The SCNC 2022 Annual Gathering
Our Logo: The Sankofa, a mythical bird, is a cultural symbol of the Akan people of Ghana. The feet and body of the bird are stepping forward while its head is turned backwards, taking an egg off its back. It symbolizes taking from the past what is good and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress toward a strong future through wisdom and knowledge.
Our Scripture: “The human mind plans the way, but God directs the steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NRSV), is a reminder that no matter what well-intentioned plans we make, we must diligently look to God for guidance as we step forward into new ways of being.
Our Theme: “Stepping Forward”
Our Conference has been through a lot in the past couple years with COVID, changes in leadership, events of racial injustice and more. Some refer to these experiences as trauma. As we move toward the search for our settled Conference Minister, the Conference Board of Directors has recognized the importance of and committed to, our Conference developing a strong foundation of antiracism, diversity and inclusion. And we are not alone. The National Leadership of the United Church of Christ has committed to a racial equity audit of our denomination, which some of you may be familiar with.
The Southern California Nevada Conference takes pride in our diversity. Let us step forward to work toward a just world for all.
Our Program: According to the Join the Movement website, “Every setting of the UCC, from local churches to global partners, has a role to play in expanding our practices of antiracism…” Our Conference is recognizing the importance of living into this role. This year, we are doing something different for our programming. We have invited The Rev. Dr. Velda Love from the National Setting, to lead our conference in taking steps toward transformational antiracism awareness, equity and inclusion for all people through education, resources, and breakout sessions for small group discussions.
Keynote Speaker
Rev. Dr. Velda Love
The Rev. Dr. Velda Love joined the United Church of Christ as Minister for Racial Justice in February of 2017. She is also the Lead for Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice Campaign
A native of Chicago, Dr. Love brings to the national setting of the UCC her knowledge and expertise of critical race theory, leadership development, community outreach, along with preaching, teaching, writing and even fund development.
Being a member of Trinity United Church of Christ for more than 20 years, developed her spirituality, theology, biblical understanding and racial justice from an African and African-American perspective. It also solidified her deep commitment to social justice, gender equality, issues of race and eliminating racism. She obtained her D.Min. from Chicago Theological Seminary.
According to Dr. Love, “Given this critical juncture in our nation, conversations on race are still a priority. Racial justice and racial equality need to be part of our national dialogue. As Christians in the United Church of Christ, we are responsible for changing the narrative of how we engage the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is inclusive, liberating and radical.”
Agenda & Schedule
5:30-5:45 A Grief Acknowledgement and Release
Led by: Chaplain Camille Pederson
(Please bring a candle to light)
6:00 Opening Worship
(Please gather your Communion elements prior to Opening Worship.)
Message: Dr. Velda Love
Communion: Pastor Wil Moore from Abundant Peace UCC
Plenary I
- Welcome and
- Announcements
- Approvals
- New Business – By-Laws Change
- Report of Board Chair
- Report of Nominating Committee
- Treasure’s Report
- Adjournment of Plenary I
Our Vision, Our Voices
9:00 Closing
9:00 Saturday Gathering Devotional
Sermon: Rev. Wil Moore (Abundant Peace UCC)
9:30 – 11:00 Plenary II
- Welcome and announcements
- Report of Acting Conference Minister – includes recognitions
- Vote on the Budget
- Vote on the Nominating Committee Slate
- Vote on By-Laws Change
- Pilgrim Pines/ Outdoors Ministries Team Report
- Adjournment of Plenary II
11:00 -12:30 Program
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Velda Love Moving our conference toward transformational antiracism awareness, equity and inclusion for all people through education, conversation and activism.
12:30-1:00 Lunch Break
1:00 – 3:00. Program Continuation
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Velda Love
Continuation of our conversations on antiracism awareness, equity and inclusion and Breakout sessions (number and length to be determined by Dr. Love).
3:00 Plenary III
(Please gather your Communion elements prior to Closing Worship.)
Installation Remarks (Passing the torch)
Closing Worship
Sermon: Rev. Jamie Lee Sprague-Ballou (Affirming God’s People UCC Church)
Communion: Rev. Jamie Lee Sprague-Ballou
5:00 Adjournment of Annual Gathering
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
Ways to Give
Join the Movement
Huston–Tillotson University
Pilgrim Pines Camp and Camperships
Documents & Reports
2021 Annual Gathing Minutes
Proposed Bylaw Change
Pilgrim Pines Report
Chair's
Greeting
2023 Budget Report
Budget Presentation
Bylaw Change Memo
PP Proposed Budget
Resources
Dr. Love has strongly recommended that everyone attending Annual Gathering take time to do some pre-work in advance of our virtual gathering. A partial list of suggested resources to be read or viewed is below. The SCNC Board of Directors took time to view and discuss the video “White Savior: Racism in the American Church”. We invite you to do so as well.
Articles
Videos
Books
Virtual Annual Gathering
Our entire Annual Gathering this year will be virtual, hosted on the Whova platform. To join and participate as a delegate with voting privileges, you must register on the Whova site. Everyone else who will not be a delegate should register on the same site, but in the category of General Admission.
Once you register on Whova, you will receive an email confirming your registration. Shortly before the Annual Gathering begins you will receive another email containing the link taking you to the main portal for Whova. In order to view and participate, you must click on the link in your email to view the live event through the Whova portal or you can simply log on to Whova the day of the event and select the AG event.
So, to recap:
- Register on Whova
- Use the link sent by email to navigate to the AG on Whova on 6/10 and on 6/11
- Look on the Whova portal for the link to the active session
Once the AG Event has begun LIVE on Whova, look on the main Whova portal page for the links to active sessions and events such as a Zoom Webinar or Zoom breakout group. Also, on the main Whova portal page for AG, you will find the Agenda and reports from conference leaders and the budget, among other things.
NOTE: For the best experience of streaming the live video and audio on Whova, your AG Planning Team STRONGLY recommends each of us uses Google Chrome (browser) and NOT Safari or Internet Explorer or other browsers.