...when it seems like all we have left to do is to cling to one another, remember that love endures.

CAC Happenings

June 26, 2025

(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

– 1 Corinthians 13:7

During the Easter season and throughout Pride month I have often declared, with joy and conviction, that love wins. That the resurrection and God’s ever expanding and inclusive boundaries show us that Jesus, who is Love incarnate, has the final victory. And while I still believe that’s true, there are times when such a declaration can feel a little hollow. Maybe love will win but right now as bombs drop throughout the world (many of them paid for by our tax dollars), as people are rounded up and deported without compassion or due process, as Trans kids and their families are experiencing discrimination and denial of medical care, as millions are about to be cut off from lifesaving healthcare through Medicaid and food benefits from SNAP, as mothers and babies suffer because of laws restricting reproductive care, and as gun violence remains commonplace and political assassinations are seen as jokes, love looks more like it’s running away in defeat. To declare that love has already won may be seen to others as being out of touch or overly optimistic, or just plain wrong.

Our culture is obsessed with winning. With coming out on top. And sometimes it’s easy to get sucked into that dynamic. We begin to feel that if we aren’t winning all the time then something is wrong. Or worse, we are losing. When news breaks about a court decision or an election or a bill passing it becomes a zero-sum game. Did we win? Did we lose? And if we can’t demonstrate a winning record, if our efforts fail to show progress or growth, then we begin to question the value of our endeavors or the righteousness of our cause. Maybe we even lose hope that we will ever win again. But our scriptures have a different story to tell. Paul’s letters remind us that regardless of who or what looks like it may be winning, love bears and endures all things. Sometimes, oftentimes, it’s not so much that love outright wins as much as it is that love persists. No matter what we do or the victories or losses that we experience, love does not give up.

Love will win in the end because love withstands any assault. Love sneaks in through the cracks. Love will not be denied or crushed. Pride is a celebration of love persisting. When our churches gather to worship every Sunday or come together to serve the community it is an example of love believing it can make a difference, often against all odds. Love is found in our communities, in our service to others, and in our justice efforts. The Good News of the Gospel is that love will always win in the end. Not because winning is the only thing that matters, but because love perseveres in all circumstances. And when we show love, believe in love, persist in love and find our hope in love, in big and small ways, we testify to what’s possible.

Something I read on social media last week said, “If we only fight because we think we’ll win, we aren’t going to last as long as we’re needed.” So when the losses seem to be adding up, or it’s hard to believe in the promise of peace, when it seems like all we have left to do is to cling to one another, remember that love endures. We endure. God endures. And because of that love will win. Always.

In Peace and Love,

Holly

Rev. Holly R. Jackson

Associate Conference Minister

Central Atlantic Conference UCC

Clergy Support Call

Authorized ministers in Central Atlantic Conference are welcome to a drop-in Zoom call. This month's call will be Thursday, June 26th at noon and will be hosted by Rev. Sheresa Simpson-Rice. The purpose of the call is connection and support with no set agenda.

Zoom Meeting Link

Meeting ID: 843 9374 8803

Passcode: 427060

NEXT ONA NETWORK GATHERING JUNE 26

We have established a monthly gathering for those in the Open & Affirming Movement in the UCC. Individuals from churches in the Central Atlantic Conference gather on the last Thursday of the month from 7-8 p.m. (EDT) in the following Zoom room: Central Atlantic ONA Network. Our next gathering, then, will be Thursday, June 26 from 7-8 p.m. (EDT).

Join Pilgrim Church in celebrating our 60th Anniversary Closing Worship featuring UCC General Minister and President Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson. Sunday, June 29th, 10:30 a.m., 2206 Briggs Road, Wheaton, MD 20906. All are welcome! (No RSVP necessary).

Following worship, Central Atlantic clergy are invited to a luncheon with Rev. Dr. Thompson at 1:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Church. Clergy are welcome to attend the luncheon even if they are not able to join us for worship. Please RSVP for the luncheon to pastor@pilgrimchurchucc.org.

“REJOICE IN THE WELCOME” DATE AND THEME ANNOUNCED

We look forward to the celebration of our third annual “Rejoice in the Welcome” Sunday on September 7. Our theme will be “Together.” At a time when many forces are driving wedges between us, the Central Atlantic Conference’s Church Vitality Working Group felt it is an important time to celebrate our connectedness: both within our conference and world. While September 7 is the suggested observance date, local churches are encouraged to pick the date in September that best suits their schedule. Churches are encouraged to take pictures and videos that will then be shared during our Annual Meeting this October. If you have questions, please contact Rev. Katie Penick at pastorkt143@gmail.com.

Central Atlantic Conference will be embarking on a summer of learning through book studies on the topics of Christian Nationalism, intersectionality of congregations and social justice, and healing. Procure a copy of these excellent books and join the conference for a summer of exploration around these fine themes.

See the Full Schedule and Register Here

Introduction to Disaster Ministries of the UCC

Monday, July 21st from 7PM-8PM

On this call you will learn how the UCC helps congregations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters as well as ways in which you and your congregation can provide financial, material, and volunteer support for those affected by disasters. We will be joined by Katie Howe, Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery, United Church of Christ, National Ministries.

Here's the registration link: https://UCC.zoom.us/meeting/register/E9HJKICvTPiAKOqAMAYNRw

For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel at: bkdaniel@cacucc.org

Upcoming Boundary Awareness Training

Financial Ethics BAT (Spe)

7/24/25 | 6pm - 8pm | (2 hours)

Intellectual Property and Social Media Ethics BAT (Spe)

7/29/25 | 5pm - 7pm | (2 hours)

Sabbath as Self Care BAT (Spe)

8/7/25 | 10am - 11am | (1 hour)

Foundations BAT

8/26/25 | 3pm - 7pm (4 hours)

Advanced Power Dynamics (Spe)

9/29/25 | 5pm - 7pm | (2 hours)

What do I need to complete my BAT requirements?

We have the perfect midweek ministry connection for your families- “Bedtime Stories and Prayers”! Join us Wednesday evenings on Zoom to hear a children’s story, pray, and be sent forth with a blessing. Come as you are, even if you are in your car running home from soccer practice. The weekly event is FREE!

Here is the Zoom link: BEDTIME STORIES & PRAYERS. Each session is 15 minutes long and perfect for families to add to their evening going-to-bed rhythms.

The weekly time is 7:00-7:15 PM.

General Synod 35 Online Registration is Open

Registration for the 2025 General Synod of the United Church of Christ is open.

The event takes place July 11-15, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, and offers the opportunity for thousands of folks within the United Church of Christ to gather for worship, fellowship, attending to business, offering public witness, and setting the denomination’s priorities for ministry.

The cost to attend is $325 for the full event for visitors, delegates, youth leaders, and exhibitors. Read more here.

Introduction to Spiritual Health (Pastoral Care) begins August 1.

Through personal reflection and exploration of current pastoral care paradigms, this 6-week course offers training to:

identify and apply best practices in empathetic listening
understand models of pastoral care assessment
create a pastoral care plan based on spiritual assessment tools
articulate how to provide pastoral care effectively in diverse cultural settings.

The course outcome project will give you an opportunity to apply what you have learned within your own faith community or practice context.

Transform Your Ministry with the Spiritual Entrepreneurship Micro Certificate

Gain the skills to innovate and lead with purpose.

Princeton Seminary’s Spiritual Entrepreneurship Micro Certificate program is designed for faith leaders committed to reimagining ministry in today’s world.

Format: Fully online, 4 modules with live discussion-based sessions
Start Date: September 2025
Credit: Micro Certificate earns 4 CEUs
Tuition: $299 per module | $995 for all for (a savings of $201!)
Certificate Length: September 2025 – January 2026

Who Should Enroll

Faith-based leaders interested in learning new revenue streams and leaders looking to enhance their ability to plan, organize, and execute ministry projects effectively while staying true to their spiritual mission.
Faith-based entrepreneurs who want to integrate entrepreneurial strategies and project management skills to increase their impact.
Aspiring ministry leaders who want to gain practical skills in project management and entrepreneurial thinking for faith-based initiatives.

Explore and Enroll

Join Us for Partners in Building 2025

We are excited to announce that our virtual training conference Partners in Building will return September 25-26. We invite you back to learn information on the latest community development initiatives that can help sustain your church and grow your impact.

This year’s theme “Beyond Sundays,” reflects that a church’s mission is more than solely providing a place of worship one morning a week. Attendees will learn ways to broaden their impact through spiritual entrepreneurship and community development initiatives.

Partners in Building is an important event to help further your church’s vision already taking shape.

Save the date and click below to learn more.

Learn More

Liturgical Direct Action: A Discernment Retreat

How is direct action or civil disobedience altered when framed in prayerful worship? What dimensions of freedom are then embraced? When public witness tells the story of faith and marks a feast or season, what new depth of communication is opened? When nonviolence is practiced in sacramental forms, how is liturgy itself enhanced?

With examples from the freedom movement, antiwar movements, anti-imperial and decolonizing struggles, and more, this retreat will offer opportunities for the imaginative work of movement action from a Christian perspective.

Join practitioners in re-discerning your own local work. Come as a group to think it through together in story and silence, prayer and listening. Come on your own to connect with like-minded others and find inspiration for bringing folks together back home.

CEU certificate available upon request.

Homewood Living Frederick | Frederick, MD

Chaplain

A cherished part of Homewood Living Ministries. We are a beacon of support and vitality, evolving from the historic Francis Scott Key Hotel to our modern-day community. Our core values of compassion, gratitude, humility, and integrity guide how we serve others, support one another, and build meaningful, respectful communities. We offer a vibrant culture where teamwork is the heartbeat, innovative solutions flourish, and job satisfaction knows no bounds. Here, relationships are forged for life, and longevity is celebrated. Join us in the joy of making a profound difference in the lives of others, all while embracing a strong sense of community and a supportive work environment!

Learn More and Apply Here!