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CAC Happenings
May 15, 2025
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Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
- Colossians 3:14
I was recently reading a book called "The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done" by Kendra Adachi. I don't tend to read a lot of self help books, but in preparation for starting this new chapter in my ministry I wanted some advice on how to faithfully juggle all my new responsibilities without dropping all the various balls on the ground. While I sometimes play an overachiever in public, I know that balance is key so the idea of being both lazy and a multitasking whiz all at once really appealed to me.
The author actually had lots of good advice, especially for those of us who may have some executive functioning challenges, but one concept in particular really stuck with me. The author emphasized that much of what we do to organize our lives should be focused on how our efforts allow us to better connect with one another. A clean home or a particular organizational scheme isn't about making sure that our lives echo what we see in a magazine or online on social media. The only real value to those things is found in how they help us to better connect with the people and issues that we truly care about. When we focus on allowing for more connection (and worry less about comparing ourselves to others or worry about how things "should be") that's when we have more clarity about what really matters in our lives.
While I believe in the power of love, I'm not sure I've ever seen it truly lead to perfect harmony as the author of Colossians claims. But I do know that binding us together in love, having us focus on what helps us to better connect with each other and with God, is central to life. Just imagine if we could evaluate all we do - our tasks, our programs, our meetings, our relationships - in terms of how they help to bind us together, to allow for more moments of connection and community building. It might make it easier for us to decide, as individuals and as churches, what to focus more of our time and energy on and help us learn to let go of (and be lazy about) the rest.
In a time when so much around us feels unsettled and chaotic, when we're pulled in a million different directions, it's hard to know where to begin and how to move forward. How can we respond to the many justice issues we see all around us? What are our priorities? What is God calling us to in this time? As I begin this new ministry journey with you I hope to focus on and prioritize deepening connections and emphasizing the role of love in our communities. Even if perfect harmony seems way beyond our reach, how can we center that which at least begins to bind us together? Because the stronger our relationships, the deeper our ties to God and to each other, and the more focused we are on what really matters, the more effective we will be in our ministries and the more joy we will find as we move forward together. I'm looking forward to clothing myself in love alongside all of you!
Peace and Love,
Rev. Holly R. Jackson
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Rev. Holly R. Jackson
Associate Conference Minister
Central Atlantic Conference UCC
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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. Zoom links will be announced in late April. In the meantime, 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
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ZOOM PRESENTATION OF NEW UCC CREDIT UNION MAY 20
This online event, held Tuesday, May 20 from 7:00-8:00 PM, will introduce you to Generations United Federal Credit Union, a financial institution that not only aligns with but actively supports the shared values and mission of the United Church of Christ. Attendees will: (1) learn about the financial products and services that Generations United FCU offers, and how they can benefit you and your congregants; (2) discover how partnering with us can empower your congregation financially, helping to fulfill both individual and communal goals; and (3) have your questions answered directly in real-time. Here is the link for the Zoom event: GENERATIONS UNITED FEDERAL CREDIT UNION.
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RETIRED CLERGY NETWORK MEETS MAY 20
A monthly gathering for retired clergy who served in the Central Atlantic Conference will be held on May 20, from 10-11 AM. The group meets on the THIRD Tuesday of each month from 10 to 11 AM. Here is the Zoom link: RETIRED CLERGY NETWORK. Questions? Contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org or 609-929-7585.
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Clergy Support Call
Authorized ministers in Central Atlantic Conference are welcome to a drop-in Zoom call. This month's call will be May 22nd 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: 856 1071 0442
Passcode: 189908
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LAY WORSHIP LEADER NETWORK MEETS MAY 26
The Lay Worship Leader Network usually meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7-8 PM (EST). During our time together, we share resources that can help in the planning of worship; discuss ways you can pull together a message for Sunday morning; share best practices; and answer practical questions that can help you feel more confident in your role as a temporary lay worship leader. Our next meeting will be May 26, 2025, at 7:00 PM. We will use this Zoom link for our gathering: LAY WORSHIP LEADERS. Individuals can also attend by phone by calling 301-715-8592 and entering Room ID 747 888 8349 when prompted.
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RECORDING OF CHURCH TRAINING CENTER PRESENTATION
For those unable to attend Keith Clark-Hoyos's presentation on the Church Training Center, you can now watch it and see what the center has to offer. Here is the link to the presentation: CHURCH TRAINING CENTER PRESENTATION. You can learn more about their services at churchtrainingcenter.com.
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FREE WEBINARS TO STRENGTHEN THE LIFE OF YOUR CHURCH
The Central Atlantic Conference is a member of Practical Resources for Churches (PRC). This gives our local churches access to a wealth of free resources that can help strengthen the life of YOUR local church.
The free webinars cover topics including “Legal and Tax Arrangements for Space Sharing Agreements,” “Legacy Giving 101,” and “How Healthy Is Your Church Culture”. To find a full listing of upcoming webinars, click here: PRC UPCOMING WEBINARS.
If you can’t attend a webinar live, you can still register for the webinar so you can receive a link to the recording after its conclusion.
There are a variety of other consulting services available through PRC at reduced rates for those in our local churches. To learn more, contact their Executive Director, Charlaine Apsel, at charlaine@prc.org and let her know you belong to a local church in the Central Atlantic Conference (UCC).
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Upcoming Webinars from Practical Resources for Churches
The Singular THEY
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 EDT
Leader - Jeff Rabe
Designed to help adults better understand the rapidly evolving spectrum of GENDER, this workshop uses the UCC-commissioned Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Curriculum for Adults, as well as interviews with members of the Trans community, to explore biological sex, orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and pronouns. The program explains terms such as cis / trans / non-binary; and introduces participants to the history of the fluidity of sexuality.
Jeff Rabe, Director of Christian Education at First Congregational UCC in Madison, WI, shares his 30+ years of Children & Youth Ministry in small town/rural and large city churches, along with two decades as an OWL Facilitator, to lead a workshop focused on a topic laying heavily on many hearts today.
How Healthy is Your Church Culture?
Thursday, May 22, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT
Leader - Jim Ozier
Most pastors agree that their church’s culture is the key to being a vibrant, healthy congregation! It is the key to building a dynamic staff and to making a difference in your congregation and community. It is the environment that allows guests to connect with your church. A compelling culture enables a church to go beyond spinning its wheels and to become clear in its identity, purpose and mission. Yet, many pastors don’t even know where to begin to assess their church’s culture, or how to change the culture in productive ways. Are you looking for ways to connect with new people, grow and make an impact? You will learn how in this webinar. And good news… The audible version of “Church Culture: How to Assess it, Shift it, and Shape it” is available now!
Jim Ozier is a church coach, consultant, author of three books and workshop presenter who has trained more than 20,000 pastors and church leaders in the areas of church culture, accelerating growth, and Passing the Baton of leadership. He has keynoted numerous major church conferences and spoken at many of the largest churches in the country.
Jim is the founder and CEO of “Church Difference Makers” which He retired from the United Methodist Church after 51 years of active service. Leading up to retirement he served as the Director of New Church Development and was on the Appointive Cabinet of the North Texas Conference for eight years. Prior to that appointment he was senior pastor of Trietsch Memorial UMC in Flower Mound, a 4000 member church that birthed three successful new congregations.
Jim is well known for his fast-paced, interactive, engaging workshops in which he shares practical tools that can be utilized in any congregation to train and inspire churches to accelerate their ministry’s impact and to see real results.
In addition to his current book, “Church Culture: How to Assess it, Shift it & Shape it”, … He is also co-author of “Clip In Risking Hospitality in Your Church,” and, “The Changeover Zone: Successful Pastoral Transitions, all published by Abingdon Press. His work has appeared in numerous religious publications.
De-Sizing the Church
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT
Leader – Karl Vaters
We have an unhealthy relationship with bigness in the church. Especially in the American church. And it’s killing us. The rate of church closures, departing members, and pastoral burnout is growing exponentially. And our relentless chase for bigger! faster! is hurting, not helping.
Bigness is not about size, it's a dangerous mindset that both big and small churches struggle with. In this session, based on his book, De-sizing the Church, Karl Vaters will talk about how we became so obsessed with bigness in the church, why it’s dangerous, and what we can do to change course.
Karl Vaters produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com. His heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church – something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. He also believes that big and small churches can and should work together more often – to the benefit and blessing of everyone. Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry. Episodes feature in-depth interviews about the topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context.
Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. He and his wife, Shelley have three children and two grandkids.
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May 18, 2025 | Caton Hall | 12:00pm
United Church of Christ Annapolis will be doing a pre-Pride month screening of Gayby Baby. All are welcome, the movie is free, however we will be accepting donations for Annapolis Pride.
The movie follows the lives of four kids - Gus, Ebony, Matt and Graham - whose parents all happen to be gay. As they each wrestle with personal change, the outside world wrestles with the issue of marriage equality, and whether or not kids of same-sex families are at risk.
Please feel free to bring snacks and/or a dish to share.
Please email Lisa Clark at jjettxtc@aol.com if you have any questions or need further information.
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NEXT ONA NETWORK GATHERING MAY 29
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, May 29 from 7-8 p.m. (EDT).
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300th Anniversary Celebrations
of the German Reformed Church in America
This year we will celebrate the 300th Anniversary of the German Reformed Church in the United States which began with the first communion at Faulkner Swamp, October 15, 1725. This celebration of our immigrant heritage is particularly meaningful and instructive given the current conversations about immigration happening around the nation.
A 300th Anniversary Committee of representatives from all four Pennsylvania UCC Conferences has begun the work of planning a series of events and worship celebrations to mark the occasion. They include (among other things) quarterly presentations of German Reformed History, a liturgy for congregations to share on the morning of Sunday, October 12 and a Festival of Celebration on Wednesday, October 15.
A history strong in its roots and its capacity to evolve within God’s unfolding creation leads us into an uncertain future by God’s certain presence. This is something to celebrate!
Historic ONLINE Presentations held via zoom beginning at 7:00 pm:
May 27th – An Immigration Story: How we got to where we are w/ Rev. Rick Taylor For more information, click here. For free registration, click here.
June 24th – A Living Theology: Thinking about God in the Reformed tradition w/ Rev. Dr. Lee Barrett More information will be forthcoming.
September – United and Uniting: How the UCC Makes Room for German Reformed and Armenian Evangelical Christians w/ Rev. Dr. Heather Ohaneson More information will be forthcoming.
October – A Lasting Legacy: Gifts of the Reformed Tradition to the emerging church w/ Dr. Randall Zachman More information will be forthcoming.
On Sunday, October 12th all PA Conferences will come together for an event at Falkner Swamp Reformed UCC. Guest preacher for this event will be our General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Karen Georgia Thompson.
For more information about this event click here.
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“CREATING SANCTUARY” NETWORK MEETS JUNE 2
Each month we gather individuals from local churches in the Central Atlantic to talk about ways in which individuals and local churches can get involved to help meet the needs of our undocumented siblings who are our church members, friends, and neighbors. We understand that given the complexities of our times and the variety of our locations in the Central Atlantic Conference (which covers five states and the District of Columbia), each individual and local church will have to find points of entry that work for their setting. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach that will work for every setting.
The conversations will take place on the first Monday of each month from 7:00-8:00 pm. Our next conference-wide gathering will be June 2. Here is the Zoom link: CREATING SANCTUARY. If you any questions, please contact Rev. Craig Peterson at cpeterson@cacucc.org or 609-929-7585.
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Join us for an encore virtual tour of the Congregational Library & Archives’ new in-person exhibition, Sacred Rebellion, hosted by Executive Director Dr. Kyle Roberts and New England’s Hidden Histories Project Director and Sacred Rebellion curator Dr. Tricia Peone.
By the time the American Revolution began, many Congregationalists had embraced a theological justification for war and revolution. They believed that God favored them and that their cause was a morally justified, sacred rebellion. Through sermons, books, poems, songs, and letters, Congregationalists shared their stories, reflected on their moral obligations to each other, and debated questions of liberty and loyalty. But consensus was elusive, and implementation proved difficult and unsatisfactory to many, especially those on the margins.
The interactive tour will be hosted on Zoom, with registration limited to a small group of attendees. Participants will view Revolutionary-era treasures from the collections; hear stories about how Congregationalists experienced the period leading up to, during, and immediately following the war; have opportunities to ask questions; and reflect on what this pivotal event means 250 years later.
Mark your calendars now to join us on Zoom on Tuesday, June 3rd from 6-7 pm EDT.
The cost to attend is $10 for members and $15 for non-members.
Please register using the following link by Friday, May 30th: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/SacredRebellionVirtualTour.html
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Dear Conference Leaders,
My name is Aidan Spencer, and I am the Web Experience Coordinator with the National Setting and also serve as the primary customer support person for the UCC website program, UCC Everywhere. I'm reaching out to tell you more about this exciting program!
UCC Everywhere offers different settings of the church a comprehensive website platform designed specifically for sharing information about ministry, and access to professional and personal customer support. UCC Everywhere websites are now in use in over 20 different UCC Conferences, with websites being built at the local church, Association, and Conference level!
See some examples:
Know of a church or Association that's in need of a website? We'd love for you to share the UCCE website and my contact information to discuss if the program might be a good fit. Have a newsletter where you could share information about UCC Everywhere? Download promotional materials to include in your forthcoming newsletters.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me at spencera@ucc.org and I'd be happy to talk more about our program.
Best,
Aidan Spencer (she/her)
Web Experience Coordinator
UCC Everywhere, Marketing and Communications
United Church of Christ, National Ministries
1300 E. 9th Street, Suite 1100
Cleveland, OH 44114
216.736.2185 | spencera@ucc.org | ucceverywhere.org
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ANOTHER WAY TO PURCHASE “GLOBAL GRACE CAFÉ BOOK FOR JUNE 11 BOOK CLUB
Some have asked if there is a way to purchase the selection for the June Book Club (Global Grace Café by Elizabeth Colmant Estes) other than using Amazon. There is! You can order your own copy of the book through the Global Grace Marketplace and have it shipped to you. Here is the link to order it: GLOBAL GRACE CAFÉ.
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The Congregational Library & Archives invites you to our first annual Church Stewardship Initiative Summer Camp.
Join archivists Zachary Bodnar and Billy McCarthy as they lead you through the steps needed to successfully begin archiving your church’s important records and valuable memories. This multi-session online program, hosted on Zoom, will provide guidance and instruction on the archival process keeping in mind your specific collections and locations.
Over the course of five sessions, Zachary and Billy will provide hands-on and in-depth instruction about how to begin tackling the seemingly mountainous task of properly archiving your church’s collection. Between sessions there will be exercises to complete at your own pace that reinforce lessons and set you up for the next session. Sessions will include time for instructions, group discussions, and Q&A. Sessions will focus on the following four topics: gathering your collection, identifying materials, organizing records, and crafting finding aids.
Space is limited. Please register using the following link by Friday, June 6: https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/CongregationalLibrary/CSISummerCamp.html
The cost to attend is $150 for individual and church members and $165 for non-members. Limited funds are available as scholarships for those otherwise unable to attend.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about attending the class.
For more information, please email ref@14beacon.org.
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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.
| | Summer Registration is now open at St. Mary's Ecumenical Institute. Courses include Spirituality in the New Testament, an exploration of the varieties of spirituality—the lived experience of Christian faith—found in the New Testament and their relevance for contemporary Christian life and mission. Readings include works by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King Jr. For more details, visit https://stmarys.edu/ei/summer-2025/ or contact gzook@stmarys.edu. | | |
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.
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Position Opening: Faith Formation Coordinator at Westmoreland Congregational UCC in Bethesda, Maryland
Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ in Bethesda, Maryland is a progressive congregation rooted in the teachings of Jesus and aligned with a denomination of "firsts" and extravagant welcome. We seek a passionate and compassionate professional with program development and management skills to create and inspire alongside our small staff team. The ideal candidate will be able to help envision efforts to help the church live out its commitment to intergenerational ministry and support the mission of the church by providing leadership and coordination for our Faith Formation programs for all ages. This is a full-time, temporary role for a period of one year (ideally June 2025 - June 2026).
FOR INFO AND TO APPLY: Westmoreland UCC
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Position Opening: Technical Support Associate at Christ's Reformed UCC in Hagerstown, Maryland
Position available for Technical Support Associate at Christ’s Reformed United Church of Christ in downtown Hagerstown, MD. The person best suited for this position must be available from 8:30-11:00am Sunday mornings. They must be able to run the sound system, PowerPoint slides, and Zoom while recording the service for YouTube. We would appreciate some experience but are willing to train. Compensation commensurate with experience. If interested, please contact Rev. Norville at reverend.norville@gmail.com.
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Conference Preaching Schedule
Rev. Freeman L. Palmer
May 18 – Pilgrim UCC, Wheaton, MD
(Installation service for Rev. Michael Vanacore)
June 1 – Faith UCC in Washington DC
June 22 – Middletown Reformed Church in Middletown, NJ
Rev. Craig Peterson
June 8 – Trinity UCC in Manchester, MD
Rev. Sheresa Simpson-Rice
May 18 – St. Mark's UCC in Snydertown/Hampstead
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What's Happening in the Future
Pastors and leaders!
Please share this info with your congregations.
If you have information to share
Send your information to rhubler@cacucc.org
NOTE: Submission deadline is Wednesday 12p for the weekly publication on Thursday!
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