is a decision that likely should have been made earlier," said the Rev. John C. Dorhauer, general minister and president of the UCC. "Because it wasn’t, plans already made by some may be disrupted. For that, I apologize. Nonetheless, this decision was made in order to maintain the integrity of a youth event that gathers once every four years, and to wisely steward our precious missional assets. I hope that any family that wants to register will have that opportunity, and that they will understand with patience and grace why it is we are asking them to give the youth and their chaperones the first opportunity to do so."

NYE was announced as a family-inspired gathering last summer. Event organizers explained that since then, there have been concerns to programming, logistics and finances which arose as a result of offering such a wide-reaching invitation. Once registration expands to families in May, the cost for each family member remains the same $549 discounted price and includes lodging and a one-day pass to one of the Disney parks. Family members who are not participating in NYE will be responsible for their own meals.

"I think it’s important to remember the only change here is delaying family registration to ensure as many youth as possible can be accommodated, and the elimination of the meals for the family registrants," said Lee Foley, chief administrative officer for the UCC. "Our main objective is to provide an event of fellowship, worship, mission and education for as many kids as possible within the confines of ever-diminished financial resources. The new NYE administration finds the original well-intended efforts are simply not consistent with the realities of the day."

Read more about the update on the NYE website.

Music at CCOV

We are proud to announce the next concert in the Extraordinary Evening of Music series has been scheduled for Saturday, April 2, at 7:00pm. Performing that evening will be Jan Simiz, assistant principal cello for The Phoenix Symphony, Dumitru Lazarescu, second violin for The Phoenix Symphony, and Larry Loeber, principal pianist for The Phoenix Symphony. So save the date on your calendars and keep an eye on your email Inbox for further details that will follow shortly.

AZIPL: Healing Earth: An Interfaith Climate Action Fundraiser

Healing Earth: An Interfaith Climate Action Fundraiser

WHAT: A fundraising event for Arizona Interfaith Power and Light
WHEN: March 8, 2016   6:30-8:30 p.m.
WHERE: Temple Emanuel, 5801 S. Rural Road, Tempe AZ (map)
COST: $50 per person
 
We encourage you to gather with us to support the mission of AZIPL: to mobilize people of faith in Arizona to reduce the causes of climate change. The President and Founder of IPL, the Reverend Canon Sally Bingham, will be our keynote speaker. The program will also include an update on AZIPL plans for 2016, the SAGE award to green congregations, song, and interfaith prayers for the Earth.

It promises to be a wonderful evening of good conversation, music, wine and hors d’oeuvres.

REGISTER

A Message From John Dorhauer:

Cards may be sent to:
Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
c/o United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Following is John's Message.

Dear Friends in Christ,

After taking a call from my brother on the ride home from work on Tuesday, and being told that my father – who had a week earlier gone into hospice – was not doing well and that I should think about getting here as soon as I can; I left Wednesday morning to be with him.

It took two days for all of his seven children to assemble, but one hour after his seventh child arrived, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren, my Dad breathed his last. It was a beautiful death, with tears and laughter filling the room and lifting our hearts.

I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They sustained us all in these hours. I also want to thank you for the permission to be here and share this amazing experience with my family. I want to especially thank the Collegium for their support; and Cheryl Williams – whose able leadership in my absence allows me to be here without fear of some very important things being left undone.

I will spend a few more days preparing funeral arrangements and burying my father. I anticipate being able to return to the office and my responsibilities sometime later next week.
I am going to remain off line until then. Cheryl will coordinate all of my continuing responsibilities.
I rejoice in the grace of God, and marvel that at my father’s passing my grief is met with such profound joy. May it ever be so.

In the abiding love of our tender Creator,

John C. Dorhauer
General Minister and President