Annual Gathering
A Virtual Meeting of the Southern California Nevada Conference
June 11 and 12, 2021
Documents
Worship Services
Chapman University
Psalm 1:1-3
Friday Evening
Workshop Resources
Zoom links for individual workshops will be posted prior to AG
SESSION #1 FRIDAY 5:00 - 5:45pm
Church Finance 101
– Keith Clark Hoyos
In this workshop we will provide an overview of the many issues churches need to be aware. This is the perfect workshop for a new church council member or Treasurer.
Resource Link: CLICK HERE
Reopening and Reimagining Church
- Rev. Craig Peterson, Pastor, Woodland Hills Congregational Church
- Rev. Kris Bergstrom, Associate Conference Minister, SCNC
This session will provide clergy and lay leaders with a summary of what we are learning about how to reimagine the life and activities of the church in an innovative digital hybrid environment designed to include both in person and online participants. Craig and Kris will share a general framework for planning, as well as various suggestions for creating, implementing, and maintaining a more accessible and engaging experience.
Resource Link: CLICK HERE
Conversations On Race
- Panel Discussion
The brutal murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 sparked the nation to rally around the Black Lives Matter Movement and to stand up against police brutality. The 2020 Annual Gathering of the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ adopted an emergency resolution whereby we declared that we stood in solidarity with the Black Community and affirmed that Black Lives Matter.
For almost a year the Conference organized weekly conversations on a virtual platform whereby folks from around the Conference and beyond came together to talk about the debilitating effects of racism on our society. Even those who thought they understood the topic got the opportunity to hear from siblings as they shared their experiences of navigating a racist society on a daily basis. The time to end this pandemic is long past due, and it is our task to bring an end to misconceptions, hidden agendas and baseless suspicion among people.
You are invited to join a panel discussion about the evolution of the Conversation on Race; where we were, where we are now, and how we got here. Panel members will offer reflections and insights from a variety of personal and societal perspectives. This is a workshop that will shake you to your core in its honesty and bravery, and promises to be one that you would not want to miss. Join us in making our world a just world for all.
Join the Wednesday Conversation, 1 pm weekly: CLICK HERE
SESSION #2 SATURDAY 1:00 - 1:45pm
Inspired Liturgy Workshop
- Jen Strickland and Mitchell Young
Do you find yourself bored by the liturgy used in your worship services? Do you pinch yourself to stay away during the Call to Worship and zone out during the prayers? If so, it’s time to WAKE UP and allow the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into your words! Tap into your creative energy with Rev. Mitchell Young and Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland as they lead you through a series of creative writing exercises that will inspire you to bring God’s Living Word back to life.
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Crafting the Parable: Using digital filmmaking to expand your pulpit
- Micaela Colman
This year has brought many new challenges and we have had to adapt church services to support a digital community. Let's harness that momentum and learn to use digital filmmaking with the purpose of telling a story. To create a parable in a modern world. In this workshop you will learn the basics of visual filmmaking and story structure in order for you to enhance your message. Filmmaking is at its core collaborative, so let's come together to make some movie magic.
Workshop Slides:
Advancing Racial Justice
– Christie Hill
This workshop will explore several racial justice issues (including police practices and education equity) facing communities in California. If you are ready to move beyond participating in marches and want to take action to advance racial justice in your church and community then this is the workshop for you.
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Churches and Taxes
– Keith Clark Hoyos
In this workshop, we will address all of the tax issues churches need to be aware of and how to address them.
Resource Link: CLICK HERE
Allyship Beyond the Binary.
-- Jude Johnson
"Allyship Beyond the Binary is a faith-based gender identity curriculum for cisgender allies. This may be helpful for those who are just starting on their journey to learn about gender diversity and justice issues for transgender folx.
Today's offering is a small part of a larger program. For many looking for actionable steps in their allyship, an exploration into cisgender privilege will provide some insight into the challenges for trans and gender non-conforming folx. With this understanding, participants can use knowledge from the workshop to explore their own cisgender privilege and to practice trans advocacy in spaces of anti-trans bias.”
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Connecting with God: Learning the meditative practice of Centering Prayer
- Nancy Brink.
People of faith are taught that they should talk to God. But what about listening for God? Rev. Nancy Brink, Director of Church Relations at Chapman University, will be teaching centering prayer, a meditation practice that is has been part of her spiritual practice for over 30 years.
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Conversations On Race
- Panel Discussion
The brutal murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 sparked the nation to rally around the Black Lives Matter Movement and to stand up against police brutality. The 2020 Annual Gathering of the Southern California Nevada Conference of the United Church of Christ adopted an emergency resolution whereby we declared that we stood in solidarity with the Black Community and affirmed that Black Lives Matter.
For almost a year the Conference organized weekly conversations on a virtual platform whereby folks from around the Conference and beyond came together to talk about the debilitating effects of racism on our society. Even those who thought they understood the topic got the opportunity to hear from siblings as they shared their experiences of navigating a racist society on a daily basis. The time to end this pandemic is long past due, and it is our task to bring an end to misconceptions, hidden agendas and baseless suspicion among people.
You are invited to join a panel discussion about the evolution of the Conversation on Race; where we were, where we are now, and how we got here. Panel members will offer reflections and insights from a variety of personal and societal perspectives. This is a workshop that will shake you to your core in its honesty and bravery, and promises to be one that you would not want to miss. Join us in making our world a just world for all.
Join the Wednesday Conversation, 1 pm weekly: CLICK HERE
SESSION #3 SATURDAY 2:00 - 2:45pm
Inspired Liturgy Workshop
- Jen Strickland and Mitchell Young
Do you find yourself bored by the liturgy used in your worship services? Do you pinch yourself to stay away during the Call to Worship and zone out during the prayers? If so, it’s time to WAKE UP and allow the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into your words! Tap into your creative energy with Rev. Mitchell Young and Rev. Dr. Jen Strickland as they lead you through a series of creative writing exercises that will inspire you to bring God’s Living Word back to life.
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Crafting the Parable: Using digital filmmaking to expand your pulpit
- Micaela Colman
This year has brought many new challenges and we have had to adapt church services to support a digital community. Let's harness that momentum and learn to use digital filmmaking with the purpose of telling a story. To create a parable in a modern world. In this workshop you will learn the basics of visual filmmaking and story structure in order for you to enhance your message. Filmmaking is at its core collaborative, so let's come together to make some movie magic.
Resource Slides:
Advancing Racial Justice
– Christie Hill
This workshop will explore several racial justice issues (including police practices and education equity) facing communities in California. If you are ready to move beyond participating in marches and want to take action to advance racial justice in your church and community then this is the workshop for you.
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Church Finance 101
– Keith Clark Hoyos
In this workshop we will provide an overview of the many issues churches need to be aware. This is the perfect workshop for a new church council member or Treasurer.
Resource Link: CLICK HERE
Reopening and Reimagining Church
- Rev. Craig Peterson, Pastor, Woodland Hills Congregational Church
- Rev. Kris Bergstrom, Associate Conference Minister, SCNC
This session will provide clergy and lay leaders with a summary of what we are learning about how to reimagine the life and activities of the church in an innovative digital hybrid environment designed to include both in person and online participants. Craig and Kris will share a general framework for planning, as well as various suggestions for creating, implementing, and maintaining a more accessible and engaging experience.
Resource Link: Click Here
Allyship Beyond the Binary.
-- Jude Johnson
"Allyship Beyond the Binary is a faith-based gender identity curriculum for cisgender allies. This may be helpful for those who are just starting on their journey to learn about gender diversity and justice issues for transgender folx.
Today's offering is a small part of a larger program. For many looking for actionable steps in their allyship, an exploration into cisgender privilege will provide some insight into the challenges for trans and gender non-conforming folx. With this understanding, participants can use knowledge from the workshop to explore their own cisgender privilege and to practice trans advocacy in spaces of anti-trans bias.”
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Connecting with God: Learning the meditative practice of Centering Prayer
- Nancy Brink.
People of faith are taught that they should talk to God. But what about listening for God? Rev. Nancy Brink, Director of Church Relations at Chapman University, will be teaching centering prayer, a meditation practice that is has been part of her spiritual practice for over 30 years.
Zoom Link: EVENT has ENDED
Featured Speakers
