Hello SCNC folks!

• WORSHIP!  Wow.  We had a marvelous worship planning team led by Rev. Susan Brecht (pastor in Atascadero--yes,folks at our geographic edges do take leadership roles!).   Each worship was unique, creative, and 'just right' for the moment. There was laughter at the 'spot on' opening 'skit'; music from lively hip-bumping praise to organ and bells to Taize reflective; communion instituted in diverse languages from our community and served with coconut milk and grape juice; and beautiful, changing visual worship centers.   The Spirit was alive among us and we were blessed.
• SPEAKERS!  John Cobb challenged the UCC to take a focused and strategic leadership role in working with God for the salvation of the world (you can read it here);  John McCullough from Church World Service told us some of his own journey and of the global ministries in which we share (his remarks can be seen here); and Charles McCollough, our 'artist in residence' helped us root our thoughts about the changing world in the foundation of scripture.  You can experience his work by buying or borrowing his book, The Art of Parables.   Each of these special guests brought valuable gifts to our Gathering.
• CONFERENCE LIFE AND BUSINESS.  Yes, there were reports from staff (all superb of course!) and yes, we did some business, though in a modest amount of time.  The main gift I name of that time was that folks are grasping the financial situation of the Conference more and more clearly and some even voted no on the budget---a sign of attentiveness and health, I think!  No one wanted to propose a budget for 2010 that sharply cuts Conference staffing and programs still further and still includes a deficit (to see the approved budget, go here ) but your Board presented the best they could offer and it was approved.
• NEW CHURCHES PARADE!  Wow---our Associate for Church Development and Renewal (Gary Roberts) helped us all to see and celebrate the 5 churches that have fully affiliated with the UCC in this Conference over the last decade, the 7 new church starts still in process and 7 more existing congregations considering affiliation!  It was a joyous, uplifting moment and the array of diversity in those 19 congregations was dazzling.  The moment brought to our eyes the new life God has created in our midst!
• SCHOOL KITS!  We could hardly believe our eyes---box after box, bunch after bunch of school kits were brought in by one volunteer after another and stacked in the chancel as a gift to God and God's children through Church World Service.  Later other volunteers counted and boxed the kits and we were amazed to learn that almost 1100 were at the meeting, with another 400 or so sent by congregations directly to CWS before the meeting! (And if your church sent kits and hasn't told the Conference office, please do let us know!).  Every pencil and crayon will be treasured by a child somewhere in the world.   Thank you to every congregation that worked on the school kit project.  And special thanks to the helping hands of residents of our UCC Retirement Housing Foundation residences who made almost 500 of the bags for use by our churches.  Hallelujah!
• GETTING UP TO DATE!  The Self Study team and the Conference Minister Search Committee brought everyone up to date. A summary from the Self Study is coming to you in another email. And with decisions made at this meeting, the Search Committee can move into full search mode now.
• COMMUNITY!  Something special happens when the community of the church gathers---whether in Sunday worship, at a Conference Annual Gathering or the UCC General Synod.  And each is a Spirit special moment. But for me and many others, the larger gatherings have 'added value' in the wonder of our diversity, in the reuniting of old friends and the opportunity to meet new ones.  Worship offers inspiration and ideas for what can be done locally.  New ideas come in workshops, from speakers, displays and in conversation.  Networks begin to form---one workshop led several local church moderators to agree to connect in their geographic proximity...It is just plain GOOD to be together!

If you were there, thank you for coming and being part of the WOW of this Annual Gathering. I hope you shared your experience with your local church--in worship or newsletter or both.   If you missed it, your really missed something!  We'll hope to have some photos on the website soon. 
 
Abundant and heartfelt thanks to the Annual Gathering Planning Committee, led by Moderator Mitchell Young, to the worship team, and to our host church, Claremont UCC and their local crew led by Kay Held.  What great leadership we have here!
 
And mark your calendars NOW for next year:  June  11-12, 2010.  (Place to be determined) Pastors: SAVE THE DATE on your own calendars for the whole meeting and recruit delegate commitments now! And it's very possible you will have a new Conference Minister to welcome at that meeting--so you'll for sure want to be there!
 
Though still 'recovering' some energy and catching up with the desk work, I'm also still way HIGH on the joy of being with you for a WOW of an Annual Gathering! Thank you and God bless you all!

Jane