The General Synod of the United Church of Christ made history Monday, July 3, when it elected the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson as the first woman, and the first Black woman, to lead the denomination as General Minister and President.
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Conference News
"Very short summaries" of Synod resolutions compiled by Rev. Dr. Gloria Smith
Gloria’s write-up was in Encanto Community Church’s monthly newsletter and is quite helpful!
All resolutions passed except for #8.
Read MoreGreetings from General Synod!
Check out our photo collection from General Synod so far!
Read MoreMeet General Minister & President Nominee Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson
Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson is the nominee for General Minister & President (GMP). This video conversation between her and GMP Search Committee chair Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin provides some introduction to Karen Georgia, her background, and her vision for the future of the UCC.
Read MoreSWC MID Clara Sims receives two awards upon graduating from Yale Divinity School
Clara Sims, a Member in Discernment in the Southwest Conference, graduated from Yale Divinity School and also was a part of the Andover Newton Seminary diploma program.
She received:
John A. Wade Prize -- for great originality in expository preaching (YDS)
Jonathan Edwards Prize -- in recognition of excellence at the intersection of ministry and theological scholarship (ANS)
Congratulations, Clara! We look forward to watching your ministry unfold, and the best is yet to come!
Read MoreTask force: Synod frequency change could allow new possibilities for connection
Three years? Task force: Changing General Synod frequency could allow new possibilities of connection.
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‘We are one body’: Worship, faith formation resources bring Synod to local churches
There’s a brand-new way to engage with the General Synod of the United Church of Christ later this month without traveling to Indianapolis.
General Synod @Home is a collection of worship and faith formation resources available for local churches to use on July 2, the Sunday that General Synod holds community worship in Indianapolis. They include liturgical elements, the communion liturgy, faith formation resources and a video sermon and text.
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Celebrating Juneteenth: Practicing antiracism from emancipation to freedom
Panelists will discuss how practicing antiracism can move us from emancipation to freedom in June 15 webinar.
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Pride Month and ONA Sunday Worship Resources!
More resources for Pride Sunday, June 25 from our friends at The Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ.
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UCC celebrates Pride 2023 with special events, programs and resources for churches
Making Space for LGBTQ+ Siblings: UCC celebrates Pride 2023 with special events, programs and resources for churches.
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Pride Webinar Series 2023 - Gender in the 21st Century
Thursdays in June 2023 at 4 pm AZ / 5 pm NM & El Paso
Designed especially for chaplains, religious professionals, and community care providers (but all who seek to provide gender-affirming care are welcome!)
Thanks, Rev. Louis Mitchell of Rincon Congregational, for sharing this with us.
Read MoreEmployment Law
Are you updating your church personnel policy, or wondering if you're in compliance as an employer? Please consider checking out these links and sharing them with the appropriate people in your church or ministry. It’s possible that some of our congregations and ministries are unintentionally out of compliance. It seems the penalties can be very high if an employer is audited.
Read More5 Repair Scams for Churches to Avoid
Marc Gerardis, insurance agent for the Southwest Conference, recently shared these tips with us.
Repair scams tend to increase after storms and disasters, but they can happen year-round.
Pay attention to these five misleading comments:
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ONA Webinar on Church Safety and Security
Worship Gathering Space Safety and Security: How to start, Where to go, What to do
Join Lisa Gonzalez, Director of Loss Control at Insurance Board, for a vital and informative event.
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Global H.O.P.E. May newsletter
News from Global H.O.P.E. - a Ministry Team of the United Church of Christ's Wider Church Ministries
This issue:
New 2023 Immigrant Welcoming Congregations Toolkit
UCC Hiring Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery
Refugee and Migration Services extends abundant gratitude to churches that create community ESL programs.
The power of coming together: Collaboration was the theme at National VOAD Conference
Looking for a 2023 Volunteer Work Trip?
Disaster Ministries Invites all Conferences and Congregations to join the Willing to Respond Network Today!
Mediation Skills Training Institute
This 5-day event is designed to equip church leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. It also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory. Although focused primarily on the church setting, the skills learned are directly transferable to other settings, including the business and academic worlds.
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General Synod music director invites attendees to join choir for this summer’s ‘homecoming’
This time, when the choir comes together at Synod, it won’t be through screens on Zoom.
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New Pride Sunday liturgy available!
Pride Sunday is the last Sunday of June - June 25th this year. Get your worship resources now!
Read MoreReluctant to Ask Questions?
10 am on May 29 at Fair Trade Café, 1020 N 1st Ave, Phoenix Arizona
The Southwest Conference’s commissioned minister Gordon Street’s new monthly coffee chat, “What’s Brewing?” is a safe gathering to ask questions or just sip your beverage and listen!
Read MoreWebinar, resources will highlight ‘care for our whole selves’ during Mental Health Awareness month
The UCC Mental Health Network encourages congregations to have a Mental Health Sunday on the third Sunday in May, or any Sunday that works best for congregations, to highlight the topic. A library of litanies, prayers and resources are available, and Lund encourages congregations to incorporate testimonies where people can share their story about experiencing mental health and how they got support. Resources can also be used throughout the year.
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