The SCNC 2024 Annual Gathering
Dear Friends,
It’s been a busy year and the time for Annual Gathering is almost here! While there has indeed been a lot going on, the Annual Meeting Planning Committee has still been busy planning our time together in June when we will gather to explore the theme BOLD CHURCH BOLD HOPE.
Why this theme? Because it is easy to be discouraged, to give up; to think that justice will actually never be achieved. It’s easy to think that welcoming the stranger is nothing more than a slogan that someone dreamed up along the way; or to think that loving one’s neighbor is something that happens only when there’s a crisis rather than a fundamental way of life. It’s too easy to find reasons to feel hopeless. As people of faith, if we truly believe that what know about the gospel is revolutionary, that it really matters, then we can’t be shy about what we say or how we live this reality; we have to rise above all of the noise. We have to be a BOLD Church; we have to embody BOLD HOPE.
Our Scripture: When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:31 NRSV
Our Program: This will be the first opportunity to welcome in person Rev. Rachael Pryor, the newly elected Conference Minister. Rachael will preach at the opening worship service on Friday afternoon. One of the great things about meeting in person is the opportunity for the “side conversations” that can take place without a formal agenda. Rachael welcomes these times and invites those who wish to join her for breakfast on Saturday morning for informal conversation.
Rev. Traci Blackmon will be the keynote speaker on Friday afternoon and will preach the closing worship service on Saturday. Rev. Blackmon served as the Associate General Minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries. (see her full bio here)
There will be workshops and worship, we will recognize ordination anniversaries, say good-bye to interim and acting Conference staff, conduct the business of the Conference and enjoy being together as the Body of Christ.
Here are some details to attend the Meeting:
Registration Information Early registration with a discount of $20 closes May 18th; regular registration is open May 19-May 31st; there is no registration for in-person attendance after May 31st due to catering and delivery realities. Please do not plan to “walk in” and register on site on Friday or Saturday morning.
Attending in Person: $175.00 for early registration, $195.00 for regular (includes Friday lunch and dinner; Saturday breakfast and lunch)
Attending Virtually: $100.00 for early bird registration and $120.00 after May 18.
Childcare will be available $40.00 per child; more information will be available soon.
Exhibits: There will be space for exhibitors. That information will be available on the website, or you may Contact Virginia Arroyo at arroyo@scncucc.org for information to request information.
Housing will NOT be available at Chapman, but there are many hotels in the area. A limited number of rooms are available on a first come first served at a Conference rate at the Hotel Fera, A Doubletree Hotel in Orange. Here is the link that can be used to secure a room for Friday night at the Conference rate. Remember there is a limited number available. Booking Link – Southern CA Nevada Conference – Attendees
We hope that all authorized ministers and voting delegates will indeed attend in person! But if you can’t be physically present, join virtually for this hybrid meeting! While it may not be ideal for everything, ZOOM is a very important resource, and if that is the option that works best for you, we welcome you to join the meeting virtually.
We look forward to seeing and welcoming you to Annual Gathering!
Rev. Wally Hoeger
Moderator and Chair
Annual Gathering Planning Committee
Edith Guffey
Staff
Annual Gathering Planning Committee
*Everyone is expected to register; if the registration amount presents an undue burden, please contact Kris; please don’t stay away because of the cost.
**If financial assistance is needed for housing as University Housing is not available, please, contact Kris as well. Again, we don’t want anyone to stay away because of cost.
Speakers
Rev. Rachael Pryor
Newly Elected Conference Minister and Preacher at Opening Worship
Rev. Rachael Pryor currently serves (yes, STILL) as Associate Conference Minister with the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference, as well as Designated Associate Conference Minister for the Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Tri-Conference. Rachael will begin her service formally as Conference Minister of Southern California Nevada right before Annual Gathering, June 1st.
Her primary focus is with Committees on Ministry, but she also has experience with Search and Call, Annual Meeting Planning, communications, board development, and financial planning. She has served on the planning committee for the biannual Authorizing Ministry in the 21st Century Conference, sponsored by MESA (Ministerial Excellence Support and Authorization Team) in the national offices, and as a resolutions committee chair at the last General Synod. Rachael also works as Director of Engagement with Kansas Interfaith Action (KIFA), a statewide non-partisan legislative advocacy organization. Prior to assuming the Director of Engagement role, Rachel served for six years on the Board of Directors of KIFA (three as Chair) and helped grow KIFA from a single part-time staff to more than 5 full-time staff while tripling the budget.
At the intersection of all these roles, Rachael finds a focus in building relationships and making connections. Her approach is strongly inspired by community organizing methods and influenced by the covenantal polity of the UCC. She has participated in both versions of the UCC Sacred Conversations on Race; the first in 20114 and the second 2018 Sacred Conversations to End Racism (SC2ER) created by Dr. Velda Love.
From a family of farmers, teachers, and union workers in Southeast Michigan, Rachael grew up at Sylvania UCC just outside Toledo, Ohio, in the Northwest Association of the Ohio Conference. She attended National Youth Event in 1996, where she learned of Woodstock International School in Mussoorie, India – the place where she would later graduate from high school. After a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan and two years teaching English through the Fulbright program in Austria, Rachael spent a year at Eden Seminary before transferring to Princeton Seminary for her M.Div. (class of ’07). She has served local churches with the UCC, ELCA, and Episcopal Church in California, Pennsylvania, and Kansas.
Rachael currently lives in Lindsborg, Kansas with her husband Adam and their children Henry (13), Greta (10), Linus (4), and Melody (almost 2). She reads voraciously in all genres, plays tuba in the community band, cooks from scratch, and dreams of getting back to long-distance running as the snow begins to melt.
Rev. Traci deVon Blackmon
Keynote Speaker, Workshop Leader, Closing Preacher
Rev. Blackmon is the CEO & Founder of HopeBuilds, LLC, a newly launched consultancy for communities, corporations, and congregations eager to build the just and equitable world they imagine. She also serves as theologian in residence for Eden Theological Seminary and Chaplain for the Central Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
As an ordained minister, public theologian, and registered nurse, Rev. Blackmon’s life’s work focuses on communal resistance to systemic injustice. She served as a local church pastor in both the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the United Church of Christ prior to accepting a call to serve as Associate General Minister and Vice-President of the United Church of Christ from 2016-2023, working collaboratively to launch several anchor initiatives for the denomination. Upon resignation, Rev. Blackmon launched HopeBuilds, LLC to further advance ministry in the public square.
Her messages of hope and healing are received by local congregations, national, and international audiences including the White House, the Carter Center, and the Pontifical Council of the Vatican. Other international speaking engagements include the Festival of Homiletics, Chautauqua Institute, Children’s Defense Fund, SURRENDER in Melbourne, Australia, Kirchentag in Nuremberg, Germany, and a national tour with The Poor People’s Campaign: A Call for Moral Revival.
Appointed to the Ferguson Commission by Governor Jay Nixon and to the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships by President Barack Obama. She also serves as a trustee on the boards of The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, Americans United for Separation of Church & State, and the World Parliament of Religions.
A native of Birmingham, AL, Rev. Blackmon is a Distinguished Alumnus of Birmingham-Southern College where she she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Eden Theological Seminary and an Honorary Doctorate of Ministry from the same. “Pastor T,” as she is affectionately called, is the recipient of several awards and honors for which she is deeply grateful. Her guiding scripture is Isaiah 6:8: “Then I heard the voice of the Lord asking: Who will I send? Who will go for us? I said: Here I am. Send me.”
Dr. Peter E. Makari, Ph.D.
In Depth on Israel/Palestine
Saturday Morning Plenary
Peter serves as Global Relations Minister for the Middle East and Europe with the Common Global Ministries Board of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a position he has held since July 1, 2000.
He serves on the National Council of Churches’ Interreligious Convening Table, of which he is a co-convener, and has been an active participant in national Jewish-Christian and Muslim-Christian dialogue initiatives. He represents the UCC and Disciples on the Faith Forum for Middle East Policy, of which he is a co-convener, and on the board of Churches for Middle East Peace. He also represents the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on the Steering and Executive Committees of the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign.
An Egyptian-American, Peter has lived in the Middle East, where he worked with the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) in Cairo, Egypt (1991-1994), and then with the Middle East Council of Churches, based in Limassol, Cyprus (1997-2000).
Peter earned an M.A. in Middle East Studies from the American University in Cairo (1993) and a Ph.D. in Politics and Middle East Studies from New York University (2003). He is the author of Conflict and Cooperation: Christian-Muslim Relations in Contemporary Egypt (Syracuse University Press, 2007).
Peter is a member of West Park United Church of Christ in Cleveland, OH.
Agenda & Schedule
Friday June 7, 2024
8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
8:30 a.m.
Pick Up Materials and Visit Exhibits
10 a.m.
Pre-Meeting Workshops
11:30 a.m.
Lunch (Rm 404 Beckman Hall)
1:00 p.m.
Gathering Music, Opening Worship
1:30 p.m.
Business – Introductions, welcome, reports
2:15 p.m.
Stretch Break
2:30 p.m.
Presentation
The Rev. Traci Blackmon
3:30 p.m.
Break
4:00 p.m.
Workshops
5:15 p.m.
Dinner (Rm 404 Beckman Hall)
6:30 p.m.
Program
An Evening of Recognitions and Thanks
Saturday June 8, 2024
7:30 AM - 2:15 PM
7:30 a.m.
Breakfast (Rm 404 Beckman Hall)
8:45 a.m.
Gathering Music, Worship
9:15 a.m.
In Depth on Israel and Palestine with Dr. Peter Makari
10:45 a.m.
Break
11 a.m.
Business
- Speak Out
- Vote on the Nomination Committee
- Vote on the Budget
- Installation of Persons Elected to Serve
12:15 p.m.
Lunch (Rm 404 Beckman Hall)
1:00 p.m.
Business
- Resolution Presentation and Action
- Closing Words of Thanks
- Motion to Adjourn Following Worship
2:15 p.m.
Closing Worship
The Rev. Traci Blackmon, preacher
Worship and Plenary in Wallace Chapel
Workshops and Meals in Beckman Hall
Nomination Slate (Proposed)
Class of 2023
- Rich Fluechtling (E) (L)
- Clayton Heard (C) (L)
- Rosario Ibarra (C) (P)
Class of 2024
- Eduardo Arismendi-Pardi (S) (L)
- Erin Beardemphl (E) (P)
- Heather Branton (N) (P)
- Cheryl Farrell (C) (L)
- Michelle Freeman (E) (P)
- Phil Jenkins (S) (L)
Class of 2025
- John Forrest Douglas (N) (P)
- Tim Seery (S) (P)
- Janice Steele (C) (P)
- Pat Whitacre (S) (L)
Chair Class of 2023
Sarah Averette-Phillips (E) (P)
Vice Chair Class of 2023
Jude Johnson (S) (L)
Moderator Class of 2023
Andy Schwiebert (C) (P)
Vice Moderator Class of 2023
Wally Hoeger (C) (P)
Secretary Class of 2023
Susie Bjork (C) (P)
Treasurer Class of 2024
Neal Washburn (S) (L)
Class of 2023
- Shannon Clay (E) (L)
- Mitchell Young (C) (P)
Class of 2024
- Ashley Hiestand (C) (P)
- Camille Pederson (S) (L)
Class of 2025
- Lily Penner (C) (L)
- Benjamin Samuel (C) (P)
Class of 2023
- Sarah Halverson-Cano (S) (P)
- Jude Johnson (S) (L)
Class of 2024
- Paul Tellström (C) (P)
- Faren Eng (E) (L)
Class of 2025
- KarenFay Ramos Young (C) (P)
- Chrissy Siva (E) (P)
Class of 2025
Michelle Lampert (C) (L)
(C) Central Association | (E) Eastern Association | (N) Northern Association | (S) Southern Association | (L) Laity | (P) Clergy
Workshops
All workshops will be recorded for viewing at a later date.
One of the areas of Annual Gathering that participants look forward to is the workshop offerings. This is a time to learn something new to take back to your congregation, to brush up on some skills and to be inspired in a new way. Below are just a few of the topics that will be offered at this Annual Gathering. Check back soon for additional confirmed workshops, full titles, descriptions and biographical information on the presenters. If you have a workshop that you are just SURE will be of interest to a wide group, send an email to Edith Guffey (guffey@scncucc.org ) with your name, contact information, a description of the workshop and your contact information. Edith will contact you for a conversation. There are a few unfilled workshop slots available.
Topic: UCC Our Faith Our Vote
Topic: The PC Church (Post-COVID) Exciting new ways to be church in this post COVID world.
Topic: Church Fundraising: How to raise money for ministry effectively, legally, and have fun in the process
Topic: Israel/Palestine and A Prophetic Witness for a Just Peace
Topic: One on One; Deepening Relationships Through Listening
Topic Undefined: Presenter Rev. Traci Blackmon
Ways to Give
Dollars from the Annual Gathering offering will be divided equally between international and domestic programs of disaster response and refugee support administered by the UCC Global H.O.P.E Team. (Humanitarian. Opportunities. Progress. Empowerment)
Assisting communities impacted by natural, ecological, public health, and economic crises, the UCC Global H.O.P.E. team and its partners stand poised to help people rebuild their lives following disaster, forced migration, and other traumatic events.
- Your support to the USA Emergency fund allows Disaster Ministries to aid local relief efforts and bridge the gaps in existing resources for long-term community revitalization.
- These gifts also enable Refugee Ministries to provide for emergency refugee needs and partner with congregations and organizations for transitional resettlement services.
- Your support to the International Emergency fund allows Global H.O.P.E. to respond with partners, including through Global Ministries, when natural disasters and other crises upend lives locally or forcibly displace people from their homes.
- The team’s volunteer network for disaster response in the United States includes UCC congregations, conferences, and Conference Disaster Coordinators and a breadth of faith-based and community partners through the Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters network.
- Refugee Ministries connects with a network of UCC congregations, conferences, and individuals, and with partners such as Church World Service, who provide support for refugees and asylees seeking to resettle in the United States.
- Internationally, Global H.O.P.E. works with partners whose relationship is held by the staff of Global Ministries and engages through the ACT Alliance, a global network of Christian humanitarian organizations. These direct relationships and partnerships with networks, organizations, and faith communities enable the team to respond to emergency and long-term needs appropriately and effectively with localized leadership.
Read more about what to expect
Documents & Minutes
Financials
Team Reports
National Reports
Thank you to the UCC Financial Ministries for Sponsoring Annual Gathering
The national ministries below are the Financial Ministries of the United Church of Christ. While they each have their own mandate, their own Board of Directors, they work closely together to serve the local congregations and can tell you if their ministry can meet the needs of your congregation. Or they can tell you if the needs of the congregation will be better served by working with another financial ministry. The point is that the congregation comes first.
While the Pension Boards is included and works with the Financial Ministries, their mandate is to serve clergy and lay employees, both current and retirees.
The work of all of these ministries is work you should know about as what they do supports ministry in so many ways across the life of the church. Below are links to the website. Some have provided copies of their Annual Reports or letters with information about their work. We invite you to take time to read and learn more about ministry beyond your local congregation and beyond Southern California Nevada.
