Conference News
by Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott, ACM for Authorization, Accountability, and Discernment
Last week, Dr. Toni, Dr. Gloria, and I attended AM21 (Authorizing Ministry for the 21st Century) to help the conference staff hone our skills to become better servant leaders. This year's gathering, themed "Unraveling for Repair," was held in Tempe, Arizona, and provided a transformative experience that challenged us to reflect on how our ministries and leadership are evolving.
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The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ offers our deepest sympathies to the Rev. Ann B. Day and all who mourn the passing of Donna Enberg. We hold Ann, their loved ones, and all who grieve in our hearts and prayers, asking for peace and comfort during this time of profound loss.
Donna, along with her wife, Ann, created the UCC's Open and Affirming (ONA) program in 1987. Enberg continued as the program's treasurer for 20 years until her retirement in 2007.
Together, Ann and Donna were instrumental in developing the most successful and fastest-growing LGBTQ+-affirming church movement in the world.
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The Church of the Red Rocks members invite you to the celebratory installation service for their new pastor, Rev. Dr. Guillermo Márquez-Sterling, on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 2:30 PM. Clergy is invited to wear a robe and stole and join the processional.
Read MoreJob Description
Grant Director: Thriving Churches Initiative “The Journey Project”
NM Conference of Churches
3-5 years Temporary Position
Salary $54,600 per year with 5% COL raise each year, Fringe Benefits at 25% of salary added to salary per year.
Part-time: 25-30 hours per week
The Grant Director of The Journey Project will direct the Strengthening the Church Initiative for NM Conference of Churches until the end of the grant period 2027 or for extended period as approved by NMCC Board and the Lilly Endowment.
Click through for details.
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On behalf of Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada and the United Church of Christ in the U.S., we offer our prayers and support to the churches and people of South Korea at this uncertain time. We were deeply concerned when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol surprisingly declared Martial Law on December 3. However short-lived, President Yoon’s initiative to seize government control to use against political opponents was widely regarded as a self-serving act that threatened the entire nation with fear and instability.
Click through to read the full statement.
Read More“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” — Ephesians 4:11-12 (NRSVUE)
The Apostle Paul reminds us that God calls individuals into ministry not only to shepherd and teach but also to grow in their own faith and understanding. This growth is vital to equipping the church to navigate a changing world. As the Body of Christ, congregations have a sacred role in nurturing the continuing education of their pastors, ensuring they remain spiritually enriched, theologically informed, and practically equipped to lead with wisdom and compassion.
Clergy continuing education is not merely professional development—it is a spiritual investment in the life of the whole church. A pastor’s learning fosters vibrant preaching, deeper pastoral care, and innovative ministries that address the needs of the community. Whether through supporting sabbaticals, encouraging participation in workshops and conferences, or celebrating milestones in learning, churches have an opportunity to be active partners in their pastor’s growth.
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published on Dec 4, 2024
Leaders of the United Church of Christ have written the following pastoral letter to the UCC community, offering reflection and an invitation on what it means to faithfully be Christ’s church in the present moment. The pastoral letter is also available to download here.
Read MoreThe Nollau Leadership Institute is CHHSM’s signature program with more than 250 attendees in its 20+ years. Enrollment is open and the short online application can be found here. We invite you to make plans to participate in next year's class by registering now. A limited number of tuition scholarships are available to help offset the cost of the program.
Grounded in the health and human service organizations of the United Church of Christ, this program offers a unique space in which to experience leadership formation. Each year, Nollau brings together a community of leaders committed to creating a just, caring, and compassionate world. Such values deepen during the program, as participants grow in their leadership skills from a place of belonging. Cultivating this connection between others, the world, and within themselves is the heart of the Nollau experience.
Click through to learn more.
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The Christmas Fund has been caring for active and retired clergy and lay employees of the United Church of Christ for over 100 years, providing emergency grants, supplementation of small annuities and health premiums, and Christmas “Thank You” gift checks each December to our lower-income retirees.
Read more about this year’s Christmas Fund offering here.
United Church of Christ congregations and members have blessed the Christmas Fund with their generosity for many years. This year, your care and compassion will be especially appreciated by those servants of the church who are facing a time of need. Thank you!
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Join us for an Embodied Advent Series that highlights the ministries of a diverse representation of United Church of Christ partners and faith leaders. All Advent programs have been pre-recorded and will be made available on Nurture the Soul's YouTube channel the Monday before each Advent week. Please note we decided to include a "Longest Night" service in lieu of a 4th week of Advent. The purpose of these webinars is to nurture your souls and ministries and can be shared in lieu of holding your own service - or to pull pieces from to enhance your own ministry settings.
Read MoreIn our ministry journeys, it’s easy to feel both energized and stretched. Balancing the demands of preaching, pastoral care, administrative duties, and personal growth often leaves little time to reflect on our shared calling. Yet, as clergy in the Southwest Conference, we are part of a vibrant network that values mutual support, shared wisdom, and ongoing learning. One of the most effective ways to foster these connections is through a Community of Practice. But what is it, and why is it essential?
Read Dr. Derrick’s article.
Read More“Where Did You Get That Song? Resources for Congregational Song”
At their November Saturday Sharing, Ruth Striegel (First Congregational Albuquerque) talked about how to reach beyond the hymnal to find new songs to use with your congregation. You can see her list of resources and view the video recording of the conversation. Saturday Sharing will return in 2025.
Read MoreOur next CRMT session is scheduled for: March 13, 2025, 9 am-3 pm MST.
The cost is $30 per person. Please register here. We’ll send out the Zoom link to all registrants on March 10.
Read MoreWhen we join the Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ, we enter into multiple covenant relationships as individuals and as congregations. COM B is a SWC committee whose primary responsibility is to serve and assist congregations. We recently had the joy of receiving proposals for Revitalization grants. The goal of the grant money is to assist churches in moving beyond the status quo, and in creative and new ways, developing programs that will inspire church growth. Creativity and originality were encouraged, and we were delighted to receive well written, thoughtfully considered, and creative grants from congregations across the Conference. Congratulations to all congregations who submitted grants and who were awarded funds for their creative endeavors!
Click through to read about each of the 10 churches and how they will use their grant funds.
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Join a diverse group of faith and community leaders on Dec. 2 for church and community resources to honor World AIDS Day in 2024 and beyond. Register here.
Read MoreThe Marks of Faithful and Effective Authorized Ministers, central to the revised manual, have become an invaluable compass for those called to lead in the UCC. They provide a rich and dynamic framework for evaluating, shaping, and inspiring ministry. Whether you’re exploring a call to ministry, serving as a minister, or simply curious about what makes ministry impactful, the Marks offer a powerful vision for faithful leadership in our ever-changing world.
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Writing a will is essential to protecting the family, faith, and finances that have been entrusted to our care for this generation, and to use our resources to serve faith communities in the next.
For this reason, the National Ministries and the Pension Boards has launched Together for Tomorrow, a shared legacy campaign for the benefit of the United Church of Christ community, and in offering FreeWill, an easy-to-use platform for writing wills. No charge and open to all.
Read MoreFrom the desk of the ACM, Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott:
In our churches and Conference within the United Church of Christ, covenant agreements are more than just formalities; they are sacred bonds that define relationships among clergy, congregations, and the broader Conference.
Read MoreLast week was a blessed time of renewal and reconnection. Here are some pictures of our time together at Redemptorist Renewal Center in Tucson, taken by Gordon Street, Rev. Paul Whitlock, Rev. Michael Bush, and Wende Gonzales.
Read MoreBeloved SWC,
On Wednesday morning, some of us woke up with joy, while others felt anxiety and uncertainty. Just as we gathered for our Arizona clergy retreat during this election season to hold space for prayer, reflection, and support, we recognize that many in our congregations are feeling a range of emotions.
Please know that you are in my prayers as you journey together in your communities in the days, weeks, and months to come. God has equipped and empowered us through the Holy Spirit to serve with faith, strength, and courage, even in times like these. We are ministers of reconciliation called to embody the teachings of Jesus, fostering love, unity, and justice.
Remember, God is still speaking. Let us rest in God’s presence and draw strength from the well that never runs dry, understanding that God is with us. May we take moments to pause, to “be still and know” that God is our present help and refuge in a time of trouble and sovereign. God is God and the best is still yet to come!
In peace, hope, and love,
Dr. Toni
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