As All Saints Day approaches and you remember the saints in your life – remember them not simply as those who were “perfect” or “unblemished”...

CAC Happenings

October 22, 2026

“I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 1:4 (NLT)

During the entirety of my ministry, I have maintained a difficult practice. When an individual from one of the local churches I served went on to glory, I never went to one of their memorial services – regardless of how much time had passed since I served the church.

I did this for an important pastoral reason: I did not want people from the congregations I served to feel I played favorites. While the practice made sense intellectually and vocationally, it would often challenge my soul.

A few weeks ago, this practice of mine was challenged in a deep way. A woman named Peggy from the first church I served passed away after a long battle with cancer. Peggy played a special role in my life and my ministry, in that order. When I was a seminarian, Peggy heard about my emerging ministry through friends. She worked with congregational leaders at her church to bring me aboard to facilitate a series for the church so they could become Open & Affirming. She encouraged my leadership throughout the series, and when the pulpit became available soon thereafter, she was instrumental in encouraging me to step forward and put my name into consideration for the opening. In other words, she helped launch my ministry like no one else.

Over the years we developed a wonderful friendship apart from our ministry. She knew that I LOVED the series Sex and the City – so for Christmas one year, she gave me the complete series on DVDs. What kind of congregant would do such a thing?” I playfully asked her. “Me!” she replied. When one of my favorite singers (Anne Murray) came to town one fall and this poor local church pastor couldn’t afford tickets, Peggy got the congregation to celebrate Pastor Appreciate Month by giving me tickets to the concert – and then went with me. And when I made the absolutely gut-wrenching decision to leave that church in 2009, Peggy was the first person I told. Her response. “We love you and will miss you more than you’ll ever know, but we don’t want to hold you back in the development of your ministry!” I don’t know that I would have been strong enough to leave without those words of affirmation.

In the seventeen years since I left the church, Peggy was the consummate friend. She and her husband were the only people who visited each and every site in which I had done ministry: Denver, Los Angeles, and New Jersey. She was one of the most inquisitive people of faith I knew and asked questions about life and God that still make me think two decades later. She was also the healthiest and most differentiated human being I ever met. She talked me off the proverbial ledges that my people-pleasing ways had brought me more times than I could count with a simple roll of her eyes and a mumbled, “Get over it. It’s their problem not yours.”

That’s why I decided this past weekend to do something I’ve never done before: attend the memorial service for someone I had once served.

As we approach an observance on the Christian calendar year known as All Saints Day, Peggy has taught me something about the role that beloved saints play in our lives. Not only do saints embody the essence of our faith – they embolden us to trust that faith enough to step out of our comfort zones and live out our faith in new ways.

As All Saints Day approaches and you remember the saints in your life – remember them not simply as those who were “perfect” or “unblemished”: remember them for their courage and authenticity that took YOUR faith to new levels. For Peggy, and all the other saints in my life, I give thanks this day and always.

Grace & Peace,

Rev. Craig Peterson

Associate Conference Minister

Central Atlantic Conference UCC

CONFERENCE-WIDE CLERGY CHECK-IN OCTOBER 22, 2026

Authorized ministers in the Central Atlantic Conference are welcome to a drop-in Zoom call on the fourth Thursday of each month. June’s call will be 10/22/26 at noon and will be hosted by Rev. Sheresa Simpson-Rice. The purpose of the call is connection and support with no set agenda. The zoom link for this call can be found HERE.

Meeting ID: 864 7428 6018

Passcode: 585557

LAY WORSHIP LEADERS’ LECTIONARY GROUP MEETS OCTOBER 26

The Central Atlantic Conference is partnering with the United Church of Christ’s STAR (Small Town and Rural) Coalition to provide a weekly lectionary for lay leaders tasked with leading worship. The group will meet each Monday from 6:00-7:00 PM. To register for the FREE group, click here: LAY WORSHIP LEADERS’ LECTIONARY GROUP.

This week we will explore Matthew 22:34-46. Our leader will be Pastor Amelia Price from the Keystone Conference.

The group is open to all those who have not received authorization for their ministry from their association. The primary goal of the study group is to help prepare lay leaders who will be preaching the following Sunday. A secondary goal is to build relationships among lay preachers, so they have others to connect with when they feel alone in their efforts.

If you have questions about the study group, please contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org or (609) 929-7585.

The Lay Worship Leaders Institute is open to any lay person who would like to deepen their spiritual life and learn more about leading worship and preaching. Sessions will take place on Zoom, from 7-8:30pm ET. This offering is made at no cost to participants, though donations are gratefully received. If you have questions or need more information, please contact Dr. Sharon Fennema who will be facilitating these sessions.

Email: sharonfennema@yahoo.com | Cell: 207-491-0955 (text preferred)

You can learn more about Sharon here.

Upcoming Boundary Awareness Training

Foundations BAT Training

October 29, 2026 (9a-1p)

Retirement BAT Training

November 5, 2026 (1-5p)

RESCHEDULED FOR SPRING 2027

Financial Ethics BAT

November 10, 2026 (6-8p)

2027 Clergy Compensation Guidelines are available!

You will find a copy of the newly approved 2027 Clergy Compensation guidelines here

Mea Culpa & Congratulations

At Annual Meeting 62 in September, there were two ordination anniversaries inadvertently left off the Clergy Ordination Anniversary Presentation. We apologize for the error and rejoice in celebrating the 20th Ordination Anniversaries of Rev. Amanda Hendler-Voss and the 25th Ordination Anniversary of Rev. Linda Holzbar.

CAC's Vote With Love Guide 2026

Looking for ways to engage around the upcoming midterm elections? Whether your church is familiar with faith and democracy campaigns or you are just starting to join in this work, these resources were created for you! In our Google Drive folder you will find the following:

Worship Materials including liturgy, hymn suggestions, and a recorded sermon
Videos by CAC Clergy about issues like immigration, economic justice, housing justice and more
A list of links to voter education guides, both local and national, to help you learn about the stances of the candidates who will be on your ballot.
A list of voter engagement guides (with explanations) from faith based organizations, non-profits, and other voter education and protection groups. These guides have great ideas for how to engage people around this election, understand why these elections will make such a difference, and how to protect our elections and keep them fair and free.

So many people are working locally and nationally to help get out the vote, protect our polling places, and educate people about how their vote can make a real difference. We are invited to join them. Whether we can do a little or a lot. Help us to pray and work this fall so that we can all vote with love.

View the Resources

2027 Open Enrollment for Employers

Everything employers need to prepare for Open Enrollment, support employees, and manage benefits enrollment for 2027.

Open Enrollment for 2027 Medical Benefit Plans ends November 15. Employers must approve pending applications submitted by their employees no later than November 20.

https://lp.evercall.org/2027-ucc-health-plan-open-enrollment-employer-resource-center

ADVENT SERIES COMING SOON (DEC 5, 12 & 19): CHURCH BE NIMBLE

It matters very little whether God is still speaking or the world is radically changing if churches continue to organize themselves to always do what they've always done.

Life is infinitely creative. New ideas are routinely generated by good and gifted people prompted by circumstances and motivated by aspirations of faithful discipleship. But what chance do fresh breezes of the Spirit have in the face of systems designed to withstand even the mightiest winds of change?

Drawing on insights from organizational innovators in a variety of specializations, this Advent workshop series invites churches to become organizationally nimble by clearing away bureaucratic clutter and boldly engaging emerging possibilities. It helps churches organize for now and not forever and provides a way for meaningful ministry to maintain or reclaim its place at the top of every congregation's list of things to do today.

The Advent study will meet on Saturday mornings from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm on December 5, 12, and 19. The study will be led by Rev. Dr. Marty Kuchma and Rev. Craig Peterson.

To register for the series, click here: REGISTRATION FOR CHURCH BE NIMBLE.

You can get your copy of the text written by Rev. Dr. Kuchma here: CHURCH BE NIMBLE.

Communities of Practice: Fellowship, Support, and Growth

Communities of Practice offer a unique opportunity for clergy to gather in fellowship, mutual support, and shared growth. These groups create space for meaningful conversation, encouragement, accountability, and connection with colleagues who understand the joys and challenges of ministry.

As one participant shared, “Being a part of our Community of Practice group meets my need for peer support, accountability, growth, and more. We have a wonderful facilitator… we are able to be a blessing to each other. I’m signing up for the coming season of Communities of Practice.”

This program year will now run from January 2027- December 2027 with a program wide gathering in November, 2026. Registration is open, we hope you’ll consider joining a Community of Practice in the season ahead.

DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR CAC CHURCHES AT PRACTICAL RESOURCES

The Central Atlantic Conference is a subscriber to Practical Resources for Churches (http://www.prcli.org). The subscription allows those in our local churches free access to several services for free. There are some resources, however, that are not covered by the conference’s basic membership.

In order to make their services even more accessible, Practical Resources for Churches has created a special discount code for those in the Central Atlantic Conference to receive a 15% discount on purchases. To use the discount, simply enter the following code: CACUCC15.

If you have questions, please contact the Parish Resource Center Director Charlaine Apsel at charlaine@prcli.org.

PLEASE ATTEND OUR FALL ASSOCIATION MEETINGS

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

CATOCTIN ASSOCIATION

Grace UCC, Frederick MD at 3PM

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 8

CHESAPEAKE ASSOCIATION

Online via Zoom at 1PM

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 14

POTOMAC ASSOCIATION

Rockville United Church, Rockville MD at 9AM

Nursery Assistant

Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ

ERUCC is seeking a nursery assistant to be the lead staff in the nursery 2 Sundays a month. Our nursery assistant provides a safe and caring environment for the infants and children entrusted to their care on rotating Sunday mornings from 9am to Noon. The Nursery Assistant must be age 18 or older, have previous experience in working with infants and children, and agree to have criminal background check screening. The physical stamina to interact with toddlers and a commitment to follow ERUCC’s Safe Church Policies for working with children and youth are essential requirements of the position.

Learn More

Director of Children's & Youth Music Ministry

Little River United Church of Christ

Little River United Church of Christ (Annandale, VA) is seeking a part-time (16 hours/month) Director of Children’s & Youth Music Ministry to help inspire the next generation through music and enrich our intergenerational worship. If you’re passionate about working with children and youth in an inclusive faith community, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today at lrucc.org/careers or email your resume and cover letter to musicoffice@lrucc.org.