Sue Ringler, one of the first directors of Paz de Cristo in Mesa and founder/leader of the Tempe IHELP program, has died.
Sue was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma in late 2020; after a brief remission in early 2021, it returned and Sue succumbed to the cancer in the early afternoon on Wednesday October 13, 2021, surrounded by her husband Gary, her sister Amy, her children Leslie, Alex, and Katie, her son-in-law Eric, and her friend Robin.
Read More“The Damascus Project is an online learning community open to clergy and lay leaders from across the United Church of Christ. We are a collaborative effort of the Minnesota and Wisconsin Conferences. We have two learning opportunities for clergy and lay people starting in October. And two learning tracks for lay people and MiDs starting in January.”
Read MoreGeneral Minister and President John Dorhauer leads a virtual tour of the new UCC office space.
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A welcoming entryway, or narthex, at Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh is now dedicated to the late Rev. Cally Rogers-Witte — in a space that was once her office.
Read MoreLearn about UCC at ASU's new online ministry The Circuit in partnership with other ministers around the country.
"The Circuit is a new kind of ministry for all students and young people, wherever you are. Get plugged in with live interactive groups and worship designed for you. Follow on-demand content like videos & podcasts, and find community in our Facebook group."
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NCC’s annual Christian Unity Gathering (CUG) will be held virtually on October 11 – 12, 2021 with the theme, “In New Wineskins: From Pandemics to Possibilities to Promises.” This year’s CUG will explore how church life has changed and what our hope is for the church as the global community struggles to emerge from its pandemics and economic crises while at the same time continuing to grapple with the racial reckoning that is happening in our nation and the world.
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From Dr. Cari Jackson:
Grief and trauma are gripping our lives. Many who sit in the pews, or at home on Zoom, on Sundays are holding trauma and pain and there is not space for processing and healing let alone thriving. Many are living with depression, distrust, living on high alert and limited peace. But we do not have to stay there. And we don’t have to deal with it in silence nor alone.
It is my honor to share with you special invitations to two programs I am offering for healing and empowerment: Expanding Life in Loss and Taking Back My Life!™
Read MoreMichael is available to walk with your congregation through initial conversations and discernment about beginning the process of becoming a WISE (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive, and Engaging) Congregation for Mental Health. He’s also available to walk your congregation through the church building and program accessibility audit.
Read MoreTogether with the Insurance Board, UCC General Counsel Heather Kimmel will present a webinar on copyright compliance for churches on September 29. Click here to register.
Read MorePastors will have the opportunity to attend Rev. Andrew's Bible Study, Don’t Beg – Rethinking the Stewardship Sermon on Tuesday, October 12th at 2:00 pm Arizona/ 3:00 pm New Mexico & El Paso. This Bible Study for pastors will think through options for sermons on Stewardship for a fall pledge campaign. It will be guided by Henri Nouwen’s observation, “Fundraising is precisely the opposite of begging. Rather, we are declaring, ‘We have a vision that is amazing and exciting.’”
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Can fundraising be ministry? Can stewardship be spiritual?
The Cultivating Generous Congregations Seminar this fall offers an opportunity for pastors and lay leaders to explore faithful, practical, and tested ways to promoting generosity in our congregations. We will draw on current research, seek guidance from the wisdom of scripture, and discuss the best practices in church-based fundraising. Pastors and leaders participating in this program will be equipped to lead an effective stewardship campaign and, more broadly, help their congregation reclaim generosity as a spiritual practice.
Read MoreCongratulations to the Rev. Lorraine Ceniceros. A resounding "yes!" was affirmed by delegates at a special meeting held recently to elect her as the next Conference Minister for the Kansas Oklahoma Conference/UCC. She will officially join them on January 1st, 2022.
Congratulations, Rev. Ceniceros!
The new address when sending contributions is:
United Church of Christ. PO BOX 71957, Cleveland, Ohio 44194
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Requirement for ALL clergy with Active Standing (both those who are EMPLOYED AND RETIRED). All four modules must be taken once between 2018 and the end of 2022. All four modules will be held one more time during the fall of 2022.
Read MoreThis Professional Certification in Community Engagement and Ministry is sponsored by the Memphis Theological Seminary - Center for Faith and Imagination. All course materials and classroom instruction are online.
Registration for the first class; Foundations and Theology of Placed-Based Community Building begins on September 7th. Registration ends September 3rd.
Read MoreApply today! One application streamlines process for several Justice and Local Church Ministries grants.
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image credit: Rev. Michael Bush
Acting Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock offers a pastoral word along with updated Conference COVID guidelines and the latest Staff Travel Policy.
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Saturday, September 11th at 9:00 am Arizona / 10:00 am New Mexico & El Paso
We will be hosting a conversation with COVID-19 Response Teams from around the Conference.
This call will allow teams to come together and share learning, tools, struggles, and resource each other as we collectively move forward during the pandemic.
If your team is unable to make this call, it will be recorded and distributed after.
Read MoreThese opportunities are coming up soon, so take a look: Any of the antiracism trainings can count for the racial justice requirement for active ministerial standing.
Solidarity: Antiracism Training with Rev. Joan Crawford
Be the Healing Conference 2021 with Dr. Joy DeGruy
Discerning Whiteness—The Hidden Barriers
Heavenly Meetings; processes to Foster Healthy Engagement
Read MoreWe have an exciting event coming up on Tuesday, August 31st at 6:00 pm Arizona/7:00 pm New Mexico & El Paso. Rev. Andrew Warner, Generosity Outreach Officer for OPTIC – Office of Philanthropy, Technology, Identity, & Communication at the National Office, will be presenting the Annual Campaigns 101: An Introduction to Stewardship for Pastors and Lay Leaders webinar.
This webinar is designed for pastors and lay leaders planning an annual pledge campaign and will explore ways to create an effective campaign. Learn more and register today.
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