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COMMAntary

The newsletter of the Minnesota Conference UCC

Volume 23, No. 8 | April 16, 2026

Equipping a courageous Church alive with Christ's transforming love

Interim Conference Minister Update

To our Beloved Conference Community,

We are writing to share an update on our search for the Interim Conference Minister. As a faith community, we recognize there are seasons for sowing, reaping, and restorative rest. Having endured a long winter—including the trauma of the ICE siege and the departure of our Conference Minister—we have proven our resilience. Now, we enter a season of healing, seeking a path forward where we can breathe, learn, and remain united in Christ’s love.

The Search Process

In accordance with our bylaws, the Board of Directors is tasked with selecting an Interim Conference Minister to guide us through this next chapter. To ensure this process is both thorough and sensitive, a Selection Team composed of members of the Board of Directors has been formed to lead the selection process. This team includes the Officers of the Board, the Board’s Liaison to Personnel, and an At-Large Board Member who provides vital continuity from our most recent search process. 

Selection Team

Sara Morse, Moderator

Tony Romaine, Vice Moderator

Danielle Bartz, Secretary

Bob Sicoli, Treasurer

Herb Rotunda, Liaison to Personnel

Emma North, At-large Member

Together, they will review profiles and present a formal recommendation to the full Board of Directors for final approval.

What We Are Seeking

This is not just a search for an administrator; it is a search for a collaborative leader. The Selection Team is working in close consultation with our staff and Rev. Dr. Diane Weible, Conference Minister Coordinator of the National Offices of the United Church of Christ, to identify a leader who will walk alongside us as we:

• Examine Our Systems: Reviewing our internal structures to ensure they are healthy, transparent, and sustainable.
• Dismantle White Supremacy: Continuing the vital work of self-reflection and the active dismantling of white supremacy within our conference structure.
• Facilitate Healing: Creating intentional space to process the collective trauma of the last five years so we can move forward with renewed spirits.

Next Steps

The Selection Team is currently reviewing profiles with a focus on finding a leader who understands the unique intersection of our current grief and our future potential. Specifically, we are seeking a candidate with significant upper judicatory experience to provide the seasoned leadership necessary for this transition. We ask for your prayers—for the Conference, for the Board, for our hardworking and committed staff, and for the leader God is calling to help us navigate this time of restoration and renewal.

In faith and hope,

Minnesota Conference UCC Board of Directors

Conference News & Events

Emergency Grants Still Available: Deadline to Apply is April 20

We want to make sure the generosity we received during ICE surge in Minnesota finds usefulness in our communities. Half the money we have received is still available.

Therefore, we have extended the deadline to April 20 to apply for a grant. Previous grantees may reapply for additional funds. Read more and apply here.

Cultivating Generous Congregations is May 30

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities and the Minnesota Conference of the UCC are offering a one-day workshop on congregational fundraising, a partnership made possible by a denomination grant.

Cultivating Generous Congregations maps the new landscape of religious giving and stewardship and provides you and your team with tools for building a culture of generosity unique to the congregation’s needs and challenges. The seminar will help participants:

• Rethink their role in church/meeting finances;
• Become better stewards of their donors’ gifts; and
• Awaken an ongoing spirit of generosity within their communities.

An early bird discount of 10% is available if you sign up by May 1. LEARN MORE or REGISTER.

Conference Office Moving

The Minnesota Council of Churches has sold its building at 122 Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis and the Conference Office will need to find a new home before the end of the year. We are exploring a number of possibilities and will keep you posted as plans progress. We will also have an opportunity to decommission the building sometime in late summer or fall, along with our ecumenical partners.

Attention Church Musicians and Staff!

How can church musicians collaborate effectively with pastors and staff? What are the best practices for music directors managing multiple staff musicians? How can directors support volunteer musicians from the congregation? You are invited to join a one-hour webinar, "Sweet Harmonies: Church Music Staff Relations" on April 25 at 11 am CT. Join Eric Dundore, United Church of Christ Musicians Association (UCCMA) and President and Minister of Music at St. Paul's UCC in PA, and Amanda Udis-Kessler, UCCMA Director of Member Education and pastor/musician at Vista Grande Community Church in Colorado, for a discussion on church music staff relations across various church sizes. LEARN MORE

Registration Now Open for Annual Meeting

June 12-23 | College of St. Benedict
REGISTER

LEARN MORE

We invite you to join us in person or via Zoom as we explore "Into the Deep" – defying division and celebrating our strength, unity, and resolve as Minnesotans and children of God. Jessica Vazquez Torres is our guest speaker. Worship will once again be led by The Many.

From the Committee to Dismantle White Supremacy

—Jen Bach

I am the newest member of the Committee to Dismantle White Supremacy, as well as the subcommittee Relationship and Accountability with Clergy and Congregations of Color. I am a Member in Discernment and a student at United Theological Seminary. I have had the honor of serving as the Minister of Outreach at Clark-Grace UCC in South St. Paul for two years. Clark-Grace is a multicultural congregation that formed from the joining of a European American congregation and an African American congregation.

I began my journey of anti-racism at Liberty Community Church in North Minneapolis, which is from the African American tradition. There I fell in love with the deep faith and embodied, spirit-filled worship at Liberty. I also came to know racism through the personal stories that were told and the books they shared with me.

I am passionate about doing anti-racism work because I want to honor and make space for the powerful, beautiful diversity of religious traditions that have transformed my life, and have the potential to greatly impact our churches and world, if we would only seek to understand them, include them, and honor them. I also want to uplift these essential voices of our beautiful body of Christ, that have often been silenced, criticized, ignored, or put-down.

The purpose of this subcommittee is to develop supportive and empowering covenantal relationships with clergy and congregants of color to repair and reconcile the damage caused by white supremacy. We want the Minnesota Conference UCC to become the fuller expression of God’s people and embody the body of Christ in all of its expressions, traditions and gifts.

We would like to see:

• Long term sustainability of congregations of color
• Retention of clergy of color, leaders of color, and church members of color in the Minnesota Conference UCC
• Preparation of white congregations who are in the seek and call process, so they are ready to receive and empower clergy, leaders, and church members of color

How we are working on this:

• Meeting with clergy, faith leaders, and church members of color to identify needs and offer support.
• Planning/attending meetings and workshops to meet the above objectives.
• Talking with those involved with conference funding sources so concrete antiracism training and programs can be funded to meet the objectives listed above.

Please feel free to contact me with questions/ideas at jen@clarkgraceucc.org.

Call to a Special Meeting of the Thirty-Fifth General Synod

On January 12, 2026, the United Church of Christ Board voted to call a Special Meeting of the Thirty-Fifth General Synod (UCC Bylaw 188). Notice is hereby given the meeting will take place on May 9, 2026, at 5:00 pm CT, and is expected to conclude by 9:00pm Eastern Time. All delegates1 will attend the meeting remotely through communications equipment (UCC Bylaw 191).

The purpose of the meeting is to elect an Associate General Minister to an unexpired term.

No business may be transacted at a special meeting other than what is specified in the call (UCC Bylaw 188).

Conferences must transmit notice of this call to their Local Churches (Bylaw 190). Further details of the meeting, including information on the candidate, will be communicated in advance of the May 9 meeting.

Delegates to the Special Meeting of the Thirty-Fifth General Synod are the delegates who served at the regular meeting of the General Synod in 2025, as delegates are elected for a term of General Synod which extends from the opening of one regular meeting of General Synod to the opening of the next regular meeting of General Synod (UCC Bylaw 187). If delegates have

resigned or are unable to serve, Conferences and HUGs may fill unexpired delegate terms according to their governing documents and policies.

Congregational Boundary Training with Rev. Diane Weible Offered

Tuesdays, April 21 and 28, 6:30-8:30 pm via Zoom

REGISTER

Congregational boundary training is an opportunity for communities of faith to explore ethics in ministry. This training will define boundaries and define what a healthy boundary looks like. It will include topics that lay leaders encounter in their ministry as well as offer an understanding of boundary concerns specific to ministers, such as when a minister leaves a church and expectations for ordained ministers who are members of a local church.

The training will include opportunities for small group discussion and questions. Participants are encouraged to bring questions related to their own experience.

New Freshwater Faithworks Summer Program Explores the Intersection of Water and Faith

Freshwater Faithworks is a new summer program focusing on the intersection of freshwater ecology and faith. Two experiences are offered. Both will provide a combination of hands-on service-learning, education, exploration, and reflection to help participants experience freshwater sources in a wholistic way, inviting them to fall in love with water and empowering them to fight back against climate anxiety with tangible action. Freshwater Faithworks is a collaboration between the Minnesota and Wisconsin Conferences of the United Church of Christ.

A two-night intergenerational camp (June 28-July 1) will explore the importance and sanctity of our water sources and how human activity affects the health of our waterways for better or worse. Held at Daycholah Center in Ripon, WI. Learn more.

A four-night middle school adventure will explore the importance and sanctity of our water sources and how human activity affects the health of our waterways for better or worse. Held at Creekside UCC in Minneapolis and First United Church of Little Falls. Learn more and register.

Generosity Webinar: Testimony

April 22, 6:30 pm CT

Effective story-telling leads to generosity. Stories put flesh and bones on the ministry of a congregation. Stewardship season may be the only time churches engage in the practice of testimony and miss an opportunity to encourage more storytelling from lay leaders and congregants. Join Rev. Molly Baskette and Rev. Wendy Vander Hart to learn ways to expand story-telling and effective use of testimony to grow engagement and giving in your church. Register here.

Strengthen the Church Offering Materials Available

The United Church of Christ invites congregations to support the Spirit of Pentecost by receiving the Strengthen the Church offering on Sunday, May 24. Like pentecostal fire the monies received support renewal of the church through innovation, leadership development and youth and young adult ministries. 50% of the offering remains in the MN Conference to support the same focus in ministry. Find materials to promote the offering here. Come Holy Spirit, Come!

Nominating Work Group Seeks Candidates for Conference-wide Positions

The Nominating Work Group asks for your help in identifying folk to serve in Conference-wide, elected positions. Our work rests on finding well qualified persons willing to volunteer and your help is needed in helping us find such folk. We frequently hear from those who have volunteered for an elected position that their volunteer time was rewarding. They met new friends, engaged in important work, and gained greater insight into the Conference’s ministry.  

Currently there are multiple openings including:



• Board of Directors: the governing Board of the Conference (subject to action taken at annual and special meetings of the Conference), providing guidance, oversite and support to staff and committees.
• Committee on Ministry: responsible for the oversite of all authorized ministers in the Conference, including those seeking ordination, Dual Standing, Privilege of Call, Licensure, and other forms of specialized authorization.
• Committee to Dismantle White Supremacy: our newest Conference Committee, working collaboratively with the Board of Directors, committees and work groups to ensure they remain aligned with the Conference’s anti-racism work.
• Finance Committee: prepares and monitors the Conference budget, makes and monitors investments, assesses and monitors risk, obtains insurance, and manages Conference funds.  
• Development Committee: promotes the financial development of the Conference, and reviews and implements the Conference’s fundraising plan.
• Personnel Committee: provides oversight and establishes policies in relation to employment, staffing and other human resource matters.
• Annual Meeting Planning Work Group: oversees all matters related to the annual meeting.
• Nominating Work Group: nominates persons to fill elected positions in the conference.

If you or someone you know is interested in serving in an elected position, please contact Eliot Howard, Chair of the Nominating Work Group at eliothoward930@gmail.com. Your support is greatly appreciated.

News from Churches & Partners

ConNext Summit 2026:
Beyond Belonging - Branching Out - Bringing In - Building Together

October 11-13, Clearwater Forest Camp and Retreat Center

REGISTER (early bird registration until May 31)

Faith leaders strive to create places of deep belonging. We long to branch out beyond belonging to bring into the center children, youth, and adults forced to the margins so that together, we can build a more beautiful community in which all God's beloveds flourish. How can we develop more emotionally- and systemically-aware mentors – adults and peers –capable of more joyful and meaningful welcome for children and youth whose identities place them on the margins and increasingly in danger? In the face of Christian Nationalism and other radicalizing ideologies, how do we create communities in which vulnerability, compassion, and gracious conversation are norms that shape open, compassionate, gracious children, youth, and families?

Gather Members to Watch the UCC Earth Summit on April 25

April 25, Noon CT

REGISTER

The theme for the fourth annual UCC Earth Summit is "A Future with Hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). To ground and inspire us as people of faith in difficult times, the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture will be delivered by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Samuel, a renowned advocate and organizer for justice who serves as the pastor of Victory for the World Church in Decatur, Georgia.

Joys & Concerns

Employment Opportunities

The Conference maintains an up-to-date listing of authorized minister, interim minister, and other positions available in Minnesota, as well as positions with the UCC National setting. This site is frequently updated. See the current listings.

More Resources & Opportunities

STORY IDEAS: Have a story or idea to share in COMMAntary? Send an email to communications@uccmn.org. COMMAntary is published every other Thursday. Submissions are due Tuesday prior to publication at noon.

PROGRAMS & SUPPORT: Check out the wealth of resources available on the Conference's website for authorized ministers, local churches, and faith formation leaders.

EMPLOYMENT: Check out the employment opportunities page on the Conference's website for all open positions.