Conference News

What the New Pope Means for Us

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What the New Pope Means for Us

by Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott

Beloved Church,

Every so often, the world pauses to watch white smoke rise from the Sistine Chapel. And last week, it did just that. Pope Leo XIV has been elected, and while that may feel like news from another corner of the Christian family tree, it’s a moment worth noticing—and reflecting on—even for us in the United Church of Christ.

We are not Catholic, of course. We embrace a covenantal polity, which means our various settings—local churches, Associations, Conferences, and the national setting—are bound together not by hierarchy, but by sacred promises to walk together in mutual respect and love. So, there are no cardinals in red robes. No Vatican. Our churches don’t wait for word from Rome before we make decisions. That’s part of what makes us who we are. But that doesn’t mean we’re disconnected. We are, after all, part of one Body.

So what does it mean for us?

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An Evening With Nadia Bolz-Weber

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An Evening With Nadia Bolz-Weber

by Dr. Kristina “Tina” Campbell

She’s the tattooed, recovering, straight-talking Lutheran pastor who years ago formed the church called for House for All Sinners and Saints. I have read her works for many years and have appreciated her no b.s. approach to theology found in many recovering communities.  At the moment, she has taken to the road as a one-woman rebellion against the anxiety and despair that has engulfed many of us after our current election.  She’s visiting all of the red states where she is holding revivals.  She wants us to be revived from despair and self-righteousness, and encourages a posture of humility, curiosity, mercy and hope.  She wants us to distance ourselves from our screens to gather and sing. 

I knew I was excited that she was coming to Arizona but had no idea that she would fill a huge sanctuary with hundreds of kindred spirits who created an overflowing parking lot an hour before her remarks began.  She has made real her belief that we need to exit the screen and gather in person to sing and laugh. I, for one, wanted to add a hallelujah to her emphasis on a return to humility and her firm belief that we are meant to be together in person. 

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The People's Pope

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by Dr. Kristina “Tina” Campbell

The world pauses to mourn the death of Pope Francis, the people’s Pope, who reminded us that compassion is our strongest power, that simplicity is a way of life, that education is intended for understanding, and that immigrants are our family. 

He walked freely among the people, and I have the feeling that he was probably a lot of fun.  As a Jesuit, he earned the highest possible education, and he used his knowledge and intellect to promote relationships and peace…never to gain power over others. 

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Seasons of Ministry: Supporting Clergy Across the Journey

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Seasons of Ministry: Supporting Clergy Across the Journey

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” This familiar phrase reminds us of that growth often follows seasons of change, reflection, and preparation. Ministry unfolds in much the same way. Clergy moves through seasons of active service and times of rest or redirection. The United Church of Christ embraces this natural rhythm by offering active and exempt ministerial standing, recognizing that ministry takes many faithful forms throughout a lifetime.

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Entrance into the City

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Entrance into the City

Now that Jesus has entered the city, we are walking with him into the most sacred days of our shared faith. Palm branches have been laid down, cloaks spread out, and hosannas shouted—but now, the road turns. Holy Week calls us not just to remember but to recommit.

As clergy, we are entrusted with leading communities through this week's mystery and meaning: from the intimacy of the upper room to the agony of the garden, to the final breath on the cross, and finally to the quiet, trembling hope of dawn at the tomb. This is no small calling, and we do not carry it alone.

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Finding Grace in Grief and Family

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Finding Grace in Grief and Family

By Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott

Last week, I was honored to officiate two memorial services here in Arizona. Shortly after, I traveled to Louisiana to attend my aunt's funeral—not as a pastor, but as a nephew, son, brother, and cousin. It reminded me that while we as clergy wear many hats—pastor, counselor, officiant, and comforter—the roles we hold within our own families can be the most difficult to navigate. In times of grief, we are called to lead and sit quietly with our sorrow, love, and loss.

Funerals and memorials are full of sadness, but they also bring moments of joy. We tell stories, laugh through tears, and remember what mattered most. In the South, we often say someone has "gone on to glory"—a phrase filled with sorrow and hope.

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